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| • Adrian to entertain the troops...
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The next meeting of the WSRA Taunton Group will be on Monday 7 April. The speaker will be Adrian Vaughan, well-known author of books on I K Brunel; various aspects of the GWR signalling, operation, buildings; and advocate on Brunel on the TV series of Famous Britons. Adrian will give the second part of a talk that he gave a few years ago, entitled "Further Confessions of a Signalman". As many will know, Adrian is an entertaining speaker and is also a WSRA member and occasional volunteer signalman on the Minehead Branch. As usual, the meeting is scheduled to start at 7.45pm, at the Snug Bar of the GWR Staff Association, at the North East corner of Taunton Station.
31 March 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Take a Coach to see the Carriages...
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An additional pick-up for the forthcoming coach trip to the Severn Valley Railway. At the invitation of the Severn Valley Carriage & Wagon Department at Kidderminster, the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust have arranged a visit to the SVR on Saturday 10 May 2008. A coach will leave Minehead station at 7am, picking up at Bishops Lydeard Station, Williton Station, Bridgwater Station and Gordano M5 Services near Bristol. The invitation extends to a private tour of the Kidderminster Carriage Works, which is not normally open to the public, and which is very well set up for the maintenance of vintage carriages. Several equivalents of the carriages which will be part of the WSR Heritage fleet will be available for inspection. The usual delights of the SVR will then be available for the rest of the day, including the newly-opened "Engine House" at Highley. Book early as this is bound to be a popular trip! Full details...
31 March 2008
Details from WSSRT
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| • Heavy Goods for Minehead...
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The West Somerset Railway has bought Churchward Heavy Goods 2-8-0 no 2874. Built in 1918 at the Swindon workshops of the GWR, and originally based at Old Oak Common, the locomotive was used by the Great Western Railway for most of its life hauling coal from South Wales and was withdrawn from Neath shed in 1963. The locomotive was stored in Dai Woodham's scrapyard at Barry for many years and has never been restored. It is currently kept at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway in South Wales. WSR General Manager, Paul Conibeare said "Rarely does an opportunity arise to purchase an un-restored GWR locomotive complete with tender. Chief Mechanical Engineer Andrew Forster and his team have the necessary skills at the Minehead workshops to carry out the work required, and at a cost that will be less than the high prices now being asked for serviceable locomotives. The Railway is pleased that it has secured the locomotive to protect it from further deterioration and demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the heritage of the GWR. The acquisition and restoration of additional locomotives form part of the Railway’s business plan and so this is a positive step towards that aim. Considerable funds will be required for the restoration which will be phased over a number of years. It is expected that the first phase will be the restoration of the tender in order to augment our existing fleet, whilst a decision on the timescale for the locomotive will follow a detailed inspection of the remaining components." Negotiations for the locomotive were conducted by Andrew Forster, who will move it to Minehead shortly for examination and protection.
25 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Audrey Short
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It is with great sadness that we announce that long-standing Association volunteer Audrey Short has passed away at the age of 77 after a long and courageous battle with illness. Audrey's association with the West Somerset Railway started in 1976, working one day a week in the shop at the then terminus of the line, Blue Anchor, located in what is now the Great Western Railway Museum. Volunteer turns in various booking offices followed until, in 1984, Audrey and her husband, Ron, were persuaded to join the team of the Quantock Belle dining set, Audrey working first in the kitchen and later as a steward. In September 1987, Audrey was asked to consider becoming WSRA Treasurer, a post which she accepted and held for the next eleven and a half years, until retiring in April 1999. During this time, the Association's finances became infinitely more complicated and the WSRA made the transition to becoming a Registered Charity, completed in 1994. Audrey earned much respect in the role of Treasurer, and alsoserved as a Director on the Company Board as one of the three directors representing the Association. Audrey and Ron produced two volumes of "Walks from West Somerset Railway Stations" which were designed to encourage ramblers to make more use of the Railway and which have proved remarkably good sellers over the years. For most of its existence, Audrey presided over another long-running WSRA institution, the 500 Club, this attracting many members and going on to become the current 700 Club. Audrey continued in this role until just before her death, handing over the reigns to her successor, Ray Casely, in January. Away from the Railway, Audrey and Ron were keen bell-ringers, and Audrey was also a volunteer at the local hospice. Audrey's funeral was held on Wednesday 19th March at St.George's Church in Ruishton, just a few yards from her home of Poldens. The service was attended by many friends and colleagues. Known to many simply as "a lovely lady", Audrey will be sadly missed. Our sympathies are extended to her son Malcolm and his family at this time.
25 March 2008
Words kindly provided by WSRA
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| • A new venue for the Rally in 2008...
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The 2008 Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally has a new venue. Following twenty very successful events near Bishops Lydeard Station, the Rally is moving to the WSRA Fields just to the west of Norton Fitzwarren. The fields form part of the land owned by the West Somerset Railway Association, partly currently being used to construct a triangle of railway track to help turn locomotives and rolling stock. There's plenty of space at the Norton site for the Rally and the WSRA are confident that the new venue will prove even more popular with exhibitors and visitors alike. With track on the first chord of the triangle now all but complete, it is hoped that, subject to confirmation, railway stock will join the regular exhibits for the first time in a proper railway setting. For further details, please click here...
25 March 2008
Details from WSRA and local correspondent
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| • Can you help at Bishops Lydeard...
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Bishops Lydeard Station is one of the busiest on the West Somerset Railway. A dedicated group of people work very hard to keep things ticking over at the Station smoothly. Whether it is opening up early in the morning and locking up at night; minding passengers across the barrow crossing; ensuring all platform work is done and advising the train guard; making sure the many cars are parked efficiently; or meeting passengers arriving by bus, there is always something to do. The work at Bishops Lydeard Station is not physically hard and the hours can be tailored to meet the individual but the team are short of volunteers and would dearly like to see some new people or any old staff who would like to return. Everybody is welcome and you will receive training on all aspects of the job and a Personal Track Safety Certificate after attending the appropriate course. Give them a ring on 01823 433856 or email the Station Master, Ken Davidge, at BLstationmaster@wsra.org.uk
23 March 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • An update from RAMS...
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RAMS are a team of friendly volunteers who operate from Bishops Lydeard Station. The main function is the maintenance of the station including the buildings, and the surrounding area, along with the maintenance, conservation and restoration of all the heritage furniture and artefacts to be found around the station and in the Gauge Museum. In addition RAMS are often requested to carry out works at other stations along the West Somerset Railway. The scope of work carried out is vast and various, and would include the making or repairing of gates, doors, station name boards, replacing wooden floors, refurbishing offices, fitting out or constructing new buildings, repairing signal boxes, station seats, rebuilding sack barrows and trolleys, and endless painting and so on. The list and variation of work is endless. More...
22 March 2008
Details from RAMS
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| • A fleeting visit by a Duchess...
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No 46233 to make an overnight stop at Bishops Lydeard. LMS 4-6-2 no 46233 Duchess of Sutherland should be making the most of the locomotive facilities at Bishops Lydeard on Sunday
1 June after working the Steam Dreams trip from London to Exeter via Salisbury. We understand the Duchess will head for Butterley in the Midlands from Bishops Lydeard on the following morning Monday 2 June. Unconfirmed at present is the possibility of LNER A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern will also call overnight at Bishops Lydeard on Sat 31 May, prior to working the Steam Dreams trip back from Exeter to Waterloo on 1 June.
21 March 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • A new online discussion group...
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A new online discussion group for WSR staff. Just started at uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/wsrvolunteers/ the new group is for anyone who is a working member of staff, whether paid or volunteer, on the West Somerset Railway. It is strictly a member-only group and messages are not visible to non-members. It promises to raise issues for discussion leading to improvements in skills and practices. For a more general discussion about the WSR, join the original discussion group. Both groups are "unofficial"...
21 March 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • No Bristol service in 2008...
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The WSR has announced the Bristol-Minehead service will not run in 2008, despite strenous efforts. WSR Chairman Chris Austin reports "It has not been possible to find a partner operator this year to provide the main line shuttles...for the Bristol service following the closure of Victa Westlink. I have tried with my colleagues on the main line, but although they would have liked to help, it has proved impossible this year." Martyn Snell, quoted in the Somerset County Gazette, adds "Hopefully in future years it will come back because last year it was super. We carried well over 1,000 passengers in that short period."
21 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • More on the through trains...
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Saturday 10 May may see a second through train arrving at Minehead. In addition to the Somerset Coast Express there is unconfirmed news of a Railway Children Charity special train from Bristol to Minehead and back using a First Great Western HST on the same day. The three steam hauled excursions to Minehead advertised so far remain as
planned. On Wednesday 16 July, Steam Dreams will run a London Victoria-Minehead and return using the West Coast green train (loco to be announced); on Saturday 19 July, SR 4-6-2 no 35028 Clan Line brings the VSOE Pulman train from London to Minehead and return (UK Railtours/Past Time Rail); and on Wednesday 20 August the Steam Dreams London Victoria-Minehead-London Victoria bring LMS 4-6-2 no 46233 Duchess of Sutherland to the Branch with the West Coast green train. These last three trains run via Reading, Newbury and Castle Cary both ways.
21 March 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Limited parking available beside Minehead Station...
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As of Good Friday - 21 March - there will be limited parking available beside Minehead Station. The new access road was surfaced on 20 March and spaces will be available on a "first come – first served" basis. Users should note that the Railway is required to lock and secure the car park each evening and that the temporary arrangement only lasts until and including Thursday 27 March after which further work to the site will require it to be closed again.
20 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • New top team for WSR Association...
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A new top team for theWest Somerset Railway Association. Two new 'high flyers' have been appointed to the senior management team of the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA), the volunteer supporter's group on the 23-mile West Somerset Railway. Rather unusually for a hobby activity usually dominated by men, the WSRA has just appointed Susan Kaufman to the new and important salaried post of Association Manager based at Bishops Lydeard. She will help coordinate various activities for the WSRA and assist with developing commercial projects on behalf of the 5,000 member, largely volunteer organisation. Mrs Kaufman (53) hails from the USA and served as a career officer in the United States Air Force (USAF) based in the UK and abroad, but now lives with her businessman and farmer husband near Wellington. The new WSRA Chairman is Robin White (44), who has worked as a regular WSR volunteer since his teenage years, and is now a leading employment law barrister practising in London but still lives in the West Country. Full details...
19 March 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Iris comes to Somerset...
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A two-car DMU has arrived on the WSR. Two driving power cars - nos 977693 and 977694 - of the recently decommissioned Network Rail Laboratory 19 IRIS II test train 901002 have been acquired by John Buxton of Cambrian Railways. The DMU will be based at Dunster and will be used to travel out to Permanent Way worksites as required. The two cars were formerly Metropolitan Cammell Class 101 DMBS no 50222 and Class 101 DMC no 50338. The DMU was delivered to Bishops Lydeard by rail by Class 31 no 31459 and onto Minehead on the back of the GWR 2-6-2T no 5553 headed 4.10pm ex-Bishops Lydeard.
18 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc and local correspondent
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| • The Mineral Line Tour...
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Take a tour to see the remains of the first railway in West Somerset. On 17 May 2008 and 20 September 2008, Martin's Vintage Bus will meet the West Somerset Railway trains - 10.40am from Bishops Lydeard and 10.30am from Minehead - at Williton Railway Station at 11.15am and will then conduct the party along the former route of the West Somerset Mineral Railway. There will be a lunchtime stop at the Ralegh's Cross Inn, which was once frequented by the miners and now has many photographs of the Mineral Line upon its walls, and passengers will be back at Minehead in time to take the 4.50pm train homewards. More...
18 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Framed photographs of WSR volunteers...
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Regular WSR photographer and volunteer Malc Stacey has an impressive collection of photographs of WSR volunteers. Taken several years ago in black and white, Malc hand printed pictures of various footplate crew members, then the finished prints were mounted and framed in black wood measuring 14"x11"with a 10"x8" picture ready to hang. Malc has 39 of these left - first sold for £27,50 - but now reduced in price. Anyone interested should check with Malc Stacey via email...
18 March 2008
Details from Malc Stacey
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| • More Minehead Branch services for No 5542...
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No 5542 gets more work on the Minehead Branch. Following some superb work at the Spring Steam Gala, much admired by many visitors, GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 is booked for regular service in the week before Easter. The loco roster board shows the Prairie on the turn starting from Bishops Lydeard. For those keen on photography, the one-time Minehead Branch regular faces Taunton. No 5542 is on the WSR for a few weeks only before taking up a summer residence on another heritage railway.
15 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The WSR at the NEC...
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The West Somerset Railway appeared at the NEC at Birmingham recently. The WSR Commercial Team were in action at the British Travel Trade Fair. The BTTF is one of the big events of British Travel Trade Week. Martyn Snell (Commercial Manager) and John Simms (Publicity Officer) are on the right. On the left is Anthony Brunt, the owner of the Yarn Market Hotel at Dunster and Chairman of Exmoor Tourist Association, who is a great supporter of the railway at these events. The WSR was the only heritage railway to exhibit in its own right- the Heritage Railway Association had a stand and three other railways took space on regional stands. Rather surprisingly, the WSR were the sole representatives from Somerset and Exmoor...
15 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • All ready for the Spring Steam Gala ...
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Gala Time at the West Somerset Railway. The Spring Steam Gala is taking place on 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 March 2008. All the guest locomotives are due to have arrived by 7 March, including the local line favourite GWR 2-6-2T no 5542. The full line up is 1450, 5542, 5553, 4160, 9351, 5619, 3802, 3850, 49395 and 45110 with 88 in use on the first weekend. A full timetable is in operation on each day, with a few light engine and goods trains for good measure - full details on the souvenir programme available at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard Stations. A couple of timely reminders to photographers - a valid lineside permit must be held for access the trackside - if no permit, please do not stray off public areas; and to all, please do not enter neighbouring private property during this important growing season. Over and above all, the Spring Steam Gala exists for enjoyment, so please enjoy...
7 March 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Refurbished shop at Watchet Station ...
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Volunteers have expanded and refitted the shop at Watchet Station. The Friends of Watchet Station, having been bagged the Most Improved Station award in 2007, decided to improve the shop. The major overhaul, including new disabled access, has kept the team busy refitting and decorating the shop which is now half as big again. Visitors to the Spring Steam Gala taking place on 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 March, will be able to see the improvements at Watchet Station for themselves, so why not stop by...
7 March 2008
Details from Somerset County Gazette
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| • Ken is new Bishops Lydeard Station Master ...
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The West Somerset Railway is pleased to welcome Ken Davidge as the Stationmaster at Bishops Lydeard. Ken has taken up the role as a busy period approaches with the Spring Steam Gala taking place on 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 March, closely followed by the Easter Holidays. During a Gala, Bishops Lydeard Station not only sees a very intensive service of steam trains but also hosts many visitors who arrive by car and by bus, including those who use the free shuttle bus service between Taunton Station, the Silk Mill Park and Ride Car Park and Bishops Lydeard. Add in the First Bus 28 service and Ken and his station team have a traffic interchange to supervise as well as the train services. Ken comments "Bishops Lydeard is one of the busiest stations on any heritage railway in the UK. Each year the station welcomes over a hundred thousand visitors. I am very pleased to be heading a team that does an excellent job. However we are always keen to welcome more volunteer help and if anyone would like to know more about working at Bishops Lydeard should ring 01823 433856 for an information pack describing jobs available on the West Somerset Railway."
5 March 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Meet the DML at the SSG ...
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This spring for the first time in many years Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited will be represented by a stand at the WSR Gala. Company directors and volunteers will be available to talk to the crowds and update people on progress with the company’s plans, 10 months on from the launch of New Horizons. "The reason for having the stand is to demonstrate our commitment to the locomotives and the WSR" stated Treasurer Martin Ginger, "Our relationship with the WSR has been very constructive and our two locomotives have run a combined mileage of 95,000 miles on the railway. We are now encouraging more potential supporters to become members of the Dinmore Manor Fund (2007) and help us to achieve the target of returning Dinmore Manor to steam in 2011 - Stage 1 of the New Horizons plan."
Full press release...
5 March 2008
Details from DML Ltd
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| • Gala visitors arriving...
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Four of the Gala visitors arrived on 4 March. The yard at Bishops Lydeard was very busy when four gleaming Spring Steam Gala locomotives arrived by road - LNWR 0-8-0 no 49395, LMS 4-6-0 no 45110, GWR 2-8-0T no 5224 and recently restored GWR 0-6-2T no 5619. A few days earlier, GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 was unloaded and later ran to Minehead with WSR 2-6-0 no 9351. That leaves GWR 2-8-0 no 3802 and GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 to arrive and then the Gala line-up will be complete.
4 March 2008
Details from local correspondents
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| • News about Western Campaigner...
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D1010 will not appear at the Mixed Traffic weekend on 13-15 June 2008. Following the Western's successful debut after three years at the WSR Mixed Traffic Gala in May 2007 after a lot of hard work by the DEPG team at Williton, she has been further withdrawn from service for engine repairs and electrical upgrade. It had been hoped that Western Campaigner would be back in service for summer 2008. However, several things have pushed the target further away and so reluctantly D1010 won't be running this year. Full story...
3 March 2008
Details from DEPG
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| • No 88 visits the Severn Valley...
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The Big Blue Engine goes north. SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 88 will visit the Severn Valley Railway in March courtesy of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust and the West Somerset Railway to help the West Midlands railway re-open the line and after the severe flood damage caused last summer. Around £3.5 million has been spent restoring the line in several places. Allelys Heavy Haulage are also helping with transport. It's good to see the heritage railway industry helping each other. Beforehand, the 7F will appear during the first weekend of the Spring Steam Gala...
3 March 2008
Details from SDRT
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