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No 6960 will miss the Autumn Steam Gala
The eagerly awaited return of a classic GWR loco at the Autumn Steam Gala has been cancelled. Thanks to a message from a local correspondent we understand the WSR Plc have announced the following on the official website "Unfortunately GWR Hall 6960 Raveningham Hall will be unavailable as previously advertised due to completion works on cladding and final painting which can take up to 3-4 weeks depending on the weather." More about the Autumn Steam Gala here.
31 August 2011
Details from local correspondent
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No 34070 to visit for Autumn Steam Gala
Another chance to experience Bulleid power during the Autumn Steam Gala. The West Somerset Railway has announced that Bulleid-designed Light Pacific no 34070 Manston will be visiting for the Autumn Steam Gala. Built at Brighton works in 1947 and was the last locomotive built by the Southern Railway before it was nationalised in 1948. No 34070 is normally based on the Swanage Railway. More about the Autumn Steam Gala here.
27 August 2011
Details from local correspondent
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Taunton Group meetings for the early autumn
The Taunton Area Group will be meeting again soon. On Monday 5 September 2011, Ian Aldridge will present "DVD Steam in the 1950s and 1960s". Then on 3 October 2011 the meeting will be treated to a presentation by PSOV. The meetings will be at the usual venue - the Great Western Sports & Athletic Club, Station Approach, Taunton at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. To contact Ian Aldridge ring 01823 430194 or email ianaldridge@talktalk.net. Ian Aldridge is a Director/Trustee of the West Somerset Railway Association.
26 August 2011
Details from WSRA
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A chance to live right next to the WSR
Fancy living next to Bishops Lydeard Railway Station. "Slimbridge" is an attractive four bedroom Victorian house with three double and one single bedroom along with two bathrooms, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, lobby, double garage and garden. To be let for £950 per calendar month. For more details telephone 01823 432223.
26 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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A late summer swansong for Class 25 no D7523
Farewell to JFK at the Late Summer Weekend. In a statement on the official WSR website, the Chairman of the DEPG, John Cronin, says "As a result of a change of ownership, Class 25 no D7523 John F. Kennedy will be leaving the West Somerset Railway in early September 2011 for a new home at North Weald on the Epping and Ongar Heritage Railway. The Class 25 has been based at Williton Diesel Depot in the care of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group for the last 15 years and has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors and staff over the years." No D7523's WSR swansong will be on 4 September during the Late Summer Weekend when the loco will haul the 9am from Minehead, the 2pm from Bishops Lydeard and the 5pm from Minehead. Full story here.
24 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Discount rail fares for local residents
Those folks resident in the TA postcode area can enjoy a generous discount on standard travel trains on the West Somerset Railway. By purchasing a Local Residents Railcard the cardholder can enjoy half price travel on the West Somerset Railway for two years. The Local Residents Railcard cost £10 per person and lasts for two years from the date of issue. Please note there are eligibility rules and restrictions - full details are here.
24 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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A new retail supervisor for the WSRA
Kate joins the WSRA team at Bishops Lydeard Station. Susan Kaufman, the West Somerset Railway Association's Manager, writes "The WSRA is pleased to announce that we have hired Kate Beard to be our new Retail Supervisor. Kate has an extensive retail background and will be bringing a lot of experience with her when she starts with us on 12 September 2011. She has been to visit the railway for an introductory look around the shop, and also toured the Quantock Belle. She said that 'it was great to have my first look around the railway and to meet so many of the volunteers! I am very much looking forward to taking up my appointment.' When Kate 'officially' arrives, she will have three weeks to work with John Pearce before he retires on 30 September 2011."
24 August 2011
Details from WSRA
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The Rat to leave the West Somerset
A popular and hardworking diesel loco is to leave the WSR within weeks. Williton-based Class 25 no D7523 has been sold by its owner and will be moved away from the Minehead line soon after the Late Summer Weekend event (3-3 September 2011). Demonstrating its availability and usefulness, D7523 was called into service on 22 August following the late failure of the rostered steamer, GWR 2-8-0 no 3850. We understand two other locos currently in the care of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group have been sold under the same deal - Class 08 no D3462 is currently station pilot at Bishops Lydeard and Class 03 no D2199 based at Williton. Other diesel news concerns Class 47 no D1661 North Star which is awaiting an oil change and will not appear as advertised at the Late Summer Weekend. Hymek no D7017 is expected to replace the Class 47. Please note we await official confirmation of the foregoing information.
23 August 2011
Details from local correspondents
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Work starts on laying rails on the East Chord
The WSR is closing the last gap in the Norton Triangle layout. The low embankment curving northwest from the Barnstaple line towards the West Chord was formed at the same time as the latter formation. More recently pointwork was installed at each end but then work became focussed on the Barnstaple Junction area. Now members of the Railway's permanent way team have started laying concrete sleepers and rails along the 16 chains of the East Chord. When linked up, this work will complete the inner triangle. See map.
22 August 2011
Details from local correspondent
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Brief visit by Deltic no 55022...
Bishops Lydeard will host a Deltic for a few hours on Saturday 20 August. Class 55 no 55022 Royal Scots Grey is due to haul a special from Peterborough to Weston-super-Mare and will then bring empty coaching stock onwards to Bishops Lydeard for servicing and stabling. The ECS move will arrive at Bishops Lydeard around 1.50pm and depart for Weston at 4pm.
16 August 2011
Details from local correspondent and Royal Scots Grey
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More mugs...
A new range of mugs have just arrived in the Minehead Station Shop. The superb commemorative bone china mugs, made in the UK, have a picture of newly named Norton Manor. A limited number of the mugs will be available from the Shop at Minehead Station or online and are priced at £6.50, £1.00 of which will go to the 40 Royal Marine Commando charity, Go Commando. Postage and packing will be £1.50
15 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Time is running out to get a 2011 WSR mug
There are less than 200 2011 mugs left now. Don't leave it too late to get yours.The WSR 2011 mug - the design celebrates the opening of the Railway from Minehead to Williton in 1976 - is only available from the buffet cars on the West Somerset Railway trains. A souvenir from 2011 - the 35th anniversary of the re-born West Somerset Railway.
12 August 2011
Details from WSR Catering via Facebook
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Use the Railway to follow the Raft Race
The trains offer the best way to see the start and finish of the Raft Race. The 32nd annual Minehead Lifeboat Raft Race - one of the biggest events of its type in the country - in association with Butlins takes place on 28 August 2011 starting at 4.30pm from Blue Anchor Beach to paddle the 4½ miles to Minehead Harbour arriving at approximately 5.15pm. Other activities and attractions include a fun race at 4.45pm, craft stalls, samba band, live bands and disco on the official RNLI stage and at 9.30pm a spectacular firework display at Minehead harbour bringing the town’s biggest event to a fitting close. Travel on the West Somerset Railway to either Blue Anchor or Dunster to view the race.
12 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc and Active Exmoor
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Railway busy on Red Arrows day
The Railway was very busy on 10 August as thousands of people made for Minehead. The main event of the Minehead Festival was undoubtedly the display by the Red Arrows. David McCubbin, WSR Plc's Sales and Marketing Manager, commented "August 10th 2011 was the Minehead Summer Festival. Over 20,000 visitors came to Minehead to see the Red Arrows and the Red Devils display team. Sadly due to poor weather at their home airfield, the Sea King helicopter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight were unable to reach Minehead. The West Somerset Railway worked in partnership with the Festival organisers to run a special 'park & ride' timetable with the trains scheduled to bring as many passengers as possible from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead in the morning and to return the passengers home in the afternoon. All trains arrived and departed Minehead full. It was great to see Minehead so busy with so many visitors enjoying the festival and it was great that the WSR could be a part of it and enjoy its busiest day of the 2011 season so far."
11 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Odney to return - for one day at least
No 7828 will star in a Return to Steam special in September. The special will leave Bishops Lydeard on 18 September at 1pm and will be headed by BR(W) 4-6-0 no 7828 which will be hauling its first public train since 2002 when it was withdrawn for heavy overhaul. Th elcoomotive has recently been re-named Norton Manor in honour of the local Royal Marine base but for one day it will revert to its original name Odney Manor. Seats on the Return to Steam Special train are limited and can be purchased in advance for £20 online for by ringing 01643 704996 with a credit or debit card.
11 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Timetables released for Late Summer Weekend event
The public timetables for the event on 3 and 4 September have been released by the West Somerset Railway. The details can be found on the official website from today and at the Late Summer Weekend page on this website. For those with an interest in more details including locomotive allocations the Working Timetables (as PDFs) can also be found on the website pages. With the return of Braunton and the visit of Tornado the event has a strong steam element this year with a third steamer also in action on both days although it is not clear whether it will be WSR 2-6-0 no 9351 (as listed on promotional material and websites) or BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160 (as per recently issued working timetable).
10 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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No 34046 re-enters traffic
No 34046 has made its long awaited return to traffic. Now sporting its brand-new tender SR 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton resumed its work on the West Somerset Railway on 9 August 2011 when it hauled the 2.05pm from Minehead. If all goes well the locomotive will be based at Bishops Lydeard for the foreseeable future to help with the busy summer trains. No word yet about commencement of main line trials.
9 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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No 71000 to remain on the WSR for a few more days
No 71000 has now completed 560 miles of running in on the West Somerset Railway. Tests carried out have shown there to be no mechanical defects with BR 4-6-2 no 71000 Duke of Gloucester. The locomotive will return to Torbay Express duties as stand by locomotive for GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 King Edward 1 on Sunday 7 August. Should the Duke not be called upon for Torbay duties, it will attend Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally, in light steam, at Norton Fitzwarren on 6-7 August 2011. From Thursday 4 August, Duke of Gloucester will be based at Bishops Lydeard and the locomotive's next scheduled WSR steaming will be a footplate experience course on Saturday 13 August. On Sunday 21 August, no 71000 will resume as scheduled locomotive for the Torbay Express.
[Comment from wsr.org.uk: We understand the loco will leave the WSR on 19 August.]
4 August 2011
Details from Phoenix Heritage Rail Ltd
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Sentinel diesel cab rides during Steam Rally
This weekend will see the first opportunity for the public to travel on the Norton Triangle. Visitors to the Steam Rally at the Norton Fields on 6 and 7 August 2011 will be able to enjoy a ride along part of the brand new West Chord and then along the Allerford Spur in the cab of diesel shunter Sentinel no DH16. Passengers will board using the built-in locomotive cab access steps at a special loading point near the Oak Tree. The cab can accommodate a maximum of four people including the train crew. A great opportunity for the public will have the first chance to travel on the Triangle tracks.
3 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Loco running during the Late Summer Weekend
Traction for this event will be a mixture of three steam locomotives and three diesel locomotives on each day. The daily duties for the Late Summer Weekend are now confirmed. Nos 60163, 34046, 9351, D7523 will run on both days; Nos D7017, D832, D1010 will run on the Saturday only; Nos D6566 and D1661 will run on the Sunday only. The 3-car DMU will be used on both days to provide a shuttle service between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren with the first service leaving Bishops Lydeard at 11.45am and the last at 2.45pm.
2 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Devon Belle observation car no 14 for Minehead
During the Autumn, Observation Car no 14 will arrive on the West Somerset Railway. Car no 14 was once part of the Devon Belle luxury train operated by the Southern Railway between Waterloo and Ilfracombe and Plymouth. The visit has been arranged with the Swanage Railway who own the vehicle. A First Class supplement will be payable to travel in Car no 14. Although the date of entry into traffic and the daily workings have still to be decided the visit of Car no 14 is expected to generate much interest.
2 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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News round up from the Minehead Branch
A few snippets of news from the West Somerset Railway. The Railway is promoting a trip to the Taunton Flower Show on 5 and 6 August with a train trip and connecting bus service - more information here. The Exmoor Coast Railway Modellers have their Exmoor-Rail event on Saturday 6 August 2011 between 10.00am and 4.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, The Avenue, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5AY. Williton-based Class 33 no D6566 will enjoy its 50th birthday in August and will carry a 50th birthday headboard when in service on Saturday 13 August. The Railway is providing a free bus service from Dunster Station to the Dunster Show on 19 August 2011 - more information here. There seems to be some doubt about the appearance of Class 47 no D1661 at the Late Summer Weekend event in early September - more news when we get it.
2 August 2011
Details from WSR Plc and local correspondents
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