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| • Block bells ring out at Bishops Lydeard...
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At Bishops Lydeard was heard an audible sign of the ongoing project to install Electric Token Working along the line. From 5pm on Thursday 28 July 2005, the method of communication between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield for train signalling purposes is by Block Bell. The Block Bells will be disconnected when Crowcombe Heathfield is switched out. Congratulations to all involved in this very important work, much of it carried out behind the scenes.
28 July 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • New website for WSR volunteers...
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A new website - wsr-volunteers.co.uk - has been created for volunteers on the West Somerset Railway. The pages are arranged in themes relating to the various departments or groups up and down the line. A valuable resource for prospective and regular volunteers with a full summary of each activity and also contact details.
24 July 2005
Details from local correspondent
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| • The Minehead Meander...
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The Minehead Meander is a two mile wander along the seafront, the harbour and around the streets of Minehead and is currently featured on the BBC Somerset website. As the Man from Auntie says "Take the Minehead Meander and discover things you might not have known about the Somerset coastal resort". The walk starts and ends at the Railway Station and is one of many walks featured by the BBC's excellent "Coast" programme.
21 July 2005
Details from BBC Somerset
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| • Coming soon - a WSR Trainz simulator...
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"Down in Somerset, another railway simulator is building up a head of steam ready for its journey along the virtual railway tracks. Train Driver, developed by the experts at Railwaves, is a brilliant standalone simulation of the West Somerset Railway. It uses the tried and tested Trainz software ‘engine’ to bring this vintage line to life on PC. The diesel and steam engines, all 23 miles of track and the ten accurately modelled stations are all included and ready to drive – straight from the box! As a bonus, owners of Trainz Railway Simulator 2006 and Passenger Edition can use Train Driver as an expansion and add the West Somerset Railway to their existing Railway Simulator operation." - a Just Trains Press Release
18 July 2005
Details from Railwaves.com
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| • Place mats feature WSR stations...
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An exclusive set of place mats will be available during the forthcoming Steam Fayre. Local photographer and WSR volunteer Malc Stacey has taken a set of colourful pictures of the WSR stations, each being featured on an A4 sized laminated place mat. The price tag is just £3.50 per mat. Look out for these at the Steam Fayre at Bishops Lydeard on 6-7 August - you will find the place mats in the Craft Tent along with many other framed pictures, prints and laminated.
Bigger picture...
30 July 2005
Details from local correspondent
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| • Discussion Group...
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Members of the WSR Group, hosted by Topica, may like to note that the hosts are upgrading the database and software and there will be breaks in service until 12 noon on 18 July PDT - around 2000 BST we think.
18 July 2005
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| • News from the Diesel Depot...
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The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group is now seeking to dispose of the "Park Royal" Class 103 DMU set and also the two former Steel Company of Wales 0-4-0 Diesel Electric Brush Bagnall locomotives to new homes. Meantime, Hymek no 7029 will not be sold to the Williton-based Group following withdrawal of the offer of sale by the Diesel Traction Group. Back at base, work continues of D1010, D7017 and D7523. Full details from DEPG.
18 July 2005
Details from DEPG
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| • Eight out, four in...
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Eight of the First Group HST coaches currently stored on the Railway will leave on Thursday 14 July. A Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 47 will arrive at Bishops Lydeard in the morning, take the eight coaches to Laira, Plymouth, and return late that day with four replacement vehicles. The day before should see Crompton D6566 work the stock up to Bishops Lydeard.
12 July 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Walk-on hot meal service for Gala...
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Confirmed today is the "Quantock Belle" walk-on hot meal service during the Autumn Steam Gala, reintroduced to this event after a break of several years. The usual full meal service, including breakfasts, brunches and the famous special pasties will operate on the Gala Saturday and Gala Sunday, working two return trips each day in the set D consist - 10.00 from Bishops Lydeard, 12.20 from Minehead, 2.05 from Bishops Lydeard and 4pm from Minehead.
9 July 2005
Details from local correspondent
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| • Promotional T-shirts on display...
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Visitors to the Yeovil Junction Real Ale Festival caught first sight of the Somerset CAMRA T-shirts, especially produced for the annual Real Ale Festival at Minehead Station on 17-18 September 2005. Local CAMRA members were seen wearing the garment which this year features S&DJR 2-8-0 no 88 which is expected to return to steam later this year. In front of a large banner also promoting the Minehead event, the team were also seen to enjoy a few drinks.
9 July 2005
Details from local correspondent
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| • Final milestones being reached...
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After a successful hydraulic test, the boiler of GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 was reunited with its frames on 21 June. With the boiler in position the new smokebox was aligned and riveted to the boiler barrel. The internal motion has also been fitted while a large number of smaller parts have been prepared. With the smokebox fitted, the boiler was lifted again and the chimney placed in position. Then, on Sunday 4 July, a fire was lit to gently warm the boiler through for the steam test on 5 July when the boiler pressure was raised to 235 psi - very nearly 40 years since no 3850 was last in steam.al reasons. "Canadian Pacific" is sure to be a worthy substitute and will be much in demand over the Gala weekend...
9 July 2005
Details and words from Dinmore Manor Fund
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| • Locos leaving...
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The WSRA-owned GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 is on the way to South Dorset for a summer break working on the Swanage Railway. Being under-powered for the heavy high season West Somerset trains, no 6412 will provide welcome additional motive power support for the Purbeck line as well as continuing the role of roving WSR ambassador. Meantime, following minor repairs at Williton and Minehead, GWR 4-6-0 no 5029 "Nunney Castle" will leave the WSR on Wednesday 6 July for Old Oak Common via Bristol and Didcot, and will later resume main line duties. Update: In the event, "Nunney Castle" worked only to Bristol in readiness to haul a special to Plymouth and back on 16 July, in place of "King Edward I" which is in need of minor attention. No 5029 will then work up to Old Oak Common.
5 July 2005
Details from local correspondents
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| • Gala loco news...
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Subject to availability, the Autumn Steam Gala, which runs from 30 September to 2 October, will see some interesting guest locos including a return visit for BR 8P 4-6-2 no 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" and a first WSR appearance for the LSWR Beattie well tank 2-4-0WT no 30587. At this stage, although by no means confirmed, LNWR Super D 0-8-0 no 49395 may also shine the WSR metals. Next year's Spring Steam Gala has a Somerset & Dorset Railway theme. Again, subject to availability, the potential line-up could see all records broken. Locos booked include un-rebuilt Southern Bullied Pacific 4-6-2 no 34067 "Tangmere", SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 53809, LMS 4F 0-6-0 no 44422, BR Class 4 no 76079 and LMS Black 5 no 45407. Negotiations continue for a BR 9F, another Standard 4-6-0 and a Jinty. Add the resident BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T no 80136 and SDJR 7F no 88 (in Prussian Blue - plans for the latter to appear at the Gala in BR black have been shelved). A potential total of ten engines. But we repeat - all subject to availability at this stage!
23 June 2005
Details from SEPT
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| • September Beer Event...
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The Somerset Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign For Real Ale, will be holding their annual Beer Festival at Minehead Station on Saturday 17 September (11am to 11pm) and Sunday 18 September (midday to 4pm). Somerset CAMRA is planning to have up to 90 beers on sale, many from the award-winning independent brewers of Somerset including the full range from Cotleigh of Wiveliscombe. Cotleigh are marking their 25th Anniversary and are also the main sponsors for this year’s event. Entertainment on the Saturday night will feature Helena, who was a great success at the 2004 event, and on Sunday lunchtime a jazz duo will be in action. Hertfordshire Railtours (01438 718125) are running a special through train to the Festival on the Saturday. On the Saturday night the West Somerset Railway (01643 704996) are running a “Jazz Special” train from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back. Both of these need to pre-booked. Festival tee-shirts - a yellow design featuring Somerset and Dorset 7F 2-8-0 no 88 on a dark blue background on the front with a Cotleigh Brewery 25th Anniversary logo on the reverse - are now on sale from the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead Station (01643 700387) at £8.50 over the counter or £9.00 (inc p&p) by post.
8 June 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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