| Bring out your old suitcases and trunks |
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Volunteer Malc Stacey is looking for donations of old style suitcases and travel trunks to clean and renovate to help raise funds for the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, one of the key organisations supporting the West Somerset Railway. If you have suitable trunks or suitcases, please deliver to Malc Stacey at the West Somerset Railway's Crowcombe Heathfield Station or contact Malc on 01278 425551.
27 February 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| Job vacancies on the West Somerset Railway |
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Three salaried job vacancies have been announced by the West Somerset Railway. The Railway is recruiting an Assistant to the General Manager, a Deputy Operating Superintendent and a Head of Infrastructure Engineering. Closing date for applications is 8 March 2013 for the first two vacancies, and 29 March 2013 for the last mentioned. Further details can be found here.
26 February 2013
Details gleaned from West Somerset Railway Plc website 
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| Heritage goods train footplate rides available |
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The West Somerset Railway has announced a rare and exciting footplate ride opportunity. On 18 March 2013 the heritage goods train makes two round trips between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, and the Railway is offering a one-way trip on the steam locomotive footplate at £100. Only one place available on each single trip. The first trip leaves Bishops Lydeard at 9am, then from Minehead at 11am, then from Bishops Lydeard at 1.05pm and finally from Minehead at 3.10pm. Please book online (online bookings available shortly) or by calling 01643 704996 (Mon to Fri 9am to 4.45pm). Places are sold on a first come first served basis.
22 February 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| The WSR Plc records a before-tax profit in 2012 |
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The West Somerset Railway Plc has made the following public financial statement (as noted on Facebook). "Subject to audit, the West Somerset Railway PLC can announce that it has made a before tax profit of £20,000 for the year to 31 December 2012, whilst reserving sufficient funds to safeguard the future of the Railway. This result, has been achieved through the prudent management of railway expenditure, with reduced passenger numbers and despite the challenging financial climate, we are all experiencing." For the full statement see official WSR website. We at wsr.org.uk would add that it is clear this result is due both to the good work by the Plc's officers, and to the good and often unseen efforts by hundreds and hundreds of volunteers, backed by prudent and appropriate support by the Plc's allied organisations.
22 February 2013
Details via Facebook and local correspondent
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| Association launches online membership join and renew facility |
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The West Somerset Railway Association have announced that existing members can renew and new members join the Association online. Association Chairman David Williams said "This will make joining and renewing much easier for those who are computer literate, meaning that a few clicks on the Association website will see memberships renewed for a further year or that new members will be able to join with the minimum of effort." Go to the WSRA membership page.
22 February 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association 
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| Local folks invited to visit their local station at Washford |
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An open invitation for local people to look around Washford Station, the home of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, on Saturday 16 March 2013. Entry to the attractions at Washford will be free to villagers who present a leaflet which has been delivered in the locality. On display in the station yard will be the Trust's Peckett 0-4-0ST Kilmersdon and the recently externally restored SDJR passenger coach no 4 which dates from 1886. Both are in the famous Prussian Blue livery, the colour used by the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway for passenger locomotives and coaches. More information about the Trust...
21 February 2013
Details from Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust 
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| A new book about the Minehead Branch from Middleton Press |
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Middleton Press have produced another excellent book about the Minehead branch. Author Vic Mitchell has drawn together a fine collection of photographs which amply illustrate the change along the route over the last fifty years. "Taunton to Minehead - 50 years of change" is number 19 in Middleton's "Great Railway Eras" series and follows the familiar Middleton format of pictures, maps and diagrams. The book is officially published on 23 February although it is already available from the Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard Station, the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead Station and of course from Middleton Press.
20 February 2013
Details from Middleton Press and local correspondent
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| Evening photoshoot news - rail motoring for pleasure |
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Following the success of the evening shoot on the West Somerset Railway during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala comes another truly magnificent opportunity. On Saturday 23 March 2013 the Great Western Society’s stunning rail motor no 93 will pose against the backdrop of the classic Great Western station of Crowcombe Heathfield with over two hours of photography. All proceeds from the event will go to the West Somerset Railway. Full details [PDF]
18 February 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| Exhibition at the Gauge Museum: Place and Purpose |
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Stephanie Cannings is a 2nd year BA Photography student at Plymouth University working in collaboration with the WSR. This exhibition presents a body of work which is a simultaneous exploration of the social and mechanical aspects of the West Somerset Railway in the present day. Stephanie's work can be viewed at the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard Station from 20 February 2013 to 29 March 2013.
18 February 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| Govier's Lane Crossing is officially opened |
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The much improved layout at Govier's Lane Crossing was officially opened during a ceremony at Watchet on 18 February 2013. The whole area has been enhanced thanks to excellent work by the Watchet Conservation Society and the Watchet Station gardeners. Local folks gathered along with representatives from the local authorities and the West Somerset Railway to formally open the crossing which, following changes made in 2008, had been the subject of a long running campaign by local people before the new design was designed, tested and approved by all. After the ceremony the Railway conveyed invited guests to Minehead and back by special steam train.
18 February 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| Ian Coleby is appointed as WSRA Trustee |
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Ian Coleby has been asked, and has accepted the invitation, to join the Association Board from the start of March 2013. The WSRA say: "Ian has a wealth of knowledge on the heritage and historical aspects of the West Somerset Railway and is author of what is considered to be the definitive history of the branch. This appointment will greatly enhance the experience available to the Trustees on the very important heritage aspects of the charity's activities." In other news, the WSRA have announced the resignation of Geoff Pateman - see WSRA website
16 February 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| An unused door returns at Minehead Station |
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The Friends of Minehead Station have paid for a replacement door at Minehead Station. The doorway has been sealed up for a very long time and, for the last few months, has been covered with an advertisement for a well known fast food outlet. The door was removed after the necessary permission was granted from local authorities (the building is "Listed") and much preparation work was undertaken before the new door could be fitted. It now requires finishing off including several coats of paint. A good example of a lot of work by many people and much fundraising. And now a question: Does anyone know when the door was last used before being bricked up and sealed?
15 February 2013
Details from the Friends of Minehead Station
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| WSR seeks planning permission for sidings at Bishops Lydeard |
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Details of the proposed plans at the Station Farm site are now available on the Taunton Deane Council website. The plans show a new point opposite the short maintenance platform near Milepost 168 leading a headshunt on the Down side which gives access to two long sidings running close to the existing western boundary fence. The alignment of the spur to a future museum is also shown. This spur will run at a lower level to the proposed long sidings. The cross section drawing shows the need for considerable infill to bring all three proposed lines to the correct levels. A useful location plan is also available. Please note these plans support the WSR Plc's application for change of use of the affected land and the plans are hosted by Taunton Deane Council.
12 February 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| A glimpse of Prussian Blue at Washford |
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Something in blue appeared at Washford on Thursday 7 February 2013. The tank and cab of Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 Kilmersdon were lifted back into position at Washford Yard. This is a hint of what to expect when the ex-Somerset coalfields locomotive is finally unveiled in the wonderful SDJR fully lined Prussian Blue. Kilmersdon is unlikely to be in steam for the Spring Steam Gala in March but will be on display along with SDJR First Class Coach no 4.
11 February 2013
Details from Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
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| Readers Halt volunteer Carol steps down after twelve years |
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At the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Minehead Station last Saturday, after twelve years as a volunteer on the Readers Halt bookstall at Minehead Station, Carol Allan (centre) is presented with a small "thank you" bunch of flowers to mark her stepping down. Flowers presented by Wendy and Jeff Cousins, the managers of Readers Halt. For more information about the Friends of Minehead Station please ring 01643 704996.
11 February 2013
Details from Friends of Minehead Station
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| Planning Work starts for the Museum Site at Bishops Lydeard |
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Now that the Station Farm site has been transferred to the WSR plc, consultation and planning work has started in earnest. Ric Auger, WSR Plc Director reports, "A development team has been set up including members from the plc, WSRA and WSSRT, led by Ric Auger, David Williams and Chris Austin. While the Steam Trust and the Association start to think about how best to use the area adjacent to the station building and goods shed, the plc has submitted a planning application for the southern (Taunton) end of the site to change its designation to operational railway land. This will allow us to plan and install not only a rail link into the intended museum site but also additional sidings for heritage and mark 1 carriage storage, and perhaps in future for use by mainline units from Taunton. The team plan to consult widely on the development to ensure the views of WSR users, volunteers and staff are heard. In future we intend to publish drawings and documents on the WSR website so that information is available to all."
8 February 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Farewell to tracks display at Crowcombe Heathfield Station |
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Some thirty years after first installed, the track display on the Down platform at Crowcombe Heathfield has been dismantled and removed. The most interesting chairs have been put into storage but hopefully will be on display in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard. The Brunel Broad Gauge display will remain, and be re-furbished. Some exciting news is expected regarding the narrow gauge skip wagon and track which will also remain on display. The cleared area will be returned to lawns and gardens and will feature a GWR seat. For about Crowcombe Heathfield Station please see www.fochs.org.uk
5 February 2013
Details from Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station 
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| Steam railmotor visit raises interesting question |
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Back when steam railmotors were seen as a futuristic passenger train they did have to stop frequently to take on more water. Move forward in time to when Great Western steam railmotor no 93 is working the whole length of the West Somerset Railway on Monday 18 March 2013 and Tuesday 19 March 2013 as part of the Somerset Branch Lines through the Ages event during the Spring Steam Gala, the journey of just under twenty miles each way will represent its longest trip to date on a heritage railway. But will it be the longest steam railmotor trip of all time between water stops? The West Somerset Railway would love to know by email.
5 February 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| New view through the window at Crowcombe Heathfield Station |
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Passengers will have a much better view of the station approaches at Crowcombe Heathfield Station thanks to windows being inserted into the side elevations of the down platform shelter. Yet to be fully completed the picture on the left shows the view looking in the Minehead direction from inside the shelter. The Restoration and Maintenance Squad (RAMS) are doing a great job mainly in the capable hands of Mike the Chippy. The interior of the shelter will also benefit from much more light when the project is complete, which will be before the Spring Steam Gala. For about Crowcombe Heathfield Station please see www.fochs.org.uk
2 February 2013
Details from Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station
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| WSR Plc reject WSRA's Station Farm offer |
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West Somerset Railway Plc has now officially rejected the WSR Association's offer to purchase the Station Farm site. Association Chairman David Williams said, "The Trustees saw this offer as a positive move to help both the project and the Railway forward, and the Trustees are naturally disappointed and extremely surprised that the offer has been rejected. At least it cannot legitimately now be said that the Association is not prepared to contribute to the Railway, because one product of acceptance of the offer would have been releasing capital of around £60,000 for the PLC to spend on projects which it has stated are urgently needed." For the full WSRA statement see www.wsra.org.uk
2 February 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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