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| • New book captures the moods of the WSR...
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A new arrival in the "Moods" series by Halsgrove is "Railway Moods - The West Somerset Railway" which features over 140 high quality photographs by WSR volunteer Don Bishop. The book - with a particular emphasis on trains "in the landscape" and ranging from single-coach to 1000 tonne freight - is priced at around £12.99 and is a must for any bookshelf.
22 June 2005
Details from local correspondent
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| • Steam Engineman Courses 2006 dates...
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The West Somerset Railway offers a range of one and two day courses to realise your ambition and make long held dreams become reality. Experience the feel of a working steam locomotive as you join the team on the footplate, shovel coal into the firebox, blow the whistle, open the regulator and feel the power. Our Steam Engineman Courses are designed for moderately fit men and women (over 18) to experience aspects of the railway unseen by many passengers. Depending on your choice of course you will learn how to prepare a locomotive, the principles of working a steam locomotive, signalling, braking, safety, driving and firing. Guided by an experienced West Somerset Railway instructor you will haul a train of coaches or freight wagons along part of the longest preserved line in the Country. More information and dates...
9 June 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Midsummer Special success...
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A very successful Midsummer Special train run by Locomotive 5542 Limited and the 169 Fund on the evening of 25 June produced a healthy boost to restoration funds for Autotrailer no 169. The seven coach train was virtually full and 325 travellers enjoyed the trip. With the group now actively involved in sourcing the replacement timbers for a large amount of the main framework the extra funds will be most welcome. For latest Autotrailer news, visit the Autotrailer 169 website...
27 June 2005
Details from Locomotive 5542 Limited
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| • Most definitely blue it will be...
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To settle the debate over the colour scheme for SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 when outshopped in a few months time, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust have issued a statement. "After discussion at this year's AGM of The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
and later with the West Somerset Railway plc a proposal that locomotive no 53808 [also known as no 88] should be painted black on return to steam has been dropped. The Trust has decided it will be painted Prussian Blue and in accordance with the
decision made by the Members in 1999.".
26 June 2005
Details from Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
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| • Flower Power...
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The Taunton Trains website report "Glastonbury appears to have bought the meaning of 'Flower Power' to Taunton! June 23 saw the West Somerset Railway taking over two of the raised flowerbeds at the North end of Platform 2. This will certainly brighten up the platform areas, Ian and Maggie from the WSR are seen adding their selection to the raised beds, while no 31459 is seen waiting to depart on a Glastonbury special service for Wessex Trains. There will be an 'official' promotional event in due course when the signs advertising the West Somerset Railway are attached to the front of each flower bed. There are also 4 other brick built raised beds awaiting sponsorship from local companies. Many thanks to Jeff Treece for the above photo. Interested parties should contact the Station Manager at Taunton Station for further details on how gain some nice advertising space!". Thanks to Taunton Trains for permission to use the words and pictures...
25 June 2005
Details from Taunton Trains
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| • Our survey said...
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From a report in the West Somerset Free Press: "The West Somerset Railway is by far the most important tourist asset in the area, according to a tourism survey by the Liberal Democrats. And over 80% of those who responded to thesurvey backed extra council support and investment for the WSR. Residents in Minehead and Alcombe were asked to rate what they considered were the most important aspects of the tourism industry in West Somerset. Of those polled, 83% rated the railway as 'excellent' for the area and 13% considered it 'good', with many residents believing
that the WSR should benefit from extra financial support.".
19 June 2005
Details from West Somerset Free Press
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| • A Busy Washford Weekend...
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The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust are holding Members Days at their base at Washford Station on 17 & 18 September 2005. On offer, subject to availability, will be Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 "Kilmersdon" in steam for driving by Members (driver for a fiver perhaps?); a shuttle on the Peat Railway; Signal Box in operation; a visiting steam engine from the WSR and the Shed open for inspection. Teas will also be available. Membersip details are available at the excellent SDRT website. Also, we understand the imminent return to steam of the Trust's SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 will see the loco in BR Black before an eventual repaint to the famous SDJR Prussian Blue livery in 2006.
16 June 2005
Details from local correspondent and SDRT
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| • High Speed for Thomas...
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It seems the Days Out with Thomas Weekend - 2-3 July - is likely to be quite busy and the Railway is taking the precaution of laying on a relief train in the mid-afternoon for visitors returning to Bishops Lydeard. Whilst seats on the fully-booked outward trains are all reservable, passengers may return by any train. The rostered relief train is no less than a First Group High Speed Train which will provide a rather surprising and exciting experience for the fans of Thomas. The HST is not expected to wear a face.
1 July 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Thomas packs 'em in...
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The Railway are predicting a very busy weekend as all morning Minehead-bound trains leaving Bishops Lydeard between 9.30 and 12.30 are fully booked for the Days Out with Thomas event over 2-3 July. However anyone who has not yet booked can drive to Minehead and pay to come onto the platform where "Thomas" will be giving rides all day, the Fat Controller will be keeping all in order and there will be shows from Childrens’ Entertainers plus other attractions. If visitors would like to travel a little further along the line we suggest that they take a ride from Minehead to Washford to see "Percy" dealing with the Troublesome Trucks. Their ticket to and from Washford will also include all the attractions at Minehead including the trip with "Thomas".
30 June 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The Maid of all Work...
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A favourite amongst lovers of modern motive power is lined up for duty on Fathers Day on 19 June. D6566 - also known as a Class 33 or "Crompton" - will work the diesel diagrams which will surely appeal to Dads and other passengers alike. The "Maid of all Work" from the Southern rails is a particularly attractive locomotive.
16 June 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Treadle at Trebles
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Lineside cable laying is proceeding from Crowcombe Heathfield towards Bishops Lydeard. The cable head is currently at Churchlands Bridge which is about halfway. One of the benefits already achieved is the fitting of a Down Approach Treadle, near Trebles Holford, giving the Crowcombe Signalman approximately a two minute warning of a train arriving from Bishops Lydeard.
7 June 2005
Details from local correspondent
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| • John Donner
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"John Donner, 74 of Heddon Oak House, Crowcombe has died. John was a director and shareholder in the West Somerset Railway, and an avid collector of classic and vintage cars. He lived in Somerset for over thirty years whilst pursuing a career in insurance as a Lloyds Underwriter in London."
"John was appointed a director of the West Somerset Railway in February 1991 and was just in the process of retiring from this office. In addition to his contribution to Board meetings, I found him to be a great source of encouragement to me as managing director which can sometimes be a lonely role. He was a great listener, who would challenge my thinking, and then support and help me and the Company.He was a skilled marketer, and was able to share his business experience with me."
"Beside the Railway, he had a tremendous passion for the work of Sir Henry Royce and the Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars. He was planning a major display of vintage and classic cars in his garden later in the summer to help with fund raising for Crowcombe Parish Church."
"I know that John's many friends on the Railway will want to join me in sending our condolences to his wife Patricia, and children Annabel and Rupert. there will be a funeral service on Thursday at Crowcombe."
Mark Smith Managing Director WSRplc
4 June 2005
Details from the Managing Director
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| • Picture of Kentsford Box turns up...
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An ex-signalman, who worked the Taunton area and also the Minehead Branch, has kindly donated to the Gauge Museum a photograph of Kentsford Signal Box taken in BR days. This box worked the passing loop at Kentsford, between Watchet and Washford, installed by the GWR in the 1930s to help increase the capacity of the line. Recent growth of traffic has prompted suggestions of re-establishing the loop but this work does not figure in the current development plans. See June 2005 pictures for a bigger view...
2 June 2005
Details from WSRA
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| • Old friend to leave the WSR...
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It seems the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group is willing to give away its two-car Class 103 Park Royal diesel multiple unit, providing it "goes to a good home where it will be restored and kept in working order" The unit – which comprises of Driving Motor Brake Second W50413 and Driving Trailer Composite W56169 – has been based on the WSR since the mid-1970s and, together with a sister unit, were the mainstay of diesel services on the line for many years. However, the Park Royal has been out of service for some time, and many within the D&EPG feel it does not have the resources needed to return the dmu to working order in the near future, as working members are currently heavily involved with the major overhaul to Hymek no D7018 and ongoing repairs on Western no D1010 Western Campaigner. As well as the Park Royal dmu, the D&EPG is also willing to donate its master-and-slave Brush Bagnall 0-4-0 diesel electric shunters, nos 501/512. Again, so long as a good home is offered, the Group is willing to donate the vehicles free, although movement by road will be required.
2 June 2005
Details from WSRA
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| • Mogul on the move...
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The website of the West Somerset Railway Association report that the WSR 2-6-0 no 9351 – which entered service last year after conversion from ex-GWR 2-6-2T no 5193, and is now a regular in the WSR steam fleet – has been booked to attend the Severn Valley Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala on 23-25 September 2005, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the start of the SVR preservation scheme. An impressive turnout of engines is promised. This will be no 9351’s first visit away from the WSR since its return to steam.
2 June 2005
Details from WSRA
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| • Prairie Update...
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Locomotive 5542 Ltd report: "A recent inspection of the motion of 5542 revealed the need for a replacement 'die-block' that is fitted to the Left Hand Quadrant Link. The replacement part was produced in 'doublequick' time by our 'South Devon' friends during a short lull in work on 4160, thereby allowing the work on 5542 to be completed during an enforced stoppage for routine washout. The new part allows better adjustment to the valve settings and should further improve the efficiency and economy. The locomotive returned to service in late May ready for the run up to the main peak season."
1 June 2005
Details from Loco 5542 Ltd
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| • Auto coach news...
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Locomotive 5542 Ltd report: "Work continues on uncovering the GWR construction methods used in Autotrailer 169 and assessing which existing components are most suitable for use as patterns. We have also received some very useful construction and detail information from the Didcot based Steam Railmotor project. For anyone with some basic woodworking skills who may want to assist the project from a distance, we now have various small parts that would be suitable for reproduction from a small home workshop. Be aware though that most of the wood used will be Oak or similar good quality hardwood but please contact us if you would like to assist us with these items. The available 'Auto Operating Gear' has also been sorted and the clean up of the parts has started. We will shortly be ordering some of the new timber to begin producing the replacement frame members."
1 June 2005
Details from Loco 5542 Ltd
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