West Somerset Express
Update 3 – September 2003
West Somerset Express homepage
This page is part of the newsletter archive, photos of the year on the line can be seen on
WSR 2003 Spring Steam Gala 2003 Autumn Gala 2003 Cross Country Weekend
WSR Rally 2003 Teddy Bear's Picnic Great Trains
A quick update to remind you of forthcoming events on the West Somerset Railway:
Saturday 20th September - additional Diesel Running Day
Our Class 52 "Western" No D1010 "Western Campaigner" will haul an additional public service train which consists of a longer than the usual WSR 7 coach Mk 1 set to give our Flagship locomotive a decent load to tax her two magnificent Maybach engines on the major climbs to Crowcombe and Washford. The timings are as follows:
| Bishops Lydeard | dep | 11.35 | 14.50 |
| Minehead | arr | 12.46 | 16.24 |
| Minehead | dep | 13.05 | 16.45 |
| Bishops Lydeard | arr | 14.38 | 17.51 |
Sunday 21 September Hymek D7017 and Crompton D6566 will be out on the line in connection with the DEPG's 30th. Anniversary celebrations.
To whet your appetites, a photo of D1010 Western Campaigner powering away from Bishops Lydeard.
Details from the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group - http://www.freewebs.com/depg
Sunday 28 September
Steam Open Day - WASHFORD STATION
10 am to 5 pm
Somerset Colliery locomotive 0-4-0 Kilmersdon in steam
(Shunting displays every hour on the hour)
BR(WR) 7820 4-6-0 Dinmore Manor on display in light steam
Somerset narrow gauge peat works engine and truck operating
Museum, signalbox and sheds open
Special one-day sale of railway books videos and other items
all with 20% (or more!) off marked prices
Large prairie 4160 arriving at Washford.
Details from:-
The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust Registered Charity 265098 The Railway
Station Washford Watchet Somerset TA23 0PP http://www.sdrt.org.uk
Autumn Steam Gala
3-5 October 2003
One of the major events of the British heritage railway scene, visiting locos will include small prairie 5553 and, from the East Somerset Railway, ex GWR 0-6-2T 5637. Auto-trailer No. 178 will be visiting and there will be full auto-working with both 6412 - which has returned for the event - and 5542 during the weekend. There will be an intensive timetable operated by the line's resident and visiting steam locos - at least 8 will be in steam - further details and timetables on www.wsr.org.uk .
Next Years Events
The advance details of the events for 2004 are now available at Stop Press.
There are, of course, still more to come in 2003. Besides those listed above there is the Great Trains Extravaganza on 25-26 October, Santa Specials, Carol Trains, Dunster by Candlelight and the Winter Steam Festival on 28 December.
West Somerset Railway Association
Area Group Meetings:
Taunton Group:
In 2003, 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.
6 October: "Main Line Steam" - a PSOV video presentation.
3 November: "The Right Kind of Snow" - Terry Nichols
For the full programme for 2003 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:-
30 September: Alan Drewett will give a talk "Railways around Gloucester"
30 October: “The Man who Loves Giants” - David Sheppard
This is a TICKET ONLY event – please email us for details. [Please note this is a THURSDAY evening, and not a Tuesday as normal]
25 November: “Trevithick and the Pen-y-Darren Locomotive”
2004 marks the 200th Anniversary of the building of what is arguably the first steam railway locomotive in the world. Trevithick was the man and Pen-y-Darren in South Wales the place where it all began. Merthyr Council is planning a series of celebrations to mark this momentous occasion. The talk will chronicle Trevithick’s success and give a flavour of the festivities to come.
For the full programme for 2003 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
WSR Screensaver
There is a screensaver of views of the Spring Steam Gala available for free download from www.wsr.org.uk. Others are available on CD-ROM from the WSRA's shop at Bishops Lydeard station price £4.99.
Ever thought about helping us out?
The Railway survives on the goodwill of hundreds of volunteers who give up their time to help out in all manner of tasks, some operational, some not.
There is a New Volunteers Day at Bishops Lydeard on 12 October at 11.00.
There are many different jobs for volunteers on the line, 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, e-mail the West Somerset Railway Association or call at Bishops Lydeard station.
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 main diesel group on the line
The next full issue is due 27 September 2003.
© 2003 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.