An unofficial website featuring the West Somerset Railway
News from March 2019
No Peak for the WSR Diesel Gala in June
Don Bishop, Chairman of the WSR's Gala Planning Team, writes:
It is with the great regret that I have to announce that Class 46 no 46010 will not be able to attend the WSR Diesel Gala in June. This is entirely a decision reached by WSR management following advice from the railways Head of Infrastructure and the Office of Road and Rail (ORR). Those who know my leanings for the Peaks will probably realise that I'm pretty devastated by this news, as I'm sure many of you reading this will also be.
My team and I are continuing to work towards getting other suitable locos to the line to join our own two Hymeks, class 33s, class 47 and class 14.
30 March 2019 Details gleaned from the Facebook page of the West Somerset Railway Gala Planning Team
Pre-order your copy of Tales of the West Somerset Railway
Coming soon - a book of personal recollections from some of those folks who rebuilt the Railway. 'Tales of the West Somerset Railway' - edited by Ian Coleby, Allan Stanistreet and Ian Tabrett - is due to be published on 7 June 2019 - just short of forty years after the line was fully opened to Bishops Lydeard. The book is available to pre-order now from the station shops at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead at £8.99 each; or pre-order by email from info@wssrt.co.uk at £8.99 plus £1 postage.
The West Somerset Railway (WSR) was both pleased and honoured to host the Royal Train for an overnight stay by Her Majesty the Queen ahead of her visit to Somerset on Thursday 28 March 2019.
Arriving in the small hours of Thursday morning after leaving London Euston station late the previous evening, the Royal Train was taken onto WSR metals from the main line connection and then stabled securely on the WSR tracks close to HM Royal Marine 40 Commando base at Norton Manor camp.
The Royal visitor then left the WSR route from the junction at Norton Fitzwarren around 9.30am and then via rail for the short journey to Castle Cary station and the well-publicised visit to Somerset.
It is the third time that the Minehead branch has seen Royal visitors stay overnight on the line after the Duke of Edinburgh visited in 2002 for the 50th anniversary of the Lynton & Lynmouth Flood Disaster, and King George VI also stayed near Norton Fitzwarren during the Second World War years.
The WSR Plc Board thanked all involved in the night shift to make it happen on time: Route Conductor Paul Conibeare, Route Guard Steve Bailey, Signalman Chris Pratt, Duty Officer Merv Hebditch, Infrastructure Manager Andrew Young.
The West Somerset Railway starts running again this weekend! We will be running services between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet Station.
We have been fortunate enough to secure a free bus connection for those that wish to continue on to Minehead Station where the Buffer Stop Shop and Turntable Cafe will be open.
This weekend we will have Free Vintage Buses leaving Watchet Station, to travel all you need to do is present a West Somerset Railway Rover Ticket to the driver.
For the remaining running days up until 18th April, our rover tickets will be valid on Buses of Somerset service 28 from Watchet to Minehead (return).
Thank you to both West Somerset Railway Chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt and Buses of Somerset Managing Director Alex Carter for their community support.
Appeal for donations for new covers for GWR coach no 7740
Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, writes:
Toplight compartment composite coach 7740 (built at Swindon in 1911) is looking very sorry for itself at Dunster West. Gale force winds have shredded and stripped away its cover and it urgently needs a thicker and stronger replacement tarpaulin at a cost of £2,000 to protect it until it can be restored. We hope to take a gang out there before trains restart on Good Friday to replace the cover, but this will depend on possession arrangements, weather and getting someone to cut back the undergrowth so that we can get at the up side of the coach. Please use the new 'Donate' tab on the Trust web site if you would like to help with funds towards the £2,000 for a new cover and help to protect this unique heritage vehicle.
The folks who look after the Railway's 3-car DMU report on recent progress:
Soon after the end of the 2018 running season, a small group of volunteers, under the watchful eye of our Lead Engineer, started the major annual maintenance and exam of our
Class 115 DMU - the only CL115 in operation.
In the following three months volunteers have contributed over 100 man days and generated well in excess of 200 individual job sheets to provide an accurate Maintenance Record for the Company. Following BR's original DMU CL115 maintenance instructions this should have been completed in 6 man days - however, many long standing faults were discovered which needed urgent attention, all now fixed.
Guided by our Lead Engineer, with his enthusiasm and expert knowledge, new parts were built and fitted; blocked filters removed and replaced, electrical faults traced and fixed - the list goes on!
We will start the 2019 season with a properly maintained DMU with four engines working, heaters operating, vacuum and air leaks fixed, brakes in spec, all oils changed and grease applied everywhere it was needed. Some of the external corrosion has been treated and filled to remove sharp edges leaving obviously repainted patches - perhaps we could repaint the whole unit soon. We have deep cleaned passenger accommodation and completed some refurbishment within budgetary constraints.
This could not have been done without access to the Bishops Lydeard Ash Shelter pit and workshop, for which we are very grateful - oh and tea/coffee, biscuits and warmth on cold days,
So we are almost ready to undertake our projected 2019 mileage of 6000+ , why not come for a ride and see the line from behind the Driver - it's a whole new view of our railway.
27 March 2019 Details kindly provided by WSR Volunteer Spanner Bashers
West Somerset Railway re-opens on 30 March 2019
The West Somerset Railway (WSR) has won a Herculean race against time to undertake major infrastructure works costing some £170,000; overhaul its staff training, competence and compliance systems, and sort out its finances in going forward during the first three months of 2019 during an extended Winter closed period.
The Office of Rail & Road (ORR) visited the WSR again last Friday (22 March) to undertake an audit of progress made by the WSR against recommendations for changes in governance, regulatory compliance, mechanical and infrastructure improvements since the ORR's last inspection in October 2018. Following the ORR visit, WSR plc Chairman Jon Jones Pratt commented:
The ORR inspectors were very impressed by all of the massive progress across the board that we have made during a relatively short period, and I'm delighted they gave us a clean bill of health to re-open this coming weekend.
But it's been a race against time to try and get all of the work completed and a great testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, contractors and supporters to whom we owe a great debt of thanks. Our shareholders have bought over £20,000 of new shares since our stakeholders meeting on 2 March to help fund the works, and it's been reminiscent of the efforts by the early WSR's pioneers who first re-opened the line in 1976.
The extended closure period enabled the WSR to focus its efforts on vital track works and other maintenance along the line, as well as dealing with all of the ORR's recommendations. Although all of the infrastructure works are well advanced, some unforeseen problems were found with the track work around Blue Anchor, including having to order a new replacement point, which means that steam and diesel train services will begin initially between Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, and Watchet from Saturday 30 March, and then over the full line to Minehead from Good Friday 19 April once the Blue Anchor works are largely completed.
So, on Saturday 30 March, former Great Western Railway Hall Class no 6960 Raveningham Hall will steam out of Bishops Lydeard station at 10.15 - appropriately crewed by Jon Jones Pratt as Fireman and Driver Ray Lee - and operate the day's services through the beautiful spring countryside, complete with lovely views of the Quantock Hills.
As there is no loco turning facility at Watchet, the return legs from the seaside town will be hauled by a 1960s heritage diesel locomotive courtesy of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group's fleet at Williton in what railwaymen and women call a 'top and tail' operation with a loco at each end of the train, so recreating a realistic 1960s branch line theme.
WSR trains will then run to the same 'top and tail' service pattern on all timetabled running days until Friday 19 April, when the first full line steam services of the season will run through to Minehead. Jon Jones-Pratt comments:
The WSR wishes to apologise to all accommodation providers in West Somerset who have been inconvenienced or lost business as a result of the extended closure period, but we had no choice and had to undertake some costly, unexpected and time consuming track works, especially around Blue Anchor. I look forward greatly to the day when the whole railway is open again.
And the scheduled Quantock Belle dining train on 31 March will unusually traverse the line between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren, which is rarely used by passenger trains, before taking its Mother's Day customers on their journey through the hills to Watchet. WSR plc Chairman Jones Pratt continued:
Although we are all looking forward to our services continuing through to Minehead, the work needed at Blue Anchor has been more extensive than first thought. Having access to just over half of the line allows us much needed time to complete the works to the high standards required.
Our Permanent Way Engineers and volunteers have all been working extremely hard, and in all weathers, over the closed period to ensure that we can get our services back up and running as soon as possible and we are grateful for all their efforts so far and the many thousands of hours worked.
We hope that people will turn up in good numbers during our first weeks of operating to support the WSR again and enjoy the heritage steam railway experiences and services we offer.
Our temporary terminus at Watchet is a vibrant seaside destination, and we have been in communication with many in the town to help enhance the experience as much as possible during this period.
The support which the WSR has received from volunteers, staff, shareholders, support organisations and the general public over the closure period has been extremely humbling.
2019 also marks the 40th Anniversary of the completion of the re-opening of the full length of the West Somerset Railway in 1979 and a celebration weekend will take place on 8th and 9th June. Information about this and other special events including dining trains, children's events, driving experiences and more can be seen at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or obtained by ringing 01643 704996.
A posting on the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust website brings a useful update on project developments at the Gauge Museum. The update includes details of how the Trust is recruiting new Learning Assistants; the Design and Interpretation Programme for the Gauge Museum following the appointment of Smith and Jones as external consultants; the establishment of the Learning and Education working group; and a PDF copy of the presentation on the Project at the recent Trust AGM.
To celebrate the return of our trains, the Bishops Lydeard Station Shop is offering up to 30% off the RRP of selected model railway locomotives currently on our shelves. This offer is for a limited period only. Don't forget that we also have some of the best stocks in the area of diecast models and railway books, so why not pop in and browse our shelves during your first Spring visit to the railway.
The West Somerset Railway Association has announced:
The WSRA strives to be transparent, ethical and responsible in all fundraising activities. In order to demonstrate this we have published our own fundraising policy and registered with the fundraising regulator, an independent, non-statutory body that regulates fundraising across the charitable sector in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The fundraising regulator publishes a code of fundraising practice, which we will abide by in all our fundraising activities. The fundraising regulator promotes best practice in fundraising, in order to protect donors and support the vital work of fundraisers. We are proud to carry the logo in our fundraising publicity.
Re-opening the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Museums
The Museums at Bishops Lydeard and Blue Anchor will re-open soon for the 2019 season, say the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust. The Blue Anchor Railway Museum will reopen with the start of trains through to Minehead on Good Friday, then Saturday 20 April, Easter Day, Easter Monday and every Sunday and bank holiday through the summer.
The new season on the WSR starts on Saturday 30 March, and the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard will re-open on that day as will Gauge Junction, the model railway. The Blue Anchor Railway Museum will reopen with the start of trains through to Minehead on Good Friday.
Find out more of the railway's history and the story of how it was part of Somerset's development and continues to serve the county today.
Times of early spring Bishops Lydeard-Watchet service
The West Somerset Railway have released details of the Bishops Lydeard - Watchet service. These trains - three trains a day each way - will be steam hauled from Bishops Lydeard and diesel hauled on the return from Watchet and will operate on 30, 31 March and 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 April and from 13 to 18 April.
It is planned to re-open Readers Halt on Minehead Station from Saturday 30 March even though trains will not be running to this end of the line by then. We hope that our regular customers and the many visitors that come to the station will visit 'The Halt' and patronise the Turntable Cafe and the Buffer Stop Shop.
The West Somerset Railway will be celebrating 'Somerset Day' - 11 May 2019 - at Bishops Lydeard Station and also at Minehead Station. Anyone wishing to display or perform at Bishops Lydeard please contact Catherine Dance (WSR Community Engagement Officer) by email - catherine.dance@wsra.org.uk - likewise anyone wishing to display or perform at Minehead Station please contact Alan Smithers (Station Master) by email at smmd@wsrail.net
WSR issues covered in latest edition of 'Heritage Railway'
Page six, seven and eight of Edition 252 of the 'Heritage Railway' magazine, carry a lengthy article by Gareth Evans about the recent events on the Railway. The quotes from WSR Plc Directors Jonathan Jones-Pratt (Chaiman), Mark Smith and Ric Auger, are frank and detailed. It would be wrong to provide more information on this page so we encourage folks to either buy a copy of the magazine or to have a peek at those pages via the 'Heritage Railway' website (use the button below, then use the interactive pages under the heading 'Check out heritage railway')
Diesel shunter cab rides during 2019 Steam & Vintage Rally
The folks at the Steam & Vintage Rally have posted the following on the Rally's facebook page:
We will be offering the opportunity to have a cab ride in one of the diesel shunters that operate on the West Somerset Railway. Depending on availability of the loco and crew, this is likely to be either the 03 or the 09: the details will be clarified nearer the time. So come along on 3 and 4 August 2019 and experience the sound, smell and driver's eye view.
The West Somerset Railway Plc has taken steps to further strengthen the Board of Directors with three new role and advisor appointments.
Former WSR Plc Managing Director and Heritage Railway Association (HRA) Vice Chairman Mark Smith, who became a Plc director late last year, now becomes the company's new Vice Chairman and he will bring his wealth of heritage railway experience to bear on operations.
Martin Brown has been appointed as Safety & Compliance Adviser to the board initially, but with a view to him becoming a full director in due course after a trial period. Mr Brown is currently Crossrail's, or the Elizabeth Line's, Health and Safety Director.
Following the recent decision to split the Signalling and Guards inspector functions and roles after the ORR review last year, long-serving WSR volunteer Chris Pratt has now been appointed as Acting Chief Signalling Inspector by new Plc Vice Chairman Mark Smith. This new role is part of the continued plan to take the WSR forward in best practice fashion, and the WSR has thanked Steve Bailey for covering the combined role in the interim but, given the WSR is the largest standard gauge line in the UK, it made perfect sense to split the inspector roles between Guards and Signalling.
This is a chance to see the premiere of a local home-grown film made in aid of Hope for Tomorrow, the charity that provides Mobile Cancer Care Units across the country. The charity is much loved by the people of West Somerset, as the local unit - known affectionately as 'Bumble' - travels every Wednesday from Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton to Minehead for the benefit of local patients.
The short film (approx 45 mins), shot on location on the West Somerset Railway, features local actors and recreates a journey on the Devon and Somerset Railway that used to run between Taunton and Barnstaple before it was closed in 1966. Set in the late 1950s, 'Chance Encounter' is a gentle love story about a young couple who meet on the train one summer.
The film was produced entirely by voluntary contributions. Nobody has been paid and it is a true labour of love to support a charity close to everyone's hearts. The premiere also provides the opportunity to enjoy the West Somerset Railway as ticket packages are available (see link below). Come and be wined and dined on the legendary 'Quantock Belle' and make it a real afternoon to remember.
On Tuesday 5 March 2019 we were delighted to welcome the Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour 2019 to Minehead Station. Children from local schools, local press and VIPs attended the tour and had a 'Question and Answer' session with the professionals. Thank you for letting us be part of it.
Our Schools programme is now moving forward from its initial phase of development. As we indicated earlier, we are very keen to provide hands-on museum sessions that will cover the WSR's links with Brunel and the GWR, the impact of the railway on local history as well as links to the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
In order to deliver these initiatives, especially for our younger visitors, we will need some particular resources. We are planning to provide among other things, activity boxes for loan or to be used in conjunction with learning sessions. We would like to open an appeal for donations for our Learning Centre for items such as Lego, similar style construction toys and children's books such as Thomas the Tank Engine or Peters Railway or similar.
If you are able to donate items as mentioned above, please bring them to the museum at Bishops Lydeard or email learning@wssrt.co.uk You can also contact us at our registered office: West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, The Railway Station, Station Road, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3BX
It was standing room only as 320 supporters of the West Somerset Railway (WSR) attended a packed, three-hour meeting for stakeholders at the Oake Manor Golf Club, near Taunton on Saturday 2 March 2019. WSR plc Chairman, Jonathan Jones-Pratt, and a number of other directors and senior figures from the railway addressed those present and they all set out a very open and honest appraisal of the various financial, governance, regulatory, compliance, mechanical and infrastructure difficulties which the WSR has faced over the winter months.
The various far-reaching steps and fund raising measures that have been taken so far and will be implemented soon were outlined to the audience, the aim of which is to put the railway onto a firm footing for the future. Commenting after the meeting, Jonathan Jones-Pratt said:
It was heartening to see so many committed railway staff, volunteers and supporters at the packed and professionally run meeting. So many people wanted to attend that we had struggled to find a local venue big enough to accommodate everyone, such is the strong support for the WSR!
Over the last six months, we have had to take some very tough and painful decisions to safeguard the railway's future after a significant £500,000 funding gap became obvious, and also in the light of various recommendations made by the Office of Rail & Road ORR) regulators following an inspection in October 2018.
We have had to cut rapidly our costs and staffing, quickly sell some of our assets such as unrestored steam loco no 4110, introduce new safety, training, competence and operating systems, totally overhaul our finances, and invest in and improve our infrastructure significantly at a considerable cost of £140,000, with even more spending on it needed every year from now on just to stand still.
But I was very pleased to tell everyone present that the WSR has been pulled back from the precipice of potential insolvency by our firm and decisive actions so far, and we can now face the 2019 season, and our 40th anniversary of running to Bishops Lydeard, with much more confidence and a much brighter future too.
I was particularly glad to have the Chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association, Paul Whitehouse, and the Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, Chris Austin, speaking alongside me and fellow directors today to share our 'One Railway' vision. We will all now put the difficulties and squabbles of the past few years firmly behind us and move forward as one railway acting in unison.
Many of the people who asked questions at the end of the meeting also complimented all of the speakers for giving the audience such an open, honest and frank appraisal of the situation which faced the WSR in terms of improving regulatory compliance, strengthening the Board and management via new appointments, completely overhauling the finances, and investment in infrastructure .
This was evidenced by the fact that a cash collection after the meeting raised £3,250 towards work on GWR locomotive 9351 (which is due to return to traffic in July) and further sums towards infrastructure work on the line.
And another £6,200 was raised in new plc Shares showing solid support from existing shareholders that were at the meeting, plus another £1,000 promised by email, so over £10,000 was raised in just one afternoon. All 4,000 WSR plc shareholders will also be contacted shortly to seek further necessary investment which is expected to be at least £500,000 a year.
Jonathan Jones Pratt continued:
After we decided to extend the usual winter shut down period from January this year to carry out essential infrastructure works, the West Somerset Railway is now expected to re-open partially again on Saturday 30 March after a follow up inspection by the ORR in late March.
So, our steam services will run initially from Bishops Lydeard to Williton, with a Diesel unit shuttle to and from Watchet so we reach the seaside, but the full line should re-open to Minehead on Saturday 6 April following completion of major track works at Blue Anchor which have proven to be more extensive than first thought sadly.
I know this the phased reopening will disappoint everyone at the Minehead end of the line, especially those in the local accommodation, retail and catering sectors, who have been looking forward to our steam trains returning, but we will be running to and from Minehead in good time for Easter, and our teams are working very hard to get everything ready in time.
In June this year, the WSR will be celebrating 40 years of running heritage services between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard, and a special celebration is planned to mark the significant date.
A more detailed note of the stakeholder meeting on Saturday 2 March will be posted onto the WSR websites shortly.
WSRA members discount at Dunster's Yarn Market Hotel
The Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster - very handy for a visit to the Railway - is offering a 10% discount on accomodation for members of various organisations including the West Somerset Railway Association. To obtain the discount bookings must be made directly with the hotel via 01643 821425 or hotel@yarnmarkethotel.co.uk . It is not available via booking agencies. Other organisations whose members can obtain the discount include the National Trust, English Heritage, the AA and RAC, Women's Institute and Townswomen's Guild.
4 March 2019 Details kindly provided by local correspondent
The Chairman's long line walk
On Thursday 28 February 2019 the WSR Plc's Chairman, Jon Jones-Pratt conducted a line walk from Bishops Lydeard to Blue Anchor - over sixteen miles - to inspect the areas of progress and concern. Perhaps the first time a Plc Chairman has reviewed so many work sites in person during a single line walk, although it must be admitted some of the distance was covered by road transport. A few photos - in the Latest Pictures page - show how tidy the line looks now after great work by the folks on the ground.
Following the success of this event in 2018 the WSR, the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and the Somerset Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) are hosting a larger event for 2019 between Thursday 20 June and Saturday 22 June. Those who attended last year will have appreciated the selection of ales not normally found in the South West plus the traditional ciders and this year there will be 24 cask conditioned ales and 6 ciders on sale.
The venue is Washford Station and the opening hours will be midday to 8pm Thursday 20 June, and midday to 10pm Friday 21 June and Saturday 22 June.
As the dates coincide with the 2019 WSR Diesel Gala - featuring vintage machines that were working the railways when CAMRA was founded in the 1970s --there will be an hourly service of trains during the day, plus evening trains to take drinkers home. And of course this is the time of the year with daylight well on into the evening. Car parking at Washford station is extremely limited so travel to and from the Festival by train is by far the best way to get there.
There are special return tickets available from Bishops Lydeard and Minehead to get visitors to the Festival with the price including three beer tokens to use for three half pints. Tickets are for over 18s only, please note there is a challenge 25 policy, so please bring ID on the day.
