Kate Beard, Retail Manager WSRA Promotions, writes:
For the month of September, Bishops Lydeard Station Shop is offering 15% off the list price of all locomotives currently in stock except where items are already marked with a 'Reduced' ticket. Our offer of 20% off the price of three or more coaches and/or wagons will also continue throughout the month.
31 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association
Don Bishop, Chairman of the WSR's Gala Planning Team writes:
We are pleased to be able to announce another visiting loco for our forthcoming autumn gala between 27th and 30th September. Courtesy of owner John Jones and the Mid Hants Rly we will be having a visit by little Ivatt Class 2 tank No. 41312. This loco has a long pedigree of service in both the west country and south coast branch lines of the old Southern Region of BR. We plan to use the loco on some short local services in between the full line trains and on some shuttles down to the platform and triangle at Norton Fitzwarren.
We are still working an a possible further visitor, but our planned additional guest is now not available so it's back to the drawing board. We'll update when and if we have something confirmed.
The Ivatt will be joining visiting BR Class 5 no 73082, Bulleid no 34052 Lord Dowding (actually 34046 Braunton of course) and Manors nos 7820 Dinmore Manor and 7822 Foxcote Manor, Hall no 6960 Raveningham Hall, S&D 7F no 53808 and S160 no 6046. Our own Manor no 7828 Odney Manor may well be on display at Minehead but will not be ready in time to take part in this gala. Advance tickets are now available online via the WSR Plc website or by calling Minehead station on 01643 704996.
29 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Graham Robinson has some sad news for WSR folks:
I have been asked to contact the railway by Ginny Barnfield to advise that her husband Peter, one time WSRA Magazine Editor, founder and curator of Blue Anchor Railway Museum, a station where he was also a regular volunteer for many years along with his wife, has recently passed away. Peter was also responsible for designing the ticket printing plates used at Dunster as well as various post cards and posters that the railway both used and sold. Many of his rich collection of photographs appear in railway books including the recently published history of the Taunton to Barnstaple line. What follows is an extract from a longer email sent [to Graham].
27 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
The West Somerset Railway Plc have issued a statement:.
The Board of the WSR plc were pleased to welcome to Thursdays meeting Chris Austin, on behalf of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust and Paul Whitehouse, on behalf of the West Somerset Railway Association.
Their offers of help in this difficult period were appreciated, which they have now confirmed in their recent joint statement.
The West Somerset Railway Plc Board welcomes constructive engagement by all who have the best interests of the WSR at heart.
Richard Maw, Company Secretary
25 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
The West Somerset Railway Association and the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust have issued a joint statement on events at a recent WSR Plc Board meeting.
24 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association and West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
The West Somerset Railway announce Santa Express and Santa Special tickets are now available online.
23 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
The West Somerset Railway Plc have issued a statement concerning the Board Chairman (see link below).
23 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Ian Coleby, WSR Plc Director, has made a personal statement and has asked that we place this link on this page:
23 August 2018
Details kindly provided by Ian Coleby
The draft minutes of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Board's meeting held on 16 July 2018 have been published on the Trust's website.
22 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
There are still a number of the summer programme of concerts at Minehead's splendid Blenheim Gardens. The concerts all start at 2pm and with the Gardens just ten minutes from the Station, passengers can enjoy the music before making the return trip along the Branch.
21 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Here's a chance for those who take a photograph or two to support a railway project. The Railway is looking for some quality images showing WSR volunteers at work. The pictures are needed for a series of posters to help promote the current drive for more volunteers on the line and the message would be enhanced by showing the range of ages and the range of tasks undertaken. High resolution images - straight from the camera or phone - would be preferred. Please send direct to rodney.greenway@wsrail.net
20 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Much of the area is to be put on a war footing as the clock is wound back 75 years, with air raid sirens wailing, service personnel on patrol with weapons at the ready, and the Home Guard on alert. The occasion is a special 1940s weekend - 15-16 September 2018 - being staged along the route of the West Somerset Railway, which will have hundreds of enthusiasts, a number of stations, and the town of Watchet taking part. Organiser Robin Wichard from Living History Mobile Museum said:
As a retired history teacher I think it is important to show today's generations what their parents and grandparents endured during the Second World War, and to attempt to recreate as accurately as possible some of the sights and sounds that might have been experienced here during those turbulent times.
18 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
A memorial fund has been set up in memory of Stephen Kirby. As Stephen was a volunteer on the West Somerset Railway - latterly at Williton Station - the fund will cover the cost of the two platform lights at the Minehead end of Williton's Up platform. We encourage folks to read the full message (see link below) about the fund and other plans.
18 August 2018
Details kindly provided by local correspondent
The Gala Planning Team have announced some of the locomotives that will be visiting the line and working trains at the four day Autumn Steam Gala between 27 and 30 September 2018. The event's theme of 'Cross Country Railways' aims to celebrate the large variety of locos and trains that worked lines all around the UK on routes that served many towns and cities away from the capital.
The first visiting loco confirmed by the Team is BR Standard Class Five no 73082 Camelot from the Bluebell Railway. This will be the first time the engine has left the Bluebell in preservation.The Standard Five will be joined by Bulleid Pacific no 34046 Braunton (currently running as no 34052 Lord Dowding as part of the RAF 100 celebrations) which of course as a strong history with the WSR having initially been restored in the workshops at Williton.
The current home based fleet of nos 7820, 7822 and 6960 will represent the Western Region routes and Somerset & Dorset 7F no 53808 will represent that most famous cross country railway. No 6046 will also be appearing. Sadly, home-based Odney Manor undergoing overhaul, will not be quite ready this Gala, but may make an appearance in light steam at Minehead. A further visiting loco or two is still under discussion. Please do note that all locomotives are, as always, subject to final availability.
16 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
The West Somerset Railway Plc have issued a statement concerning recent events (see link below).
16 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Rodney Greenway and Frank Courtney have been removed as Trustees of the West Somerset Railway Association. Statements are available from the Association and from Rodney and Frank (see links below).
Please note, since this news item first appeared, the WSRA have requested replacement of the earlier document; the current document (version 2) includes an extra sentence at the end of paragraph 4.
15 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association and the two former Trustees
The West Somerset Railway say:
Come and join the Liberty Sisters, Dickie Lines and Ricky Hunter as they bring Minehead Station platform to life with the sounds of the 1940s. Bring your best guy or gal and dance the night away while you enjoy fabulous music and entertainment. Doors open at 7.00pm, Liberty Sisters 7.45pm-8.30pm, Dickie Lines 8.45pm-9.30pm, Liberty Sisters 9.45pm-10.30pm and with Ricky Hunter as your MC for the evening. Tickets for the dance are £15.
We will be running a special train to and from the Dance which will stop at all stations. Timetable to be confirmed. Tickets on this will be £10 for a return and can only be purchased with a dance ticket. Catering and a bar will be available during the evening.
14 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
The Secretary of the Partnership Development Group has kindly provided the draft minutes of the meeting of the Group held on 7 August 2018 . The draft minutes are available as a downloadable PDF document - see link below. The next meeting will be on Monday 8 October 2018.
13 August 2018
Details kindly provided by Partnership Development Group Secretariat
We had a great weekend at the 2018 Rally. The weather was glorious, and we had even more vintage vehicles on display than last year. Particular successes were the new railway siding, which allowed us to display the restored historic coaches, the larger steam section, and the new layout, which made it easier for everyone to see the different exhibits. The hot weather meant that the ice cream stalls and the bar were particularly popular.
10 August 2018
Details kindly provided by the Steam & Vintage Rally Team
Southern Railway 'Light Pacific' 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton will work a number of passenger turns during its stay on the West Somerset Railway in August and September. No 34046 is current running as long lost classmate no 34052 Lord Dowding in this anniversary year for the Royal Air Force (Hugh Dowding played an important role during the Battle of Britain in 1940). The loco will arrive by rail on 15 August 2018. On 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29 and 30 August, it will work the 11.15am from Bishops Lydeard and the 3.15pm from Minehead, with the aim of turning at Minehead and Norton each day to ensure smokebox running each day. Running days in September will be announced later.
7 August 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
The latest newsletter from Friends of Minehead Station (FoMS) reveals the formation of the Minehead Station Planning Group. Representatives from the engine shed, operations, commercial and FoMS will meet under the chairmanship of FoMS chairman, Martyn Snell, and will plan ahead to improve facilities for visitors and staff to the line's largest station. A good start has been made with a FoMS-sponsored professional survey on three particular parcels of land; the newsletter provides more details and it is clear these are indeed priority areas for improvement. Meanwhile, FoMS have again shown commitment to the local and visiting community:
The experiment with keeping our toilets open seven days a week even when trains are not running has proved very successful and has made our station a much more welcoming place. To help offset the cost of additional cleaning, it was decided to put well signed donation boxes in the toilets and it has been surprising how much has been given by those 'using the facilities'. Whilst not covering the cost of cleaning, it has certainly helped.
6 August 2018
Details gleaned from the latest newsletter from Friends of Minehead Station
At an awards ceremony held in the Gauge Museum, Blue Anchor Station was awarded Best Kept Station award for 2018. Station representatives Gill and Ivor Baulch were presented with the engraved trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £100 to be spent on the station. Runners up were Williton and Crowcombe Heathfield. Judging was by an independent judge who spent half an hour at each station on a selected date, looked at everything and asked lots of questions.
6 August 2018
Details gleaned from the West Somerset Railway Association's website
The West Somerset Railway Association Trustees have now confirmed their agreement that GWR 2-6-2T no 4561 is the right locomotive for the West Somerset Railway and will be the first priority of the Locomotive Restoration Fund. The Trustees say:
We are working on a plan that could see the locomotive back in steam in 2021, as planned. The work is being broken down into three broad phases.
Motion - work to put the chassis back on its wheels by June 2019
Boiler - work to complete the boiler and pass its first steam pressure test by Spring 2020
Assembly - the final push to get everything back where it should be by the end of 2020
We are targeting the Spring Steam Gala of 2021 for its first outing on the WSR, but we can't do it without your help. We need volunteers with a range of skills to work on the loco, volunteers to work on fundraising and promotion and of course donations. Opportunities will increase as the work progresses but to help us get going again please click the link below and let us know what you can contribute.
5 August 2018
Details gleaned from the West Somerset Railway Association's Newsletter
In a message on Facebook, the West Somerset Railway's Infrastructure Engineering folks say:
Welcome to Phil (on the right) who has joined our Restoration and Maintenance Squad at Bishops Lydeard who are currently working on Watchet Station's windows and picket fencing.
There are a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers across all areas of the Railway, something to suit everyone. Please use the link below to find out more and perhaps join the team
3 August 2018
Details kindly provided by local correspondent
From Monday 6 August to Saturday 11 August, various staff and volunteers from the West Somerset Railway will be featured on Simon Parkin's regular 'Off Street Parkin' piece at approximately 11.45am on BBC Somerset Radio. This excellent local radio coverage has been arranged by Claire Sheppy, a volunteer with the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust. The daily schedule - and details of the interviews - can be found on the Trust's website (see link below)
2 August 2018
Details kindly provided by local correspondent
According to the Swindon Advertiser, the WSRA-owned GWR 4-6-0 no 7821 Ditcheat Manor is on the move - but not far. After many years on display at the STEAM museum at Swindon, the 'Manor' is headed for a nearby shopping centre where it will replace sister locomotive Hinton Manor. The move will bring Ditcheat Manor - and hopefully the West Somerset Railway - to an even wider audience.
2 August 2018
Details kindly provided by local correspondent
The Rally beer tent will feature no less than 21 different real ales, all brewed in the County of Somerset. Leading the way, we have six ales from Quantock Brewery of Bishops Lydeard and three beers from each of Cotleigh Brewery (Wiveliscombe), Exmoor Ales (Wiveliscombe), Fine Tuned (Langport), Pitchfork (West Hewish) and Yeovil Ales (Yeovil). Cider is also very well represented, with well over a dozen different real ciders from the many and varied Somerset producers. Somerset CAMRA volunteers will be supporting the regular beer tent crew. Hope to see you!
2 August 2018
Details kindly provided by local correspondent
Here are the times of the free shuttle train service between Bishops Lydeard and the Steam & Vintage Rally at Norton Fitzwarren. Journey time is approximately ten minutes.
Saturday 4 August 2018
Depart Bishops Lydeard at 10.10, 10.40, 11.10, 11.45, 12.20, 13.45, 14.45,15.45 and 16.20
Depart Norton Fitzwarren at 10.25, 10.55, 11.25, 12.00, 13.30, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00 and 17.00
Sunday 5 August 2018
Depart Bishops Lydeard at 10.51, 11.18, 11.45, 12.45, 13.45, 14.45, 15.45 and 16.45
Depart Norton Fitzwarren at 11.05, 11.30, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00 and 17.00
1 August 2018
Details kindly provided by the Steam & Vintage Rally
