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No 5029 temporarily withdrawn from Autumn Steam Gala
WSR Plc have issued the following update. "Due to a lubrication pipe fracturing underneath the locomotive, GWR Castle 4-6-0 no 5029 Nunney Castle is currently withdrawn from Autumn Steam Gala operation. Our engineers will be working on the vehicle to return it to traffic as soon as possible but at this stage it is unlikely to run on for the rest of today or Saturday 1st October. We will update you as soon as we have further news from the Support Crew who are currently working on the engine to get one of the stars for the gala back on track." Update: Nos 88 and 5553 will take the place of Nunney Castle for the remainder of the Autumn Steam Gala.
30 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Book signing at Bishops Lydeard on 1 October
Ian Coleby will be signing copies of his book at Bishops Lydeard Station Shop on Saturday 1 October 2011. "The Minehead Branch 1848-1971" - which had been out of stock for some time - has been updated with additional material and reprinted. Considered by many to be the definitive history of the Minehead Branch the book contains a wealth of information covering the first proposals for a railway in 1848 to closure in 1971. The text is an entertaining mix of the necessary technical and the absorbing human interest whilst many excellent photographs and maps provide fascinating support material.
28 September 2011
Details from WSRA
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The Cashless Scrap Metal Trade e-petition
Due to a significant rise in value, metal has become a much sought after commodity. This increased demand has resulted in a sharp rise in metal theft nationally with huge costs for replacement and major inconvenience to the public. Historically the scrap metal trade has been a cash in hand industry. This creates difficulties, as there is no audit trail, making identification of individuals who may be trading stolen metal or who may be committing tax or benefits fraud, a difficult proposition. An amendment to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would make payment by cheque or directly into a bank account mandatory and would be a significant component in reducing metal theft. If you have not had the opportunity yet to sign the e-petition, click here.
26 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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All set for the Autumn Steam Gala
With all guest steam locos now on the line everything seems ready for the Autumn Steam Gala on the West Somerset Railway. The four day event starts on Thursday 29 September and ends on 2 October. Nine steam locos will be in action over the four days with at least eight working on each day. The line up includes nos 34070, 1744, 5029, 5542, 9351, 88, 3850, 4160 and 7828 (fresh from the workshops). Nos 6960 and 34046 will be on static display at Williton and Washford respectively with the latter in light steam. Apart from the hourly service other highlights include GWR 2-6-2T no 5542 working with a single Auto Coach between Minehead and Dunster on Thursday and Friday, and between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren on Saturday and Sunday. Full details here or here.
26 September 2011
Details from local correspondent
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More awards for Bishops Lydeard Head Gardener Clive
Clive Goddard, Head Gardener at Bishops Lydeard Station, is amongst the winners once again. Clive won First in Best Public Access Site, First in Best Voluntary Organisation and First for Best Floral Display on Taunton Station at the Taunton in Bloom presentations on 21 September 2011. In addition to heading the work on the gardens and floral displays at Bishops Lydeard Station, Clive also tends gardens at the mainline Taunton Station. Our congratulations to Clive and our thanks to him and all the other gardeners along the line for the superb gardens and floral displays at all stations on the West Somerset Railway.
22 September 2011
Details from local correspondent
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Restaurant car running during Autumn Steam Gala
Certain train services during the Autumn Steam Gala will provide a restaurant car service. The restaurant car will serve lunches (including bacon baps), cakes etc on the 11am from Bishops Lydeard and the 1pm from Minehead on the Thursday and Friday of the Autumn Steam Gala. And on the Saturday and Sunday breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas on 9am from Bishops Lydeard; 11am from Minehead; 1pm from Bishops Lydeard and the 3pm from Minehead. Food includes bacon and sausage baps; soup; filled baguettes; jacket potato; pasty; steak pie; ploughman's lunch; apple pie; lemon blossom; bread pudding; pastries and cakes from the trolley. Drinks include tea; coffee; caftiere fresh coffee; hot chocolate; wine; beer; cider; soft drinks; spring water; milk; Fentiman's traditional drinks. A breakfast menu (full English breakfast; porridge; fruit juice; toast;) is added for the Saturday and Sunday. These lists are taken from draft menus and all items subject to change and availability.
21 September 2011
Details from WSR Catering Services
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WSRA Home Counties Group to visit Banbury
The Home Counties Group are on the road again. On Sunday 25 September 2011 the Home Counties Group of the West Somerset Railway Association will be attending a new venue with their sales/publicity stand. The Group will be at the Banbury & District Model Railway Club's annual exhibiton BanRail 2011 at the Banbury School, Ruskin Road, Banbury, OX16 9HX, between 10am and 5pm. The Home Counties Group look forward to meeting old and new friends.
21 September 2011
Details from WSRA Home Counties Group
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Devon Belle observation coach visit to WSR back on
Despite earlier setbacks, it seems the autumn arrival of Observation Car no 14 on the West Somerset Railway will take place. We understand the West Somerset Railway and Swanage Railway continue to work together resolving any issues that need to be resolved before returning Car no 14 to traffic. However a reliable source is confident Car no 14 will move to the Minehead Branch as originally expected although there is no official confirmation as yet.
Updated: 20 September 2011 (first published 3 September 2011)
Update from local correspondent
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How the west was won - WSR style
John Parsons charts the tumultuous years from 1971-89 that saw volunteers trying to save the West Somerset Railway. Published 29th September 2011, this £12.99 paperback original is a tribute to the volunteers who fought so hard to save, re-open and keep open the Taunton to Minehead branch. After closure by British Rail in 1971, a small band of enthusiasts, many of whom still work on the Railway today, refused to accept this and fought the system resulting in the re-opening in sections in 1976, 1978 and 1979. There followed many bad days at a time when the line was unofficially called Will Something Run. Eventually the Railway was able to overcome its problems and become one of the leading heritage railways in the UK. John Parsons will be signing copies of his book at Minehead Station during the Autumn Steam Gala on 29 and 30 September, 1 and 2 October from 10.30am till 4.30pm
20 September 2011
Details from The History Press
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Local pub re-opens near Bishops Lydeard Station
After a spell of closure the Lethbridge Arms at Bishops Lydeard has re-opened and is getting good reports for both its food and its drink. The Lethbridge Arms is about a quarter of a mile by footpath from Bishops Lydeard Station - ideal for passengers and visitors, particularly at lunchtimes. WSR workers will be interested to note there is a 10% discount on food for WSR Staff if a valid WSR ID card is produced at the time of ordering.
19 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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No 34046 for Washford Yard visit during Autumn Gala
Visitors to Washford Station will get the chance to get close up to a classic Southern Railway Pacific steam locomotive. Godfrey Baker, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust Chairman, reports that agreement has been reached with WSR Plc for SR 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton to be on display in steam throughout the Autumn Steam Gala at Washford Station. It is most likely that visitors to the SDRT Museum at Washford will be able to also visit the cab of this magnificent locomotive throughout the Gala.
19 September 2011
Details from SDRT and local correspondent
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No 7828 runs under own steam again
No 7828 has enjoyed a few runs within the station limits at Minehead. The loco was later noted at Dunster Station and in the early evening took a four coach loaded test train to Williton and back with all seeming to go well. Following a lengthy heavy overhaul, BR(W) 4-6-0 no 7828 looks ready to feature in a "Return to Steam" special on 18 September 2011, running under its original name Odney Manor. No 7828 will then be a star attraction at the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala running on all four days under its new name Norton Manor which it will carry for at least a year.
15 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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No 70000 to work WSR trains for a few days
A further opportunity to experience classic express steam power on the Minehead Branch. BR 4-6-2 no 70000 Britannia will be in operation on the West Somerset Railway from Sunday 18 September to Wednesday 21 September inclusive. The locomotive will work the 10.15am departure from Minehead, followed by the 12.30pm from Bishops Lydeard, the 2.15pm from Minehead and the 4.10pm from Bishops Lydeard. Standard fares apply.
14 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Shooting photographers at Minehead Station
The efforts of nearly 1000 photographers over the last twelve years have greatly helped the unofficial WSR website to show a wide range of activities on the West Somerset Railway. And to celebrate that incredible support we have arranged permission to use the Turntable at Minehead. With a steam loco also on the turntable, the idea is to line-up the photographers - and shoot a few pictures of them for a change. Contributors of photographs to www.wsr.org.uk are invited to a Grand Photographers Photoshoot at the Turntable at Minehead at 12.30pm on 1 October 2011 when the camera will be focussed on a mass line-up of many of the 1000 photographers who have helped this website over the years. If you are one of the 1000 and can make it, just turn up! I hope you will be there.
12 September 2011
Details from www.wsr.org.uk
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Vacancies on the West Somerset Railway
The WSR Plc has a vacancy for a full-time Civil Engineering Manager whilst the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) is seeking to fill two volunteer posts. WSRA (Promotions) Ltd, the trading arm of the WSRA, is seeking a Financial Director; and also seeking a Treasurer as a Trustee. Full details on the WSRA website. Meanwhile, the West Somerset Railway Plc is seeking applications for the post of Civil Engineering Manager with salary negotiable depending on experience. The post is based in Minehead, Somerset. Full details of this post on the WSR Plc website
12 September 2011
Details from WSRA and WSR Plc
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Unexpected delight for dining train passengers
No 70000 provided high profile motive power for a recent Sunday Luncheon train on the Minehead Branch. Passengers and staff on board the Quantock Belle luxury dining train were surprised to find no less a locomotive than BR Class 7 4-6-2 no 70000 Britannia at the head of the train. No 70000 was stabled at Bishops Lydeard before, and after, it worked a Taunton-Portsmouth-Taunton special on 10 September 2011. The following day the loco was worked down to Minehead where it will undergo a boiler washout. We understand Britannia may work some Steam Engineman specials during its current stay on the WSR.
12 September 2011
Details from local correspondents
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No 34046 withdrawn from traffic
More woes for SR 4-6-2 no 34046. Following a routine inspection it was discovered that the right hand driving wheel tyre has moved during operation on the WSR this week. Consequently the locomotive has been withdrawn from traffic until further notice to enable the wheel sets to be removed and retyred from blanks held in stock.
9 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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No 5029 joins the Gala guest list
A classic GWR express steam locomotive will appear at the next special event. GWR 4-6-0 no 5029 Nunney Castle will appear on all four days of the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala on 29, 30 September and 1, 2 October 2011.This will be the third year in a row that Nunney Castle has graced the Minehead Branch metals and each visit is always popular with enthusiasts and the general public.
8 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Pacifics at Bishops Lydeard
Bishops Lydeard is a busy place at the moment hosting no less than three mainline certified Pacific locomotives. BR 4-6-2 no 70000 Britannia is stabled in the Bay road, whilst LNER 4-6-2 no 60163 Tornado and SR 4-6-2 no 34067 Tangmere are stored in the loco roads. On 8 September 2011 the junction at Norton Fitzwarren will see several movements on and off the branch. Following a regular visit to Norton Triangle by a HOBC, a diesel locomotive is expected to run to Bishops Lydeard to collect Tangmere before setting off with the 5Z72 to Carnforth. Later at dusk, Tornado leaves Bishops Lydeard with its POB with the 5Z62 to Southall. No 70000 is expected to leave the WSR on 9 September for mainline duties.
7 September 2011
Details from local correspondent and WSR Plc
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Powderham Project Progress
An update on progress with the Powderham Project. Bishops Lydeard volunteer Chris Penney reports "Another working day by volunteers recently has seen progress continue on converting the Gauge Museum's Signal Box at Bishops Lydeard. The project, which is being managed by Signal and Telegraph staff, will see the existing exhibit converted to show the GWR's Powderham box in Devon. The block shelf instruments and indicators required for it to represent Powderham have been obtained from various sources and are now fixed to the block shelf ready for wiring up to begin. After discussion with the museum's curator, a colour-light signal representing the Up Distant signal will probably be installed on the wall behind the GWR Sleeping Car, being visible from the Museum entrance, while the existing semaphore signal will represent Powderham's Down Home signal (lever 2). There will also be an extra balance weight fitted to the post to provide a force on lever 3, acting as if it were working the Down Distant signal. This work will necessitate the moving of the Museum's GWR Sleeping Car temporarily to gain access to the base of the signal and track bed. This new signal display will enable visitors to experience the double-track working that Powderham box once controlled. A photograph of the original Powderham signal box has also been put on display. The remaining bulk of the works to turn this exhibit into a 'hands on' signalman simulation for visitors, complete with bells and sound effects of trains passing, will continue throughout the winter period when the Museum is closed. The aim is to fully reopen this exhibit next Spring."
6 September 2011
Details from local correspondent
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Best Kept Station Awards for 2011
The winners have just been announced in the annual Best Kept Station Awards for the West Somerset Railway. The Best Floral Display award goes to Bishops Lydeard Station thanks to the hard work of Head Gardener Clive Goddard. Blue Anchor Station is deservedly judged to have the Most Attractive Gardens. Well done Doniford Halt for gaining the Most Improved Station award. The Best Kept Station - Runner Up award goes to Minehead Station - the WSR's largest station. And once again the delightful station at Crowcombe Heathfield is awarded the Railway's Best Kept Station 2011.
4 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Update on the restoration of BCK no 6705
The contract to remove asbestos from Collett BCK no 6705 at Williton was successfully completed, and the coach is now open again for restoration to proceed. Chris Austin of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust writes "Work groups are preparing the exterior for painting at Williton most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and an extra working party is being organised for Sunday 11 September starting at 11am. Contact Ian Coleby for details."
4 September 2011
Details from WSSRT
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Leo and WSR team up for a calendar
For the first time the West Somerset Railway has produced a calendar in collaboration with local artist Leo Davey. The calendar consists of twelve images, local to the WSR and painted by Leo in his own particular style. Look out for the Washford one, based to my surprise on one of my own 2005 images featuring WSR 2-6-0 no 9351. Available now only from the WSR at Minehead at £9.50 plus £1.50 p&p by phone or online. Find out more about Leo Davey at www.leodavey.com
4 September 2011
Details from WSR Plc via Facebook
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No Devon Belle observation coach for WSR
The autumn arrival of Observation Car no 14 on the West Somerset Railway has been called off. The FTR has been done at Derby, and the West Somerset Railway and Swanage Railway continue to work together resolving any issues that need to be resolved before returning Car no 14 to traffic.
Updated: 9 September 2011 (first published 3 September 2011)
Update from WSR Plc
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Spend time at Williton during the Autumn Gala
Stands for traders will be found at Williton during the Autumn Gala. This is good news for those coming to Williton for the Autumn Steam Gala to visit the Swindon Shed to browse and buy from the traders and view the progress being made on the locomotives and carriages. Although the Swindon Shed will be closed, Ray Waldron of West Somerset Restoration has advised us that a marquee will be erected in the South Yard in front of the shed which will house the traders stands together with a refreshments stall run by Williton Station Staff which will provide sandwiches, rolls, cakes, sweets and hot and cold drinks. Furthermore GWR 4-6-0 no 6960 Raveningham Hall will be on display in the yard. Further exhibits in the yard may be added in due course.
3 September 2011
Details from Williton Station
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Saving the WSR in the early 1970s
A new WSR book about how the Minehead Branch was saved. Author John Parsons will be doing a book signing at the Autumn Steam Gala. The book - "Saving the West Somerset Railway - The Branch Line that Refused to die" - tells the story of the small group of enthusiasts, many of whom still work on the railway today, who refused to let the line die, a dream that was thwarted not only by British Rail, but also by the rail unions. After many crises the railway was able to overcome its problems and has become one of the leading heritage railways in the UK.
2 September 2011
Details from local correspondent
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