After almost 25 years I have removed the counter script. For reasons that are not clear the counter is not working correctly. My hunch is the change to "secure" status - usually visible to users on the full web address as "https" rather than "http" - has amended how theserver deals with requests to such scripts are dealt with. I do not yet know the full extent of this matter. My immediate plan is to withdraw the "https" secure status and return things to straightforward "http". This will save me an annual fee but will suggest to users that the website is "not secure" which is nonsense of course as the risk to users usually requires the user to fill in a form especially with their personal details. This website does not have such forms as I have no need for such information. Going back to the counter, I cannot update the bar chart on this page as I do not have a reliable figure. I suspect the total for 2023 is considerably down on the previous year. [Posted 12 January 2024]

The slimmer website is now established with a clearly defined - and quite expected - lower usage, probably due to the loss of news items, loco rosters and train times. The front page visitor counter shows a drop to about a half of the previous readership totals. Another factor could be photographers are making the not unreasonable choice of social media pages for displaying their works. Thankfully many photographers are happy for a selection of their images to be copied onto this website; do get in touch if you, too, are happy with that arrangement.

As it turned out the website reduction was well-timed as a few days later in early July 2022 my own health took a severe battering. Now it is a year later, health is being managed, although the priorities for caring remain same as ever, so sometimes I need to push the website updates even further down the priority list. However, as things stand, I have no intention of closing the website. [written 4 July 2023]

Train times and events information, when available, can be found on the official West Somerset Railway website along with lots and lots of other information about the Railway.

There will be further content reductions from end of June 2022. The plan is still being worked out but likely what will remain is an archive of news and pictures, although the 'Topical Pictures' page will continue to be updated. A few of the 'static' pages will also remain, for example, the maps pages, gradient profiles, and some of the 'feature' pages. The latest news page, the loco roster and the caption corner will not be maintained and not listed on the sitemap page. All other content is likely to remain albeit not updated. A revised version of certain pages - such as the front page and the gallery page - has been written and now online. So in a sense it is the end of wsr.org.uk as it has been for so many years.

This is purely a personal decision due to the pressing need to reduce the time required to update the website, allowing me more time for family responsibilities.

Train times and events information, when available, can be found on the official West Somerset Railway website along with lots and lots of other information about the Railway.

I'm afraid the train times pages and events information pages will not be returning to wsr.org.uk

This is purely a personal decision due to the pressing need to reduce the time required to update the website.

Train times and events information, when available, can be found on the official West Somerset Railway website along with lots and lots of other information about the Railway.

This is an unofficial and independent web site first written and launched in 1998. It relies heavily on the goodwill of a team of loyal contributors. Grateful thanks to all contributors and those who have provided help, information and corrections. Special thanks to long-time friend Hein Burger, erstwhile Commercial Manager of the West Somerset Railway Plc for his support and advice. For further details about how to contribute material and how we use material, please see the copyright and re-use page.

All content, photographs, drawings, diagrams and text are copyright © 1998 - of the respective photographers, artists and authors. Images on this website are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. For more information, please see the re-use page. If you wish to re-use any material, please see the copyright and re-use page and if in doubt please get in touch by email.

We respect the privacy of those who contact us. Any contact details that you supply are stored and used solely to provide you with an appropriate response. We may contact you if, for example, a request for further re-use of an image or words, is received. Contact details are held in strict confidence. We do not disclose, share, sell or rent your contact details to any other organisation unless you give us prior permission.

Most pages are "responsive" and will automatically re-shape the design on the page when viewed on different devices.

Some of the older pages from the previous design may remain "unresponsive" although still 100% viewable on laptops and desktops.

The website content does not use cookies. However, the twitter gadget, the youtube embeds and the railcam.uk webcam pages may introduce cookies. We are unable to prevent this and by visiting those pages we assume you agree to these third parties introducing cookies. There is no other third party content except on certain pages of the pages created before 2012 which no longer forms part of this declaration and which users use on the understanding that cookies might be introduced.

These pages are independent of, and are not officially supported by, the West Somerset Railway plc or any other organisation, unless specifically mentioned on the appropriate page.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided in good faith by a variety of contributors and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under our control. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, we take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

These pages are dedicated to the memory of an ex-Somerset & Dorset Railwayman, Derek Edge 1927-1996, my Dad, who worked in the fifties and early sixties at Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Bailey Gate Stations, and who gave me no chance of escaping a lifetime interest in all things railway. He even managed to give his growing son a bedroom window with a wonderful view across the Dorset countryside, with trains passing in the middle distance. Thanks, Dad.