| Online tickets now available for 2015 Steam Rally & Vintage Vehicle Rally |
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The 2015 Steam Rally and Vintage Vehicle Rally online ticketing facility has opened for business. An Adult Day Ticket for the 2015 event is £10 whilst a Senior Citizen Day Ticket is £8, with free entry for up to four children (0 - 15 years) when accompanied by an adult or senior citizen day ticket holder. Day Tickets purchased online are valid for both days of the event and each online order includes a free Rally programme voucher. New for 2015 is a Combined Ticket for £18 which gives entry to the Rally on Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August and entry to the Taunton Flower Show on Saturday 8 August 2015. Buy online at the Steam Rally and Vintage Vehicle Rally website.
30 April 2015
Details provided by the Rally Team 
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| The WSR Association's Extraordinary General Meeting on 10 May 2015 |
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Members of the West Somerset Railway Association are warned of possible travel and parking difficulties when heading for Association's Extraordinary General Meeting at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall on 10 May 2015. On the same day, the village celebrates "Somerset Day" with activities and street stalls at Gore Square, and a procession through the village from Lydeard House. Access for cars to the Hall will be hampered and parking may be limited or impossible. The Reform Group advise they have arranged with Dunkirk House for additional parking in the field opposite Westridge Way. Members should also note it will take a long time to gain entry to the Village Hall due to the verification process at the door. Best to plan to arrive quite early. The meeting is due to start at 2pm. More information on the WSRA+ blog.
30 April 2015
Details provided by WSRA Reform Group
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| No 6705 is focus for West Somerset Steam Railway Trust working party |
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On Wednesday 20 April, a working party of West Somerset Steam Railway Trust volunteers gathered in the Swindon Shed at Williton. The objective was to prepare the second side of GWR BCK no 6705 in readiness for an application of an etching primer paint. The other side has already been treated in this way and with the etching primer having a green colour, it looks a tad incongruous for a Great Western coach. Eventually both sides will carry the full cream and chocolate GWR livery. A set of images showing the working party can be seen on the website of West Somerset Steam Railway Trust or amongst the Latest Pictures page on this website.
30 April 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
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| Heritage diesels at work over Bank Holiday weekend - and it's Ladies Day |
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Two of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group's fleet of heritage diesels will be at work over the coming Bank Holiday weekend, heading the 11.05am from Bishops Lydeard and the 3.25pm from Minehead on 2, 3, 4 May 2015. On the Saturday and Sunday the rostered locomotive will be Class 35 'Hymek' no D7017 whilst on Monday the Class 33 'Crompton' no D6575 will be in action. And a reminder that Saturday 2 May 2015 is Ladies Day at Minehead Station with various sales stands, therapies and sheer pampering to be found on the station platform. There is no admission charge to come on to the station although of course the therapies and sales items have to be paid for. And the BBC weather forecast shows that the weather will be getting warmer again...
27 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| Time running out for prospective WSRA Trustee candidates |
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Time is running out for prospective candidates wishing to be elected as a Trustee of the West Somerset Railway Association. Nomination forms can be obtained online from the WSRA website and when completed must be sent to (or handed to) the Secretary, West Somerset Railway Association, Brunel House, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton TA4 3RU by 1 May 2015.
27 April 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway Association
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| Bishops Lydeard Station features on a Rothbury mug |
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An exclusive design showing Bishops Lydeard Station, the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway, features on a Rothbury mug which is available from the Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard Station at £6 each. A special offer at the Station Shop is Bachmann's model of the WSR's Blue Anchor Station - RRP £34.95 and on offer at only £25.00 whilst stocks last. Meanwhile, a reminder that Oldham Video Productions DVD of the 2015 West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala is on sale at the Station Shop along with many books including "1964: The Last Summer of the Duchesses - Commemorating Events of Half a Century Past" by Alan Castle, "Private Owner Wagons - A Thirteenth Collection" by Keith Turton, and Ian Allan's ever popular "Rail Atlas Europe".
26 April 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway Association
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| Date set for West Somerset Railway Association General Meeting |
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At the request of a group of WSRA members, a general meeting of the WSRA membership is to be held on Sunday, 10 May 2015, at 2pm in the Bishops Lydeard Village Hall. The WSRA Trustees say in the covering letter to members "This request was properly supported by 400 valid signatures from members, and meets the requirements of the WSRA Articles. The business of this meeting will be the consideration of the resolutions proposed by the members. You can read these resolutions precisely as they were submitted on the enclosed proxy form." For non-WSRA members who might be interested, the details of the five resolutions to be decided at the meeting are shown on a special page on this website, along with a statement by the WSRA and a statement by the reform group who requested the general meeting; both statements were included in the general meeting notice mailed to WSRA members.
24 April 2015
Details provided by West Somerset Railway Association
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| Ever thought about volunteering on the West Somerset Railway |
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The West Somerset Railway requires over 1,000 volunteers to continue to provide its services of heritage steam and diesel trains between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. Mel Hillman, New Volunteer Co-ordinator for the West Somerset Railway explains "To maintain this service we do need to continually recruit new volunteers and to this end we are holding an Open Day on Sunday 10 May with an invitation for potential volunteers to visit and find out more about the opportunities available and how they can help. Advance booking is essential. The programme for the day is:
| 9am | meet in the Gauge Museum on Platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard railway station - introductions/current situation on volunteering |
| 10.25am | travel to Williton in reserved carriage to see signal box in action, some of the workshops and observe station duties. Current volunteers will be present to discuss opportunities within other departments |
| 1.12pm | leave Williton to return to Bishops Lydeard - issue of information packs |
| 1.45pm | arrive Bishops Lydeard and disperse from train |
More details available from Mel Hillman, New Volunteer Co-ordinator, West Somerset Railway, tel no 01643 700384 or email volunteers@wsrail.net "
22 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| The Launceston Railway Circle enjoy presentation about the WSR |
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The Launceston Railway Circle was the venue on Friday 17 April for a presentation on the West Somerset Railway given by Steve Jervis, Assistant to the General Manager. Twenty or so people, including the proprietors of the Launceston Steam Railway, were present to hear Steve talk about the WSR in terms of its history, route, stations, running operations, volunteer activities and commercial events. This was followed by an intermission, after which Steve concentrated on specific aspects of the WSR including the Workshops, Permanent Way, Williton Loop and future projects eg the Bishops Lydeard loco ash shelter. Before and during the show, Steve showed the new Spring Steam Gala DVD, produced by David Oldham and now available for purchase in the Minehead shop, to the audience which was favourably received. A short question & answer ensued at the end. Steve would like to thank his hosts for their warm welcome, it was gratifying to see a good turnout and to know the WSR word was spread to an appreciative audience.
20 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| The West Somerset Railway goes to Metroland |
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St Albans Church in North Harrow have a railway social group who meet a few times during the year, and at their meeting on Saturday, long serving WSRA volunteer Keith Smith and Derek Tarr, Chairman of Friends of Blue Anchor Station, were invited to give a short talk on the West Somerset Railway under the heading of 'Railways to the Seaside'. Having star billing, and presenting before the half time buffet, a new show was put together by Keith and ably presented by Derek. It was gratifying to see a good turnout and to know the WSR word was spread to an appreciative audience.
19 April 2015
Details provided by correspondent
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| Back to the future for the 2015 Autumn Steam Gala |
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The four day 2015 Autumn Steam Gala takes place on 1, 2,3 and 4 October 2015. The event will mark the 40th Anniversary of the opening of the West Somerset Railway. Although public passenger trains did not begin to operate on the revived West Somerset Railway until Good 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 locomotives that have worked the Minehead Branch during that period. This will of course depend on availability of potential guests 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 list of locos in recent WSR history, there is potential for an interesting line-up of locos. Advance tickets now available.
19 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| The Branch Line Society specials tour the Railway and its sidings |
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A rather unusual railtour took place on Friday 17 April 2015 when the Branch Line Society chartered a special train on the West Somerset Railway. Consisting of three brake vans and headed for much of the day by Class 09 no D4107, the special ran the full length of the line and also visited several sidings including Washford Yard and Minehead's Bay lines and the tracks of the loco department. Class 03 no D2133 was also used at Minehead. A fully booked repeat of the tour is scheduled for 20 April 2015 and expected to again visit Williton North Yard, Washford Yard, Dunster Yard, Minehead Turntable, Dunster West Sidings and the whole of the Norton Triangle.
18 April 2015
Details from local correspondents
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| Just some of the many books available right now at the main WSR shops |
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The two main shops on the West Somerset Railway - at Bishops Lydeard and at Minehead - carry good stocks of mostly railway related books. Here are a few tasters. The part of the route covered in " Along the Route of the ACE" by Laurie Golden is between Salisbury and all 'Southern' points west. After a brief introduction, come the pictures, all in colour; there is no other text but the extremely informative captions more than make up for this. Next, "How a Steam Locomotive Works: A New Guide" by Dominic Wells - a well-written book with lots of easy-to-understand diagrams which will be of interest to the experienced footplateman, as well as the novice. There are nineteen chapters covering such subjects as water management, lubrication, brake systems, preparation and disposal and a host of other pertinent subjects in between. The concluding chapter is a most useful fault-finding guide. Looking at the modern railway, "First Great Western - Gateway to the West" by John Balmforth, this splendid little book tells the story of the franchise from its inception to date, when the company has become a beacon of excellence. To read the full reviews, please see this facebook page.
18 April 2015
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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| Enjoy a meal on the Quantock Belle First Class Dining Train |
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The Quantock Belle First Class Dining Train service operates on the scenic West Somerset Railway between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead recreating the nostalgic atmosphere of dining out in the days of steam. Diners enjoy good food and great company as the train winds its leisurely way through the beautiful West Somerset scenery between the Quantock Hills and the Brendon Hills, then past the ancient port of Watchet and on towards the coastline at Blue Anchor Bay. Whatever the occasion may be - a cosy dinner for two, a special anniversary or birthday, or just a Sunday lunch out - the Quantock Belle provides a delightful and memorable experience. The Quantock Belle is extremely popular and advance booking is therefore essential. Full details and contact information.
13 April 2015
Details gleaned from West Somerset Railway Association website
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| The Somerset CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival 2015 |
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The weekend of 12 and 13 September 2015 are the dates of this year's Somerset CAMRA Real Ale & Cider Festival, held at the West Somerset Railway's Minehead Station platform. The Festival will be open from 11am until 11pm on Saturday and between noon and 4pm on Sunday. The best way to get there is, of course, by train on the West Somerset Railway. Somerset CAMRA plan to have in excess of 100 real ales, several local ciders, perry and a small selection of wine. The local Somerset breweries will, as usual, be very well represented. In addition to these, there will be a wide selection of ales from all around Great Britain, showcasing the incredibly diverse range of tastes and styles produced by our multitude of breweries. More details available on the official WSR website and also on our own Somerset CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival 2015 webpage. For Twitter users, search for #WSRCAMRA for latest news about this event.
13 April 2015
Details provided by Somerset CAMRA and West Somerset Railway plc
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| Twenty entries already for WSR's Classic Car Run on 14 June |
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Entries are now coming in for this new West Somerset Railway Event. Run Organiser Robin White said "We are now approaching 20 entries which is very gratifying for a new event which we have only been promoting for a couple of weeks. We already have a stunning range of classics booked on the Run, dating from a 1931 Ford 10 to a 1969 Chrysler Avenger. There are vintage sports cars, saloons, prestige cars such as Rolls Royces and Aston Martins and more humble transport. It should be great fun for both participants and spectators." The Run is open to pre-1980 classic vehicles. It starts from Bishops Lydeard Railway Station at 10.30am and follows a scenic 30 mile route through glorious West Somerset countryside, taking in hidden wooded valleys, the coast and ancient towns and villages, passing close to a number of West Somerset Railway stations, ending in Minehead. An Information Sheet and Entry Form are available.
12 April 2015
Details provided by the Run Organiser
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| GWR 4-6-0 no 4936 Kinlet Hall to be based on WSR for five years |
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An agreement has been reached between the West Somerset Railway and the owners of GWR Hall class 4-6-0 no 4936 Kinlet Hall which will see the loco based on the WSR for the next five years. Although the engine's 'home shed' will be Minehead it will be available for main line work as required and for visits to special events on other heritage railways. No 4936 is presently the oldest working member of the class of mixed traffic 4-6-0s. It was built at Swindon in 1929 and withdrawn from British Railways service in 1964 having run a million miles in that time despite being damaged when it ran into a bomb crater in 1941. During its 35 years of service it was allocated to a wide range of locosheds including Cardiff Canton, Laira, Old Oak Common, Oswestry, Oxley, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Stafford Road, Swindon, Truro, and finally Cardiff East Dock.
10 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| New DVD featuring the recent Spring Steam Gala now in stock |
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Another fine video from Oldham Video Productions is now available on DVD from the Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard. The DVD features all the locos in use during the recent 'Steam in South Wales' Spring Steam Gala - nos 70000, 4270, 5542, 5643, 46521, 4160, 3850, 4936, 6960 and 7828. A special bonus feature is a "Driver's eye view with nos 6960 & 4936 hauling an epic twelve coach train from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead." The DVD runs for 1 hour 5 minutes. See a preview via facebook. The DVD is also available from the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead at £17 plus £1 p&p or Blu-ray £20 plus £1 p&p. By phone 01643 700387 or via the WSR's online shop.
10 April 2015
Details gleaned from facebook by West Somerset Railway Assocation and also from WSR Plc
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| A formal request for an EGM is received by WSR Association |
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A deputation of WSRA members, calling themselves the 'Reform Group', visited the registered office of the WSRA at noon on 8 April 2015 and presented a request for a general meeting of members to decide on five specific resolutions. The request was accompanied by 400 forms in support of the resolutions, each form signed by a WSRA member, as required. The WSRA is now bound by law to arrange the general meeting (popularly known as an extraordinary general meeting or EGM) within the defined timescales. Whilst members wait for the official paperwork to be provided, details of the resolutions can be viewed at www.wsra-action.org along with other documents.
The Reform Group say "Today, 8 April, we presented 400 selected forms from the nearly 900 we now hold to the WSRA Registered Office at Bishops Lydeard, along with a 'letter of request' for the EGM to be held. We have to say a massive, massive THANK YOU to all those who are supporting the call. Legislation under the Companies Act determines that the EGM must follow in a 14 to 49 day window after we present our letter of request and the supporting forms. What this means is that the EGM should be held between late April and late May, allowing, if the motions are carried, the air to clear, and a reformed and supported WSRA to move forward at the 2015 AGM in July." (the full statement can be viewed on the www.wsra-action.org website.)
The WSRA say "Association Secretary Susan Kaufman confirmed receipt of a members' request to convene a General Meeting. 'The next step is to fully verify all of the names and membership numbers. Once we have done that, the date of the General Meeting will be announced. The process will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Association's Articles and following advice given by our legal representatives.'" Read the full official WSRA comment and statement.
When the official EGM papers are issued, the details will appear on an EGM page on this website.
8 April 2015 (amended 16 April)
Details provided by WSRA, the Reform Group and WSRA+
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| The new span for the Monksilver Stream Bridge is now in position |
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Further evidence of progress with the Williton Loop Project can now be seen at the worksite. The structure being manufactured to re-span the Monksilver Stream was drilled and sent away for galvanising. When returned the components were moved to the worksite and assembled in position by the start of the Spring Steam Gala. Writing in the latest 'Online' staff publication, the WSR Plc wishes to record its thanks to the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust for the grant it made in 2014 of £800 towards the capital cost of the passing loop at Williton, and for the promised further grant of £2,000. These grants will support the heritage aspects of the project.
8 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| Passenger figures to the end of March show increase |
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The West Somerset Railway carried 7,467 passengers in March giving the total for the year thus far of 12,324, some 1,100 up on the same period of 2014. In terms of passenger figures, the four day Spring Steam Gala saw 963 passengers on the Thursday, with 1,231 travelling on the Friday, 1,442 on Saturday 28 March and 920 on Sunday 29 March. The Sunday figure has to be set against the high winds and heavy rain that hit the area through the morning and into the early afternoon, which undermined the offer of the £2 child ticket on that particular day. Overall, 170 passengers fewer travelled compared with the same event in 2014. The visit of the two popular characters, Peppa Pig and Daddy Pig, for younger members of the family on a sunny Easter Saturday brought 1,245 passengers during the day.
7 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| The WSR is finalist in the National Coach Tourism Awards |
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The West Somerset Railway is one of five finalists in the 'Heritage Railways' section of the 2015 Coach Tourism Awards. The other four in the category are the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Kent and East Sussex Railway, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and the Vale of Rheidol Railway. The Awards Night and Dinner is being held at the West Midlands Safari Park on Thursday 14 May 2015. Reading through the list of finalists it is also interesting to note that the WSR has well-established working relationships with those in the large and medium sized coach operators and the providers of Holiday Programmes and Day Excursions. The National Coach Tourism Awards recognises excellence and innovation among coach tour operators, destinations, visitor attractions, and tourism industry suppliers. More details
7 April 2015
Details provided by www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
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| Peppa Pig and Daddy Pig to visit West Somerset Railway |
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Children's TV favourites Peppa Pig and Daddy Pig will be paying a special visit to the West Somerset Railway on 4 April. They will be making appearances at Minehead Railway Station on 4 April between 10am and 4pm. As well as meeting them you can enjoy a steam train ride on the railway, free vintage bus ride trips around Minehead sea front from Minehead Station and face painting. To book tickets and to find out more information, call 01643 704996 or visit the West Somerset Railway website.
1 April 2015
Details gleaned from Somerset County Gazette
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