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| • Busy bees at Williton...
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On the last day of July, at the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, two of the WSRA's "Catfish" wagons which are used on the Permanent Way trains, received attention. The vehicles were rubbed down and sanded, steam cleaned, rubbed down again and the frames received their first coat of black paint. The Class 03 shunter received attention to the cooling fan drive belts and the 04 shunter was to receive a smart new coat of paint. The brakevan has now been moved inside the shed for major renovation work to be carried out to its timbers. Western Class D1010 is having minor surgery performed and following a successful FTR exam and a test run, it will be appearing at the forthcoming diesel gala.
1 August 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • News from the Friends of Minehead Station...
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FOMS has been very busy of late. For example, on Monday 26 July, John Farmer was renovating a Lamp for the main buffer stop. Meanwhile Gordon Harris was carefully dismantling a ticket box for recycling so that the timber could be used again. Ken Mardell was reducing the size of the board from the Booking Office which has for many years displayed a Somerset Poster. Other members of the team tackled a problem with a door lock in the Gents toilet and renewed a washer in a leaking tap by the catering store. We also cut and painted new steps for each end of the sleeping coach to replace the existing ones. More pictures on the Latest Pictures page and full report on the FOMS page...
29 July 2004
Details from FOMS
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| • The Golden Fishplate Award 2004...
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The Golden Boys
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It must be the Awards Season - this one is very richly deserved. Adrian Mason and Tony Plimmer of the Permanent Way share the Golden Fishplate Award for 2004 - this being presented to the best and most consistent greasers of the Permanent Way gang. A great example of the largely unseen yet essential tasks undertaken by our brave lads...
26 July 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Exmoor - the story continues...
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Exmoor at rest
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Readers may recall the temporary change of indentity of visiting locomotive "Taw Valley" to no 34022 "Exmoor" - the Railway joining in the celebrations of fifty years of the Exmoor National Park. After the celebratory event at the Spring Gala, a framed print of "Exmoor" was donated to the Dulverton-based National Park Authority. Photographer Paul Sharpe has now given us permission to publish the print on the website. Click here for the PDF (you may need to download the Adobe Acrobat reader to be able to see the PDF).
26 July 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • August Diesel Weekend..
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Maybach Music
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The weekend of 14-15 August 2004 will provide another opportunity for modern traction enthusiasts to see, photograph and travel behind the three operational former BR Western Region diesel hydraulics under the care of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group – Western no D1010 "Western Campaigner", Hymek no D7017 and Class 14 no D9526. The three locomotives will share 140 miles of diesel passenger train mileage each day, and a special demonstration freight train – featuring a rake of beautifully restored period wagons – will also operate a forty mile diagram. The intensive TIMETABLE will also feature two eighty mile steam diagrams.
14 July 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • A Volunteer's Gallery..
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Portraits...
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Malc Stacey will be in the Craft Tent at the Steam Fayre over the weekend of 7 and 8 August with his pictures of WSR volunteers, including, it is hoped, 53 framed black and white pictures of the footplate crew members. You can always catch up with Malc's work at www.malcstacey.org.
14 July 2004
Details from Malc Stacey
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| • All the fun of the Rally..
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Rally Sights...
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Once again the West Somerset Railway Station at Bishops Lydeard will echo to the sound of many mighty steam engines as they gather for what will be West Somerset Railway Assocation's 18th rally on 7-8 August 2004. A glittering array of superb machinery will be in action alongside the restored country station on Britain’s longest preserved railway and 2004 looks like beating all records with some of the country’s finest examples of vintage transport on display. Gleaming engines, powerful steam tractors and road rollers, elegant vintage cars and motorcycles, superb fire engines, buses, commercial and military vehicles will be put through their paces in the arena to thrill the crowds. Bishops Lydeard Steam Fayre is well known for its unique location, friendly atmosphere and good value for money. Backing up the vintage vehicles will be displays, stalls, trade stands, children’s entertainments and ample refreshment facilities. More info...
7 July 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • Drive a virtual WSR train...
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The forthcoming West Somerset Railway add-on for Microsoft Train Simulator, developed by railwaves.com and published by Just Trains is scheduled for publication on 9 July. The suggested retail price is £19.99 and it will be available from the WSR shop at Minehead - with a discount for members of organisations associated with the railway - and from games retail and web outlets. Microsoft's Train Simulator programme must be pre-installed in order to run this package.
30 June 2004
Details from railwaves.com
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| • News from Williton Diesel Depot...
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D1010
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Activities at the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group's base at Williton include some minor works to the pre-heaters of D1010 "Western Campaigner" which has also enjoyed a spruce up in readiness for the forthcoming Diesel Weekend on 14-15 August. Hymek D7017 has been in use on the Jazz Special whilst the Class 25 D7523 remains out of use pending off-site turbocharger repairs. Also in hand is unseen but essential cleaning and painting the underside of the 20 ton brake van along with much inside work too. It seems the DEPG website is also due a new broom...
20 July 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Shimming improves the ride..
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Shimming...
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For some time, the Railway's permanent way gang have been working away behind the scenes sorting out any number of "dipped" rail joints. Causes of "dipped" joints could be poor maintenance (a legacy from the previous owners) along with the cumulative effects of running short wheelbase locomotives (for example the Bagnall Tanks) and wagons. The gang have carefully applied measured amounts of shimming resulting in a much better ride for passengers.
10 July 2004
Details from local correspondent and WSR Plc
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| • Double celebration for Paul...
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Driver Paul...
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West Somerset Railway traction engineer Paul Conibeare had a double header of a celebration on Monday - he celebrated his 41st birthday and marked a 25 year association with the preserved steam railway. Paul started as a volunteer at the age of 16 and because he was too young to train for footplate duties, he became a travelling ticket inspector. He eventually achieved his ambition of becoming a volunteer steam engine driver - only to leave the railway for a short time when he took up a position with Anglia railways, although he kept his links with the WSR. Paul has now returned to Bishops Lydeard where he went to school, taking the job of traction inspector, looking after the many aspects of steam operation, including the successful steam engineman courses.
7 July 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • Kilmersdon heads west...
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Going West...
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Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 "Kilmersdon" is to be a guest engine at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway this coming weekend, 10-11 July. The Washford Station-based engine - owned and cared for at Washford Station by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust - will made the long journey to Cornwall by road on 7 July.
Late news - visit now cancelled...
6 July 2004
Details from SDRT
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| • It was forty years ago today...
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Crowcombe Four
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Today is the fortieth anniversary of the world premiere of The Beatles first film "A Hard Days Night" and was featured on BBC TV Breakfast News. Actor Victor Spinetti and hairstylist Betty Glasgow were interviewed by Dermot and Natasha. They chatted at length about The Beatles and the making of the film. Best of all was Betty's memory of being on the train "from London to Minehead" and all the screaming fans at each station along the route. A journey that can still be made. More...
6 July 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • An impressive bit of engineering...
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Cab Detail
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Apparently, the GWR drew up plans for a small 2-6-0 locomotive which never left the drawing board - until the WSR decided to rebuild ex-GWR "Large Prairie" 2-6-2T no 5193 into a "Small Mogul". The loss of the trailing wheels, and replacement of the water tanks and coal bunker with a traditional tender has created must interest - and debate -in the railway fraternity. The restoration project is nearing completion and the "new" loco - which looks most impressive - is due to commence trials in a few weeks or so. One of the last pieces of the jigsaw is the fabrication of the main steam pipes - see pictures by Alan Grieve...
6 July 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Cutting Back at Teddy Bear Crossing...
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Near Teddy Bear
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The next Cutting Back session will be at Teddy Bear Crossing on 10,11 July 2004. Teddy Bear Crossing is tucked under the northern slopes of Castle Hill, about half-a-mile south of Williton Station. Volunteers are always welcomed at these sessions. With no parking near the Crossing, participants are advised to park at Williton Station and, armed with train movement knowledge and wearing hi-viz clothing, walking up the trackside towards Castle Hill. Leader David Holmes will be pleased to see as many people as possible and he offers the delights of a Teddy Bears Picnic at lunchtime...
5 July 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • A Day Out with Thomas...
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The first day of the Thomas weekend saw trains well filled, but not overcrowded, likewise the main activity venue, Minehead Station. Time-keeping suffered due to sheep on the line, thought to be sabotage by the Manager of Bertie the Bus, who allegedly left a gate open at Kentsford in order that the sheep would delay the trains and embarrass his arch rival the Fat Controller by making the trains late. Bertie came mob-handed to Minehead - running in three portions at the busiest time of the day - so there may be something in the rumour? Meantime, Percy proved popular entertaining the crowds at Washford Sidings.
4 July 2004
Details from local correspondents and storytellers
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| • Autumn Gala News...
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Early news suggests the following home fleet will appear - nos 5542, 5553, 6412 and 80136 - hopefully along with the newcomer GWR Small Mogul 2-6-0 no 5193. As always, the guest locos generate a lot of interest. This autumn should see the long-awaited appearance of LSBCR Terrier no 32678 "Knowle", owned by The Terrier Trust and based on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, Due to its small size, the Terrier will be restricted to the Minehead-Blue Anchor section, including, with luck, the Dunster Goods Yard turn. Other guest - and larger - locos are being sourced. There is a chance of an incoming steam special which might provide Bulleid Pacific No 34067 "Tangmere" for Gala duties on the Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Check this web site to see if and when this is confirmed. Many will be pleased to learn the Auto Trailer no 178 seems likely to return to the line in time for the Gala.
2 July 2004
Details from WSR OnLine
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| • News about nos 5542 and 169...
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GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 has now clocked up over 15000 miles since re-entering service in 2002. The loco is currently out routine maintenance and will return to service around 14 July. Meantime progress to recover GWR Auto Coach no 169 from its current location for restoration has been slower than expected. It seems the 5542 group have made preliminary enquiries regarding possible outside funding towards the project to restore the historic coach.
2 July 2004
Details from Locomotive no 5542
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