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| • To the Manor born...
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Minehead Manor...
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Britain’s longest heritage steam train line, the West Somerset Railway (WSR), has just launched an ambitious £550,000 supporters appeal after a bid to buy its very first named loco, former GWR Manor class locomotive No. 7828 "Odney Manor"was successful. Although ‘Odney Manor’ had been a popular, reliable and regular performer on the WSR for seven years from 1995, there were fears it might leave Somerset after it was withdrawn from service with boiler problems and subsequently put up for sale by the owner due to the high cost of overhaul. But the West Somerset Railway company’s board of directors was not going to take the matter lying down, and "Odney Manor" was eventually purchased for £250,000 in May this year. The loco now needs a £300,000 general overhaul to return it to steam for another ten years of front line service. More...
28 May 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • More recollections...
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Another WSR book
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Long-time volunteer and WSRA member Tony Yardley has produced a second book covering his recollections of the early days of the revived West Somerset Railway. Tony's involvement at the sharp end of the railway's evolution since the 1970s has given him quite an insight into the various developments over the years. "More Railway Recollections" by Tony Yardley is available from Minehead and Bishops Lydeard Station shops at just £3. Both books have much to interest old and new WSR devotees.
28 May 2004
Details from Tony Yardley
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| • Fireless for Wallingford...
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Fireless moves
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The 0-4-0 fireless locomotive, No 2473 – which has been based on the WSR for years – has left for pastures new at Wallingford. The loco was produced by W.G. Bagnall & Co at the Castle Engine Works in 1932, and was one of a pair delivered to Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory at Reading - not too far from the new home...
25 May 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Peter Knight...
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News has reached us of the passing of Peter Knight last Friday. Pete was the enthusiastic leader of the Association's Signal and Telegraph Team and played a key part in the resignalling of Bishops Lydeard along with numerous other minor and major tasks over a long time, as well as a valued contributor to this web site. You will be much missed, Pete.
24 May 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Brewing up for the Camra Weekend...
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Real Ale Festival...
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The Somerset Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) are busy organising the fifth Real Ale Festival which this year is held on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September at the usual venue, Minehead Station. This year's logo includes a drawing of the "new" locomotive currently being completed at Minehead Loco Works, the controversial 2-6-0 no 5193. Even the number is giving cause for great debate!.
22 May 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Gangers Cottage to let...
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Railway Cottage
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The railway cottage right next to the line at Woolston Bridge will be available to let from mid summer on a six month trial basis. Railway Cottage is the original GWR ganger's cottage, at the halfway point of the WSR and comprises 2 bedrooms, kitchen/dining area, sitting room, bathroom, separate shower room/WC, study area, conservatory, garage and garden. The rent is £600 per month. Plesae contact Peter Menneer if you are interested.
12 May 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Popular Henry...
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Star of the Show
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Bookings for the Day Out with Thomas event on 3 and 4 July have been brisk, so brisk that Henry's Train - the 10.25am - is already fully booked on both days. Full details of the event are now available...
11 May 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Brief Encounter with two Castles...
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Earl Bathurst
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The "The Cornubian" charters over the coming bank holiday weekend will also see the two Castle Class locos, no 5029 "Nunney Castle" and no 5051 "Earl Bathurst" arriving at Bishops Lydeard on Thursday 27 May at around 5pm - towed by a Class 37 diesel. The following day, the locos will be prepared and coaled, before leaving Bishops Lydeard at 7.05am on Saturday for Taunton and then to Penzance at the head of the special. Incidentally no 5051 may well appear as no 5054 "Earl of Ducie" to mark forty years since the famous "Great Western" railtour on 9 May 1964 - no 5054 was one of the stars of that famous run.
26 May 2004
Details from local correspondents
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| • WSR Plc confirm purchase of "Odney Manor"...
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Minehead Manor...
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The West Somerset Railway Plc have confirmed the purchase of BR(W) 4-6-0 no 7828 "Odney Manor" from Mr Ken Ryder. The loco has been resident on the line for over ten years proving a very suitable machine indeed for the present day needs of the Railway. The purchase price will be revealed to shareholders in a week or two. Funding is now being sought for the overhaul of the engine. The tender from "Odney Manor" will be paired with Mogul No 5193 - the loco being rebuilt as a 2-6-0 from the Prairie of the same number. It is not yet clear if the "new" engine will be numbered no 5193 or 9351...
20 May 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Taunton Group June Meeting at Gauge Museum...
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Gauge Museum
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The next meeting of the WSRA Taunton Group will be at the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard, on Monday 7 June at 7.30pm. Here, BBC videos recorded in the Early Days of the WSR will be shown, and there will be a display of early papers and artefacts from the original Watchet Railway and early GW days...all courtesy of hosts Norman Hawkes and Martin Southwood. The Station Shop should be open for sales and refreshments.
26 May 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • Exmoor Explorer named at Minehead...
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Explore Exmoor...
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In glorious Somerset sunshine, Wessex Trains Commercial Director Jeremy Whitaker joined Steven Pugsley, Chairman of Exmoor National Park and Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway and other local dignitaries to officially launch the "Exmoor Explorer" - a Wessex Train class 158 no 158 855 which had brought guests from Bristol and Taunton for the ceremony. More...
19 May 2004
Details from local correpondent
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| • Diesel Gala Success...
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Diesel Success
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Almost 2,700 passengers enjoyed the WSR’s first Diesel gala for five years over the weekend of 7-9 May 2004 – an increase of nearly 41% on the Cross-Country Gala Weekend held over the same weekend in 2003.Behind the scenes, a lot of work was put in by the organising team right up until the event itself, ensuring visitors were able to enjoy the sight and sound of no less than five visiting locomotives – GB Railfreight Class 66/7 no 66716, EWS Class 37 no 37419, Mendip Rail Class 59 no 59103 "Village of Mells" and a pair of Fragonset Class 33s nos 33103 and 33202. These were supported by several members of the home fleet – nos D7017, D9526, D6566, D7523, D3462, D2133 and 03117.
17 May 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • The Exmoor Explorer ...
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Wednesday 19 May is shaping up to be an excellent day. There are still public tickets available on the service from Bishops Lydeard at 11.05am arriving in Minehead at ten past noon at usual fares. There's also an additional working from Minehead to Williton departing Minehead at 1.05pm. The main return service to Bishops Lydeard, Taunton and Bristol Temple Meads departs from Minehead at 2.50pm. Guests of Wessex Trains and the WSR are coming from Bristol TM and Taunton stations so will be able to enjoy the whole branchline experience on board the first ever visit to the WSR of a class 158 unit. At Minehead the Chairman of the Exmoor National Park will be presented with the replica nameplate of West Country Bulleid Pacific no 34022 "Exmoor" - as seen at the Gala in March - together with a framed photo of the locomotive. These will go on display in Exmoor House, Dulverton - the National Park's HQ. Bigger graphic...
13 May 2004
Details from WSR Plc.
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| • Good start ...
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After a very successful Easter, by the end of April a total of 28,273 passengers had travelled on the WSR over the first four months of 2004. This compares with 25,260 passengers at the same stage last year – an increase of 11.9%.
9 May 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • The Spring Diesel Gala - Update ...
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Now we seem to have the final lineup for the Diesel Gala weekend, thanks to the WSR Plc website. Visiting Class 66 no 66716 will operate on all three days, as will Class 33 locos nos 33202 and 33103, which will join locally-based no 33048. A Class 37 will appear after all - no 37419 is due to work on two days (presumably Saturday and Sunday). The Class 59 no 59103 will run on two days. Other home machines likely to stir a piston will be nos D7523, D9526, D3462, 03119 and, on non-passenger duties, D2133. It is confirmed that the mighty Western D1010 will not run. Neither will the ROF shunter. However the classic Western Region diesel-hydraulic 'Hymek' D7017 - a very powerful machine capable of hauling twelve coaches over the line - will run.
Small corrections made 6 and 7 May 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The Exmoor Explorer ...
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Wessex Trains is joining in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Exmoor National Park by producing a new livery for class 158 Alphaline diesel train no 158 855, named "Exmoor Explorer" and depicting scenes of the National Park's wildlife and a view over Porlock Bay taken from Selworthy Beacon. Additionally two panels on each side by the doors will depict GWR Prairie locos nos 5542 and 5553, along with the WSR crest and words promoting Steam Trains to the Seaside with website address and telephone number. The livery should remain in place for two years so is great publicity for Exmoor and the West Somerset - and perhaps a first for a preserved railway?
On Wednesday 19 May the train will visit the Railway carrying guests and members of the public from Bishops Lydeard departing at 11.05am to Minehead arriving at ten minutes after noon. At Minehead guests will be greeted by Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway and Alan Wilson,Managing Director of Wessex Trains. The new livery will be unveiled by Steven Pugsley, Chairman of Exmoor National Park. He will be presented with the replica nameplate of West Country Pacific "Exmoor" with a framed photograph to be displayed in Exmoor House, Dulverton.
Seventy seats on the train are available to the public at normal WSR fares and can be booked via Minehead Station. Also a short journey to Blue Anchor is planned, but not yet confirmed. The return trip to Bishops Lydeard is due to depart at 2.50pm arriving 4.15pm
5 May 2004
Details from WSR Plc.
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