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News from June 2006...


				• Ride a heritage bus to the Rally...


				There is something for all the family in Taunton Deane over the weekend of 5-6 August. Taunton town with its vast array of shops and heritage trails, and, of course, the 20th Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally at Bishops Lydeard. Vintage buses from Quantock Motor Services will run every twenty minutes during the day from Taunton's Castle Green and Railway Station to/from the Rally - a free service using an extensive heritage fleet such as the 1948 AEC Regal ex-Crosville Motor Services seen in Taunton Town Centre, courtesy of Taunton Town Centre Partnership. 29 June 2006 Details from WSRA


				• King and Coal are Gala Guests...


				A King and a humble Coal Tank, representing the power of the Great Western Railway steam fleet, will guest at the Autumn Steam Gala in 5-8 October. Already booked are GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 "King Edward I" and GWR 2-8-0T no 4247. Others are being sought and will hopefully include Southern Railway 4-6-0 no 850 "Lord Nelson". Thursday 5 October will be "Branch Line Day" with appropriate motive power in action whilst the Friday will be "Express and Freight Train Day" with two demonstration goods trains in action. It's an intensive "All Passenger" service for Saturday and Sunday - 7-8 October - which will see resident and guest engines heading passenger trains. 29 June 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Adjacent development proposals at Bishops Lydeard...


				A restaurant and housing are included in development proposals for the farm land immediately adjacent to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard Station were announced this week. The proposals were recently featured in an exhibition in the Gauge Museum at the Station. Phase 1 of the development includes new holiday flats, an inn/restaurant, a craft/retail centre and a range of housing. The area concerned is immediately west of the main station. A new road will be provided south of the existing western station access road which would be converted to a footpath. Phase 2 of the development includes an 18 hole golf course extending alongside the railway extending towards Dene Bridge. The developer is the local concern of A.H.Gadd Ltd. Click here for sketch map showing extent of possible development. We understand WSR Plc is in discussion with the developers, and is seeking further details before deciding whether or not to support the planning application when it is made. 25 June 2006 Details from local correspondents, WSR Plc and TDBC website


				• Baggies return to Wales...


				The Bagnall-built diesel-electric shunters stored at Williton for several years have returned to South Wales. The master and slave 0-4-0DE units, 501 and 502, came to Williton for safe keeping after years working at steelworks. Now the owners, Corus, have requested the return of the pair for revenue-earning service. On 30 June, No 501 was loaded onto a road trailer and set off for Port Talbot. The slave unit made the journey the previous day. 30 June 2006 Details from local correspondent


				• Thomas is back...


				Thomas the Tank Engine has arrived in Minehead. The little blue engine has a starring role in the "Days Out with Thomas" event to be held at the West Somerset Railway on 8-9 July. "Thomas" will be having two busy days, giving rides to visitors to the "Days Out" at Minehead Station whilst his bigger friends, including "Duck", "Henry" "Gordon" and "Daisy" take trains between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. The station platform at Minehead will feature various entertainments for children, two vintage buses will give rides around the town and of course Sir Topham Hatt, "The Fat Controller", will be trying to keep all in order. The first three trains from Bishops Lydeard on both days are fully sold out - for more information contact the Railway on 01643 704996. 29 June 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Railway Signals Return...


				On 28 June, Somerset County Council, West Somerset Railway and Network Rail are celebrating the launch of new signal equipment that will enable more trains to operate from Taunton to Minehead than ever before - bringing increased number of visitors and economic benefits to Somerset. A Special train will mark this special occasion which will set off from Taunton at 10.31, stopping at stations including Bishops Lydeard where it will drive through a "Destination Somerset" banner, Crowcombe, Williton, Watchet, Blue Anchor before arriving in Minehead at 12:10. Somerset County Council and West Somerset Railway are currently conducting discussions with First Great Western, who run the franchise for the West Country, to explore the possibility of implementing a regular service, enabling more visitors than ever before to access West Somerset via rail travel. Press release... 27 June 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Works get green for go...


				The new signalling at Norton Fitzwarren Junction has been passed fit and now the West Somerset Railway is properly re-connected with the main rail network. The last task was to mount a screen to mask the exit signal E627 from drivers on the main line. The final and successful inspection took place on Monday 26 June. All is set now for the visit of the Destination Somerset special train on Wednesday 28 June. Two more through trains are already booked - one for the Autumn Gala and another for the Dunster by Candlelight event in December - and with discussions continuing between WSR and main line companies, hopes are high for regular services on and off the Minehead Branch. 26 June 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Loco news...


				News about two locomotives expected to grace WSR metals soon. Southern Railway 4-6-0 no 850 "Lord Nelson" is expected to arrive on the line this summer, where it will be spending a period of time running-in after receiving an extensive overhaul at Eastleigh Works - but no date is yet confirmed. Although the restoration of the NRM-owned loco is moreorless complete, problems are currently being encountered with the fitting of the TPWS and OTMR (black box) equipment, which are necessary for when "Lord Nelson" works trains on the national network. Meantime, BR 2-6-2T no 4160 is nearing completion and will then be steamed in late July at the South Devon Railway this year,we will then commence a period of running in. Hire-agreement negotiations continue with the West Somerset Railway. 26 June 2006 Details from WSRA and 4160 Ltd


				• When Paddington came to Minehead...


				In the early 1990s, Minehead Station was transformed into Paddington Station by the BBC. The occasion was the filming of scenes for the highly successful drama series "The House of Elliott". Although not everything was authentic, the end result was effective. It must have been the first and only time that a period 1920s London Taxi was driven along the platform under the old and new canopies. Some photographs of the filming sessions have been kindly sent to us by Norman Hawkes, Curator of the Gauge Museum, Bishops Lydeard, and can be seen on the Older Pictures pages... 25 June 2006 Details from WSRA


				• Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally 2006...


				The 2006 Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally will be held at the Station Fields at Bishops Lydeard on 5 and 6 August. From ten o'clock in the morning to five in the afternoon, visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of the transport of yesteryear - steam engines, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, horses, classic vintage cars, military vehicles, along with stationary engines. On the evening of 5 August, the Severn Coast Express will run down to Minehead and back. Entry to the Fayre and Rally each day is £6 per adult, £5 per OAP and £3 per child, with a Family Ticket (2 adults and two children) at £15. A classic bus service will run at twenty minute intervals each day from Castle Green and Railway Station in Taunton from 9.30am. More information from WSRA on 01823 433856 or email wsra@btconnect.com. Click here for the colourful poster. Full details... 24 June 2006 Details from WSRA


				• Three Peaks Challenge by Rail...


				A WSR volunteer - Martin Duff - is competing in the Three Peaks Challenge by Rail � which involves climbing all the way to the top of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon mountains, travelling between the mountains on a special train. The event takes place between 21-23 September 2006. It's all in aid of the charity Railway Children which helps runaway and abandoned children who live in and around the world's railway stations. Working through partner organisations, the charity offers shelter, healthcare, education, training, protection and, above all, friendship. A worthy cause indeed, so how about sponsoring Martin who is one of eight people entering a team representing Network Rail Wales and Marches area. To find out more, have a look at the Railway Children website - or - perhaps just go for it and donate directly online. Updated 21 June 2006 Details from local correspondent


				• And now for the Seventh Real Ale Event...


				The weekend of 16 and 17 September 2006 will see the annual Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival, held in partnership with the West Somerset Railway. Incredibly, this satisfying and successful event is now in its 7th year! Somerset CAMRA say "Last year�s increased beer choice was such a success we are increasing the order again. We plan to offer as many as 85 real ales and several ciders, many of them from our award winning local breweries such as Butcombe, Cotleigh, Cottage, Exmoor, Glastonbury and RCH. In addition to these, there will be a wide selection of ales from all around the British Isles, showcasing the incredible wide range of tastes and beer styles produced by our ever expanding army of micro breweries. We plan to have a locally brewed festival special beer and at least one cask conditioned lager. We expect to have a supply of the 2006 Cider of the Year, several other local ciders, some perry and wine. Buffet cars on most trains will also stock some beer." More... 10 June 2006 Details from Somerest CAMRA


				• The Minehead Branch...


				Due to be published in September 2006, and with 350 pages and 400 photographs, here is the definitive history of the Minehead Branch. Over the last few years, Ian Coleby has meticulously researched each and every facet of the line from the very beginnings in 1856 when the railway was surveyed by Brunel, through the broad gauge era, to the take over by the Great Western, and then nationalisation. Also included are detailed descriptions of the working of the line. The book - "The Minehead Branch" - also contains superbly re-drawn maps and finely detailed scale drawings of the stations and buildings. This eagerly awaited volume will be available from the WSRA Shop at Bishops Lydeard Station towards the end of the summer... 16 June 2006 Details from WSRA


				• External funding...


				The West Somerset Railway Association have announced two generous grants from external sources to help with maintaining the fabric of the Railway and conservation work at the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard. The Norman Family Charitable Trust have provided £500 to help improve the Stogumber infrastructure, hopefully to help secure the old waiting room. Other monies here have helped replace the floor in the main building and the construction of a complete new window. Meanwhile, for the Gauge Museum comes £250 from Somerset County Council for continuing conservation work on original films of the WSR in the pre-opening and early days. 11 June 2006 Details from WSRA


				• Golden Anniversary for No 80136...


				A superb sunny day greeted the running of a special train celebrating the Golden Anniversary of BR 2-6-4T no 80136, laid on by the owning group, the Class 4 Preservation Trust. No 80136 first ran on the WSR in 2002 and has a regular, reliable and popular performer, proving itself ideally suited for the Minehead Branch. During the trip, former WSR Managing Director Mark Smith was presented with a framed print of the loco and a replica smokebox numberplate with thanks for both hiring the Standard Tank - and thereby generating valuable revenue for the Trust - and also for the professional care lavished on the engine whilst on the line. More about the Trust... 11 June 2006 Details from local correspondents


				• Destination Somerset...


				Destination Somerset - the title for the through working of a First Great Western Class 158 onto the Minehead Branch, now scheduled to take place on 28 June, subject to the final signing off of work at Norton Fitzwarren by Network Rail. The list of those invited to travel include senior railway management, both national and WSR and also representatives of local councils all of whom will be getting the message that the West Somerset Railway is now fully reconnected to the national network and is keen to be handling regular services linking our line to the rest of Britain, following completion of the re-signalling of Norton Fitzwarren by Network Rail. 2 June 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• The Brunel Luxury Dining Train...


				Here is a luxurious - and fun - way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the famous Great Western Railway engineer and designer of the first West Somerset Railway. The West Somerset Railway Association are running a Special Dining Train on the evening of Saturday 26 August 2006. Leaving Bishops Lydeard at 6.30pm, the train will cover the full length of the WSR from Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead, during which a four course dinner with coffee and chocolates will be served. Diners are requested to wear appropriate Victorian dress! A prize will be awared for the best costumes. The fare is £36 per person. For full details and bookings please contact the WSRA on 01823 433856. 1 June 2006 Details from local correspondent


				• From Taunton to Chard...


				On Monday 5 June, the WSRA Taunton Group are off to Chard - sadly not by train - for a tour of Cerdic Foundry. The visit to the Foundry, at Beeching Close in Chard, is courtesy of the WSRA Chairman (and Cerdic Managing Director), Humphrey Davies, who has kindly agreed to conduct the tour of the Foundry. The Foundry produces a number of items for preserved railways and are currently engaged in making a pattern for new locomotive cylinders for a prestigious machine, as well as other locomotive components. Beeching Close is on the old Taunton-Chard railway trackbed at the entrance to the town. Anyone is welcome but please contact the WSRA beforehand on 01823 433856. 1 June 2006 Details from WSRA

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