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| • Braunton is the star of the show....
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WSRA Chairman Robin White writes about a special day - 24 September 2008. "Today was a very special day for the WSR - the launch of Braunton back into service after its long restoration, hauling the fundraising train for the Steam Trust's Heritage Carriages Project, sponsored by Steam Railway magazine. I suspect that it is a long time since we saw so many members of the media at Bishops Lydeard and the Television coverage this evening and likely newspaper coverage in the next few days can only help the whole railway in the run-up to what will be superb autumn Gala. We are likely to be very busy! The day showed the railway at its very best. All parts of the railway, the Association, the Company and the Trust, worked together on what was a complicated day. Everything went right on the day and everyone did their part to achieve that. The locomotive looked stunning,, the choreography of events at Bishops Lydeard was a joy to watch, the sun shone at the right time, everyone behaved responsibly whilst enjoying a hard-earned celebration on the train and so everyone had a jolly good time. Whilst the day really belonged to Gareth Winter and the Williton restoration team, special mention has to be made of Dick Wood who masterminded events and the media arrangements at Bishops Lydeard with obvious professionalism and enthusiasm. (Where he obtained the rubber champagne bottle from has not yet been explained to me). 2008 has not been the easiest year for the WSR in a number of respects but it seems that we are ending it on a high. To ALL of those involved in today, whatever your part in events��THANK YOU"
27 September 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Braunton returns to traffic on the WSR....
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From a wreck to nearly new. After an extensive restoration that took 76,800 hours of hard work over the last 12 years by around 100 people on the West Somerset Railway, former Southern Railway West Country Class locomotive no 34046 named Braunton is now virtually a brand new engine and will become a regular performer on the WSR. Immediately after the launch of Braunton into traffic on the WSR on Wednesday 24 September, the loco will then haul a special fund-raising train for the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust�s (WSSRT) ambitious heritage carriages project which aims to restore two seven-coach rakes of original GWR 1930s coaches for use on the WSR. And Braunton is sure to be a very popular crowd-puller at the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala which runs for four days from 2 to 5 October 2008. For the full press release about Braunton's return to traffic, click here...
22 September 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Successful steam test for GWR 0-6-2T no 6695....
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GWR 0-6-2T no 6695 has successfully passed its steam test. The locomotive, designed for hauling coal trains in South Wales, and nowadays normally based on the Swanage Railway, has been at the Williton base of West Somerset Restoration for mechanical attention and is due to appear at the Autumn Steam Gala which runs for four days from 2 to 5 October 2008.
22 September 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • The King makes an unexpected call....
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The West Somerset Railway enjoyed an unexpected visit on Sunday 14 September. It would seem GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 King Edward I suffered a minor problem whilst hauling the Torbay Express and was taken off at Taunton. No 6024 then ran, with its support coach, to Bishops Lydeard creating an interesting and unexpected sight for visitors. It is understood, though not confirmed, that the King will run to Williton for attention and it may remain on the line for some time.
16 September 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • More work on Toplight no 3639
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The next Toplight Coach working group will be held at Williton on Saturday 20 September from 10.30am till 4.30pm. New volunteers in this most interesting project will always be made welcome. There is plenty to do. Some useful work was done to Toplight no 3639 during the working party of 13 September, when those who attended succeeded in removing some more of the structural timbers, (some of which timbers will be used to assist with the furtherance of the working drawings); continued working on the removal of some of the flooring, cleaned down several of the window mouldings, and tided the carriage up a little in readiness for visitors who will have come on the special train which will run on 24 September, and for which (subject to final inspection) West Country Pacific no 34046 Braunton will be the motive power. Also during the working party on 13 September some considerable time was spent in preparing a display board for Wednesday 24 September. This particular day will in fact be the first opportunity for people to see the first of the set of drawings that are being prepared to assist in the renovation of not just Toplight no 3639, but, in due course, all of the
coaches. It is intended that the display itself will be available to be seen at both Bishops Lydeard and adjacent to the Toplight coach itself in the shed at Williton.
16 September 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Brunel Buffet gives Best Beverage Experience
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Best beverage in the South West. The West Somerset Railway is delighted to announce that the recently opened Brunel Buffet at Minehead Station has been judged the winner of the "Best Beverage Experience�"for the whole of the South West for 2008. The criteria judged were the Quality of beverage served (taste, aroma, temperature, presentation); Service (speed, accuracy, customer service, range of beverages offered); Environment (design and layout, ambience, cleanliness); Additional services (those added extras offered to the target market). The Brunel Buffet now goes forward to the national finals in Coventry on 24 September when the National Independent Venue Winner will be announced from the four regional winners. Paul Conibeare the Railway�s General Manager said "We are delighted with this award not only for the Railway but also for Yvonne Johnston our Head of Catering who has worked very hard with all her serving staff during 2008. For a relatively new venture, this is a wonderful accolade and a credit to them all"
16 September 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • All set for the Autumn Steam Gala
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Arrangements for the Autumn Steam Gala are all but completed. The Autumn Steam Gala runs over four days - 2, 3, 4 and 5 October and promises to be up to the usual high standard of this very popular event. Many folks ask which locomotives will pull which train - this information is available in the Gala Souvenir Programme. However, the expected daily roster for locos planned to be in steam is as follows. On all four days nos 34007, 34046, S160, 6695, 9466, 3850, 4160 and 69621 will be in steam. No 5553 will be in steam on 4 and 5 October; No 9351 will in steam on 3, 4, 5 October; and No 88 will be in steam on 4 and 5 October. Please, please note that the roster is subject to alteration and further information may be available towards the end of the month. Nos 5553 and 69621 will be working a shuttle on the Norton section on the 4 and 5 October - times to be advised.
11 September 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Braunton launch train confirmed for 24 September.
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No 34046 is back in traffic at last - come and celebrate with us. Subject to it passing its final inspections, SR Pacific locomotive Braunton will be launched into traffic on Wednesday 24 September. After appropriate ceremonies and celebrations at Bishops Lydeard, it will haul a non-stop train from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead departing at 1 o'clock. There is a dining portion on this train, being run in aid of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Carriages Project and if you would like to celebrate the return to steam of Braunton in style, a limited number of tickets are available at £50 per head. Vintage bus connection from Taunton Station at 12.10pm (and back to Taunton Station by 7pm). Bookings via the WSR Association Office at Bishops Lydeard 01823 433856.
10 September 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • WSRA AGM draft minutes online...
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Continuing the theme of openness and transparency, the Association Committee wants to give members the chance to read and comment on the draft Minutes from the meeting in July to ensure that they are as accurate as possible. The Minutes are now available on the WSRA website - click here - and any thoughts or observations should be sent to Steve Williams, Company Secretary, either to the Registered Office at The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3BX or by email to wsra@bt connect.com. Comments to be received by no later than Sunday 30 November 2008.
9 September 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Useful bus link on Sundays...
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Folks making their way to Bishops Lydeard for the West Somerset Railway on Sundays may like to hear about the Quantock Motor Services Route 300. This runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays Sundays. The bus calls at Taunton Castle Way at 8.45am, then Taunton Railway Station at 8.50am and Bishops Lydeard WSR Station at 9.05am. On the return, the bus calls at Bishops Lydeard WSR Station at 6.40pm, calling at Taunton Railway Station at 6.55pm and then Castle Way five minutes later. The times allow for a super day out on the West Somerset Railway. Full details at the Quantock Motor Services website.
8 September 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Update on possible sale of No 6412...
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All WSRA members to be given the opportunity to comment on the offer, from the South Devon Railway, to purchase locomotive GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 in its present unrestored state. Following a letter displayed at WSR stations and on various WSR websites, the WSRA Committee has received a healthy number of comments from members which helped to inform the Committee's discussion at its meeting on 5 September. The Committee concluded that same opportunity for comment should be extended to all members and to that end a version of the earlier letter of 11 August will be included with the WSR Journal due for publication next week. The time for comment is therefore extended to 9 October 2008, in advance of the next WSRA Committee Meeting which will take place on the morning of 11 October 2008.
6 September 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Steam Engineman courses in 2009...
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The West Somerset Railway offers a range of one and two day courses to realise your ambition and make long held dreams become reality. Experience the feel of a working steam locomotive as you join the team on the footplate, shovel coal into the firebox, blow the whistle, open the regulator and feel the power. Treat someone special (even yourself) to the thrill of a lifetime learning what it feels like to be a real fireman and engine driver. A really special present or excellent Corporate Hospitality. With twenty miles of stunning Somerset countryside and coastal scenery and challenging gradients there is something for everyone from the novice to the enthusiast. And the 2009 course dates have just been released...
4 September 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Meet the Chairman Elect...
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Mark Smith, who around the end of September takes over as Chairman of the West Somerset Railway Plc, is holding a series of meetings with WSR workers. The "Meet the Chairman Elect" get-togethers will be as inclusive as possible and everyone who considers themselves to be a worker at any level will be welcomed. Mark will first introduce himself as Company Chairman, then give a personal assessment of the current state of the Railway, and will close by outlining some priorities for action in the short and medium term. Then it is over to the audience for questions, comments and suggestions. Venues are Minehead at 8.45am and 10.30am on 25 September; at Williton at 3pm on 27 September; and Bishops Lydeard at 9am on 28 September.
4 September 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • August was a busy month...
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The West Somerset Railway had a very busy August, eventually carrying 42,425 passengers compared with 42,393 in 2007. That leaves the year to date figure standing at 145,631 year to date. At the same point in 2007 it was 155,523. The Railway also had the best-ever August Bank Holiday Weekend with a total of 4,922 passengers travelling on the trains over the three days 23-25 August, a growth of 13% compared with 2007. The biggest increase was on the Saturday with growth of no less than 470 passengers. Another success was the vintage bus link between Dunster Station and the village which ran on the Sunday and Monday with 693 passengers making the journey, an increase of 18% over 2007.
3 September 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Call for volunteers for topical tasks...
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Volunteers are being sought for three forthcoming tasks. Ironwork from the original doors from Dulverton's Goods Shed needs to be recovered for eventual re-use at Bishops Lydeard Goods Shed. Down the line at Dunster, the wagons that make up the Railway's Heritage Goods Train are in need of some care and maintenance before making a starring appearance at the Autumn Steam Gala. And, back at the Bishops Lydeard Gauge Museum, attendants are needed to show visitors around the superbly-restored GWR Sleeping Car. Further details are on the Volunteer Page.
3 September 2008
Details from WSSRT and WSR Plc
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| • Loco 5542 Ltd purchase Mk I coach...
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The group behind GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 have acquired another item of rolling stock. The 5542 website reports "The opportunity to further enhance the rolling stock protfolio of Lococomotive 5542 Ltd has recently occurred with the purchase of ex-VSOE Mark One BCK no 34991 (99538). The carriage (of Southern Region origin) has been used as a support coach for Clan Line and its main line certification has only recently expired. The exact future format of the carriage has not yet been decided."
1 September 2008
Details from Locomotive 5542 Ltd
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