A set of GWR letter boxes from Taunton Station is now safely preserved in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard Station. Beautifully made, they were part of the internal mail system run by GWR and later BR, which closed on completion of privatisation in 1997.
29 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
The overhaul of the Railway's wheelchair-accessible coach no W80736 Lorna Doone - boosted by a £10000 donation from the Friends of Minehead Station (FoMS) - has been completed thanks to the splendid work of the staff at West Somerset Restoration based at Williton. No W80736 has been returned to Minehead awaiting its 'fitness to run' examination. Meanwhile the coach will be in use during the Christmas Market at Minehead Station on 30 November 2019 hopefully housing a FoMS display for visitors to view including the new plaque showing FoMS involvement in the overhaul.
29 November 2019
Details kindly provided by Friends of Minehead Station
The Railway say:
We are publishing the loco rosters online for this gala. See buttons below. This is a new timetable, with a few extra trains and some extra spice added. Four engines are diagrammed to be used. The early start will mean some staff being on duty very early or indeed all night so please support us and make their efforts worthwhile.
26 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Refurbishment work at the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard has revealed the two doors at the Minehead end of the shed. These allowed unloaded wagons to be moved through to a short holding siding (where the Taunton Model Railway Group is today) to allow other wagons to be brought into the shed. The doors will be a feature of the new National Lottery Heritage Fund supported museum display. Somewhere underneath the floor is the original track!
26 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
The WSR Plc have published the train times for 2020 on the official WSR website along with a list of special events for next year. Times for the latter will be published nearer the date.
24 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Stogumber Station has just taken delivery of a new batch of 500 Christmas cards and they can be obtained directly from the Friends of Stogumber Station treasurer via the Station website. Ten cards and envelopes for £10 including postage.
22 November 2019
Details kindly provided by Stogumber Station
A rather nice news item from the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust's website:
On 19 November 2019, during a meeting of the Museum HLF Project Group, our Trust Chairman Chris Austin presented a certificate awarded by the British Museum, Marsh Award to Trust member Matthew Sutton for his 'highly commended voluntary contribution to 'Museum Learning'. Matthew is a Senior Operator and Training Officer at Gauge Junction as well as being a member of the HLF Project Group and serving on the Volunteer Steering Committee. A great deal of his work is on the administration side of the operation which does not attract public attention but is a very vital part of our activities. Well done Matthew in obtaining a National Award and also to the Trust for the efforts made to encourage and support young volunteers within our activities.
21 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
The folks from WSR's Infrastructure Engineering team have posted an update on their Facebook page. The pictures are now on this website's Latest Pictures page. Here's what they say:
Many thanks to all those who have generously contributed to our track renewal fund this year. (see https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/railrenewal2019 or click the button below)
Our winter works engineering programme started on 4th November. The donations have allowed us to plan track renewals at Doniford, Watchet and Minehead. Ways to get involved:
20 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
With kind permission of WSR Plc, the train times for 2020 are now available online on this website. Times for special events will be published nearer the date.
19 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Vintage Trains have announced a steam hauled railtour from the Birmingham area to Minehead on 30 May 2020:
Hauled by our flagship steam locomotive Clun Castle, we pick up at Dorridge, Solihull and Birmingham Moor Street before heading south along the Birmingham & Gloucester Railway and on to Cheltenham and Bristol. After a brief stop, we continue towards Taunton, turning onto the preserved West Somerset Railway (WSR). At Bishops Lydeard, we swap Clun Castle for a WSR preserved steam loco before continuing on to Minehead, setting down at Blue Anchor on the way. After nearly 3 hours in Minehead, our return journey retraces our steps.
18 November 2019
Details gleaned from website of Vintage Trains
The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust have received a large donation towards the 2019 Rail Renewal appeal, that takes the total over the half way point. Together 51% has so far been raised of the targeted £250,000 for this winter's track works. Work has already begun on the Doniford section of the track and will continue over the winter period.
Donate online
18 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association
The West Somerset Railway Association have published the agreed Minutes of the Board Meeting of 14 October 2019 and a synopsis of the more recent Board Meeting held on 11 November 2019. Click or tap the buttons below to load the documents from the Association's website.
15 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association
Following the announcement of BR 9F 2-10-0 no 92134 as the first guest locomotive for the return of the WSR's 2020 Spring Steam Gala, discounted tickets for the event are now on sale from www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk (click the button below) or via 01643 704996. Why not treat yourself to an early Christmas present -- or drop a few hints about your plans for next year?
12 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Volunteer Aaron Manley writes:
The Carriage Cleaning Gang at Minehead today. A great time and fun had by all. Cleaning will be every Saturday and Wednesday though November. Contact Simon Ball if you're able to help out - contact details on the internal document recently made available to all staff.
9 November 2019
Details kindly provided by local correspondent
The WSR Gala Planning Team is delighted to be able to announce the first guest loco for the big 2020 Spring Steam Gala, the popular event returning after a year’s absence in 2019. The four-day gala will be held between Thursday 23 April and Sunday 26 April 2020.
The loco is newly restored BR Std 9F 2-10-0 no 92134, the only surviving single chimney member of the once 250 strong class. Agreement has been reached with the loco owners and North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where the loco is based, for the 9F to make this first visit away from its base to the WSR.
The Gala Planning Team are now working on other guest locos and the overall gala plan and more information will be published as these become finalised. Tickets are now available.
7 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Plc
Kate Beard has kindly provided details of the following opening times over the remainder of 2019 for the Bishops Lydeard Station Shop and Cafe:
Notes:
1 Dunster by Candlelight
2 Carol Train
3 Winter Steam Festival
Also, please note that, unlike previous years, the Station Shop and Café will not be open while 'Santa's Winter Wonderland' and 'Whistletoe and Wine' trains are operating due to restricted access to the station platforms.
6 November 2019
Details kindly provided by West Somerset Railway Association
