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| • The Winter Steam Festival 2008...
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The Winter Steam Festival has become increasingly popular in recent years and as a result it will be a two day event in 2008. The dates in question are 28 and 29 December - so it offers a good alternative to the old films, repeats of so-called classic episodes and the rest of the holiday entertainment. The Railway plan to have five steam engines in action, hauling and heating the trains. There will be seven trains each way on both days, most with buffet cars selling a variety of Somerset beers and ciders, hot and cold drinks, soup, sandwiches and snacks so it is a perfect way to see the Somerset countryside in Winter. More details will be available soon...
30 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Job losses on the WSR...
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The West Somerset Railway plc has today - 29 October 2008 - confirmed that a small number of jobs will be lost this year as a result of a drop in operating income. Whilst the West Somerset Railway relies heavily on the voluntary support of over 1,000 active people from all walks of life, it also has nearly 37 full-time staff who carry out a number of roles on the 23-mile line. Visitor numbers are down by over 10,000 (5%) so far this season on the country’s longest heritage railway and this has had a knock on effect on the railway’s expected ticket income. With the current bleak economic prospects for 2009 and beyond, plus the seasonal nature of the business, WSR bosses felt they had no choice but to look closely at operating costs in order to protect the business and other jobs. The WSR currently employs 37 full-time staff and has enjoyed steady growth since the last major economic downturn in 1992, carrying a record 213,000 passengers in 2007. General Manager Paul Conibeare said "We regret having to make redundancies and recognize the impact this will have on our loyal workforce, but we are looking to protect the jobs of the majority here and must live within our means. We will need the help of our volunteer workers to assist us in all areas of railway operations in order to reduce costs."
29 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The Big Clear Out of Toplight no 3631...
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GWR Toplight no 3631 - one of the Heritage Carriages Project vehicles - has seen its first work party, held on Saturday 25 October. The work, which was carried out by Mike and Jennie Dunse, Simon Tandy and Claire Sheppy, and assisted by Project Leader Robin White, consisted entirely of stripping out all of the interior fittings that had been installed as part of its life as a camping coach and latterly as volunteer accommodation at the South Devon Railway. In fact the coach had become seriously wet, especially on the floor areas, and the most important work carried out has been the removal of all of the carpeting from within the coach. However to get at this it was first necessary to remove a fair amount of furniture. More...
28 October 2008
Details from WSSRT
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| • Vacancy at the Carriage Works...
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A vacancy exists for a person to assist with the internal upkeep and refurbishment of the passenger coaching stock. Applicants will need to have previous experience in light carpentry, varnishing and painting. The work will be based at Minehead. The hours will be 40 per week and some weekend work will be required. Salary will reflect experience and ability. Closing date for applications is 13 November 2008. To apply, please write enclosing CV and details of relevant experience to Andrew Forster, West Somerset Railway Plc, The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset TA24 5BG or email cme@wsrail.net
28 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The next WSRA Taunton Meeting...
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The next meeting of the Taunton Group of the West Somerset Railway Association will be on Monday 3 November at 7.45pm at the GWRSA Snug Bar, at the north east corner of Taunton Station. The speaker will be Mr Colin Marsden, from Dawlish, who is well known for publishing main line photographs. His title will be "The Digital Age in Railway Photography" with some tips on the use of digital cameras and that most of his shots are likely to be of modern traction. It is anticipated this talk will be popular.
28 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The 2008 Best Kept Stations Awards...
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Watchet Station is the Best Kept Station on the West Somerset Railway in 2008. The Station's Mike Buttel and Station Master John Ward received the Award from WSRA Chairman Robin White at Watchet Station on 25 October 2008. John Ward also stepped up to collect the Most Improved Station Award. Meantime, Bishops Lydeard Station Master Ken Davidge was on hand to receive the Best Kept Station Runner-up Award and Doniford Halt's Station Master, Pat Rodway collected the Highly Commended Station Award. Clive Goddard, a Deputy Station Master at Bishops Lydeard, and in charge of the gardens at the southern terminus, received the Best Floral Display Award. The Railway's Best Garden in 2008 was Stogumber Station, sadly Station Master Iris Horn was unwell and unable to attend the ceremony. We wish Iris well. An excellent video of the event, made by Mike Dan, can be viewed at YouTube
Updated 30 October 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • The Station Cat at Bishops Lydeard...
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The Railway Station at Bishops Lydeard now has its own newspaper. Called the "Station Cat" this publication includes only humour and good news. Twenty five copies of the first edition were distributed around the Station and a further twenty copies by email. It was well received and encouraged the production of Issue 2. The "Station Cat" (not the real station cat) is free to any volunteer, and delivery by email is preferred. To be included on the circulation list, send your email details to the Station Master.
24 October 2008
Details from Bishops Lydeard Station
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| • Formal commissioning of the turntable...
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The formal commissioning of the new turntable at Minehead Railway Station took place on Tuesday 21October 2008 after a year of work that has seen the site at the station cleared, the lengthened turntable delivered by road from Wolverhampton, the installation completed and tested, and finally intensive use of the turntable during the West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala. The formal opening party assembled for coffee or tea in the new Kiosk, which is part of the development, whilst musicians from the West Somerset Community College Jazz Band provided entertainment. Formal opening speeches followed by Ian Galloway the Somerset County Councillor for the Minehead Division, Carl Budden of the South West Regional Development Agency, and Mark Smith, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway.The formal opening ceremony was performed by County Councillor Alan Gloak, Chairman of Somerset County Council. Several of the guests took turns to turn SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 to much clicking of cameras...
21 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • More Carol Trains by popular demand...
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By popular demand, the West Somerset Railway is to run extra Carol Trains. The trains in question are the Minehead-Williton and Bishops Lydeard-Williton Carol Trains. These run from their respective start points with stops at intermediate stations where traditional carols are sung on the platforms before the two trains meet at Williton. After this they run back non-stop to their starting points. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare takes up the story "The Carol Trains began some years ago with a single evening train between Minehead and Williton. However they have steadily grown in popularity as part of December in Somerset and with these extra trains on Wednesday 17 December we plan three nights of Festive Season singing and steam train travel. Once we have covered our costs we make donations to local charities from the fares paid. Our main requirement to make the extra evening successful are musicians to play the musical accompaniment. We are already looking forward to welcoming the student bands from Bishop Fox’s in Taunton and the West Somerset Community College plus the Taunton Concert Band and Watchet Town Band. There is no preferred style of accompaniment, but the repertoire is the tried and trusted favourites that everyone has enjoyed down the years." If any band or group would like to know more they should contact John Simms or Martyn Snell on 01643 704996.
20 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Urgent need to clear out Toplight no 3631...
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Toplight no 3631 has now arrived at Williton. At present it is filled with a certain amount of furniture and carpeting, all of which in due course needs to be removed. The most urgent items are the items which are causing damage as a result of being wet themselves, such as the carpet. Volunteers to give an hour or so on the Saturday of the Somerset in Autumn weekend to help remove these items. If you can help please contact Claire Sheppy at info@wssrt.co.uk
More about the Heritage Carriages Project can be found here...
20 October 2008
Details from WSSRT
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| • News about the Sponsored Walk...
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Over 50 people have already signed up for the Sponsored Walk along the West Somerset Railway. Walk organiser Mike Webber (pictured left) reports many more are expected to sign up for the event on Sunday 16 November taking the rare opportunity to walk, safely, along the tracks of the Railway. The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust are pleased to be running this walk in conjunction with St Margarets Somerset Hospice. Walkers can choose to give all the sponsorship to the WSSRT or to split it between the Heritage Carriages Project and the Hospice. Sponsorship forms and lots for information can be found at the Sponsored Walk 2008 page. More about the Heritage Carriages Project can be found here...
20 October 2008
Details from WSSRT
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| • Centenarian Toplight arrives at Williton...
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Another classic ex-Great Western Railway carriage has arrived on the West Somerset Railway. No 3631 - a Toplight Corridor Third and known by some as "Florence" and by others as No 9880 - continues an interesting life. Built in 1908, it was converted to an ambulance vehicle in 1915 to help the war effort. Later, it was rebuilt in 1921 and resumed passenger duties. British Railways then converted the Toplight to a camping coach in 1958 and on decommissioning the carriage ended up at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway. Secured in 2007 by the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust for the grand Heritage Carriages Project, and following preliminary works by a local WSSRT team, No 3631 has been moved to Williton for restoration - again - to passenger carrying purposes. More about the Heritage Carriages Project can be found here...
19 October 2008
Details from WSSRT
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| • The wreckage left by Dr Beeching...
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Travel journalist Simon Calder takes a journey from Portishead to Minehead in a BBC West documentary exploring the legacy of the Beeching railway cuts. He examines the arguments for reopening some of the branch lines axed by Dr Beeching in the 1960s. After visiting Portishead, Simon’s journey continues by bicycle along the Strawberry Line between Yatton and Cheddar. Then he crosses the Somerset Levels to Taunton. Although the tracks remain in place, there are no longer any rail services from Taunton out to the seaside resort of Minehead. It means that holidaymakers heading to Minehead have no choice but to use their cars. Angela Lamplough, from West Somerset Council, says: "We would actually like to get a commuter train running from Taunton to Minehead if the local people can demonstrate that, yes, they would use that service. Plus it would give people an opportunity to travel down from the Midlands all the way through to Minehead for a holiday without having to use their own vehicles." At Bishops Lydeard, Simon rejoins the rail network on the hugely popular steam train to Minehead. The heritage line has become one of the area’s biggest tourist attractions. Catch "Down the Line" with Simon Calder on BBC One in the West on Sunday 26 October 2008 at 4.25pm. We understand the film will be shown on BBC Four sometime after mid-November. The film has been made for the BBC by Grace Productions of Yeovil.
18 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc, BBC and Grace Productions
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| • The Quantock Belle enjoys a great Gala...
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A very good Gala for the Belle. The Quantock Belle had a very successful Autumn Steam Gala operating a bar/buffet and kitchen/restaurant service on all four days. During the event the restaurant alone served 179 breakfasts, 62 brunches, 36 Cornish pasty meals, 19 baked potatoes, 62 portions of apple pie, 29 spotted dicks and 62 cream teas. Although the restaurant car service had never previously operated on a Gala Thursday the "QB" team were kept busy and consequently the Quantock Belle should be operating on all six days of the 2009 Spring Steam Gala, subject to approval of the Special Events Planning Team.
18 October 2008
Details from the Quantock Belle team
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| • News from the Gauge Museum...
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New display cases arrive at the Gauge Museum. Work has started on updating the displays in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard. The first stage is the replacement of some of the ageing display cases. The Curator, Ian Coleby, is very grateful to Somerset County Museum for donating four large floor standing cases and three wall mounted displays which have become available with the refitting of the Castle museum. These new cases were delivered last week and have now been moved into new positions with the invaluable help of the WSRA's Ian Aldridge and Ben. One of the new cases has been put at the top of the stairs next to the model railway, one has replaced the former tramway display which has been removed to store and the other two have been put in the downstairs gallery to replace the older 'shop counters'. The new cases are a fine addition to the Gauge Museum. The Curator is keen to hear of new items, ideally related to the railways if Somerset and not too large, for display. Email the Curator if you can help.
18 October 2008
Details from the Gauge Museum Curator
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| • An old WSR favourite comes to life...
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There is life yet in the Park Royal DMU. For many of the early years of the West Somerset Railway, this two-car vehicle was a mainstay of WSR services, being used on the commuter service and the Saturday holidaymaker specials, before being laid up and eventually sold to the Helston Railway in Cornwall. Alan Burton of the Helston Railway who visited the WSR during the Autumn Steam Gala writes "All the guys of the WSR wanted to know how about progress on the Park Royal DMU. A major event took place on Sunday 12 October when one of the motors was successfully started. Having turned over once, it started immediately and ran perfectly. Not bad since it was switched off nine years ago." More about this and other Helston news can be found at the Helston Railway website.
18 October 2008
Details from WSR and Helston Railway
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| • Pictures of Braunton sought...
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High-quality images of newly-restored loco no 34046 are being sought. Colin Howard, Manager of the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead Station is looking for a good picture of the "West Country" 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton for the WSR 2010 calendar and perhaps also for a postcard. If you can help, please contact Colin by email. Also, Keith Speller, a key member of the Braunton restoration team, is seeking a selection of pictures of the loco. Keith asks photographers to "send me their best pics of 34046 taken over the last two months for possible inclusion in a forthcoming book on the loco, to be published by a well known SR publisher in 2009. If people could select their best 10 or so then that should give me a high quality set to work with. All contributors will, of course, be duly acknowledged. I am particularly looking for a top notch portrait style shot which is the format I require for the cover." Contact Keith by email if you can help.
16 October 2008
Details from Colin and Keith
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| • Monopoly comes to West Somerset...
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Forget Park Lane and Mayfair, here come Glastonbury, Taunton and Yeovil. A Somerset edition of the very popular board game was released today and the Buffer Stop Shop railway shop at Minehead has a limited number of the game priced £25 (£30 including postage and packing). Paul Conibeare the West Somerset Railway's General Manager said "Monopoly is an iconic game dating back years and therefore we are delighted to have been asked to be part of this new Somerset edition." Interested purchasers should contact retail manager Colin Howard in the Buffer Stop shop on shop@wsrail.net or on 01643 700387.
14 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Working Timetables for Somerset in Autumn event...
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Good news for those who like to plan ahead for the Somerset in Autumn event on 25 and 26 October. The Working Timetables - which also show the loco allocations - are now available as PDF downloads from the official WSR website. For the Working Timetable for 25 October, please here and for the 26 October Working Timetable, please here. However, photographers wanting to ensure the loco is smokebox-first should note the turntable will be use at least twice on each day. See the Somerset in Autumn page for full details of this event.
14 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The WSRA Operating Department Representative...
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The new WSR Association Operating Department Representative, Geoff Cross, explains the new role on the WSRA website. Geoff, as TTI Co-ordinator/Examiner, is currently in charge of the Ticket Inspection Department, and regularly works as a Travelling Ticket Inspector. He is also the Personal Track Safety (PTS) Training Supervisor for the WSR and is engaged on a programme of PTS appreciation courses throughout the railway - two hundred individuals will have passed through Geoff's hands by the end of the 2008 season. For several years Geoff has also been the "Lad Printer" in the Edmondson Ticket Printing Works at Dunster Station, alongside Dave Johnson, and under the watchful eyes of Colin and Chris Dowrick. See the full text on the WSRA website www.wsra.org.uk
12 October 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • News from the WSRA Committee...
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The WSR Association Committee agree to sell its flagship steam locomotive. GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 - which has been on the line since re-opening in 1976 and also starred in the TV series "The Flockton Flyer" - will be heading to the South Devon Railway following an offer from the Buckfastleigh-based line. In a sense the loco is returning home as it was originally sold from that line to the WSRA. The decision follows an extensive consultation with WSRA members and is bound to upset some folks. However, the loco is considered underpowered for the heavy trains on today's West Somerset Railway. Monies raised will help fund the overhaul of the WSRA's other locomotives, nos 4561 and 7821. Other news from the Committee on 11 October include the announcement of a new Honorary Secretary; the creation of a new position working with those who volunteer for operating duties; and plans to improve the workshop facilities for the Restoration and Maintenance Squad (RAMS) at Bishops Lydeard. More details on the WSRA website www.wsra.org.uk
12 October 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Open Day for Minehead Key Site redevelopment...
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An Open Day has been arranged to celebrate the redevelopment of the area to the south of Minehead Station. The big day is 21 October 2008, with entertainment from West Somerset Community College Jazz Band as guests arrive for coffee and tea in the new Turntable Cafe which will also display before and after photographs. Champagne and cake cutting will follow the Opening Ceremony at 10.15am. Guest will then observe the new railway turntable in action, followed by a site tour, viewing the workspace units and a visit to Dirt Bike Express who have already taken tenancy of one of the units. At this stage, this website is not sure if the event is for invitees only, but the open nature of the station, the turntable viewing area and the rest of the development, suggests all interested folks would be welcome to view the ceremony.
8 October 2008
Details from WSR Plc
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| • The next Liaison Meeting for Volunteers...
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West Somerset Railway volunteers may like to note the date of the next Liaison Meeting. This will be held on Saturday 11 October 2008 at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall starting at 2pm. It is an opportunity to meet and questions of the Association Committee and also representatives of the WSR Plc - Paul Conibeare (General Manager), Mark Smith (WSR Plc Chairman) and Andrew Forster (CME). Questions should be sent, in advance please, to the WSRA Secretary at The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3BX, by 9 October at the latest. [We would also suggest emailing your question, clearly marked as a question for this particular meeting to wsra@btconnect.com as time is rather short].
Updated 8 October 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Crowds flock to the Autumn Steam Gala...
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Despite wide variations in the weather the attraction of a line-up of twelve steam engines in action, plus the use of the new turntable at Minehead Station brought large crowds to the Autumn Steam Gala at the West Somerset Railway between 2 and 5 October. With many visitors to the event staying in the area local hotels, bed and breakfasts, pubs, café and restaurants also benefited from the business brought into the area. The star steam engine at the event was for many visitors the "West Country" class no 34046 Braunton which was pulling regular steam passenger trains for the first time since 1965 following an overhaul which had taken a decade and cost in the region of one million pounds. Another visitor, an American built S160 heavy freight locomotive no 5197, on hire for the event from the Churnet Valley Railway, was also very popular with its transatlantic appearance and chime whistle bringing something unusual to the line through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel Coast. For the first time engines were regularly turned on the new turntable at Minehead and when this happened large crowds lined Platform Two to watch the action. "I thought we might have to hire a temporary grandstand for the show at times on Saturday", commented WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare with a smile. Alongside the turntable itself the new Minehead Station Café had opened and together with the award-winning Brunel Buffet it was full throughout the event. Paul Conibeare paid tribute to everyone connected with the Railway for their contributions to making the Gala Weekend a success. "Our Special Events Planning Team spend many hours devising attractive timetables and additional events plus the hire of guest engines in the months leading up to the event and then the Commercial Department send out some 15,000 timetables before taking the flow of advance bookings", he said. "After that lead-up when the Gala itself starts our staff and volunteers work very hard for many hours to welcome our visitors. I don't think many of the general public or the visitors realise that the first people come on duty around 5am and the last off duty head for home around 10pm. A lot of time and energy goes into making the four days enjoyable for our many visitors and profitable for both the WSR and other businesses in the area Our next special event is the Somerset in Autumn Weekend on 25 and 26 October when visitors will once again be able to see Braunton and the turntable in action.". Pictures of the Gala...
6 October 2008
Details from WSR plc
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| • Consultation going well on sale of No 6412...
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The West Somerset Railway Association report a good response to the consultation over the possible sale of GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412. The WSRA-owned locomotive is currently in the early stages of a major overhaul. Meanwhile, the Association are considering an offer from the South Devon Railway to buy the Pannier in its present condition. Over 250 WSRA members have now expressed an opinion, via a managed consultation process, on the proposed sale. The consultation period ends on 9 October 2008 - WSRA members who wish to have their say should email the WSRA Chairman now...
3 October 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • Awards for Bishops Lydeard gardeners...
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Volunteer gardeners from Bishops Lydeard Station on the West Somerset Railway have scooped top awards. Clive Goddard and Ian Aldridge, both volunteers at the heritage railway's southern terminus, received the "Taunton in Bloom" awards for their flower beds at Taunton Station (First and Second Prizes) and at Bishops Lydeard which harvested First Prize for "Best Volunteer Organisation" and Second Prize for "Public Access Site". Well done to the Bishops Lydeard Station gardeners for bringing a lot of pleasure to a lot of people - along with a welcome spot of publicity for the Railway...
2 October 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Fine videography to be screened at Taunton Group...
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The next meeting of the WSRA Taunton Group will prove to be a popular event. On Monday 6 October, at the usual venue (GWRSA Snug Bar, near the north-east corner of Taunton Station) and at the usual time (7.30 for 7.45 pm), the main presentation will be a screening of Mainline Steam Videos by PSOV. This is usually an evening for a dramatic show of recent mainline steam activity, and should include excerpts from the North Briton tour with LMS 4-6-0 no 45407 stalling on the bank in Glen Carron, on its return from Kyle of Lochalsh. Usually, the film team seem to be able to select some stunning venues, and seem to be able to capture some fabulous light, essential for good filming. As usual the PSOV team will have a range of videos/DVDs for sale.
2 October 2008
Details from WSRA
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| • No 34046 is turned...
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No 34046 has enjoyed a spin on the turntable at Minehead. On the evening of 30 September, the West Country class Pacific Braunton was positioned on the newly-installed turntable and, after a few adjustments to the turntable height, was turned through 180 degrees and it now faces the country end of the line. We understand the turntable may be used more frequently and possibly during the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala. Photographers usually prefer locos to be "smokebox-first" so potentially this may create uncertainty - or a challenge - for the many photographers expected at the Gala...
1 October 2008
Details from local correspondent
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| • Tony Yardley
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One of the longest serving West Somerset Railway volunteers has passed away. Tony Yardley died in early September after a long illness. Tony was very active in the early years of the revived Railway, with much effort put into improving the coaching stock. He was prominently involved in the creation of the luxury dining train services, first known as the Quantock Pullman and then the well-known (and still very successful) Quantock Belle. Tony was also a long serving member of the WSRA Committee and spent some years as Vice Chairman. In the last few years, Tony put his memoirs down to print, publishing several small illustrated booklets about the Railway, each reminding us of the way it was on the WSR. There is absolutely no doubt Tony Yardley made an exceptional contribution to the success of the WSR.
1 October 2008
Details from local correspondent
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