|
|
|
| • Now the Heavy Goods tests the turntable...
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 
|
|
A stiffer test for the turntable. In the evening of 30 June, GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 was inched along the turntable approach road by the Minehead diesel shunter, and left partly on and off the turntable. All part of the ongoing test programme necessary before the turntable is fully commissioned. On 24 June, BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160 became the first locomotive to fully utilise the new works - but the eight-coupled heavy goods, with the tender, is a heavier, longer engine and will provide a challenging test.
30 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • A Will Surgery...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your legacy matters. The day-to-day income from fares, shops and catering covers the cost of running the trains. But it does not provide income to invest in railway expansion, heritage train restoration, educational facilities or conservation of heritage artefacts and records. But did you know that legacies fund investments for the future! The Railway are holding a Will Surgery for folks to meet the WSR Legacy Officer, Roger Stobbs and Ashfords (Solicitors) between 11am and 4pm in the Quantock Belle train at Bishops Lydeard Station on Saturday 12 July 2008. For more information, ring 01823 433856 or legacy@wsra.org.uk
26 June 2008
Details from WSRA
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • The Five Year Plan is available for download...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The West Somerset Railway has made its five year plan available to download via the official website. The document has details of the strategy and plans the Railway has for the future. To download the document in PDF format from the official website, please Click Here. The Plan, adopted by the Board, is being promulgated to staff and
stakeholders. It will form the basis of financial projections to be considered by the Board, and will be used to prioritise activities and investments. It will form the framework for the 2009 budget to be set in Autumn 2008. It is intended that the plan should be updated at least every two years.
26 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Midsummer Madness at Crowcombe Heathfield...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Around 90 guests enjoyed some Midsummer Madness at Crowcombe Heathfield on the evening of 20 June. Following a return trip by DMU to view the works at Norton Fitzwarren, Chris Austin, the Company Chairman,welcomed everyone to the event, thanked the Station Group for all their hard work in carrying out the refurbishment and inviting Lady Gass, HM Lord Lieutenant of Somerset to cut the ribbon and declare the Waiting Room and Kitchen re-opened. Lady Gass, was accompanied by her two sisters, all great, great grand daughters of Sir Peregrine Acland, who founded the original WSR in 1856 and was the first Chairman of the Company. Having cut the ribbon Lady Gass was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Mike Hodge, one of the joint station masters. The guests then settled down to enjoy a splendid picnic supper. Overall a very enjoyable evening which raised just over £700 for the Station Restoration Fund. Full Report...
26 June 2008
Details from Crowcombe Heathfield Station Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • An update on the current situation...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The WSR have issued an update on the current situation. Four of the steam locomotives on the WSR have been stopped, following the detection of abnormal flange wear during routine inspections. The Railway are now clear that the immediate cause of this wear stems from flange contact with scarring, a roughness left by rail grinding on the gauge corner (the angle between the railhead and the inside edge of the rail). Taking advice from mainline network engineering experts, the Railway are now hand grinding the affected sections of line, together with better flange lubrication. Work has been stepped up to remove the problem quickly, and two machines completed a mile of track (two miles of rail) last week. A further four track miles remain to be done as a priority, and this week five additional machines have been brought in, together with more operators. The objective is to complete this work by 14 July at the latest. A week will follow to condition the track through the passage of the normal service trains, and following a final inspection, more steam engines will be reintroduced. Two additional flange lubricators have been ordered and will be installed shortly. No 5553 has managed well with her shorter wheelbase, but the other locomotives have been stopped to avoid further wear, until the treatment of the track has been completed. No 4160 has been turned, and maintenance and washouts are taking place on the other locomotives, so that they will be ready for uninterrupted service once they are back in traffic. The plan is to reintroduce the advertised steam service from 22 July.
25 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • No 4160 becomes first to use turntable ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the early morning sunshine of 24 June, diesel shunter no D2133 slowly propelled BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160 onto the Minehead turntable. Once centred and balanced, the "Large Prairie" was turned, by hand, and became the first locomotive to use the recently installed and refurbished turntable at Minehead, thus completing a very significant moment in the project. Now facing Minehead, the steam locomotive was hauled away by D2133 and the moment had passed into history. All looks good now for the visit in the summer of some larger, mainline steam locomotives which will required turning before setting back on their return journeys.
24 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • WSR folks are praised by Taunton couple...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some welcome comments for the hard-working staff at the West Somerset Railway. A couple from Taunton have written to the Somerset County Gazette expressing a public thank you and well done to the staff and
volunteers of the West Somerset Railway. The couple say they were fortunate enough to travel by steam train on their diamond wedding from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and that from the minute they stepped on to the platform at Bishops Lydeard everyone went over and above the call of duty, making their trip very special. The couple want
to congratulate the West Somerset Railway on their wonderfully polite and helpful staff and volunteers. Although this website has not had permission to publish their words and names, we want say it was so good of the couple to go out of their way to publicly express their thanks to the people who work on the West Somerset Railway.
23 June 2008
Details from Somerset County Gazette
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • More information on changes to train haulage...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More changes to train haulage rosters. With only one steam engine in service – GWR 2-6-2T no 5553 – there is a need to allow the engine to have a wash out. This time is fast approaching and it has been decided to make some changes for the next few days - this programme will allow charters and other commitments needing a steam engine hauling of some service trains, including the Family Fun Weekend, to be maintained. Generally the revised Green Timetable will be in operation, except that all trains will be diesel powered on Friday 27 June, Friday 4 July, Tuesday 8 July, Wednesday 9 July and Thursday 10 July (on the latter date only, it is possible the 4pm from Minehead will be steam hauled). Also, on Monday 7 July, the 4pm from Minehead will be diesel hauled. From Friday 11 July, the revised Green Timetable re-commences. Updates will be posted as and when information reaches us.
23 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Stobart Pullman visits Minehead...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday 21 June marked the first visit to the West Somerset Railway by a newcomer to the excursion train market, Stobart Pullman. This enterprise, in partnership with the well-established Direct Rail Services, is a fresh area of business for the well-known road-haulage company. On the longest day of the year, 167 diners and first class passengers made their way to West Somerset on a seven coach train which ran from Northampton via Milton Keynes, Watford Junction and London Euston on its way to the West Country. Passengers enjoyed a full breakfast on the journey down whilst on their way home a four course dinner was served. The train was worked by two Class 47 diesel locomotives. "We were pleased to see Stobart’s for the first time" said WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare, "and the organisers seemed equally pleased with their day out with us as part of their 2008 programme. During discussions over their plans for 2009 they expressed an interest in an excursion from Minehead on the same basis of a very special day out".
23 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • The WSR steams on...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The West Somerset Railway is open for business and is running a full service each day from now until October. The WSR Chairman, Chris Austin writes "Steam trains are running, but for the remainder of June, some services will be hauled by a heritage diesel locomotive. Steam trains will run from Bishops Lydeard each day at 10.40am and 2.25pm, and will leave Minehead at 12.30pm and 4.00pm. Some steam locomotives have been taken out of service temporarily while work is carried out on the track, to make sure that everything is ready for the start of the busy summer season when the peak services start on 22 July. Details of train times and which are diesel and steam hauled are on the West Somerset Railway’s website or from stations, [or this website] and this will be updated as changes occur. The track improvements being carried out each night follow major work earlier this year, which was undertaken to make sure that the line can continue to handle the growing number of passengers and trains for many years to come. This programme will be completed by mid July, following which more steam locomotives will be able to run again. "
22 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • A weekend of family fun on the Minehead Branch...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A weekend of family fun on the Minehead Branch in early July. The West Somerset Railway’s Family Fun Weekend on 5 and 6 July is going ahead as planned with a modified timetable of trains between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. Train departures from Bishops Lydeard will be at 10.40am (steam), 11.35am (diesel railcar) 12.40pm ( diesel), 2.25pm (steam), 3.15pm (diesel railcar) and 4.10pm (diesel) whilst times from Minehead will be 10.30am (diesel), 12.30pm (steam) 1.20pm (diesel railcar), 2.15pm (diesel), 4pm (steam) and 4.50pm (diesel railcar). As children make their way along the line they will be able to take part in a treasure hunt competition with the answers to the questions visible through the carriage windows. Things to do and see along the line are aimed are all age ranges. Full Details...
19 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Further HCP working party at Buckfastleigh...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A second working party on the heritage carriages at Buckfastleigh. Local project manager, Clive Fairchild writes, "On Sunday 15th June we held our second working party at Buckfastleigh to start readying Collett 4546 for its future journey by lowloader to Bishops Lydeard. Our first visit was back in May when we dealt with the compartment-side bodyside framework that had largely fallen off the vehicle on to the ground. After appropriate use of a chainsaw the component parts are now stored inside the coach. One of the images clearly shows where the bodyside isn't! On June 15th Mike and Jennie Dunse, Ali Parsons (see image) and myself started on something much more positive and installed framework through four compartments such that the structural integrity of the vehicle has now been restored. We'll be doing some final work on this in July and will then move on to covering this vehicle and Camping Coaches 3631 and 3665 with tarpaulins." More...
19 June 2008
Details from WSSRT
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • A look ahead to the Autumn Steam Gala...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It may be several months away but plans for the Autumn Steam Gala are already advanced. According to the WSR Journal the star of the extended weekend - 2 to 5 October - will be SR 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton - a most eagerly awaited debut indeed. The hope is to bring in unrebuilt sister West Country Pacific no 34007 Wadebridge and LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45690 Leander. Another large main line loco is being sought. An old favourite, GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 will return to work the Auto train, hopefully with two trailers. A small locomotive is also being sought to work the shunting demonstrations at Dunster Yard and possibly a Dunster-Minehead shuttle too. The timetable wil be based on the Gold Timetable, extended to provide ten full-line passenger services each way on the Saturday and Sunday, reduced to eight each way on the Thursday and Friday to make room for the Heritage Goods train and the Auto train.
19 June 2008
Details from WSR Journal
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Garden Centre supports Bishops Lydeard Station...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monkton Elm puts a heritage station on fast track to success. Volunteer gardeners at Bishops Lydeard Station near Taunton have been helped in their efforts to achieve floral competition success this summer thanks to a £150 donation from a garden centre in Somerset. Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in Monkton Heathfield near Taunton donated the money to help pay for floral displays and flower beds. Ian Aldridge, the Volunteer Co-ordinator and Deputy Head Gardener at Bishops Lydeard, said "The donation from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is greatly appreciated. All the gardening work at Bishops Lydeard Station is done by volunteers. This year we are entering our floral displays in the Taunton in Bloom Competition and the WSR Best Station Competition." Full story...
16 June 2008
Details from Monkton Elm and local correspondent
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Our June...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The West Somerset Railway Association team at Bishops Lydeard has a new van. The WSRA's new van will aid the movement of equipment which cannot be moved by train between locations along the Minehead Branch. The lion's share of the funding for this vehicle resulted from the find raising efforts of June Hole of Bishops Lydeard Station. On the day of the formal handover of the van keys, June received a bouquet and was pleasantly surprised to find that the van had, in an Eddie Stobartesque tradition, been christened Our June as a token of appreciation for all her efforts over many years. With thanks to the WSR Journal for the words and Peter Vile for the picture.
14 June 2008
Details from WSR Journal
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Agreement reached on Sherrings Yard at WIlliton...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agreement reached on Sherrings Yard at Williton. The West Somerset Railway Association is pleased to announce that after a period of careful negotiations with S D Sherring and Sons owners of the former Hansons Concrete Works at Williton a Licence Agreement for the use of the site has been signed in order to develop the engineering business by West Somerset Restoration. The Licence Agreement is a part of the process prior to obtaining a 10 year Lease Agreement that will be signed shortly. Over the next few weeks a thorough survey of the site will be undertaken in preparation for the compilation of plans showing track work, buildings and storage facilities. In addition plans are being developed to identify and apply for the funding required to help carry this work forward. West Somerset Restoration is managed and funded by the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) and is based in the Swindon Shed, which is a Grade II Listed building and was originally situated on the site of the Swindon Railway Works. West Somerset Restoration's primary objective is to support and maintain the WSRA locomotives and to provide a heavy engineering facility complementing those facilities of the West Somerset Railway at Minehead. There are a number of jobs currently being worked on including the extensive and complicated restoration of Bullied Pacific no 34046 Braunton and the overhaul of tank locomotives nos 6412 and 6695. The team at Williton is keeping traditional engineering alive and flourishing in Somerset and is interested in taking on a wide range of tasks in order to maximise on the engineering potential and to develop an educational and heritage resource for future generations to see and to enjoy.
12 June 2008
Details from West Somerset Restoration and WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Shunter Shuttles at the Mixed Traffic event...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shunter shuttles are popular with enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike. And there are plenty of shuttles on offer at the Mixed Traffic Weekend on 13-15 June. At the southern end of the line, Class 08 diesel shunters nos D3462 and 08643 will top n tail the Norton Fitzwarren shuttle, leaving Bishops Lydeard on the Friday at 9.30am, 10.20am, 11.25am, 12.25pm, 2.20pm and 4.15pm, and on the Saturday at 9.30am, 10.10am. 1.30pm. 2.40 and 3.00pm. Meantime, two Class 03 diesel shunters D2119 and D2133 Swill top n tail the Blue Anchor shuttle, leaving Minehead at 10.25am, 11.40am, 12.30pm, 2.10pm and 3.20pm on the Friday, and 10.40am, 12.30pm, 2.15pm and 3.10pm on the Saturday.
10 June 2008
Details from DEPG
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Vintage diesel locomotives recreate the 1960s...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vintage diesel locomotives to the fore as the clocks go back to the mid 1960s in West Somerset. On Friday 13 June, Saturday 14 June and Sunday 15 June vintage diesel locomotives will be in the ascendancy as the Railway holds its Mixed Traffic Weekend. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare takes up the story "We sometimes forget that many people cannot recall steam trains as an everyday reality and that their railway nostalgia dates back to the first generation of diesel locomotives dating from the 1960’s and which have now followed steam out of regular mainline service and into preservation." For many the most interesting guest locomotives will be D832 Onslaught, one of the surviving Warship diesel hydraulic locomotives that were built by the Western Region of British Railways in the late 1950s and worked express trains from Paddington and later, Waterloo, and Class 37 no D6737 which represents one of the most successful of all the early diesel locomotives. Paul added "We expect a weekend that is a little bit different when we hold diesel weekends with different sounds and sights along the route from our usual experience and we look forward to putting the clocks back to the years between 1965 and 1968". Please note that the full range of single and return tickets, at special event prices, will be available, along with a good range of One, Two and Three Day Rover Tickets. More details...
10 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Busy, busy, busy at Norton Fitzwarren...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A lot of progress is being made at the Norton Fitzwarren site. The raft has been cast for the fourth and last culvert on the East Chord and shuttering put up for the wing walls. Once this culvert is complete, the East Chord will be joined to the Barnstaple formation. Meantime, in readiness for the Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally in August, topsoil has been applied to some areas which have then been seeded. Various crossings have been constructed across the formation for Rally foot traffic. The arena and show area is being currently being fenced with a multitude of gates to allow vehicles and visitors to move from one area to another. Car parking will be in fields across the WSR line from the Norton site, and the disused accommodation crossing has been refurbished and resurfaced and will be brought back into use for pedestrians to access the Rally from the car parks. A water main in being brought to the site for the Rally and to water visiting locomotives if necessary. Finally almost routinely now the HOBC continues to call most weekdays and to build up a stock of ballast ready for a push onto the Barnstaple branch and yet more track laying. Full report...
8 June 2008
Details from WSRA
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Pictures wanted for forthcoming publications...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The West Somerset Railway is currently producing a new souvenir guide book and is seeking colour photographs to include in the publication. These can be of WSR trains in action, of events and stations along the line or just of people volunteering and passengers generally enjoying themselves. Also, Silver Link publishing are to produce a second volume featuring the Minehead branch in its 'Past & Present Companion' series. The first volume proved very popular and has recently been reprinted after being unavailable for several years. The books feature past pictures of locations, accompanied by more up to date pictures to show how the scene has changed over the years. If anyone has past pictures of the branch which they might like to submit for consideration these would be welcomed. Contact details...
7 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc and WSRA
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • A Streak to Minehead...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The first ever visit to West Somerset by one of the famous East Coast Main Line express locomotives. The Steam Dreams tour from London Victoria on 16 July 2008 will bring LNER 4-6-2 no 60019 Bittern to the line - the first ever visit of a "Streak" to the Minehead Branch. Leaving London's Victoria station around 9am the train will call at Clapham Jn (9.15am), Staines (9.30am), Ascot (10am) and Reading (10.30am), then calling at Castle Cary (12 noon) station for a road connection for those wishing to visit Wells. The excursion then continues on to the West Somerset Railway to arrive at Minehead around 2.30pm. Thanks to UK Steam for the details.
6 June 2008
Details from local correspondents
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Steam shortage brings in the diesels...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More diesel haulage in June. Due to an expected short term problem with serviceable steam engine capacity, the West Somerset Railway warns travellers that the following services are likely to be diesel hauled on the following days Saturday 7 June, Monday 9 June, Tuesday 10 June, Wednesday 11 June and Thursday 12 June. The affected services are
· 10.30am from Minehead
· 12.40pm from Bishops Lydeard
· 2.15pm from Minehead
· 4.10pm from Bishops Lydeard
The steam service from Bishops Lydeard at 10.40am is planned to run with the subsequent 12.30pm from Minehead, 2.25pm from Bishops Lydeard and 4.00pm from Minehead also being steam hauled. This will lead into the Mixed Traffic Weekend running from Friday 13 June to Sunday 15 June when trains are expected to run to the published timetable.
6 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Walkers aid historic carriages restoration...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Getting on track to help restore historic carriages. Keen walkers and railway enthusiasts will literally be able to get their fitness training on track later this year when the West Somerset Railway holds a ten mile sponsored walk from Williton to Minehead along the route of the popular heritage railway on Sunday 16 November 2008. And it’ll be a sponsored walk with a difference as this part of the line enjoys some fine coastal views, giving people the rare opportunity to safely walk on the railway lines when there are no trains running. The walk aims to raise money in aid of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust’s ambitious Heritage Carriages Project which is seeking to restore recreate a fleet of 1920s and 1930s vintage GWR coaches for use on the line. More...
2 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • The makeover is well underway on D6566...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The transformation of D6566 into BR Green livery is underway. Members of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group have been busy with repaints and light bodywork renovations to the diesel locomotive fleet prior to the Mixed Traffic Weekend on 13-15 June 2008. The "Crompton" no D6566 is being returned to the early 1960s livery complete with a grey gloss roof, Brunswick Green bodysides with an off-grey body stripe between the cab doors. Full yellow ends will be retained. Even the buffer beams and equipment have been fully repainted.
2 June 2008
Details from local correspondent
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • The wheel-rail interface...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reprofiling the rails on the West Somerset Railway continues. Following earlier remedial work, action was taken in November and February, to grind the rails using a special grinding train from Network Rail. The purpose of this was not only to take the edge off the gauge corner of the rail, but also to reprofile the flattened railhead surface, caused by years of use, with a convex rail surface to extend rail life. The grinding has been successful in restoring the railhead profile, and the narrow rolling contact strip can now be seen in the middle of the railhead. But the relationship of the wheel and rail is very sensitive, and flange wear on locomotive driving wheels has increased significantly over the last three months. Closer investigation shows that this has occurred because of the sharper profile left on the gauge corner, and that there is evidence of this excessive wear on some of the curves between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet. Some five locations have been identified and are being treated specially with a hand grinder. Meanwhile, the condition of the flange lubricators has been checked and the flow adjusted to ensure proper lubrication on the curves, and this is being supplemented by hand greasing of the key locations. On the locomotives, the worst wear has occurred on the rear coupled wheels and particularly on the up rail. Wear is less where bogies or pony trucks have been guiding the locomotives. Frequent measurement of both locomotives and rails is being undertaken to be sure that the wear has been significantly reduced or stopped. More work is being done by the engineers to tackle this problem, and in the longer term to reprofile or replace the worn locomotive tyres.
2 June 2008
Details from WSR Plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • Diesel loco roster for Mixed Traffic event...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The diesel loco roster for the Mixed Traffic Weekend has been published online. The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group have released the details which will no doubt delight those who like to try to ensure they get their preferred haulage types. Full details are on available at the DEPG website along with a PDF of the Mixed Traffic Weekend leaflet. Class 20 fans should note that Class 20 no 20110 will run only on the evening of Friday 13 June with a round trip between Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield, leaving Bishops Lydeard at 7pm. More...
1 June 2008
Details from DEPG
|
|
|
|
|
|
| • A social evening for the Railway folks...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Railway is holding a social evening on the evening of Friday 1 August. The evening is for all those involved in the West Somerset Railway together with their partners and friends. When details are finalised, tickets will be available from the Shop on Platform Two at Bishops Lydeard at between £5 and £6 per person. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis. The marquee-based event will officially launch the move of the Steam Fayre to its new base at Norton Fitzwarren and will use the facilities at the Steam Fayre for the event. The evening will open with a singer-guitarist providing background music, followed by a top well known comedian-singer cabaret act. The singer-guitarist will then provide background music while the party enjoy hot roast pig rolls complete with crackling, stuffing and apple sauce. Part two of the cabaret follows and the evening ends with the singer-guitarist. Updated 6 June: This event has been cancelled
1 June 2008
Details from WSRA
|
|
|