| Old comrades meet again on the West Somerset Railway |
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98 years after they were together in France during the Great War, two old comrades briefly met on the West Somerset Railway. GWR 2-6-0 no 5322 went to France during the First World War, and hauled ammunition trains from Calais to the main Allied depot at Audruicq which served the Western Front. At the weekend, during the Spring Steam Gala, whilst on every journey through Williton, the loco passed GWR Toplight no 3639 (under the green tarpaulin). No 3639 was converted to an ambulance coach in 1916 and also spent three years in France carrying wounded soldiers back from the front to Calais and to other ports and hospitals around Boulogne and Abbeville. So, two old comrades, next to each other, some 98 years after their military service abroad. Information and picture from Chris Austin of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust.
31 March 2014
Details from West Somerset Steam Railway Trust 
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| Spring Steam Gala is a major success for West Somerset Railway |
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The West Somerset Railway enjoyed a very welcome success with its Spring Steam Gala held over the four days 27 to 30 March. 5,130 passengers travelled on the 20 miles of line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead and fare revenues for this year's Spring Gala were higher than for the nine day Spring Steam Gala in 2013 by 19%. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare commented "After a period of early season concern over passenger loadings and the general downturn in tourism business in the county as a whole, reflecting the inaccurate impression that we have all been flooded, it was great to see busy trains and people out and about enjoying themselves. As well as enthusiasts from all over the country, many of whom spent one or more nights with local accommodation providers, there was a good level of family business clearly visible particularly during the excellent spring weather on Saturday and Sunday." Nine steam engines in total featured in the event. Unfortunately one of the hired-in guests, SR Pacific no 34070 Manston suffered a failure on Friday morning which put it out of rest of the event and disrupted the timetable on that day but the remaining trio of visitors Nos 34007, 31806 and 5322 worked all their trains as intended alongside WSR residents nos 7828, 6960, 4160, 3850 and 88. On Friday and Saturday the small tank engine Kilmersdon operated "Driver for a Fiver" operations at Minehead Station. Retail operations and catering on the WSR also had a busy time and the staff of England's longest heritage railway are now looking forward to a busy Easter Holiday period and a successful remainder of 2014.
31 March 2014
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc 
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| Helping families affected by flooding on the Somerset Levels |
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The West Somerset Railway - within the 96% of the county which was not flooded in the winter - is one of the organisations offering some relief to the unfortunate residents of the areas which did find themselves under water and coping with all the unpleasant after effects. Following an approach by Denise Sage of Porlock Tourist Information Centre the Railway is supplying a batch of family tickets to the FLAG appeal so that some of those affected by the flooding can enjoy a day out on England's longest heritage line.
26 March 2014
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Limited car parking at Bishops Lydeard Station... |
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Visitors arriving by car for the Spring Steam Gala are advised that car parking at Bishops Lydeard Station will be limited as the waterlogged field normally used for overflow parking is not available. If the area enjoys a spell of dry weather between now and the weekend then some limited use of the field may be possible, but no guarantees. Other options for car-borne visitors are the council run pay and display car parks at Minehead and Watchet, and a very limited number of spaces at other WSR stations, except Doniford. Another option is to park in Taunton and use the Buses of Somerset Route 28 to Bishops Lydeard Station (half hourly on Thu, Fri, Sat, and hourly on Sun). For full details of the Spring Steam Gala please click here.
24 March 2014
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Along the line during the Spring Steam Gala... |
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Lots of things to see and do during the Spring Steam Gala - and the trains are ideal for getting to and from the attractions. Here are some ideas: the railway museums at Bishops Lydeard, Williton, Washford and Blue Anchor; model railways at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead; the Railway Literature Fair at Minehead; a curragh is being built at the Beach Hotel, opposite Minehead Station; and lots more besides. For more information please click here. For full details of the Spring Steam Gala please click here.
24 March 2014
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Tender conumdrum answered and update on Souvenir Programmes... |
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Tender conumdrum answered and update on Souvenir Programmes. John Simms, WSR's Publicity Officer writes "Some visitors to the WSR and linesiders have asked why the paint schemes for SR 4-6-2 no 34007 Wadebridge and the tender accompanying it during its visit to the WSR do not match. The answer is simple. The regular tender is under repair. Meanwhile the Souvenir Programmes for the Gala arrived from the printers this morning. Those ordered in advance went out in the afternoon post and the supplies for the stations will reach them as the 10.15am from Minehead makes its way along the line on Saturday morning. The price of the programme is £3 over the station counters." For full details of the Spring Steam Gala please click here.
21 March 2014
Details via facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| On the day before the fun starts...a fun day is promised. |
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It is not technically a Gala day but Wednesday 26 March is shaping up to be a very interesting day with lots of steam haulage and a mixture of local and non-stop trains. Amongst the highlights, visiting engine SR 4-6-2 no 34007 Wadebridge will haul the 10.25am non-stopper from Minehead, whilst SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 heads a local stopper from Minehead to Williton and later runs light engine from Minehead to Washford. Meanwhile, GWR 4-6-0 no 7828 Odney Manor will work two return trips and GWR 4-6-0 no 6960 Raveningham Hall has a non-stop run from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. Later, Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 Kilmersdon travels light engine from Washford to Minehead. More information about Wednesday 26 March can be found here and for full details of the Spring Steam Gala itself please click here.
17 March 2014
Details via facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| A twelve coach train, fish and chips, real ale... |
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The West Somerset Railway has announced news of a rather special train due to run on the evening of Friday 6 June 2014 as part of the Mixed Traction Weekend. A twelve coach train will make a return trip over the Minehead Branch with passengers able to make the most of a real ale bar and also perhaps enjoy fish and chips. More details are promised soon. Diesel enthusiasts will be pleased with the confirmation to the Mixed Traction Weekend of visiting diesel hydraulic locos Class 42 Warship no D821 Greyhound and Class 52 Western no D1015 Western Champion.
16 March 2014
Details via facebook from West Somerset Railway Plc
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| Preparing for the Steam Rally at the Norton Fields... |
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Volunteers from the West Somerset Railway Association have been busy at the Norton Triangle in the last week. The small field near the platform has been enlarged slightly following the slight re-alignment of one of the ditches. Other ditches have been cleared. A gap has been created in the hedge near the platform as part of a project to lay a new stone-surfaced track from the platform to the main site; this will greatly improve the access to the site for Steam Rally visitors arriving by train. Elsewhere, improved fencing has been installed at the crossing near Orchard Junction. For more about the Steam Faye and Vintage Vehicle Rally please click here.
15 March 2014
Details from West Somerset Railway Association 
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| The Quantock Belle 2014 Programme now available... |
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The West Somerset Railway Association has released full details of the Quantock Belle Dining Train programme for 2014. Start planning your special day out - visit the Quantock Belle page on the WSRA website or simply download the 2014 leaflet. Find out details of the Sunday Luncheon, the Saturday Dinner, the Christmas Specials and more, including new for 2014 the private hire and exclusive use of the superbly finished Hawksworth Saloon!
5 March 2014
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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