| The Quantock Belle First Class Dining Train at Christmas |
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Come and celebrate the holiday season in style aboard the Quantock Belle First Class Dining Train! The Evening Dunster by Candlelight special is sold out but there are still some tickets available on the Christmas Sunday Lunch specials on 8, 15 and 22 December 2013. Tickets are £49 each for these services, and include round trip first-class travel, hot drinks, meal on the outward journey and festive fare on the return. Whatever your plans, advance booking is essential. Please ring 01823 433856 for reservations. Full details here...
30 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association 
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| Friends of Minehead Station holding fundraising Quiz Night |
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The Friends of Minehead Station are holding a Quiz Night on Friday 18 October at Minehead Social Club in North Road. Teams should consist of up to 6 people with an entry fee of £3.00 per person. A Grand Raffle may also be held to boost the FOMS coffers a bit more ahead of the winter work programme at the station. If you are interested in entering a team please contact Anne Dowrick via 01643 704918.
29 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc 
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| Success for Crowcombe Heathfield Station's Coffee Morning |
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An update on the success of the coffee morning held today at Crowcombe Heathfield Station. The folks at the station report "We would like to thank everyone who came and gave so generously to the Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning on Friday 27 September. Despite many other coffee mornings for the same cause were taking place in the surrounding villages, £502 was raised for this very worthy charity, which helps so many families. We would also like to thank the volunteers who gave raffle prizes and made cakes, and those people who were unable to come, for their donations." From Tim Stanger (Station Master) and Peter Linford (Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station Chairman).
27 September 2013
Details from Crowcombe Heathfield Station 
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| Cambrian Beer for a Cambrian Gala on the West Somerset Railway |
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A Cambrian Gala needs Cambrian Beer! WSR's Catering Services have announced "We've chosen beer from Stonehouse Brewery who say 'We are a small, family run, microbrewery situated on the Cambrian Railway Line, in Oswestry'". Now that seems most appropriate. Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala...
27 September 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| The whereabouts of Corris no 3 during the Autumn Steam Gala |
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Owing to siding space considerations at Williton during the Autumn Steam Gala the plans have been changed for the narrow gauge visitor, the former Corris 0-4-2ST no 3 Sir Haydn. Thursday 3 October - on display at Minehead (Pwllheli); Friday 4 October - running in the heritage goods train from Minehead (Pwllheli) and then on display at Bishops Lydeard (Shrewsbury) until the evening when it takes part in the David Williams photoshoot at Williton (Oswestry); and finally on the Saturday and Sunday - on display at Minehead (Pwllheli) beside the turntable. Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala...
27 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| 5542 Ltd have arranged a wine tasting evening... |
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The next fundraising event to be held by 5542 Ltd is a wine tasting evening. 5542 Ltd say "Following our recent successful Quiz Evening you are cordially invited to our next event which is our Wine Tasting Evening at Bicknoller Village Hall on Saturday 12th October 2013 at 19.30. Cost will be £10 per head to include wine and light refreshments. This fun and enjoyable evening will test your knowledge of various wines, see what you like and what you can recognise. Please bring some non-alcoholic refreshments for your driver. Confirmation of numbers by Tuesday 8th October please. Please bring along your friends, neighbours and relations and forward this news to anyone who may like to join us." Contact John Wood or Peter Darke.
26 September 2013
Details from Locomotive 5542 Ltd 
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| Pictures wanted for WSR 2015 Calendar |
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Colin Howard, WSR Plc's Retail Manager, is starting work on the 2015 West Somerset Railway Calendar and will be pleased to receive photographs for consideration. There is no payment involved but the photographers of those chosen will each get a free copy of the calendar. Photos need to be submitted by the end of November. Please email images to shop@wsrail.net Colin is also compiling another Past and Present recollections book and would appreciate any help with sourcing photos - contact Colin at the same email address.
26 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| The Withered Arm theme for 2014 Spring Steam Gala |
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The "Southern" comes to West Somerset during the 2014 Spring Steam Gala which takes place from Thursday 27 March to Sunday 30 March 2014. The Spring Steam Gala will feature visiting locomotives as used on the "Withered Arm" and a recreation of the Atlantic Coast Express supported by the railway's home fleet steam locomotives. Supporting the special timetable will be all the usual Gala features - museums, model railway exhibitions, railway literary festival and trade stands plus discounted advance tickets. Further details and updates are promised during the autumn.
26 September 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| President of Welsh railway pressure group to visit the West Somerset |
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The President of the Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association (HOWLTA) Professor Stuart Cole will be visiting the West Somerset Railway on Friday 4 October when England's longest heritage line is holding its Autumn Steam Gala event. HOWLTA is a long established support group for the long route of railway which connects Shrewsbury and Swansea via such towns as Knighton, Llandrindod Wells, Ammanford and Llanelli. The group came into being when the line was threatened with closure and has done a great deal to promote train services with publicity drives and lobbying. Many of the stations are kept in good order by local residents and today the route is a good example of a community supported railway. It is also a key in bringing in tourists to some of the most beautiful but remote parts of the Principality. The timing of Professor Cole's visit is suitably apposite as the theme of the West Somerset’s Gala is "Cambrian Railways".
23 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Sales stands at Minehead Station during Autumn Steam Gala |
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Colin Howard, the WSR's Retail Manager, advises that the following sales and publicity stands will appear on the platform at Minehead Station during the four day Autumn Steam Gala. On Thursday 3 October: New build locomotives Betton Grange and the LMS Patriot; Don Bishop's Railway and Landscapes Photography; John Cowlishaw with wooden replica name and number plates; and the Friends of West Somerset Railway. The same on the Friday plus Mainline and Maritime with their publications; and No 6024 King Edward I. The Saturday sees the same as for Friday, plus Carole Robbins. Finally on Sunday 6 October, same as for the Friday plus Card Craft by Hand who replace Carole Robbins. In addition, Colin advises of book signings taking place in the Minehead Station Shop on Saturday 7 October, Peter Johnson will be signing copies of his new "History of the Cambrian Railways" whilst on Sunday the shop welcomes Julian Holland with the varied range of titles which he has written.
23 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Crowcombe Heathfield Station and the World's Biggest Coffee Morning |
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Come along to Crowcombe Heathfield Station on Friday 27 September 2013 from 10.30am. The Station folks are once again taking part in "The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning" in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Delicious homemade cakes, tea, coffee, gossip are all on the menu along with steam trains calling all day long. All the proceeds go to Macmillan nurses who have helped so many families in times of illness. If you can't come, but would still like to make a donation, please drop your contribution into the station at anytime between now and the end of September.
20 September 2013
Details from Crowcombe Heathfield Station
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| An anniversary for the Doniford pagoda |
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Visitors to the Autumn Steam Gala on Thursday 3 October may be interested in tipping their hats to the pagoda shelter at Doniford Halt - which will be known as "Penhelig" during the Cambrian Railways themed special event. As is fairly widely known the shelter was originally at Cove on the Exe Valley line and 3 October marks the 50th Anniversary of its closure. But as we all know, for this classic GWR-designed shelter, that was not the end of the story...
20 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| News about the Powderham Signal Box exhibit |
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The Powderham Signal Box exhibit at the Gauge Museum was again in action over the Late Summer Weekend. A steady stream of visitors, some of whom showed great interest, stayed for a complete sequence of trains and operating the signals. Following the problems experienced in June, the working of the simulator and train sounds has been simplified to make life easier for the hidden panel operator (who has to play the role of two signalmen, Starcross and Exminster). The team would like to run the full demonstration on three or four occasions a year, coinciding with major WSR events. It’s unlikely enough staff will be available for the Autumn Steam Gala, so the next demo will be during the 2014 Spring Steam Gala.
20 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Short break packages with visits to West Somerset's Autumn Gala |
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Inspired by the idea of taking a "Cambrian Railways" holiday in Somerset, Inside Track are organising a four day break between 4 and 7 October with a whole day on the WSR on the Saturday. Full details from Inside Track at 01296 714823 or info@inside-track.net The holiday company Buzzlines is running a October break called Somerset Planes, Trains and Cider and is visiting the Autumn Gala on Sunday 6 October and can be contacted via 01303 261870 or sales@buzzlines.co.uk And for the Autumn Steam Gala, the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster is organising a special weekend - for more information call 01643 821425. Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala.
18 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Be sure to visit the GWR Sleeping Car during the Gala |
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Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, advises that the 1897-built GWR Sleeping Car no 9038 will be open for viewing in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard Station during the Autumn Steam Gala, There is no direct link to the Cambrian Railways in this vehicle's history but it did run across the south of the Principality on the Boat Trains between Paddington and Fishguard. If enough Steam Trust volunteers are available it is also intended to have Collett coach BCK no 6705 open at Williton so that visitors will be able to view the progress on the restoration of the vehicle. Donations towards the Heritage Carriages Project at either location will of course be most gratefully received plus any offers of practical help with the restoration of these historic carriages. Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala.
16 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| No 5029 becomes No 5026 for the Autumn Steam Gala |
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For its Autumn Steam Gala visit to the West Somerset Railway between 3 and 6 October GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 no 5029 Nunney Castle will temporarily assume the identity of long-vanished class mate Criccieth Castle (no 5026). The necessary nameplates plus the cabside and smokebox number plates are being manufactured ahead of the Gala. No 5026 was built at Swindon in April 1934 (a month before 5029) and withdrawn in November 1964 (eleven months after 5029). Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala. For those wishing to see Nunney Castle arrive on the Minehead Branch, it is due to arrive at Fairwater Yard (Taunton) at 11.16am on Monday 16 September, held there until the daily ballast train returns from the Norton Triangles, and then due to leave Fairwater at 1.10pm for Bishops Lydeard.
14 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Open Day at Washford (Machynlleth) Station during Autumn Steam Gala |
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The provisional list is available for the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust's events and activities for the Open Day on 5 October at Washford Station (to be known as Machynlleth during the Cambrian Railways themed Autumn Steam Gala). The Museum opens at 10am, then at 11am comes the re-dedication of Peckett 0-4-0ST Kilmersdon and celebration of the ongoing restoration of SDJR First Class coach no 4. At noon, there is live music with the "Joe Burt Experience" [pics]. From 1.30pm SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 and Kilmersdon - both in the famous S&DJR Prussian Blue livery - will be lined up for photographers. At 2.30pm there will be, subject to numbers, a series of shunting demonstrations using one of the two steam locos. Meanwhile, a video of Kilmersdon at work with Driver Herbie Loader at the colliery will be showing in the visitor centre; a demonstration of the peat works loco; and narrow gauge live steam rides. All subject to availability. Full details of the Autumn Steam Gala...
14 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Somerset CAMRA Ale Train Evening Special |
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News of a special evening excursion on Saturday 28 September from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back in partnership with Somerset CAMRA. Enjoy a forty mile steam hauled round trip whilst sampling the best in local beers - and there is also an optional fish and chips meal! Departing Bishops Lydeard Station at 6.30pm for the scenic journey to Minehead, enjoy the delights of the range of beers produced by guest brewery Glastonbury Ales. and meet the brewer on the train. Perhaps take the option to start the evening with a fish and chips supper. The Buffet Car and Bar will be open serving light snacks, hot beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the journey. Full details...
14 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Book signings during the Autumn Steam Gala |
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Kate Beard, the retail manager at Bishops Lydeard Station, has arranged visits by authors during the Autumn Steam Gala. On Thursday 3 October, Roger Hardingham (Kingfisher) will be at the Station Shop with "The Barry Story" and "Railway Round-up"; whilst Terry Small (pictured left) will be signing copies of his humorous "Don't Tell The Management" on Friday 4 October. On both days of the weekend, 5 and 6 October, Alan Hammond will be in attendance signing copies of his "Sixties Boys On Tour".
14 September 2013
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| Autumn Steam Gala - various bits of information |
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In an effort to keep folks up to speed with the Autumn Steam Gala event we have cobbled together some notes gleaned from Facebook. Minehead Station's Turntable Cafe will be open breakfasts, bacon baps, pasties and burgers, teas, coffees, hot chocolate with treats including fresh cakes and bread pudding; plus Cambrian Specials including Welsh cakes, Bara Brith and Welsh Rarebit. Also, a pasty van nearby selling hot Cornish pasties and other goodies. The Railway have issued a list of steam locomotives planned to be working each day. Meanwhile, SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 (a super machine but by no means a Cambrian loco) will be at the yard at Washford Station during the Gala, and GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 will be on 'Driver for a Fiver' duty at Minehead Station.
12 September 2013
Details gleaned from various postings on Facebook
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| A Pop Up Museum opens in Minehead |
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Following the success of the Pop Up Art Gallery exhibitions at the former Visitor Centre on Minehead seafront, the temporary use of the building is to finish the season with a Pop Up Museum. "The Development of Victorian Minehead" exhibition, organised by Minehead Museum Group, will run from 15 September to 29 September inclusive, between 10am to 4pm each day. The exhibition will tell the story of how Minehead developed into a thriving seaside resort, thanks to the coming of the railway and the efforts of the then lord of the manor, George Fownes Luttrell. Minehead has a wealth of attractive and important buildings designed and erected in Victorian times. More about this on Facebook...
12 September 2013
Details via Facebook from The Minehead Vision Manager
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| August was a busy month for the West Somerset Railway |
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The West Somerset Railway report a healthy increase in passenger numbers. The Railway say "Our targets for August were a stiff task so it is very pleasing to be able to report that our passenger figures were up by 6.1% compared with the same month in 2012 with 38,458 travelling on the West Somerset Railway trains." And they also point out that a busy railway is also good for the local economy as passengers spend time in the local area. Well done to everyone working hard to bring success to the West Somerset Railway.
11 September 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| John Irven appointed West Somerset Railway Plc Chairman Elect |
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At its meeting on 7 September 2013, the Board of the West Somerset Railway Plc unanimously agreed that Professor John Irven be appointed as Chairman Elect in succession to Humphrey Davies. The WSR Plc report "Humphrey, who has been Chairman of the Plc for four years and associated with the Railway for over 24 years announced his intention to stand down for family reasons at the Company Annual General Meeting in June this year. Humphrey will remain a Director of the Board and will continue to offer his extensive knowledge and expertise of the WSR and the wider heritage railway scene to the PLC and as a volunteer driver. John Irven, who has been a Board Director since 2011 and interim Vice Chairman, becomes Chairman Elect with immediate effect. There will be a period of transition and handover with the appointment becoming substantive from 1 January 2014. John brings a wealth of business and leadership experience to the Chairmanship of the Plc His current other positions include those of Visiting Professor, Queen Mary University of London, Member of Governing Council and Chair of Research Board TWI (The Welding Institute) Cambridge, an elected member of Watchet Town Council, as well as chairing various voluntary groups in Watchet where he now lives. This is a planned development which is part of a wider process of enabling the West Somerset Railway to grow as an organisation and respond to the heritage, commercial and tourism opportunities and challenges that lie ahead."
11 September 2013
Details via Facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| South West Heritage Steam features in a Devon Photo Exhibition |
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As part of the 'Devon Open Studios Arts Festival', steam enthusiast and photographer Adrian Harris with the help of two friends turned an old barn into an art and photo exhibition space for their work - which will be on display for one week only. Adrian has been in love with steam since the age of four when his widowed mother regularly took him to Rougement Gardens which overlooked Exeter Central Station. He is a frequent visitor at all the heritage railways in the south west soaking up the atmosphere with camera in hand and for the first time is exhibiting his work to the public. At Oak Farm he is exhibiting a large selection of work, the majority of which features images portraying the 'Majesty of Steam - some of which are on enormous canvases. Running from September 8th - 15th. The exhibition is at Oak Farm,
Tedburn St Mary, near Exeter, Devon EX6 6AW. Opening times are 10am - 5pm plus a late night Thursday 7.30pm - 9pm. Some of Adrian's work can be see on this website...
9 September 2013
Details from Adrian Harris
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| Beer prices held for Real Ale Festival at Minehead Station this weekend |
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Beer prices held. Somerset CAMRA are pleased to announce beer prices will again be held at £3/pint (£1.50/half) for this weekend's festival. To speed up service the CAMRA team will be selling "starter packs" on the steam train service departing Bishops Lydeard at 10.25 on Saturday morning. The starter pack will cost £15 and comprise of a souvenir pint glass (with half pint measure mark) featuring a GWR Manor class steam locomotive; tokens to the value of £12, equivalent to four pints or eight half pints; and an event programme listing the beer and cider menu. Purchasing a starter pack on the train will avoid queuing on arrival at Minehead. Somerset CAMRA suggest "Straight to the bar then!" Full details of the event.
5 September 2013
Details from Somerset CAMRA
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| Real Ale Festival - Beer and Cider Lists now available |
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The 14th annual CAMRA Real Ale Festival, organised and staffed by members of the Somerset Branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale), takes place at Minehead Station on 7 and 8 September 2013. Somerset CAMRA have advised that the provisional Beer List and Cider List are now available for download. Expect around 100 different brews to be on sale when the Festival opens. Entry to the Festival is free but visitors will need to buy a Souvenir Festival Glass or a cheaper plastic alternative. Full details.
3 September 2013
Details from Somerset CAMRA
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| A Fun and Friendly General Knowledge Quiz Night |
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There will be a Fun and Friendly General Knowledge Quiz Night on Saturday 21 September 2013 at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall. The evening is organised by 5542 Ltd who invite teams of up to six people to participate at £5 per head (to include light refreshments). Bring your own drinks. Prizes for the winning team. Arrive from 7.30pm for a prompt start at 8.00pm. Book your team by 18 September at the latest - by email or leave a message on 01823 257635.
1 September 2013
Details via Locomotive 5542 Ltd
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| Crowcombe Heathfield Station and the World's Biggest Coffee Morning |
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Come along to Crowcombe Heathfield Station on Friday 27 September 2013 from 10.30am. The Station folks are once again taking part in "The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning" in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Delicious homemade cakes, tea, coffee, gossip are all on the menu along with steam trains calling all day long. All the proceeds go to Macmillan nurses who have helped so many families in times of illness. If you can't come, but would still like to make a donation, please drop your contribution into the station at anytime between now and the end of September.
1 September 2013
Details from Crowcombe Heathfield Station via WSR Plc
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