As reported a few days ago, a group of WSR footplate crew members and shed staff are appealing for urgent help to purchase GWR 2-6-2T no 4110 which is currently stored at the seaside buffer stops at Minehead Station. On Christmas Eve the 4110 group issued a further update:

As of 17:00 today, Christmas Eve, we have reached a phenomenal total of £61,350 pledged by 62 people towards the potential purchase of 4110.

The overwhelming response has been positive and provides us the encouragement to continue with the push to raise the required £120,000.

Many of you have asked us the same questions. Whilst we would like to reply individually to everyone at this point to say thank you for your current pledge and answer your questions, the size of the response so far makes this extremely difficult. In order to try and help answer the main questions, we have composed a short FAQ document which is attached. We hope this will assist in answering the questions you have at this early stage. Further detailed information will be released as we progress with the appeal.

Will be back in touch early in 2019 when we hope we will be in a position where enough has been pledged for us to form the company, establish the bank account, formally sell shares and purchase 4110.

Thank you again for your support at such short notice. We would also like to ask you to help spread the word about our appeal and pass details on to those who you think will be interested.

Merry Christmas and here's to making 2019 a prosperous new year for 4110.

Chris Ruddick

On behalf of: Chris Ruddick, George Thomas, Peter Chilcott, Richard Hiscox, Andy Norman, Steve Ryall, Stuart Nelhams, Andy Forster, Paul Orrells and Dave Hurd.

A few days earlier the group issued this update:

Since Friday we have more than £50,000 pledged from people across the WSR family and beyond.

This is wonderful encouragement for all who wish to see this locomotive remain on the Minehead Branch. More pledges are welcome. Click or tap the link below to read the full appeal letter including contact details.

Update and FAQs Full letter and contact details

26 December 2018
Details kindly provided by a group of WSR footplate crew members and shed staff

An announcement by Railcam:

A member of the local community who regularly uses the level crossing has objected to Railcam's coverage of the southern end of the station and its surrounds. Railcam has been in consultation with the person affected and at this time, a workable solution that satisfies all parties cannot be found.

Railcam will therefore now provide a closed feed from camera 2 to the WSR Operations Team for service management, safety and security purposes only.

Railcam regrets that we will not now be able to stream this camera to our wsr.org partner, our members and our supporters.

The purchase and installation of both Williton cameras was funded entirely by the WSR plc and the company has agreed the proposed course of action.

Webcams

22 December 2018
Details kindly provided by Railcam UK

Peter Chilcott reports:

As you may have heard we are proposing to run scrap rail trains in January, February and March alongside the usual tidy trains. We are looking for volunteers to come forward and help out with these trains and associated tasks. We are probably looking at a minimum team of eight people each time we operate a train. This team will comprise of the following:

• Driver, Secondman (if required)
• Guard
• Atlas crane operator
• Two slingers on the ground
• Two slingers on the wagons
• Any extra pairs of hands to assist

We currently have a small pool of Atlas crane operators available. Anyone wishing to help out with the slinging roles will need to attend a one day training course. There are two dates available - Thursday 10th or Friday 11th January. We need a reasonable pool of people to come forward that we can call upon.

There are several reasons behind collecting up the rail, not just financial but also to improve the overall safety and general tidiness of the WSR. There is more rail replacement planned over the next couple of years and so we need to make a start at collecting up what is already along the line.

We have just made a significant start with the recent tidy train that we ran on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th December. We collected a large quantity of Sleepers, Rail chairs, logs and countless other items between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. It would be our aim to start the new 2019 season with a clean and tidy lineside.

If you feel you are able to help in any way with this then please contact me via email peter.chilcott@hotmail.com

22 December 2018
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust is delighted that David Baker has agreed to return as a Trustee. David will work with the Board in particular on the safety Management documentation that needs to be in place for Trust activities both in its two museums and on carriage restoration and will also look after the interests of the Blue Anchor Railway Museum. Trust Chairman Chris Austin said:

I am so pleased that David has agreed to return at a time of expansion and development for the Trust, with a new coach almost ready, our Lottery funded museum project to implement as well as outreach to local schools. All of this is designed to support the WSR and to encourage more visitors and volunteers. David's experience as a former PLC director and before that in running train catering, makes him the ideal colleague to work with us to deliver this.

WSSRT website

22 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

The Railway's Gala Planning Team provide a timely update:

For all those folk looking for some steam action during the festive week the WSR have our annual 'Winter Steam Festival' on Sat/Sun 29th and 30th December. We'll have regular departures from both Bishops Lydeard and Minehead (and of course all the intermediate stations) throughout each day with most steam hauled. The event has a distinct Great Western flavour this year with Manors nos 7822 Foxcote Manor and 7828 Odney Manor, and Hall no 6960 Raveningham Hall in action. The event will mark 7828's return to traffic after an extensive overhaul and out-shopping at Minehead loco earlier this week, and magnificent it looks too.

Additional attractions open for the gala include the Taunton Model Railway Club room at Bishops Lydeard, the station shops at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard, the gauge museum at Bishops Lydeard and most of our stations will be offering hot drinks and snacks on these winter days. Got to be worth a visit.

Full details and booking

21 December 2018
Details kindly provided by the Gala Planning Team

A group of WSR footplate crew members and shed staff are appealing for urgent help. They say:

GWR 2-6-2T no 4110 was purchased by the WSR Plc in May 2015 to strengthen the home based locomotive fleet following its restoration, once other projects then in progress were completed. The present need to raise working capital makes this ambition non-viable at this time, and the locomotive has been put up for sale with external offers already on the table.

A number of footplate crew members and shed staff have come together to explore ways to protect 4110 for the long term future of the railway, as once lost it can never be regained. We accept the reasoning behind the sale, its inevitability, and the decision by the Plc Board of Directors; it is the sensible thing to do in order to keep the railway alive.

The timescale for this purchase is very short, and we have been given only a few weeks until mid January to raise the funds and make the purchase.

Click or tap the link below to read the full appeal letter including contact details.

Full letter and contact details

21 December 2018
Details kindly provided by a group of WSR footplate crew members and shed staff

The WSR Community Engagement Project is a two year funded project to enhance community cohesion and enable the railway to increase its engagement with local communities, individuals, organisations and agencies and to extend its reach to a wider, more diverse community base. A range of activities will be developed including volunteering opportunities, training and work experience all of which are designed to facilitate personal well-being, community cohesion and the training and upskilling of people to help the economic stability of West Somerset and the wider areas surrounding the HPC build. This role is key to the effective delivery of the project and the person engaged must possess the skills and experience necessary to interact, negotiate and deliver at all levels. Full details on the West Somerset Railway Association website

WSRA website

20 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The Editorial Team of the West Somerset Railway Association, led by Editor Ian Coleby, have published Journal no 163. This edition carries all the regular reports from the Railway's various departments and stations, along with features covering historical matters, the very successful 1940s local community event, and a fine tributes to volunteer friends who have now passed away. Yet another superb publication from the Journal Team.

WSRA website

12 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group are offering members the opportunity to purchase the pair of booklets celebrating forty years of two classmates - D1013 and D1062 - at the Severn Valley Railway at a special price of £15, with one third of the price going directly to D1010 fund raising, with no other deductions. The DEPG say:

You can help with the repair of D1010 while getting the enjoyment from the D1013 and D1062 booklets. These booklets, produced by the WLA, present a very interesting storyboard from late years of service through to initial preservation then current operating status.

Click or tap the button below for more details and order form.

Full details and prder form DEPG website

12 December 2018
Details kindly provided by Diesel and Electric Preservation Group

Visitors and local people have come out in droves to support the West Somerset Railway this December ahead of the railway's extended closed period from January until the end of March 2019. The West Somerset Railway's Christmas programme of special events has proved to be so popular with locals and visitors alike that the railway has had to add additional tickets to the Santa Express services in order to cope with the demand. Mark Hill, WSR Head of Commercial services, says:

We're very pleased that so many visitors are supporting the railway ahead of our extended closed period next year, and it shows the community spirit and local support for us that is alive and well in West Somerset. We now have just a few seats remaining for Santa services and Carol Trains that are running this weekend, so I advise people to book their tickets fast in order to avoid disappointment. But we also have running days just after Christmas too from 27th December to 1st January, our Winter Steam Festival will be taking place on 29th and 30th December. We're hoping to welcome as many people as possible over those few days to end the season on a positive note.

And WSR plc Chairman Jonathan Jones Pratt adds:

The level of support that the railway has seen over this festive period has been fantastic, and we'd like to thank each and every person travelling on the railway for coming to see us, whether on our Santa Expresses from Bishops Lydeard; the Santa Specials from Minehead, or our Carols and Dunster By Candlelight services. The Christmas Market held at the railway was a great success too and started off our festive period with just the right tone, our Christmas Market DMU service was completely sold out. The West Somerset Railway strives for excellence, and after the great support we have received recently from both the railway's own family and from our visitors, we are confident that 2019 will be a great year for us.

Book online

11 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust have issued their latest newsletter.

Newsletter WSSRT website

11 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

On its website, the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust say:

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Anson as the new Learning Officer in support of the Gauge Museum HLF Project.

Steve Williams, the Trust's Company Secretary and HLF Project Lead, adds:

I hope you will join with the HLF Project Group and the Trust Board in giving her a warm welcome to the WSR.

The Trust has also published on its website the Minutes of the Board Meeting held on 14 November 2018.

Appointment story Minutes of Board Meeting

4 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

Here is the current list of Special Events during 2019 on the West Somerset Railway.

• 29 March - Press Day (not for the public)
• 30-31 March - Grand re-opening
• 19-20 April - Paw Patrol (a meet and greet event for children)
• 8-9 June - 40th anniversary of WSR opening throughout
• 20-23 June - Diesel Gala and Mixed Traction
• 26 July - Peter Rabbit (a meet and greet event for children)
• 3-4 August - Steam & Vintage Rally at Norton Fitzwarren
• 14-15 September - West Somerset's 1940s Weekend
• 3-6 October - Autumn Steam Gala
• 26 October - PJ Masks Catboy (a meet and greet event for children)
• 6-7 December - Dunster by Candlelight
• 29-30 December - Winter Steam Festival

3 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Due to popular demand the West Somerset Railway have released some additional tickets for the Dunster by Candlelight services on Friday 7 December 2018. Just 20 additional tickets are available through the Railway's website on each service. Please book as soon as possible, as these will be the final tickets available for this day.

Book tickets online

1 December 2018
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc