West Somerset Express
The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway
Issue 50 – September 2006
Issue 42 - January 2006 Issue 43 - February 2006 Issue 44 - March 2006
Issue 45 - April 2006 WSR 30 weekend Issue 46 - May 2006
Issue 47 - June 2006 Issue 48 - July 2006 Issue 49 - August 2006
West Somerset Express homepage
This page is part of the newsletter archive, photos of the year on the line can be seen on
WSR 2006 Spring Steam Gala 2006 Autumn Steam Gala 2006 GTE 2006
The West Somerset Railway - Heritage Railway of the Year 2005
Dates for your diary
September 2 - Murder, Mystery Special from Bishops Lydeard
September 4 - WSRA Taunton Group meeting
September 16-17 - CAMRA Real Ale Festival at Minehead station
September 22 - Murder, Mystery Special from Bishops Lydeard
September 26 - WSRA Bristol Group meeting
October 1 - Steam, Cream & Carnage Special from Bishops Lydeard
October 5-8 - Autumn Steam Gala
The above special trains need to be booked in advance - see www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
For the Quantock Belle telephone 01823 433856 to check availability of seats and to make a provisional reservation.
Regular services are running every day until October, Train Timetables on www.wsr.org.uk has full details.
Autumn Steam Gala
The West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala will take place between October 5 and 8 and promises to be another excellent event, with an impressive collection of locomotives – in short, a four-day steam feast! Come and join us for what promises to be a superb weekend of steam action – a great event for all the family.
Thursday 5th will be “Branch Line Day” with appropriate motive power in action whilst Friday 6th is intended to be “Express and Freight Train Day” with two demonstration freight trains in action. Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th will be all passenger with all engines (bar one on standby) heading passenger trains.
The following locomotives are expected to be in steam and working trains at the Gala...
· GWR 4-6-0 No 6024 "King Edward I"
· GWR 2-8-0T no 4247
· GWR 2-6-2T no 5164
· GWR 0-4-2T no 1450
· SR 4-6-0 no 850 "Lord Nelson"
· LMS 4-6-0 no 45231 "The Sherwood Forester "
· GWR 2-8-0 no 3850
· SDJR 2-8-0 no 88
· WSR 2-6-0 no 9351
· BR 2-6-4T no 80136
· GWR 2-6-2T no 5553
· GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412
· Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 "Kilmersdon" and Hawthorn Leslie 0-6-0ST "Isabel" will also be in steam and giving shunting demonstrations at Washford Station.
Taunton - Bishops Lydeard Shuttles!!
First Great Western will operate regular shuttle trains on and off the Minehead Branch via Norton Fitzwarren Junction during the last two days of the Autumn Steam Gala - seven trains on Saturday 7 October 2006 and six on Sunday 8 October 2006. These will be timed to connect with mainline services at Taunton giving those travelling from longer distances the chance to simply change trains at Taunton for a train onto the Minehead branch for the first time in over 35 years! The service is provided and operated by FGW who will collect the fares.
Full details of the Gala are now available on http://www.wsr.org.uk/asg2006.htm
Seventh Real Ale Festival
The weekend of 16 and 17 September 2006 will see the annual Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival, held in partnership with the West Somerset Railway. Incredibly, this satisfying and successful event is now in its 7th year!
They plan to offer as many as 85 real ales and several ciders, many from award winning local breweries.
For more details see http://www.wsr.org.uk/camra2006.htm
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...
There are regular "New Volunteers Days" every year when prospective new recruits are invited to spend a day on the line – where they are introduced to key personnel, given a guided tour of the line and have the chance of learning more about the voluntary opportunities and what is involved.
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. There's more about volunteering on a new site, WSR Volunteers .
If you can't give the time but would still like to support the WSR why not join the association? Details from www.wsra.org.uk
Two Planned Excursions from Minehead
The following excursions from Minehead are at the planning stage:
Wednesday 11th October 2006:- Steam hauled from Minehead behind Black 5 number 45231, running via Exter, Salisbury and Fareham to the Mid-Hants Railway. Return journey will be behind a diesel locomotive. Further details and bookings from Steam Dreams on 01483 209888 or at www.steamdreams.co.uk
Saturday 18th November 2006. Steam hauled journey to London Paddington with four hours in London, travelling by way of Taunton and Reading. Outward haulage by 6024 “King Edward I” with a diesel hauled return working. Further details and bookings from Past Time Rail on 08718 714119 or at www.past-timerail.co.uk
Details from www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
“Railways Round Exmoor”
In a new initiative to increase the attractions of Exmoor three “heritage” railways are joining forces in a joint marketing and ticketing venture for 2006.
The three railways concerned are the twenty mile long West Somerset which runs from Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead, the water powered Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway which links the twin towns, and the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway which has begun to rebuild the narrow gauge line which closed in 1935 and is presently running trains from Woody Bay station towards Parracombe - they are now running as far as Killington Lane.
The tickets are priced at £16.00 for adults and senior citizens and £8 for children aged 5 to 15. (this gives some reductions over the tickets for the railways if purchased individually). They can be bought from the railway’s booking offices or in advance from West Somerset Railway (Commercial), The Railway Station, Minehead, TA24 5BG from whom leaflets giving fuller details can also be obtained. Credit card bookings can be made by ringing 01643 704996
Details from http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/
The other lines' websites are Lynton & Barnstaple Railway and http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk
Progress at Norton Fitzwarren
Negotiations are underway regarding basing a Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner train here for about two years, this would see the triangle and "Barnstaple Branch" track being supplied by Network Rail. Subject to agreements and the necessary consents work on the triangle could commence this year and be operational in 2007.
The resignalling of the junction at Norton Fitzwarren by Network Rail was completed on Friday 23 June, a slight delay in commissioning the new signals due to sighting difficulties having been resolved by fitting a screen to the footbridge to prevent "reading through" by drivers on the Up Main.
Visiting Locos
The visitors at present are:
80136 BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T which is on the line for a long stay.
5553 Pete Waterman's ex GWR 2-6-2T small prairie
30850 Lord Nelson has arrived on the West Somerset for running in and should be working during the Autumn Steam Gala. It will probably do a main line loaded test run while based at the WSR, before departing on its first railtour from Minehead to Eastleigh on Sat 21 October. Confirmation of these plans is still awaited.
Details from http://www.uksteam.info
Resident Locos
The lines resident steam locos currently operational are:
6412 ex GWR 0-6-0PT the WSRA's pannier tank
9351 WSR rebuild as a 2-6-0 mogul of GWR 5101 class prairie tank 5193.
88 ex S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 (BR No 53808) is now in regular service.
3850 ex GWR 2-8-0 is also now in regular service.
5542 ex GWR 2-6-2T small prairie has now left the line and is at the South Devon Railway for the next couple of years during which the driving wheel tyres will be replaced. Hopefully she'll be back after this.
4160: The overhaul is complete and the large prairie is now working on the South Devon Railway.
7828 Odney Manor is in Minehead Works for her overhaul, there is an appeal for funds for this, see below for more details.
Small prairie 4561 has been transported to Yeovil Pen Mill for the Pen Mill 150 event on 29 July. On return she is expected to go to Williton ready for overhaul in due course.
7820 Dinmore Manor, ex GWR Manor Class 4-6-0, is also now awaiting overhaul as her boiler ticket has expired.
34046 Braunton continues to progress, to quote a visitor to the shed "what appears to be a huge kit of parts is now coming together. Boiler work on stays, tubes and cladding is all now heading towards completion, perhaps in the next month or so, and I believe the 3 dimensional jigsaw assembly should be underway in the not too distant future".
Diesel Locos
The line's resident operational mainline diesel locos are:
Class 52 D1010 Western Campaigner - currently stopped for repairs
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.
D6575/33057 is initially a source of spares for D6566, it will be assessed to see if it can be restored in time.
There's plenty of opportunities if you'd like to be involved with the DEPG's fleet, see their 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 has recently been back on the WSR), slightly shorter but otherwise pretty much the same. Restoration work on 169 has now started in earnest at Williton.
This Month's Photos...
...focus on locos and stock coming on and off the WSR via the re-signalled connection at Norton Fitzwarren and start with some of FM Rail's Class 31 31128 taking the Green Train charter set back on to the national network after being stabled at Minehead for a few days. The first is of 31128 stabled with the stock at Minehead. Photo by Alan Grieve
Whilst on the West Somerset the 31 was assisted by resident Class 33 D6566, the pair are seen here leaving Minehead. Photo by Alan Grieve
The 33 came off at Bishops Lydeard and 31128 took the Green Train back on to the mainline at Norton Fitzwarren. Photo by Malcolm Anderson
A few days later EWS Class 66 66138 brought 850 Lord Nelson from Eastleigh to the West Somerset Railway for running in, 850 is seen here coming on to the line at Norton Fitzwarren. Photo by Malcolm Anderson
After the 66 and the wagons, which were included for brake force, were removed at Bishops Lydeard 850 Lord Nelson and support coach were taken on to Minehead behind resident Class 33 D6566, the formation is seen here ready to leave BL. Photo by Malcolm Anderson
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.
Funding Appeal for Odney Manor
The appeal to raise funds to help bring No 7828 Odney Manor back to "active steaming life" on the West Somerset Railway remains open. Cash donations are required and for subscribers, a number of benefits are available. All donations of at least £20 will receive a commemorative Odney Manor certificate; for donations of £200 and £1,000, the certificate plus two tickets for the "Odney Manor Return to Steam Celebration Train" awaits, whilst for £1,000 donations the two tickets are First Class Dining seats plus a trip round the workshops. Top treatment for donations of £10,000 who receive four First Class Dining tickets on the Celebration Train, plus a full day Steam Engineman course driving and firing Odney Manor and arrangements to visit the loco during overhaul. For full details and conditions, look out for the leaflet or ring 01643 704996 for more details.
West Somerset Railway Association
Area Group Meetings:
Taunton Group:
In 2006 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.
September 4:- "Medium Format Medley" with Malcolm Ranieri
October 2:- "Main Line Steam" - Preserved Steam On Video
November 6:- "Broad Gauge Journey: Part 1" with Brian Arman
For the full programme for 2006 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 May at the BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol starting at 7.30pm for 7.45pm:-
September 26:- "TRIP - The GWR Swindon Works Annual Holiday" - Rosa Matheson
October 31:- "SS Great Britain" - Tony Dickens
November 28:- "The Brunel Legacy" with Keith Hickman
For the full programme for 2006 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
Events for 2006
16-17 September - CAMRA Real Ale Festival at Minehead station
5-8 October - Autumn Steam Gala.
21-22 October - Grand Trains Extravaganza
1-2 December - Dunster by Candlelight
30 December - Winter Steam Festival
Further details on these 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.
UKsteam.info has sections on the WSR and on mainline steam railtours
WestSomersetRailway Yahoo! group for discussion and chat about the WSR
WSR Volunteers - a new site with lots of info for those thinking of volunteering
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 September 2006.
© 2006 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.