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Celebrate 150 years of the West Somerset Railway
Join the West Somerset Railway on Saturday 31 March 2012 to celebrate 150 years of the Railway from Taunton to Watchet. The original West Somerset Railway, surveyed by Brunel and built by Brunel's assistant Brereton, was opened from Watchet Junction (now Norton Fitzwarren Junction) to the port of Watchet on 31 March 1862. Special events will take place at the superbly restored West Somerset Railway stations at Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber and Williton and a full celebration will be held at the former terminus Watchet Station. A special timetable with standard fares will operate on the day. More details will be available in early 2012.
31 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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Drive a diesel locomotive on the WSR in 2012
Here the chance to realise an ambition to drive a heritage diesel locomotive. The West Somerset Railway in partnership with the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group are offering a one day course to take the driver's seat and experience the feel of a working class 33 diesel electric locomotive, guided by an experienced Diesel & Electric Preservation Group driver. The Diesel Engineman courses are designed for moderately fit people aged 18 years or over. The perfect treat and thrill of a lifetime for someone special. Full details and available dates...
29 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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Children - do you know your West Somerset Railway
The West Somerset Railway has launched a great new quiz for children aged up to 15. Answer ten questions and win a West Somerset Railway Gift Voucher value £10 which can be exchanged for travel on the Railway or for goods in one of theRailway shops. Entries are by email and must be received by 31 January 2012. And look out for the next prize quiz in February. To see the questions and for full details of how to enter the quiz, please click here...
29 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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Looking back to the early years of the WSR
There is nothing like a series of old photographs to show how things have changed. And the pictures published on the Taunton Trains website are no exception. Looking through the collection of black and white photographs taken by the late Reg Jones in the 1970s is an instructive exercise and no doubt the elementary nature of the trains and the station facilities will surprise today's observer. We thoroughly recommend a visit to Taunton Trains.
29 December 2011
Details from local correspondents
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Raising steam for a grand 2011 finale
The 2011 season ends with seven days of steam trains on the scenic West Somerset Railway. The Railway is open daily from 27 December 2011 until 2 Jan 2012 including the all-steam Winter Steam Festival on 28 and 29 December which has five steam locos in action. For those looking for a return trip to the seaside at Minehead, trains leave Bishops Lydeard Station at 10.25am, 12.30pm and 2.25pm on 27, 30, 31 December and 1, 2 January, and at 10.05am, 11am, 12 noon and 1pm on 28, 29 December. All trains steam hauled, steam heated and include the famous WSR buffet cars. Full train times here.
26 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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The West Somerset Railway Journal no 136
A heavy thud on the doormat heralds delivery of the next WSR Journal. As ever the Journal editor David Williams has produced another superb publication. No 136 includes reports about the Autumn Steam Gala, the Williton loop extension appeal, the return of the Watchet footbridge along with the usual departmental and station updates. Philip Horton again regales his pursuit of the Beeching Cuts - this feature fits neatly with the publication of Phil's second book on the effects of the Beeching Report [more]. The WSR Journal is sent to all members of the West Somerset Railway Association - come and join us now!
26 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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The Taunton Area Group of the WSR Assocation
Details of the next few meetings of the Taunton Area Group have been announced. On Monday 9 January 2012 is the Annual Photographic Evening presented by Don Bishop. Up to 10 pictures per person. Entries can be prints (must be no larger than A4), or slides, or digital on a CD/DVD - please send to Don before the evening if possible to ease loading on the night or if images are compressed send by email to steam.recreations@btconnect.com. There are four categories: West Somerset Railway, Heritage Steam, Modern Image including heritage diesels, and Landscape. All pictures to have been taken during 2011. First and Second in each category will receive a prize, plus one overall winner to be judged by Don Bishop. On 6 February 2012, WSR Signalman Martin Southwood presents "Australian Steam" - sure to be a great evening. Also not to be missed is Richard Jones's presentation about the Bodmin & Wenford Railway - Richard is the General Manager of the B&WR and of course a long serving volunteer driver on the WSR. To contact the organiser, Ian Aldridge Director/Trustee of the West Somerset Railway Association, ring 01823 430194 or email ianaldridge62@talktalk.net . The Taunton Area Group meetings are held at the Great Western Sports & Athletic Club, Station Approach, Taunton at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start.
26 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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The Quantock Belle Dining Train in 2012
Details of the First Class Dining Train services on the West Somerset Railway have been announced by the West Somerset Railway Association. The Quantock Belle will again run on Sundays in 2012 along with some Saturday and Wednesdays specials. Then there are the Dunster by Candlelight and Christmas specials in December. Bookings commence on 11 January 2012 - ring 01823 433856 - and it is highly recommended to book early. Full details are on the Quantock Belle  page on the WSRA website.
20 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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Automatic for the Gala people
A third guest steam visitor has been confirmed for the 2012 Spring Steam Gala. Joining fellow guests nos 71000 and 6024 will be GWR Class 4800/5800 0-4-2T no 1450. Auto Coach no 178 is also paying a return visit and with the 0-4-2T will provide a shuttle service between Minehead and Dunster on the Thursday and Friday and, if no main line shuttles are scheduled, between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren at the weekends. For details of the next Spring Steam Gala on 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 March 2012 please click here 
19 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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Getting the picture of the Carol Train
Turning out of a stormy December evening to photograph a train just about sums up the dedication of the railway photographer. Adrian Harris did just that at Bishops Lydeard on 13 December 2011 to find the elements conspiring to make his journey somewhat fruitless. However Adrian stuck to his task and fortified by a hot chocolate drink from the Station Buffet once again set up his tripod. Impressive images resulted. Adrian tells the full story here...
17 December 2011
Details from local correspondent
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Great bargains at Bishops Lydeard Station Shop
The Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard is running a fantastic promotion from Saturday 17 December 2011 until Monday 2 January 2012. 20% off the RRP list price of all model railway items including Hornby, Bachmann, Graham Farish, Peco. Full details of the promotion can be found on the WSRA website. In the week before Christmas the Shop will be open on Tuesday 20 December (10am-3pm); Wednesday 21 December (9.30am-5pm); Thursday 22 December (10am-3pm); Friday 23 December (9.30am-5pm) and Saturday 24 December (9.30am-5pm). The Retail Manager can be contacted on 01823 432125.
16 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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Ever thought about volunteering on the WSR
Without the considerable input of its many volunteers the West Somerset Railway would probably cease to function. Volunteers are able to assist (subject to undertaking a training programme and passing a medical in some cases) in all aspects of the WSR and their contribution is absolutely vital towards ensuring the success and future growth of the Railway. On any given day, the footplate crew, guard, ticket inspector, booking clerk, stationmaster, track worker, buffet car steward - and many, many more are likely to be volunteers. The official WSR website has full details on how to become a WSR volunteer. And make a diary note of the next recruitment/open day for potential volunteers on Sunday 22 April 2012 - email wsravoltrac@btconnect.com or telephone 01823 433856 to leave your details.
16 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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Group travel on the West Somerset Railway
Since re-opening in 1976 the West Somerset Railway has established an excellent reputation as a day out for groups and coach/holiday company bookings with much corporate and repeat business year on year. The WSR is happy to welcome pre-booked parties of sixteen or more adults or senior citizens. Already the Railway works with social clubs, coach companies, luncheon groups, history societies, travel companies - in fact all parts of the market. Generous discounts are available. The official WSR website has full details.
16 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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A season of through trains from London
The Railway Touring Company have announced a series of summertime steam hauled excursion from London to Minehead. The West Somerset Steam Express will run on 28 July, 4 August, 11 August, 1 September and 7 September 2012. Leaving London Paddington at 8.30am using one of a pool of four steam locomotives (nos 30777, 34067, 60019, 70000) to haul the special to Bishops Lydeard where one of the WSR's own steam locomotives will take over for the twenty mile run to Minehead. At 4.55pm the excursion leaves Minehead again hauled by a WSR steamer to Bishops Lydeard. The main line steam engine, now turned (on the Norton Triangle), watered and coaled, then takes over for the run back to London. Full details from the Railway Touring Company website at www.railwaytouring.net
14 December 2011
Details from local correspondent and Railway Touring Company
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New appointments to the WSRA Board
Two appointments have recently been made to the Board of the West Somerset Railway Association. WSRA Chairman Steve Roberts reports "I am pleased to announce that at the recent Association Board meeting two new Trustees were voted into office. They are Steve Williams, who becomes our Company Secretary, and Peter Chidzey, who is our Education Officer. Steve is well versed in this role as he previously carried it out in a very professional manner around three years. Peter's role is a new one that we had been looking to fill for some time and is particularly important as one of the main objectives of the Association is that of being an educational charity. These two appointments will greatly strengthen the Association Board for the future." See the wsra.org.uk for more information about the Association.
13 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Association
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Working timetable for Winter Steam Festival 2011
Full locomotives allocations, turntable use and detailed train times for the Winter Steam Festival on 28 December and 29 December are listed in a downloadable Working Time Table. There are six steam locomotives rostered for each day of the two day special event - nos 5553, 7828, 6960, 9351, 88 and 3850. A diesel sneaks an appearance but at least this one will be employed on the Driver for a Fiver at Minehead Station. Download the Working Time Table here and for full details of the Winter Steam Festival click here.
12 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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A blog for the overhaul of Dinmore Manor
Keep up to date with the overhaul of a WSR favourite loco. Those who remember BR(W) 4-6-0 no 7820 Dinmore Manor from her years of service on the WSR may be interested in visiting 7820dinmoremanor.blogspot.com. The blog is run by "Dinmore Manor" to keep people up to date with the progress of the overhaul complete with pictures of the dedicated volunteers who give up their free time to help get the loco back in action.
12 December 2011
Details from Dinmore Manor
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Android app for wsr.org.uk now available
Joining the smartphone generation with an Android app. The free app has been developed which provides current news and pictures along with useful information about the West Somerset Railway. Produced by wsr.org.uk - an unofficial website featuring news, pictures and general information about the West Somerset Railway - the app includes the latest news items, the latest pictures, the train times, the loco roster and a Google map showing the Railway. Version 1.00 of the app is available within a zip file from this website - please click here. Current number of downloads:
11 December 2011
Details from wsr.org.uk
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Success for the Minehead-Cardiff Shopper Special
The special train from Minehead to Bristol and Cardiff was a great success it seems. First Great Western and West Somerset Railway teamed up to put on the 4 car Class 150 special which left Minehead at 8.40am, stopping at all WSR stations except Doniford, then Taunton and stations to Bristol Temple Meads and on to Cardiff Central. A prompt four o'clock departure from Cardiff led to an on-time 7.20pm arrival back at Minehead. Local passengers report the train was well used.
11 December 2011
Details from local correspondents
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Standard Day Rover tickets for 2012 at 2011 prices
For a limited time only Standard Travel Day Rovers for the 2012 season are available at 2011 prices. Standard One Day Rovers give unlimited travel for the day on the West Somerset Railway. For full details about this great offer please see the West Somerset Railway website.
10 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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WSR Special Events - a brief update
A couple of snippets of information about two forthcoming special events. The Diesel being used for the "Driver for a Fiver" duirng the Winter Steam Festival will be Class 14 no D9526, subject to availability; and please note the free bus between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard will be a Ridlers coach which will pick up under the railway bridge bus stop at Taunton Station; the locomotive assignments shown in the Working Timetable have been updated (no 5553 will be on the 3pm from Bishops Lydeard and no 7828 will be on the 4.50pm from Bishops Lydeard) Looking ahead, the first engine has been definitely confirmed for the Spring Steam Gala is GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 King Edward I - the loco's last outing before general overhaul.
9 December 2011
Details from West Somerset Railway Plc
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WSR train hosts a simulated fire and rescue exercise
A fire and rescue exercise was recently carried out on the West Somerset Railway. The Somerset County Gazette reports that on 1 December 2011 West Somerset fire crews tackled one of their most ambitious challenges yet - a simulated fire on board an actual passenger train. Over 30 volunteers took part acting as casualties in the training exercise on the West Somerset Railway, complete with "injuries" and make-up supplied by Minehead's ambulance station. The scenario was designed to mimic a fire breaking out on a passenger train as it approached the outer limits of Minehead Railway Station. The train and its four carriages stopped away from the platform making for difficult access to and from the train. Breathing apparatus crews were tasked with rescuing mannequins from a heavily smoke-filled carriage, while other crews evacuated the volunteers. Full story...
9 December 2011
Details from Somerset County Gazette
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New application process for lineside photography passes
The West Somerset Railway is introducing a new system for applications for lineside photography passes. Please note the following procedure which takes effect from 2012 onwards. Before a West Somerset Railway Lineside Photography (LSP) pass is issued the applicant must attend a Personal Track Safety (PTS) course and pass a subsequent exam. The PTS card that will be issued to successful applicants will be valid for three years; once the applicant has passed the PTS exam the Lineside Photography pass will be issued which will be valid for one year from date of issue; the LSP is then issued along with a WSR Lineside Photographers hi-visibility vest which will have the number of the pass on it. More on the photographers page or on the official WSR website.
7 December 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Another diesel hydraulic for Williton Diesel Depot
Class 14 no D9518 has arrived at Williton on the West Somerset Railway. The locomotive has been purchased by a Diesel and Electric Preservation Group member and may donated into the groups trust in the near future. The loco is currently in National Coal Board livery and requires some extensive repairs such as a full re-wire and tyre turning. Thus a return to traffic is a few years away. This loco will be particularly useful for the future especially when paired up with classmate no D9526 with the pair then able to haul normal length trains on the WSR. Meanwhile Class 03 shunter no 03119 has now left the Railway for a new home with recently departed Class 25 no D7523.
4 December 2011
Details from DEPG
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Bachmann model of Blue Anchor Signal Box
A signal box could be yours at Christmas. Bachmann has produced a 4mm scale model of Blue Anchor Signal Box - a perfect Christmas gift. Colin Howard at Minehead Station Shop is expecting a delivery of 48 models within the next couple of days. The cost including postage and packing is £45 and orders can be taken by ringing 01643 700387 with your card details. Or you can call into Minehead Shop between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
2 December 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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The Goods Lockup at Stogumber Station
Today a dream at Stogumber began to become reality when 8.5 tons of building materials arrived. The bricks and concrete blocks will enable the Friends of Stogumber Station to repair the cattle dock wall and build the shell of the Goods Lockup. The project, entirely funded by the Friends, commenced a few weeks ago and now materials have started to arrive. This will be the first stone/brick building to be replaced on the WSR. The new building will incorporate new much needed storage for the station and a bit of a surprise to be revealed later. The building will be a blend of traditional and new novel solutions. It will appear exactly the same as it was, in sandstone, but the main structure, although completely hidden, will be of concrete block.
1 December 2011
Details from FoSS
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