News from July 2007... • Butlins Express returns to Minehead   Visitors to Butlins Minehead, or anyone heading for Exmoor this summer, can climb aboard the new Butlins Express service from Bristol Temple Meads to Minehead, for a relaxing start to their summer holiday or a great day out every Friday, Saturday and Monday. The service, which resumed on 20 July after a 30 year break, runs until the end of August and has been made possible thanks to a partnership between ECT Mainline Rail, Butlin’s Minehead, West Somerset Railway and Victa West Link Rail. ECT Mainline Rail is providing the locomotives, rolling stock and maintenance services and underwriting the costs of providing the service. Butlins are supporting the service and promoting it to their guests as an ideal way to start their holiday. West Somerset Railway (WSR) is providing train stabling, use of the West Somerset line and stations and on train ticketing staff. Victa Westlink Rail is the train operating company (TOC) which operates the service over the WSR and Network Rail lines. Up till now Butlins guests and visitors to the area, wanting to use public transport had to rely on buses from Taunton. Now they will have an opportunity to travel through the beautiful Somerset countryside, on an air conditioned diesel hauled train service utilising topped and tailed Class 31 locomotives and Mk2 coaches stopping at stations beautifully restored by West Somerset Railway. "We are delighted to be able to work with Victa West Link Rail, Butlins and West Somerset Railway to re-open this service as a gateway by rail to Exmoor. Not only will passengers be able to have a relaxing start to their holiday, but they will be able to do their bit for the environment, by letting the train take the strain."says Martin Sargent ECT’s Mainline Rail Director. More... Updated 31 July 2007  Details from WSR plc • Collett coach ready to welcome visitors   Come and view a time-warp coach. Collett Brake Composite Corridor coach no 6705 imported by the Trust from the USA in the Spring is ready to welcome visitors over the weekend of 11-12 August at "The Railway Age", Crewe. Caretaker Steve Lord has finished preparing the coach for visitors for this uniqe opportunity to see a 1950's time-warp coach before it is cocooned for restoration. 'The Railway Age is open 10 to 4 on both days. Steve said: "The coach is a lovely gem. Such a shame that she has been left to the elements for so long. However, its all there and very restorable. After the weekend we will be wrapping sharp edges and then sheeting the coach over to protect it from the weather. Assistance with working parties would be very welcome." Steve can be contacted via the the Trust at info@wssrt.co.uk. Updated 30 July 2007  Details from WSSRT • Museum and Carriage Shed consultation   A public consultation draws nearly 60 interested parties on Saturday 28 July 2007. The visitors came along to Bishops Lydeard Station on Saturday 28 July 2007 to see the plans for the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust's new Museum and Carriage Shed and how they fit in with the development of tourist facilities and housing proposed by Gadd's of Taunton. Trust Director Robin White and WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare were kept busy explaining the plans to visitors who included County, District and Parish Councillors, local residents and others. Robin White said "It is important to emphasise how the whole scheme must be taken together. We cannot build our Museum and Carriage Shed without the rest of the development and the developer needs our support for his part of the scheme." It is expected that the planning applicaton will be lodged in the next few days. Updated 30 July 2007  Details from WSSRT • It was twenty years ago...   A special anniversary approaches in the history of railway preservation in the West of England. 19 August 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the return to steam of Somerset and Dorset Class 7F no 88. The locomotive is owned by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and is a regular performer on train services over the twenty miles of the West Somerset Railway. No 88 was built in 1925 as one of a class of 11 engines specially designed to work heavy mineral trains over the Somerset and Dorset line, particularly the heavily-graded section over the Mendip Hills, and for moving coal trains in and and out of the Somerset Coalfield around the Radstock area. Also in action on 19 August will be another engine with Somerset and Dorset connections. No 44422 is a Class 4F 0-6-0 engine, a survivor of a class that once numbered no less than 772 and could be found working freight and local passenger services all over the LMS and British Railways network. The 4F is on hire as a summer guest on the WSR. Commenting on the day WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare said "88 is a valuable engine for the WSR and its power has been an asset in moving our heaviest trains during the last twenty years. Together with 44422 they bring some variety to our generally Great Western designed fleet and this is popular with both our footplate crews and the travelling public". Updated 28 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • Autumn Steam Gala update...   A very impressive line-up of locomotives will be in action at the West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala, which is being held over four days from Thursday-Sunday 4-7 October 2007. The Gala – a very popular feature of the Railway’s special event calendar – will feature a feast of steam, with at least ten locomotives in action, including a number of guest engines being hired-in especially for the event. The event will see the much anticipated public debut of Southern Railway “West Country” 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton, which is currently nearing the end of a very extensive rebuild from scrapyard condition carried out in the engineering workshops of the West Somerset Railway Association at Williton. The locomotive – built at Brighton Works in 1946 – has not steamed since 1965. Visiting the line for the first time at the Autumn Steam Gala will be the only surviving Stanier ‘Mogul’ – LMS 2-6-0 no 42968 – from the Severn Valley Railway, together with GWR 56xx 0-6-2T no 6619 (normally based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway) and the diminutive LB&SCR Terrier 0-6-0T no 662 Martello from the Bressingham Steam Museum. These three will also be joined by the privately-owned GWR 0-4-2T no 1450, which is making a welcome return visit, together with a fifth guest engine which is currently being sourced. More... Updated 27 July 2007  Details from SEPT • And now the first train on the new line at Norton...   And now the first train has run on the new line at Norton Fitzwarren. On 25 July, Class 66 no 66616 led a relatively limited nine vehicle High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) on to the new trackwork at Allerford Junction. Once on the new western chord, the HOBC discharged ballast from the nine vehicles close by the existing heaps of aggregates. And then proceeded to the present limit of trackwork near the oak tree close to the Barnstaple formation, to prove the entire length thus opening the way for longer trains in the future The successful operation has proved the HOBC can now be locked in, releasing the main WSR line for use by the Minehead-Bristol trains which pass the site twice a day, three days a week. Recycled Aggregates... Updated 25 July 2007  Details from WSRA • A Meet the Plans session at Bishops Lydeard...   Locals at Bishops Lydeard will be able to see and hear about the plans for new railway facilities. The WSR Plc General Manager, Paul Conibeare and West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Director Robin White will be holding a "Meet the Plans" session at Bishops Lydeard Station on Saturday 28 July, from noon to seven o'clock, to explain the plans for the new Museum and Carriage Shed at Bishops Lydeard to the locals - and anyone else who is interested to see them. Posters advertising the session have been put up around Bishops Lydeard village. The planning application for the new Museum/Carriage Shed/berthing sidings should be lodged before the end of the week. Updated 24 July 2007  Details from WSSRT • First loco runs on the new line at Norton...   The first locomotive has run on the new line at Norton Fitzwarren. On 24 July, Class 08 no D3462 has gained the honour of being the first locomotive to run the full length of the new western chord at Norton Fitzwarren. Driven by regular WSR Driver Richard Jones, the diesel shunter gained access to the new trackwork at Allerford Junction and ran right along to the temporary stop board close to the Barnstaple formation. Passengers on a passing HST must have taken a double look at the sight of a locomotive travelling out across the fields. The historic event had a serious purpose - the loco helped settle the trackwork which was also checked for gauging and pronounced sound. Updated 24 July 2007  Details from WSRA • Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally cancelled...   The West Somerset Railway Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally has succumbed to the exceptional wet weather. Due to take place in a few weeks time on 4 and 5 August, the Rally - held on fields adjacent to Bishops Lydeard Station - is one of the most popular events of its kind in the South West. But the recent heavy rain has rendered the fields too waterlogged to sustain the heavy usage over the Rally weekend. Thus with great disappointment, the Board of the West Somerset Railway Association have decided to cancel the event. Don Bishop, WSRA Press Officer comments "This is due to the long periods of seemingly incessant rain making the site very wet and boggy and the obvious difficulties this would bring with getting vehicles on/off the site. The land owner was understandably not willing to allow the event to go ahead on his land and cause serious damage.". And in a letter to exhibitors, supporters and volunteers, Humphrey Davies, WSRA Chairman, writes "It is with considerable regret that this year's Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally has had to be cancelled owing to the land being completely waterlogged. This decision has been taken with great reluctance. All those who have paid any money in advance, for whatever purpose, will be refunded as soon as possible. This includes any money sent for the Severn Coast Express train. It will be appreciated that with around 1000 people to be contacted, it may take a little time for everyone to receive refunds but these will be processed as soon as we are able. We ask that people will bear with us on this. This is the first time this has happened in the history of the Rally. We sincerely hope you will support us for next year's Rally and we shall look forward to seeing you there. We will keep your name on file and send you 2008 entry forms when available." Updated 24 July 2007  Details from WSRA • Planking replaced on Signal 24...   The bracket signal at Crowcombe has enjoyed some much needed attention. The Railway's Signal & Telegraph Department have lavished some tender loving care on the planking of this rather unique signal. Signal 24 was originally erected in 1990 by the Taunton Group of the Great Western Society being copied from original photographs and is of unusual construction with a concrete wooden-lookalike post with a wooden board. Old life-expired wooden planking was removed and new, weatherproofed planks installed, surely much to the delight of signallers attending to the signal lamps and mechanisms. 23 July 2007  Details from WSR S&T Department • Gates at Blue Anchor damaged by car...   The level crossing gates at Blue Anchor have been damaged by a motor car. The incident happened in the early evening of 20 July as the gates were being operated to allow the passage of a train. Happily, it would seem no-one was injured although the gate was badly damaged and will require specialist repair. No train was involved. 21 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • Minehead Toy and Train Fair...   The eagerly awaited Fifth Minehead Toy and Train Fair will be held on the platform at Minehead Station at the West Somerset Railway on 5 August. There is nothing quite like looking at model trains whilst the 12" to the foot variety perform a few yards away. Once again, a great mix of traders are attending, from far and wide. Locally-based organizer Chris Dyer said this week, "Once again, we are fully booked and we are only limited by the amount of covered space we have available. Catering on the station is much improved for this year and we have the added attraction of a 45 years old ex-British Railways Ford van attending. It has been fully restored by the Gloucestershire-based owner and it will be on display at the front of the Station, throughout the event. I think that we can, once again, promise everyone a very entertaining and enjoyable day". Further details from 01643 702757 or 07966 694579 20 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • The Midland Goods returns...   One of the surviving members of a once numerous class of goods engines has returned to the West Somerset Railway. Hired in for the heavy summer service, LMS 0-6-0 no 44422 arrived by road and next day, 19 July, was put straight into service when it piloted WSR 2-6-0 no 9351 on the 10.25 from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. No 44422 visited the Minehead Branch when it starred in the Somerset & Dorset Railway themed Spring Steam Galas in 1996 and 2006. The Midland Goods has been brought in to replace long serving visitor BR 2-6-4T no 80136 which is due for a major overhaul. 19 July 2007  Details from local correspondents • The Free Press shine spotlight on the Railway...   Great support for the West Somerset Railway from the local newspaper. The West Somerset Free Press has produced a superb 12 page colour supplement showing off the West Somerset Railway. The publication - free with last week's newspaper - coincides with the Station Gardens Week and also just a week ahead of the launch of Minehead-Bristol-Minehead through train services. It is particularly pleasing to see a full report about each of the ten stations and the gardens which will, hopefully, encourage folks to make a visit or two. A big thanks from this web site to the West Somerset Free Press... 18 July 2007  Details from local correspondent • The rover returns...   A one time resident diesel locomotive has arrived back on West Somerset rails. Class 50 no 50049 - resident from 1994 to 2000 - travelled light engine from Cardiff Canton on 17 July 2007 to Bishops Lydeard and later piloted the 3 o'clock DMU service to Minehead. A steam-hauled excursion from London will arrive at Minehead on 18 July headed by Southern Railway 4-6-2 no 34067 Tangmere and the "Fifty" will haul the returning excursion back to London Victoria. The Somerset visits are not over for the Class 50 for it will return with empty stock on 20 July ready for an outgoing excursion on 21 July when no 50049 will haul the Minehead to Taunton leg with Tangmere on the back. The latter will then head the special westwards... 17 July 2007  Details from local correspondent • A diesel delight in store...   There is quite a bit of interest coming up for the diesel locomotive enthusiast. Locomotives from the fleet of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group at Williton will be in action in the next week or so. The diagram worked will be the 11.25am from Bishops Lydeard, 2pm from Minehead, 4pm from Bishops Lydeard, and 5.45pm from Minehead, which gives 80 miles of haulage for a Rover Ticket. Class 25 no D7523 will be in charge on 17 and 22 July; up front on 18 and 19 July will be Class 33 no D6566, whilst new arrival Class 47 no D1661 North Star takes turns on 20 and 21 July. And if this is not enough, In addition on 20 and 21 July there is Class 31 haulage on the 11.10am from Minehead and 3pm from Bishops Lydeard and the Rover Ticket will be valid between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard on those dates. 16 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • All signals green for Bristol trains...   For the first time in thirty years visitors from across the UK can use the new easy rail links to visit Minehead, the gateway to Exmoor. From Bristol’s Temple Mead railway station from this Friday 20 July, trains will carry passengers into heart of West Somerset in the grand style of a bygone age, thanks to the hard work of enthusiasts and West Somerset Railway. Trains from Bristol will stop at Taunton to pick up passengers before joining the Minehead Branch and calling at all WSR stations to Minehead. Trains from Minehead call at all WSR stations except Stogumber and Crowcombe Heathfield, before calling at Taunton to set down passengers for the County Town, and then non-stop to Bristol. Tickets for Bristol to Taunton only or vice versa are not available - journeys must be made to and from a WSR station. To travel on these trains you must be travelling to or from the WSR - the service does not accept national network tickets, also the Freedom of the South West Rail Rovers is also not valid on this service. Full details... 16 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • Bishops Lydeard Station House...   News about the Station House at Bishops Lydeard. In answer to a question at the WSR Association Annual General Meeting on Saturday 14 July, Steam Trust Director, Robin White, confirmed that the Station Master's House might be acquired by the railway as part of the co-operative development with Gadd's of Taunton which promises to provide the land for a museum and carriage shed. Robin White told the meeting that negotiations on the development had provided an opportunity to acquire the house - a heart felt object of many of those who know the station. He said that the next stage was to obtain a professional valuation of the house, which would cost £500 and he asked five members to come forward, each to pledge £100 to achieve this. Robin was approached after the meeting by three members who each pledged £100 so would be very pleased to hear from the remaining two needed to make this step forward to bring one of the historic buildings at the station back into railway ownership. Robin can be contacted via the Trust's e-mail address info@wssrt.co.uk. 15 July 2007  Details from WSSRT • The turntable is on the move...   Over thirty years after it was rescued from Pwllheli in North Wales, the turntable is finally on the move. It will be some time before it moves in a circular motion but at least the long awaited restoration and future installation is underway. The turntable has been moved, by rail, from near the Signal Box at Minehead to the loco yard. Following some preparatory work it will be moved by road for restoration by a steel company in the Midlands, work that involves extending the structure by ten feet. All to a Great Western pattern maintaining the heritage interest and value of the turntable. Groundwork at the installation site alongside Minehead Station begins in October 2007, with the turntable returning at the end of the year. Commissioning is on target for the start of the 2008 season. 12 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • The Daffodil Specials raise hundreds for charities...   Cheques have been presented by the West Somerset Railway to two charities following the running of two fundraising trains on the line. The Daffodil Specials ran on the evening of 5 May, one from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back, and one from Minehead to Williton and back. Everyone enjoyed a Fish and Chip supper and a glass of wine. Raffles and a stall made the evening more fun. The proceeds were divided between two charities, Macmillan Nurses and Marie Curie who each received a cheque for £400 on Monday 9 July at 2pm at Minehead Station. 12 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • Stock for Bristol service arrives   The stock for the service between Bristol and Minehead has arrived on the Branch. Around 8pm on Wednesday 11 July, two Class 31 diesel locomotives, nos 31452 and 31454 passed through Bishops Lydeard with seven coaches and headed for Minehead. The train - the locos and coaches all in matching "Inter City" livery - had originated from Gloucester. The Bristol and Minehead service starts on Friday 20 July. Between then, WSR staff will need to become familiar with the rather modern, air-conditioned stock. Full details... 11 July 2007  Details from local correspondents • Autumn Steam Gala loco news   The Autumn Steam Gala will be graced by at least three visiting engines. The Special Events Planning Team of the West Somerset Railway have announced LBSCR Terrier 0-6-0T no 662 Martello, GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 and GWR 0-6-2T no 6619 are confirmed. An agreement for LMS Stanier Mogul 2-6-0 no 42968 is in place - however the lineside problems at the Severn Valley Railway brought about by the recent heavy rainfall may prevent the loco from leaving its base. Other options are being actively explored. The Gala will also of course be the first special event at which SR West Country 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton - nearing completion at Williton - will be in action. So the current line up reads nos 662, 1450, 5553, 4160, 6619, 9351, 44422, 88 and 34046 plus possibly 42968 and another. Home-based GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 may not be available due to programmed repairs, and WSRA-owned GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 will have been withdrawn for its ten year overhaul by then. A pretty good line up indeed... 6 July 2007  Details from SEPT • Rail-grinding train pays night visit   A rail-grinding train has made a night visit to the West Somerset Railway. Over the night of 4 to 5 July, one of Network Rail's specialist track maintenance trains arrived at Bishops Lydeard Station just before 10pm before travelling further down the Minehead Branch stopping at pre-selected spots to re-profile the rail surface. This work improves the contact between rail and wheel making for a more comfort ride for passengers and also reducung wear and tear of wheels and rails. Further remedial work using this process may be carried out again in the future. 6 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • The WSR brings in the visitors   Despite the wet summer so far, the West Somerset Railway is helping to keep the local tourist industry afloat. The Somerset County Gazette reports "Tourist information centres in Minehead and Porlock are reporting buoyant visitor numbers, and travellers on the West Somerset Railway were up 10% at the end of June compared with last year, an indication of healthy business for accommodation providers in communities near the railway outside the main centres". A good example of the importance of a successful and attractive heritage railway to the local economy. 5 July 2007  Details from local correspondent • An award from Visit Exmoor...   An award recognises the West Somerset Railway as a major tourist attraction. Visit Exmoor, one of several organisations working to increase visitor numbers to the area, paid a "mystery shopper" trip to the WSR earlier this year, and the Railway is very pleased to be awarded the title of "Attraction of the Year" as a result. The overall professionalism of the Railway and the quality of the staff were two of the high scoring marks gained by the WSR. Well done, everybody... 4 July 2007  Details from WSR Plc • Progress on the Auto ...   Work has started on refurbishing the frames of Auto Trailer no 169 with removal of wasted steelwork around the front cab area. Some of the refurbishment of the main frames will be completed by West Somerset Restoration who are to supply some specialist skills as part of rolling contract. With some more visible progress achieved during recent weeks (see Latest Pictures pages) and regular work sessions now underway on Saturdays and Wednesdays the group behind the restoration, Loco 5542 Ltd, are now are hoping to move forward at an increased rate. There are now a wider range of activities available for prospective helpers with work on the metalwork side now starting, so if anyone would like to grasp the opportunity to assist with any part of the project please get in touch via www.loco5542.co.uk. Various odds and ends from a range of sources have recently been donated to the project much of which will be useful as the restoration progresses and may well act as a source of patterns to produce new parts that will be required for the possible 14 carriages being mustered by the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust... 1 July 2007  Details from Loco 5542 Ltd