An unofficial website featuring the West Somerset Railway
News from September 2019
Secondhand Model Railway Sale at Watchet Station's Pagoda
Steve Sutherland writes:
Watchet Secondhand Model Railway Equipment Sale is on this Saturday 5th October in the Watchet Station pagoda waiting room from 10am to 3pm. It is Gala weekend so lots of trains passing through Watchet to see as well. We will have engines, coaches, wagons, track, books in OO, N and HO gauge etc. Come along to help us raise funds for the maintenance of Watchet Railway Station which is all run by volunteers. Have you any unwanted model railway equipment that you could donate to help us? Contact Steve Sutherland for further information on 01984 633425.
30 September 2019 Details kindly provided by Friends of Watchet Station
Bishops Lydeard Station Shop during the Autumn Gala
Kate Beard writes:
At the Autumn Gala, Bishops Lydeard Station Shop will once again have a range of special offers to tempt visitors.
Our model railway team will be offering 15% off the RRP of all items on our shelves throughout the Gala.
Don't forget that our stocks of brand new models and books include what we are told is one of the best ranges of diecast models and railway books in the County. In addition, we shall be offering a wide range of bargain and secondhand books, some quite scarce, as well as DVDs, historical magazines such as Railway Bylines and the much-missed GWR Journal. Expect to see some used model railway items as well, plus some already well-loved diecasts at bargain prices for those looking for a restoration challenge! These offers will be available on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday only, while stocks last.
Running for 20 miles between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and the seaside town of Minehead the West Somerset Railway evokes the atmosphere of a country railway line as they were for the first seven decades of the 20th century. For the four days of the Autumn Gala the Railway will enhance this atmosphere - although there will be more trains and extra activities than would have been normal on a country railway line of the past - to add interest. A list of locomotives booked and expected to run follows...
Great Western Railway 64xx no 6412. A welcome return to the WSR (from the South Devon Railway) of a classic branch line locomotive that helped to reopen the West Somerset four decades ago.
Great Western Railway 57xx no 4612. Guesting from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.
Great Western Railway 57xx no 7714. Guesting from the Severn Valley Railway.
WSR 'Small Mogul' no 9351. This will be a welcome first Gala appearance following its overhaul.
British Railways (Western Region) nos 7822 Foxcote Manor and 7828 Odney Manor will recall memories of long country journeys in Mid Wales. This will be 7822's last weekend of operation on the WSR before it returns to the Llangollen Railway.
Great Western Railway 57xx no 7752. Guesting from the Birmingham Railway Museum at Tyseley.
Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway 7F no 53808. One of the eleven heavy freight engines built for the much missed S&D line.
Class 35 Hymek diesel hydraulic no D7018. The 'Hymeks' featured on the Minehead line in the 1960s including no D7047 (long since scrapped) which headed the special filming train for the Beatles 'A Hard Days Night' feature film.
Barclay 0-4-0ST no 1219. An example of the thousands of small tank engines which once worked in industry across the land.
Join us on the Quantock Belle over the Autumn Steam Gala for a delicious breakfast! Breakfasts will be offered on the 9.05am Bishops Lyderad to Minehead service and the 10.55am Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The 'QB Quality Breakfast' will consist of Orange Juice, Fried Egg, Lean Back Bacon, Pork Sausage, Black Pudding, Hash Browns, Baked Beans and Tomato Toast and Marmalade Tea or Coffee with free refill £10 per person. Click the link below for to book tickets and breakfast.
Unleash your inner Fab Four during the Autumn Gala
With the line-up of locomotives finalised for the Autumn Gala the working diagrams will appear in the Souvenir Programme which will be going to print this week. The Programme mentions that sometimes Country Railways saw unusual trains and operations and few can have been more unusual than when the Beatles and the filming train for 'A Hard Day's Night' came to the Minehead branch. That train was headed by long since scrapped 'Hymek' diesel no D7047 but surviving classmate no D7018 is due to work in the Gala so why not unleash your inner 'Fab Four' and ride on a train similar to that used by John, George, Paul and Ringo headed by the correct class of engine? You can spend time on the platform at Crowcombe Heathfield station where Ringo and George rode their bikes too if you want to break your journey and catch a later steam train Sadly there won't be a musical performance in the guards van.
There will be a good deal of interest at the Autumn Gala for those who enjoy model railways in addition to a frequent service of steam trains. At Bishops Lydeard there is the 4mm layout on the mezzanine floor of the Gauge Museum and the Taunton Model Railway Group will welcome visitors to their club room on October 4th, 5th, and 6th. Stogumber has a model in one of the waiting rooms to view while enjoying some of the station's home made food and Watchet Station will host another sale of second-hand model railway equipment on Saturday morning to raise funds for the station. More pre-owned models and railwayana are sold at Dunster Station. And of course new models, mainly in 00 and N are on sale in the shops at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard stations. The best way to see (and hopefully buy) is to travel with a Gala Rover Ticket obtainable from www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or 01643 704996
The Gala Planning Team have announced the final visiting loco for the 2019 Autumn Steam Gala - now confirmed in the form of BR Black 57xx class Pannier no 7714 from the Severn Valley Railway. This Pannier will join 57xx classmates nos 4612 (from the Bodmin Railway) and 7752 (longer term visitor from Tyseley) and smaller sister and former WSR stalwart no 6412 to create an extravaganza of four Pannier tanks to work services during the Gala weekend along with Manors nos 7822 Foxcote Manor, 7828 Odney Manor, WSR Mogul no 9351, popular S&D 7F no 53808 and Hymek no D7018 to give the line a real West Country branch line feel.
There will be short local trains with vans added along with full line trains and a goods to enjoy the sight of. The Railway plan to have parcels and luggage items moved around the railway by train during the event and with porters moving items around their stations in between trains, just as they would have done in times past, before today's van based couriers delivering goods from online retailers were even thought of.
On Saturday 5 October the GWR shuttles between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard will connect into WSR services. Shuttle trains leave Taunton at 9.39am, 10.28am, 12.10pm, 3.37pm and 4.36pm and from Bishops Lydeard at 10.03am, 11.45am, 12.53pm, 3.09pm and 5.23pm. There is an amended timetable for the Saturday in order to make the best available connections with the shuttle trains.
Model railways will be open at the Gauge Museum and the Taunton Model Railway Group's base at Bishops Lydeard, workshops open at Williton and Washford and refreshments available at many of the stations. Breakfast will be available on the Quantock Belle dining train the 9.05am from Bishops Lydeard and the 10.55am from Minehead on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Advance tickets, with discounts, are available from West Somerset Railway official website west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Santa's Winter Wonderland: a journey from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe (Snowcombe) Station.
The journey starts at the Welcome marquee at Bishops Lydeard Station...then board the steam service, and head to Santa's Winter Wonderland at 'Snowcombe' for an array of attractions to explore including the all important Santa's Grotto, where all children will get the opportunity to receive a gift. There is also an animatronic reindeer, elves workshop, and photo opportunity in Santa's sleigh so be sure to bring cameras.
The Railway have introduced evening services for this event, allowing passengers to experience the magical Snowcombe lit up by Christmas lights.
Christmas services are extremely popular so it is advised to book in advance.
Latest WSR Association Board Meeting documents published
The West Somerset Railway Association have published the agreed Minutes of the Board Meeting of 12 July 2019 and a synopsis of the more recent Board Meeting held on 9 September 2019. Click or tap the buttons below to load the documents from the Association's website.
On the West Somerset Railway Association's website, the Rally Team say:
We are pleased to announce that the rally dates for 2020 have been confirmed as 1st and 2nd August.
Feedback was gathered by the section marshals and other team members, via social media, written response and general word of mouth. The overwhelming response reported by the team was a desire to keep the dates as the first weekend in August for 2020, which we have done.
We recognise that it is almost impossible to avoid clashing with some other event during August and have done everything we can to minimise the inconvenience. We are also aware that the WSRA rally has become known for its 'first weekend in August' slot in the timetable and the team feel disrupting that could be a disadvantage.
Keep an eye on the rally section of this website for rally news and application forms as they become available. The planning starts again now and we look forward to seeing you on 1st and 2nd August 2020 for an even better show.
Video of first use by WSR of the new Taunton Cider connection
In 1988 the WSR made its first use of the then new connection between Taunton Cider's sidings and the Minehead Branch. The southerly section of the cider works rail network at Norton Fitzwarren was of course the former Up Relief much used by Minehead to Taunton trains before closure. Sadly, the cider works itself closed in the 1990s along with its sidings except, thankfully, for the former Up Relief. When SDJR 2-8-0 no 53808 visited in 1988, legendary WSR volunteer Hein Burger was there to record the run-round manoeuvre on video, and with his agreement it is accessible via this website. Thanks also due to WSR volunteer Tim Edmonds for coordinating the conversion of the video to digital format and obtaining permissions. Click the button to view the video.
16 September 2019 Details kindly provided by local correspondents
The Gauge Museum Model Railway during Forties Weekend
The Gauge Museum Model Railway at Bishops Lydeard Station is operating on 13 September 2019 from 10am to 4pm and will also be open on 14 and 15 September 2019 for the Railway's 1940s Weekend event. On both days of the weekend the layout will be operating a 1940s Southern theme.
Somerset Wildlife Trust offer a Steam Teas special
Start at Bishops Lydeard, departing at 12.40pm on 24 October 2019, and travel on a steam train to Minehead and explore the seaside town. A West Country Cream Tea will then be served on the 2.30pm departure from Minehead, in two specially reserved carriages, returning to Bishops Lydeard at 3.52pm. The 'Steam Teas' ticket includes your return travel on the West Somerset Railway, and your locally produced cream tea, with all proceeds from the 'Steam Teas' ticket sales donated to Somerset Wildlife Trust. Wheelchair accessible seats are available - please select this option at the time of booking.
Here are some of the events during the WSR Forties Weekend 14-15 September 2019, and the day before. Lots more details on the WSR official website and the Facebook page of West Somerset Railway Forties Weekend 2019; and now available the latest programme of events (links below).
Friday 13 September 2019
Evacuee children arriving at Watchet from Bishops Lydeard and Minehead
Loading the military train at Minehead
Evening Dance at Minehead (ticket only)
Saturday 14 September 2019
Military train traverses whole line in each direction
The Wellington Operatic Society 10am till 4pm at Crowcombe Heathfield Station
Demonstrations of gardening and workmens hand tools from the 1940s at Crowcombe Heathfield Station
'King George VI', 'Churchill', 'de Gaulle' and others making appearances at various times and locations
Ricky Hunter and Kitty Lamare live performances at Minehead
Trio Anglais live performance at Washford pm
May Blossom live performances at Watchet Station
Live performances at Watchet Esplanade by Watchet Community Choir, Lucy, The Liberty Sisters, West Somerset Band, Darktown Strutters
Live performances at Bishops Lydeard by Dickie Lines
Evening Dance at Minehead (ticket only)
Sunday 15 September 2019
Military train traverses whole line in each direction
The Wellington Operatic Society 10am till 4pm at Crowcombe Heathfield Station
Demonstrations of gardening and workmens hand tools from the 1940s at Crowcombe Heathfield Station
'King George VI', 'Churchill', 'de Gaulle' and others making appearances at various times and locations
Ricky Hunter and Kitty Lamare live performances at Minehead
Trio Anglais live performance at Washford pm
May Blossom live performances at Watchet Station
Live performances at Watchet Esplanade by Lucy, Tabitha, The Liberty Sisters, Watchet Town Band, Watchet Community Choir
Live performances at Bishops Lydeard by Dickie Lines
Don Bishop, Chairman of the Gala Planning Team, writes:
I'm pleased to be able to advise that we now have another loco booked in for the Autumn Gala. This time it's a case of juggling up the numbers of our last announced guest and getting 57xx class Pannier no 4612 from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, our grateful thanks to David Nelson and the team at Bodmin for lending us their popular Pannier for a return visit the WSR. The GW Green Pannier will join smaller 'cousin' and old WSR stalwart no 6412 from the South Devon Railway for the Gala between Thursday 3 October and Sunday 6 October. We are currently working on another guest loco and will hopefully be able to announce this one quite soon too. They will join the home-based and long-term loan fleet of Pannier no 7752, Manors nos 7822 Foxcote Manor and 7828 Odney Manor, Mogul no 9351 and S&D 7F no 53808 along with Hymek no D7018 to create our country railway theme to represent when the railways provided country areas with their essential trade and passenger links to the rest of the country. Tickets are now available for advance purchase from the WSR Plc website (see link below).
Analysis of feedback from Taunton shuttle train passengers
The three remaining GWR and WSR shuttle train services are scheduled for Saturday 7 September, Saturday 21 September and Saturday 5 October, with five trains each day between Taunton's mainline station and Bishops Lydeard on the WSR. The final Saturday will tie in with the WSR's Autumn Steam Gala from 3-6 October which has a 'Country Railway' theme.
Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, who has been leading the Taunton shuttle project on behalf of WSR Plc, has provided a summary of the latest data collected on Saturday 31 August. Shuttle passengers returned 100 survey forms - an even bigger sample of forms than received on previous weekends. Analysis showed the principal differences from the pattern of previous weeks were:
There were more people from WSR stations taking a trip to Taunton than in previous weeks, with 37% compared with the previous average of 19%. This is reflected by twice the number of respondents (14%) saying that the purpose of their journey was shopping, compared with the previous average of 7%
The principal journey purpose still remains taking a train ride (63%)
The proportion of those travelling to us from the national network was smaller at 38%, (previous average 49%), but is still the largest segment of our visitors. And 25% were just travelling on the shuttle alone (previous average 31%)
People are still travelling long distances to visit us, with the furthest travellers on Saturday being from York, Wigan, Aberystwyth and St Austell. One visitor (just travelling on the shuttle) was from California
Of those responding, 43% had heard about the shuttle from websites or social media, but 29% learned of it from the press, several people noting that it was via the railway press. This is similar to the previous average figure
Local videographer Mike Dan has produced another excellent film featuring the Railway, this time showing the trial shuttle service between Bishops Lydeard and Taunton operated by GWR. This service runs for three more Saturdays in 2019 - on 7, 21 September and 5 October. To watch the video on Mike's 'AdmiralsCorner' YouTube channel just click the button below.
5 September 2019 Details kindly provided by local correspondents
Join the WSR new volunteer track gang
The Railway's Infrastructure Engineering team write:
We welcome Chris and Nigel who have recently joined the Railway on the Permanent Way (Track) maintenance team, based at Bishops Lydeard. The gang, lead by Matt (centre above), work Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays and carry out a range of activities from track maintenance to cutting back overgrowth.
It's an ideal role for anyone looking for physical activity, fresh air and flexibility - you just let us know the week before if you are able to join in! For more information or to sign up please message us or email ieadmin@wsrail.net. You can also leave a message on 01643 700400 and we'll call you back.
