West Somerset Express
The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway
Issue 30 January 2005
Issue 21 - April 2004 Issue 22 - May 2004 Issue 23 - June 2004
Issue 24 - July 2004 Issue 25 - August 2004 Issue 26 - September 2004
Issue 27 - October 2004 Issue 28 - November 2004 Issue 29 - December 2004
West Somerset Express homepage
This page is part of the newsletter archive, photos of the year on the line can be seen on
WSR 2005 Spring Diesel Gala 05 Spring Steam Gala 2005 Autumn Steam Gala 2005
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from...
The Award Winning West Somerset Railway!
The WSR has won the prestigious Ian Allan "Independent Railway of the Year 2004" award at the Railway Heritage Awards ceremony held in London on 7 December, beating off competition from over 100 other "heritage" lines. Mark Smith, Managing Director of the Railway, adds "The award will have been made as a result of private visits by assessors travelling incognito, and thus reflects the greatest possible credit on all those who work on the trains, keep the stations looking up together, answer the phones, and most importantly make our visitors feel welcomed and valued as a matter of daily routine. It is a great privilege to be part of the award winning team, and I can but offer my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all who have played their part in this splendid achievement." More...
Dates for your diary
22 December:- Santa Express
23 & 24 December:- Santa Steam Specials
29 December:- Winter Steam Festival
3 January:- WSRA Taunton Group, members slides and competition
25 January:- WSRA Bristol Group, "Diesels of the West Somerset Railway" - John Cronin
Regular services resume on 27 December 2004 until 2 January 2005. Train Timetables and other Services on www.wsr.org.uk has full details for the year.
Advance News...
Former Southern Railway LN Class 4-6-0 No 850 Lord Nelson will be visiting the WSR in 2005 for running-in following completion of its current overhaul. The express passenger engine, which is part of the National Collection, is nearing completion at Eastleigh Works, and will in due course haul charter trains on the main line. There are no firm plans as yet, but a period of running-in is expected on the WSR. Details from www.wsra.org.uk
The following steam hauled railtours are scheduled to visit or involve locos to/from the WSR in early 2005:-
Sat 05-Mar-05: The Exmoor Express
Paddington, Slough, Reading and Didcot to Minehead
Steam hauled by 5051 Earl Bathurst from Oxford via Reading West, Newbury,
Castle Cary, Taunton and Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.
Past Time Rail
Sat 12-Mar-05 The West Somerset Explorer
Chester to Minehead, 6024 Gloucester-Minehead. Return is diesel from Bishops Lydeard.
Pathfinder
Sat 26-Mar-05: The Mayflower
Paddington, Reading, Didcot, Bristol TM and Taunton to Plymouth
Steam hauled by 5051 Earl Bathurst (off the WSR) from Taunton to Plymouth
and return to Bristol.
Past Time Rail
Mon 29-Mar-05 (Easter Monday) Avon Branch Explorers
5029 on shuttles from Bristol TM to Portbury and Avonmouth, followed by an
evening run Bristol-Taunton with return by diesel.
5029 light Taunton to the WSR.
Pathfinder
Sat 23-Apr-05 The Eden Limited
Worcester-Par, with 5029+6024 (ex WSR) Exeter-Par-Exeter
Pathfinder
Details from www.uksteam.info/tours
It is believed that the 2005 Spring Steam Gala will see biggest collection of live working GWR engines together in preservation! The Gala is on 17-20 March with the theme "Pride of the Great Western" - more details in future editions.
Winter Steam Festival
29 December 2004 sees the second WSR WSF with 4 locos in action, 9351, 80136, 5542 and 6412, the theme is "A West Country Branch Line in Winter". There will be an intensive all steam timetable including an auto train, warm steam heated coaches through the Somerset countryside - the ideal way to recover from Christmas!
Volunteers
The line is always looking for new volunteers for just about any task you can think of, from gardener to guard via firemen, signalmen, ticket inspectors, buffet staff, station staff, p-way, S&T... The next New Volunteers Day will be held in the Spring at Bishops Lydeard Station.
You can join us at any time of year, if you would like to know more please write to: The Volunteer Co-ordinator, The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3BX, visit www.wsra.org.uk, e-mail the West Somerset Railway Association or Tel: 01823 433856. If you can't give the time but would still like to support the WSR then you can still join the association. Details from www.wsra.org.uk
Visiting Locos
The visitors at present are:
80136 BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T which is on the line for a long stay.
Resident Locos
The lines resident steam locos currently operational are:
5542 ex GW 2-6-2T small prairie
6412 ex GW 0-6-0PT the WSRA's pannier tank.
9351 WSR rebuild as a 2-6-0 mogul of 5101 class prairie tank 5193 is now an established member of the fleet and is going well.
Progress continues with the S&D 2-8-0, 53808/88 which is in the works at Minehead, the boiler has passed it's steam test and has been returned to Minehead and refitted into the frames, she is now beginning to really show the progress that has been made. Work is also progressing on 34046 Braunton at the WSRA's works at Williton.
Large prairie 4160: The overhaul is progressing well with the engine well on the way to its return to steam. At Buckfastleigh the engine has now been rewheeled with pony and radial trucks overhauled, axle boxes remetalled and driving wheels turned. Cylinders have been bored and new valve assemblies made, along with a new vacuum cylinder, and other valve gear components refurbished. The boiler at LNWR Crewe has a new front tubeplate, along with new firebox corner patches, lap inserts and foundation ring riveting etc. Overhaul cost is running close to budget so far. No predictions of a steaming date yet, but it can't be too far away (mid to late 2005 maybe ?). New livery will be BR lined green with late style crest. Details from 4160 Ltd courtesy David Randles.
7828 Odney Manor is in Minehea Works for her overhaul. Small prairie 4561 is on display in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard while she awaits her turn in Williton Works - which it is hoped will be during 2005. 7820 Dinmore Manor, ex GW Manor Class 4-6-0, is also now awaiting overhaul as her boiler ticket has expired.
Great news from the Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited people who say the Final Push in the long restoration of ex-GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 is well and truly on with a real possibility of a steaming in the Spring of 2005. A return to the West Somerset Railway is expected in April 2005. More help is needed, however, and well-wishers are invited to visit the Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited website for more details of how to help... Details from www.wsr.org.uk
Diesel Locos
The line's resident operational mainline diesel locos are:
Class 52 D1010 Western Campaigner
Class 35 Hymek D7017
Class 25 D7523 / 25 173
Class 33 D6566 / 33 048
Class 14 D9526
The other resident Hymek, D7018, is undergoing a major overhaul at Williton.
There's plenty of opportunities if you'd like to be involved with the DEPG's fleet, see their new web site at DEPG
Auto trailer 169 Project
The group who own 5542 have launched a new project, the restoration of ex GWR auto trailer 169. See their web site www.loco5542.co.uk. for further details of of this exciting development. 169 is a year older than 178 (which is back on the WSR), slightly shorter but otherwise pretty much the same. 169 has now arrived at Bishops Lydeard and will shortly be moved to Williton where restoration will commence.
Works and Stations
A five ton overhead crane was installed in the "Swindon Shed" at Williton, this will be a great improvement to the restoration capability of the works.
Work is progressing very well on the refurbishment of the canopy at Minehead station, the stripping back is now being followed by fitting replacement wood and metal work. Another part of the work on the station will be the replacement of the four missing chimneys atop the station building.
This Month's Photos...
...start with a seasonal view of resident pannier tank 6412 in the snow at Minehead in December 1976. Photo by Nick Jones
Another seasonal one, 7820 Dinmore Manor waits at Bishops Lydeard with a Santa Special - note the crews headgear!
Another view of 7820 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield with one of last years Santa Specials.
On the same day visiting small prairie 5553 was spare at Minehead with suitable "headgear" on its chimney.
This year's Santa duties at the Lydeard end of the line are in the hands of recent "new" Mogul 9351
A last seasonal view, Santa himself on the platform at Williton taking a break from the Santa Express
These photos and many more are on West Somerset Railway and West Somerset Railway on the Web..
Note: you need to be connected to the Internet to view these photos.
West Somerset Railway Association
Area Group Meetings:
Taunton Group:
In 2004, meetings will be held on the first MONDAY of the month (July & August excepted) at the usual venue the Great Western Staff Association Club (at the north east corner of Taunton station) starting at 7.45pm.
3 January:- Members' slides and competition
7 February:- "Steam in the Highlands" - Callum McLeod
7 March:- "A Journey Through Wales" - Steve Andrews
For the full programme for 2005 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details e-mail
Bristol Group:
The Bristol group meets on the last Tuesday of the month between September and April at the BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol starting at 7.30pm for 7.45pm:-
25 January 2005:- "Diesels of the West Somerset Railway" - John Cronin
22 February:- "Running a Railtour" - Richard Szwejkowski (Pathfinder Tours)
29 March:- "Steaming Around Bristol" - Maurice Dudman
For the full programme for 2005 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
Events for 2005
March 17-20:- Spring Steam Gala - the theme is "Pride of the Great Western"
May 6-8:- Spring Diesel Gala
July 2-3:- Days Out With Thomas
August 6-7:- Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally
September 17-18:- CAMRA Real Ale Festival
Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2:- Autumn Steam Gala
October 22-23:- Grand Trains Extravaganza
Further details on these and the winter events will be in future issues of West Somerset Express.
Groups on the line which would welcome support include:
West Somerset Railway Association
5542 Limited
Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
Diesel & Electric Preservation Group
Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd
4160 Limited
Friends of Minehead Station
Friends of Blue Anchor Railway Museum
West Somerset Steam Railway Trust - icoleby@tiscali.co.uk
Telephone the West Somerset Railway on 01643 704996 for contact details of these groups.
WSR Links:
West Somerset Railway - an unofficial site full of information and photos of the West Somerset
West Somerset Railway Association - the Association is the main support group on the line.
The Official West Somerset Railway Web Site - for trains times and fares etc.
West Somerset Railway, heritage steam and diesel trains - pages of photos of the WSR.
Diesel & Electric Preservation Group Ltd (DEPG) - the diesel group on the line.
The next issue is due 27 January 2005.
Š 2004 Steve Huddy. This newsletter is independent of, and is not officially supported by, the West Somerset Railway plc or any of the affiliated organisations, unless specifically mentioned in the appropriate article. All information is believed correct but neither the publisher nor the Railway can be held responsible for any errors.