Foxcote Manor to spend 2018 on the West Somerset Railway
Dave Horton, WSR's Head of Mechanical Engineering, is pleased to announce:
The WSR is very pleased to announce that we and the 7822 Foxcote Manor Society have signed a deal for the locomotive to operate on the WSR for the whole of the 2018 season. This and the S160 will significantly help to bolster our fleet for next year. We welcome 7822 and its members and supporters to the West Somerset Railway.
WSRA consults on changes to its membership subscriptions
The Chairman of the WSRA, Paul Whitehouse, has written to the Association's membership about proposed changes to subscriptions.
The last 18 months has allowed stability to return to the Association, but it has taken a great deal of time and effort. We recognise that the Association has not been supporting the railway as it ought, and we are working hard to change that. We need to increase our income, and reduce our costs, and we shall be reporting to you as we move forward.
For the very first time, the Quantock Belle is to operate a gala-style 'walk on' breakfast and luncheon service during both days of the forthcoming Winter Steam Festival. 31 seats will be available on each service on a 'first come, first served' basis.
We will offer Full English Breakfast on the 9.35am departure from Bishops Lydeard and the 11.30am from Minehead each day.
A choice of hot luncheon will be available on the 1.30pm from Bishops Lydeard and the 3.30pm from Minehead.
We are delighted to now be involved in this 'feel good' event and hope we will prove successful enough for the QB to become a regular component of Winter Steam Festival. Rest assured, neither turkey nor mince pies will appear on the menu! We will though upgrade our breakfast offer by using sausages hand made by Thorne's Butchers of Wiveliscombe, the QB's regular meat supplier for many years.
28 October 2017 Details kindly provided by the Quantock Belle
News of two of the Heritage Carriages Project's vehicles
Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust reports that the recent storm 'Brian' stripped off parts of the protective sheet covering Toplight coach no 7740 stored at Dunster West. No 7740's classic lines are revealed to passing passengers until the Heritage Carriages team can replace the covers. Meanwhile, a milestone in the restoration of BCK no 6705 at Williton. The new floors in each compartment have now been completed with protective fireboard. The side panels can now be fitted and then the linoleum is laid and the seats go back. More information and pictures on the Steam Trust website.
Over the winter period the Station Shop will be open when the Christmas season trains are operating, right through until 1 January as well as on Saturdays in November from 10am to 3pm. We shall be taking a break in early January but will be open again on Saturday 20 January 2018 (times as above), and on subsequent Saturdays until the new season commences.
We like to think our stocks of Diecast, Model Railway, Railway Books and DVDs are amongst the best in the locality. If you are a railway modeller, it is always best to pre-order forthcoming releases from us as many items are produced in strictly limited numbers and quickly run out.
After a couple of successful Galas in terms of shop sales, our stock of donated books and magazines needs to be replenished. If you are clearing your shelves of transport books over the winter, or are aware of friends and relatives disposing of a such a collection, please bear us in mind as the proceeds of these sales represents a good source of fund raising for the WSR's main supporting charity. Please do let me know if you can help us by contacting me on (01823)432125 or by e-mail to shop@wsra.org.uk.
A great stocking filler for lovers of the West Somerset Railway
The West Somerset Railway shop at Minehead has a great stocking filler for lovers of the Railway. A3 copies of the new WSR poster, designed by Sam White of the Commercial Department. Only £3 collected or £6 posted. Contact the WSR shop on 01643 700 387.
'West Somerset Railway - Revisited' - a talk by Keith Smith
Long serving WSR volunteer Keith Smith continues his presentations about the Railway. Keith writes:
This Thursday evening (26 October 2017) I am giving my 'West Somerset Railway - Revisited' talk to the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society (Thames Valley Group) at 19:30. Venue is Church House, 57 - 59 Church Street, Caversham, Reading RG4 8AX - top floor room, next to Waitrose. All Reading Buses pink services go by the door, as well as Arriva's High Wycombe to Reading service.
25 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
Loco and coaching set news for the 2017 Winter Steam Festival
The Winter Steam Festival on 29 and 30 December 2017 will feature locomotives from the following line-up:
GWR 'Modified Hall' 4-6-0 no 6960 Raveningham Hall
BR(W) 78xx 4-6-0 no 7822 Foxcote Manor
S&DJR 7Fs nos 53808 and 53809
Plans include four rakes of six carriages with refreshment facilities in all of the sets. Discounted Rover Tickets are available now via www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or 01643 704996.
24 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
Droplights and Toplights for GWR Auto Trailer no 169
The folks from Locomotive 5542 Ltd who are restoring GWR Auto Trailer no 169 at Williton are looking for some help:
Droplights and Toplights. Amongst other things, we are busy converting old conservatories, window frames, and doors into toplight and droplight windows for Auto 169. As you can see by the pictures we are progressing well but we need your help. To allow us to complete the full set of these we urgently need your unwanted hardwood. It doesn't need to be big pieces, almost any hardwood from lengths of 2ft upwards is useable, just so long as it has no woodworm or too many rusty nails. We can reuse most shapes and sizes, so why not help save the world's forests by allowing us to recycle your unwanted timber? Message us with your offers or for more details. Deliveries to Williton on Saturdays or Wednesdays or collection from TA postcodes and surrounding areas for suitable quantities.
Dunster Station's Goods Shed is a Grade II Listed Building
In 1981, the former Goods Shed at Dunster Station was designated as a Grade II Listed Building. The designation was revised in 1985 and now described as a 'train shed':
Train shed. Circa 1874. Squared, uncoursed red sandstone, Bath stone dressings, quoins, slate roof, overhanging eaves, sprockets, brick stack left gable end. Plan: Parallel with track sliding double doors on all sides except track elevation which is 3 semi-circular headed openings with voussoirs and rusticated jambs, left return sliding doors below metal joist , single storey gabled office block to left with triple round arched window. Gable end at rear weatherboarded.
In the long term the shed might become a central feature of a long term plan for the Up side area at Dunster 'to be developedas a heritage goods yard' (as stated in the WSR Plc's 2013 Consultation Paper). Meanwhile the Plc's Business Plan confirms the former goods yard and shed 'will continue to be the main Infrastructure Engineering base for the Plc'.
A new webcam from railcam.uk for Blue Anchor Station
The progressive folks at railcam.uk have installed a fifth webcam on the West Somerset Railway. Located at Blue Anchor Station and overlooking the level crossing and signal box, the webcam was switched online on Saturday 21 October 2017. In fact, the excellent vantage point shows trains up to a mile away making their way across Ker Moor between Blue Anchor and Dunster. All five WSR webcams are provided by railcam.uk and available on their own website. And also available on wsr.org.uk
Eight trains each way each day at the 2017 Winter Steam Festival
There will be eight trains in each direction in the 2017 Winter Steam Festival comapred with seven in previous years. Departures from Bishops Lydeard will be at 9.35am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm; and from Minehead at 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm, on both 29 and 30 December 2017. Discounted rover tickets can be purchased online from www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or via 01643 704996
19 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent and Gala Planning Team
Resignation of Ken Davidge: a statement by WSR Plc
It is with regret that the WSR PLC has received the resignation of Ken Davidge as a director of the company. Ken has been involved with the railway since the earliest days and has made a significant contribution over the succeeding years in a number of roles. He joined the Board as Safety Audit Director two years ago and has worked tirelessly in the role since. He has been dogged in his determination to guide the railway's safety culture and has made many changes - notably being the establishment of safety reps in each division and the formation of a comprehensive safety log from which the railway can identify and rectify trends in safety issues. He has been central to incident investigation and has gained much knowledge from outside bodies which he has shared with the company.
The Board has recently changed the safety portfolio to create a new Director of Safety which would subsume Ken's existing Safety Audit role. Ken has taken this change of role as a convenient point to retire from the board to enable a new person to take it over. Ken has assured the board that he will assist and advise the new post holder as required.
The Board wish to thank Ken for his work over the past two years as a Board member and look forward to his continuing wider support to the railway.
18 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
News of the next West Somerset Railway Stakeholder Meeting
The West Somerset Railway's Stakeholder Meeting will take place on Saturday 28 October 2017 at 2pm in Bishops Lydeard Village Hall.
The meeting will give all stakeholders with an interest in the railway, the opportunity, to learn how the West Somerset Railway has progressed throughout the year, and how we intend to move forward into 2018. The meeting will be chaired by Alan Nicholson, Chairman of the Board. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you. The agenda will include
An operational overview of the year by Paul Conibeare.
An update on the infrastructure by Ric Auger.
The chairman's view of his first three months in post and the way ahead.
The Quantock Belle welcomes a very special railway celebrity
Today - Sunday 15 October 2017 - Mary Kelly nee Skelton (also known as Molly) and her family joined the Quantock Belle dining train on the WSR to celebrate her 94th birthday which is tomorrow. Mary was signalman at Littlethorpe Signal Box near Ripon from 1939 to 1945. She is pictured in Bishops Lydeard Signal Box on the West Somerset Railway. Mary chatted with duty WSR signalman Peter Smith and remembers her training at York aged 17 after she had chosen that over factory work or being a railway porter. There was another, older girl called Mary on the course, so she had to choose another name and has sometimes been known as Molly ever since. She said that the male signalman accepted her and one, who was a cobbler, made her a pair of shoes - useful in wartime Britain. She was sad to give up signalling in 1945 and has fond memories of her time on the railway. She now lives in Somerset and her family celebrate her birthday on the Quantock Belle each year.
15 October 2017 Details from a local correspondent
Minehead Station Christmas Market on Saturday 9 December 2017
For the first time since the event's creation the West Somerset Railway will be holding their annual Christmas market on a Saturday.
Over 30 stalls will fill the platform on Saturday 9 December 2017. The official webpage has more details.
Traders interested in booking a stall please contact the West Somerset Railway on 01643 704996 or by email on info@wsrail.net
Ex-Southern PMVs to leave West Somerset for the Isle of Wight
We understand the two WSRA-owned ex-Southern Railway PMVs (Parcels and Miscellaneous Vans) - believed to be nos 1458 and 1964 - have been moved from Williton South Yard to nearby Sherring's Yard. Disposal of the two vans was approved by the West Somerset Railway Association membership at their recent Annual General Meeting. It seems the pair will later move by road to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to help with that railway's fine coach restoration projects.
15 October 2017 Details from a local correspondent
Invitation for WSR volunteers to join Operations Experience Days
The WSR and the Institute of Railway Operators, the professional body for Railway Operators in the UK, have arranged a series of Operations Experience days on Saturdays this autumn on the WSR. These are 14 October (signalling), 21 October (train operations), 4 November (diesel locomotive operation, with the D&EPG) and 18 November (steam loco operation)
In each case the sessions run from 10.30am to 4.00pm. Sessions 1 and 2 will be at Bishops Lydeard, session 3 at Williton and session 4 at either Minehead or Bishops Lydeard (to be decided). The sessions will be led by an experienced tutor and will include hands-on experience of the relevant activities for participants.
Capacity is available for up to four West Somerset Railway volunteers to join the groups. You must be reasonably fit as walking on uneven ground and climing in and out of rail vehicles will be involved. The sessions would suit WSR volunteers who would like to learn more about Railway operations or the work of other Departments.
If you would like to participate, please contact Robin White MIRO who is leading on these sessions for the WSR robin215white@btinternet.com or 07710 336 807
13 October 2017 Details from local correspondent
Frank Houlding has resigned as an Association Trustee
Announced on the WSRA website:
The WSRA Board is sorry to announce that Frank Houlding has resigned for personal reasons.
The Minutes of the WSRA's 22nd Annual General Meeting are available
With commendable speed, the Minutes of the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the West Somerset Railway Association held at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall on Saturday 30 September 2017 at 2pm, are now available on the WSRA's website.
West Somerset Railway to feature on Taunton Monopoly
Artwork now released for the eagerly anticipated 'Taunton' edition of the family favourite game of Monopoly reveals that Bishops Lydeard will be one of the four Railway Stations featured. Other local landmarks such as Taunton Cricket Ground and Vivary Park will replace the usual Monopoly locations. The official launch is due to take place at Taunton Cricket Ground on 19 October 2017.
9 October 2017 Details kindly provided by a local correspondent
Watchet Station's Model Railway Sale was a big success
Watchet Railway Station's secondhand Model Railway Sale on the Saturday of the Gala was a big success, and has improved the finances of the Friends of Watchet station for our winter maintenance programme. A big thank you from Steve Sutherland the organiser, to David Leusby who brought lots of his Swapmeet specials to our sale. A massive thanks to everyone who donated Model Railway equipment and to everybody who visited for a chat and purchased Engines-coaches-wagons-accessories-track etc. We really enjoyed the gala trains running all day, just a few feet away from our sale in the Pagoda waiting room.
9 October 2017 Details kindly provided by the Friends of Watchet Station
Reduced fares for young people on Sunday 8 October
On the Sunday of the Autumn Steam Gala young persons aged 5 to 17 can travel for a flat fare of £2.00 if accompanied by a fare paying adult or senior citizen. This applies to all journeys from a single journey between two neighbouring stations to the freedom of the line rover tickets that allow a full day of travel.
There are nine trains in each direction between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead so there are plenty of opportunities to get out for the morning, the afternoon or the whole day. Tickets can be bought at station booking offices on the day of travel or online now - see the Autumn Steam Gala page.
7 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
Saturday at the WSR's 2017 Autumn Steam Gala
On Saturday 7 October 2017 there are lots of things to see and do at the Autumn Steam Gala. There are no less than ten steam trains in each direction between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead and eight different steam engines working them. A great way to get out and about in the countryside, beside the sea, visiting Dunster, Minehead, Blue Anchor and Watchet. Plus...
Model railway sale at Watchet Station
All Day Breakfasts on the Quantock Belle
Workshops open at Minehead (steam) and Williton (diesel) - see behind the scenes
Model railways in action at Bishops Lydeard
Book signing of 'Railways Round Exmoor' in the Minehead Station Shop.
Discounted items in the Bishops Lydeard Station Shop
Museums open at Blue Anchor, Washford and Bishops Lydeard
Real ale bar at Minehead Station
And lots more, including shunting demonstrations at Washford
Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel at station booking offices. We look forward to seeing you here on the WSR.
6 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
A photograph in a magazine provides great publicity for the WSR
Promoting the Railway can be as simple as taking an interesting picture and sending it to your club magazine. West Somerset-based MGA Iris appears alongside WSR-based 7F no 53809 at Roebuck Gate Crossing on the 'Out and About' page of 'Safety Fast', the MG Owners Club Magazine for October 2017.
6 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
Ian Coleby is the new editor of the WSR Journal
Announced on the West Somerset Railway Association website:
Ian Coleby has been appointed as WSR Journal editor with immediate effect. Ian is currently vice chairman of the WSR Plc and has been the designer and typesetter for the Journal for the past year. He is also the author of 'The Minehead Branch 1848-1971', probably the most definitive work written about our railway. Ian will be assisted by Keith Smith as Deputy Editor and by Nigel Kendall in the design and layout of the journal. Supporting them is a team of photo editors, sub-editors and proof readers all working to produce a lively and interesting publication.
Book signing at Minehead's Buffer Stop Shop on 7 October
On the Saturday of the Autumn Steam Gala, Allan Stanistreet will be signing copies of 'Railways Round Exmoor' in the Buffer Stop Shop at Minehead station between 10am and 4pm. This fourth edition of the book is now illustrated in colour and is a hardback, priced very reasonably at £9.99. The railways covered are the ones currently open (WSR, Lynton and Barnstaple and the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway), closed (the Exe Valley, Taunton-Barnstaple-Ilfracombe), mineral (West Somerset Mineral and South Molton to Heasley Mill) and a trio that go no further than being projected (Minehead-Lynton, Barle Valley and Porlock-Simonsbath)
4 October 2017 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
Pannier replaces pannier at the WSR's 2017 Autumn Steam Gala
The visit to West Somerset of GWR 0-6-0PT no 7714 for the Autumn Steam Gala has been cancelled due to a fault which requires attention at its Severn Valley Railway base. In its place is another 'pannier' - BR(W) 0-6-0PT no 1501 which was a popular performer at the 2017 Spring Gala. Dave Horton, WSR's Head of Mechanical Engineering, explains:
Sadly 57XX class pannier no 7714 from the Severn Valley Railway failed last weekend whilst on loan to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for their Autumn Gala. After discussions with the SVR's CME today it has been concluded that the fault, which is on the brake system, is not a 'five minute fix' and therefore it must be returned to Bridgnorth for further investigation. So with time now against us, it won't be able to make our forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala. However, in exchange, the SVR will kindly loan us 1501 which, although it did star in our Spring Steam Gala back in April, means that we can at least fulfil all steam diagrams. We are grateful to the SVR for lending us 1501 in the circumstances and options are being explored for welcoming 7714 to the WSR during 2018 instead. The WSR Gala Planning Team offers its apologies for any disappointment caused by this.
Secondhand model railway sale at Watchet Station on 7 October
Steve Sutherland of Friends of Watchet Station reminds us...
Watchet Railway Station is having a sale of secondhand model railway equipment in the Pagoda waiting room on 7 October 2017 from 10am to 3pm. We will have OO and N gauge locomotives, coaches, wagons, many bits and pieces and are raising funds for the repairs and maintenance of Watchet Station which is all run by volunteers. Come and see us when visiting the Autumn Gala. If you have any unwanted model railway equipment, please drop off at the Station. More info from Steve Sutherland 01984 633425.
2 October 2017 Details kindly provided by the Friends of Watchet Station
Mostly chimney-first running during the 2017 Autumn Steam Gala
Good news - it looks like the majority locomotives will be running chimney-first during the four day Autumn Steam Gala which runs from 5 to 8 October 2017. The official website states:
Planned chimney first running of all locomotives on Saturday and Sunday with Minehead turntable and Norton Fitzwarren triangle in use. All locomotives running the full length of the line on Thursday and Friday will be smokebox first except the 12.20 which will be tender first for operational reasons.
The other exceptions will, of course, be those services terminating at Crowcombe Heathfield, Blue Anchor or Williton which lack turning facilties. Thanks due to the folks at the Railway for getting the update posted today. Hopefully this information will help visitors plan their journeys on the Railway during the event.
Historic homecoming for railway treasure after 50 years
West Somerset Railway supporters have brought a unique Great Western Railway signal box name plate back to the popular heritage railway.
Minehead signal box closed in 1966 and its nameplate was sold. Railway volunteers clubbed together to buy the nameplate and bring it back to Somerset. Rapid work by 22 supporters, and the Friends of Minehead Station had the purchase price of £1,400 raised in less than a week. It is still in the same condition it was when removed from the signal box in 1966, complete with original British Railways Western Region chocolate-and-cream paintwork.
The plate will now form part of the collection of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, the heritage charity supporting the line. Chris Austin, Chairman of the Trust said:
This was a magnificent effort by supporters of the Railway to raise the necessary funds so quickly. This important piece of the line's history will help us tell the story of railways in Somerset to future generations. In the dark days fifty years ago when the line was running down towards closure, who could have foreseen it would ever come back to today's successful West Somerset Railway?
The newly acquired name plate will be on display at the Trust's Museum at Blue Anchor station, near Minehead from the 5th to the 8th October (10.30am - 4.00pm) during the West Somerset Railway's Autumn Steam Gala.
