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News from December 2006...


				• Running Shed Foreman appointed...


				The successful applicant for the post of Running Foreman for the West Somerset Railway is David T Wright who has a background in steam locomotive overhaul, maintenance, certification and operation. The WSR Plc report "His previous employments include the National Railway Museum and West Coast Railway, and voluntary work on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the Tanfield Railway. He holds steam firing certificates for heritage and national railway companies and diesel driving certificates for the National Railway Museum. He is also certified as a mainline 'Fitness to run' examiner. His experience in overhaul and repair will be appropriate to the requirements of the West Somerset Railway and his heritage railway experience of working with paid and volunteer staff will be an asset. His appointment will become effective from the beginning of February 2007." 31 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Thanks to our contributors...


				A big thanks to the website contributors. The website depends heavily on the many contributors for a regular supply of many stories, pictures and information. In 2006, we have received over 240 news items and several significant feature articles along with over 4300 images. Long may you continue to support the WSR by way of this website - your efforts are much appreciated. We don't like to blow our own trumpet, but we don't object to somebody else doing so! Here is just one of the appreciative comments received of late - "Thank you to all who are responsible for this wonderful website; especially those who contribute so regularly to the 'latest pictures' and 'latest news' features. If there is a better website for a heritage railway, I have yet to find it!" 29 December 2006 From www.wsr.org.uk


				• WSRA say thanks to Mrs Gould...


				The WSR Association express thanks to Dunster West Level Crossing Keeper. Mrs Margaret Gould was Dunster West Crossing Keeper after the death of her mother (when Margaret was 18) until her marriage in 1955. Her father was signalman at Dunster and they lived in the Crossing Keeper's cottage already so it must have been a fairly seamless transition. She has, in recent years, helped several WSR authors with photos and stories. She still lives in Dunster and has contributed to the local community as a Parish Councillor, as a local historian and as a volunteer Tourist Guide at Dunster Castle and a Trustee and Curator of Allerford Museum and the Dunster Dolls Museum among other activities. The WSR Association has recognised her contribution to the West Somerset Railway's history by bestowing on her one year's free membership at a simple ceremony at Bishops Lydeard. Witnessed by the loco and train crew Bishops Lydeard Crossing Keeper Mrs Jenny Smart presented the award to Mrs Gould in front of BR Class 4MT no 80136. 29 December 2006 Details from local correspondent


				• Announcing the Heritage Carriages Project...


				The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust has announced a very ambitious project to acquire and restore to running order up to twelve ex-Great Western Railway carriages. The WSSRT say this is next stage in the WSR�s progression toward its aim of preserving and recreating a Great Western Railway Branch line. A train or two of GWR rolling stock and an associated Museum for the stock to be kept in and to tell the story of rail travel will help keep the WSR up there in the very top echelon of heritage railways. In scope is a possible seven-coach rake of GWR "Toplights" and an example rake of Collet-designed vehicles. Full story... 27 December 2006 Details from WSSRT


				• The Green DMU to leave in 2007...


				The Green Diesel Multiple Unit is to leave the West Somerset Railway early in 2007. Previously having a stay of execution when due to leave a year ago, the owners, 257 Squadron Railway Troop, have now requested the release by the end of January, the Squadron having found the WSR a little too distant for regular driver training exercises. The Class 115/117 DMU will likely be relocated on a MoD site. Whilst here, the Railway had use of the Unit for passenger services and have been congratulated by 257 Squadron for maintaining the Unit in such good condition. 24 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Another twist in the turntable tale...


				Details of the latest proposals for the development of the area around Minehead Station have been released by Somerset County Council. A £6.4 million scheme. includes industrial units, car parking, a youth centre and a turntable for the West Somerset Railway. It will be recalled that an earlier and controversial development plan, led by the West Somerset District Council, which included new offices and a library on the site, fell after the County Council withdrew support. The new plan has the full backing of the Railway who are working with others to secure European funding. More... 16 December 2006 Details from The Crier and local correspondent


				• Diesel haulage on the WSR in 2007...


				It is early days yet but 2007 should see the return of the diesel hydraulics on the WSR. A return to traffic is expected of Class 35 Hymek no D7017 and Western no D1010 in the early months of the year. The plan is to make 2007 a "diesel hydraulic" year following diesel electric domination over the last two years. In the peak summer period a diesel loco will be in use on Fridays and Saturdays. Two mixed traction events are planned - 15-17 June and 27-28 October. The June event will re-create the changeover years from steam to diesel on the Western Region in the late 1960s with hopefully a visiting diesel hydraulic loco and all three days will see a mixture of steam and diesel operation with an appropriate diesel electric also in use. More... 14 December 2006 Details from DEPG


				• A brace of awards for the West Somerset Railway...


				The West Somerset Railway scoops two more prestigous awards. At the ceremony held in the Merchant Taylors' Hall in London on 6 December 2006, Chris Green, chairman of the Railway Forum, presented the "Ian Allan Publishing Heritage Railway of the Year Award" to the West Somerset Railway, which was described as "a railway that caters for all tastes with its friendly, helpful and enthusiastic approach". Then, the Railway picked up its second prize of the day - the Westinghouse Signalling Award - for the signalling installation at Bishops Lydeard. Full story... 6 December 2006 Details from local correspondent Submit story to Digg or My Web Yahoo


				• Cutting back at Quarkhill...


				After a lengthy tour of duty at Norton Fitzwarren, the Cutting Back Gang return to the scene of their autumnal exertions just north of Stogumber. The next working party will take place at Quarkhill Bridge on the weekend of 6-7 January 2007 - an ideal opportunity to work off some of the seasonal excesses, maybe. A good turn out always works wonders for the team and for the lineside... 23 December 2006 Details from WSRA


				• Trafalgar and Nelson line up again...


				This charter on 31 March 2007 is expected to see the main line return of SR 4-6-0 no 850. The "Trafalgar Express" starts, diesel-hauled, from Eastleigh at 8am � and picking up at Southampton Central (8.20am), Romsey (8.40am) and Salisbury (9.10am) � to Minehead, via Westbury and Castle Cary. The return leg will be hauled throughout by ex-Southern Railway 4-6-0 no 850 "Lord Nelson" from Minehead to Eastleigh, via Taunton, Bristol and Westbury. Fares start at just �59 for a Standard Class return. More... 18 December 2006 Details from WSRA


				• Refurbishment of Dunster West Level Crossing...


				The Railway has recently completed the refurbishment of Dunster West Level Crossing with the installation of new road signs. These signs warn road users of the open un-gated level crossing just to the west of Dunster Station. Road users must give way to trains and all trains are subject to a severe speed restriction. Fencing was replaced in the summer and the crossing now meets modern requirements. Sea Lane Level Crossing and others will receive similar refurbishment in 2007. 16 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• No 850 will miss the Winter Steam Festival...


				No 850 will not be returning to the West Somerset Railway in time to appear at the Winter Steam Festival. After a successful period of running-in on the Minehead Branch, ex-Southern Railway 4-6-0 no 850 "Lord Nelson" was taken to Ian Riley's works at Bury for on train monitoring equipment to be fitted - this is essential for future service on the main line. A later than expected move to Bury means the work cannot be completed until early next year. After some work on the East Lancashire Railway, "Nellie" is expected to steam back to West Somerset well in time for the Spring Steam Gala in March 2007. Nevertheless the Railway is laying on no less than five steam engines during the Winter Steam Festival on 30 December. 16 December 2006 Details from local correspondent and SEPT


				• Railways round Exmoor Joint Ticket...


				Three Exmoor railways are to continue the joint ticketing arrangement - first launched this year - in 2007, giving visitors three very different railway journey experiences. The Railways Round Exmoor Ticket gives travel on the West Somerset Railway, the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway and the re-opened section of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway between Woody Bay station (which is actually at Martinhoe Cross) and Killington Lane (on the edge of the village of Parracombe). More information... 14 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Book Winter Steam Festival tickets online...


				The world wide web revolution continues at the West Somerset Railway. From midnight on Wednesday 13 December 2006, tickets for the Winter Steam Festival - held on 30 December 2006 - will be available online. At present, only Day Rover Tickets can be purchased in this way, however, Day Rover Tickets do represent excellent value for money especially for those wishing to make several journeys during the day. Click here to go to the online ticketing service which is operated by TicketWeb. 13 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Winter Steam Festival update...


				The final special event of the year on the West Somerset Railway will be the Winter Steam Festival on Saturday 30 December 2006. The event will again be 100% steam and, for the first time, will feature five engines in action and working trains - S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 no 88, GWR 2-8-0 no 3850, GWR 2-6-2T no 5553, GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412, BR 2-6-4T no 80136. Should the unique Southern Railway 4-6-0 No 850 "Lord Nelson" return to the WSR in time � though this cannot yet be confirmed � it will also join the locomotive line-up at the Gala, taking the place of No 80136. An intensive timetable will see five up and six down trains running over the whole length of the line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. This will be supplemented by the Great Western auto train � with No 6412 & trailer 178 � operating exclusively over the northern half of the branch for a change, working over the course of the day from Minehead to Blue Anchor, Washford, Watchet and Williton. Also, the heritage goods train will be in action. All passenger trains will be steam heated, so you can be sure of a nice, warm and comfortable day out. Rover tickets can still be purchased at discount prices in advance � �17, �16, �8.50, �35 for an Adult, Senior Citizen, Child and Family respectively - please ring Minehead Station on 01643 704996, 9am-5pm. We look forward to seeing you - what better reason is there to get yourself out of the house after the excesses of Christmas and enjoy the warmth and comfort of West Somerset Railway trains in winter? More information... 12 December 2006 Details from SEPT


				• Book online for post Christmas trains...


				Bang up to date with new technology the West Somerset Railway launches an online ticketing facility on 12 December. For the time being, the web-based service only applies to the purchase of Day Rover tickets for the Red Timetable "post Christmas" trains on 27, 28, 29, 31 December and 1, 2 January, and, from 13 December, tickets for the Winter Steam Festival on 30 December. Click here to go to the online ticketing service which is operated by TicketWeb. 11 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• WSR/WSRA Liaison Meeting in January...


				News of a WSR Liaison Meeting in January 2007. Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway and Humphrey Davies, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association would like to invite all volunteers, members and employees of the WSR and WSRA to a Liaison Meeting on Sunday 21 January 2007 in Bishops Lydeard Village Hall starting at 2.30pm. Questions that may require a little research should be sent to the WSR Office at Minehead or the WSRA Office at Bishops Lydeard a few days before the meeting date, as should questions from those unable to attend. The meeting will be an open forum and it is hoped many will be able to attend. 10 December 2006 Details from WSR/WSRA


				• A former WSR Prairie returns...


				A former WSR Prairie returns. The Spring Steam Gala in March 2007, will see one of the trio of ex-GWR steam locomotives rescued in the 1970s by the West Somerset Railway Association from the famous Barry scrapyard running in steam on the Minehead Branch. Nos 4561 and 5542 were restored to steam by owners WSRA and 5542 Ltd respectively and have run thousands of miles on the WSR, and now the third, no 5521 will complete the success story. Subject to the usual caveats, GWR 2-6-2T no 5521 will be making the trip to Somerset for the popular Gala event. Also booked for the Gala are former visitors, nos 7822 and 5051. It is hoped that newly-restored West Country no 34007 "Wadebridge" will appear but nothing is confirmed at present. Other locos are being sought with a possible total line up of fourteen. 10 December 2006 Details from SEPT


				• Film Director retraces his steps...


				Film director Richard Lester was recently back on the Minehead Branch for the first time in over 40 years. On Wednesday 6 December, Richard and a BBC unit visited the West Somerset Railway for the filming of a new series "A Comedy Map of Great Britain". Lester directed the first Beatles film, "A Hard Days Night", one scene of which brought the Fab Four to Crowcombe Heathfield on the Minehead Branch, then still worked by British Railways. A special train, hauled by GWR 2-8-0 no 3850, was laid on for Lester's 2007 visit to allow in-train filming. "A Comedy Map of Great Britain" is due to be shown on BBC2 on Saturday nights at 8pm in 2007. More about the Beatles at Crowcombe... 7 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc Submit story to Digg or My Web Yahoo


				• Watchet Bridge...


				Part of the parapet wall of the road overbridge near Watchet Station has been badly damaged after being struck by a road vehicle. Local reports suggest a car was driven at speed away from the harbour area towards the bridge and failed to take the bend and smashed in the parapet wall. The force of the collision caused masonry and parts of the car to fall onto the railway track below but the car itself remained on the roadside. We understand the driver was detained by police. The trackside debris was removed by railway workers from Williton and the bridge due to be surveyed by local authority and WSR engineers. 16 December 2006 Details from local correspondent


				• The Coal Train runneth...


				A coal train is run again on the West Somerset. However, it did not consist of 30-40 loaded and loose-coupled wagons headed by a harworking good steamer and with a brake van bringing up the rear. On this occasion, a Class 03 diesel and one wagon loaded with sacks of coal being sent up from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard for the Santa Special steam locomotives. No 03119 was spotted trundling through Crowcombe Heathfield. A picture can be found in the Latest Pictures pages. It is not recorded whether a stop was made to enable the Station and Signal Box coal scuttles... 13 December 2006 Details from local correspondent


				• Raffle prize is Santa Steam Special ticket...


				With tickets for the West Somerset Railway's ever popular Santa Specials hard to come by for the Christmas weekend services, local charity CLOWNS is offering seats for a family of four as a fund-raising prize in a raffle. The family ticket, for two adults and two children has been donated by Mark the Photographer for the 10.20am service from Minehead on Saturday 23 December. Raffle tickets can be purchased from Clowns big blue bus, or by telephoning 090 0404 9 8319 (Calls cost �1.50 from landlines, of which �1.10 goes directly to CLOWNS). The draw will be made on Monday 18 December 2006. 10 December 2006 Details from CLOWNS


				• Video News visit the West Somerset Railway...


				New technology arrived at the West Somerset Railway recently when the Video News team from the Somerset County Gazette filmed a news item. The team, led by reporter Laura Thorpe, filmed a piece about the Santa Trains and interviewed several of the many WSR staff on duty over the busy Santa weekend, including Guard Geoff Cross and Driver Alan Mayhew, along with three "Trackers", the Railway's young volunteer group. The Gazette itself is embracing new technology with the recent launch of its Video News features. See the Gazette's WSR Video... 8 December 2006 Details from WSRA


				• Fantastic result from 2006 draw..


				The WSRA 2006 Annual Draw has been the most successful date. Over £31,000 was raised � a new record. The Association is extremely grateful to all members and friends who have supported the Draw in record numbers, and all those who sold tickets on trains during the course of the year deserve a special mention. Proceeds from this year�s Draw have gone to the Norton Fitzwarren Development Fund. 8 December 2006 Details from WSRA


				• Still seats left for Santa...


				Santa seats still available. Although advance bookings have closed for WSR Santa Trains on 9 and 10 December there are still seats available on a "walk up and pay on the day basis" for the following trains. Santa Special Trains from Bishops Lydeard at £9.50 for each adult and each child on Saturday 9 December 10.40am and 3.05pm, and on Sunday 10 December at 10.40am, 1.05pm and 3.05pm. Also, Santa Special Trains from Minehead on Sunday 10 December at £6.50 for each adult and each child at 10.20am, 12.05pm and 1.55pm. Seats for Santa Trains on the 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 December are selling out quickly so we would suggest that you travel this weekend or make a booking for a later train fairly quickly to avoid disappointment. Full details of Santa Trains... 7 December 2006 Details from WSR Plc


				• Bid online for a WSR Footplate Pass...


				A rare opportunity to ride on the footplate of a West Somerset Railway steam train is being offered in an internet auction for charity. The online auction has now commenced at eBay. Photographer Mark Stothard, of Timberscombe, is auctioning the WSR footplate pass to try to raise at least �1,000 for West Somerset charity CLOWNS. Mr Stothard approached WSR general manager Paul Conibeare, who agreed to donate the footplate pass for the auction. Mr Conibeare said: "I was very pleased to be able to support CLOWNS like this when Mark came up with the auction suggestion. We all know what terrific and valuable work CLOWNS does with needy young families in communities right across West Somerset". Click here for full story, and click here for link to the eBay auction page... 2 December 2006 Details from CLOWNS Submit story to Digg or My Web Yahoo


				• Association Quiz at Taunton...


				A Christmas Quiz is lined up for the last meeting of the WSRA Taunton Group for 2006. It will be held on Monday 4 December at the usual time and place - the GWRSA snug bar, near the North East corner of Taunton Station, starting at 7.45 pm. The Christmas Quiz will be hosted this year by Martin Southwood, who has kindly agreed to present some of the archive material generously offered by Crowcombe Station Master, Walter Harris. This year the WSRA Taunton Group intend to hold a rather less formal quiz than previously, more of a fun evening, and a chance for debate and discussion over the slides used in the quiz. 2 December 2006 Details from WSRA

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