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Open to all - the Taunton Group Annual Photo Competition
The WSRA Taunton Group Annual Photo Competition will be held on 10 January 2011. The competition is open to all with entries welcome on slide, digital print or digital file on CD/DVD for categories focussed on Heritage Steam, Modern Image and Non-railway Subjects. Entries will cost 10p each with a small prize for the winning entries. For the first time entries in digital format will be accepted on a CD/DVD (virus free please) and projected for all in attendance to see and vote on. So come on all keen photographers, bring along your best work of 2010 and maybe win a prize. The event will be held on 10 January 2011 at 7.30pm at the usual Taunton Group meeting venue, GWRSA Club, Station Approach, Taunton. For further details please contact Ian Aldridge on 01823 430194 or email ianaldridge62@talktalk.net.
30 December 2010
Details from WSRA
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Closure mania on 2 January 1971
Documents from 1971 reveal surprisingly complex traffic arrangements for the last day of train services on the Minehead Branch in British Railways days. Gauge Museum Curator, Ian Coleby has been studying the official BR documents and explains: "The evening starts off with the GWS special which runs as a 3 car set to Minehead. The empty train then runs back to Dunster where it couples up to the incoming 16.42 service train and the 6 car set runs back to Minehead, where it leaves again at 17.50 running non stop to Taunton. Then an empty 6 car unit runs to Minehead where it forms the 20.25 Round Table special. The last departure from Taunton was the 21.30 ( the retimed 2110). Then there were two final departures from Minehead - which were the 21.15 and 22.10 which both again ran at revised times. Note that on the night the last train was delayed and didn't arrive back at Taunton until after midnight - so in fact the branch didn't really close until 3 Jan!"
[click here to see the documents]
30 December 2010
Details from WSRA
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The West Somerset Railway beats the snow
All pre-Christmas scheduled trains ran as expected on the Minehead Branch despite some of the worst winter weather for years. Great efforts were made by a small army of workers who worked from before dawn on many days preparing engines, heating carriages, clearing platforms, pathways and car parks, de-icing points and a score of other tasks to enable hundreds of passengers enjoy the Seasonal trains including lots of visits to Santa. In fact, the only train delayed by the snow was a freight train from Westbury bringing rock boulders for sea defence works at Minehead which was held up in Fairwater Yard due to heavy snow and frozen points on the mainline. After two days, the stone train managed to successfully complete its journey, providing an unexpected spectacle for passengers in the Santa Express. A big thank you to all who managed to keep the trains running.
29 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Vacancy for Track Chargeman
The position of track chargeman has arisen working for the Civil Engineering Department of the WSR. Applicants are asked to submit a current CV to shaun.cce@wsrail.net or call 07811 176806 for an informal conversation regarding roles and responsibilities. The successful applicant should have an understanding of rail infrastructure as the position involves daily civil engineering and permanent way maintenance and renewal works on track, structures, buildings and associated features. The applicant should have excellent leadership and motivational skills as he/she will be in charge of a work unit of between five and eight. Previous railway experience would be an advantage but not essential as full training will be given. Applicants holding WSR or Network Rail PTS would be a distinct advantage, as would experience of dealing with L2 faults. Salary £16-18k depending on experience. Previous applicants need not re-apply as you will contacted individually. This post has been re-advertised due to weather disruption with the selection process. Closing date for applications is Friday 14 January at noon.
29 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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David is the new Sales and Marketing Manager
The new Sales and Marketing Manager for the West Somerset Railway is David McCubbin. David started on 6 December and is responsible for developing, implementing and managing marketing programmes for existing and future promotions ensuring the smooth operation of all commercial and marketing activity, along with managing the commercial team including both salaried and volunteer staff. Prior to coming to the West Somerset Railway, David was the Tourism Officer at Taunton Deane Borough Council for seven years and coordinated the county wide Somerset Tourism Partnership from 2007-2010. These roles were responsible for the marketing of Somerset as a tourism destination and working with new and existing tourism businesses to build and grow the value of Tourism. Before this David worked for seven years at Thorpe Park theme park in Surrey in an operational role in the rides and attractions department. David can be contacted on david.mccubbin@wsrail.net or 01643 700383.
28 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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The Taunton-Minehead Anniversary Special
Only 40 seats left on the Anniversary of Closure Special on 2 January 2011. Following the Beeching Report, the rail service between Taunton and Minehead was withdrawn on 2 January 1971 and the line mothballed. Forty years later a train will once again run between the county town and the seaside resort when a First Great Western diesel multiple unit will leave Taunton Station at 10.40am, calling at Bishop Lydeard and then non-stop to Minehead arriving at 12.15pm. Seats on the train will be limited to 116 and must be purchased in advance [booking form].The return fare will be £20 for adults and £10 for children. Passengers will receive a special souvenir booklet and ticket. The special train departs Minehead at 3.05pm then calling at Bishops Lydeard before arrival at Taunton at 4.37pm. Full details....
Update: Only 29 seats now left [28 Dec]
27 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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It was thirty five years ago
Thirty five years ago crowds gathered to witness the first WSR trains to run on the Minehead Branch. These trains were the movement of Bagnall 0-6-0ST no 2996 Victor plus a van and a borrowed BR brakevan from under the powerlines at Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard, then an early morning test run, with WSRA volunteers aboard, to Williton and back, then the "Directors' Special" to Minehead and back to Bishops Lydeard. The full story was regaled in Newsletter No 29 and now a few photographs have come to light, courtesy of Nick Jones and John Wood, and can be viewed on the 21 December 1975 picture page.
21 December 2010
Details from local correpondents
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Taking rails to Norton
A rail train visited the Minehead branch on the morning of Friday 17 December to drop a number of lengths of redundant rail for re-use on the triangle at Norton Fitzwarren. This was part of reciprocal arrangements between Network Rail and the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) which are helping make Taunton's Fairwater Yard High Output Ballast Cleaning (HOBC) operation one of the most efficient on the rail network as well as helping the WSRA deliver new facilities at its Norton site. The HOBC operation at Fairwater Yard has been working in close co-operation with the WSRA for the past three years. The spent ballast resulting from overnight operations is offloaded at the Norton site. The ballast has been used to construct the formation for a new railway triangle which will allow the turning of visiting and resident steam locomotives and rolling stock. The triangle is also eagerly awaited by the High Output team who will be able to use the facility to turn the HOBC and the Track Renewal Train (TRT) without travelling to Westbury and Bristol, thus offering further economies of time and track access. In exchange for the use of the facilities at Norton the contractual arrangements allow the WSRA to draw limited amounts of redundant main line materials for re-use in the facility at favourable rates. The Association has been able to benefit from that agreement to have enough redundant rail delivered to now finish the basic triangle. The rail, in 90m lengths, was picked up overnight on 16-17 December from a worksite near Worle using a specialist train which then travelled directly to the West Somerset Railway via its connection at Norton Fitzwarren.
See the WSRA website for the full story
18 December 2010
Details from WSRA and local correpondents
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Minehead Branch sees three freight trains in one day
Mid morning on a snowy December Friday and the Minehead Branch had no less than four Class 66 on three separate freight trains spread along its length. The first was a specialist rail train from overnight track renewal works near Worle, due at 6am but delayed due to frozen points in the Taunton area. Arriving at Bishops Lydeard some 75 minutes late, Freightliner Class 66 no 66597 ran round its train of twelve 90m rails to await an later departure for the WSRA's Norton site. Next was a Westbury to Minehead train, headed by DBS Class 66 no 66018, carrying 800 tonne of rock armour for sea defence works near Warren Point. This train had also been delayed by the points problems at Taunton and eventually reached a snowy Minehead some two hours late. The third was the regular High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC), top and tailed by Freightliner Class 66s, to the Norton Triangle. It took 45 minutes to unload fourteen hopper wagons. The HOBC was first to leave the Branch, however, it was held up by points problems at Norton Fitzwarren Junction; this frustrated efforts to get the rail train to Norton for unloading. Then Network Rail requested the stone train ahead of the rail train. Once the stone train had rejoined the main network, the rail train was able to access the section. Possession was taken and rails deposited by the onboard high tech specialist equipment. Eventually all was done and the rail train left the branch, ending for many people a very long day on which no WSR trains were timetabled. See the WSRA website for the full story
17 December 2010
Details from WSRA and local correpondents
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The funeral of Chris van den Arend
Most of the WSR community will have been saddened by the recent news of the death of a great WSR man, Chris van den Arend. Former Crowcombe Heathfield Station Master, Ted Cubitt writes "The funeral of Christopher Nicholas Mark Van den Arend took place at St. Pancras Church, West Bagborough on Thursday 16 December 2010 at 2 o'clock. The Minister was Revd M Wishart and the eulogy was by WSR Chairman, Mark Smith. Over 100 WSR members and friends attended. Chris was 75 and he is to be buried in Devon, with his Mother."
17 December 2010
Details from friends
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The stones keep rolling in West Somerset
Seventeen loads of rock armour have now trundled down the Minehead Branch. Each of the trains from Whatley Quarry near Frome, headed by a single diesel locomotive, bring between 700 and 800 tonnes of Mendip stone for sea defence works near Warren Point, Minehead. So far the daily trains have run on 9-11, 24-26, 29, 30 November and 1-3, 6-10, 13 December. Locomotives used so far include Class 59 nos 59005, 59103, 59104, 59201, 59205, 59206 and Class 66 nos 66018 and 66174. Further trains are planned for 16, 17, 20 and 21 December 2010, weather permitting.
15 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc and local correspondents
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The Anniversary Special and the Souvenir Brochure
Limited edition souvenir items available for passengers on a very special train. With tickets selling steadily for the Special Train from Taunton to Minehead and back which runs on 2 January 2011 celebrating the 40th anniversary of the end of train services between Taunton and Minehead, the Souvenir Brochure and special Edmondson tickets which will be sold to passengers as part of the package are now to hand from the printers. The A5 illustrated colour booklet has images taken at various landmark moments during the WSR's history (Evening Star, stone trains, Bagnalls) and an essay about the branch lines, the Beeching Report and some of the WSR's history. With the limited edition factor the booklet and the tickets may become collectables in due course and the best if not the only way to get them is to book on the Special Train. Further details from 01643 704996.
14 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Refurbishment of Washford Station Shop and Museum
The Museum and Shop at Washford Station is undergoing refurbishment. Volunteers from the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust are carrying out the work at the Trust Headquarters. This means the Museum and Shop will not be open for the two days of the Winter Steam Festival on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 December 2010. The good news is that the Museum and Shop will reopen in time for the Spring Steam Gala in March 2011. Please note that trains will still stop at Washford to enable passengers to join or leave trains whilst the refurbishment is carried out.
14 December 2010
Details from SDRT
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Pump trolley for sale
An opportunity to obtain a gangers pump trolley is offered for sale by a WSR volunteer. The trolley, which has been totally restored, is in full working order and ready to go. Its full history is not known. It was acquired at auction when Wolferton Station Railway Museum in the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk closed down some 20 years ago. It did not see a lot of use after being acquired and sadly deteriorated over time but has now been given a new lease of life following full restoration. It is an ideal bit of machinery for fund raising as members of the public love the opportunity to have a go. Anyone interested and would like some more details please feel free to email John Farley for more details.
13 December 2010
Details from local correspondent
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News about the 2011 Spring Steam Gala
Early news about visiting locomotives during the 2011 Spring Steam Gala. BR Standard Class 7P 4-6-2 no 70000 Britannia visited the line in 1996 at the head of an in-bound railtour. Following a major overhaul Britannia is due to work from Crewe to Minehead on a loaded test run prior to the Gala. Next in the line up is, subject to contract, LMS 8P 4-6-2 no 6201 Princess Elizabeth will be the first Stanier Pacific to work service trains on the Minehead line. No 6201 will work to the WSR from Tyseley. GWR 4-6-0 no 7812 Erlestoke Manor is making its first appearance on the WSR. The Gala will be a celebration of the 35 years since the first WSR trains began to run between Minehead and Blue Anchor and other guests have been selected to represent aspects of the three and a half decades - Great Western Small Prairies have been regular performers on the line and it is planned that either No 5521 or No 5542 - both purchased from the scrapyard at Barry by the WSR Association for eventual use on the WSR - will feature in the Gala. GWR 0-6-0PT no 6430 is another debutant at the Gala, reflecting the key part classmate No 6412 played in the WSR story. Another further guest engine is being sought. From the home fleet SR 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton will complete a trio of "Pacifics" and SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 88 was the first major locomotive overhaul to be completed at Minehead in the mid 1980s. As always Rover tickets can be purchased at reduced rates until 14 March and details of the Gala can be obtained by ringing 01643 704996 or seen at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.
11 December 2010 [corrected 21 December 2010]
Details from WSR Plc
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Santa trains selling out fast
With the first weekend of operations already behind us the remaining Santa Trains are approaching sell-out point. From Bishops Lydeard the only remaining seats are on the three Santa Special trains between there and Crowcombe Heathfield on 22 December 2010. Seat are available on 12, 19 and 24 December for the Minehead - Blue Anchor Santa Specials although the last two dates are beginning to sell-out quickly. Advance bookings can be made from 01643 704996 between 9.00am and 4.30pm daily.
7 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Five star rating following annual food hygiene inspection
The WSR Association continues to set the highest food hygiene standards. Susan Kaufman explains "Once again, the Quantock Belle achieved a five star rating from Taunton Deane Borough Council during the annual Food Hygiene Inspection on 7 December 2010. This is the highest rating that can be awarded. The inspection covers management systems, food handling and cooking practices, training, safety, facilities, and equipment. Many congratulations to Richard Knight, the Quantock Belle Manager, and the Quantock Belle volunteers for maintaining these high standards."
7 December 2010
Details from WSRA
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The WSR Association Bristol Group meetings
News from the Bristol Group of the WSR Association. Nigel Bruce-Robertson writes "We had a very interesting evening on 30 November which comprised excellent colour slides by Don Bishop, and in contrast, our next meeting on 25 January will be 'British Railways in black & white' presented by Mike Goodfield. It will be held as usual at the BAWA Club in Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol. BS34 7RG commencing at 7.30pm. Members and non members welcome with an admission charge of just £2. Further info from wsrabristol@aol.com "
7 December 2010
Details from WSRA Bristol Group
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Chris van den Arend
News reached us this morning of the passing on Sunday evening of Chris van den Arend. If the West Somerset Railway was one of a pair of gloves, then Chris was the other glove. Chris was a central player in the hard work which enabled the Railway to re-open in 1976 and later became Administrative Director in those early years. Latterly many will know Chris as Station Master at Williton and through his work with the Steam Trust, especially on the Sleeping Car. Chris also served as Chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association, for a time as the Railway's Operating Superintendent and was a long serving Signalman. Above all Chris was a really good friend to a great many people. The obvious memorials will be the Sleeping Car and the Williton Footbridge but many will know that Chris's legacy is, in fact, the entire Railway - and its community - which has prospered from his tireless, gentle, energy.
6 December 2010
Details from friends
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From signal box chair to fruit bowl
An old chair gets a new lease of life as a fruit bowl. Next Saturday 11 December the Friends of Minehead Station Christmas Fair takes place in the Methodist Hall, The Avenue, Minehead from 10am to 12.30pm. During the Fair a fruit bowl made by FOMS member Colin Harris from the wooden frame of the old chair from Minehead Signal Box will be auctioned. Hopefully signalmen's sentimental instincts will boost the selling price although the item is worthy of a good price in its own right. Sealed bids to Martyn Snell on the day or in advance by email (before 8.30am on 11 Dec) to snell.minehead@virgin.net
4 December 2010 (updated 9 Dec)
Details from Friends of Minehead Station
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No 5764 to appear at the Winter Steam Festival
A Pannier Tank for the Winter Steam Festival. Efforts by the West Somerset Railway's Chief Mechanical Engineer Andrew Forster have paid off and a guest engine has been obtained for the Winter Steam Festival on 29 and 30 December 2010. Appropriately enough for an event at the end of the 175th Anniversary Year of the Great Western Railway the locomotive concerned is a 57xx Class Pannier Tank, no 5764, hired from the Severn Valley Railway. The 57xx was an enormously successful class of engine with over 800 being built. No 5764 was constructed at Swindon in 1929 and was withdrawn by British Railways in 1960. However it was then sold to London Transport for use on engineering trains and as number L95 continued to see service until 1971 followed by purchase for preservation. Younger enthusiasts will also of course know that Duck in the Thomas stories is a Pannier Tank.
2 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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An update from the Norton Triangle project
Sleepers have now been laid out along all alignments at Norton Fitzwarren. Dave Randall leader of the WSR Association's PW Gang also reports the pointwork is complete at Orchard Junction as is the point at the East Chord/West chord split. The points at Barnstaple Junction - which will allow traffic to move onto the triangle from the Taunton direction - are also complete. The components for the point which will complete the Triangle, where the East Chord meets the Barnstaple line formation are on site awaiting assembly. Rail, some bullhead and some flatbottom, has been laid on approximately half of the sleepers laid out, but the remainder awaits a further delivery of rail which is expected in December. A good size gang of volunteers turn out every Sunday and in all weathers, averaging twelve in number, but more would always be welcome - contact Dave via the WSRA website. For more about the Triangle see the Norton Fitzwarren pages.
1 December 2010
Details from WSRA
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Autumn clean up at Crowcombe Heathfield
Crowcombe Heathfield Station is looking even better nowadays. The Station Friends organised working parties on 3 and 10 November included tree and shrub pruning, bank strimming, bonfires, leaves collected for composting, coping stones repointed and secured where necessary, painting of the lamp hut completed, both platforms pressure washed, hose reel holders supplied by RAMS installed, rubbish taken away for recycling and the gutters cleaned. Meantime, Thursdays see regular general maintenance tasks at the Station. Willing hands are welcome and are requested to contact Tim Stanger [contact details] a couple of days in advance. Planned work includes completely revamping and redecorating the toilet in the building and redecorating parts of the waiting room. The WSR Association have kindly made a donation towards the cost of a suitable building to increase the storage space at the station. It will stand on the down platform and be a smaller version of the Williton parcels office. RAMS will do the structure work whilst the Friends will do the groundwork and the painting.
1 December 2010
Details from Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station
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Real Ale Festival 2010 and 2011
The 2011 Real Ale Festival will celebrate 35 years of progress on the Minehead Branch. The Somerset Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale and the West Somerset Railway are planning to have the leaflet and promotional work for the event - being held on 10 and 11 September 2011 - completed by the time of the Spring Steam Gala next March. The leaflet will feature a Bagnall saddle tank (typical motive power in the first ten years) and an express locomotive (more typical of the last 25 years) to reflect the progress. A line drawing of one of the ex-WSR Bagnall tanks, Victor and Vulcan, is required and suitable artwork is being sought by John Simms john.com@wsrail.net at the Minehead office. Meantime, the latest Wetherspoon News magazine features the staff of "The Perkin Warbeck" in Taunton who helped out at the 11th Real Ale Festival held at Minehead Station in September 2010. The staff volunteers helped with setting up and serving ales. The pub also sponsored six of the 100 ales on offer at the event and also funded the costs of running a late night bus for Taunton CAMRA members.
1 December 2010
Details from WSR Plc and local correspondent
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