An unofficial website featuring the West Somerset Railway
News from May 2019
Extra runs on Sunday 2 June for Crompton fans
On Sunday 2 June, Class 33 'Crompton' no D6566 will haul services on the West Somerset Railway. D6566 will haul the 11.00am Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service, with an additional 20 miles between Minehead and Williton added to the timetable to boost the mileage.
The additional service will leave Minehead at 1.25pm calling at Dunster at 1.33pm, Blue Anchor at 1.50pm, Watchet 2.40pm and will arrive at Williton at 2.10pm. It will then return back to Minehead, leaving Williton at 2.22pm, Watchet 2.29pm, Blue Anchor 2.50pm, Dunster 2.57pm arriving back in Minehead at 3.05pm. The extra services will not stop at Washford or Doniford. D6566 will then return back to Bishops Lydeard on the 3.25pm service as advertised on the timetable.
Steam services are also available as advertised on this day.
Buy tickets in advance of travel for a reduced rate - click the button below.
Book now for the Quantock Belle 'Taste of the 70s' Special
As part of the 40th Anniversary Weekend there will be a special Quantock Belle dining train leaving Bishops Lydeard at 1.50pm for the round trip to Minehead and back on Sunday 9 June 2019. Diners can travel at the special low inclusive price of £35 and in line with the annivrsary theme the menu will bring back memories of the 1970s. If you are too young to recall that decade here is the chance to experience what your (grand)parents enjoyed on a special occasion. Details can be seen and bookings made via the Events and Experiences section of www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.
New book launched by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust is set to publish on Friday 7 June 2019 a new '40th anniversary' book chronicling some personal memories and momentous events of the last four decades years compiled by three long-serving supporters. The Chairman of the Trust, Chris Austin OBE, comments:
The new book - 'Tales of the West Somerset Railway' - is jointly authored and edited by Ian Coleby, Allan Stanistreet and Ian Tabrett who all have strong, long-standing connections to the WSR and over 111 years of experiences on the line!
This new book, launched to coincide with the 40th anniversary of trains returning to Bishops Lydeard on the weekend of 8th & 9th June and a special event on the railway, fondly recalls the efforts and memories of a few of those who worked so hard to rebuild the railway in that time and help achieve some great things which were once pipe dreams.
'Tales of the West Somerset Railway' can be preordered from the station shops at Bishops Lydeard or Minehead, or by emailing booksales@wssrt.co.uk
The West Somerset Railway Association has updated the blog detailing the final stages of the overhaul of the unique WSR 2-6-0 no 9351. Click the link below to load the Blog page.
The website of the Somerset Branch CAMRA www.somerset.camra.org.uk now has a list of the beers and ciders being lined-up for the Festival at Washford Station during the Diesel Gala Days 20-22 June 2019. They range in strength from some where a couple of lunchtime pints won't slow down the afternoon through to some that should be treated with more caution. All have been sourced from breweries within a 40 mile radius of Washford but are not from an obvious list of local producers. Rover tickets for the Diesel Gala and special returns to the Beer Festival can be purchased online at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or by calling 01643 704996.
26 May 2019 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
Event will celebrate 40 years of trains over the whole line
Over the weekend of 8 and 9 June, the West Somerset Railway will be holding a special 'Anniversary Event' to mark it becoming England's longest heritage railway forty years ago in 1979. Having first reopened in 1976 initially from Minehead to Blue Anchor, the WSR's services had reached Stogumber in 1978 and, a year later, trains began to run once again over the summit of the line at Crowcombe Heathfield and down to Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, making the line 20 miles long.
Up to half a dozen steam engines, two vintage diesels and a diesel railcar will be in use over the 40th anniversary weekend, with hourly trains over the 20 mile route. And, to make the most of the daylight hours of early summer, a special double-headed steam train will run non-stop from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back on the evening of Saturday 8 June. Tickets for this train must be pre-booked via www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or calling 01643 704996.
The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust has funded a book of personal memories from people who were involved in the early days of the WSR which is being launched on the evening of Friday 7 June at Bishops Lydeard in the 'Gauge Museum', and it will then go on sale at WSR shops over the weekend. Entitled 'Tales of the West Somerset Railway' it is 130 pages in length, illustrated in colour throughout and very reasonably priced at £8.99. Further information about the book launch will be released shortly.
Normal fares will apply for the WSR's 40th anniversary event and discounted price Rover Tickets, giving the freedom of the line for the day, can be purchased from www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or by calling 01643 704996.
Exmoor Rail Model Railway Show to be held on 3 August
Exmoor Coast Railway Modellers write:
We are offering an exciting day for all railway enthusiasts on Saturday 3 August, by presenting EXMOOR RAIL. This annual show takes place at a new, bright, and disabled-friendly venue - The Minehead Eye, Mart Road, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BJ - right next door to the West Somerset Railway's Minehead Station, situated on the seafront.
There will be a selection of high quality layouts attending plus demonstrations and wide trade support. Extensive parking is available opposite the venue(Pay & Display) and free parking in adjoining roads, plus visitors can enjoy a selection of delicious refreshments all day. Or maybe travel to Minehead by train...
All in all, a terrific day for anyone remotely interested in railways! Opening times: 10.00am - 4.30pm. Admission: Adult £6.00: Child £2.00: Family (2+2) £13.00.
25 May 2019 Details kindly provided by Exmoor Coast Railway Modellers
Latest newsletter of WSR Infrastructure Engineering
A good set of illustrated reports about the many and varied works carried out over the winter by the Railway's Infrastructure Engineering team has been made available for all to read. Click the button below to download the newsletter.
The WSR infrastructure winter works was more of a challenge this year due to a funding gap. But, thanks to
the goodwill of many station groups and our support organisations, funds started coming through in January
to allow us to order materials and services and get underway. A huge Thank You to all our staff and
supporters across the Railway! Other departments and stations mobilised help on the ground and it was a
substantial team effort to get the line ready for operating again.
Our volunteers put in many extra turns to their normal working days and our paid staff, many hours beyond
their contracted hours, to see the work completed. We reopened in two stages, methodically working the
gangs along the line - firstly to open between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet for the initial period from 30
March - then fully opened to Minehead in time for Easter.
Much remains to be done and the Railway family has just announced a campaign to raise £250000 to help fund the work. Click the 'Rail Renewal 2019' button below to load the donation page.
In June 1979, the revival of the West Somerset Railway (WSR) finally saw train services extended from the temporary terminus at Stogumber through the next station at Crowcombe Heathfield and to Bishops Lydeard, close to Taunton, making the WSR the longest heritage railway in England.
Today, one of the businesses close to Bishops Lydeard station is the award-winning Quantock Brewery and, to mark the anniversary, Quantock will produce a new bottled ale which will be sold in the brewery shop and also from the buffet cars on West Somerset Railway trains.
In addition the new beer will be available, along with other local beers and cider in the Turntable Cafe at Minehead Station. Quantock also produced a commemorative bottled ale in 2016 to mark the beginning of the re-opening of the West Somerset (between Minehead and Blue Anchor at Easter 1976), and which is still available.
The launch of the new beer, which will be called Quantock Steamer, will coincide with a special event on the WSR over the weekend of 8 and 9 June. The 40th Anniversary weekend will feature both steam and vintage diesel trains and the line -up of locomotives will hopefully feature two that were in action two generations ago. It is hoped that Great Western Railway Pannier Tank no 6412 will return for the event from its current home on the South Devon Railway, whilst 'Hymek' no D7017 will represent the Diesel and Electric Group who have been based at Williton since the early days of the WSR.
Three other steam locos and a visiting diesel no D6948 will be in action. Fuller details can be found at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk and discounted Rover Tickets, giving the freedom of the line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead for the day, can also be purchased from the WSR website.
Trains to Watchet Wheelbarrow Race on Sunday 26 May
Catch a West Somerset Railway train to the wonderful wacky Watchet Wheelbarrow Race on Sunday 26 May 2019. The railway station is right in the middle of the town; the train journey from either Minehead or Bishops Lydeard is around 40 minutes and the race starts at 2pm.
On Sunday 26 May, trains depart Bishops Lydeard near Taunton at 9.25am, 10.15am, 11.00am, 12.40pm and 1.20pm; and depart Minehead at 10.05am, 11.00am and 12.30pm
Two steam locomotives are expected to be in use, along with the three car diesel unit.
22 May 2019 Details gleaned from websites of WSR and Watchet Carnival
Bradley Manor heads south for a working holiday
The Erlestoke Manor Fund say on their Facebook page:
7802 Bradley Manor is moving to the West Somerset Railway this week until early October as part of a locomotive exchange with 6960 Raveningham Hall allowing this former SVR resident to renew her acquaintance with Severn Valley this summer.
Bradley Manor is no stranger to the West Somerset Railway either having a made previous visits in the 1990s and 2000s. Look out for a number of events at the WSR that will involve 7802 - including double heading with 7828 Odney Manor on a 14 coach special on Saturday 8th June as part of a weekend of celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the WSR - details of which can be found here
This swap has been possible through the good working relationships established between the Erlestoke Manor Fund, West Somerset Railway, Locomotive Services Limited and the Severn Valley Railway
Support the 'Rail Renewal 2019' project with a donation
The West Somerset Railway track uses 53,000 sleepers and well over 40 miles of rail. The rail has a life of between 50 and 100 years. Much of the track is at the very end of its life and urgently needs renewing. Funds are urgently needed to keep the work on schedule this coming winter. Click or tap the 'Rail Renewal 2019' button below to find out more and please consider making a donation towards this project to renew the very foundation of the Minehead Branch. Other fundraising appeals are ongoing - see below.
Additional Trustees and a Curator sought by the Steam Trust
Additional Trustees are sought by the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust who are also looking for a Curator at their Blue Anchor Railway Museum.
The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust is looking to co-opt to additional Trustees to its Board. One of the Trustee positions will take a lead on volunteer development whilst the other will initially be a generic Trustee role supporting an increasingly wide range of activities across the Trust.
Also, the Trust is looking to appoint a volunteer Curator for Blue Anchor Museum. This is a small Museum on the platform at Blue Anchor Station but with potential for development helping to tell the story of the West Somerset Railway, local social and economic history and maintaining the heritage around a Great Western Railway seaside branch line.
Friends of Minehead Station present £100000 cheque
The Friends of Minehead Station (FoMS) has stepped up to the mark during the last few months to play their part in helping to keep the much loved West Somerset Railway running. Since Christmas, FoMS has provided or will provide in the region of £100,000 to the WSR Company for several much needed projects including:
Replacing rail along the line
Repairs to the bridge over the River Avill near Dunster Station
Repairs to and repainting of the very long canopy on Minehead Station
Overhaul of the Lorna Doone disabled carriage
FoMS chairman Martyn Snell said:
We raise money primarily for the upkeep of our Grade II listed building at Minehead, but we have realised that the railway as a whole needed our support during the last few difficult months. We are so grateful to everyone who helps with our fundraising efforts, especially to those people who donate items to sell through FoMS 'Readers Halt' outlet on Minehead Station, and to those wonderful volunteers who run the stall in all types of weather. This is our main source of income.
WSR plc Chairman Jon Jones Pratt said:
This is a fantastic effort and massively important donation by the Friends of Minehead Station to the WSR. They have readily stepped forward to support our railway in its hour of need and readily grasped the importance of us all being one railway and working together! On behalf of everyone on the WSR, we owe FoMS a huge debt of thanks, and all power to the elbow of 'Readers Halt' for the future too!
FoMS was formed just over 20 years ago with 'Readers Halt' opening some three years later. Anyone wishing to become a member of FoMS or help in running 'Readers Halt' is asked to contact FoMS on 01643 704996.
16 May 2019 Details kindly provided by Friends of Minehead Station
Synopsis of recent WSR Association Trustee Board Meeting
The West Somerset Railway Association has published a brief synopsis of the Trustee Board meeting held on 13 May 2019. To read more, please click or tap the button below. We also provide a button link to the full minutes of the April meeting.
16 May 2019 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
An extra turn for Class 37 no D6948
The Railway write about an extra turn for the popular visiting Class 37 diesel electric locomotive no D6948:
This Sunday 19 May, our diesel service will be hauled by Class 37 no D6948. To maximise the mileage, we have added an extra 20 miles to our timetable for your enjoyment! To see the timetable click the button below.
Really enjoy the day, buy your rover tickets in advance of travel to receive a discount. Click the button below...
The West Somerset Railway Association has updated the blog detailing the final stages of the overhaul of the unique WSR 2-6-0 no 9351. Click the link below to load the Blog page.
The Steam Trust publish minutes of latest board meeting
West Somerset Steam Railway Trust have published the Minutes of the meeting of Board of Trustees held on Wednesday 24 April 2019 at 10am in the Meeting Room, Bishops Lydeard Station. The document includes a full note of a session with the PLC Chairman, Jon Jones Pratt - reading is recommended to folks interested in WSR's current affairs.
The 40th Anniversary Weekend: enjoy an evening excursion
Some more information about the evening train on Saturday 8 June, which will round off day one of the 40th Anniversary Weekend. The fares for the train, due to be headed by no 7802 Bradley Manor and no 7828 Odney Manor and loading to 14 coaches are priced at a bargain £10 return for 40 miles of non-stop travel over the WSR, travelling from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return. With the sunset at Minehead on that day being 9.26pm this will be a great evening out on the West Somerset. Tickets for the train can be purchased online now via the Events and Experiences 40th Anniversary section of www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or 01643 704996. Rover tickets will not be valid for travel on the train.
10 May 2019 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
The 40th Anniversary Weekend: an update and timetables
Don Bishop, Chairman of the WSR Gala Planning Team has provided an update and timetables, with loco allocations, for the Railway's 40th Anniversary Weekend on 8 and 9 June 2019.
We will be using steam locos GWR Pannier no 7752, GWR Manor Class nos 7802 Bradley Manor and 7828 Odney Manor along with diesels Class 37 no D6948 and Class 35 'Hymek' no D7017. Please note that the hoped-for GWR Pannier no 6412 may not be available, work is ongoing to try and secure this visit by both the WSR and our friends at South Devon Railway. More updates will be given as and when available. SDJR 7F no 53808 will be on display at Washford where saddle tank no1219 will be shunting.
The star turn is the Saturday evening train with double headed Manors nos 7802 and 7828 on a 14 coach train from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return. Tickets for this special working will be available separately from the official WSR website. Please note Rover Tickets will not be valid on this train.
Somerset County Council continue with level crossing upgrade
Seaward Way Level Crossing in Minehead has reached the end of its serviceable life and no longer fits the standards required for the volume of traffic on this road. Somerset County Council is responsible for maintaining the asset through the West Somerset Railway and is investing £1m to upgrade the facility to comply with modern regulations.
On 30 April 2019, works to the highway continued with stop-go boards in place between 6pm and 11pm allowing works to take place safely. Works to replace the barriers will take place at a later date to be agreed with West Somerset Railway. A spokesman for Somerset County Council said:
The West Somerset Railway is one of our best loved tourist attractions so we're working closely with them in planning this essential maintenance work.
Paul Conibeare, General Manager of the WSR, said:
This investment by Somerset County Council in Seaward Way level crossing at Minehead is very welcome indeed and will help the railway to prosper and grow. We are very grateful for this large investment in our future and to keep the traffic flowing smoothly and safely.
Vandals sadly struck the West Somerset Railway on the evening of 29 April 2019 at around 9pm with an attack on a railway coach stabled overnight at Bishops Lydeard in sidings. The damage caused to no W4449 was mainly broken glass with three large carriage windows and two droplight windows in doors being smashed in the attack which is estimated will cost £1,000 to replace and repair. A kind member of the public contacted the WSR about the damage, and General Manager Paul Conibeare attended the scene and informed the Police. Although the Police did not attend the incident, it has been logged with the following Crime number 5219 093628, and anyone with any information about the attack is asked to please call them on 101.
The coach has now been moved to Minehead for repairs in the workshops there which will hopefully take just a few days to complete if replacement glass is in stock. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare said:
This sad, senseless and costly attack on us is bad news, especially coming at a time when we are all working so hard to build the railway back up again. Suffering £1,000 worth of damage represents a big loss to us at any time, but I'd like to thank the member of the local Bishops Lydeard community who called the railway on the night and reported it to us. Mindless vandalism obviously hurts the railway, but we are determined to keep the WSR running and so providing a major tourist attraction in Somerset.
Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust Annual Special Train
The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust have announced details of their Annual Special Train running on Sunday 7 July 2019:
Now that the West Somerset Railway is running to Minehead again, why not book our Special Train? It's due to be hauled, as usual, by 53808 and with adult fares at just £12 (children £6, family £25), it's great value. Departing Bishops Lydeard at 11.40am and returning from Minehead at 5.25pm - with stops at Washford for SDRT Museum and Dunster for the Castle. Click or tap the button below to book online.
Plus, you can also order a Railwayman's lunch (outward journey) and a cream tea for the return at the time of booking. All are welcome, not just S&DRT members. But remember, last bookings are on 26 June!
The Annual Special Train is provided as part of the hire agreement for 53808 so all proceeds are retained by the Trust, supporting our restoration and conservation work.
Minutes of WSRA 2019 Annual General Meeting are available
Now available on the West Somerset Railway Association's website, the Minutes of the 24th Annual General Meeting held at Crowcombe Village Hall on Saturday 13 April 2019. Click or tap the button below to read the document:
The West Somerset Railway (WSR) has been undergoing a complicated track relay around Blue Anchor throughout the start of 2019 as part of a major infrastructure improvement programme on the line.
This work proved to be more involved than first thought and resulted in the railway only being able to operate a train service from Bishops Lydeard to Watchet initially for its first few weeks of this season's services, and with a bus connection to Minehead. But this truncated train service proved to be extremely successful and saw visitor numbers to the historic Harbour Town of Watchet rise dramatically for the time of year.
The Blue Anchor works was largely completed in order to allow services run through to Minehead again on 19 April in time for Easter, however, a small amount of further work is still needed to complete the project. As a result, it is necessary for the Blue Anchor stretch of the line to close again but for only for a short, three-day period between Tuesday 7 May and Thursday 9 May inclusive.
Whilst this part of the line will be closed, the railway will again operate its successful train services between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet, but with an onward bus connection to Minehead kindly provided by Buses of Somerset on their public service bus number 28. West Somerset Railway Minehead return and rover tickets will be valid on this bus service, and thanks go to Buses of Somerset again for their support.
This vital work will mean that the line can open again properly, allowing the use of the two WSR running lines through Blue Anchor Station, and this will then enable the railway to implement its publicised timetables and with all of the appropriate crossing points once more in use. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare said:
Our staff have been working extremely hard over our early season closed period. These last few days of altered running are vital to ensure that the railway operates to its full potential, and we are looking forward to the completion of this project next week.
The support that the railway has received from far and wide through this time has been overwhelming, and we are looking forward to offering our visitors and passengers reliable and enjoyable train services in 2019 and the years to come.
The timetable for the Bishops Lydeard to Watchet services between Tuesday 7 May and Thursday 9 May can be found on the West Somerset Railway's website at: www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
A comprehensive news roundup covering recent events and future plans has been issued. Interesting news snippets include the full line reopening celebrations on Good Friday; plans for three GWR 'Manor' locomotives on the line during the summer which could see a 'Hall' for a 'Manor' swop; and mention of the temporary reduction of the line's axle weight limit. Click or tap the button below for the full article on the official WSR website.
