| The WSRA 2015 Annual General Meeting - trustee election hustings |
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A reminder that the Annual General Meeting of the West Somerset Railway Association will be held in July 2015. Full details will appear on the WSRA website and the Journal in due course. One third of the current trustee board, maybe as many as three, are due to retire on rotation; at this stage it is not known if those trustees will seek re-election. Other trustee places might be available due to trustee resignations during the current reporting year. As with 2014, it is quite possible this year's trustee elections will see a large number of candidates. In 2014, the WSRA management felt it necessary, unfairly in our view, to issue a further canvassing message in favour of the trustees standing for re-election, a canvassing opportunity not offered to the other candidates. To help all trustee candidates get their message to WSRA members in 2015, this unofficial WSR website will carry an election "hustings" page with copies of the standard minimal official candidate statements (if these are issued by the WSRA) plus a further area on the page for candidates to express a fuller account, if they so wish. WSRA members may have heard of a proposed extraordinary general meeting (EGM) being promoted by some WSRA members who are keen for a few changes, including the removal of named trustees, prior to the AGM itself; if the EGM is held and if its resolutions, as currently proposed, are carried then a greater number of trustee board vacancies may be available. Everyone will want to avoid the difficulties experienced during the two-stage 2014 AGM and we hope all members of the Association will show fairness, courtesy, patience and dignity before, during and after the AGM.
31 January 2015
Details provided by wsr.org.uk
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| Draft minutes of second Partnership Development Group meeting |
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The draft minutes of the second meeting of the new West Somerset Railway Partnership Development Group (PDG) are now available. It has to be stressed that these minutes are draft only and will be submitted for approval at the next meeting due on 9 March 2015. Click here to download the document in PDF format.
30 January 2015
Details provided by the WSR Partnership Development Group
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| No 6705 enjoys the attention of the latest Trust working party |
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Claire Sheppy from the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust provides this update on GWR BCK no 6705, part of the Heritage Railway Carriages project. "The latest work party was held on Sunday 25 January 2015. All of the large windows on the corridor side have now been replaced with the correct rounded corners to the window panes, and an excellent standard of woodwork has been achieved to hold them in place. Meanwhile removal of the external paintwork has continued, removing paint right down to the bare metal, as we have not been satisfied with the bonding characteristics of the primer that we first used. We shall reapply a different primer this time, one which is more guaranteed to achieve a key onto galvanised metal sheet."
27 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust 
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| The Partnership Development Group first meeting - minutes available |
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The minutes of the inaugural meeting of the new West Somerset Railway Partnership Development Group (PDG) are now available. Included in the minutes are the Terms of Reference for the PDG which might be useful to reproduce here: "To act as a discussion forum and information exchange to disseminate and share information on developments affecting the WSR partners and organizations across the WSR. To enable each participant to influence and inform the plans and projects of the other stakeholders and to be a platform for dissemination and sharing of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that such developments are mutually compatible". Steve Williams was elected as Chairman for the group's first year. Click here to download the document in PDF format.
27 January 2015
Details provided by the WSR Partnership Development Group
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| Ivatt Mickey Mouse no 46521 for the Spring Steam Gala |
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The West Somerset Railway has added Ivatt 2MT Mogul no 46521 to the line-up of guest engines for the 2015 Spring Steam Gala between 26 and 29 March. Normally based on the Great Central Railway the 'Mickey Mouse' will be the first of its class to run on the WSR although no 78019 of the BR Standard Class development of the type has made one previous appearance in a WSR Gala. The 46xxx Class 'Moguls' were not generally associated with South Wales (the theme of the four days is "Steam in South Wales") but they were regular performers on the former Mid-Wales Railway route between Brecon and Moat Lane Junction in its final years. Full details of the Spring Steam Gala.
27 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The West Somerset Railway Association Taunton Group meetings |
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The West Somerset Railway Association Taunton Group meetings are held on the first Monday of every month between September and May unless stated otherwise. Meetings are held at the Great Western Sports & Athletics Club, Station Approach, Taunton at 7.30pm for 7.45pm. The next event is on 2 February 2015 with WSRA archive slides from 1985 by kind permission of Ian Coleby presented by Ian Aldridge. Forthcoming events include a David Oldham presentation on 6 March (details to follow), a Peter Triggs slide presentation on 20 April entitled 'In Town Tonight', a Mike Curtis presentation on 18 May on the Tornado and P2 projects, and on 7 September a Mike Stollery presentation about the Swanage Railway 'From the heydays of BR, the rundown and closure, to the planned new service into Wareham'. Please note the April and May meetings are rescheduled to the following dates due to Bank Holidays, 20 April and 18 May. For more information contact Ian Aldridge on ianaldridge62@talktalk.net or ring 01823 430194.
26 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway Association
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| The third newsletter from the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust |
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The latest newsletter is now available from the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust. The main feature - "Blue Anchor Station 100 years ago" - discusses a copy of an original GWR signalbox diagram from Blue Anchor which is a recent addition to the Trust's archive collection. Other articles include "Progress on 6705" and "Bishops Lydeard developments". There is also an update on the Museum at Blue Anchor, a financial report and details of Trust membership. Click here to read the newsletter [PDF]
26 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
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| Update report on the overhaul of the two Williton tank locos |
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Ryan Pope from West Somerset Restoration reports progress with the two tank locos currently undergoing overhaul at Williton. All work on the bottom end is complete on Barclay 0-4-0ST no 1219 which now awaits the boiler. The latter is on the home straight with most new stays now in and the fitting of 65 new tubes; meantime, the regulator has passed a hydraulic test. When assembly is complete it is onward to the various tests. The more recent arrival, an outside cylinder Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T no 1857, built in 1954, is part way though a major overhaul. It has yet to run in preservation. The team at Williton have started to put this loco back together but will fully start the overhaul when the Barclay is running. No 1857 will carry a blue livery with NCB on the sides to reflect its former working life. So far, the main frames have been sandblasted and undercoated, and the buffer beams have been replaced.
25 January 2015
Details provided by local correspondent
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| WSR website gets a new look and so does the timetable booklet |
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The WSR Plc's website has enjoyed a heavy overhaul and now has a fresh clean look as it presents the railway to the online world. The usual features are there and easy to find the colourful balanced front page - news, timetable, tickets, events and specials. Check out the new look WSR website. Meantime, the 16-page, one-third A4, 2015 timetable booklet has also been released in a striking design with reds and blues dominating the pages which carry lots and lots of information.
22 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The Association has issued the latest WSR Journal to members... |
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Journal no 148 has been sent out to members of the West Somerset Railway Association. Editor David Williams has put together another excellent publication with the usual features, special reports and updates and lots of fine colour images within the 76 pages. Plenty of news from the Railway, the stations, motive power, special events and membership matters. Former WSRA Chairman David Holmes, who sadly passed away in 2014, is fondly remembered in a three page tribute. Also remembered is long-standing Association member and prolific photographer, Ken Steel, who also passed away last year. For details of membership please visit www.wsra.org.uk
22 January 2015
Details from West Somerset Railway Association Journal
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| First Class Dining by Steam Train in West Somerset |
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The West Somerset Railway Association has released the 2015 programme for its first class dining train, the Quantock Belle. The popular traditional Sunday lunch specials run on 25 dates in 2015 whilst there are three Saturday evening dinner specials. At the end of the year, there are four traditional Chistmas lunch specials and a Friday evening special for the Dunster by Candlelight event. Group bookings ar welcomed and the whole train is also available for corporate events or weddings. For further information and reservations please ring 01823 433856 or visit www.wsra.org.uk
22 January 2015
Details gleaned from a West Somerset Railway Association leaflet
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| Author Julian Holland will be booksigning during the Spring Steam Gala |
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Author Julian Holland will be signing copies of his book "Exploring Britain's Lost Railways" in the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead station on 28 and 29 March 2015 during the Spring Steam Gala, plus some of his other titles. This will be part of the Transport Literature Festival. In his e-mail to Colin Howard, Julian commented that he always enjoys coming to Minehead Station.
20 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Autumn Steam Gala to commemorate four decades of WSR trains |
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Although public passenger trains did not begin to operate on the revived West Somerset Railway until 28 March 1976 (when Lord Montague of Beaulieu flagged away the inaugural train from Minehead to Blue Anchor) the first train movements on the line had begun in the previous autumn. With this in mind it has been decided to make the 2015 Autumn Steam Gala a commemoration of four decades of WSR operations and to bring back to the line locomotives that have worked on it during that period. This will of course depend on availability of potential 'guest' locos from their home railways and their current serviceability (so sadly there will be no Evening Star to bring back memories of 1989 and early 1990). However given the very long line of guests that have appeared in WSR history, plus some former members of the 'home fleet' which have gone to new homes, there is potential for an interesting line-up of locos. Add in the usual array of things to see and do along the line this should be a great way to mark the movement from late summer into early autumn.
20 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Summer excursions to the seaside at Minehead |
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In a post to the Unofficial Diesel and Electric Preservation Group page on Facebook, WSR volunteer Lee Robbins reminds us of several non-steam-hauled excursions due to visit the West Somerset Railway in 2015 perhaps from a station near you. On Saturday 27 June, the "Exmoor Coast Statesman" runs from Nottingham to Minehead picking up at Beeston, Long Eaton, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth, Water Orton, Birmingham New Street and Barnt Green; the traction expected to be WCRC Class 47/57, full details. Then on Tuesday 14 July, the "Cathedrals Express" runs from Gravesend to Minehead picking up at Strood, Snodland, Maidstone West, Yalding, Tonbridge, Edenbridge, Redhill, Dorking Deepdene and Guildford, full details. And finally on Saturday 5 September is the Crewe to Minehead "Exmoor Coast Statesman", full details
19 January 2015
Details from local correspondent and Facebook
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| No 4561 - the final push towards a return to steam |
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Members of the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) have received a report detailing progress with the Association's GWR 'Small Prairie'. The projected return to steam for the loco - which has not steamed since 1999 - is now Autumn 2016. Progress with the boiler has been faster than expected and new frames have been cut and are being milled and drilled at Stones Engineering of Street, Somerset. Other components continue to be machined and a new set of trailing wheels have been cast. When all parts are returned to the WSRA's engineering base at Williton, assembly will begin. To help maintain the momentum, members are invited to make a financial contribution to ensure sufficient funds for the 'final push'.
19 January 2015
Details gleaned from a West Somerset Railway Association leaflet
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| Diesels at home in the West - 5 to 7 June 2015 |
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The Special Events Planning Team on the West Somerset Railway has been turning its thoughts to this year's principal diesel traction event, the Mixed Tracton Weekend 5-7 June 2015. Guest locomotives are still to be sourced but the Williton based Diesel and Electric Preservation Group are planning to field six heritage diesels from their fleet so once again there will be some 'Maybach Music' to be enjoyed in the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel coast from some of the diesel hydraulics in the line-up over the three days. The DEPG will also have the doors open at their Depot and Heritage Centre and will be hosting a dealer in second hand model railway equipment also. The train services will include a semi-fast diesel hauled service between Norton Fitzwarren and Minehead on 6 and 7 June as part of a busy timetable. There will be diesel hauled heritage freight workings on Friday and Saturday. A DMU will work between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren on the Friday and will shuttle between Minehead and Dunster, between other train workings, on the Saturday and Sunday. Friday will be an all-diesel day but on Saturday and Sunday there will be one steam engine in action working two round trips to cater for the holiday trade. Plans are being made for an eleven coach train from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return on the evening of Friday 5 June with the (pre-ordered) option of fish and chips on the return journey from Minehead. For those looking for some time off the trains the Taunton Model Railway Group's room at Bishops Lydeard will be open on all three days as will the Museums at Bishops Lydeard, Washford and Blue Anchor. Discounted 1, 2, and 3 Day Rover Tickets will be on sale in advance from www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or 01643 704996
16 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Sad news that long serving volunteer Roger Woodham has passed away |
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Sad news that long serving volunteer Roger Woodham has passed away. John Jenkins writes "Roger had been S&T Engineer for the WSR from 1981 until 1989, and preceded John Madeley. He'd originally got involved with the WSR in 1979 at my suggestion to install and commission the Strowger Telephone Exchange in Minehead, and then throwing himself fully into the S&T work we then undertook, and he also qualified as a DMU driver in that period. The 1980s were a period of consolidation for the WSR, with little new work going on. His main contributions in that time were the far-sighted aquisition of a considerable amount of signalling equipment being removed from the main line with the Exeter Multiple Aspect Signalling scheme and from which successors were able to freely plan, implement and claim credit for the new signal boxes at Minehead, Crowcombe and Bishops Lydeard, and the start of our own internal cabling with a telephone cable Minehead - Dunster made necessary and funded by some outside party works."
15 January 2015
Details from local correspondents
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| Full time commercial manager sought for West Somerset Restoration |
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West Somerset Restoration are advertising for a full time salaried commercial manager based at Williton. They say "An exciting opportunity exists to work with a keen, skilled and enthusiastic workforce, both salaried and volunteer staff, for West Somerset Restoration. This is part of WSRA (Promotions) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the West Somerset Railway Association, registered charity no 1041901. The position is a full time post, on a salary plus commission basis and will be located at Williton in West Somerset." Closing date for applications is Saturday 21 February 2015. More details on the West Somerset Restoration page on Facebook and on the WSRA website.
15 January 2015
Details gleaned from the Facebook page of West Somerset Restoration
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| West Somerset Railway wins the award for Best Overall Thomas Event |
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This year the West Somerset Railway won the award for Best Overall Thomas Event, First Prize, awarded by HIT Entertainment who own the franchise. This is the top award for all the railways in the UK offering a Thomas event. The photo shows Dave King, HIT Entertainment Group Director handing the framed certificate to Frank Courtney (centre), WSR's Thomas Co-ordinator, accompanied by Chris Hocking Brown, WSR's Head of Commercial Services, at a meeting at the British Museum, London on 14 January 2015.
15 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| West Somerset Railway services to Snowdrop Valley in February |
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Having performed strongly in the second half of 2014 the West Somerset Railway is looking forward to the start of the new season in February 2015, including its operations linking a steam train ride with a coach link to Snowdrop Valley on Exmoor. With major roadworks scheduled on the A39 and ongoing work in Dunster also in progress the inclusive package will allow passengers to travel by either the 10.15am steam train from Minehead to Williton or the 10.25am steam train from Bishops Lydeard. At Williton the passengers will be met by a road coach for the onward journey to Wheddon Cross from where passengers will be able to walk into the Valley or take the mini bus link (an additional fare is payable on the minibus). The WSR package will run on 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22 February and with the seating on the road coach being limited advance booking via www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or 01643 704996 is strongly recommended. In addition on 14 February 2015 the WSR is offering a Valentine's Day Cream Tea on the 4.20pm steam train from Minehead. Passengers can travel down by any train from Bishops Lydeard and after some time at the seaside enjoy the ride home with the cream tea to savour as the steam train makes its way along the Bristol Channel coast and through the Quantock Hills. Once again advanced booking is necessary.
13 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| A surprise for the cutting back team at Churchlands |
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Over a dozen volunteers were in action at Churchlands near Combe Florey at the weekend to help remove the remains of two large trees. The Railway's land management team had earlier started the removal after the trees came down during the recent strong winds. During the work, which included further cutting back in the area, the volunteers were surprised to reveal a culvert under the high railway embankment. The culvert, dating from the construction of the railway in the late 1850s, provides drainage of storm water from one side of the line to the other, although it appears not to have carried out this function for some time.
12 January 2015
Details provided by local correspondents
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| A GWR-style wartime ashpit shelter for Bishops Lydeard |
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One of the items approved by the WSR Plc Board for investment in 2015 is the provision of a canopy over the two pits within the loco compound at Bishops Lydeard. This canopy will be similar to a GWR wartime ash shelter as shown in the picture on the left; it will not be an enclosed loco shed, The work is expected to be done in two stages, the foundations during the summer with the actual structure being erected in November when the compound is empty of rail vehicles. The canopy will be of modern construction whilst presenting a heritage appearance, will provide improved working conditions for crews in bad weather and will also help protect the locomotives from the elements during the winter; whilst providing good ventilation at all times during the preparation of locos for service.
7 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The West Somerset Railway carried 195,212 passengers in 2014 |
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The West Somerset Railway had a very strong trading month in December to round off 2014. The pre-Christmas programme of 'Festive Trains' (Santa Trains, operations for Dunster by Candlelight, Sherry and Mince Pie Specials and Carol Trains) carried over 10,000 passengers and in the post-Christmas period the Winter Steam Festival on 29 and 30 December was blessed with plenty of sunshine and drew a large number of visitors to the line and the businesses along its route. Passenger numbers and revenue were 5.6% up on 2013 levels for December. "This is an exceptionally good turn around from earlier in the year" said General Manager Paul Conibeare. "As with the rest of the tourism sector in the county we suffered for the first third of the year from the 'Somerset is flooded' perception which had spread nationwide, and from our attendance at travel trade shows we were hearing from holiday and tour companies that holidays and day excursions to Somerset were simply not selling. In turn this hit our group travel business hard, reducing visitor numbers by over 35% compared with 2013 in what is normally a very important part of our annual business. However from April to December, as a result of a lot of hard work, our final figure for passengers carried in 2014 was 195,212, almost recovering back to 2013 levels in a year when we ran trains on twelve days less. We are already undertaking a great deal of marketing activity for 2015, building on the great results achieved by the year end and will be attending Trade Shows from the end of January onwards at which we will be promoting the Railway plus the wider areas of Exmoor and Somerset."
6 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| Chris Hocking-Brown is WSR's new Head of Commercial Services |
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The WSR's new Head of Commercial Services is Mr Chris Hocking-Brown. Chris commenced full-time work today and has overall responsibility for Retail, Marketing, Commercial, Catering and Steam Engineman Courses. Chris has also been a volunteer on the WSR for fourteen years and is currently a Fireman in the loco department.
5 January 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway plc
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| The Station Shop and Whistle Stop Cafe at Bishops Lydeard Station |
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The Station Shop and Whistle Stop Cafe at Bishops Lydeard Station will be closed from 2 January to 13 February 2015 inclusive, allowing the annual stocktaking to take place. In addition there will be major electrical work carried out to allow additional equipment to be fitted. Then there's the annual clean! Kate Beard, Retail Manager adds "We look forward to seeing you all in February...thank you for your patience."
4 January 2015
Details gleaned from the Station Shop's Facebook page
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| West Somerset Railway has a successful Christmas season |
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The West Somerset Railway has enjoyed a busy time throughout December. The Santa Special and Santa Express trains which offered a steam train trip and an opportunity to meet Santa himself were very popular. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare is quoted in the Somerset County Gazette "We have had a very successful season with over 9,500 passengers aboard our Santa trains. This year we have had a great recovery from the perception that the whole of Somerset was closed after the flooding. We are very much looking forward to getting the railway ready for 2015."
1 January 2015
Details gleaned from the Somerset County Gazette
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| Upgraded West Somerset Railway Association website available very soon |
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The West Somerset Railway Association say the upgraded website should be live on 1 January 2015 although other sources suggest it may be a day or two later. We understand the new website will now include pages for members and an online booking facility for the first class dining train the Quantock Belle. The hosting arrangements for old website meant it had to be removed on the last day of 2014 but members should be reassured that the guys working on the new website are working hard to ensure the new, improved website will be online very very soon. These notes are not an official WSRA statement but are offered here by us to help clarify the situation.
1 January 2015
Details gleaned from various sources
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