News from July 2006...
| • The Brunel Luxury Dining Train... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
30 July 2006 Details from local correspondent
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| • Two more Gala guests...
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Two Great Western tank engines have now been confirmed to appear at the Autumn Steam Gala on 5-8 October 2006. GWR 2-6-2T no 5164 - which has been resident on the Severn Valley Railway since 1973 – was built by the GWR at Swindon in October 1930, and between 1956 and 1961 was based in the West Country at Newton Abbot shed. The "Large Prairie" was returned to service after overhaul by the SVR last year, resplendent in Great Western livery. GWR 0-4-2T no 1450, owned by Mike Little and currently working at the Dean Forest Railway, will be making its second visit to the WSR. The engine will share the working of the auto train during the Gala with GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412. The Autumn Steam Gala line-up now comprises Nos 88, 1450, 3850, 4247, 5164, 5553, 6024, 6412, 9351 & 80136.
| 29 July 2006 Details from SEPT
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| • News about the Fayres...
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The Friends of Minehead Station are holding a Summer Fayre on the platform at Minehead Station on Saturday 29 July. Open from 10am to 2pm, the line-up includes cakes, bric-a-brac, jewellery, handicrafts, toys, plants and lots more. However, up the line at Bishops Lydeard, a specially arranged photo shoot ahead of the Steam Fayre is off. The shoot - scheduled for Friday 4 August - would have allowed photographers exclusive and early access to posed Fayre exhibits. The WSRA have informed us that the photo shoot has been cancelled due to staff shortages but of course the Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally itself is definitely going ahead. Full details
| 27 July 2006 Details from FOMS and WSRA
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| • Civil Engineering Manager vacancy...
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The West Somerset Railway is seeking applications for the post of Civil Engineering Manager based at Dunster in Somerset. This post involves leading and directing a team of seven staff with a £0.25m budget for the safe maintenance and renewal of track and structures on this 23 mile heritage line. The post involves "hands on" day to day managements as well as project planning. Previous experience and/or professional qualifications an advantage. In the first instance please send a copy of your updated CV with a covering letter to The General Manager, The West Somerset Railway plc, The Railway Station, Minehead TA24 5BG or forward by email
| 26 July 2006 Details from WSR Plc
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| • New home sought for Rolls Royce...
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New home sought for Rolls Royce. Well, a Rolls Royce engine. As part of a clear out from the DEPG (Diesel Electric Preservation Group) based at Williton Station on the WSR, a Rolls Royce V8 diesel engine of the DV8N type, creating 335HP at 1250rpm. The engine is complete apart from the auxiliary generator but has not been run for a considerable time. Originally the engine came to the DEPG as a spare to be used in one of the Brush Bagnall industrial shunters but was never used. The shunters have now been returned to their owners at Corus steelworks in South Wales, but as they have plenty of spare parts including engines, they have no need for another spare engine. As part of a clear out from the DEPG (Diesel Electric Preservation Group) based on the WSR, a Rolls Royce V8 diesel engine of the DV8N type, creating 335HP at 1250rpm. The engine is offered for sale on a sold as seen basis and obviously the buyer will have to collect the item from the DEPG yard at Willtion in Somerset. Interested parties should call in person on any Saturday between 9am and 5pm.
| 26 July 2006 Details from local correspondent
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| • The Autumn Steam Gala...
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Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala are now available. This event promises to be even bigger and better than in previous years, with ten steam engines in action working trains over the weekend. Visiting engines GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 "King Edward I" and GWR 2-8-0T no 4247 are expected to be joined by two further guests - negotiations for which are still in progress – plus nos 88, 3850, 5553, 6412, 9351 and 80136 from the home fleet. An intensive timetable will feature on all four days, featuring auto trains, goods trains and shunting demonstrations. Rover tickets can be purchased in advance at discounted prices, and there is a special offer to purchase a Four Day Rover ticket for the price of a Three Day one – a real bargain, for sure. Book now to enjoy a superb four day steam feast. | Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala... 25 July 2006 Details from WSRA
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| • The Trafalgar Express...
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This very special train is the first main line tour hauled by ex–Southern Railway 4-6-0 no 850 since its extensive overhaul at Eastleigh works and is being operated on the 201st anniversary to the day - 21 October 2006 - that the fleet of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson won victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Diesel-hauled from Eastleigh to the West Somerset Railway to Minehead via Castle Cary, and then steam-hauled back, via Bath, by the aptly-named locomotive "Lord Nelson". More...
| 19 July 2006 Details from local correspondent and Kingfisher Railtours
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| • Isabel off to Wiltshire...
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The Hawthorn Leslie 0-6-0ST no 3437 is due to leave Washford in a day or two for a summer break in Wiltshire. The loco, "Isabel", is off to Blunsdon, on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway. No 3437 - privately-owned and restored in 2005 to full working order at the Washford base of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust - will be put to work hauling trains on the stub of what used to be called the "Tiddly Dyke" - better known as the Midland & South Western Junction Railway.
| 17 July 2006 Details from local correspondent
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| • Go by WSR to Watchet Carnival...
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Catch a West Somerset Railway train for all the fun of Watchet Carnival - 28-30 July - three days of merriment in the old harbour town. Amongst a very full programme of events, Watchet Carnival in 2006 includes afternoon entertainment by the Marina and a Kid’s Festival in the Memorial Ground - both locations are five minutes walk from the station. Stay awhile, sit a-spell, and take in the atmosphere - on Saturday 29 July two extra trains are running to get people home - a 7.10 pm departure towards Minehead and a 8.30 pm towards Bishops Lydeard. Train times...
| 17 July 2006 Details from WSR Plc
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| • No 5542 to continue roaming...
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During restoration, GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 was described as the right engine for the right line but now it appears that the WSR will only be able to offer the loco very limited usage during the next few years. The Locomotive 5542 Ltd directors, mindful of the need to ensure sufficient funds are available for a 10 year overhaul in April 2011, have decided to offer the locomotive for hire elsewhere, initially for a period ending September 2007. A suitable offer has been received from the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway and on July 7th the directors agreed (subject to contract) that no 5542 will spend the 2007 season based at Toddington. Locomotive 5542 Ltd have issues a Press Release...
| 17 July 2006 Details from Loco 5542 Ltd
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| • Diary dates for diesel fans...
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The peak season diesel diagram starts operating from 21 July on the West Somerset Railway on Fridays and Saturdays through to 1-2 September. Initial allocations are now available. Locomotives in use will be Class 14 no D9526, Class 25 no D7523 and Class 33 no D6566. The diagram is 11.25am Bishops Lydeard-Minehead; 2pm Minehead-Bishops Lydeard; 3.55pm Bishops Lydeard-Minehead and 5.35pm Minehead-Bishops Lydeard. Day rover tickets for £12.40 or £22 for two days. Keep an eye on the loco roster feature to see which loco is running. Or visit www.depg.org for the latest information and updates...
| 16 July 2006 Details from www.depg.org
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| • A three dimensional jigsaw...
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Mission possible - the team working on re-building the ex-Great Western Railway Autotrailer no 169 continue to make progress. The owners of the Autotrailer report "Work on no 169 continues at a moderate pace and on 15 July we managed to assemble the first parts ot the three dimensional jigsaw that starts to resemble part of a carriage. As we are producing left and right side pieces simultaneously we are a good way towards completing the first section of body framework. Work on repairing and replacing rotted and damaged wood on the cab front is now also nearing completion. We are hoping to have a fair sized piece of framework on display at the Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally in early August, so please come along and see some of what we have achieved so far."
| 16 July 2006 Details from Loco 5542 Ltd
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| • Three Peaks Challenge by Rail...
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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. You can donate directly online.
| 12 July 2006 Details from local correspondent
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| • Schoolchildren design safety posters...
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Children from a local Taunton school have been very busy designing a series of posters on the theme of safety. A selection of these excellent designs are shown below. Click the thumbnail for the bigger picture...
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12 July 2006 Details from WSRA
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| • WSR150...
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It was 150 years ago today - 9 July 1856 - at a meeting of the great and good of the district met at the Egremont Hotel in Williton to discuss the possibility of linking West Somerset with the main rail network - an uncanny coincidence given just a week or two ago, the WSR was re-united properly with the main line again after thirty five years. Back in 1856, the Chairman of the Meeting, Sir Peregrine Fuller Palmer Acland, Bt., outlined the purpose of the meeting was to consider the building of a "Railway from the West Somerset iron-fields and coast, to the Bristol & Exeter Railway". A certain Isambard Kingdom Brunel was present to hear Sir Peregrine and the rest is History...
| 9 July 2006 Details from WSSRT
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| • All aboard...
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An eight-page colour supplement featuring the West Somerset Railway was recently published by the Somerset County Gazette. With a considerable number of WSR images from the excellent portfolio of Don Bishop, and with a big input from the Publicity Office of the WSRA, the Somerset County Gazette have produced a really informative work, full of just about every activity on the Railway, from day trips to fish and chips, from steam engineman courses to the Steam Fayre.. Also featured is the Beatles link with the line, and of course the wonderful Station Gardens...
| 9 July 2006 Details from WSRA
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| • WSR Enamel Signs for Taunton...
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A couple of very colourful enamel signs featuring the West Somerset Railway have been produced for display at Taunton Station. The production has been masterminded by the West Somerset Railway Association, the first sign carries a clear message - "a commitment to conserving the heritage of Britain's longest steam railway" - about the supporting role of the WSRA, and the second sign proclaims the support for the WSR from First Great Western. The signs were designed by Annie Makepeace Graphic Design using WSR images by Claire Rickson.
| 9 July 2006 Details from WSRA
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| • The Station Gardens...
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The Station Gardens on the West Somerset Railway are blooming right now. The WSR gardeners have toiled over several years to reclaim the once-derelict and overgrown stations to produce what is now a string of garden gems spaced out along the twenty mile Minehead Branch. At this time of the year, the gardens are looking their very best and the Station Gardeners are always pleased to welcome visitors - entry is by platform ticket or donation. The Railway is about to publish a useful leaflet. Perhaps you can help spread the word by printing and displaying a colourful poster...
| 5 July 2006 Details from local correspondents
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| • Put that light out...
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Bill Pertwee, actor, author and long-time supporter of the West Somerset Railway, has spent time recently at Bishops Lydeard Station. Many visitors were delighted to find Bill in the Station Shop, busily signing copies of his latest book "Stars in Battledress" - an apt title recalling popular entertainment shows like " Dad's Army".
| 4 July 2006 Details from WSRA
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| • Steam and Pampering...
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The West Somerset Railway is joining forces with Cedar Falls Health Farm at Bishops Lydeard with combined promotional efforts. WSR Plc say "The plan is that couples can stay at Cedar Falls and whilst one partner is being pampered and given the full Health Farm Treatment the other can enjoy the trains and the days on the Railway. Could be a nice idea if you are visiting the August Steam Fayre, the Autumn Steam Gala or the Grand Trains Extravaganza. Or what about a post-Christmas break when we are running 27 December to 2 January. For full details please ring 01643 704996."
| 3 July 2006 Details from WSR Plc
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| • Busy at Norton...
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Enduring thunderstorms and a blistering heatwave, WSR gangs were very busy at Norton Fitzwarren on 2 July. The seven-man Permanent Way Gang removed all the rails from Norton Bridge to the newly-installed AWS ramp, ready for the change from wooden to concrete sleepers. Meantime, just north of Norton Bridge, the Signal & Telegraph Gang arrived with a works train to begin the installation of a new ground frame at Allerford Junction. The train conveyed the ground frame as a kit of parts, along with the mini-digger which was used to excavate a trench for the frame. See Latest pictures...
| 3 July 2006 Details from local correspondents
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| • Taking stock at Williton...
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The team at Williton have been busy of late. The "Baggies" have left (see below); Hymek D7018 has been re-united with its bogies; preparations for the removal of the engine of sister loco D7017 are advanced; rolling stock moved around and the Class 08 shunter has arrived for minor attention. For the forthcoming annual Thomas event the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group have been asked to supply Crompton no 33048 (D6566) as the "Thunderbird" and outstationed at Williton. In keeping with the theme of the day, a "Devious Diesel" face has been painted onto a purpose built board.
| 2 July 2006 Details from local correspondent
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