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• WSR Plc have issued the following press release...
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A hat trick of railway of the year awards for the West Somerset Railway
For the third year running the West Somerset Railway has been awarded a top National Heritage “Railway of the Year” accolade. In 2004 it was voted the Ian Allan Publishing Independent Railway of the Year winner, in 2005 it received the Heritage Railway award and now in 2006 it has once again won the Ian Allan trophy.
WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare explained why the Railway is particularly pleased with its latest trophy. “The Ian Allan judges pay an incognito visit to each of the preserved railways around the country, buy tickets and spend the day travelling as members of the public, with an interest in railways who are having a day out”. He continued, “They judge us on the quality of our service, the presentation and helpfulness of our staff, the stations, the catering, the toilets and the day as a whole. Nor have we got the field to ourselves. There are nearly 200 heritage railways in Britain, all working to present themselves as a quality day out to their customers, so to win a major award for three years in a row speaks volumes for the hard work put in by every member of our team of volunteers and staff.”
Paul is also looking forward to the next few years. “Since I took over the General Manager’s chair in March there have been some highly significant developments that will affect the Railway and the area we serve for years to come. Probably the most important is the completion of the upgrade of the signalling at the junction at Norton Fitzwarren to improve access to and from the main line network. We have already seen a major increase in the number of charter trains coming in to Minehead and two charter trains going out whilst the diesel “shuttles” that were operated by First Great Western Trains during our Autumn Steam Gala in October were very successful and showed our continuing ability to deal with regular operations between ourselves and main line companies. We are continuing to increase the amount of group travel using the Railway year on year and W.A. Shearings have, after many years of visiting the West Somerset and assessing their customers’ opinions doubled their level of bookings for 2007. Our 2007 plans include an extra event aimed at the enthusiast market, which is the “Mixed Traffic Gala Weekend on the 15th, 16th and 17th of June, and for the non-enthusiast we are promoting a “Walking Week” in May. A major growth area for our business continues to be the “Steam Enginemen Courses” which give those taking part an introduction into the driving and firing of steam locomotives.
All of this will continue to place demands on the time of everyone connected with the Railway and if anyone wishes to join the ranks of our volunteers they should contact the West Somerset Railway Association on 01823 433856.”
The West Somerset Railway carried over 1400 passengers to the Dunster By Candlelight event at the start of December and is currently running its programme of “Santa Trains”. After Christmas it will run services over the line between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead each day between December 27th and January 2nd with the Winter Steam Festival taking place on December 30th.
FOR COMMENT ON THIS RELEASE CONTACT: Paul Conibeare on 01643 700388 or look at our new website at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.
West Somerset Railway Plc
7 December 2006
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The photograph (above) Paul Conibeare and Martyn Snell with the Award. Photograph by Justin Kerr-Peterson.
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Heritage Railway of the Year 2006
