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The Dunster Castle Express
A trip on a steam train and a visit to historic Dunster Castle. This excursion is jointly promoted by the National Trust and the West Somerset Railway. The Dunster Castle Express runs every Wednesday from April to October, leaving Bishops Lydeard station at 10.25am and arriving back at 5.21pm. Tickets can be purchased on the day, but booking in advance is recommended. The special coach connection will meet the outward and return trains at Dunster Station. Dunster Castle is a fascinating place to visit
at any time. If the time and date of the Express is unsuitable, passengers may catch other trains from Bishops Lydeard and claim a discounted admission by showing valid railway tickets at the Castle entrance which is a gentle walk of no more than 25 minutes from Dunster Station.
31 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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The 2011 Anniversary Mug
The 2011 mug is now in production. Don't forget to buy your anniversary mug when you travel. Celebrating 35 years since the line was reopened frm Minehead to Williton. Only available from the buffet cars on the West Somerset Railway trains.
31 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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WSRA Home Counties Group at Woking
The WSRA Home Counties Group will be on the road again on Saturday 5 February. The Area Group will be taking up their usual position in the foyer of the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, The Ambassadors, in Woking for this year's afternoon and evening showing of Big Screen Steam. The Home Counties Group lads will be giving out timetable leaflets for the 2011 season, promoting the Railway in general, and in particular, the Spring Steam Gala whilst, hopefully, also raising funds for future projects. WSRA members in the area may wish to go along for a chat and of course those living in or near Woking who want to find out more about the West Somerset Railway and the Association are very welcome to drop by.
30 January 2011
Details from WSRA Home Counties Group
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Diesel running dates for 2011
The dates have been released for diesel running in 2011. Hymek no D7017 will be in use during the Days Out with Thomas weekend on 2 and 3 July and Western no D1010 is the booked diesel locomotive for the Sunday of the CAMRA Real Ale Festival in September. One diesel locomotive will be in use each day on the following dates - 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 July and 5-6, 12-13, 19,20, 26-27 August. Also note that diesels feature strongly during the Mixed Traffic Weekend on 10-11 June and the Late Summer Weekend on 3-4 September. Further information about the home fleet of diesels along with regular updates please see the website of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group...
30 January 2011
Details from DEPG
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The Log Special rolls again
Volunteers are needed for the Log Train. A special works train will run on Saturday 5 February starting from Williton at 9.30am prompt. There are a number of sites where logs are lying and several sites where there are scrap sleepers to collect. There will be plenty of work but this may be limited by the number of wagons available at this end of the line! The aim is to be at Norton to drop off logs and sleepers by 3pm returning to Williton between 4 and 4.30pm. Many hands make light work so it is hoped to see as many volunteers as possible.
29 January 2011
Details from WSRA
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Lamp Posts from Wadebridge to Dunster
Two ex-GWR lamp posts have been recovered for future use at Dunster Station. Acting on information from David Redfern of Steelway Engineering, two genuine GWR platform lamp posts have been acquired from the "Bridge on Wool" public house in Wadebridge, Cornwall. They will complete the platform lighting at Dunster station. It is thought that the posts have been in the pub, holding up a wall (!) for over thirty years and were now surplus to requirements after building alterations. Ian Aldridge and Robin White used the WSRA van to recover the posts on Thursday 27 January 2011. After loading the posts Ian and Robin stopped at the old Wadebridge railway station, now the "Sir John Betjamin Centre", housing a cafe and senior citizens day care centre for tea and biscuits - a bargain at 50p! The posts are now in safe storage and require shotblasting, planting at Dunster, repainting, wiring up and fitting with new lantern tops. Anyone who would like to contribute to the costs of this exciting addition to the GWR character of Dunster Station would be welcome to contact Robin White or Dunster's new Station Master Alan Bond.
28 January 2011
Details from local correspondent
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The Friends continue looking after Minehead Station
Caring for Minehead Station keeps the Friends busy. A regular task towards the end of 2010, the Friends of Minehead Station is the seasonal decorating of the Booking Hall and the platform Christmas tree. Meanwhile, discussions about the overhaul of the heritage spear top fencing at the Promenade end of the station continue with relevant bodies but work is unlikely to start until later this year. Once again, the Reader's Halt bookstall is proving the major source of funds for the Friends. Visitors will notice much painting of late. The bookstall, the telephone kiosk, seats, storage cupboards and even a litter bin now sport light and dark stone paintwork. The gardening team have installed a short
fence to screen the portaloo at Minehead Signal Box from shoppers leaving Morrisons supermarket. It is hoped to replace this screen with a larger panel which could
carry useful promotional material in fullview of hundreds of shoppers - a commercial opportunity not to be missed!
More information about FOMS
28 January 2011
Details from FOMS
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Gauge Museum Model Railway is a popular attraction
Over 8000 visitors were attracted to the Model Railway at the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard Station. Over 106 operating days in 2010, a grand total of 8,035 came along, the slight fall due perhaps to an overall drop in passengers on the WSR. The Model Railway is a very popular attraction to our visitors at Bishops Lydeard and draws many to the Gauge Museum who may not otherwise make a visit the premises. It also provides a small corner of family entertainment amongst the railway relics. The current operating team consists of a small number of adults and senior Trackers and provides a opportunity for people, young and old, to become involved in a railway related activity. Anyone interested should contact Graham Rothwell, via Bishops Lydeard Station. Currently the Model Railway is closed to the public until the Spring Steam Gala for maintenance and continuing construction. The Model Railway is funded by donations from visitors and other well-wishers and further donations are welcomed.
28 January 2011
Details from local correpondent
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Slight changes to Gala weekend timetables
A few trains will not stop at Stogumber Station during the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala. The Railway has announced the Up trains departing from Minehead at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm will not stop at Stogumber on 19, 20 March and 26, 27 March. We understand the recently printed Gala leaflets carry the correct train times. The timetables on this website have now been amended. For full details see the Spring Steam Gala page...
27 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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From East Anglia to West Somerset in August
An excursion from East Anglia in August on the day of the WSR Steam Fayre. Nenta Train Tours say "Day Trip by Special InterCity Train to Bath, Bristol, Taunton and Minehead over the West Somerset Railway from Taunton to Norton Fitzwarren and Minehead - plus the spectacle of the 2011 WSR Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally." The train calls at Norwich, Diss, Stowmarket, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester, Witham, Chelmsford and Stratford before heading for the West Country. It is not yet clear if the "West Countryman Festival" train will stop at Norton Platform to set down passengers wishing to visit the Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally or if it will stop at Bishops Lydeard to allow passengers to transfer to the Rally shuttle train or perhaps enjoy a steam hauled trip to Minehead. More information 
24 January 2011
Details from Nenta Train Tours, WSR Plc and local correspondent
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New Station Master for Blue Anchor
The seaside station at Blue Anchor has a new Station Master. He is Gordon Irish, a retired Chief Executive of a Friendly Society, now living in West Bagborough, Taunton. Gordon has worked at Blue Anchor Station for the past nine years and is well used to looking after the safety of passengers, manning the booking office and the many other things required in the day to day running of an efficient station. Gordon is frequently joined by his wife, Lesley who helps out in the museum. Congratulations and best wishes for the future, Gordon.
21 January 2011
Details from WSRA
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Prairie No 5521 and Autocoach no 167 for Spring Gala
The Great Western ingredients for the Spring Steam Gala have been strengthened by two very welcome additions. The line-up now included two further archetypes of the GWR/Western Region branch line scene. GWR Small Prairie 2-6-2T no 5521 is making a welcome return visit to the line. The 45xx and 4575 series have been regular performers on the Minehead line in the Great Western, Western Region and the heritage railway eras. And the WSR Association has funded the hire of Autocoach no 167 from the Llangollen Railway. One of the last autocoach workings in Somerset was behind 64xx Pannier Tanks on the Yeovil Town-Yeovil Junction services. Visitors planning to come to the Spring Steam Gala should note there is plenty of accommodation still available in Minehead and in Dunster - see our Where to Stay page...
21 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Sir Lamiel for Spring Steam Gala
A classic Southern Railway express locomotive has been booked for the Spring Gala. Following the disappointment of the news of the unavailability of LMS 4-6-2 no 6201 Princess Elizabeth for the Spring Steam Gala the Railway has announced that the sole surviving Southern Railway King Arthur Class 4-6-0 no 777 Sir Lamiel will be making its West Somerset debut in place of the Pacific. The first Arthurs were designed by Robert Urie of the London and South Western Railway in 1918 and the design was further developed by the Southern Railway under Richard Maunsell to become one of the premier express steam locomotive classes on the SR until the arrival of the Bulleid Pacifics.
Sir Lamiel one of the class built by the North British Locomotive Company which had a reduced loading gauge cab for use on the Eastern Section of the Southern. Despite this the locomotive was initially shedded at Nine Elms and worked expresses to Bournemouth and Exeter. In 1934 it went to Battersea but subsequently moved around between Nine Elms, Battersea and Bournemouth. By 1959 it was at Dover but subsequent to the electrification of the Kentish main lines it went to Feltham and finally Basingstoke. On withdrawal Sir Lamiel became part of the National Collection. It was restored to working order in 1982 and has since been a regular performer on both main line excursion trains and heritage lines.
20 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Ramblin' Steve lays down a WSR track
And now for a song about the West Somerset Railway. Local musician Ramblin' Steve can be heard on a video recently uploaded to YouTube singing one of his original and best compositions "Riding the WSR" whilst playing keyboards. A selection of WSR related action photographs complete the video which has been produced by a local WSR supporter. Ramblin' Steve can be seen in person playing guitar in another YouTube video "Yankee Jack"" Any resemblance between Rambin' Steve and the Chairman of the Friends of Watchet Station, Steve Sutherland, might or might not be entirely coincidental.
18 January 2011
Details from local correspondents
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No Spring Gala appearance for Lizzie
Lizzie is not available for the Spring Steam Gala. The West Somerset Railway have announced that LMS Princess Royal Class no 6201 Princess Elizabeth will not appear at the Spring Steam Gala. In a statement, the Railway say "Sadly we will have to wait a little longer to hear and see a Stanier Pacific locomotive at work at the head of a train on the WSR. We have been advised that the locomotive will not now be available for the March Gala, which is a disappointment obviously, but means we can hopefully look forward to a debut in the not too distant future." We understand a replacement for Princess Elizabeth is being sought and will be announced here as soon as it is confirmed.
18 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Lots of interest in the Railway at the Excursions Show
The West Somerset Railway attended the annual Excursions show at Alexandra Palace in London on Saturday 15 January. Excursions is the premier one-day group travel exhibition in the South of England held annually and organised by Tourism South East and Group Travel Organiser magazine. This event is the first in a series of exhibitions that is attended each year to promote the West Somerset Railway to existing and potential visitors. The opportunity of face to face contact with potential customers is priceless, giving the railway the opportunity to promote its 35th Anniversary year, its standard train services and all special events. Media packs were prepared and available to media partners in the press office of
the event. The next few days and weeks will be spent following up the new leads and contacts made for the benefit of the West Somerset Railway. The next events on the schedule are the Exmoor Leaflet Exchange and the Best of Britain and Ireland event in March.
16 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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The Hestercombe Express in 2011
An extended season for the popular excursion to Hestercombe Gardens. The West Somerset Railway and Hestercombe have published details of the Hestercombe Express which runs from Minehead at 10.15 each Wednesday from 20 April to 26 October inclusive calling all stations to Bishops Lydeard for the bus transfer to the Gardens at Hestercombe. The discounted tickets include train travel to and from Bishops Lydeard, bus journey to and from Bishops Lydeard and standard entry into Hestercombe Gardens.
14 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Revival of through coach portion workings perhaps
A tantalising prospect of a West Country train being split into portions could be on the cards in July. Steam Dreams are planning to run a train to Minehead, Exeter and Plymouth on 2 July. Few details are available at present but it seems the train will be split at Taunton with one portion going on to Devon with the other portion going to Minehead on the West Somerset coast. No advice yet about motive power. In former steam days, the practice of multi-portion trains running to and from the West Country was commonplace, with the lengthy train becoming shorter as the journey progressed. On the return trip the portions were rejoined to the main train. The same process could be revived in July if all goes to plan.
14 January 2011
Details from local correpondents
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Footbridge at Watchet to be demolished and replaced
West Somerset councillors are to be asked to approve the demolition of the footbridge at Watchet. The footbridge - the only one on the entire Minehead Branch - has been in the ownership of the local authority since the early 1970s and was declared unsafe and closed about 15 months ago. If approved, the current plan as outlined in the West Somerset Free Press will see the footbridge demolished in February and a replacement installed in November 2011. The report suggests Steelway Ltd, "a specialist supplier of heritage railway projects", will provide a similar looking structure built with modern materials. Steelway Ltd refurbished and extended the turntable before installation at Minehead in 2008. The decision to act has been prompted by a report suggesting the bridge forms part of a dedicated (but not formal recorded) right of way and must be maintained by the owner, West Somerset Council. The Railway are reported as having offered a four figure financial contribution towards costs of demolition and construction.
14 January 2011
Details from West Somerset Free Press
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Results of the Annual Photographic Competition
The WSRA Taunton Group Annual Photo Competition was held during the Taunton Group's monthly meeting on Monday 10 January 2011. The competition classes were Digital and Analogue (slides) for Steam, Diesel and Non Railway images with each class winner receiving a small cash prize. The Digital Steam award was won by John Crocker for his shot of Pannier No 5786 at Staverton, South Devon Railway whilst the Digital Diesel (modern image) award went to WSR Journal Editor David Williams for his shot of Hymek no D7047 standing at Williton during the recent night shoot. Malcolm Anderson won the Non Railway class with his picture of an Algarve Sunset and Malcolm's image of Lake Louise in Canada was runner-up in the same class. In his capacity as Professional Photographer/Judge, Don Bishop declared the overall winner was Alan Randle for his slide of Hall no 4965 and Castle no 5043 climbing Whiteball Bank at Beam Bridge near Wellington. Alan received a cash prize and a copy of the 2011 Steam Railway calendar. See WSRA website for winning images.
12 January 2011
Details from WSRA
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Busy 2010 for the WSR Association Permanent Way Gang
During the last twelve months the principal work carried out on the running line by the Gang has been spot re-sleepering. At six separate locations between Bishops Lydeard and Williton just over 500 sleepers have been replaced. After two postponements due to the snow conditions work continued over the Christmas period on the Norton Triangle. On 28 December the point from the South Chord - "The Barnstaple" - to the East Chord was assembled on site [pic]. All rails are laid and it only remains to plate and clip it up. This is the fourth point laid by the Association PW Gang on the Triangle site at Norton Fitzwarren.
11 January 2011
Details from WSRA
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Volunteer recruitment programme picks up pace
The proactive recruitment of new volunteers gets fresh impetus in plans recently announced by the West Somerset Railway Association. The Volunteers Sub Group of the WSRA recognise the need for new volunteers to be made truly welcome and to be mentored. To that end, the WSRA have announced the appointment of Mel Hillman to coordinate the processes followed by new volunteers. Mel has many years experience in co-ordinating volunteers in a hospital environment, and had been helping the acting Volunteer Co-ordinator, Ian Aldridge, who has recently stood down. Since his appointment, Mel has introduced a new monitoring system to stay in direct contact with new recruits during their initial time with the railway, and has designed a re-vamped induction process which he is carrying out personally. Other Sub Group innovations include a new recruitment leaflet, an information folder and a set of banners for use at local shows and events. To maximise recruitment opportunities at events in 2011, such as the Bath & West Show, Taunton Flower Show, and the WSRA's own Steam Rally, a recruitment team (The "R Team") has been formed from a cross-section of experienced volunteers and senior figures on the railway ensuring full and experienced staffing at events.In addition, the Volunteers Sub Group will be reintroducing volunteer recruitment days on the WSR. In 2011, these will be held on 17 April and 25 September, reinforced with local media advertising and exposure, under the guidance of John Hallett, the WSRA Press Officer.
10 January 2011
Details from WSRA
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Heritage Carriages Project visit to Didcot
Members of the Heritage Carriages Project will be visiting Didcot to have a close look at the GWS's own heritage carriages. The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust's Claire Sheppy reports "We have been offered a guided tour of the centre followed by a closer look at the heritage carriages. Finally, will everyone who has expressed an interest in joining us or wishes to be added to the list of people wishing to join us on this trip on 20 February 2011 please now confirm that it is your definite intention to come. You can do this to me by e-mail, at info@wssrt.co.uk, or direct to me if you already have my e-mail address."
10 January 2011
Details from WSSRT
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Mendip Rail Class 59s for Mixed Traction event
Some modern traction for the Mixed Traction Gala. This event will be held on 10, 11 and 12 June 2010 and the Railway is pleased to announce Mendip Rail have verbally confirmed to provide two Class 59 diesel electric locomotives and a short rake of modern high capacity stone wagons for the event as part of their celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Class 59s entering revenue service on British Rail in 1986. As the Class 59s are only equipped with air brakes the Railway plan to form a dual brake Mark 1 coaching set for use with the Class 59s during the event. As yet no other visiting diesel locomotives have been identified but the DEPG have confirmed they hope to be able to provide seven mainline diesel locomotives including five diesel hydraulics.
6 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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The second best year for the West Somerset Railway
2010 was the second best year for passenger totals on the WSR. In thanking staff and volunteers for their efforts in the last twelve months, General Manager Paul Conibeare adds "We knew that it would be a period of tough trading and it is a reflection of the efforts to bring business to the line and then to give our passengers a good day out so that they return themselves - and tell their friends - that we carried 214,053 passengers, beating our previous second best set in 2007. However we are all aware that the economic situation and personal disposable income is going to remain tight for a good while to come and that means we must continue to work towards not only promoting the Railway as vigorously as we can within the budget restraints but also delivering a clean, reliable and friendly day out when passengers come to us."
6 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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News from the lineside
The planned track relay is now underway where the line runs on an embankment, stone faced on the seaward side, alongside Blue Anchor Beach. The rails have been removed from around a quarter of a mile of track and the life expired wooden sleepers are being taken out. Concrete sleepers, currently lying on the Up side of the trackside, will installed and the rails replaced. On certain days, members of the WSR Association Permanent Way Gang are helping the Plc PW Gang with this task. Elsewhere, it is understood that the gates at the pedestrian-only Govier's Lane Crossing at Watchet have been officially locked in the open position and will remain so until resumption of passenger services on 19 February. The move will no doubt please some of the local folks who find the gates difficult to open and pass through.
5 January 2011
Details from local correspondents
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More details about the 2011 Spring Steam Gala
Further details and timetables for the Spring Steam Gala are now available. No further news on visiting locomotives beyond the already announced nos 70000, 6201, 6430 and 7812. Of the home fleet nos 34046, 9351, 88 and 5553 are mentioned as likely runners. For those who like to plan a day travelling on the trains, the timetables are now available for each of the six days although of course the loco roster is far from finalised. The loco sheds and workshops at Minehead and Williton (both the diesel works and the West Somerset Restoration works in the Swindon Shed) will be open on specifed days. A free bus service linking Taunton Railway Station, Silk Mill Park & Ride and Bishops Lydeard Railway Station is planned. The Booking Form is now available for those wishing to buy Rover Tickets.
Further details...
4 January 2011
Details from WSR Plc
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Quantock Belle staff training day
A note for the diary for dining train volunteers. A training day is scheduled for Sunday 27 February 2011 at Bishops Lydeard aboard the Quantock Belle. The day will begin at 11am with a special session for new volunteers and for anyone who is interested in learning more about being a Quantock Belle volunteer. At 1 o'clock the current Quantock Belle volunteers will join the group for lunch followed by an afternoon open forum and a discussion about the 2011 season and plans for the future. Prospective attendees should contact Susan Kaufman, 01823 431311, manager@wsra.org.uk, or Larraine Willmott qbvolunteers@tiscali.co.uk by 23 February.
4 January 2011
Details from WSRA
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The New Year starts with some interesting workings
A public train from Taunton to Minehead and back was one of the highlights of the New Year train services. The special working on 2 January, formed of First Great Western Class 150 two-car diesel multiple unit no no 150234, left Taunton on time but due to failed points at Norton Fitzwarren Junction ran via Wellington where it reversed and ran back to the Junction before reversing again to take the Minehead Branch. All but four of the 116 seats on the special were booked. The train commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the last passenger train run on the Minehead Branch by British Railways on 2 January 1971. The next day in 1971, Hymek no D7049 ran along the line collecting wagons and other equipment and was the last BR train to run on the line under signals. To remember this event, so the current Railway ran Hymek no D7017 (specially renumbered D7049) and a few wagons, to the delight of many. No D7017 (still numbered D7049) had an unexpected day of glory on 3 January 2011 when it substituted for SDJR 2-8-0 no 88 which was unexpectedly unavailable for its planned diagram.
3 January 2011
Details from local correspondents
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