Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, writes:

It has been a long winter without trains, but the new season is fast approaching, and we will be opening to the public from Saturday March 30th onwards. Before we get there, though, there is a lot to do to refresh the displays, and to give the museum a heavy clean. So, with this in mind, I am planning in the Gauge Museum, to organise three working parties to get things in order and I am thinking of the following dates - 8, 9, 27 March 2019. Please let me know if you would be available to help on any or all of these dates, please email on this address info@wssrt.co.uk times to suit you, but I should think we would aim to be there from 10.00 to 15.30 or thereabouts. Apart from cleaning, we can take time to talk through the emerging plans for the museum, progress with setting up our library and the work we are doing to encourage visitors and particularly younger visitors.

I will be inviting bids for the rosters shortly, covering the period from March 30th to the end of June in the first instance. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

28 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

In the past few weeks the West Somerset Railway Association has launched funding appeals for the final work to put the unique WSR 2-6-0 no 9351 back in service on the West Somerset Railway (£14,000) and to cast four replacements for historic Bristol and Exeter Railway cast iron station signs for the Railway (£3,200). In each case the appeals are within sight of the finish line. WSRA Manager Jacquie Green said:

Supporters have been very generous. We now only need £4,000 plus gift aid to reach our target for loco 9351 and only a further £800 plus gift aid for the station signs. Remember that, as the principal supporting charity for the line, for every £1 donated by a UK tax payer, under the 'Gift Aid' scheme, the UK government adds 25 pence.

Work on loco 9351 can be followed on the blog which is updated as the work progresses.

Donations can be made by visiting this page and either clicking through to make an online donation or following the instructions for cheque donations.

9351 Blog Donations

26 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Assocation

The team of Gauge Museum Model Railway operators and Helen Anson (Gauge Museum's Educational Officer) and Catherine Dance (WSRA Community Engagement Officer) are looking at ways to promote the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust and the WSR to others and hopefully encourage more people to volunteer.

On 21 February 2019 a meeting took place in the Gauge Museum between Matt Sutton, Helen and Catherine to discuss ways in which the layout - a worthy tourist attraction in its own right - could play a part in future educational and community projects that are being developed.

23 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

Folks making their way to the area at the end of March should note the total closure of the main Williton-Taunton road (A358) between 18 and 31 March 2019.

The A358 will be shut day and night to all traffic just outside Williton, near Sampford Brett, at the railway bridge referred to as 'Black Arch' by the local authority (named 'Sampford Brett Bridge' by the West Somerset Railway). Official diversions are via Bridgwater but it seems likely drivers will find shorter routes.

Planned works include improvements to the road drainage system and resurfacing. The railway and the bridge itself are not part of the programme and trains will traverse the bridge when the Railway's 2019 season opens on 30 March.

Link to map

21 February 2019
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

The Signal & Telegraph Department's volunteer 'Monday Gang' were out in force once again at Blue Anchor Level Crossing, cleaning out the gate locking mechanisms in the middle of the road to ensure fault free operation. This required the use of traffic management and stop/go boards on this busy road.

Many buckets of mud and silt were removed and the holes were washed out. A further visit will be required to attend to the actual gate mechanisms.

Meanwhile, colleagues were installing a new uninterruptable power supply (UPS) at Blue Anchor Signal Box to make the systems more reliable and less susceptible to local power supply faults. The electric locking of the pedestrian gates also received some attention and some cables feeding a location cabinet at the Williton end of the station were being replaced.

20 February 2019
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

Minehead Station will be open daily throughout half term between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

Venture down to Minehead Station, browse the shop taking a look at the Brunel Merchandise, WSR branded clothes and so much more. Then along to the Turntable Cafe for a nice cup of locally produced Miles tea or coffee, along with a lovely slice of cake.

A lot of work is being carried out behind the scenes, and the Railway really looking forward to running services again on 30 March.

Please note: the Railway have advised the Brunel Birthday Bonanza event planned for 21, 23, 24, 26 February is not going ahead.

20 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

The West Somerset Railway Association has published a brief synopsis of the Trustee Board meeting held on 11 February 2019. To read more, please click or tap the button below.

Synopsis

18 February 2019
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

Helen Anson, Learning Officer with West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, provides an update on progress following the successful application for Heritage Lottery Fund funding last year.

Our Schools programme is in the initial phase of its development, with hands-on museum sessions planned, covering the WSR's links with Brunel and the Great Western Railway, the impact of the railway on local history as well as links to the STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) subjects.

We are also developing a collection of Loans Boxes, to be used in schools for hands-on learning about the railway using a range of real and replica objects.

Full story on the Trust website

18 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

Issue 872 of RAIL carries an article by Daniel Puddicombe examining the growing trend for service trains running between heritage railways and the main line network. The article looks at four heritage lines, the Swanage, the North York Moors, the Chinnor, and the Minehead line, each having a different angle on the topic. As far as the West Somerset Railway is concerned, Daniel looks at both the Minehead Rail Link Group's ambitions and claims, and also at the WSR's own plans for a possible service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard run by GWR on certain days in the summer of 2019.

15 February 2019
Details kindly provided via Daniel Puddicombe and RAIL

The Exmoor Coast Railway Modellers are presenting their annual Fair at the regular venue on Saturday 23 February. As usual there will be an excellent selection of traders offering model railway items, diecast models, new DVDs and books, secondhand books, railway paraphernalia, photographs, toys, games, etc. There is a modern restaurant offering hot and cold food/drinks all day. Extensive free parking is available onsite, and all stands are on the ground floor. The bright venue is on the B3170, just south of the town centre, and only five minutes drive from Junction 25 on the M5. This is a really friendly event and all are welcome, so please come along. The Fair is open 10am to 3pm and is held at Richard Huish College, South Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3DZ. Admission is £2.

15 February 2019
Details kindly provided by local correspondents

At their January 2019 Board Meeting, Trustees agreed the next stage of the Heritage Carriages Project and reaffirmed their 2016 decision to make it carriage TK no 3639, a toplight vehicle with a rich history as a passenger coach, an ambulance coach and a camp coach prior to its acquisition by the Trust.

Full story

14 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust have announced the appointment of design and interpretation consultants for Gauge Museum Heritage Lottery Fund Project. Following the completion of a formal tendering exercise, the Steam Trust is delighted to confirm the appointment of Smith and Jones as the preferred design and interpretation consultants for the Gauge Museum Project.

Full story

14 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust

The 2019 West Somerset Railway Association Annual General Meeting for members is to be held on Saturday 13 April 2019 at 2pm at Crowcombe Village Hall. Nominations for WSRA Trustees are now open. The closing date is 14 March 2019; all completed forms must be received by that date. The requirements for serving as a WSRA Trustee can be found in the WSRA's Articles of Association and the Trustees Code of Conduct (recently agreed by the current board), both available on the WSRA website along with the Trustee nomination form

More info and links

13 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The WSRA's '9351 Blog' has been updated with the latest news and progress on the final reassembling of WSR 2-6-0 no 9351 by the Railway's West Somerset Restoration team at Williton.

The 9351 Blog

13 February 2019
Details kindly provided by WSR Infrastructure Engineering

The Facebook page of WSR Infrastructure Engineering provides a useful update on the many and varied tasks the department is currently undertaking along the line.

• The Restoration and Maintenance Squad (RAMS) team working on the roof at the Gauge Museum; and repairing the Down platform fence at Bishops Lydeard.
• The Signal &Telegraph team are hard at work on the phones.
• New stone going in for drainage at the relay of the stock loading road at Bishops Lydeard; the alignment staying the same but with a raised level to improve loading.
• Friends of Minehead Station (FoMS) are funding the painting of the canopy at Minehead and repairs taking place to the weathered pillars.
• Rail is being turned on the curves near Nethercott.
• Planning the imminent drainage works at Washford Cutting.
• Geotechnical consultants have reviewed the earthworks at Stogumber and Roebuck.
• Work on River Avill Bridge work - repointed and replaced brickwork in number one arch; now looking for volunteers to help with laying a new rock floor (subject to EA approval) to preserve the repaired arches.

Infrastructure's Facebook page

13 February 2019
Details kindly provided by WSR Infrastructure Engineering

Following its sale by WSR Plc to the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway, the unrestored GWR Large Prairie no 4110 left Minehead on 12 February 2019 and made its way by road to Devon. The loco had been central to a purchase bid by local folks hoping to keep the engine on the Minehead Branch but sadly it was not to be.

12 February 2019
Details kindly provided by local correspondents

The Friends of Minehead Station (FoMS) are to sponsor the overhaul of the wheelchair-accessible carriage known as Lorna Doone.

At the recent FoMS Annual General Meeting, it was agreed that FoMS will sponsor the overhaul of carriage no W80736 . The work needed to put the carriage back into operational use includes changing the four wheelsets, removal of an electric lift, re-painting the outside including the roof and providing steam heating for the passenger carrying area. The work is likely to be undertaken by WSRA Restorations at WIlliton. If anyone out in FoMS land would like to make a financial contribution (however small) to this considerable expense, they are asked to forward a cheque made payble to FoMS to The FoMS Treasurer, Dept LD, Minehead Railway Station, The Esplanade, Minehead TA24 5BG Thank you

11 February 2019
Details kindly provided by Friends of Minehead Station

The venue for the Stakeholders Meeting on 2 March 2019 is some way off public transport routes and a significant attendance is expected. If you would like (or can offer) a lift to the venue, or would just like to car share, please be in touch with WSRA Trustee Robin White who has offered to co-ordinate offers/requests. She can be contacted at robin.white@wsra.org.uk

Stakeholders Meeting

10 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Assocation

Three young volunteers from the West Somerset Railway - Matthew Sutton, Lee Robbins and Matthew Jackson - each received a framed runners-up 'Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award' certificate at the Heritage Railway Association's 2019 Awards held at Birmingham's Burlington Hotel on 9 February 2019. The category was won by the very worthy Matthew Wilson from Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. Congratulations to Lee, Matt and Matt, and to all the winners on the night. Great to see hard work recognised and rewarded.

10 February 2019
Details kindly provided by local correspondent

Minehead Station's Buffer Stop Shop reopens on 11 February 2019 as announced on the WSR Buffer Stop Shop's Facebook page:

The Buffer Stop Shop, Minehead Station, is pleased to announce that from next Monday 11 February 2019 we will be open! Hurrah!

9 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

WSR Plc have confirmed a new date for the meeting previously due to be held in early February but was cancelled due to bad weather. The WSR Plc Board would like to invite shareholders, staff and volunteers to the re-arranged meeting to be held on Saturday 2 March 2019 at 11am at Oake Manor, Oake, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 1BA. WSR Plc Chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt says:

We will discuss how your railway will be facing up to the challenges of operating England's longest heritage railway; what work is planned and what will be deferred for future closure periods, in order to operate our steam railway using locomotives which would not have operated on our line in British Railway days.

More information

7 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

Don Bishop, Chairman of the WSR's Gala Planning Team, has announced the second 'guest' locomotive for the 2019 Diesel Gala in June:

We are pleased to announce our second guest locomotive for this years 'Vintage Diesels to the Seaside II' gala on 20 - 23 June.

We have agreed the hire of one of the fleet of Class 50s from the 'Class 50 Alliance Ltd', although it is yet to be decided on which one of their fleet will be able to attend as several issues could yet affect this. The class 50 will join former Laira depot stablemate Class 46 no 46010 in a West Country diesels recreation.

We plan to announce further visiting locos in the coming weeks.

Click or tap the button below to book tickets for this special event.

Book tickets

6 February 2019
Details kindly provided by WSR Gala Planning Team

Robin White of the West Somerset Railway Association provides an update:

Funds towards the Station Sign Castings continue to come in. We now have around £1,400 of the required £3,200. Further donations, of any size, welcome. You can donate either via the WSRA Facebook arrangements or contact the WSRA direct at manager@wsra.org.uk

WSRA Facebook Page

4 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

Fresh local breads accompany a tasting of selected Somerset cheeses washed down by a pint of Somerset Cider or fresh apple juice drink.

This lunchtime Special Train is in support of local Somerset food producers. The lunch is a tasting of local Somerset cheeses, with garnish and freshly made local breads, washed down by a pint of Somerset Cider or fresh apple juice drink. Cheeses are supplied by local cheese makers such as The Exmoor Blue Cheese Company just a short distance from Bishops Lydeard Station. The Cider is made by Harry's Cider.

The 2019 Cheese and Cider Specials run on 14 June, 12 July, 6 September and 20 September.

Click or tap the button below for the full statement.

Full details and booking

3 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

GWR4110 Ltd, West Somerset Railway Association and WSR Plc have issued the following statement:

It is with regret that we have to announce that even with the three organisations working closely together we have been unable to find a way to keep 4110 on the WSR. As late as 25th January 2019 we were still in joint discussions to try to find a way to deliver this objective.

The WSR Plc finds itself in a position where it needs cash immediately and its Directors have no choice but to maximise the return to the company in such a circumstance. The Directors of GWR4110 Ltd and the WSRA Trustees understand this is the reason the locomotive cannot be made available at a lower price.

Click or tap the button below for the full statement.

Full statement

The WSRA's General Manager Jacquie Green adds the following advice:

The WSRA has received over £13,000 in donations towards the purchase of 4110. Any donor who would like their money refunded should advise Jacquie Green of their bank details. Alternatively you could ask for it to be put towards the refurbishment of 9351 or 4561, which would be a great help to the whole railway.

3 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

Robin White of the West Somerset Railway Association writes:

Folks may remember that we were unsuccessful last year in buying back at auction an original Bristol and Exeter Railway Station name board from Dunster Station. The WSR supporters who had pledged funds towards that generously allowed their pledges to be used for a professional pattern maker to produce patterns for these distinctive boards at Dunster, Watchet and Stogumber Stations.

We have now identified a foundry with the skills to cast these distinctive items and need your help to raise the £800 per sign cost of the items. Gift aid will add 25% from the government to anything you give if you are a UK tax payer.

Please give generously - click or tap the button below for more information.

WSRA Facebook Page

1 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association

The West Somerset Railway Plc have announced the cancellation of the meeting on 2 February 2019 at Oake Manor.

Due to the current weather conditions and the risk of ice tomorrow morning, it has been decided to cancel tomorrow's meeting at Oake Manor. We do not want to put the lives of our Shareholders, Staff and Volunteers at risk.

We are currently in the process of rearranging the meeting and will contact everyone as soon as details of a new date are confirmed, we hope this will be in the very near future. Anyone who already had a reservation will automatically be transferred to the new date and venue unless you inform us otherwise. Anyone who had booked for the lunch at Oake Manor will automatically be refunded.

1 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc

West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Chairman Chris Austin writes:

Drawings, paintings and models by Peter Barnfield (1942 - 2018) will be the basis of a summer exhibition in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard from 13 to 28 July 2019. With his wife Ginny, Peter created the Blue Anchor Railway Museum for GW150 in 1985 and ran it for 10 years before handing over to Pete Treharne. For many years he produced some of the WSR's best publicity; Peter was a gifted artist, photographer, designer and writer and some of his best work will be on show. This exhibition will draw together for the first time around 50 art works, many now in private collections. A feast for the eyes and the soul. Admission will be free and the exhibition will be open between 10.00 and 16.00 daily between 13 and 28 July 2019.

1 February 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust