| The Cambrian Railways are coming to West Somerset in October |
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In early October, the stations along the West Somerset Railway will adopt the names of stations along the Cambrian Railways route from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli. This identity change is part of the Autumn Steam event on 4 to 8 October 2013 which has a Cambrian Railways theme in the 150th anniversary year of two early railways which later became part of the famous railway company. The Minehead branch has much in common with the longer Cambrian route - a long single line with many passing places, hill and coastal scenery and a strong Great Western influnce. A selection of appropriate locos are expected to appear including BR, GWR and LMS examples. With the turntable at Minehead (Pwllheli) and the triangle at Norton (Shrewsbury) the plan is to run the locos chimney-first throughout the event. Back in the day, it was not unusual to see a narrow gauge loco making its way to or from the works being transported on a standard gauge wagon and it is hoped to recreate this scene at Williton (Oswestry) using the diminutive Corris/Talyllyn no 3.
30 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association 
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| A popular WSR locomotive to take a trip up North... |
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The popular Large Prairie BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160 which is based on the West Somerset Railway has been booked to appear at the main Autumn event at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The event, the Autumn Steam Spectacular, is themed "Great Western in the Brontes". No 4160 will join GWR 4-6-0 no 5029 Nunney Castle and GWR 0-6-0 PT no 1501 at the event which will no doubt witness plenty of the famous GWR bark from the locos.
30 June 2013
Details from local correspondents
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| July weekend offer great days out in West Somerset for all... |
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The month of July will see a lot of weekend events aimed at the family market along the route of the West Somerset Railway. Among the main events are the two weekends of this year's 'Day Out With Thomas' event on 6-7 July and 13-14 July. The famous little blue engine will be at Minehead Station while the bigger locomotives pull the trains to the seaside from Bishops Lydeard and take happy customers home again later. On Saturday 20 July it’s the Minehead Harbour Festival. The harbour is about ten to fifteen minutes walk from the railway station and so the Festival can be combined with a steam train ride for a great day out. One week later on 27 July is a book signing by childrens author Zoe Ainsworth-Grigg in the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead Station from 11.00am. Her latest book, "Miss Flimp’s Sister takes a Train" is a story set on the West Somerset Railway. Zoe fundraises for Purple Field Productions and £1 from every pattern of "Miss Flimp" sold goes to this charity. Two events on Sunday 28 July - Watchet Carnival with much of the daytime activity takes place around the harbour and the recreation ground, both of which are adjacent to Watchet Station in the town centre; and on the same day is the Toy and Train Collectors Fair at Minehead Station. Phew!
28 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc 
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| Kilmersdon to take a trip to Minehead |
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In early July Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 Kilmersdon will be making a rare excursion away from its Washford base. The diminutive locomotive, owned by the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, has been hired by WSR Plc and is expected to travel down to Minehead for the Thomas events being held on two weekends, 6-7 July and 13-14 July. It is not known if Kilmersdon, which now sports the classic Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway livery of Prussian Blue, will remain at Minehead during the intervening week.
28 June 2013
Details from local correspondents
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| Charity proposes win-win deal to safeguard the future of the Railway |
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Following discussions with County Councillors, the West Somerset Railway Association has made an offer to secure the future of the West Somerset Railway by purchasing the freehold of the Railway from Somerset County Council. This will result in the Association, a Registered Charity which has been involved in the preservation and development of the Railway since the early 1970s, becoming the owners of the freehold of the line. The current leaseholders, West Somerset Railway Plc, would continue to operate the Railway on a day-to-day basis. The purchase will effectively relieve Somerset County Council and local taxpayers of any possible future financial obligations to support the Railway. The council would also receive a substantial sum of money to spend on important public projects, safe in the knowledge that the Railway was being transferred to a body that was fully committed both to retaining the Railway as a heritage attraction and encouraging its use as a vital part of the local transport network. Full details on the WSRA website...
26 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| A Western day on the West Somerset Railway |
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Admirers of the iconic Western Region Class 52 diesel hydraulics will be heading for West Somerset on 20 July 2013 when Western no D1010 Western Campaigner is scheduled for two return trips over the twenty mile heritage line. No D1010 will head the 11.40am and 3.10pm from Bishops Lydeard and the 1.20pm and 5.35pm from Minehead. An adult day rover is £17 on the day or £15.60 if purchased in advance - full details on the official WSR website. Please note the scheduled running of Western Campaigner is subject to availability.
26 June 2013
Details from local correspondent
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| No 9351 passes the 90,000 mile mark... |
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The 12.35pm departure from Bishops Lydeard Station on Wednesday 19 June 2013 was all part of the working day for the West Somerset Railway but for the locomotive heading the train it was an historic event when 'Small-boilered Mogul' no 9351 passed the 90,000 miles in traffic mark during the twenty mile journey to Minehead. No 9351 is now in its ninth year in service since its controversial conversion from GWR 'Large Prairie' no 5193. With the ten year overhaul looming WSR 2-6-0 no 9351 remains in service and will feature in the Autumn Steam Gala before coming out of traffic.
24 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Heritage cooperation evident at Crowcombe Heathfield |
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The chassis of a narrow guage side-tipping wagon for many years on display at Crowcombe Heathfield has been swopped for a similar example. The chassis is, apparently, from the First World War, and is one of only three remaining examples, and the Moseley Railway Trust near Newcastle-under-Lyne are to restore it for display in 2014 to mark the centenary of WW1. In return the Trust have presented a complete and fully restored wagon which helps continue the story of the history of Crowcombe Heathfield Station, where stone from the nearby crushing plant was carried on a short narrow gauge line and tipped into private-owner standard gauge trucks waiting in the now-removed siding to the north of the station. For more information please visit the Crowcombe Heathfield Station website.
24 June 2013
Details from Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station 
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| New volunteers are always needed and always welcome... |
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Help run the West Somerset Railway by becoming a volunteer. There are so many different side to running the Railway and no special skills are needed as full training is provided. Volunteers need to be 18 years old or older and there is even a junior section called 'Trackers' for those aged 13 to 17. The only thing needed is enthusiasm! For more information please see the Volunteer page on the official website or email the Co-ordinator at volunteers@wsrail.net
17 June 2013
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| RSPB at Minehead Station on 22-23 June |
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The RSPB will have a publicity stand at the northern terminus of the WSR and the staff will be pleased to talk to visitors about the Society’s conservation work both nationally and more locally. This includes the re-introduction of the Great Crane to the Somerset Levels. For younger visitors there will be activity packs for children. For keen birders who also enjoy trains the WSR offers a number of possibilities with its stations at Crowcombe Heathfield and Stogumber situated in the Quantock Hills and those at Doniford Halt and Blue Anchor offering almost direct access to the seashore along the Bristol Channel.
16 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| The next WSRA Taunton Area Group meeting is on 17 June |
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The next meeting of the Association's Taunton Area Group will be on Monday 17th June 2013 and features "Snow" - a film presentation by Charles Doble covering snow clearance using steam and diesel with snow plough and if all else fails the shovel, followed by "From Booking Boy to Fireman 1962-1968". Full details...
14 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| Here to help... |
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To those working on or about the WSR, if you have an event to promote, or something to shout about, or want a hand with a working party, just send words and images to us at www.wsr.org.uk With over 2000 people looking at the website every day, it might help a particular cause, or even bring in more passengers. Just send details to steve@wsr.org.uk This news page was brought back due to popular demand for news and information but if we don't hear about it then lots of other people don't hear about it either.
13 June 2013
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| Cambrian link for next limited edition model wagon |
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In conjunction with the theme of the West Somerset Railway's Autumn Steam Gala the next limited edition wagon to be produced for the WSR will be a 4mm scale representation of a 7 plank coal wagon once operated by Joseph Williams and Son of Oswestry, one of the main towns once served by the Cambrian Railways and home to that Railway's workshops. The firm was a long-lasting coal merchants being recorded as in business from 1885 to 1960. The model will feature the Williams distinctive red livery with white lettering shaded black and black ironwork. It will be produced by Dapol in a limited run of 100 models and will cost £13.50 over the counter from the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead Railway Station. To order in advance please ring 01643 700387.
Further details...
11 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Heritage diesel action during rest of June |
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Although the greater majority of trains on the West Somerset Railway will be worked by steam locomotives during the rest of June some of the vintage diesel locomotives in the care of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group at Williton will also be in action. The vintage diesels will operate on the 11.40am and 3.10pm from Bishops Lydeard and the 1.20pm and 5.35pm from Minehead on 14 June (D1661), 15 June (D7017), 21 June (D6575), 22 June (D832), 29 June (D1661) and 30 June (D7017) - subject to availability of course. Full details...
9 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Loco 5542 Ltd to purchase a second autotrailer |
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The Directors of Locomotive 5542 Limited are pleased to announce an agreement to purchase former British Railways (WR) Autotrailer no W233W. The plan is to return it to operational use as soon as possible, and it will be mainly based at the South Devon Railway but will be available for hire when not required by the SDR. The purchase has been made possible by a generous loan from a member and the directors will now be launching an appeal for funds to allow a quick return to operational use. The group's first autotrailer, no 169, is being restored as a long term project at Williton on the WSR. Full story....
8 June 2013
Details from Locomotive 5542 Ltd 
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| Volunteers needed for the 2013 Steam Fayre in early August |
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This year's Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally will be held at Norton Fields over the weekend of 3-4 August 2013. The Rally Committee is currently looking for more volunteers to help man the event which is held in aid of the West Somerset Railway Association. Help is always needed, and there are a wide variety of tasks to suit all talents and availability. Prior to the event, help is needed with the placing of road signs and publicity, both in the vicinity of the Norton site itself and in the surrounding area. During the event itself, help is particularly needed with selling admission tickets at the two site entrances, selling programmes, providing guidance and information to visitors and exhibitors around the site and providing assistance as understudies to the many section marshals. For more information and contact details please click here.
4 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| News about the Williton Loop re-instatement... |
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In a letter to shareholders, the West Somerset Railway provide an update on this very important project. Ground clearance has been completed and the area is ready for laying the new pointwork to the south of Williton Bridge. The design of the point is finished with pricing and installation dates awaited. Once the new point is in place the Railway can provide final measurements and direction of the new bridge over the fast-flowing Monksilver Stream. The previous bridge was removed by British Railways in 1968 when the loop was shortened. This project is seen as very important to future improvements to rail traffic as the lengthened loop will allow trains to use the full length of the Up platform. Donations are welcomed - see www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk for contact details.
3 June 2013
Details taken from WSR Plc letter to shareholders
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| Anyone can join the WSRA's 50-50 Club... |
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A great chance to win cash prizes on a monthly basis and support the work of the West Somerset Railway Association into the bargain. The 50-50 Club - formerly called the 500 Club - is run by the Association to help raise funds towards its heritage and educational work. The new name was chosen because fifty per cent of the income goes in prizes for 50-50 Club members, the remaining fifty per cent towards furthering the objectives of the charity. Visit the WSRA's 50-50 page for full details or just apply now by downloading the application form.
3 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| The 5542/169 sales and information stand at the Mixed Traction event |
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The 5542/169 folks will have their sales and information stand at next weekend's Mixed Traffic event. On this occasion, on 8 and 9 June, the stand will be al fresco in the yard at Williton - weather permitting - and the forecast is good so hopefully many will call in to refresh bookshelves and catch up on all the latest news and gossip, which might just be a little more than expected! For more information, please see the following websites: www.5542.co.uk and www.auto169.co.uk
3 June 2013
Details kindly provided by 5542 Ltd
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| WSR currently unaffected by national coal shortage |
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The West Somerset Railway's General Manager, Paul Conibeare, is quoted in the West Somerset Free Press saying the Railway is unaffected at the moment by the shortage of good steam coal following the closure of the Daw Mill Colliery and the collapse of Scottish Coal. The WSR sources its coal - it uses around 1700 tons a year - from Ffos-y-fran in South Wales which remains able to supply existing customers. A lorry from Ffos-y-fran delivers to Minehead each week. For the full story please visit the West Somerset Free Press.
1 June 2013
Details from West Somerset Free Press
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