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| • The Quantock Belle in print
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Yet another from the pen - or keyboard - of Tony Yardley who has been very busy recently compiling a suite of inexpensive booklets leaning heavily on his recollections of many years as a volunteer on the West Somerset Railway. This one recalls twenty five years of the Quantock Belle dining train. A great read and a great tribute to the countless hours of volunteer effort and of course the many patrons of this luxury service. Get your copy - only £2 - from Bishops Lydeard shop.
28 June 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • The Countess...
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Royal Visit
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The Countess was introduced by the Railway's Managing Director, Mark Smith and Brian Crudge of the WSRA, also to Stewart Nelhams, Paul Conibeare and Keith Spellar. The Countess spent some time talking to some of the rather surprised visitors and passengers. A visit to the footplate to the WSRA's no 6412 was followed by the obligatory stop at Mr John Pearce's Shop.
11 June 2004
Details from WSRA
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| • The Mongrel gets dressed...
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The conversion of ex-GWR "Large Prairie" 2-6-2T no 5193 into a 2-6-0 "Mogul" - or "Mongrel" as some would prefer - is reaching completion at Minehead Shed. The Railway are keen to see the "new" loco in service at or around the enforced withdrawal of "Dinmore Manor" in mid-July. Recent activity has included applying boiler cladding. One major outstanding task is the fitting of main steam pipes.
30 June 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • News from Williton...
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Hymek no D7017 has new brake blocks fitted, and prior to its turn of duty on Sunday, the loco was given the "fit to run" exam, and ran light engine through Williton a few times to "bed in" the new blocks.
Work on the brake van progresses well, and the interior has been stripped of many items either for repainting or replacement. The handbrake has been rubbed down and repainted as has the emergency brake valve (setter). Rotted areas of the roof have been removed and new timber fitted. On the side away from the running line the duckett has been removed and sent away to be used as a pattern for two new ones; also new tongue and groove cladding on the outside has been fitted. Hand rails and other fixtures have been removed and are being repainted undercover in the shed. The extent of the corrosion to other parts can be seen on the Newspix page. Underneath, the brake rigging has been cleaned up and the frames have been cleaned and repainted.
23 June 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • The bells, the bells...
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At 5 o'clock on 22 June 2004, the first direct bell signals were sent between the signal boxes at Minehead and Blue Anchor. After several months of digging trenches and laying cables, the token machines in each signal box were reconnected and now, after many years, operate to design. The last remaining act is to connect the intermediate machine at Dunster. A new telephone cable was also installed, the location cabinets have been moved to the Down side and the old surface cable recovered. Earlier, in May, over fifteen people were involved in a major task when the existing signals near Alcombe and Drift were changed to the new cable, which went faultlessly. The Ops Dept wish to thank Paul Johnson for digging the trench; Alan Smith, Martin Southwood, Peter Darke for helping Paul; Carl Crompton also for helping Paul and laying most of the cable; John Jenkins for the technical design; Peter Vile for all cable jointing; Bob Livermore for all sorts of bits and pieces; Barry Malcolm for jointing phone cables and the members of the S&T Gang; and not forgetting Trevor Barnett and Len Renwick for driving the locos for the many works trains. Completion of this task will see equipment moved to Williton and work commence on a similar scheme for the section down to Blue Anchor. Meanwhile digging has started towards Norton Fitzwarren. Next winter digging will be underway between Crowcombe and Bishops Lydeard.
23 June 2004
Details from Plc and local correspondent
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| • Journal no 106 published...
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Our own glossy
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David Williams has produced the latest edition of the West Somerset Railway Journal to the high exacting standards we now expect of the award-winning quarterly publication. The Journal is provided to members of the West Somerset Railway Association and includes news, photographs and features along with contact information. No 106 explains the new exciting developments planned for Norton Fitzwarren and the Plc's vision for Minehead. There is news from each of the ten stations, and from all departments including loco, operating. trackside and signalling. Philip Horton takes a look back at the effects of Beeching on the West Country railway system. And of course, dozens of photos in colour and black and white. Enough alone to justify joining the WSRA...
13 June 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Standard Tank news...
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Williton Water
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The BR 2-6-4T no 80136 had an eventful morning on 12 June when hauling the 10.15am from Minehead. At Williton, problems with the loco were traced to lack of water - has no 80136 been reading books about a certain blue engine? The local fire brigade were called to replenish the tanks and after receiving the attention of two fire tenders, the train left for Bishops Lydeard a little matter of ninety minutes or so late. The reason for lack of water is not clear and no doubt investigations are underway...
12 June 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Autumn Steam Gala News...
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Goods in 2003
More in 2004
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The WSR is planning extra train operations on Thursday 30 September for those arriving early for the Autumn Steam Gala weekend. Operating Superintendent Steve Martin recalls the additional runs by the Auto Train in 2003 “...and this proved so successful that we will be slotting in some extras again this year. On the Thursday and Friday of the Gala, we plan to run a demonstration freight train over the whole of the line between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard as an attraction for enthusiasts and also to show the results of the hard work being undertaken by a small team to restore our fleet of freight wagons to top class condition both externally and operationally. We know that many people would like to see and hear something a little different on the banks over Washford and Crowcombe Heathfield.”. The WSR is looking to bring in three “guest” engines for the Gala to augment the 2004 residents, nos 5542, 5553, 6412 and 80136. It will also be a noteworthy event as being the first Gala outing for the small-boilered 'Mogul', no 5193, nearing completion at the Minehead workshops”
11 June 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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| • Media interest in train simulation package...
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Virtual Cab
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Following the excellent article about the WSR computer train simulation package developed by Railwaves in the Western Daily Press - about half a page with a large colour picture, Radio Bristol recorded an interview with the Railway's real Managing Director, Mark Smith. The entire interview is available from the web site of the people who are responsible for marketing the computer package. Just Trains.
11 June 2004
Details from local correspondent and Railwaves
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| • Chimney pot patterns sought...
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Pot pattern plea
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Friends of Minehead Station have a long-held ambition to replace the chimney pots on the station which fell victim to storm damage and clearing-up exercise in the late 1980s. Money is to hand but a snag has arisen in that the Grade 2 listed status of the station means that there is a request from the powers that be for plans of the original pots to confirm that the replacements are a match. But, without the originals, FOMS have no firm evidence as to what the originals looked like. All offers of help to FOMS at Minehead Station gratefully received.
6 June 2004
Details from WSR's OnLine
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| • Another busy Summer Saturday in the West...
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Saturday 5 June was a "diesel running day" featuring Hymek no D7017 covering the DMU diagram but due to other trains running such as the Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd charter and a special wedding day charter, coaching stock was in demand, leaving D7017 with a train of three coaches weighing a mere 99 tons with each coach a different livery- a BSK in Southern green, a TCL in Brunswick green, and a TCL in crimson and cream. Add a Rail Blue Hymek and a colourful scene is complete. The Class 14 diesel no 9526 - on a test run - joined the Hymek at one stage. Also, the Railwaves team were invited by the Dinmore group to show off the new WSR route for Microsoft's TrainSim computer package. The WSR software will be available very soon. More details at the Railwaves web site...
6 June 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Pannier visit to Bristol is cancelled...
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Not for Bristol
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It is with much regret that, following discussions between the WSRA Bristol Group and the Railway the difficulties of taking the WSRA-owned GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 into Bristol's Broadmead shopping centre for a promotional event on 19 June, have led to the cancellation of the visit. This also means that running the loco on the Bristol Harbour Railway on 20 June is also cancelled. The WSRA Bristol Group hope to rearrange for this time next year.
5 June 2004
Details from WSRA Bristol
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| • Washford Hut saved...
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Saved...
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Following the rumour that the unique timber and brick lineside hut at Washford was to be demolished due to safety concerns, we understand the "Save the Washford Hut" campaign may have succeeded. It seems plans are drawn up for repairs to the roof and making the hut secure. The Railway's Hut Restoration Team have been contacted.
4 June 2004
Details from local correspondent
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| • Strongest Man...
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Strongman Host
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WSR Online reports, "Trans World International came to Minehead for a second time to make a new series of this programme for the BBC. The WSR’s part in the event was to stage the heats and final of the train pull on 6 and 12 May with contestants pulling a line of wagons up the yard, competing against each other and the clock. We supplied the wagons, the course and John Glover with a brakestick to make sure that the troublesome trucks and/or the strongmen weren’t damaged by collisions after the pulls were complete. Transmission date is usually around the late August Bank Holiday Week."
4 June 2004
Details from WSR Plc
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