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| • The Spring Diesel Gala ...
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The first Diesel Gala to be held on the Railway for some years is just a few days away over the weekend of 7-9 May 2004. The highlights include a visiting Class 66/7 in the blue and orange of GB Railfreight which will be in action on each day. English Welsh & Scottish Railway have promised at least two diesels from their fleet - at the time of writing we do not know the actual class(es) of the visitors - but perhaps that creates a mystery element! On the Saturday, a excursion from London Paddinton to Minehead will be headed by an EWS Class 59/2 throughout. Add to the above, the home fleet of classes 52, 35, 33,25,14,08 and 03 and you have quite a feast of diesel traction laid on...
28 April 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • Wessex Trains class 158 to Minehead...
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A Wessex Trains Class 158 unit will be officially named "The Exmoor Explorer" in a special ceremony to be hosted at Minehead Station on Wednesday 19 May, to mark fifty years since the creation of the Exmoor National Park The exterior of the unit will be wrapped with colourful scenes from the Exmoor area, including two of the Railway and the Railway logo. This will be the first time a Class 158 has worked over the Minehead branch. The unit is expected to depart from Bishops Lydeard at 11.05am, returning from Minehead – after the naming ceremony – at 2.50pm. Just 70 tickets will be available for travel on this special train, which can be booked by telephoning Minehead Station on 01643 704996.
28 April 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • Wildlife here, a clean road there...
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Whilst much of the lineside is managed in sympathy with wildlife giving rise to the unofficial but very worthy "longest nature reserve in Somerset" tag, the metals and supporting ballast need to be maintained for the serious business of running a safe railway. To that end, the Railway operates a weedkilling train once a year over the whole line to keep unwanted weeds at bay. A clean "road" is an essential part of a well managed railway system. This year, the work, including the sidings at each terminus, was completed in just two days, starting at Minehead at 2pm and reaching Bishops Lydeard at 6.45pm, with a run to Norton the following morning. The task was completed one day ahead of schedule.
27 April 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • A Vision for Minehead...
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A bold vision of the future for Minehead that would see steam locomotives being turned around on the seafront; the recreation of an attractive traditional Edwardian station yard, plus a purpose-built transport interchange are set out in proposals announced by the West Somerset Railway (WSR) plc. The railway’s own vision for Minehead, which it hopes will eventually form an attractive centrepiece of the town’s current regeneration plans, would not only see big improvements for train passengers, visitors and local residents, but also would bring new vitality and better transport facilities for everyone around the station area. Full text of the Vision...
22 April 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • West Somerset smiles on Excursionists...
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On Saturday 17 April, the Railway played host to a visiting excursion from the Home Counties. The "Steamy Affairs" special from Milton Keynes was headed by two Class 37 diesels - no 37047 in MainLine blue livery and no 37057 in the more familiar EWS red colours. Around 400 passengers enjoyed the run and several hours in Minehead. Some opted for a ride on a WSR steam train too! The rather work-worn coaching stock and locos caused some comment but the Railway, as ever, was delighted to entertain the visitors from the East. More pictures...
18 April 2004
Details from local correspondents
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| • Taunton Group Meeting is "abroad" in May...
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The Taunton Groups of the WSRA and Great Western Society are joining for an evening at the Bristol Harbour Railway and the Industrial Museum on Monday 3 May, starting at 5 o'clock. Some idea of numbers of attendees would be helpful - please contact Peter Darke as soon as possible...
17 April 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • Trouble underground...
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Difficulties associated with ground water, underlying soft blue clay and existing services have pushed estimated costs of the proposed new offices "through the roof" - according to the Somerset County Gazette.
The estimated cost of the development at the car park site at Minehead are reported to have risen to £6 million.
17 April 2004
Details from Somerset County Gazette
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| • Cracking Easter...
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According to the Somerset County Gazette the Railway has reported a 17% increase in passenger numbers over the Easter weekend compared with last year. Good news indeed and it bodes well for the rest of the season.
17 April 2004
Details from Somerset County Gazette
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| • One Million Miles...
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As predicted by the owners, Locomotive 5542 Ltd, the GWR Small Prairie 2-6-2T no 5542, passed the 1,000,000 mile mark today. The clock started in Great Western days, then the loco soldiered on in British Railways ownership, then a long time laying up at the famous Barry Scrapyard, until the start of a long restoration on the West Somerset Railway. The engine was returned to steam in 2002 and has become a regular performer since. Congratulations to all concerned...
12 April 2004
Details from local correspondents
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| • Williton Station on BBC...
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It is well known that the BBC used Williton Station as a location for scenes from the forthcoming production of Anthony Trollope's novel "He knew he was right". This finely restored station, which boasts many Bristol & Exeter Railway features, became Lessboro' for the filming, with just a few extra props necessary. The series begins on Sunday 18 April at 9pm. More about the production can be found at the BBC web site.
7 April 2004
Details from local correspondents
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| • DVD and Video of the Gala...
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Drawn from a personal collection, featuring nos 5542, 5552, 5553, 6412, 7820, 34027, 45407, 65462, 76079, 80136 and filmed on Saturday and Sunday all of the excitement of a full weekend of steam action is captured. The highlights include an impromptu triple-headed 'Small Prairie' working, the GWR Auto Trailer being used extensively over the whole 23 mile line. No 34027 "Taw Valley" running as no 34022 "Exmoor" and then no 34046 "Braunton" and GER J15 no 65462 hauling a goods train andseveral passenger services, Running time is a full sixty minutes. The DVD costs £7.99 with £1.99 p&p, and the VHS video is £4.99 with £1.99 p&p. Available from Colin Beech.
7 April 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Spring Diesel Gala 7-9 May 2004
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The long awaited return of the West Somerset Diesel Gala! Some really juicy highlights are on offer over the weekend of 7-9 May. The mainline home fleet of classes 52, 35, 33, 25 and 14, supported by various shunting locos, will be joined by a GB Railfreight Class 66/7. And at least two locomotives are promised from English Welsh & Scottish Railway, including a South Wales based Class 37/4 . On the Saturday, Hertfordshire Railtours will be visiting the Railway with a Class 59/2 hauled charter from London Paddington. Add some shunting demos and top n tail trips to Norton, and the Diesel Gala is back with much to interest the modern traction enthusiast. And of course hundreds of miles of class diesel haulage. Lots more detail, including train times, on the Spring Diesel Gala page...
6 April 2004
Details from local correspondents
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| • The Bosley Special
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On Saturday 3 April, a group of WSR notables enjoyed a day out on the "Quantock Belle" in the company of Driver Dave Bosley, his family and friends, to celebrate his enormous contribution to the fortunes of the Railway over many years. The "Belle" was renamed "The Bosley" for the day and further deserved accolades from everyone aboard including the Chairman of the WSRA and the Managing Director of the WSR Plc added to the event. Dave was presented with an Honorary Life Membership of the Association along with many other gifts. It is good to know that his immense knowledge of steam locomotives has not been lost - the Master will still grace WSR footplates as Dave is now one of the Loco Inspectors...
4 April 2004
Details from local correspondents
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| • The Spring Steam Gala 2004, 2005 and 2006...
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The Lydeard Shedmaster, Richard Jones, writing in the monthly WSR OnLine publication reveals the 2005 Spring Gala event will be on the theme of “Pride of the Great Western" which gives a big clue about visiting engines. The following year, 2006, will be have a "Somerset & Dorset" theme to commemorate the closure of that famous line in 1966. This year's event saw around a very respectable total of 5300 passengers.
2 April 2004
Details from WSR OnLine
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