Nigel Clark of the 6695 Loco Group writes:

On Friday 26 January 2018, 6695's boiler was moved, courtesy of Triple H Haulage, from Williton to The Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean for the overhaul to commence. Work will begin straightaway to remove the foundation ring and wasted steel plate from the firebox outer wrapper. The overhaul will include any necessary repairs to the foundation ring, replacement of wasted steel platework on the outer firebox, attention to the laps on the inner copper firebox, replacement of steel side stays as necessary, replacement of crown stays as necessary, replacement of lap rivets and patch screws on inner firebox, re-riveting of safety valve mounting pad, repair/reclamation of internal steam pipes, new tubes and superheater elements (current elements are all ex BR), and any other work found necessary as we progress with the overhaul. This list is by no means exhaustive but gives an idea of the work required to put this boiler back into a suitable condition for a further 10 years service. Now that work has commenced we need to ensure sufficient funds are available for the overhaul to steadily progress without interruption. Work on the rest of the engine continues at Williton by Group volunteers and with the ongoing assistance of WS Restoration. Please help us to complete this overhaul and get 6695 into service on the WSR sooner rather than later. If you would like to support us, please contact us by e mail at Locomotive6695@btinternet.com for details of share applications, sponsorship of parts, donations/loans etc., or alternatively visit our 6695 Loco Group Facebook page."

31 January 2018
Details kindly provided by the 6695 Loco Group

A reminder that the West Somerset Railway Association maintain a WSR Journal Digital Archive. Recent issues of the WSR Journal are available from the archive page to download as PDF files.

• Journal 155 Winter 2016
• Journal 156 Spring 2017
• Journal 157 Summer 2017
• Journal 158 Autumn 2017

31 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The West Somerset Railway Association have published a synopsis of the latest Trustee Board meeting on 22 January 2018. Topics covered include a meeting with the Plc Board on 19 January, Association Board Membership, Plc Board Reciprocal Membership, the 'Way Forward' and the future of the Norton site.

28 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The West Somerset Railway Association announce a fundraising campaign:

The WSRA has launched a crowd funding campaign to purchase canvas tarpaulins to support the volunteers restoring two open War Department wagons at Washford. We have one month to raise the money, so the wagons can run as part of a WW2 freight train at the Spring Steam Gala.

Please support this campaign - visit the WSRA's justgiving.com donation page for more details.

Update - the WSRA announced on 29 January 2018:

The response was overwhelming and the required amount - £400 - was raised in less than 48 hours. A truly great achievement by supporters of the West Somerset Railway.

27 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

From the facebook page of West Somerset Restoration:

The Directors of WSRA Promotions are pleased to announce that Ryan Pope has been promoted to Engineering Foreman and Don Wood to Productions Manager. Between them they manage the day to day operations at West Somerset Restoration.

More.

27 January 2018
Details gleaned from West Somerset Restoration's facebook page

A photo shoot took place on 26 January 2018 at Minehead for the forthcoming military train and display as a part of the 2018 Spring Steam Gala in March, and the '1940s Weekend' on 15-16 September, which the WSR features as a much wider locally-organised event. Three images from the photo shoot currently appear in the Latest Pictures page.

27 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Railway have issued the latest 'News from the Boardroom' newsletter which is available for download.

WSR supporters might wish to note the next Stakeholders Meeting is to be held on 24 February 2018 at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall starting at 2pm.

25 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Barrie Childs, Manager of the Quantock Belle, writes:

We will be serving full English breakfasts, hot luncheons and Somerset cream teas during all four days of the Spring Steam Gala event 22-25 March 2018. The Quantock Belle will operate to the same diagram each day.

9.05am Bishops Lydeard to Minehead: breakfast service, pre-bookable only
10.55am Minehead to Bishops Lydeard: breakfast service, walk-on
1.45pm Bishops Lydeard to Minehead: luncheon service, walk-on
3.40pm Minehead to Bishops Lydeard: Somerset cream teas, walk-on

For the first Quantock Belle service of the day, it is now necessary to pre-book a breakfast seat by visiting the Spring Steam Gala page of our official website, telephoning or calling at Minehead Station. The remaining services each day will not be available for pre-booking and will all be traditional 'walk on' arrangements.

Meteor, our First Class open coach, will provide a rare opportunity to enjoy the journey seated in a plush armchair, in return for a small supplement charge per single journey. Something to look forward to after your meal perhaps.

Full details, including menus and prices are now available on the official WSR website, not only for gala services but our entire 2018 dining train programme. The 2018 WSR Timetable and Information Leaflet also contains much useful information, including Quantock Belle operating dates. Trains are filling fast and at least one date is already completely sold out!

Download the menu

24 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Whilst the Wagon Restoration Group's 'Team A' work at Minehead on the War Department (WD) van, 'Team B' are marching on with the overhaul of the two WD wagons under cover at Washford, courtesy of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust. Plenty of work ahead to bring the wagons up to an acceptable standard cosmetically. The plan is to have the WD vehicles form an important part of the 'military train' during the 2018 Spring Steam Gala in March.

23 January 2018
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

The West Somerset Railway Association have arranged a Fundraising Quiz Night in aid of the WSR Loco Restoration Fund on Friday 9 March 2018 at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall. Doors open at 7pm and the Quiz starts promptly at 7.30pm.

Teams can be up to six people at £6 per person. Please register your team by Friday 2 March 2018 by telephone 01823 433856 or by email admin@wsra.org.uk Tea and coffee available. Nibbles provided - bring your own drinks.

All proceeds go to support steam locomotives on the West Somerset Railway. The quiz is organised by the WSRA in conjunction with Pub Aid's Worlds Biggest Pub Quiz.

Download the WSRA's poster

23 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The West Somerset Railway Plc are seeking two suitably qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join the track team within the Infrastructure Engineering Department:

We are seeking two suitably qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our Permanent Way Track team within the Infrastructure Engineering Department of a premier heritage steam railway. Reporting to the Track Chargeman, you will assist with track patrols, maintenance and repairs, operating plant and Road-Rail vehicles.

Further information

23 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

UK Railtours has announced a tour from Paddington to Minehead on Saturday 26 May 2018 with SR 4-6-2 no 35028 Clan Line which will work the Quantock Intruder throughout and on the return only from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard where a Class 67 diesel will take over and return the charter to London.

Full details from UK Railtours.

19 January 2018
Details kindly provided by a friend of the website

The Railway have issued a press release:

The West Somerset Railway have been carrying out extensive track work in 2017 with more work planned throughout this year. The track works benefit our passengers and locomotives immensely, and are vital for the smooth operations of our services.

The Railway are initially focussing on the Dunster side of the crossing at Seaward Way. Removing the old track and strengthening the foundations ready for the new track to be laid. The Railway will be renewing the panels connecting the road and the track over the crossing resulting in a temporary road closure between 6 - 10 March.

The council have recently announced that they have approved the expenditure for the complete renewal of the level crossing, which is planned to take place in early 2019. This will be completed with road users safety at the forefront of our objectives. The crossing was originally put in place 30 years ago and the equipment has been wearing over time. With the increase in traffic in the area, combined with the barriers being in frequent use, it is important to renew all elements to ensure reliable and safe usage.

Paul Conibeare, General Manager, said:

The renewal of the track at Minehead has been needed for some time, and we are very pleased to be completing this element of our infrastructure plan before we start running our daily services. The renewal of the level crossing which will happen later on in the year will benefit both road users and our passengers, both of whom are of paramount importance to us. We will endeavour to keep the local community and followers of the Railway up to date on this project.

17 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Railway confirms that the passenger numbers for 2017 have increased in comparison to 2016.

In 2016, the passenger numbers were at 186,603, and have risen to 189,359 making 2017 a great year for the West Somerset Railway. One of the Railway's overall goals is to increase its passenger numbers to 200,000, as was achieved in 2009.

Paul Conibeare, General Manager, said:

I am delighted with the results for 2017, showing the hard work put in by staff and volunteers, has resulted in another great year for the WSR. We are now progressing with a programme of track renewal and locomotive and carriage overhauls, to ensure England's longest Heritage Railway is ready for re-opening on the 10th February.

Services will resume for February Half Term, where events such as Snowdrops and Steam will take place. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the official website, providing passengers the benefit of advance discounts.

17 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Railway have added more guests for the 2018 Spring Steam Gala.

A welcome return to the Railway for GWR 14XX class 0-4-2T no.1450 and Autotrailer no 178, courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway. And a rather unusual and unique steam vehicle - the 1931-built Sentinel steam bus Elizabeth operating shuttles on the Saturday and Sunday of the Gala between Minehead, Dunster Village and Dunster Station (supplement fares apply), courtesy of Crossville Motor Services; this is the only steam bus in Europe still in revenue earning service.

17 January 2018
Details gleaned from the official webpage for the 2018 Spring Steam Gala

Dave Horton, Head of Mechanical Engineering, writes:

Another Spring Steam Gala visitor confirmed in our 'GWR Routes and Branches' theme...GWR 4-6-0 no 6990 Witherslack Hall, courtesy of the Great Central Railway. No 6990 hasn't visited us for a fair while. Nice - and rare - to have two Modified Halls running together.

16 January 2018
Details kindly provided by the WSR Mechanical Engineering Department

Dave Horton, Head of Mechanical Engineering, writes about SDJR 2-8-0 no 53809's impending move away from Somerset:

53809's hire contract on the West Somerset Railway expired at the end of December and it has now been confirmed by the owners, the 13809 Preservation Society, that she will be departing for a new long-term home at the North Norfolk Railway.

It has very much been a pleasure and a unique opportunity to have the two surviving S&D sisters nos 53808 and 53809 working together on the WSR for the past 22 months, and we hope there will be future opportunities to reunite the pair of them during the remaining years of their respective boiler tickets. In the meantime we wish 53809 and her owners the very best of luck in her new surroundings.

16 January 2018
Details kindly provided by the WSR Mechanical Engineering Department

This year's mug will be available from February 2018.

Still £6 to buy and 60p refill from on train buffet only...

13 January 2018
Details gleaned from WSR Catering Services Facebook page

Great to see the WSR Plc Chairman, Ian Coleby, has created a blog. Ian explains the purpose behind 'Steaming Along'...

It's meant to be fairly light and generate some more interest in the wider aspects of the railway.

And the latest posting is about supermarket shopping! Be sure to bookmark the 'Steaming Along' blog.

13 January 2018
Details kindly provided by the WSR Plc Chairman

Andy Norman of the West Somerset Railway writes:

I'm pleased to say that on the WSR will be running two additional events in 2018. As many will know USA S160 no 6046 is visiting in 2018 and as we already have a number of genuine war department wagons including flat wagons for vehicles we thought it would be a great idea run a genuine military train. So it's great to report that in fact we are going to do it not once but twice in 2018.

As a part of our usual Spring Steam Gala on 22-25 March 2018 we will be running a military train between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard, along with a military vehicle display at Minehead Station. There will be lots of opportunities for photography when on the move and when stabled at a platform.

Then 15-16 September the WSR will be running a '1940s Weekend' centred around Minehead and Watchet. This will include again the train plus a 1940s dance on the Saturday evening under the canopy at Minehead, a replica Spitfire and RAF display at Minehead, military/civilian vehicles at Minehead and Watchet plus hopefully lots of 1940s civilian, home front displays and re-enactments. We are even looking to secure a 1940s hairdresser to be available in a coach at Minehead before the evening dance so people can have their hair done.

We are arranging a number of accurate WW2 vehicles for the flat wagons and correctly uniformed 'guards' to ride in the brake vans and look after the train, so this coupled with accurate wagons and the S160 all running on a line that saw a lot of military traffic results in what we think will be the most accurate train that can be run.

If anybody would like to come along and help, bring vehicles (military or civilian) or just wants to come and look please get in touch with me and I will pass details on. There is also a Facebook page 'WSR Forties Weekend 2018' which you can join to keep you updated and of course the WSR will be issuing tickets for both the Spring Steam Gala and the 1940s Weekend as normal.

12 January 2018
Details from local correspondent

The BBC website reports:

A £850,000 plan to upgrade the level crossing over West Somerset Railway at Minehead has been signed off by Somerset County Council. Work to replace the gates and changes to signalling systems will take place later in the year.

For more details about this story please visit this BBC news item.

11 January 2018
Details from local correspondents and gleaned from BBC website

Dave Horton, Head of Mechanical Engineering, writes:

With the Spring Steam Gala not so far away now, we are pleased to announce that for the first time in several years we will running, as an additional attraction, a 'Military Freight Train', featuring several of our historic WD wagons, hauled by visiting ex-USATC class S160 2-8-0 no 6046, and best of all, transporting some genuine WW2-era military vehicles and equipment.

But help is urgently needed because the two WD 5-plank open wagons nos WD46253 and WD46242 need a repaint and Mike Wightman is looking for volunteers to help him. The wagons are currently at Washford thanks to the kind cooperation of the S&D Railway Trust in providing undercover space for this project. So if you'd like to be involved over the next few weeks and months please email me on home@wsrail.net and I will put you in contact with Mike.

Finally, we also expect to be returning the WD 'Generator Van' no WD47983 to the rake. This wagon has an interesting history having been directly involved in the preparations and aftermath of D-Day. So lots to look forward to. Make sure you put the dates 22-25 March in your diary for the 2018 Spring Steam Gala.

10 January 2018
Details kindly provided by the WSR Mechanical Engineering Department

Good news from the Gala Planning Team:

The Gala Planning Team are pleased to announce that the first loco to be confirmed for the Spring Steam Gala is 1930 Kerr Stuart built ex-GWR pannier tank no 7714. As pannier tanks were often seen on the Minehead branch in BR days the BR black loco will be an excellent representative of a type of loco that fits our theme of 'Great Western Routes & Branches' well. Other visiting locos are still to be confirmed and full details will be given as soon as discussions have progressed.

9 January 2018
Details kindly provided by the Gala Planning Team

Dave Horton, Head of Mechanical Engineering, writes:

Just before Christmas a friend of the railway, Tom Parry, visited Minehead Loco Shed to record a short video for his studies. Tom is studying for a Masters in Wildlife Film Making at Bristol University. It is not that he wanted to observe the 'wildlife' at Minehead loco per se, just that he was required to produce a short film of something 'scientific', so he came along and filmed a few of our staff and volunteers investigating a leak on SDJR 2-8-0 no 53809. The result was rather a neat little portrait of a typical few hours in the life of the Locomotive Department and Tom was very pleased to have been given the opportunity to work alongside us (he is himself a railway enthusiast).

Tom's video can be currently viewed on the Latest Videos page or on YouTube.

8 January 2018
Details kindly provided by Tom Parry and West Somerset Railway Plc

From the WSR Infrastructure Engineering facebook page:

Fed up of expensive gym memberships? Come and join the Infrastructure team on a Sunday! A decent workout, plenty of fresh air and good company. Our gangs are open to anyone willing to volunteer - from the enthusiast, to those looking for practical work experience, or others looking to save on their monthly gym membership. There is plenty of outdoor work, with opportunities to learn new skills and maintain a little bit of history at the same time.

5 January 2018
Details gleaned from WSR Infrastructure Engineering facebook page

With purple, green and yellow ribbons flying, and sporting ankle bells, Michael Portillo is led a merry dance in Stogumber - all in the name of fertility. He visits a celebrated Edwardian garden at Hestercombe to discover the fruits of an unusual partnership and learns how to deadhead the roses. And...there is a trip aboard the longest heritage line in England. This episode is from Series Nine of the BBC's 'Great British Railway Journeys' and can be viewed on BBC2 at 18.30 on 11 January 2018. Our thanks to the folks at Stogumber Station for the reminder.

5 January 2018
Details kindly provided by Stogumber Station

Everyone who has worked on the Railway in the last five decades will know Hein Burger and enjoyed his affable company. During that time Hein has managed a whole range of administrative and managerial tasks along with driving DMUs and guarding trains, and lots of other duties in between. Hein's 90th birthday celebrations at the Turntable Cafe in Minehead on Thursday 4 January 2018 - his birthday was actually two days earlier but due to family commitments, his WSR friends and colleagues had to delay their celebrations. The General Manager, Paul Conibeare, presented Hein with a card and gifts on behalf of Railway and Hein's many friends. He also thanked Hein for his 38 years of exemplary, voluntary service to the Railway.

4 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

When the doors closed at the Steam Trust's Gauge Museum on 31 December 2017, an all time record of 13,026 people had visited the model railway. The young and enthusiastic team had met their target and to do it had opened every operating day during December, which saw 1,751 visitors. Visitor feedback has been positive both for the layout and its operation, with varied rolling stock reflecting the theme of the railway's special events.

The (model) railway is closed for engineering work (improving line and level on part of the track, and making access to the southern end of the layout easier) but will be back in service in March 2018.

4 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Paul Conibeare, WSR General Manager, writes:

With Lesley Farthing stepping down for personal reason we are seeking a Stations Co-ordinator. Reporting direct to the General Manager, this is a key volunteer post responsible for effective communications between our Station Masters and the General Manager.

Working with the HR Department you will contribute to the resolution of staff relations issues. You will represent Stations as necessary at Head of Department meetings and act as the channel to update station staff on operational, health and safety, training and topical matters.

If you are interested in this post please contact Paul Conibeare, General Manager, by not later than 10 January 2018.

More details

2 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

New for 2018! The West Somerset Railway now offers the chance to drive a heritage Diesel Multiple Unit for one full length of the line.

No course dates are available at the moment. The cost will be £195 per person. Official page

2 January 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc