| The WSRA Annual Photographic Competition |
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The WSRA Annual Photographic Competition will take place on the next Taunton Area Group meeting on 4 February. Entries can be on disc, slide or photo prints colour or black and white. There are cash prizes for 1st and 2nd in each class - Steam, Modern Traction or Landscape. West Somerset Railway Association Chairman David Williams will be giving a slide presentation for the first part of the evening and will then judge the photographic competition in the second half. Taunton Area Group meetings are normally held on the first Monday of the month at the Great Western Staff Association Club (at the north east corner of Taunton station) starting at 7.45pm.
30 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association 
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| No 34046 will not attend the Spring Steam Gala |
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Some disappointing news from the West Somerset Railway. SR 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton will not attend the Spring Steam Gala as previously advertised due to delays in completion of mainline certification. However the Railway say it is hoped to find an alternative visiting locomotive to take its place.
29 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc 
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| A new life for the GUV just arrived at Williton |
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A former general utility vehicle has arrived by road at Williton. The vehicle has been purchased by the West Somerset Railway Association from the Bristol Harbour Railway. The GUV - number M93868 - is not intended for use on the WSR. Having reached the end of its working life, has been acquired as a source of spares, with the body to be used for storage. It will be dismantled into its component parts as time allows. Transport was part of a two-way deal that saw the GUV brought from Bristol to Williton, with the lorry then going on to the South Devon Railway to collect Auto Coach no 178 which has now been delivered to Williton for repairs prior to its appearance at the Spring Steam Gala.
25 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| New model railway show during Spring Steam Gala |
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Somerset Railway Modellers Club is pleased to announce a new model railway show at Minehead Station on 16 and 17 March 2013. This is the first weekend of the eight day Spring Steam Gala on the West Somerset Railway. Somerset Railway Modellers Club's show will be in a large marquee alongside the station building and will be open from 10am to 5pm each day. Entrance is free to rail passengers holding a valid gala ticket and will cost adults £1.00 and children 50p for all other visitors.
24 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Gearing up for auto train operation at the Gala |
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The two key items of a GWR Auto Train are each receiving attention, albeit in different parts of the country, prior to coming together to work on the West Somerset Railway in March. GWR Auto Coach no 178 arrived today, by road, for attention at West Somerset Restoration. The coach will be lifted for minor repair work to be carried out. Meanwhile in Devon, work continues on fitting the front end auto gear to GWR 2-6-2T no 5542. The pair will provide the popular "auto" service during the first part of the eight-day long Spring Steam Gala.
23 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Restoration 
and from Locomotive 5542 Ltd 
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| News about Station Farm |
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The West Somerset Railway Association have offered to purchase the land at Station Farm from the WSR Plc. Writing in the Association's website www.wsra.org.uk, the WSRA Chairman, David Williams, suggests "The [WSRA] Trustees consider that this would benefit the Railway as a whole. It was, of course, the original intention of the project that the land would be owned by the charity and this was the basis on which the Association paid for the outline planning permission for the site. This would also remove one of the key obstacles to obtaining external part funding." Please see the Latest News page at www.wsra.org.uk From a supporter's viewpoint, this positive, constructive offer would help secure the land itself, provide external funding possibilities and boost the coffers of the railway company.
21 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| Peter and Alan encourage volunteering on the Railway |
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Long standing West Somerset Railway volunteers Peter Gleed and Alan Grieve, who both worked for Barclays Bank, managed to get a photograph on the cover of the current Barclays Bank Pensioners Magazine and a good article about life after Barclays. In the article, the "second career" retirees encourage others to follow the same path as they explain their enjoyable work on the West Somerset Railway. The picture and the article is available here [PDF] with the agreement of Peter, Alan and Magazine Editor.
18 January 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| Tickets and Souvenir Programme for the Spring Steam Gala |
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Tickets and the souvenir programme available to buy online now. Just click here for full details. The Railway Literary Festival takes place at Minehead Station on 22, 23 and 24 March during the Spring Steam Gala with the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society, Silver Link Publishing/The Nostalgia Collection, Oakwood Press (Saturday and Sunday only), Ian Allan Publishing, Kingfisher Productions and The History Press attending. And if you want a copy of the promotional Spring Steam Gala leaflet, complete with train times, then just click here...
16 January 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Major repaint for the Quantock Belle stock |
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The four Quantock Belle coaches will emerge from Williton Works in a new livery. Carried out during the winter maintenance programme, each will sport a Pullman-style lined GWR chocolate and cream livery replacing the familiar maroon which the rake has carried for many years. The words Quantock Belle will also appear on each coach. One of the Quantock Belle volunteers has made a substantial donation towards the repaint and, writing in the WSR Journal, the WSR Association express their "grateful thanks for this generous gesture."
16 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| The Lynton and Lynmouth Explorer |
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New for 2013 - The Lynton and Lynmouth Explorer. Combined West Somerset Railway ticket and bus transfer to Lynton and Lynmouth. Selected dates during 2013, pre-book only. On Fridays 24 May; 14, 28 June; 12, 26 July; 13, 27 September, a combined package will offer a steam train journey on the West Somerset Railway and a coach trip across Exmoor from Dunster Railway station to Lynton and Lynmouth. More info here...
15 January 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| The Bishops Lydeard Station Master |
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John Woodcock has stood down as Assistant Station Master. John had taken over the role of Station Master at Bishops Lydeard following the resignation in October last year of Peter Hendy. We understand the post of Station Master remains vacant [details] whilst the Railway Company continue to search for a replacement including placing advertisements in local papers. Meanwhile the General Manager has asked Ian Retter to manage the station until a new appointment is made.
15 January 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| News from the Autocoach no 169 team |
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Progress is being made on the three uprights which will form the runners for the first set of drop lights. The timber has been machined of all twists and warps and are now straight, true and square. The tenons have been cut square and true. The next step is to make up a small section to assemble the three uprights to continue the machining to accommodate the drop lights. The drop light manufacture will also be continued alongside this so each set of uprights will be matched with their respective drop lights. More details can be found on the Auto 169 website...
15 January 2013
Details from Autocoach 169
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| Wintry weather no match for the ditching boys |
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Volunteers from the Cutting Back Gang spent a very cold wet Saturday clearing ditches at the top of the deep clay cutting between Washford Station and Old Cleeve. The rain was incessant with water pouring off the field and into the ditches just cleared. Mud covered everything and everyone. Even in the worst winter conditions, the work goes on along the West Somerset Railway!
12 January 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| News from the Home Counties Group |
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The WSRA's Home Counties Group are about to embark on a new season of being out and about with their stand. Keith Smith reports: "We commence with 'Big Screen Steam' on Saturday February 9th, at the Rhoda McGraw Theatre in Woking's Peacock Centre where we set out in the foyer during the film presentations. There are some new one-off opportunities presenting themselves this year, and we hope at least a form of 'Steam-on-the-Met' as part of the 150th celebrations. We are, however, in desperate need of stock to sell, and hence this appeal for donations of good condition railway and other transport books, videos, and DVDs. Please contact me on 0118 942 2833, or via this website if you can help. Collection may be possible."
12 January 2013
Details from WSRA Home Counties Group
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| The Railway is recruiting volunteers for 2013 season |
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Volunteers are required on the West Somerset Railway for the 2013 season. There are vacancies in most departments. Please see at the volunteering pages or call Mel Hillman New Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01823 433856 or email volunteers@wsrail.net. Those aged 13-18 can join the Trackers scheme, please contact Samantha Minter, Tracker
Co-ordinator on 01643 704996 or email sam.com@wsrail.net.
11 January 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Sir Lamiel returns for the 2013 Spring Steam Gala |
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A popular 2011 visitor returns to the West Somerset Railway for the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala. SR 4-6-0 no 30777 Sir Lamiel will appear during the event which stretches over two weekends 16-17 and 21-24 March 2013. In addition to the additional pre-booked services on 18 and 19 March - "Somerset Branch Lines Down the Ages" - using Railmotor no 93 and the Auto Train, as mentioned below, we understand BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160 will also be on passenger service; and the heritage goods train (with bookable brake vans trips) will also be out and about on those days.
· More about Somerset Branch Lines Down the Ages
· More about the Spring Steam Gala 2013
11 January 2013
Details via Twitter from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Go by steam train to the Minehead Winter Festival |
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The seaside town of Minehead will celebrate the end of winter with a Festival during the school half-term holidays. Take a steam train ride to Minehead on 9, 10, 12, 13 February and perhaps go skating on an ice rink? Along the Avenue there will be trampolines, an inflatable slide and a kiddies roundabout. Children's activities are planned for the indoor Minehead Eye Centre just across the car park from the railway station. And based at the West Somerset Leisure Centre there is a walk and a Lantern Making workshop. More information about the Festival can be obtained from Minehead Tourism Centre minehead.visitor@hotmail.com or 01643 702624.
10 January 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Spring Steam Gala becomes an eight day event in 2013 |
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Acting on feedback from visitors to previous Spring Gala events the West Somerset Railway are providing further attractive operations for the 2013 event. The two day gap with no action after the first Gala weekend will be filled by special pre-booked only services on Monday 18 March and Tuesday 19 March using the GWR Steam Railmotor no 93 and the Auto Train. Themed around Somerset Branch Lines Down the Ages these pre-book only services are planned to feature two regular full length of the line services on these two days. And there's more - the nominally non-Gala Wednesday 20 March will see four steam trains each way using only the visiting steam locomotives. This means there will be steam in action on every day from 16 March to 24 March.
More about the Spring Steam Gala 2013
10 January 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| Railtours to Minehead in 2013 |
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News of several excursions to Minehead have been annnounced. The Railway Touring Company plan to operate the The West Somerset Steam Express on Saturdays 13 July, 24 August and 7 September from Kidderminster, Cheltenham, Bristol to Minehead and return using locos 5029, 34067 or 70000 to and from Bishops Lydeard. A WSR loco will be used from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back. Also just announced is the Vintage Trains The Whistling Ghost on Saturday 25 May 2013 running Tyseley-Birmingham Snow Hill-Stourbridge Jc-Worcester Shrub Hill-Bristol Temple Meads-Minehead using GWR 4-6-0 no 5043 (with water carrier) from Tyseley-Bishops Lydeard and return. A WSR loco will haul the train from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return. The water carrier will allow a fast run from Worcester-Bristol-Taunton. Thanks to www.uksteam.info for the details.
9 January 2013
Details from www.uksteam.info
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| The current WSR Journal... |
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Members of the West Somerset Railway Association may be wondering when the latest Journal will arrive. The WSR Association say "The Royal Mail is currently experiencing what it calls a 'serious logistics problem' regarding delivery of items from mailing houses. This has meant that the current Journals, completed and printed in December 2012 and delivered to our mailing house before Christmas, are still in the postal system. We very much apologise to members for this situation, once again beyond our control, as the Journals were scheduled for delivery prior to the Winter Steam Festival. We will be monitoring the situation closely, and sincerely hope that these problems will be resolved shortly."
7 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| West Somerset Railway carries just over 200,000 passengers in 2012 |
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We understand the Railway carried just over 200,000 passengers in 2012. The final figure for 2012 was 200,376 passengers. This is, it seems, 3.8% down on 2011. However, it is reported that the Railway had a particularly successful December with an increase on the Santa Trains and some 1648 passengers were carried during the Winter Steam Festival. Overall, the Railway seems pleased to have done rather better than a projected 5% downturn. This news item is gleaned from a third party website as we have not received this information from the WSR Plc.
5 January 2013
Details from local correspondent and AboutMyArea
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| Taunton Area Group meetings |
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The Taunton Area Group meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at the Great Western Sports & Athletics Club, Station Approach, Taunton at 7.30pm for 7.45pm. The meeting on 7 January will be a quiz presented by Peter Darke. On 4 February David Williams, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association, will address the Group; this meeting may include the annual photographic competition. Full details can be found on the West Somerset Railway Association website.
3 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| The Friends of Blue Anchor Station |
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The inaugural meeting of the Friends of Blue Anchor Station is being held at the Station on Saturday 26 January at 2.30pm. All those interested in Blue Anchor Station and its future are welcome to attend. The fire will be lit in the Waiting Room and coffee and tea will be available! If anyone is interested in being part of the Friends but cannot make the meeting, please can you phone Pete Treharne on 01643 821092 and leave your details with Pete.
3 January 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| A worldwide audience for the West Somerset Railway |
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The well-established webcams at Bishops Lydeard Station enjoy an audience from across the globe. A new map at the maploco website shows the activities at the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway are watched by a worldwide web of webcam watchers. A long-standing volunteer provides and manages the webcams, and associated hardware and software, which are hosted on the West Somerset Railway Association IT infrastructure. Over many years the webcams have brought the West Somerset Railway new volunteers and new passengers. The webcams are even used by the Railway itself to monitor train departures and arrivals! Links to the webcams can be found top right of the Galleries page.
3 January 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| Make Thursdays your Crowcombe Heathfield day... |
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Looking for a new year resolution - look no further than Crowcombe Heathfield Station. Every Thursday throughout the winter the Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station (FoCHS) have a workday at the Station. Gardening, general clearance and cleaning, painting. Good company and catch up with any gossip. 10am until dusk any weather. Dress code - old warm ones! Not been to help before? No problem give Tim a phone on 01823 430209. More about FoCHS...
3 January 2013
Details from Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station 
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