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| • No 88 misses the party...
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Steam tests with SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 on 28 September revealed that an internal supply pipe feeding the large ejector and atomisers has a leak somewhere along its length below the waterline inside the boiler between the dome and the boiler barrel at the left-hand front. No 88 will therefore be on view at Minehead for the duration of the Autumn Steam Gala. Remedial work will commence immediately thereafter. If the weather is fine No 88 will be taken out of the shed for the benefit of visitors and photographers. Minehead Locomotive Works will be open to enable close examination of no 88 from 10am-5pm on 1-2 October.
30 September 2005
Details from SDRT
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| • From Weston to Dunster by Candlelight...
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Past-Time Rail have announced an excursion to the famous Dunster by Candlelight event on 2 December 2005. The special, to be hauled by the popular heritage diesel-hydraulic no D1015, will run from Weston-super-Mare and run to Dunster and Minehead via Bristol and Trowbridge. The West Somerset Railway also run special trains to the Dunster by Candlelight event...
26 September 2005
Details from Past-Time Rail and local correspondent
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| • The Journal ...
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The Summer 2005 Journal, no 111, has been published by the West Somerset Railway Association. This superbly finished 88 page booklet contains many colour and black and white photographs and many articles and reports. It is issued free to WSRA members and is also available from WSR bookstalls. The very nature of lead time for such printed material can result in out of date information, which is why the websites are always worth a visit, but the editorial team have works wonders this time to add a flyer explaining the cancellation of the visit of BR no 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" for the Autumn Steam Gala.
23 September 2005
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| • PSOV Videos for Taunton Group Meeting...
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A reminder that the next WSRA Taunton Group meeting will be on Monday 3 October at the GWRSA Snug Bar at 7.45pm featuring the annual PSOV show of mainline videos. This is a show not to be missed! Those attending are asked for a small donation of £2 to help with expenses. Also, a little earlier, at 7.15pm, the WSRA wish to make the presentation of the annual station awards.
25 September 2005
Details from WSRA
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| • Beattie Well Tank and two Class 47s arrive...
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The LSWR Beattie Well Tank 2-4-0WT no 30587, one of the star guests at the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala weekend, has arrived on the West Somerset Railway, on a day when two Cotswold Rail Class 47 diesels - nos 47316 and 47813 - brought in a Wolverhampton-Minehead day excursion. The Beattie had to wait until the evening for a suitable path down the line, stopping at Williton for water and arriving at a dark Minehead around 9pm.
25 September 2005
Details from local correspondents
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| • Gala preview for West Country Steam 2005...
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Over the Autumn Steam Gala weekend, visitors can view an advance copy of the eagerly awaited "West Country Steam 2005" Video/DVD at the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead Station. As before, it features mainline steam at work in the South West. Of particular interest is the extensive coverage of the WSR's "Pride of the Great Western" Spring Gala, with great footage of a classic collection of ex-GWR locomotives. Advance orders can be placed at the Minehead Shop over the Gala weekend, or ordered direct from West Country Steam Videos, 92 Chanters Hill, Barnstaple EX32 8DG. The video costs £11.99, the DVD costs £14.99 plus £1.00 postage charge per video/DVD.
24 September 2005
Details from West Country Steam Videos
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| • CAMRA Real Ale Festival is a roaring success...
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For the keenly anticipated festival at the West Somerset Railway, Somerset CAMRA doubled the range of ales, offering as many as 85 different beers along with several ciders and a perry. The vastly increased and diverse range proved to be a roaring success with festival goers. Based on sales of beer glasses just over 2,000 enthusiastic tasters were served over the weekend. The average consumption per customer equated to three and a quarter pints. Once the bar opened for the first public session at 11am on Saturday morning, CAMRA volunteers were kept extremely busy serving ale throughout the day and evening, culminating in an excellent live music session by the singer/songwriter Helena. A special charter train from London boosted visitor numbers during the day. The Sunday session opened at midday and ran for four hours accompanied by a jazz duo playing through the afternoon. At closing time the supply had all but run dry. CAMRA also sold every souvenir glass, 'T'-shirt and sweatshirt. Make a note of the date for next year - 16-17 September 2006...
22 September 2005
Details from Somerset CAMRA
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| • Blue is the colour...
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News from Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust about progress on the final restoration stages of SDJR 2-8-0 no 88. "The cladding is being painted blue. The boiler has been filled with water. A leaking pipe or flange is needing attention before a steam test takes place. The test is provisionally set for Wednesday 21 September at Minehead.".
19 September 2005
Details from SDRT
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| • Busy times for No 5542...
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GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 has just completed her busiest week since restoration covering the "Branch" no less than 32 times in one week. Duties have included the "Quantock Belle", "Thank You" and "Jazz Specials" together with a private charter and daily duties based at Bishops Lydeard. Much of 17 September - the first day of the Somerset CAMRA Weekend - was spent in the company of stablemate GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 - recently returned from Swanage - hauling nine coach trains.
18 September 2005
Details from 5542 Ltd
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| • FOMS keep up the good work...
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In their Summer Newsletter, the Friends of Minehead Station (FOMS) describe a long list of past, current and future tasks that makes painting the Forth Bridge seem small by comparison. As pointed out, Minehead Station is the largest on the Railway. In recent years, FOMS has tackled platform surfacing, building and running "Readers Halt", installing new toilets, a large financial contribution towards the canopy restoration, restoring and rebuilding the station chimneys, gardening and hedging, and much much more. FOMS are turning their attention to the small, original, canopy which is need of care and attention. New volunteers are always welcome. FOMS can be contacted at Minehead Station.
18 September 2005
Details from FOMS
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| • Merchant Navy subs for the Duke...
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The WSR Plc have confirmed the appearance of SR "Merchant Navy" 4-6-2 no 35005 "Canadian Pacific" at the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala, perhaps the first time a "Merchant Navy" locomotive has traversed the WSR metals. The Railway added "We felt that it was very important to provide a substitute for no71000.", referring to the cancellation of the visit by BR 4-6-2 no 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" due to technical reasons. "Canadian Pacific" is sure to be a worthy substitute and will be much in demand over the Gala weekend...
17 September 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Visit of Duke of Gloucester cancelled...
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The WSR Plc have issued the following: "The West Somerset Railway’s Steam Gala which will be taking place between September 29th and October 2nd has lost one of its headlining locomotives following advice by the owners of BR 4-6-2 no 71000 "Duke Of Gloucester" that the loco will not be available to attend the event. The WSR is working hard to access a suitably attractive replacement locomotive, preferably one making its debut between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead and this website [the WSR Plc website] will be updated as soon as further information is to hand.". And of course updates will be posted here too...
13 September 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Food on the Rails...
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On the Saturday and Sunday of the Autumn Steam Gala, Buffet and Bar facilities will be available on most train services, serving a good range of high quality locally produced hot and cold food, tea and coffee and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. In addition, on the Saturday and Sunday, the "Quantock Belle" will be serving breakfast, brunch and a range of hot meals - together with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks - throughout the day on selected services.
11 September 2005
Details from WSRA and local correspondent
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| • The Ashes...
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A brief mention in an internal publication of a problem with unofficial scattering of ashes along the railway, perhaps to fulfil the very last wish of a railway enthusiast, seems to have been picked up by the local, regional and national press. Articles have appearing on local TV web sites, such as BBC Somerset as well as the Western Daily Press and today even the Times newspaper website has a few words on the tale. The picture opposite shows the WSR Managing Director discussing the issue with David Woodland of HTV West.
9 September 2005
Details from WSR Plc and local correspondents
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| • The two 2-8-0s...
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Sadly, however, Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited have recently confirmed that the restoration of GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 will not be completed in time for it to return to Somerset for the Autumn Steam Gala, whilst – despite good progress being made – there is also a possibility that SDJR no 53808 will only be on display, or possibly in light steam, over the weekend, rather than hauling trains over the line. We remain confident, though, that the two 2-8-0s will make their WSR Gala debuts at the Winter Steam Festival and Grand Trains Extravaganza respectively...
5 September 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Buffet Car fire...
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The WSR's Buffet Car no 4987 suffered a fire on the evening of 4 September. The vehicle was part of a train stabled in the down platform at Bishops Lydeard out of service at the end of the day. Smoke was observed issuing from the vehicle and the fire brigade were alerted by the signalman. The fire, caused by an electrical fault in the inverter, was extinguished, and the electrical system isolated. Damage to the vehicle is confined to the immediate area of the fire, and there is general smoke contamination. The WSR Plc extend a hearty thanks to the many staff who stayed through the evening to help.
4 September 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Driver Jones presents...
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The next meeting of the WSRA Taunton Group will be on Monday 5 September, at the usual venue and time - the GWRSA Snug Bar, Taunton - at 7.45pm. The speaker will be WSRA member and WSR Driver, Richard Jones, who will present 'Over 30 Years with Steam'. As usual, all members, and any guests are welcome, and a retiring collection will be made at the end of the meeting, to defray expenses.
3 September 2005
Details from WSRA
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| • Railway Grandstand...
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The seafronts at Blue Anchor and Minehead were packed with hundreds of spectators on Sunday for the annual raft race in aid of the RNLI. It seems this year's raft race was one of the best yet. The state of the sea was superb, and the weather was just right, said the organisers. The 12.15 from Minehead was held alongside the beach at Blue Anchor so passengers could get a grandstand view of the start of the first wave of rafts, and the 11.25am from Bishops Lydeard was also held for the start of the second wave. Pictures...
3 September 2005
Details from local correspondent and Somerset County Gazette
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| • Best kept station 2005...
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Having visited each of the ten West Somerset stations, the Judges have awarded First Prize jointly to Dunster and Williton. The flowers at Dunster in particular drew praise, whilst Williton was good all round. Staff at busy Bishops Lydeard will be pleased with Second Prize, whilst the Most Improved Award went to Blue Anchor. It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Crowcombe Heathfield has the Best Floral Display and Stogumber has the the Most Attractive Garden.
3 September 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Update on Norton...
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To all intents and purposes it will appear to everyone not directly connected with the Norton project that although the grass continues to grow and the sheep continue to graze little else is happening. Well, of course, nothing could be further from the truth and the WSRA Board continues to drive the project at 'fast track' speeds. More...
3 September 2005
Details from WSRA
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