West Somerset Express

The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway

Issue 54 – January 2007

Issue 50 - September 2006  Issue 51 - October 2006  Issue 52 - November 2006

Issue 53 - December 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 2007  Spring Steam Gala 2007  Mixed Traffic Weekend  Autumn Steam Gala 2007

 

 

Ian Allan Publishing Heritage Railway of the Year 2006

 

Dates for your diary

December 30 2006 - Winter Steam Festival

January 8 2007 - WSRA Taunton Area Group meeting

January 30 - WSRA Bristol Group meeting

 

Regular services run 27 December 2006 to 2 January 2007, with the Winter Steam Festival on 30 December.  Services resume with the February half term services between Minehead and Williton Train Timetables on www.wsr.org.uk has full details.

 

Winter Steam Festival

This years event is on Saturday 30 December, the highlights are:

· 100% steam
· Four engines in action and working trains
· Great Western auto train – GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 and Auto trailer no 178
· Intensive timetable, with trains crossing at Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton and Blue Anchor
· Nice steam-heated trains – a warm and comfortable way of seeing the West Somerset countryside
· Heritage goods train
· Bar/buffet car facilities on most trains
· Day Rover Tickets available – cheaper if booked in advance
· Museums open at Bishops Lydeard and Washford.
· Taunton Model Railway Group base open at Bishops Lydeard
· Shops open, selling a wide range of gifts and souvenirs
· Free parking at Bishops Lydeard
· Lots of photographic opportunities
· Special souvenir programme
· A great day out for families and enthusiasts alike
All the above highlights are believed correct, listed in good faith and subject to availability.

Further details on Winter Steam Festival

 

Two Awards for the West Somerset Railway

The West Somerset Railway scoops two more prestigous awards. At the ceremony held in the Merchant Taylors' Hall in London on 6 December 2006, Chris Green, chairman of the Railway Forum, presented the "Ian Allan Publishing Heritage Railway of the Year Award" to the West Somerset Railway, which was described as "a railway that caters for all tastes with its friendly, helpful and enthusiastic approach". Then, the Railway picked up its second prize of the day - the Westinghouse Signalling Award - for the signalling installation at Bishops Lydeard. Full story...
 

Details from www.wsr.org.uk

 

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

 

“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) to 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

 

West Somerset Railway plc website

The company's website at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk has recently been completely redesigned and is continuing to develop, why not pay it a visit?

 

New web-cam on www.wsr.org.uk

There is now a streaming webcam on the line's unofficial web site, if you can't get to the Winter Steam Festival then you can still see the action at Bishops Lydeard!

 

Progress at Norton Fitzwarren

Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner trains have made the first two trial deliveries of spent ballast, regular workings should commence in January.  It is hoped that the triangle will be available for use in 2008 which will enable both our own locos and those off incoming railtours to be turned.

 

Full details of the WSRA's press release can be seen on www.wsra.org.uk

 

Turntable for Minehead

Planning permission for the development of the market site including the installation of a turntable, next to Minehead Station, has been granted.  The next step now is to get the necessary funding in place to enable work to start!

 

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 is on the West Somerset for running in and was working during the Autumn Steam Gala and the Grand Trains Extravaganza.  "Nellie" is currently away from the WSR having equipment needed for mainline working fitted but should be returning, though not in time for the Winter Steam Festival unfortunately.

 

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)

3850 ex GWR 2-8-0.

 

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 in between a "tour" of other lines.  It is hoped she will return to the WSR after a visit to the Bluebell Railway ends in February 2007, the final details of her return are currently in progress.

 

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 returned to the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard after her trip to Yeovil Pen Mill for the Pen Mill 150 event in July.

 

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, details as always are sketchy as the team are too busy working on her to give out news but she really is starting to come together now.

 

The tender from 35027 Port Line recently arrived on the West Somerset for use behind Braunton while her tender is completed.

 

Diesel Locos

The line's resident operational mainline diesel locos are:

Class 52 D1010 Western Campaigner - currently stopped for repairs

Class 35 Hymek D7017 - also stopped for repairs

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 due course and has recently been moved to Williton.

There's plenty of opportunities if you'd like to be involved with the DEPG's fleet, see their web site at DEPG which has regular updates of the status of the fleet.

 

The resident fleet will be increased from 1 May 2007 when Porterbrook will be handing over 47840 (D1661) North Star to the DEPG for preservation when its present lease to Cotswold Rail ends.

 

DMUs

The DMU turns on the West Somerset are currently being covered by the Class 117 unit with cars 51352, 59506 and 51376, the other three Class 117 TCLs are used as hauled stock at peak times.  Of the Class 115 stock DMBS 51880 is undergoing a major overhaul, DMBS 51859 and TCL 59678 are awaiting overhaul but available for use as required, 51852 and 51887 are out of service.

 

The Class 117 unit belongs to the Territorial Army and they have indicated that they want to move it to a more convenient - for them - location early in 2007.

 

Heritage Carriages Project

The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust have just announced an exciting project to:-

 

To find out more, including how to support the project, visit the Trust's site at www.wssrt.co.uk

 

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...

...are of the line's regular steam locos over the past year starting with S&D 2-8-0 No. 88 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield with a 9 coach special marking the 40th. anniversary of the closure of the Somerset & Dorset.

88 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield

 

Next the other 2-8-0, GWR 3850, running round at Bishops Lydeard while pannier tank 6412 waits to come off shed.

3850 running round

 

Getting smaller, 4575 Class 2-6-2T 5553 waiting at Minehead with the "Quantock Belle" dining train on a September Sunday.

5553 with the Quantock Belle

 

The smallest of the West Somerset's steam locos in 64xx pannier 6412 seen here also on "Quantock Belle" duties at Minehead.

6412 at Minehead

 

Next numerically is 9351 seen here at Bishops Lydeard with a headboard marking Isambard Kingdom Brunel's 200th anniversary.

9351 at Bishops Lydeard

 

Last numerically is BR Standard 4 2-6-4T 80136 waiting for 6412 to come off shed before going on shed herself.

80136 waits to go on shed at Minehead

 

 

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 2007 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.

 

January 8 - Members' slides and photographic competition

February 5 - "British Vintage Steam and GW150" - cine films from Terry Nicholls

March 5 - "Steam Recreations: roving the UK" with Don Bishop

 

For the full programme for 2007 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details e-mail

peter.darke@virgin.net .

 

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:-

 

January 30:- "Paraguayan Railways documentary" with Nick Regan

February 27:- "WSR - The Early Years" with Nick Jones

March 27 - "Isle of Wight Railways" with Brian Ward-Ellison

 

For the full programme for 2007 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.

 

Events for 2006

30 December - Winter Steam Festival

 

Events for 2007

17, 18 & 22 to 25 March - Spring Steam Gala

15 - 17 June - Mixed Traffic Weekend ****CORRECTED DATE****

7 & 8 July - "Days Out With Thomas"

4 & 5 August - Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally

5 August - Toy & Model Fair at Minehead

15 & 16 September - Real Ale Festival

4 - 7 October - Autumn Steam Gala

27 & 28 October - Grand Trains Extravaganza

7 & 8 December - Dunster by Candlelight

29 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
 

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.

West Somerset Express Archive

wizzer.me.uk is a new site about the West Somerset Railway by a fellow volunteer, Jon Tooke.

 

The next issue is due 27 January 2007.

 

 

 

 

© 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.