The West Somerset Railway Plc wish to remind folks:

The rescheduled Stakeholders' meeting will take place at 2pm on Saturday 9 April 2016 in the Hobby Horse, Minehead. Tea and coffee will be available.

30 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

There are photographic records of diesel locomotives at work on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway but sadly these are largely images of demolition trains at work (including the Minehead based Class 03 no D2133 on the Highbridge - Evercreech Junction line) plus shots of Class 33 diesels working freight to and from Blandford Forum goods yard, Hymeks on coal trains from Radstock and diesel hydraulics and later Class 31s on the remaining milk traffic from Bason Bridge. These last three were the remaining traffics after the closure to passenger services in March 1966.

However this year's Mixed Traction Event will represent the S&DJR with diesel locomotives at work as part of one of two scenarios. Either the line stayed open and featured Western and Southern Region diesel locos or the 'Radstock Project' grew to become a major heritage railway. So the three days 10, 11, 12 June 2016 will combine heritage with what might have been.

Friday 10 June will be a diesel-only day with a diesel hauled Pines Express and the locomotives in action will be a mixture of Western Region diesel hydraulics and Southern Region diesel electrics. There will be one steam diagram on both Saturday 11 June and Sunday 12 June to cover the general holiday maker market.

The majority of the diesel locos in action will come from the fleet in the care of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, including Class 42 no D832 Onslaught making its last runs between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead before returning to the East Lancashire Railway. The others are listed by the DEPG as nos D1010 Western Campaigner, D1661 North Star (one of the batch built for the Western Region), D6575, D7017 and D9526. These will be augmented by Class 66 no 66757 West Somerset Railway which appears courtesy of Great British Railfreight. A diesel multiple unit (DMU) will work a shuttle service between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren on Friday 10 June and this section of line will feature top and tailed train workings on 11 and 12 June whilst the DMU shuttles between Minehead and Dunster. There will be diesel hauled demonstration freight trains on Friday and Saturday.

As with the very successful Steam Gala in March, WSR stations will take on the identities of long closed Somerset and Dorset locations. The DEPG's depot and heritage centre at Williton will welcome visitors on all three days as will the museums at Bishops Lydeard (where the model railway on the upper floor will feature diesel traffic in miniature) and Blue Anchor. The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust Museum at Washford will welcome visitors as will the Taunton Model Railway Group at Bishops Lydeard.

There will be licensed buffet cars on most trains and Quantock Brewery will have its shop open adjacent to Bishops Lydeard station. There are cafes at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead station and light refreshments are available at other stations except Doniford Halt.

Discounted rover tickets (1, 2, or 3 day) for the event are on sale now via www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or 01643 704996

30 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

David Oldham Productions has once again moved fast and David's new DVD featuring the Spring Steam Gala is on sale in the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead. So for those who were working on the trains or travelling here is a chance to see the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway commemorative event as it appeared from the lineside and station platforms. Together with that there is archive material featuring the S&D in its final years and interviews with Bath Green Park loco men. Plus there is footplate footage from the double-headed 7F working.

The running time is 180 minutes and there is brief commentary plus on-screen titles and locations. It can be obtained now for £17, including postage and packing, from the West Somerset Railway Plc, the Station Shop, The Railway Station, Minehead, TA24 5BG. (Cheques payable to West Somerset Railway plc) or by card via 01643 700387. It should be available from the website shop shortly.

29 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Following work by railcam.uk and the Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station the quality and availability of the webcam at Crowcombe Heathfield Station has been improved beyond measure despite the local copper-wire internet connections remaining poor.

The webcam images can be viewed on the website of Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station or on railcam.uk or on this page on this website.

The Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield give thanks to railcam.uk in particular Phil O'Ryan and Adrian Bradshaw.

27 March 2016
Details kindly provided by Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station

At the Board meeting on 21 March 2016, Claire Sheppy and David Baker were co-opted to the Trust's Board of Directors. Subsequently, David Williams has tendered his resignation as a Trustee and as Company Secretary. Announcing the changes, Chris Austin, Chairman of the Trust, said:

My fellow Directors and I welcome Claire and David to the Board and the fresh perspectives they will bring. We also thank David Williams for his contribution over the past six years.

25 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

A new West Somerset Railway venture for the Easter Weekend has proved a success. Activity sheets are being handed out to children travelling on the trains with pictures to colour in and an Easter Egg Trail. Posters with different coloured eggs are displayed at stations along the route (one colour per station) for children to spot and record on their sheets as they travelled. All the sheets handed in are being entered in a prize draw and it is not necessary to have recorded all the egg colours, so there is no bar even if the journey is from Watchet to Minehead. Stations are requesting further supplies so it is clearly succeeding as an idea. And it continues over the extended Easter weekend

Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Railway depends on several hundred volunteers to maintain its services. In recognition of this, Ian Coleby, WSR Plc's Volunteer Development Director, has now produced a first draft of a new strategy for the recruitment, training and management of volunteers. This first draft has been approved by the Board and now needs the views of everybody on the railway to help produce a final strategy for implementation. The draft strategy is available here for download. Please take the time to read this and feed back comments direct to Ian by email voldevdir@wsrail.net. Comments by 23 April 2016 please.

Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Forty years ago on 28 March 1976 passengers once again travelled on the West Somerset Railway. Five years after British Rail closed the Minehead Branch and following a five year battle with authorities and nature, the West Somerset Railway Company Ltd re-opened the three mile section between Minehead and Blue Anchor. Baz Juniper was there on that historic day to record some of the scenes with his camera. With thanks to Baz, we are delighted to add yet more images to the Re-opening Day 28 March 1976 gallery.

24 March 2016
Details kindly provided by local correspondent.

Locomotives designed by Sir Henry Fowler will feature strongly over the Easter weekend and the following week. At the Midland Railway's Derby Works, Fowler designed a special class of heavy goods locomotive for use on the severe gradients of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway - later designated class 7F - and the two surviving examples, nos 53808 and 53809, will be working trains on the Minehead Branch over the Easter period. There is also the likelihood of another, smaller, Fowler machine joining the 7Fs (if repairs to the diesel multiple unit (DMU) are not completed in time) when Class 4F 0-6-0 no 44422 will work the DMU diagram from 29 March to 1 April. We could call it a unofficial 'Fowler Festival' and we are sure a feast of Fowler will attract enthusiasts of the products of Derby Works keen to get some 'mileage' behind these black-liveried beasts.

Details gleaned from West Somerset Railway Plc

On Sunday 10 April 2016 the West Somerset Railway is holding another recruiting day for anyone who is interested in helping to keep England's longest heritage railway steaming into the future. Potential volunteers must book a place by contacting volunteers@wsrail.net Once a place is booked then go to Bishops Lydeard Station on 10 April for a 9.15am start and after an introduction there will be around trip by train to Williton and back to discover what is involved in working in various departments of the WSR. These include shop and buffet work as well as locomotives, signalling, ticket inspecting, training as a guard, and maintaining track, structures and controlling lineside vegetation. The potential volunteers will be back at Bishops Lydeard at 1.45pm. More information about the new volunteers day can be obtained by contacting volunteers@wsrail.net Please note advance booking is required.

A separate project will link a popular tourist attraction in West Somerset with the WSR. A new footpath is to be constructed between Doniford Halt and Doniford Farm Park, to obviate the need for a walk along a busy road that is currently necessary. Willing hands to help with the construction, which will mainly involve moving stones into place should contact Andrew Young via 07872 839109

Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Railway is pleased to announce that the 2016 West Somerset Classic Car Run is to take place on Sunday 19 June 2016, Father's Day.

The run is open to pre-1980 classics, and is strictly limited to 100 participants on a first-come basis. The run will start from Bishops Lydeard Railway Station, near Taunton, and will take in a pre-arranged 35 mile route through some little-known but delightful West Somerset scenery, wooded valleys, along the coast and ending at the seaside resort at Minehead where free parking for the day has been arranged, adjacent to Minehead Station. Paul Conibeare, West Somerset Railway's General Manager said:

The inaugural car run in 2015 was a great success, and we hope now to make this an annual event. It is perfect for Father's Day. This gives an opportunity for classic car owners to explore the lesser-known by-ways of West Somerset and for steam trains and classic cars to be seen together.

For more information contact the Run Organiser, Robin White at robin215white@btinternet.com

Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The 2016 operations of the Dunster Castle Express starts on Wednesday 23 March and will run on most Wednesdays and Saturdays (the exceptions are 11 June, 2 July, 10 August, 3 September and 8 October) until the end of the operating season. Passengers travel on the 10.25am steam train from Bishops Lydeard. On arrival at Dunster station a Ridlers coach transfers passengers to the Castle for the afternoon. The coach leaves the Castle at 4.00pm and arrival back at Bishops Lydeard station is at 5.21pm. Inclusive tickets (train, coach and castle admission) can be purchased at Bishops Lydeard Station on the day of travel) or online via www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.

On 27 & 28 March 2016 and 1 & 2 May 2016, a free vintage bus service will link Dunster Station, the village and the Castle. There will be no through ticketing packages available on these dates but WSR passengers who show their tickets at the Castle entrance gate will get a 25% discount on admission. The bus, a heritage vehicle from the Crosville fleet, will leave Dunster Station at 10.35am, 11.45am, 12.40pm, 1.50pm, 2.35pm, 3.50pm and 4.40pm. Departure times from Dunster village will be 10am, 10.50am, 12 noon, 12.55pm, 2.05pm, 3.15pm, 4.05pm and 5pm, and people staying in the village are welcome to travel down to the Station.

Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The Friends of Minehead Station (FoMS) have spent many years attempting to improve the heritage spear-topped cast iron fencing at the Promenade end of the Listed station. FoMS knew the fencing needed much attention. After working with the authorities, a programme of refurbishment commenced with panels being sent away for shotblasting and painting. And now, with assistance from the staff at Minehead Loco Shed, a start has been made on re-installation with seven refurbished fence panels now in place alongside the platform. The funds for this heritage project were raised by FoMS. There is much still to do but, at last, and with enormous thanks to the Shed folks, the members of FoMS and people using the station and the seafront can see what the final fence should look like.

20 March 2016
Details kindly provided by the Friends of Minehead Station

The West Somerset Railway's six day 2016 Spring Steam Gala took as its theme the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway and the event was a great success overall with 6627 passengers travelling and busy trade being reported at the stations and in the shops and catering outlets along the route of the WSR. Of those who travelled no less than 5328 journeyed over the four days 10 to 13 March, with 5 March and particularly 6 March being quieter.

The Gala featured no less than eight locomotives of classes associated with the SDJR working trains over the 20 miles of line between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead. These were both of the surviving 7F goods engines built especially for the S&D nos 53808 and 53809, LMS 4F no 44422, Stanier 8F no 48624 (a late substitution following successive problems with the availability of Black 5s nos 45379 and 44871), 9F no 92214, Bulleid Pacifics nos 34053 Sir Keith Park and 34070 Manston and Standard 4MT no 80072. The latter was renumbered as class mate no 80043 which worked one of the final trains on the S&D in March 1966 and, from 10 to 13 March, the Friends of Templecombe Station sponsored a change of identity of no 34053 to long-scrapped classmate no 34098 Templecombe. Thanks got to the owners of these locomotives for permitting the identity changes.

Also in action were two smaller locomotives. Peckett 0-4-0ST Kilmersdon worked shuttles in and out of Minehead station which gave passengers the first chance to travel in SDJR First Class Coach no 4 for the first time since 1930 after many years of restoration work by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust at Washford. Making its gala debut was another 0-4-0ST, Barclay no 1219. which has been restored by apprentice Ryan Pope at West Somerset Restoration in Williton. This loco spent the Gala shunting at Washford.

WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare commented:

We knew from advanced bookings that we were going to be busy and that we had attracted visitors from all over Britain and further afield but it was good to see that we were also welcoming family outings with many of those too young to have known the Somerset and Dorset. It is that younger market that we will have to continue to attract to make gala events financially viable into the future.

For pictures of the event, please use these links:
5 March 2016  6 March 2016  10 March 2016  11 March 2016  12 March 2016  13 March 2016 

Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The leading provider of railway-based webcams - railcam.uk - have worked with the Friends of West Somerset Railway to replace the existing webcam on the Signal Box at Minehead with a new state-of-the-art webcam. The webcam gives very clear images of the view along the platforms towards the main station. wsr.org.uk is very pleased to be given permission by FoWSR and railcam.uk to re-use the webstream on the Minehead webcam page which works without need for further plugins on, we understand, the latest browsers on tablets, smartphones, laptops and desktops.

16 March 2016
Details kindly provided by Friends of West Somerset Railway and railcam.uk

New editions of three popular West Somerset Railway books are now on sale. These are the Stock Book, the Guide Book and Walks from West Somerset Railway Stations. Each costs £5 over the shop counters on the line or can be ordered for £6.25 including post and packing from the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead (call 01643 700385)

16 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Writing on the Rally website, Di and Richard Charlton of the Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally Committee say:

The Rally Committee took time out from their March meeting to bid a fond farewell to Ian Jonas and Wendy Turner. Ian and Wendy have run the rally very successfully for the last two years but are now standing down due to health and family commitments. They leave a strong and enthusiastic team who welcome Geoff Garfield as the new Chairman; we are, literally, full steam ahead! If you would like to help us put on a cracking show this August why not take a look at our Volunteers page now.

16 March 2016
Details kindly provided by The Rally Committee

Writing on the front page of the re-launched Williton Station website, John Parsons, Acting Station Master at Williton, explains:

With the expert services of Edward Martin Computer Services, of Williton, and very able assisted by Martin Hope, we are getting back on line and hope in the coming weeks to have caught up both with news and the picture galleries.

13 March 2016
Details kindly provided by Williton Station

Frank Courtney, the Chairman of West Somerset Railway Association, has issued a newsletter:

This is the start of a new era for the West Somerset Railway Association. On the morning of Saturday 27th February well over 160 Members met together in a General Meeting at Crowcombe Village Hall in West Somerset. There was only one item on the agenda, which was the structured replacement of the existing trustees. I am not going to go over all the issues that led to this meeting, but the result of the ballot was entirely decisive, with 1674 voting for and 67 votes against (both figures including proxy votes for those not able to attend). The ballot was independently managed throughout by two senior Directors of the Heritage Railways Association (HRA), Steve Wood and Richard Barnes, to whom we are very grateful.

Download the full newsletter from the Chairman.

And Jacquie Green has also issued a statement concerning an unauthorised mailing to the Membership:

It has come to the Trustees' attention that there has been an unauthorised mailing to an historic list of members. We understand that the mailing includes a purported WSR Journal, a membership ballot and a letter.

See the full statement from Jacquie Green.

11 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

Jacquie Green, General Manager of West Somerset Railway Association, writes:

In accordance with the second item on the members resolution passed at the WSRA EGM on Saturday 27 February, an invitation to members to come forward to serve as temporary trustees until the 2016 AGM is now available for download.

10 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

Southern Railway Light Pacific no 34053 Sir Keith Park will temporarily take the identity of the long lost Templecombe (34098). The renaming ceremony will take place at 1.45pm on Wednesday 9 March 2016 at Bishops Lydeard Station (itself renamed 'Templecombe' for the Gala). Thanks go to the Friends of Templecombe Station for suggesting and sponsoring the change of identity. The Light Pacific will remain as no 34098 until the end of the Spring Steam Gala on Sunday 13 March.

8 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

A drinks licence has been successfully applied for and it is now possible to buy beer, cider and wine in the Turntable. The beers (all bottled) come from three Somerset breweries, Cotleigh, Exmoor and Quantock and the cider from Sheppy's. Hopefully the chance to enjoy a glass whilst watching the station at work will prove attractive to visitors.

8 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

During the 2016 Spring Steam Gala whch commemorates fifty years since closure of the lamented Somerset and Dorset line between Bath and Bournemouth, the locos will carry the authentic S&D lamp headcodes and many will also carry a train reporting number.

8 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Thirty two WSR supporters attended the new Taunton WSRA meeting on the evening of 7 March 2016, where the WSR's very own Don Bishop showed and talked about examples of his stunning railway photography.

New WSRA Trustee Roger Thompson was on hand to speak about WSRA affairs.

8 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

Watchet Railway Station is having a Model Railway Sale to raise funds for repairs and maintenance at Watchet Station,as part of the Spring Steam Gala. On Saturday 12 March 2016 in the Pagoda Waiting Room between 10am and 3pm, there will be a small selection of Secondhand OO and N gauge engines, coaches, wagons, track, cars, buildings, books, magazines etc. Cash only for sales please and its free admission. Pop in and see us when you're at the Gala. Contact David on 01935 421107 or Steve 01984 633425.

7 March 2016
Details kindly provided by Friends of Watchet Station

On Wednesday 9 March the WSR is operating an additional day of S&D themed trains as an 'extra Gala day'. A special offer applies to the day where readers of 'Heritage Railway' magazine who present the voucher from either of the last two issues of that magazine at the booking office can obtain a day rover ticket at just £10. However if you are not a reader and don't have those vouchers then you can still travel on the day by paying the normal fare.

Locos in action on the day are:

• BR 2-6-4T no 80043 (10.25 ex Bishops Lydeard and 14.10 ex Minehead)
• LMS 0-6-0 no 44422 (11.05 ex Bishops Lydeard, 13.10 Minehead to Williton and 14.05 return, 15.05 Ex Minehead)
• SDJR 2-8-0 no 53808 (12.35 ex Minehead and 16.10 ex Bishops Lydeard)
• SDJR 2-8-0 no 53809 (11.55 ex Bishops Lydeard and 16.00 ex Minehead)
• SR 4-6-2 no 34098 Templecombe (10.15 ex Minehead and 14.20 ex Bishops Lydeard)

Note that not all locos will be turned at Norton Fitzwarren or Minehead turntable on this date.

In addition there is the renaming ceremony of Bulleid no 34053 Sir Keith Park to 34098 Templecombe for the remainder of the Gala courtesy of Templecombe Station Group with kind co-operation of Southern Locomotives Ltd and Severn Valley Railway. This will take place at Bishops Lydeard Station around lunchtime whilst the loco 'lays over' between its booked passenger turns.

7 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Mervyn Hebditch, Senior Traction Inspector at West Somerset Railway, making his reacquaintance with Southern Railway Bulleid Pacific 4-6-2 no 34053 Sir Keith Park during the first of weekend of the Spring Steam Gala. Around 1967, both Merv and engine were at Bournemouth Depot towards the end of steam on the Southern Region. The Gala continues on 10,11,12, 13 March 2016.

7 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

A new programme of exciting events at a new venue are now planned for the Taunton Area Group, under the auspices of the refreshed Board of Trustees. Meetings will still be held on the first Monday evening of the month (2nd Monday in May), 7pm for 7.30pm but now at the Wyvern Club, Mountfields Road, Taunton TA1 3BJ. This is a great venue with a bar and offering food from a snack to a full meal.

The first evening, on Monday 7 March, will be a presentation by home-grown WSR photographic expert Don Bishop of Steam Recreations including, no doubt many shots taken on photographic steam charters and our very own WSR.

A representative of the new WSRA Trustees, Roger Thompson, will also be present to answer questions on the work now started to get the WSRA back on track. If you have not been to a WSRA Taunton Area Group meeting for a while, or at all, do come along on Monday 7 March if you possibly can, to show support to your new Board of Trustees and find out where the WSRA is going in future.

7 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The Trustee Board of the West Somerset Railway Association have provided as PDFs a synopsis of each of the two recent Board meetings. The first document covers the meeting on 27 February 2016 and the second covers the meeting on 3 March 2016.

6 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

Minehead Station will be open to visitors on Tuesday 8 March 2016 to allow photographers a chance to take pictures of some of the Gala guest steam locomotives 'on shed'. The engines due to be there will be SR 4-6-2 no 34053 Sir Keith Park, SR 4-6-2 no 34070 Manston, LMS 8F 2-8-0 no 48624, SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 53808 and Peckett 0-4-0ST Kilmersdon. BR 9F 2-10-0 no 92214 should also make an appearance working a special footplate experience charter during the day departing Minehead at 10.30am and due back at 4.10pm.

The Turntable Cafe and Station Shop will be open and the event is intended as a fund raiser for the restoration of GWR 'Large Prairie' no 4110 so donations towards this part of the future of the WSR will be welcome (collecting box outside the shop or leave money in the Information Office). The day will last from 10am to 4.30pm.

4 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Gala visitor BR Class 4MT 2-6-4T no 80072 has been renumbered as long-lost classmate 80043 for the Spring Steam Gala. Here is Gerry Hurfurt's photograph of 80043 standing at Shepton Mallet on 6 March 1966.

Gerry Hurfurt comments:

As you can see, it actually had no shed plate on Sunday 6th March 1966 when it double headed (with 8F 48706) a Stephenson Locomotive Society special from Green Park to Bournemouth and back; this train was the last to do a complete round trip over the line and the very last to enter Green Park station with passengers aboard.

4 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The Williton workshops of West Somerset Restoration will be open to visitors on 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 March 2016 between 9am and 5pm. See progress with os 4561 and 6695. Admission is free but various worthy causes will have donation tins looking to be filled. Also on display will be GWR BCK no 6705 as the Heritage Carriages Project show progress on the vehicle. And the folks restoring Auto trailer no 169 will be pleased of a visit.

3 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Sunday 6 March looks like being the quietest of the six days of the Spring Steam Gala based on a peek at advance bookings. It will also mark the 50th anniversary to the day when the last special passenger trains ran over the Somerset and Dorset. The weather forecast also looks good and on 6 March 2016 passengers aged 5 to 17 will travel at a flat rate of £2 if accompanied by a fare paying adult or senior.

3 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

On Friday 4 March listeners to Claire Carter's breakfast show on BBC Radio Somerset will have the chance to win family rover tickets for the WSR Spring Steam Gala. Claire's show is on air from 6.30am and features the usual mix of music, local and national news and local interviews. We also understand the competition is also going out on the mid-morning and drive time shows.

3 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 Kilmersdon will work the SDJR Shuttle workings on all six Gala days between 11am and 4pm. Passengers may ride in SDJR First Class Coach no 4 or the LSWR Road Van for a fare of £2 with proceeds going towards restoring SDJR Coach no 114 at Washford. The trips will be in and out of Minehead Station to between the Marsh Common footpath crossing and Drift Crossing and back. There is no set timetable for these services which will run between arrivals and departures.

3 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Mel Hillman, New Volunteer Co-ordinator, West Somerset Railway writes...

The West Somerset Railway will be holding its Annual Potential New Volunteer Open Day on Sunday 10 April 2016. This is an opportunity for anyone thinking of joining our team of enthusiastic volunteers to visit and find out more about the opportunities available. The day starts at 9.15am at Bishops Lydeard, followed a train trip to Williton to visit several departments and return to Bishops Lydeard by 1.45pm. Advance booking is essential. To book or to find out more information please email: volunteers@wsrail.net or telephone 01643 700384

2 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Advance booking for Spring Steam Gala Rover tickets by phone (01643 700398) will close as follows - for 5 & 6 March close at 4pm on 3 March; and for 10 to 13 March at 4pm on Tuesday 8 March. Tickets can be collected from Bishops Lydeard or Minehead - please state which collection point when ordering.

Minehead Loco Shed will be open 10am to 4pm on 5, 6, 12 and 13 March. Admission by donation (£1 minimum suggested) with funds going towards restoration of GWR 2-6-2T no 4110.

Quantock Brewery's special commemorative ale to mark the 40th Anniversary of the reopening of the West Somerset Railway will be on sale. Only two outlets in the world for it - the on-train buffet cars on the trains (in bottles) and the bar on Minehead Station (on draught).

For a good summary of the attractions to be found along the Railway during the 2016 Spring Steam Gala please click here.

Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The Special Events Planning Team wish to encourage visitors to the Spring Steam Gala to purchase a programme giving full details of the locomotive rosters. However, the Team recognise it helps to know what locos will be in service on each Gala day when planning a visit.

• Peckett 0-4-0ST Kilmersdon will work shuttle trains with SDJR First Class coach no 4 and the LSWR Road Van from Minehead on all six days.
• Barclay 0-4-0ST no 1219 will shunt Washford Yard on all six days.
• No 34053 is planned to be renumbered/renamed as 34098 Templecombe from Wednesday onwards, courtesy of Templecombe Station Group.

2 March 2016
Details kindly provided by the Special Events Planning Team and local correspondents

The first weekend - 5 March and 6 March - of the Spring Steam Gala will bring visitors from far and wide to the West Somerset Railway. Public transport links between Taunton and the Railway for those who might want to leave the car at home, arrive by mainline train or park in Taunton, can be found on the official WSR website.

1 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Retail Manager Kate Beard writes:

Book signings and Publisher visits over the forthcoming Gala including Chris Austin's latest book "Disconnected" and Roger Hardingham of Kingfisher Publishing/DVDS. On top of our expanded model railway department, we have a further 10% discount on selected locomotives; new locomotive stock from Heljan and Oxford Rail; and the latest locally commissioned limited edition wagons by Dapol. To coincide with the theme of this year's Spring Gala, we have an extensive display of Somerset & Dorset Railway Books and DVDS both new and second-hand in addition to our fantastic range of new titles from specialist transport publishers. We have extended our Diecast department which now features all the latest new releases from Oxford and Corgi. To commemorate the return of '88' in its new livery as '53808' we have a new wide range of souvenirs available to purchase featuring artwork by Don Bishop - renowned WSR photographer.

1 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The Bishops Lydeard Station Shop's opening hours during March 2016:

1 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

Quantock Brewery will soon launch their special brew "Quantock Gold '76" to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the re-opening of the West Somerset Railway in 1976. The official launch at the Railway's Spring Steam Gala on Saturday 5 March 2016. "Quantock Gold '76" will be available in bottles exclusively on WSR trains and shops and cafes as well as at the Brewery Tap in Bishops Lydeard. It will also be available on draught at the Spring Gala and other WSR events throughout the year.

1 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc and Somerset County Gazette

Writing in Online, the in-house monthly magazine, David Bartin announces:

I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to take the postion of Station Master at Crowcombe Heathfield. I have been a volunteer on the WSR for almost 11 years, the first three as a TTI before joining the volunteers at Crowcombe Heathfield. I am now looking forward to the new season and have been greatly encouraged by the kind messages from my future colleagues. During the forthcoming Gala we will be offering our usual range of home made food and a warm welcome to those visiting Crowcombe Heathfield (or as we will be known for the six days Shepton Mallet).

We don't think David will always wear the topper but be assured you'll see the smile...

1 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

John Simms, the WSR's Publicity Officer, gives a timely reminder:

No doubt there will be a great number of pictures taken during the Spring Steam Gala. If you are out and about on the 5th or 6th and have some good shots why not send them to the local press stating that were taken during the first weekend of the event and point out that it will continue between the 9th and 13th. Contact e-mail addresses for local papers include The Somerset County Gazette (newsdesk@countygazette.co.uk), Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News (newsdesk@burhamnews.co.uk), Western Gazette (newsdesk@westgaz.co.uk), Mid Somerset Series (editor@midsomnews.co.uk); West Somerset Free Press (fp.news@tindlenews.co.uk), Bath Chronicle (news@bathchron.co.uk); Western Daily Press (wdnews@bepp.co.uk)

1 March 2016
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc