| WSRA Taunton Group Meetings and Annual Photo Competition |
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The West Somerset Railway Association Annual Photographic Competition will be presented by Ian Aldridge on the evening of 5 January 2015 at the next meeting of the Taunton Group. See Association website  for full details of the competition - briefly, there are four categories 'Steam', 'Modern Traction', 'Landscape' and a new section 'Other modes of transport', photos can be formatted on memory stick, disc, slide or photo prints colour or black and white. All material submitted must have been taken during 2014 and there are cash prizes for 1st and 2nd in each class. The Taunton Group meetings are normally held on the first Monday of every month between September and May, unless stated otherwise, at the Great Western Sports & Athletics Club, Station Approach, Taunton at 7.30pm for 7.45pm. Topics at future meetings include a David Oldham presentation on 6 March and a Mike Curtis presentation on 18 May on Tornado and the P2 Project. Please note the April and May meeting will be re-scheduled to the following dates, 20 April and 18 May, due to Bank Holidays. For more information contact Ian Aldridge on ianaldridge62@talktalk.net or ring 01823 430194
30 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway Association
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| Heavy goods engine GWR 2-8-0T no 4270 for 2015 Spring Steam Gala |
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Great Western Railway heavy goods 2-8-0T no 4270 has been added to the line-up of guest engines for the West Somerset Railway 2015 Spring Steam Gala, joining 'Small Prairie' no 5542 and 56xx Class 0-6-2T no 6695 and Minehead based residents nos 3850, 4160, 4936 Kinlet Hall, 6960 Raveningham Hall and 7828 Odney Manor. No 4270 was built at Swindon in 1919 and was withdrawn in 1962. It emerged from Barry Scrapyard in 1985 and is now owned by Mr Jeremy Hosking, normally being based on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. It is unusual amongst the surviving members of the class in having the original inside steam pipes. More guest locos are being sought for the Spring event.
27 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Discounted advance purchase fares during English Tourism Week in 2015 |
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The West Somerset Railway - England's longest heritage railway - is offering special bookable in advance discounted tickets during English Tourism Week, 14 to 22 March 2015, for round trips over the twenty miles of line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead on 14, 15, 21, 22 March 2015. The reduced fares will be £14 per adult, £12 per senior and £7 per child aged 5 to 15; the tickets can be purchased via www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or by telephone from 01643 704996 until close of business on Friday 6 March 2015. General Manager Paul Conibeare is pleased that the Railway will be taking part in English Tourism Week, commenting "Spring is a good time to visit Somerset to get an early feel for the sunny months to come and to see the countryside emerging from its dormant period once again. Tourism is an essential part of the local economy and as one of the biggest attractions in the county we will be delighted to support English Tourism Week with this package of discounted fares."
23 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Special afternoon excursion fares for the Watchet Afternoon Explorer |
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In a new venture for 2015 the West Somerset Railway is introducing a ticket for an afternoon round trip at a discounted price between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet. Called the Watchet Afternoon Explorer this will offer passengers a chance to leave Bishops Lydeard by the 2.35pm steam train, arriving at the old harbour town at 3.20pm. The return is by the 4.57pm steam train due back at Bishops Lydeard at 5.36pm (or if preferred the 5.51pm when the yellow timetable is in operation due back at 6.27pm). The tickets must be purchased in advance and cost £7.00 adult, £5.00 senior and £3.50 for a child aged 5 to 15. Watchet is an historic harbour town with the harbour now in use as a marina. There are narrow streets, small independent shops and a choice of pubs and other places to eat and drink. There is a town museum and the Boat Museum is housed in the former railway goods shed adjacent to the station.
23 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The West Somerset Railway features in new Great Escapes video |
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Great Escapes in Somerset and Exmoor is a new promotion by Visit Exmoor, Visit Someret and Green Traveller describing places to stay, places to eat, attractions and activities. A short video and an electronic publication give a glimpse of what Somerset and Exmoor can offer. The area's heritage railways are not forgotten and the video has a couple of shots of the West Somerset Railway in action. There is much to do and see in Somerset and Exmoor - even locals might be surprised. Have a look at the video and read the publication at Visit Exmoor to find out more.
23 December 2014
Details provided by Visit Exmoor
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| Six steam hauled railtours from Paddington to Minehead for summer 2015 |
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The Railway Touring Club have announced six steam hauled railtours from London Paddington to Minehead and return in summer 2015. The West Somerset Steam Express will also call at Slough, Reading and Newbury on Saturdays 25 July, 8, 15, 22 and 29 August and 19 September 2015. At Bishops Lydeard a WSR steam locomotive will take over the train for the remainder of the journey to Minehead where passengers will have more than two hours at the seaside resort. A WSR steam locomotive will then haul the train to Bishops Lydeard to be replaced by the main line steam locomotive for the run back to London. For full information please see the page on the Railway Touring Club.
22 December 2014
Details provided by local correspondent
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| The scaffolding comes off to reveal a very smart Minehead Signal Box |
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As the remainder of the scaffolding is gradually removed, a now pristine Minehead Signal Box is emerging. The box has been externally refurbished and completely repainted, and is all ready for the Christmas and New Year period. The ever busy Friends of Minehead Station funded the work which has been undertaken by a Minehead firm and local employees.
22 December 2014
Details provided by Friends of Minehead Station
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| A holiday message from the Chairman of WSR Plc |
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John Irven, WSR Plc Chairman, has kindly provided a holiday message.
"I would like to wish all staff, volunteers, employees, directors and supporters a wonderful holiday season and good fortune into 2015.
2014 as my first year as Chairman has continued to be a challenging one for our Railway, resulting from a number of external factors not always within our control. The difficult overall economic climate was exacerbated by the unprecedented flooding early in the season which significantly reduced visitors to Somerset as a whole, and to the WSR in particular. From a > 30% reduction in passenger numbers during the springtime, we have managed to recover to approx 98% of 2013 levels by November through a lot of hard work by everyone. We will still end the year considerably short of income, but by a deal of effort in controlling our costs, discounting to help recover passenger numbers, and through using some exceptional income items, we hope to be able to still 'break even' by the 2014 year end. In 2015, however, we will need additional efforts to ensure that we maintain a sustainable business where operating income exceeds expenditures, including having to increase fares after 3 years of being able to hold them fixed.
We do have some good news and 'green shoots' - December passenger numbers and revenues have exceeded 2013 levels, and offer prospects of improvement continuing in 2015.
On the other matter that has continued to exercise us greatly, we will continue to manage the ongoing complex interactions with Somerset County Council, who together with other local authorities, partners and support organisations, have enthusiastically joined our new partnership development stakeholder group. In 2015 our meetings to discuss the ongoing strategies needed for the whole railway will be building on the promising start made in 2014, together with both direct and facilitated parallel discussions with partners to resolve commercial issues.
In conclusion, I wish to pass on the thanks of the whole board for everyone's efforts in 2014, and look forward to your continuing support in 2015."
22 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Pictures of Large Prairie no 4160 at Millbay in 1981 |
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Andy Best has kindly sent images of the West Somerset Railway's long serving BR(W) Large Prairie 2-6-2T no 4160 whilst it was in store at Millbay, Plymouth in the summer of 1981. No 4160 was initially purchased for preservation by the Birmingham Railway Museum at Tyseley, departing from Barry in August 1974. However, little restoration work was carried out. In 1981, it was purchased for use on the embryonic Plym Valley Railway by a consortium of shareholders, moving initially to the Plymouth Exhibition Centre at Millbay in May 1981, and then to the PVR's Marsh Mills site in March 1982. Restoration was commenced and the locomotive stripped down. In 1989 the owning group, 4160 Limited, decided that the interests of the locomotive would be better served by moving it to a new home on an established railway for restoration to be completed. A share scheme was set up enabling the WSR Association to become a major shareholder in the engine. No 4160 arrived as a kit of parts at Minehead on 12 April 1990. Full restoration work commenced in the autumn of 1990. The locomotive formally entered service on the WSR on 6 August 1993 and has been a successful and popular performer on the line. The images can be seen on the The Old Days in Pictures - 1980s page.
21 December 2014
Details provided by local correspondent
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| The Third Transport Literature Festival at Minehead Station |
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The West Somerset Railway's Spring Steam Gala will once again feature a Transport Literature Festival, sharing a marquee outside Minehead Station with a small model railway exhibition. This will be the third year for the Fair and Exhibition which has become a popular part of the attractions of the annual event. The 2015 event will be open to the public on 27 to 29 March and invitations are being sent out by WSR Retail Manager Colin Howard to publishers, inviting them to attend. It is also usual for some authors to attend for at least part of one day. Admission to the Festival is free to West Somerset Railway ticket holders. The Model Railway Exhibition is organised by the Exmoor Coastal Modelling Group and although small in terms of numbers of layouts on display has been well-received by visitors happy to pay the small admission charge to their section of the marquee. Apart from the Festival organising Colin is also busy with arranging the licensing of the various stall holders which traditionally feature under the canopy area of Minehead station during Galas. These are a mixture of sales stands with railway related items for sale and fund-raising/publicity stands for new build locomotives. For more information about this please contact Colin via shop@wsrail.net.
15 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Just a handful of Santa tickets left on the Minehead Santa Specials |
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With five more train operating days until Christmas there are no seats left for sale on the Santa trains from Bishops Lydeard and the Santa Expresses from Minehead on Monday 22 December are also fully sold out. However there are still seats remaining on the Santa Special trains between Minehead and Blue Anchor on the 20, 21 and 24 December. The departures times from Minehead are at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm and tickets can be bought online at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or call 01643 704996.
15 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Most trains now full but there's still space on some trains this weekend |
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With the big day getting closer the number of available seats for the Festive Season trains is becoming thin and for Santa Specials between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield the remaining seats on the 1.05pm and 3.05pm on Saturday 13 December will effectively close the market. The Santa Express services are sold out all the way through now. Luckily there are still Santa Special seats available between Minehead and Blue Anchor on Sunday 14 December. The trains will leave Minehead at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm and all have a good amount of available space for advance booking via 01643 704996 or on the day at Minehead Booking Office. For those who would like a 'children free' seasonal steam train trip it will be possible to go to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 13 December and buy tickets at the Booking Office for the Sherry and Mince Pie Specials for the round trip to Williton and back leaving at 10.10am, 12.20pm and 2.35pm. There is also plenty of space on the 10.10am on Sunday 14 December for those who would like a steam train trip before lunch or shopping.
12 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| West Somerset Railway features in latest Railway Modeller magazine |
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The free DVD that comes with the January 2015 edition of the popular Railway Modeller magazine carries two items covering the West Somerset Railway. One features volunteering on the WSR, following a day with Guard Nigel Mann, and interviews with Operating Superintendent Steve Martin and General Manager Paul Conibeare; and the second item looks at the Taunton Model Railway Club's model of Bishops Lydeard Station which is still under construction and not yet on view to the public. A preview can be viewed here
11 December 2014
Details provided by local correspondent
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| The Quantock Belle run on 7 December a perfect start to Christmas |
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The Quantock Belle first class dining train looked lovely in its Christmas finery and red and gold table decorations, and the stage was set for a great day out. A group of delighted passengers enjoyed their Christmas Lunch with all of the trimmings on the way to Minehead, and a seasonal fare afternoon tea on the return journey. The WSRA office received telephone calls on the next morning from four groups of passengers saying what a great day they had, and promises that they would be booking again next year. Comments included
| · | a perfect day out! |
| · | a brilliant start to Christmas! |
| · | special thanks to your volunteers who made our day so enjoyable! |
| · | everything was wonderful! |
| · | our Christmas Lunch was delicious! |
| · | what a wonderful day - we will be booking next year for our anniversary! |
8 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway Association
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| West Somerset Railway supports the December Drink Drive campaign |
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The West Somerset Railway have staged a scene in support of Avon and Somerset Police's December Drink Drive campaign. On Friday night over 70 road users were checked in Minehead, and the WSR encourages the use of public transport wherever possible. In the picture, Barry Love assists the local constabulary by taking a breathaliser test from the footplate of BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160 at Bishops Lydeard Station. We are assured Barry's test was negative as expected.
8 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Class 09 no D4107 pays a visit to the seaside |
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Following completion of its repaint at Washford, BR Class 09 diesel shunter no 09019 - now known by its original number of D4107 - made an appearance at Minehead in connection with its owning group's Annual General Meeting. Four weeks of hard work by painter Richard Hiscox and his able assistant Harry Howe have seen the loco transformed into a shining example of what it would have been like when it first entered BR service in 1961. It was stabled next to the WSR's Class 03 shunter no D2133 also the recipient of a 'Hiscox Repaint' in recent weeks. In a few days, the 09 will head back to base at Bishops Lydeard.
6 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| West Somerset Railway features in latest Coach Monthly magazine |
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One of the results of the Familiarisation Visit organised jointly by Antony Brunt of the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster, Steve Reed Tourism and John Simms of the WSR Commercial Department is a three page article in the latest edition of 'Coach Monthly' magazine. Written by the editor Stuart Render it covers the Railway, Dunster, Minehead and the attractions of Exmoor plus the Hotel. The magazine can be read online and the coverage starts on page 18.
5 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The last trips for SDJR no 88 before overhaul... |
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The blue liveried SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 88 makes its final public runs under its present boiler ticket on the Bishops Lydeard diagram on Saturday 27 December 2014. The next day, the 7F will head the Quantock Belle luxury dining train and then be retired to shed pending a heavy overhaul. When that overhaul is complete, the loco will appear in BR Black with the later BR crest - perhaps a more authentic finish to the famous, and rather splendid, Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway prussian blue livery it currently wears. No 88 - it will resume its BR number 53808 - will attend the Spring Steam Gala in 2016, an event themed around the Somerset & Dorset line which closed in 1966. The last runs are, of course, subject to availabiity.
4 December 2014
Details gleaned from S&DJR Yahoo Group
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| Many festive-themed steam trains over the next few days... |
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For those who are still thinking about travelling to Dunster by Candlelight by steam train there are still seats available on the 4.30pm and a few on the 5.30pm departures from Bishops Lydeard on Friday 5 December.
Saturday's weather forecast promises a sunny day so why not enjoy a 20 mile round trip between Bishops Lydeard and Williton on a Sherry and Mince Pie Special? There are seats available on the 10.10am, 12.20pm and 2.35pm departures from Bishops Lydeard. Or maybe do the trip on Sunday - there are seats on the 10.10am or 12.20pm departures. The Santa Expresses are full sold out on both Saturday and Sunday (and in fact all the way now to Christmas) but there are seats still available on the 10.40am, 1.05pm and 3.05pm Santa Specials from Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 7 December. Or for an evening out with traditional songs there are still seats available on the Carol Trains on the evenings of the 8, 9 and 10 December. To book seats on these Festive Trains please call today on 01643 704996. For details of the rest of the Santa Specials and Sherry and Mince Pie Specials see www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.
4 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The Steam Trust publish new policy on grants |
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At their latest meeting, the Trustees of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust agreed a new policy on making grants to other bodies. This recognises that there may be situations where, for example, the Trust has received a donation in respect of a heritage project being undertaken by another body, and sets out the criteria the Trustees will use in deciding on whether to make a grant. See the news page of the Steam Trust website for the new policy. The Trust have also updated the membership page and membership application form.
2 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
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| Announcing the 2015 Ladies Day at Minehead Station... |
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Following the success of the first Ladies Day at Minehead Station in 2014 the organising team have announced the event will take place again on Bank Holiday Saturday 2 May 2015. The range of things to experience and buy will once again be very varied including alternative therapies, local crafts, clothing and food producers. Developing the idea of the market further, the 2015 event will have a theme - the Art Deco period of the 1920s. Anyone wishing to take a stall at Ladies Day in 2015 should contact the Minehead Stationmaster Pam Hawkins or Lynda Fleet of the Retail Department via 01643 704996 or info@wsrail.net in the first place.
2 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The 2014 Recovery Programme |
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The West Somerset Railway report "As always our final passenger figure for the year will hinge around the success of the Christmas period trains including the operations between December 27th and 31st (the January 1st passenger figure will start the 2015 graph on its way). However one question we have been asked is how we have recovered from the slow start to 2014 when much of the country and some of the overseas market were convinced that Somerset as a whole was flooded. The figures make interesting reading. At the end of March we were some 36% down on the same point in 2013. By the end of May after Easter and the Bank Holidays it was 18% down and by the end of June 11%. At the end of October we had narrowed this further to a deficit of 3%." The recovery is clearly helped by the great efforts made by the Railway's commercial team along with the many supporters who spread the word.
2 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The loop extension project at Williton gets underway |
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Work is now underway on the Williton Loop project. Writing on the Staff Website, the WSR's General Manager, Paul Conibeare reports "The first phase is to construct the the foundations for the new bridge and other work to the culvert. This work involves close consultation with the Environment Agency. The design for the steel bridge section is nearing completion and this will shortly be put out to tender, and both WSR plc engineering department and West Somerset Restoration will be among those invited to tender. The plan is to construct and instal the bridge by Easter. All this work can be undertaken without affecting the operating railway. Future phases comprise installation of new point work and, in association with this, major changes to signalling systems. Because Williton signal box is listed, we will also have to work with the local council to obtain the necessary consents. We now expect further work affecting the operation of the railway to be undertaken after the 2015 operating season, and that the new infrastructure and signalling to be fully operational by the spring of the 2016 season."
1 December 2014
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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