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Original turntable castings for sale
Following the successful installation of the adapted ex-Pwllheli turntable at Minehead station the West Somerset Railway has some of the original castings which formed part of the circumference of the turntable pit for sale. There are four main castings available each about 350x300mm x 1.6m, and each weighing around three quarters of a ton. In addition there are some smaller joining pieces. The top surface is of squared pattern with rails let in. As for price the Railway is open to offers and at the same time will be happy to discuss delivery via a contractor at the purchaser's cost. WSR Chief Mechanical Engineer Andrew Forster thinks that there are a couple of likely types of purchaser, either a railway history enthusiast or a landscape gardener looking for an unusual garden feature. Interested parties should contact Andrew on 01643700389 or by email.
31 October 2009
Details from WSR Plc
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The Winter Steam Festival 2009
The Winter Steam Festival on 29 and 30 December 2009 offers a good alternative to the old films, repeats of classic episodes and the rest of the holiday entertainment. It is planned to have five steam engines in action, hauling and heating the trains - nos 88, 4160, 9351 and 5553 from the home fleet and one guest locomotive yet to be announced. 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.
Full details...
30 October 2009
Details from WSR Plc
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The next WSRA Taunton Meetings
The next meeting of the Taunton Group is due to take place on Monday 2 November. The speaker is to be Mr Paul Blowfield, with the topic "Isle of Man: Past and Present". Many will be familiar with some of Paul's photographs published in national railway journals. It all starts at 7.45 pm at the GWR Staff Association Snug Bar, near the north east corner of Taunton Station. Regulars and guests are welcome. The December meeting, due to take place on Monday 7 December, will be the Christmas Quiz, in the usual relaxed format of discussion, rather than competition, as part of a social evening, at the usual venue and time. Taunton Group Organiser Peter Darke comments "I grateful once again, to Walter Harris for providing much of the quiz material, and to Martin Southwood, who has once again kindly agreed to act as Quiz Master." These will be the last meetings organised by Peter who adds "I have been very pleased to see so many of you at this year's meetings, and hope that you will continue to support my successor, Tom Adams, next year." We are sure many will join us in thanking Peter for his sterling work over many years managing the Taunton Group meetings.
29 October 2009
Details from WSRA
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Prize Draw on the Quantock Belle
In honour of Remembrance Sunday, all passengers who buy a ticket for the 8 November Sunday Lunch Train will be entered in a prize draw for a free family ticket for a trip on the West Somerset Railway in 2010. The Quantock Belle is staffed entirely by volunteers from the West Somerset Railway Association. All meals are freshly prepared and cooked on board the train with stewards and wine waiters providing a complete dining service to the table throughout the journey. All profits are used to further benefit the West Somerset Railway. Come and enjoy the autumn colours along the line while you savour your three-course Sunday Lunch - saving room for the cream tea on the way home! Reservations are essential – please ring 01823 433856.
29 October 2009
Details from WSRA
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Diesel Special Events in 2010
Diesel locomotives will again support the steam services in 2010. There are also two significant special events which will feature showcase the heritage diesels of the old Western Region. Over the weekend of 11-13 June 2010 the "GWR 175 - Diesels in the West" event will see a mixture of diesel hydraulic locomotives including Westerns, Warships, Hymeks and Teddy Bears, with several visiting locomotives planned. And then, on 4-5 September 2010 the "GWR 175 - The Penultimate Act" will see the home fleet of diesels in action. This event replaces the Somerset in Autumn event normally held in October. This is to avoid the need for coach heating currently not available from the home fleet managed by the Williton-based Diesel and Electric Preservation Group.
28 October 2009
Details from DEPG
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Seats available on the Quantock Belle
There are still seats available for the Sunday Lunch trains on 8 November. The WSR Association write "Come and enjoy the autumn colours along the line while you savour your three-course Sunday Lunch - having room for the cream tea on the way home! Ring 01823 433856 for reservations." The Quantock Belle dining train starts from Bishops Lydeard Station and is operated by the West Somerset Railway Association.
22 October 2009
Details from WSRA
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Crowcombe Heathfield staff visit Ashbrittle Light Railway
A day out for the Crowcombe Heathfield Station staff. Lad Porter Ted Cubitt writes "On Saturday 17 October 2009, eleven members of the staff at Crowcombe Heathfield visited the Ashbrittle Light Railway at the invitation of the owners, Susan and Charles Doble. The railway is in the grounds of their estate. It is a two foot gauge mineral line and was built to remove minerals from a mine on the estate, its date of construction has been lost in time. Some of the original tipper wagons still exist. Charles has spent a lot of time and effort restoring it. After riding on the railway, including driving the diesel loco, we adjourned for tea in their beautiful Georgian House. All in all a very nice afternoon."
22 October 2009
Details from WSRA
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The Railway on ITV's Countrywise on 22 October
The West Somerset Railway is to be featured on ITV on Thursday 22 October. The feature is part of ITV's popular "Countrywise" programme, which goes out nationally at 7.30pm, and was first shown on the ITV Westcountry programme "Bendell’s Westcountry" which was first transmitted on the 11 May 2006. The forthcoming item will be a shortened version of the 2006 feature. Mike Talbot, the producer of "Countrywise" says this is " an opportunity for the film to be given a much wider audience - the programme is seen by about four million people each week!"
21 October 2009
Details from ITV
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The Friends are as busy as ever at Minehead Station
The latest newsletter from the Friends of Minehead Station reveals much work done and a busy time ahead. The Works, Gardens and Bookstall working parties report much progress with projects. Cast iron posts for the planned modesty screen for the disabled toilet have been ordered, whilst the RAMS team at Bishops Lydeard are standing by to construct the wooden panels. Five platform seats with cast iron "GWR" ends are to be purchased to replace the life-expired examples on the platform. Another project underway is the repair of the chimney on the Engine Shed. Funds have been made available for the replacement of the spear-top fencing and gates at the promenade end of the Station. There are over 140 members of FoMS - new members are welcome - please contact FoMS at The Railway Station, Minehead, TA24 5BG. And finally if proof of progress is needed, Minehead Station won the Most Improved Station Award this year.
21 October 2009
Details from FoMS
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Coaching sets at the Somerset in Autumn event
Four sets of coaches will be in use at the next special event on 24 and 25 October. Each set will comprise of six coaches all in chocolate and cream livery. Neither the newly acquired BR blue and grey vehicle, or the hired-in maroon livered coaches (which have no steam heating facilities), are currently rostered, but this may change if demands dictate. The Somerset in Autumn event features steam and diesel locomotives running an intensive service through the autumnal Somerset countryside.
20 October 2009
Details from the WSR Plc
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Site survey soon for future Williton Footbridge
The long term plan for the re-instatement of a footbridge at Williton Station takes another step forward. Chris van den Arend, Williton Station Master, writes "Whilst nothing obvious has been happening to the footbridge, our excellent Shop and Refreshment staff, helped indeed by other members of staff, have been gathering money to squirrel away in our [ex-Trowbridge] Footbridge savings account. We may not have all that we shall need, but we have a healthy amount to start work off. In November it is planned to have a ground survey of the earth where the footbridge foundations are to go. No doubt much the same place as the foundations of the 1874 timber footbridge were. The Station Master was familiar with the ground on the Down side as we had a very large hole dug in 1977 for the foundations of the water tower which eventually went between the tracks at the Minehead end of the loop instead, (and is now at Minehead). It was filled back in again and we planted the present laburnam there instead! Before long we hope to relate results and progress. We deliberately have not appealed for more funds until something obvious is happening. As they say, watch this space."
17 October 2009
Details from the Williton Station Master
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Minehead turntable shortlisted for national award
Following the visit by Paul Atterbury to Minehead on 25 August the turntable installation at Minehead has been shortlisted for an award in the National Railway Heritage Awards for this year. The Awards Presentation will be made at Merchant Taylors’ Hall London on Wednesday 2 December. The turntable was formerly sited at Pwllheli in North Wales and rescued by far-sighted volunteers and brought to Minehead by road in the 1970s. It was lengthened and then in 2008 installed on a site which was once part of the Minehead locomotive shed, closed and demolished in the 1960s. The spectacle of steam locomotives being turned is a popular event at Minehead.
16 October 2009
Details from WSR Plc
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Seats available on the Quantock Belle
There are still seats available for the Sunday Lunch trains on 18 and 25 October. The WSR Association write "Come and enjoy the autumn colours along the line while you savour your three-course Sunday Lunch - having room for the cream tea on the way home! Ring 01823 433856 for reservations." The Quantock Belle dining train starts from Bishops Lydeard Station and is operated by the West Somerset Railway Association.
15 October 2009
Details from WSRA
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West Somerset Railway heading for record year
The West Somerset Railway is well on course for a new record year. The number of passengers carried in 2009 has already passed the 201,000 mark by the middle of October. In 2008 the 20 miles line between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead welcomed 203,000 travellers whilst the record figure achieved in 2007 was 213,000. West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare is delighted with the progress made in the year to date and commented "These are very encouraging results and are certainly down to a lot of hard work by everyone on the Railway, not just a matter of luck. The work ranges from the planning by the Commercial and Special Events teams and the engineers ensuring that we have good engines, coaches and track to operate through to the daily work by the staff and volunteers who make all the various operations work and have established a reputation for the West Somerset Railway as a friendly and welcoming place to visit."
14 October 2009
Details from WSR Plc
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The Ghost Express on 31 October
The Friends of Stogumber Station have organised a steam special for Halloween. The Friends say "Be amongst the very first human beings to ride on the Ghost Express. Then get on the phone and book your tickets, spaces are limited so don’t delay do it today! The Train will leave Bishops Lydeard at 18.30, transport you and your family to Transylvania Central (at other times it is known as Stogumber). The party will then begin; there’ll be music, magic, storytelling (not necessarily just for the children), fun and games for everyone. Celtic Dreams from Watchet will be there to offer their unique candles, soaps and all sorts of trinkets that would not be out of place at Glastonbury Festival. You will also meet The Hurdy Gurdy Man. What a treat is waiting for those who dare enter the Haunted Garden. Witches and Ghouls will be out in numbers that night, so make sure every child is well looked after. The witch's cauldron will be bubbling away with some rather scrummy Dragons Blood Soup or Witches Brew. Deadmans Fingers will be available for those who fancy a wee nibble, plus any thing else our Hags can resurrect on this very eerie night! Radioactive Fizz will help the food (!) slither down nicely. The Ghost Express will be waiting to transport you back to Bishops Lydeard and normality at 20.30. Just a reminder that all earthbound vehicles, cars etc, will not get past the werewolves at the border. So if your broomstick is in for its MOT, the only other way to get to Transylvania Central is on the Ghost Express from Bishops Lydeard!! Why not enter into the spirit (ha) of the evening and come in costume? Apparently there will be prizes. All entertainment, food and return train ride are included in the exceptionally reasonable price of "10 per adult £7.50 for youngsters (under 5s go free). Tickets are only available in advance from 01643 704996. This event has been organised by The Friends of Stogumber(FOSS) and all money raised will be used on the Station."
13 October 2009
Details from Friends of Stogumber Station
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Watchet Footbridge is closed
The footbridge at Watchet Station has been closed. A West Somerset Council notice across the base of the steps states "...In the interest of public safety this footbridge has been temporarily closed to establish the extent of required repairs..." The footbridge maintains a right of way, otherwise severed when the Minehead Railway was opened in 1874. It will be recalled the footbridge was never transferred to the present WSR Company and it remains the responsibility of the local authority who will carry out the assessement and any repair work, working with the Railway to ensure safe passage of rail traffic during the closure period. It is the only footbridge on the twenty three mile long Minehead Branch,
12 October 2009
Details from local correspondent
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Bishops Lydeard gardeners reap good crop of awards
More awards for Bishops Lydeard Station gardeners Clive Goddard (Head Gardener) and Ian Aldridge. They received no less than three awards at the Taunton in Bloom 2009 presentations on 7 October 2009. The awards are Best Voluntary Organisation Floral Display (First), Best Public Access Site Display (First) and Best Display at Taunton Station. Once again the gardeners skills delight thousands of visitors and provide valuable publicity for the Railway. Congratulations.
8 October 2009
Details from local correspondent
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Passenger figures for 2009 looking good
The West Somerset Railway may be heading for a record year. An article in the latest WSR Online newsletter states "The combination of the good weather and the various bits of sheer hard graft that go into promoting the WSR continued to pay off and by the end of September the total number of passengers carried had reached 191,963. By way of comparison the figure for this point in 2008 was 169, 216 and in 2007 we stood at 179,675." It seems the Autumn Steam Gala also did quite well in terms of passenger numbers compared with 2008 with increases on the Thursday and Sunday and downturns on Friday and Saturday. The final total was 5,628 compared with last year’s 5,715.
8 October 2009
Details from WSR Plc
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More work for the Gala visitors
Some of the visiting locomotives which starred at the recent Autrumn Steam Gala are being rostered for normal service trains in the next few days. GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 - considered by many to be on home metals rather than visiting - and GWR 0-6-2T no 6695 are working the midweek trains this and next week. And at the weekend, GWR 4-6-0 no 4953 Pitchford Hall will be working the diagram starting at Bishops Lydeard on the coming Saturday and Sunday. And nos 7802, 6695, 5542, 4160, 88 and 5553 should each see some work over the Somerset in Autumn event on 24 and 25 October 2009. Good reasons for taking a trip or two on the Minehead Branch in the next few weeks.
6 October 2009
Details from WSR Plc
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Ballasting progress at Norton Fitzwarren
The Triangle formation at Norton Fitzwarren has now received a top layer of ballast. The West Somerset Railway Association have wasted no time since the exchange of Contracts on the Barnstaple branch and have used the available Luffman plant and recently delivered ballast to extend the completed formation up to the boundary at MP 165.25 during this week. This means the entire triangle formation from Norton Bridge to Allerford Bridge and back to MP 165.25 has now received a full layer of top ballast. Some track laying will take place over the autumn and winter and you are welcome to join one of the working parties which will be advertised on this website. See map...
2 October 2009
Details from WSRA
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Coach formations at the Gala
The Autumn Steam Gala will make use of four main coach sets. Set A and Set B each consist of seven chocolate and cream liveried coaches; Set C is made up of four chocolate and cream liveried coaches, with three maroon coaches at the Taunton end; and Set D has four chocolate and cream coaches at the Minehead end, a blue and grey coach, and two maroon coaches. Also, please note there is a change in allocation for Sunday - Set C works the 8.25am from Bishops Lydeard, and Set B works the 10.15am, and not as shown in souvenir brochure.
1 October 2009
Details from WSR Plc
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