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| • Running days for Gala locomotives...
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Information showing which locos are running on which days at the Spring Steam Gala:
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| | Sat 8 Mar | 1450, 5542, 5553, 4160, 5619, 5224, 3802, 49395 & 45110
Spare: 88 Dunster shunt: 5553
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| | Sun 9 Mar | 1450, 5542, 5553, 4160, 5619, 5224, 9351, 3802, 88, 49395 & 45110
Spare: 3850 Dunster shunt: 5619
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| | Thu 13 Mar | 1450, 5542, 4160, 5619, 5224, 9351, 3802, 49395 & 45110
Spare: 4160 (am), 5619 (pm)
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| | Fri 14 Mar | 1450, 5542, 5553, 4160, 5619, 5224, 3802, 3850, 49395 & 45110
Spare: 4160 (am), 3850 (pm)
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| | Sat 15 Mar | 1450, 5542, 5553, 4160, 5619, 5224, 3802, 3850, 49395 & 45110
Spare: 9351 Dunster shunt: 5553
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| | Sun 16 Mar | 1450, 5542, 5553, 5619, 5224, 9351, 3802, 3850, 49395 & 45110
Spare: 5553 Dunster shunt: 5542
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Which locos on which trains? Well, you will need to purchase a working timetable and programme from the WSR - in advance by telephoning 01643 704996 or at Bishops Lydeard or Minehead stations on the day during the Spring Steam Gala...
29 February 2008 Updated 2 March 2008
Details from SEPT
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| • The Orient Express for Minehead...
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The Orient Express to visit West Somerset. Without doubt, one of the mainline steam charter highlights of the year takes place on Saturday 19 July when Southern Merchant Navy Pacific no 35028 Clan Line breaks new ground by hauling a very special VSOE British Pullman charter throughout from London Victoria to Minehead and return. Jointly promoted by the new alliance of UK Railtours and Past Time Rail, apart from offering nearly 350 miles of steam haulage, this will be the very first visit of the VSOE British Pullman to the award-winning and highly scenic West Somerset Railway, and the first time that Clan Line has ventured over the full length of any UK heritage line since its return to main-line operation in 1973. With the West Somerset Railway about to commission its locomotive turntable at Minehead, this trip will be one of the very first main line steam-hauled special trains onto the WSR to utilise the same loco outwards and return, and is a fitting way to mark 60th birthday of Clan Line - the loco having emerged from Eastleigh Works in 1948. More details shortly...
29 February 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Sunday Gala bus link...
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News of a Sunday bus link for Gala visitors. Of possible interest for those making theor way by public transport to the Spring Steam Gala is the Route 300 operated by Quantock Motor Services on behalf of Somerset County Council. The bus calls are Taunton (Castle Way) at 8.45am, Taunton Railway Station at 8.50am and Bishops Lydeard at 9.05am before running on to Watchet and Minehead. The return bus calls at Bishops Lydeard at 6.40pm. Full details can be found on the Quantock Motor Services website.
29 February 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Power out at Minehead...
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Just when things are getting busy. The Railway have been advised that the power supply to Minehead Station will be cut off for most of the day on Thursday 28 February. This will mean that there will only be very limited telephone service into the Company Headquarters and it will not be possible to process bookings including Spring Steam Gala bookings. Personal callers should also expect less than our usual service. We are due to be fully restored to normal on Friday 29 February.
27 February 2008
Details from WSR plc
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| • Get the right garb...
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A chance for railway volunteers and enthusiasts to get the authentic look. John Beesley, the well-known supplier of railway uniforms and equipment, including guards and footplate crew bags, uniform hats and so on, will have a sales stand at Minehead Station on the second weekend of the Spring Steam Gala 15 and 16 March.
27 February 2008
Details from WSR plc
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| • First Gala guest arrives...
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The first Gala guest arrives. Spotted today at Bishops Lydeard on a road lorry was GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 the first Spring Steam Gala guest locomotive to arrive for the mega event which extends to six running dates - 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 March 2008. Unloading locomotives now uses the new track alignment at Bishops Lydeard and the Permanent Way were putting the finishing touches to the new trackwork as the first guest arrived. In the next few days, observers can expect Nos 45110, 49395, 5542, 5619, 5224 and 3802 to arrive...
25 February 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Flax Bourton and the Broad Gauge ...
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A fascinating and highly-acclaimed talk by a leading expert in the Broad Gauge. "A Broad Gauge Journey from Swindon to Exeter, via Flax Bourton" - an Illustrated Talk by Canon Brian Arman (including a light buffet supper) at Flax Bourton Village Hall, Thursday 3 April at 7.30pm. The talk is in aid of the major project to upgrade community facilities at Flax Bourton Parish Church. Tickets, including buffet, £8.00 For further enquiires call 01275 463336. For those looking for a connection - the Lamp Hut now at Crowcombe Heathfield was formerly at Flax Bourton.
24 February 2008
Details from Flax Bourton Parish Church
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| • Surprise guest speaker at Taunton...
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The next Taunton Group meeting will have a surprise speaker. Well, it'll be either a Don Bishop presentation titled "Digital Steam Recreations", or Peter Darke's talk about "Roaming Northern Rails". The booked speaker, Bernard Mills, ia a professional railwayman and finds himself with an extra turn on the day of the meeting, 3 March 2008, and is not surprisingly unable to attend. Everyone is welcome at the GWRSA Snug Bar at the north east end of Taunton Station - the meeting starts at 7.30pm.
24 February 2008
Details from WSRA Taunton Group
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| • No 45110 joins the Gala line-up...
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A Black Five with significant history will grace WSR metals during March. The Severn Valley Railway have confirmed ex-LMS Black Five 4-6-0 no 45110 will be visiting Somerset for the Spring Steam Gala. This is a real bonus as this particular Black Five has not visited the West Somerset before and it is a genuine 1968 "end of BR" steam engine that fits the original Gala theme well – it actually worked on "the last day of steam on British Railways" in 1968. It is also due to come out of traffic for an overhaul later in the year – planned to be on 11 August to mark the 40 years to the date that BR finished with it!
21 February 2008
Details from SEPT
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| • Crowcombe attracts a band - again
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In the footsteps of the Fab Four perhaps. A band called Chapter XIII were filming on Crowcombe Heathfield Station on 20 February 2008 - the film will help promote the band's new single Valentine. The storyline involves a bride who, in full regalia, was required to throw her bouquet off Lydeard Bridge to the south of the Station. Of course, Crowcombe Heathfield Station has an earlier connection with the music business when, in 1964, The Beatles stopped by during the filming of their first film A Hard Day's Night. Only the Muppets to go, then...
20 February 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Gala locomotive update...
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Another GWR 2-8-0 - no 5224 - is booked for the event. The engines now planned to be in service at the Spring Steam Gala will include the LNWR Super D 0-8-0 no 49395 and another LMS engine (from the Severn Valley Railway – details still to be finalised) whilst SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 will also feature on the first weekend at least before departing for the SVR grand re-opening event. Great Western heavy freight will be represented by nos 3802 (making a welcome return from the Llangollen), 3850 and 5224 - the latter confirmed today. The Swindon mixed traffic contingent weighs in with nos 9351, 4160, 5619, 5542 and 5553. The much lighter GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 will once again be out and about with the auto coach.
20 February 2008
Details from SEPT and WSR Plc
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| • No Leander for Gala...
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News has broken that LMS Jubilee no 5690 will not now be able to attend the Spring Steam Gala. Despite best efforts, it seems the running repairs will not completed in time and so Leander joins Foxcote Manor and Wadebridge in the cancelled list. Fortunately, friends at the Severn Valley have offered an engine to help out – probably LMS Stanier Mogul no 42968 or maybe LMS Black Five no 45110. The Llangollen Railway have kindly offered GWR 2-8-0 no 3802. Ideally, one more class 4 or above loco is needed and enquiries are continuing. The Spring Steam Gala line up is now nos 1450, 5542, 5553, 4160, 9351, 5619, 3802, 3850, 49395, 42968 or 45110. SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 will be the spare loco as things stand, but may yet be pressed into traffic. The "British Railways Steam 1948-68" theme has somewhat gone out of the window, but under the circumstances this is a cracking line up and hopefully there is something there to keep most enthusiasts happy...
18 February 2008
Details from SEPT
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| • Winter overhaul of No 5542 nears completion...
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No 5542 is looking more like a locomotive again. The Small Prairie - owned by Locomotive 5542 Limited - now stands on eight of its ten wheels (rumours of a 2-6-0 conversion are not confirmed!) and progress on the winter overhaul is just about on schedule. The rear pony truck should be refitted early next week. All other work is now approaching the final stages. The only item of the planned work postponed is the fitting of the front end auto gear. This was due to the additional work undertaken re-tyring the pony truck wheels - originally not planned for this winter. This work became a necessity when one of the old ones was found to be oval and we were unable to remove the ovality and remain within the minimum tolerances of tyre and flange measurements. The team hope to manufacture the auto components and possibly fit them at some stage during the year.
17 February 2008
Details from Locomotive 5542 Ltd
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| • No 33057 start up success...
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Following several months work the engine of the second Williton-based Class 33 Crompton - no 33057 (D6575) - was successfully started on Saturday 16 February for the first time in nearly twelve years. The engine ran smoothly without any hunting, quite surprising as the weather was rather cold! A battery charging problem was evident and traced to a missing wire which was then replaced. The engine was run for a total of approximately two hours to get it warm. There were no visible water leaks and only a slight oil leak from the coarse strainer was noted. It was then decided to try the loco for power, albeit that only two of the four traction motors are presently in circuit due to damaged cabling. The main generator field MCB was engaged, the power controller was opened and about 300A traction current was indicated on the meter. So a driver in the form of DEPG Chairman Bob Tiller was summoned and he became the first person since May 1996 to move the loco under its own power, albeit for only a few inches! A few other minor problems have been noted, including one with the reverser interlocks, and these will be sorted out in due course but some major bodywork repairs and re-wiring will be necessary before the loco can enter service.
17 February 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Spring Steam Gala loco news...
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No 7822 will not appear at the Gala confirm the WSR Special Events Planning Team. Ongoing repairs mean Foxcote Manor will not be ready in time. Completion of repairs to fire damage on SR West Country no 34007 Wadebridge may also prevent the appearance of that locomotive. The Team remain hopeful of LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 no 5690 Leander starring at the Spring Steam Gala, although SEPT cannot confirm at this stage. On a brighter note, SEPT confirm GWR 0-6-2T no 5619, fresh from overhaul at the Flour Mill workshops, is confirmed, along with nos 49395, 5542 and 1450, plus nos 5553, 4160, 9351 and 3850 from the resident fleet. Nothing else is currently confirmed. SEPT remain hard at work to ensure yet another superb line-up of locomotives at the Gala.
15 February 2008
Details from SEPT
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| • By Pump Trolley to Norton...
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Possibly the first charter on the new triangle at Norton Fitzwarren. A privately-chartered pump trolley trip on 3 February for the Great Western Society. The human-powered rail vehicle ran between Norton Fitzwarren and Bishops Lydeard under the direction of a WSR signalman under an engineering possession of that section of the line for the day. The trolley made two return trips and also traversed the first stage of the triangle at Norton, the Western Chord, and passing onto the old Barnstaple branch formation. In this way, the trolley can claim to be the first "charter" train to run on the Barney line since closure in 1966. The pump trolley is in the care of the Great Western Society in Taunton and has been used many times on the WSR in previous years. In fact it is almost exactly 25 years since the GWS in Taunton restored the trolley from a pile of broken bits. Since then it has done many hundreds of miles on main line and preserved railways around the country.
14 February 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • The Darling Express of May...
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News of an excursion from Cheshire to Minehead in May. Join the The Somerset Coast Express for a memorable trip direct from a railway station local to Cheshire, via Birmingham, the Lickey Incline and Cheltenham to Bristol, the West Somerset Railway and Minehead. You can either visit Bristol or Minehead or enjoy a trip on the West Somerset Railway to Bishops Lydeard, where you can rejoin the return journey of the Rail Tour. For full details, see the Booking Form...
14 February 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Trains resume running this weekend...
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West Somerset passenger train services resume on Saturday 16 February. Then the trains run on the following days during the half-term holiday - Sunday 17, Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20, Thursday 21, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February. For the first time, the WSR will run trains over the full length between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead for the February half-term holiday. A special timetable is in force for the six days with a diesel multiple unit (dmu) train from Bishops Lydeard at 10.40am, steam at 12.40pm, dmu at 2.25pm and steam at 4.10pm. Departure times from Minehead are steam at 10.30am, dmu at 12.30pm, steam at 2.15pm, and dmu at 4 o'clock. If you are starting your journey at Minehead please remember the former adjacent car parks are now unavailable due to the ongoing development works. The adult return fare over the whole of the line is £13.40, senior citizen is £11.60 and children (aged 5 to 15) £6.70. We also offer a family return ticket which covers 2 adults and up to 4 children for £34.20. (Children under 5 travel for free). Dogs are carried at a flat rate of £2 and bicycles accompanied by their owners are carried at quarter fare. Train times...
13 February 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Turntable touchdown at Minehead...
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After a twenty-nine year wait, the turntable is finally in position at Minehead. Rescued by the early West Somerset Railway pioneers from Pwllheli in North Wales, the turntable languished for years at Minehead Station. An application for funds from Europe and UK, along with a considerable sum from the Railway itself, led to the exciting re-development of the Mart Road area next to the Railway Station. Part of the works includes the creation of the turntable pit and the refurbishment of the turntable which was also extended to 65ft, now long enough to accommodate the longest main line steam locomotives which should now be able to haul both incoming and outgoing excursion trains along the Minehead Branch. Pictures...
11 February 2008
Details from local correspondents
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| • More volunteers needed at Minehead...
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As the West Somerset Railway prepares for its 2008 season after breaking all previous figures for numbers of passengers carried in 2007 the northern terminus station of the twenty mile long heritage line is looking for more volunteer staff to help with the workload. "We need assistance in several areas", said Minehead Stationmaster Alan Scott, "and with this in mind we will be pleased to welcome potential new volunteers to the station on Sunday 24 February between 10am and 2.30pm. Areas where help is particularly needed are in the station office, dealing with bookings for special events, personal and telephone callers, mailshots and general administration, and out on the platforms, helping passengers with information and seeing that they safely board and leave trains. For those who are good with figures and like talking to people there are also vacancies in the Booking Office roster where we would very much like to have two clerks on duty for as much of the time as possible. We’re a friendly group of people and we give training as necessary. Most of those who start tend to become slightly 'addicted' and often call in on days when they aren’t working to see how things are going. If anyone cannot make it on the 24th please ring the station on 01643 704996, leave your details, and I will be in touch."
11 February 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The second coming attracts huge crowds...
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It seemed like the whole population of West Somerset lined the A358 and A39 to witness the passage of the West Somerset Railway turntable making a second homecoming following extensive refurbishment and lengthening at the Wolverhampton Works of Steelway Fensecure. Clearance was very restricted in some locations, notably Washford. At Williton, the ensemble passed the former Egremont Hotel - in 1856 the birthplace of the first West Somerset Railway. Given a police escort, complete with motorcycle outriders, the turntable arrived at Minehead Station in the early afternoon of 10 February and is due to be lifted into final position the next day. Video Clip and Pictures...
10 February 2008
Details from local correspondents
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| • Mid Summer Madness at Crowcombe Heathfield...
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The folks who care for Crowcombe Heathfield Station have arranged a little Mid Summer Madness. On the evening of Friday 20 June 2008, the heritage diesel train departs Bishops Lydeard at 7.15pm for Norton Fitzwarren and views from the train of the new turning triangle and the main line, before running back to Crowcombe Heathfield Station, for the Official Reopening of the Refurbished Kitchen and Waiting Room by Lady Elizabeth Gass, HM Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, the great, great granddaughter of Sir Peregrine Fuller Palmer Acland Bt (the first Chairman of the West Somerset Railway) for a Champagne Toast. Participants will then enjoy a wholesome supper before setting off for Bishops Lydeard. More...
9 February 2008
Details from Crowcombe Heathfield Group
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| • The Norton Auto Gala times...
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With no mainline shuttle train service for this Gala, the Great Western Auto Train will operate on the Bishops Lydeard - Norton Fitzwarren section on the weekends of the Gala, with trains departing Bishops Lydeard for Norton Fitzwarren as follows:
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| | · Saturdays 8 and 15 March
| | 9.50*
| 10.50
| 11.40
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| 1.20
| 2.10
| 3.05
| 3.55
| 4.45
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| | · Sundays 9 and 16 March
| | 9.50*
| 10.50
| 11.40
| 12.30
| 1.20
| 2.10
| 3.05
| 3.55
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* from Minehead
8 February 2008
Details from SEPT
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| • Don moves on...
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Don Bishop to leave the Special Events Planning Team. Don writes "Following the announcement that my WSR Special Events Planning Team colleague Richard Jones is leaving the group due to his appointment at the Bodmin Railway after the fast approaching spring steam gala, I too have decided that now is the right time to move on..." We would like to take this opportunity to thank Don, and Richard, for tireless, backroom work that has provided the very best special events to be found on any heritage railway in Britain and we are confident we speak for many, many WSR supporters and visitors. For the full text of Don's message, please click here...
8 February 2008
Details from Don Bishop
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| • Gala Taunton-Bishops Lydeard bus news...
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Full details of the Spring Steam Gala bus services linking Taunton and Bishops Lydeard have been released. Despite huge efforts, the Railway are unable to provide a rail link between Taunton Station and Bishops Lydeard for the Spring Steam Gala and as many regular visitors will be aware the car parking at Bishops Lydeard can be very much at a premium, particularly if there is bad weather in the lead-up to the Gala and the fields become wet. The Railway have hired vehicles from Stagecoach (Cooks Coaches) to offer a free service which will link Taunton Station, Silk Mill Park and Ride Car Park and Bishops Lydeard Station. For the full details please visit the Spring Steam Gala page...
8 February 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • No 5542 reveals its pedigree...
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The recent refurbishment work has revealed the pedigree of GWR 2-6-2T no 5542. Examination of the right hand axlebox of the leading
pony truck shows the axlebox has also done service on several other Great Western locomotives - no 100 Lloyds A1 built 1925 (rebuilt in 1925 from 4009 Shooting Star of
1909 vintage); no 5063 Earl Baldwin (originally Thornbury Castle 1937 built); no 5076 Gladiator (originally Drysllwyn Castle 1938 built) and no 7019 Fowey Castle of 1949 vintage). Thoroughbred, through and through.
5 February 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • The refurbished turntable returns soon...
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The ex-Pwllheli turntable is about to make a second triumphant arrival by road at Minehead. Latest information is that the journey from the Midlands will pause in Taunton on the night of 9 and 10 February, then to leave Taunton at 9am on 10 February and travel along the A358 to Williton and then A39 arriving the Mart Road site around 10.30am or so. There is likely to be road traffic congestion. Somerset County Council have announced that the turntable is due to be installed at 11am on Monday 11 February.
2 February 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • News of Dunster Buses in 2008...
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Buses from yesteryear will again ply between Dunster Station, Dunster Village and Dunster Castle in 2008. The vintage buses will run on Bank Holiday Sundays and Mondays - 23, 24 March; 5, 6 May; 25, 26 May and 24, 25 August, The free bus service will leave Dunster Station at 11am, 11.55am, 1pm, 1.50pm, 2.25pm, 3.30pm and 4.25pm, for the ten minute run to the Castle calling five minutes later at the Square in the village centre, then a ten minute run back to the Railway Station. Also a Shuttle Service will operate between Dunster Station and Dunster Steep on 23 July for the Country Fair and on 15 August for the Dunster Show.
2 February 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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