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| • The Silver Jubilee Quantock Belle...
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Present and former volunteers celebrated twenty five years of the Quantock Belle Dining Train on 30 October. The rostered loco for the down run, the WSRA-owned ex-GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412, displayed shiny silver buffers and a special Quantock Belle Silver Jubilee headboard. Preparation of the train was filmed by HTV West who also interviewed some of the Quantock Belle staff. A group photo of the several QB staff involved since 1980 was taken before the QB set off for Minehead with 72 diners aboard. More...
31 October 2005
Details from a Quantock Belle steward
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| • Catch it if you can...
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One of the most heavily used steam locomotives in Britain, ex-GWR no 5542 has now completed three years of very intensive service on the West Somerset Railway. The loco has clocked up 30,000 miles during 430 days in service with over 97% availability. The directors of Locomotive 5542 Ltd have provisionally reached an
agreement with the WSR to suspend our current hire arrangement to allow the loco to seek a period of lighter duties on other less-busy preserved railways. No 5542 will shortly leave the WSR for a period of about two years and will spend most of 2006 on the South Devon Railway. The popular Prairie may also make a short Seasonal visit to another railway en route to Buckfastleigh. And during May 2006 the loco is due to visit the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway to star in their Gala Event.
30 October 2005
Details from 5542 Ltd
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| • WSRA Taunton Group Meeting...
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Just the usual reminder that the next meeting of the WSRA Taunton Group will be on Monday 7 November, when Mike Oakley is due to give his account of Somerset Stations. Many of you may be aware of his excellent book on this topic, published by the Dovecote Press in 2002. The talk is due to take place at the usual venue and time - the GWRSA Snug Bar, by Taunton Station, at 7.45pm.
27 October 2005
Details from WSRA
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| • Website news...
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Over the next few months, this website will undergo a makeover to make the pages more compatible with web standards and improve accessibility. Technically, the new site will not be contained in frames. The familiar look will be more or less retained. Around the New Year, the new front page will appear online along with the latest news and pictures pages but many existing pages will continue to be rendered as now, until re-worked into the new style and made available as and when tested and uploaded.
26 October 2005
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| • The Heavy Goods...
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The sight of SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 steaming up the line towards Dunster on 26 October was clear evidence of the return of the popular heavy goods locomotive to service on the West Somerset Railway. The loco, owned by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, has been subject to a lengthy overhaul and is on course to star at the 2006 Spring Gala which has a S&DJR theme. No 88 is capable of hauling the very heaviest trains on the WSR and is currently finished in the famous Prussian Blue livery of the old S&DJR.
26 October 2005
Details from local correspondent
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| • Small canopy repairs...
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The Friends of Minehead Station to proceed with repairs to the Small Canopy which fronts the main station building. More than £30000 is required and FOMS hope their Grand Winter Draw will help complete the fundraising efforts. The Small Canopy is the older of the two at Minehead - the larger but younger structure enjoyed a complete refurbishment last winter. The Railway have agreed to draw tickets being sold on the remaining 2005 season trains as well as the retail outlets at Minehead. Please help protect the heritage fabric of the WSR by buying a ticket or five...
24 October 2005
Details from FOMS
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| • Poppies...
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GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 and BR 2-6-4T no 80136 arrived at Minehead on 21 October with a 10 coach British Legion special carrying 475 passengers plus various dignitaries for a ceremony in Blenheim Gardens to mark the commencement of the 2005 Poppy Campaign. After arriving through a curtain of poppies they were met by Wellington School band for a march to the Gardens, leaving the station staff to vacuum up the poppies from the platform.
21 October 2005
Details from local correspomdent
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| • Vandals putting others at risk...
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Vandals, who have been carrying out a series of attacks on Goviers Lane Crossing in Watchet, are putting lives at risk. The West Somerset Railway managers are becoming increasingly concerned that signs warning of trains at the busy foot crossing to the east of Watchet station are being regularly blotted out by graffiti, damaged and torn off. Crossing users are urged to be vigilant.
20 October 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Beattie runs, 7F not ready...
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SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 53808 and Class 35 Hymek no D7017 will not be able to take part in the Grand Trains event as originally anticipated. The extensive overhaul of the 7F is in its final stages, but still not complete, whilst the Hymek has had to be withdrawn from service for repair earlier than planned. However, the appearance of the Beattie well tank is a definite bonus to the locomotive line-up which includes nos 5542, 5553, 6412, 9351, 30587, 80136, D6566, D7523, D9526.
18 October 2005
Details from SEPT
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| • Change at the top...
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The award-winning West Somerset Railway will be appointing a new General Manager next year, and the search starts today for the person to fill this top heritage railway job. The present Managing Director, Mark Smith will be retiring at the end of August, 2006 after leading the railway for fifteen years to its present success. WSR Chairman Chris Austin said, "Mark will be a hard act to follow. The railway has gone from strength to strength under his skilful leadership, and the awards we have recently won owe so much to his skill and hard work. I am very pleased that he will be with us for another year, but in the meantime, we need to look for an exceptional successor to run this successful and growing railway."
18 October 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Train Driver is in the picture...
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A new standalone train simulator featuring the West Somerset Railway, Train Driver, is in the final stages of testing and due for release on 28 October. New screenshots are at www.justtrains.net and there really is a lot to see as you travel along the West Somerset Railway in any of five fantastic diesel and steam locomotives. As well as gorgeous scenery, Train Driver offers the user 20 detailed and interesting activities, based around the proper timetable, and authentic to the route. As Train Driver uses the proven Trainz engine, you can choose to travel in either "Cab" mode or "DCC", which allows you to control the railway from a suitable vantage point outside. The developer of Train Driver is Railwaves...
14 October 2005
Details from Just Trains
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| • The Poppy Train...
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This year the Royal British Legion is launching its launching its 84th Poppy Appeal with a unique ride on the West Somerset Railway. The event takes place on Friday 21 October, with the train leaving from Bishops Lydeard station decked out with poppy emblems and carrying legion standards and members.The train will then travel to Minehead and on arrival will pass through a "firing" of poppy petals, before being met by the Lord Mayor of Minehead, Alderman Nicholas Messarra. Thanks to Somerset County Gazette for this story...
13 October 2005
Details from Somerset County Gazette
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| • No Hymek for Grand Trains weekend...
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The diesel locos in use at the Grand Trains Extravaganza on 22-23 October will be nos
D7523, D9526 and D6566 - but Hymek no D7017 will not be appearing. The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group say this is due
to the discovery of a leaking cylinder head discovered when the loco was being prepared for a loaded test run on Sat 8 October. The test run was intended to test the repairs to the transmission. The locos "fitness to run"
has been withdrawn and it will now be winterised.
13 October 2005
Details from DEPG
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| • WSR wins Heritage Railway award...
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The West Somerset Railway has won the title of Heritage Railway of the Year 2005. The news came from one of the judging panel, Robin Jones, the editor of "Heritage Railway" magazine who explained that two of the criteria that lifted the WSR above the competition of some 150 other private railways was the contribution made to the local economy along the line and the quality of customer care offered by the railway’s volunteers and staff. WSR Managing Director Mark Smith was delighted with the news. "With our main season coming towards its end and passenger figures on target for another record year this award is the icing on a very satisfactory cake. Once again we could not win awards without the efforts of everyone who is involved with the Railway." And for those who would like to sample the delights of a journey between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead on a day with lots of trains, come along to the Grand Trains Extravaganza weekend on 22-23 October.
11 October 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Stogumber slippage...
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A rather alarming story in the Somerset County Gazette suggested Stogumber Station was slipping down the hill into the Doniford Valley. Not quite. It is the old wooden waiting room at risk. This structure, perched on the steep embankment, has recently been inspected and condemned as unsafe by several competent authorities. The building is likely to be demolished. The Railway is seeking advice from various official bodies on a way forward - with several options already on the table.
8 October 2005
Details from WSRA
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| • HST cars leave...
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Two of the High Speed Train power cars have left the Railway. Hauled by Freightliner Class 66 no 66620 and sandwiched by barrier vehicles, the ensemble left Minehead on the morning of 7 October bound for South Wales. A further three HST power cars will be moved off the Railway in the next few days. The MkIII coaches will remain in store for the time being.
7 October 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Isabel runs in...
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"Isabel" is undergoing running in trials at Washford - expected to continue until Saturday 8 October. The Hawthorn-Leslie built saddletank loco was built in 1919 and recently restored to full working order at Washford by dedicated members of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and is thought to be the oldest working locomotive on the Railway.
7 October 2005
Details from SDRT
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| • Chance for the Beattie at the Grand Trains event...
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Possible good news for those who enjoyed - or missed - the appearance of the little Beattie Well Tank during the recent Autumn Steam Gala. We understand there is a possibility that the 2-4-0WT may remain on the Railway until after the Grand Trains Extravaganza. This may provide another chance to enjoy this small but nippy 1870s vintage locomotive.
7 October 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • New signs for Crowcombe...
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The WSR Plc are keen to improve certain heritage aspects of the railway and are looking at ways of achieving this with a small amount of expenditure on suitable items. The first of these mini projects has now been delivered, this being two platform end signs for Crowcombe Heathfield station to replace the rather unauthentic versions previously in place. The new cast signs, supplied by Procast, are intended to give a more authentic GWR feel whilst still putting across the message that the crossing is for WSR staff use only. The picture shows WSR Plc Heritage project co ordinator, Don Bishop, handing over the signs to Crowcombe station masters Walter Harris & Mike Hodge.
6 October 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Award for WSR...
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The WSR has won second prize for freight development from the Association of Community Rail Partnerships. The award - collected by WSR Operation Superintendent, Steve Martin, at a ceremony at Norwich - recognised the railway's part on the working of stone trains from Mendip to Leigh Bridge in connection with repairs to a nearby country road. Bringing in 1800 tonnes of stone aggregate by rail saved over 350 lorry movements along the narrow West Somerset lanes.
3 October 2005
Details from WSR Plc
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