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| • The next meeting in Taunton...
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A cinematic experience for the meeting of the Taunton Group of the West Somerset Railway Association. The Taunton Group will meet at the GWRSA building near the North East corner of Taunton Station on Monday 5 February. The evening meeting with see the return of Terry Nichols, who normally entertains very well, this time his topic is "British Vintage Steam and The GWR 150", in the form of Cine Films. As usual, the meeting is booked to start at 7.45 pm. Members and non-members very welcome...
2 February 2007
Details from WSRA
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| • All the way from America...
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A historic Great Western Railway coach currently in store in the USA is lined up for a return to Britain. GWR Brake Coach no was sold in 1967 and shipped across the water to the "Steamtown" Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Following discussions with the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, the United States National Park Service would be prepared to donate no 6705 to the Trust to be the start of the Trust’s Collett train. For this it is ideal - it is a Guard’s Brake, it provides both first and third class accommodation, a toilet and luggage space. Best of all, it is has not been stripped of its internal fittings. Andy Forster, the WSR Chief Mechanical Engineer has said that the vehicle is worth the transport costs for the fixtures and fittings alone and that the vehicle, while tatty, appears to be "totally recoverable". But it is the wrong side of the Atlantic! There is, for a brief window of opportunity, a solution. Modern diesel locomotives are manufactured in North America and shipped, in several batches each year, from Halifax in Canada to Europe and/or the UK. A shipper of modern diesel locomotives, built in North America and soon due to be shipped to Europe, has very generously agreed to bring GWR no 6705 back to the UK with the next shipment. To raise the necessary funds for shipping. movement from Scranton to Halifax, crane hire, port dues and transport in UK, the WSSRT are appealing for funds of perhaps £20000. The full story and appeal can be found on the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust website...
1 February 2007
Details from WSSRT
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| • The Gala Virgin Shuttles...
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Virgin Trains will bring a modern addition to the Summer Saturdays in the West on the West Somerset Railway during its Spring Steam Gala. On weekends Virgin will run a shuttle using a Voyager set on 17, 18, 24 and 25 March in connection with the Spring Steam Gala adding the most modern way of getting to the West to enjoy travelling on some of the oldest. The train will run as a normal passenger train from Bristol to Taunton then work the Taunton to Bishops Lydeard shuttle during the day before returning to Bristol in the evening. It will run as a relief train from Bristol with national fares applying and a shuttle fare of only £5.00 return for the Taunton-Bishops Lydeard shuttle.
31 January 2007
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Extra trains in February...
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The West Somerset Railway is running extra steam trains on Saturday10 February as the award-winning railway responds to a request from a local community. The Dunster-based organisers of the production of Haydn’s "Creation" asked if the WSR could operate trains as an extra attraction for the weekend and the Railway has agreed to operate steam services between Minehead and Blue Anchor. "The winter months are a balancing act for us" explained West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare, "between our wish to run trains and the need to give our various engineering departments an opportunity to do heavy maintenance work at what is traditionally a quiet time of the year. However with Dunster 'being open' and a minibus linking Dunster Station and the village we are interested in seeing how much response we get for the extras. On February 10th steam trains will leave Minehead at 12.15, 13.40, and 15.15 and Blue Anchor at 13.00, 14.20 and 15.55. Our regular advertised services for the year start with steam trains between Minehead and Williton on February 17th".
26 January 2007
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Western Champion to visit...
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A celebrity Western Region diesel-hydraulic locomotive is to visit the Minehead branch. No D1015 "Western Champion" - one of the few surviving members of the class, and the only one certificated to be able to operate on the national network - will be visiting the West Somerset Railway on Saturday 16 June 2007 at the head of a Paddington to Minehead and return charter train organised by Past-Time Rail in connection with the WSR’s Mixed Traffic Weekend. The immaculately restored locomotive - resplendent in BR maroon livery - is owned and maintained by the Diesel Traction Group and normally based at Old Oak Common Depot in London. In addition to working in and out on the railtour, it is also hoped "Western Champion" can be used on a WSR service train on the Saturday of the Mixed Traffic Weekend. The event will feature a mixture of steam and heritage diesel, but with the emphasis on the latter, to commemorate the 30th anniversary since the final members of the class were withdrawn by BR, thus bringing to an end the demise of the Western Region diesel hydraulics. Time to make a note in the diary...
24 January 2007
Details from WSRA
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| • News of the steam fleet for 2007...
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News of the 2007 steam fleet. Steam locos that are likely to be available to work trains in the first half of the year are nos 88, 3850, 4160, 5553, 6412, 9351 and 80136. All being well, BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160, which spent ten years working on the line before its recent overhaul, will be back under a two-year hire agreement. Meantime, BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T no 80136 will be withdrawn for a ten-year overhaul in June and will be replaced by ex-Midland 4F0-6-0 no 44422. It is hoped that WSR Association-owned GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 will again be spending the peak summer season earning some pennies on another heritage line. When it returns it, too, will be due a ten-year overhaul.
22 January 2007
Details from SEPT
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| • Buy your Rover Tickets online...
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Buy a Rover Ticket at the click of a mouse and avoid queues at the booking office queues and get a cup of tea from the buffet car first. West Somerset Railway passengers now buy Rover Tickets Online for all operating days in 2007 - except Special Trains and Special Events - from March to October. However, it is expected the online facility will be available for some special events - and details for One Day Rovers at discounted prices are now available for the Spring Steam Gala. Click here for full details...
10 January 2007
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Spring Steam Gala news...
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Many will remember Summer Saturdays in the West. That is the theme of this year’s Spring Steam Gala - recreating the era when the Great Western, Southern and Somerset & Dorset carried thousands of holidaymakers to the West Country. The Railway hope to field at least twelve main line engines during the event. Broad agreement has been reached (subject to contract) to hire five guest engines – BR 9F no 92203 "Black Prince", GWR nos 5051 "Earl Bathurst", 7802 "Bradley Manor", 7822 "Foxcote Mano"r and no 5521 – and remain hopeful that these will also be joined by a pair of Southern engines, "West Country" no 34007 "Wadebridge" and no 850 "Lord Nelson". Also, no 4160 will be back on the WSR in time for the event, with nos 88, 3850, 5553, 6412, 9351 and 80136 all expected to be available from the home fleet. Full details of the Spring Steam Gala will be available soon.
10 January 2007
Details from SEPT
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| • Minehead on the Comedy Map...
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At the back end of 2006, film director Richard (Dick) Lester revisited the Minehead Branch with a BBCTV film crew. The West Somerset Railway laid on a special steam train - headed by GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 - for the filming which was for part of a new TV series called "Comedy Map of Britain" which is currently showing on Saturday nights on BBC2. Back in 1964 Dick Lester was directing the Beatles first film the light-hearted "A Hard Days Night" and the well-known "train sequence" was mostly filmed on the line. And that is how the Minehead Branch finds itself on the Comedy Map of Britain on BBC2 on Saturday 3 February 2007 at 10.05pm...
28 January 2007
Details from local correspondent
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| • 1,2,3 successes for the WSR...
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The West Somerset Railway today set out the three milestones it passed in 2006. For the first time in its 30 year history, the railway’s turnover exceeded two million pounds; for the second time, the number of passengers carried in the year exceeded 200,000; or the third time, the railway won a prestigious national award, this time as Independent Railway of the Year, 2006. With the figures for 2006 now in, the growth in passenger revenue was matched by increased receipts from catering and shop sales. Full text of press release...
23 January 2007
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The recent Liaison Meeting...
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The Chairmen express their thanks to members of the Railway. Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway and Humphrey Davies, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association would like to thank the 117 members of the railway that attended the recent Liaison Meeting for making the meeting such a great success. They would also like to extend thanks to those members of the railway that were unable to attend but sent in questions for consideration. Chris and Humphrey made presentations reflecting on the key points of the 2006 Season and looking forward to 2007 with much anticipation. This was then followed by a very useful question and answer session ranging across a number of interesting issues. A report on the meeting and the topics discussed is to be made available shortly and will be distributed through Heads of Departments. As was agreed during the meeting it is intended to hold a similar event towards the end of the 2007 Season.
23 January 2007
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Braunton taking shape at Williton...
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The ex-Southern Railway Pacific is coming together big time at Williton Works. The New Year has already brought two recent major events in the story of the restoration of SR 4-6-2 no 34046 "Braunton". First, the re-wheeling on 15 January when all twelve wheels were re-united with the frame. Second, and after a long sleep of a little matter of 41 years, the awakening of the boiler at 3.55pm on 20 January, when a fire was lit in the firebox and the boiler gently warmed. Each event just one of so many along the road to restoration, possibly later this year. Pictures...
21 January 2007
Details from local correspondents
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| • Rotating device at Williton...
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A useful but unusual piece of eqipment is currently in use at Williton Diesel Depot. The Maybach MD870 engine from Hymek no D7018 which is now going into sister diesel-hydraulic locomotive no D7017 has been fitted into the Western Locomotive Association's rotating engine stand. This allows engineers to flush it out then start the engine rebuild. This rotating engine stand is the very first of its kind to be used on the WSR/DEPG and it means that the huge Maybach engine can be turned completely through 360 degrees, or swivelled 360 degrees. Now under cover inside the shed, the mounted Maybach MD870 looks like a space probe being prepared for launch!
15 January 2007
Details from Diesel & Electric Preservation Group
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| • Education, education, education...
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Pupils from Chilton Trinity Technical College recently paid a very successful visit to Bishops Lydeard Station. Around fifty 16 to 17 year olds visited with class tutors to study railways and transport as part of their exam course work. This involved management and setting up a railway - that is, starting a railway from scratch, including all aspects of safety. A working signal lever frame c/w with bell system was set up in the museum by WSR volunteers Mike Hanscombe and Bob Livermore - and proved to be "cool and wicked". Some of the girls were heard to say that when back at the College as part of their course work thay were going to try and recreate something similar. A good example of the worth of the West Somerset Railway to the local community and perhaps one of the less obvious and less noticed aspects of the Railway...
14 January 2007
Details from WSRA
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| • The Cider Express...
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From cider country to cider country by steam train. On 10 March 2007, ex GWR 4-6-0 no 7802 "Bradley Manor" hauls the "Cider Express" special train from Hereford to Minehead in the county of Somerset. This will be one of the last chances to travel behind "Bradley Manor" before she is retired from mainline duty. The special is due to leave Birmingham New Street at 6.58am diesel-hauled to Hereford. On arrival at Hereford "Bradley Manor" will be waiting to haul the train onwards to Somerset and Minehead. "Bradley Manor" last visited the WSR in 1994. Full details from Past-Time Rail...
13 January 2007
Details from UK Steam
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| • The return of the HOBC...
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The stones come rolling in at Norton Fitzwarren. Following a successful trial in December the first Network Rail "High Output Ballast Cleaning" (HOBC) train arrived at West Somerset Railway's Norton Fitzwarren site on Wednesday 10 January 2007 with 14 loaded wagons of ballast collected from the up main line at Brent Knoll between Highbridge and Weston Super Mare the previous night. The train works back each morning to Fairwater Yard, Taunton and is then top and tailed by Freightliner class 66 locos onto the WSR at the recently upgraded Norton Fitzwarren junc for unloading on the WSR site. The train is expected to run almost daily (except weekends) for up to two years, dropping spent ballast from the West of England mainline track renewal and upgrade programme. The train will often consist of 20 vehicles. The material will be used to create the formation for the new triangle of track at the Norton site. Please note the area is a construction site and access to enthusiasts is not allowed without prior permission.
10 January 2007
Details from WSRA
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| • Tickets please...
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Tickets please - tens of thousands of them - enough for the season. The work on the West Somerset Railway continues even without trains! The first batch of this season's 118,000 ticket order has been completed by the WSR's Ticket Printing Works at Dunster and are now in Minehead Booking Office. Next task is to batch up tickets for the WSR stations, this being done over the next few weeks and to be sent out as soon as the trains are running again. Spotted today was Alan Grieve busy sorting 30,000 Adult Day Rovers and 15,500 Infant tickets...
9 January 2007
Details from WSR Plc
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| • WSRA Photo Comp results...
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Tom wins the top photographic prize. The Taunton Group of the West Somerset Railway Association held their Annual Photographic Competition at the GWRSA in Taunton on Monday 8 January. During a lively evening 91 prints and 75 slides were judged by Mr Don Bishop ARPS , a professional photographer from Highbridge. Overall winning entry was judged to be a striking view of Peter Waterman’s locomotive no 5553 by the sea near Blue Anchor by Tom Adams. This was also awarded the best entry of a scene on the West Somerset Railway. More...
9 January 2007
Details from WSRA
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| • Photogenic lineside furniture removed...
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One of the most photographed features of the West Somerset Railway is removed. On Sunday 7 January 2007 the Railway's Signal & telegraph Gang took a works train up to the picturesque location under the shadow of Castle Hill. Removal of the existing Williton Down Distant signal became necessary due to corrosion to the lower part of the post. The replacement will be in the shape of the similar looking Williton Up Distant signal which is lined up for removal from its existing position near Doniford. After refurbishment, this signal will be installed at Castle Hill, restoring the photogenic scene.
8 January 2007
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The Big Blue One goes walkabout...
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Ex-SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 - currently finished in the famous Prussian Blue - is to visit two heritage railways in 2007. So report the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust. The prussian blue liveried engine will be starring at the Severn Valley Railway’s Branch Line Weekend on 10-11 March, which will be its second visit to the line. A little further ahead, No 88 will be hauling trains at a ‘Big Four’ gala on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway between 31 May and 3 June 2007.
7 January 2007
Details from SDRT and WSRA
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| • WSR/WSRA Liaison Meeting in January...
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A reminder of the 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.
6 January 2007
Details from WSR/WSRA
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| • 200000 passengers again...
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The West Somerset Railway carries over 200000 passengers in 2006. The Crier newspaper reports "Despite an especially challenging 2006 season for tourism businesses, the West Somerset Railway has again broken its 200,000th passenger milestone. The achievement was reached on December 30 when Wayne Cochrane, a Serviceman on holiday from Milton Keynes, arrived at the window of the booking office at Minehead Railway Station. He received a festive season surprise as he was greeted by railway general manager Paul Conibeare. Wayne, who is based in Windsor, was visiting the railway to give his nine-month-old daughter her first train ride. He received free tickets for his train journey as a small token of the occasion.".
5 January 2007
Details from The Crier
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| • Rain stops play at Norton...
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Bad weather spoils the first ballast delivery to Norton. The 11.00 Fairwater Yard to Norton Fitzwarren (6A74) - the long awaited first scheduled delivery of ballast to the Norton Triangle from Network Rail’s HOBC - was cancelled this morning due to the weather conditions. Heavy rain has delayed Network Rail’s work programme and meant that the HOBC was not called upon to work on Sunday night as planned. As a result there was no ballast available to unload next morning. It is hoped deliveries may be able to start later in the week. The weather has not helped progress on site which has been effectively mothballed since the middle of December with the ground too wet for any construction activities. Once ballast begins to arrive it will enable some areas to be blinded with a stone blanket and work will then re-commence on the formation of the western chord.
8 January 2007
Details from WSRA
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| • Annual Photographic Competition - submit now...
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It is January so it must be time for the WSR Association Annual Photographic Competition. There are Railway and Non-Railway categories, separated for slides (35mm) and prints (maximum size A4), but the railway photos will be further subdivided into Steam and Modern Traction. However, the more 'arty' generalised railway shot is also welcomed! All shots will be judged by well-known professional photographer Don Bishop. The winners will receive appropriate certificates to confirm their success and we hope the winning images will appear on this website. The judging will take place during the WSRA meeting at 7.45pm at the GWR Staff Association 'Snug' Bar, close to the North East corner of Taunton Station (Up Side), next Monday 8 January. All entries are welcome, bring slides and prints along to the meeting, or send as soon as possible to Dr Peter Darke, Wordsworth Barn, Bicknoller, Somerset TA4 4EH.
2 January 2007
Details from WSRA
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