The West Somerset Railway Plc are reminding all of us that train services start again soon.

We are getting ready to welcome you back!

From 22 May 2021 we will be running excursions from Bishops Lydeard to Williton and back.

In line with Covid advice, we are selling tickets for fixed excursions in tables of 2, 4 and compartments of 6.

Use the link in the button below to select your excursion and book your tickets. Then, choose from travel only, or choose to add a catering option on selected services on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The West Somerset Railway Plc have concluded the organisational structure reforms recommended by John Bailey in his 2020 report cannot go ahead for a number of reasons. The Plc say:

• The entire railway community is currently heavily committed to re-starting our operations in May. This involves extensive work by many individuals across the railway: this is not going to be a normal start-up operation and requires considerable extra work beyond that normally undertaken for the seasonal re-openings of the past. It is the view of the Board that attempting to take forward work now to establish a brand-new organisation is not something that would be sensible at this time, especially in light of the challenges facing both the WSR plc and the wider WSR railway family over the next 12 months.
• Although much sound progress has been made with our earlier financial recovery plans from 2017-2019, the railway has not yet fully recovered from the financial operational challenges of these years before the Covid pandemic. This is going to require significant further re-targeting of our activities. Attempting to re-position the WSR plc now as a subsidiary organisation of a brand-new charity, complete with all the attendant financial risk around assets, accountability and financial responsibilities, is NOT something that the WSR plc Board feels it can support.
• The plc Board is also not convinced that the proposals being put forward to implement the suggested Bailey reforms will necessarily deliver the anticipated full range of benefits required to justify the scale and scope of organisational change at this time. It feels that the current restructuring proposals are just one of a series of possible options to be considered, and which need to be much more carefully explored.
• In the outline questionnaire that was circulated to all 8,311 WSR plc shareholders seeking their views on the Bailey reforms. Only 391 shareholders responded representing just 8,311 (4.7%). It is evident from such a level of response, therefore, that there is scant shareholder support for these suggestions. The board felt that it was important to have the views of shareholders on this matter, and in the interests of the PLC and its shareholders, it considered that the response rate was too low to justify taking further action on the proposals at the present time.
• The indicative costs of implementation of the current Bailey reform proposals are felt to be considerable and likely to run to at least six figures. In the current financial climate, the Board does not feel that this would be a sensible use of the plc’s limited resources. If loan-funding for this cost were to be sought externally, the Board feels that there would need to be a far more persuasive case.
• One of the key requirements facing us will be the need to convince the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) as regulator, and other key stakeholders, that these proposals will not only fully deliver significant additional benefits over a long period of time, but also that they will not impede the corporate responsibilities of the PLC for the safe and effective operation of the WSR and the stewardship of its assets. The Board considers that such a case has not been made convincingly.
• The Board readily recognises that one motivation for the Bailey proposals was the belief that this would offer us a better opportunity for external fund-raising. The Board have considered and researched the experiences of other heritage railways, and other similar organisations, and has concluded that the present structures in place do not preclude effective fund-raising. There will need to be renewed fund raising efforts in the next few months, of course, and the Board looks forward to working with all of its partners to achieve significant results.

Click or tap the button below for the full statement.

Good news for casual viewers and avid webcam watchers alike. The webcam at Crowcombe Heathfield Station is back streaming to the world after a lengthy spell offline. The webcam can be viewed on this website or at the Railcam.uk website.

More good news. The south facing webcam at Williton Station is also back online on the Railcam.uk website.

The Board of the West Somerset Railway Plc has announced two new appointments, with immediate effect.

Bob Meanley is rejoining the Board as Director (Mechanical Engineering) and John Gibbins is becoming Civil Engineering Adviser to the Board, with a view to joining as Director in the near future.

The West Somerset Railway Association have published a brief report of the Trustee Meeting held on 13 April 2021. Click or tap the button below to load the webpage from the Association's website.

The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) are pleased to announce the publication of the second Booklet in the series dedicated to the Group's diesel Locomotives

Following the success of the first book featuring Class 35 ‘Hymek’ no D7018, the second book, entitled 'From Merehead to Minehead' features Class 52 no D1010 Western Campaigner.

The first half of the book features its service with British Railways and purchase by Foster Yeoman, followed by the second half detailing its history with the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group. The publication consists of 72 pages with 64 colour and 8 black and white photos.

Available from depg.org or cheque for £18.50 (to include p&p) payable to DEPG from the Old Goods Shed, Williton Station, Somerset. TA4 4RQ

Click the button below for the DEPG Online Shop webpage for the booklet.

The West Somerset Railway is seeking a suitably qualified individual to act as Site Manager during the remainder of the works to renew Seaward Way Crossing in Minehead. The Railway say:

This is a temporary part time paid position operated on a call down basis. It is envisaged that there will be some part time days required in the first few weeks and then an intensive period of probable full-time attendance during the main contract with Messrs Amey.

For further information, please email Kerry Noble kerry.noble@wsrail.net The closing date is 23 April 2021.

Watchet Station Shop will be open from 13 April 2021 from 10am to 4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (closed Monday and Friday) for Hot Drinks, Cakes, Snacks, Gifts, Toys and Secondhand Books.

The passing of the Duke of Edinburgh of 9 April 2021 has prompted a look back at the two visits made by the Duke to Minehead, by train, in 1952 and in 2002.

The Duke of Edinburgh arrived by train at Minehead on 29 October 1952. After meeting local worthies, he travelled by car to Lynmouth where, on the night of 15-16 August 1952, many homes had been destroyed by flooding following very heavy rainfall up on the hills of Exmoor. Tragically 34 souls were lost that night. The visit of the Duke was much appreciated by the survivors.

Recently, a set of seven black and white images taken that day at Minehead were sent here by our good friend Eric Rowlands. The pictures were taken by Minehead photographer R. Kingsley Tayler; the original prints were scanned by Eric. Click or tap the button below to load the '1952' pictures.

Fifty years later, on 1 November 2002, the Duke made a repeat visit to Lynmouth, again by train and by car, and again via Minehead Station. Here is the news item from 2002 in full:

The Duke of Edinburgh travelled down to Somerset overnight aboard the Royal Train, which left London Euston the night before at 11.17pm, making for a 4.45am arrival at Bishops Lydeard. After a 'recess stop', the Royal Train, headed by Class 47 no 47798, departed Bishops Lydeard at 8.10am bound for Minehead.

At each of the ten stations a small crowd of onlookers gathered and the Duke responded with an appearance and a wave at the window.

Arrival at Minehead was right on schedule at 9.20am and the Duke met Railway officials and volunteers. The line-up included civil dignatories; Roger Lizars and Mark Smith representing the Railway Board; a trio of Friends of Minehead Station, Alan Grieve, Frances Bristow and Gordon Harris; Hein Burger, the Railway's Commercial Manager; Trackers Gary Filer, Jonathan Mitchell and Shane Tarr, and Ian Salt, Apprentice Fitter. After being introduced to Robin George, representing the Dinmore Manor Fund, the Duke accepted the chance of a short footplate ride aboard no 7820, before bidding farewell to the Railway, setting off across Exmoor by road for an engagement at Lynmouth.

The Royal Train departed Minehead at 10.05am and returned to the national rail network right time about an hour or so later.

As stated in the Railway's November OnLine, '...another aspect to consider is our progress after the last 15 years and that as 2002 comes to its end we are viewed by the rest of the Railway industry as part of the national network and able to handle all traffic offered to us in a thoroughly professional manner. Thanks to everyone along the line who did so much to make the visit a success and to present the Railway at its best.'

Click or tap the button below to load the '2002' pictures.

The Railway have some good news to share:

With the easing of restrictions from Monday 12 April we are delighted to let you know that the West Somerset Railway shops at both Minehead and Bishops Lydeard will reopen next week, along with the Turntable Cafe and Readers Halt Bookstall at Minehead Station.

Minehead Shop along with the Turntable Cafe and Readers Halt Bookstall will be open all next week from Monday - Sunday between 10am and 3pm.

Bishops Lydeard Shop will re-open for business on Wednesday 14 April at 10am. Their regular opening times will be Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm until our excursion services start later in May.

We will be continuing with social distancing in line with Government advice. For Bishops Lydeard shop a one way traffic system will be in place which has been used previously, therefore please enter through the booking office lobby and exit through the doors on to the platform. We are sorry that we are still unable to offer any cafe facilities at Bishops Lydeard at the moment.

Hand sanitisation facilities will be available at both locations and we ask all visitors to please wear a face covering whilst in the shops or cafe.

We look forward to seeing our regular customers as well as new friends upon our reopening.

Sad news. David Butcher, the Railway's General Manager during the re-openings, this morning passed away peacefully at home. In the early days, away from masterminding and managing the re-opening of the line, David could often be seen at the controls of a DMU or on the footplate driving one of the Bagnall tanks or GWR Pannier no 6412. An inspirational man who encouraged people with positive support and a friendly word or two. Thanks David for all that you have done for our Railway. And thanks to his wife Linda for allowing this small notice of David's passing.

The West Somerset Railway Association has released its refreshed website at wsra.org.uk A nice clean look with improved navigation for users. Also, for the first time, a password-protected 'members area' which has long been on the membership's wish list. Well done, Association. And thanks.

Ryan Pope, owner of the two industrial tank locomotives at Williton, has kindly provided an update:

Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T no 1857 has steamed for the first time in 40 years, we think, after a major boiler overhaul completed at Williton. The work included replacing three-quarters of the sides and back plate, and a new throat plate. Also, copper welding to the inner firebox, new front tube plate, 600+ new stays all made at Williton and a new set of tubes. Testing of the boiler over the next few weeks will allow the boiler to de-stress and settle, then the race is on to get it back in the frames and finish the loco.

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST no 1219 will be departing the WSR in the next few weeks to take up home at the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway.

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust has announced that it applied for an award under the Culture Recovery Fund - 2nd Round and has been successful in its application. The award is presented by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in conjunction with the National Lottery Community Fund. Formal notification plus details on how the Trust is to obtain the funds will follow.

All subject to expected relaxation of Covid lockdown restrictions, of course, the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) are looking forward to a busy time in support of the Railway's gradual reopening from 22 May 2021. Initially this means providing a diesel locomotive on standby duties during the steam-hauled services to Williton, then Watchet and Blue Anchor. When the Railway's 'Blue' timetable takes over, diesel fans can look forward to enjoying diesel haulage once again on the Minehead Branch. The DEPG say:

Our big part comes into focus on Saturday 3 July, where the Blue timetable includes a 60-mile diesel-hauled service that starts and ends in Minehead with an additional shuttle between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. This opportunity for diesel haulage has come about due to the non-availability of the DMU this season. In total, the current published timetable shows 27 days where the Blue timetable is in operation. This significant amount of running gives us the opportunity to use Class 35 'Hymek' no D7018 and Class 14 'Teddy Bear' no D9526 on some days, while our stalwart Class 33s nos D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) will cover the majority of the workings.

These Blue timetable workings will provide an hour stopover at Williton between 1320 and 1430, so we hope to be able to find enough volunteers to be able to open our depot on each running day and put on a bit of a 'show and tell'.

The origination point of Minehead for the Blue timetable is not ideal for most diesel fans, but it is an opportunity that has been presented to us and we now need to do our very best to make sure that every ticket is sold and that these services are a commercial success. Please try to support these diesel-hauled services! We will announce our plans for haulage as soon as we can, but this depends on volunteers completing refresher training so that we can provide sufficient crews to cover this workload. It also depends on locomotives being available for service.

The WSR Plc have switched the webcam covering Seaward Way Level Crossing offline...

...until the crossing upgrade works are complete.

That seems like good news as the start of the works must be imminent. Although nothing is promised, hopefully WSR Plc will provide regular updates and pictures to help keep supporters informed throughout the upgrade. Pictures of the works will appear on the Topical Pictures page of this website from time to time.

The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust (S&DRT) and the Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust have reached an agreement which will see some of the S&DRT's artefacts transferred from Washford to Bitton as explained to the recent joint press release.

We are delighted to announce that we have come, in principle, to an agreement to re-locate a portion of the rolling stock and museum artefacts currently based at the S&DRT site at Washford in Somerset to the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton, South Gloucestershire.

The agreement has been under discussion for several months and follows the S&DRT’s similar arrangement for rolling stock and museum items relating more to the Southern element of the collection to be placed at the Mid-Hants Railway Watercress Line. The essence of the agreement is to establish a display of Midland/LMS vehicles and artefacts at Bitton which will form the basis of a new museum at the station. Several S&DRT vehicles will be adapted to house a range of S&D items with additional historical items belonging to the AVR which together will tell the story of the Midland lines terminating at the famous station at Green Park, Bath.