WSR 2004

07-05-2017

 Home
Section home
Volunteers
Spring Steam Gala 2013
Spring Steam Gala 2012
Spring Steam Gala 2009
Spring Steam Gala 2008
Spring Steam Gala 2007
Spring Steam Gala 2006
Spring Steam Gala 2005
Spring Steam Gala 2004
Spring Steam Gala 2003
Spring Steam Gala 2002
Cross Country Weekend
Diesel Days
Thomas weekend
Mixed Traction 2012
WSR 2017
WSR 2014-2015
WSR 2013
WSR 2012
WSR 2010 - 2011
WSR 2009
WSR 2008
WSR 2007
WSR 2006
WSR 2005
WSR 2004
WSR 2003
WSR Locos
Royal Visit
Along the Line
Teddy Bear's Picnic
WSR Summer 2002
6024 Arrives
Autumn Steam Gala
CAMRA 2002
WSR oddities
1960's Weekend
Diesel and Electric Group
Older WSR photos

Click on the thumbnail to see the full size photo in a new browser window.

Special events have their own pages, starting with the Spring Steam Gala 2004, followed by Diesel Gala 04 and Autumn Steam Gala 04.  There are brief technical details of these locos on WSR Locos.

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

February

6412 passing Williton Diesel DepotThe season started in February with services between Minehead and Williton, on 15 February they were worked by the WSRA's ex GWR 0-6-0PT 6412 seen here running round at Williton passing the DEPG's depot with D9526, D6566 and the two Hymeks visible.

 

6412 running round at Williton

Another view of 6412 running round, this time with the WSRA's workshop in the background with the Lynton & Barnstaple's diesel loco, a steam roller and West Country Braunton's smokebox on view.

 

6412 couples up at Williton

A last view of 6412 at Williton, by now coupled to her train ready to return to Minehead.

 

 

Progress with the bay loop crossover at Minehead

One of the main developments on the line over the 2004 "shut down" is the installation of a crossover in the bay platform at Minehead to enable locos to run round thus saving shunt release movements.  Here the S&T gang are installing bases for the ground frame and rodding etc.

 

Groundframe in place for the bay loop

Latter in the afternoon the ground frame had been put in place.

 

March

Visiting J15 65462 in Bishops Lydeard loco

On 13 March J15 0-6-0 65462, the first of the visitors for the Spring Steam Gala to arrive on the line, was raising steam in the loco compound at Bishops Lydeard.

 

65462 at Bishops Lydeard loco

Another view of the ex GER J15 being prepared at Bishops Lydeard.

 

 

J15 65462 takes water

Once she had steam up 65462 moved over to the tower to take water.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

 

Small prairie 5542 shunting at Bishops Lydeard

Meanwhile resident small prairie 5542 was doing some shunting as part of a training session in the sidings at Bishops Lydeard.

 

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

The new booking office at Bishops Lydeard

It was also the first day of use for the new booking office at Bishops Lydeard, seen here being inspected by one of the first passengers to buy a ticket from it.

 

Waiting for the signal

Class 14 "Teddy Bear" D9526 waiting for the signal outside Bishops Lydeard Station whilst bringing auto trailer 178 up ECS from Williton. Photo by Jon Tooke

 

D9526 and auto trailer 178 arriving at Bishops Lydeard

D9526 and auto trailer arriving at Bishops Lydeard

D9526 and auto trailer 178 arriving at Bishops Lydeard

Three more views of Class 14 diesel D9526 arriving at Bishops Lydeard with autotrailer 178 ECS ready for a charter the next day.

 

 

6412 arriving at Bishops Lydeard

The next up train was hauled by the WSRA's pannier 6412 seen here arriving at Bishops Lydeard.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

 

D9526 arriving at Williton

Later in the day D9526 returned light engine to the DEPG's depot at Williton.

 

 

D3462 en route to Bishops Lydeard

Later on again Class 08 D3462, fresh from overhaul at Williton by the DEPG went up to Bishops Lydeard.  It is seen here waiting the road from Williton.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

Pannier 6412 and J15 65462 with a down train at Crowcombe

Moving up the bank to Crowcombe Heathfield resident pannier 6412 was double heading the visiting J15 65462 on the last down train of the day.

 

 

5542 crossing Class 117 DMU at Bishops Lydeard

Next morning, 14 March, 5542 was working a charter with the autotrailer, the pair are seen arriving back at Bishops Lydeard from a photo session at Crowcombe Heathfield and crossing the DMU which was waiting to work the first service of the day to Minehead.

 

6412 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield

The charter had been to Norton Fitzwarren twice in pouring rain before getting back to Crowcombe Heathfield where it crossed with 6412 working the 10.15 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard.

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

6412 arriving at Crowcombe

A second view of 6412 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield.

 

65462 at Minehead

Moving on to Minehead, Ex GER J15 0-6-0 65462 is seen on Minehead shed.  Viewed from this side you can see her air brake pump, she is dual brake fitted.

 

65462 and 80136 at Minehead

Another view of 65462 with BR Standard 4 tank 80136 also in shot.

 

5542 ar Stogumber

5542 at Stogumber

Four views of the charter with 5542 doing a run past at Stogumber.  The owners of 5542 have launched a restoration project to restore similar auto trailer No. 169 - see www.5542.co.uk for details.

 

5542 at Stogumber

5542 at Stogumber

In the near left photo the fireman is trying to get someone with a camcorder to move clear, as he didn't the train had to stop - if you are taking photos or videos on a railway please remember to keep clear of the line!

 

65462 arriving at Crowcombe

The following weekend saw 65462 working a Steam Engineman Charter, seen here arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield.

 

65462 arriving at Crowcombe

Another view of the visiting J15, about to exchange single line staffs at Crowcombe.

 

Moving on another week it was the Spring Steam Gala which has its own page.

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

April

Visiting Sentinel lorry at Bishops Lydeard

A fortnight later a rather different visitor at Bishops Lydeard was this Sentinel S6 steam lorry.  There are some more photos of it on Roadsteam.

 

37047 and 37057 at Williton

A through special from Milton Keynes seen at Williton on 17 April hauled by EWS's 37047 and 37057.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

37047 and 37057 at Minehead

The pair waiting for the return run at Minehead.

 

80136 passes the 37's

80136 comes past the 37's on her way from the loco to her train in the bay platform.

 

 

37057 and 37047 at Minehead

The 37's still waiting as 80136 disappears on her way to Bishops Lydeard.

 

 

The 37's at Williton on the way back

The pair are on their way home, seen again at Williton by Jon Tooke.

 

 

The 37's arriving at Bishops Lydeard

Here they are again arriving at Bishops Lydeard.

 

 

The 37's pass D3462 at Bishops Lydeard

Underway again they are seen passing resident 08 shunter D3462, whose paint is in somewhat better than the EWS pairs.

 

37057 passes 80136 at Bishops Lydeard

A contrast in front ends, 37057 and BR Std 4 tank 80136 at the south end of Bishops Lydeard station.

 

 

37's on the way home

A last view of the pair on their way back to the main line.

 

 

Tail end

The tail end of their train, 37047 is just visible beyond the stabled DMU and the houses of the new village of Cotford St. Luke are visible over the top of the train.

 

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

May

Spring Diesel Gala

The first diesel gala on the WSR since 1999 was held on May 7 to 9 2004, a great event with plenty of unusual pairings of visiting locos from rival Freight Operating Companies and a triple heading of Class 33 Cromptons.

 

For the rest of May and during June I haven't been taking photos on the WSR as I've just passed out as a guard and I've been too busy with my new duties to take any photos, however events on the line have been recorded on www.wsr.org.uk and I'll soon be adding more on here.

June

7820 and 37203 at Bishops Lydeard

On the evening of 26 June 04 7820 Dinmore Manor waits in Up Sidings while EWS' 37203 waits on the Norton Road ready to take over an returning through train to Alton.

 

5542 and 6412 bring the Green Train into Bishops Lydeard

The train 37203 was waiting for was formed of the MHR's Green Train, it arrived from Minehead behind resident locos 5542 and 6412.  It had arrived behind 73096 which came of at Lydeard and went to Westbury to turn earlier in the day.

 

5542 and 6412 are parted at Bishops Lydeard

5542 came off first, she was going back to Minehead light engine later.

 

6412 at Bishops Lydeard

6412 then came off prior to going to shed.

 

 

6412, 5542 and 37203 at Bsihops Lydeard

As 6412 headed for the loco, 5542 was stood at the water tower and 37203 was still waiting to come on to the train.

 

37203 passes 5542

37203 comes back on to the Green Train while 5542 was taking water.

 

 

37203 ready for the off

37203 attached and ready to leave for Westbury where it was going to be replaced by 73096 for the rest of the journey back to Alton.

 

5542 and 37203

37203 leaving while 5542 continues to wait patiently to start her run back to Minehead.

 

 

37203 getting underway

A final view of 37203, in Mainline livery and complete with snow ploughs which hardly seem needed in June!

 

5542 and D7017 at Bishops Lydeard

5542 had got as far as the north end of Bishops Lydeard station when D7017 arrived with the next Up train, the Quantock Belle dining train which was working a shareholders special for the WSR plc's AGM.

 

D7017 with the Quantock Belle

A last view of the day, Hymek D7017 and the Quantock Belle runs into Bishops Lydeard.

 

 

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

August

4936 at Minehead

4936 Kinlet Hall arrived back on the line in late July for a stay until September, she is seen here gleaming in the sunshine at Minehead on the 1st. of August.

 

7820 and 5542 on Minehead loco

In the background of the above photo, seen better here, are 7820 Dinmore Manor which is now stopped for overhaul and small prairie 5542 which was being coaled before returning her train to Bishops Lydeard.

 

4936 Kinlet Hall

A closer view of Kinlet's immaculate paintwork in the bright August sun.

 

4936 Kinlet Hall

Gleaming name and number plates, brass safety valve cover... Truly a product of "God's Wonderful Railway"!

 

September

Visiting Prarie 5199 on the Quantock Belle

Ex GWR large prairie 5199 visiting for the Autumn Steam Gala was working the Quantock Belle dining train the previous weekend, she is seen here waiting departure from Bishops Lydeard.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

5199 at Williton

Another view of her the next day at Williton working the 14.10 from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.

 

 

9351 at Minehead

The big event of the month, the completion of the restoration/rebuild of large prairie 5193 into small mogul 9351, she is seen here outside the works at Minehead in the company of 5542 and 80136.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

9351 at Minehead

Another view of her, a few details to finish off - and that splasher looks ready to receive a nameplate!  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

92214 at Bishops Lydeard

Another Gala visitor which arrived in good time was 9F 2-10-0 92214, seen here in the loco compound at Bishops Lydeard.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

92214 at Williton with S&D 150 special

Earlier she had worked a special for the S&DJR Trust commemorating the 150th. anniversary of the opening of the Somerset Central, which later merged with the Dorset Central to form the Somerset & Dorset.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

October

HST at Minehead

In late September this HST, formerly with Virgin Cross Country then on Midland Mainline's Project Rio services, arrived for storage on behalf of its new owners, First Great Western.  It was a strange visitor to have during a steam gala!

 

Cityof Aberdeen HST nameplate

The Taunton end power car is 43155 City of Aberdeen, with its new owners I'm not sure whether it will ever visit the Granite City again!

 

Loose couplings

An oddity, I spotted these loose coupled wagons during shunting demonstrations at Washford.  It seems amazing now to think that this much slack existed between every wagon of a traditional goods train.

 

9351 at the Autumn Steam Gala

The month started with the Autumn Steam Gala, this view is of newly completed small boiler mogul 9351 arriving at Minehead.  We had to wait a while for her debut but she ran very well all weekend, full marks to the team that rebuilt her.

 

The Three Brakes at Minehead

The following Saturday was somewhat quieter - only 4 trains working! - my eye was caught by this line up of goods brake vans at Minehead.

 

A train of brake vans

Shortly after Class 03 diesel shunter D2133 ran down the loop with them.

 

80136 at Washford

The next day BR Std. tank 80136 unusually went to Washford and is seen here sat in the yard there.

 

 

HST power car 43093 at Minehead

On Friday 15 Oct. an additional HST power car, 43093, arrived at Minehead for storage along with the set seen above on Sat. 16 Oct.

 

End of a unit

At the other end of the line Class 115 DMU power car 51663 was having its body removed as being beyond repair.  The underframe is to be used for other purposes.

 

Hastings DEMU 1001 at Bishops Lydeard

A preserved Hastings Line DEMU visited the line on 16 Oct. working a special from Hastings.  This view is of power car S60000 at the Taunton end of the set seen from one of the WSR's trains in the sidings.

 

 

 

Hastings DEMU at Bishops Lydeard

At the other end was power car S60116 Tunbridge Wells, the 7 car set included 3 power cars the third was "inside" S60000.  They are known as Thumpers, the guard who brought it from Westbury said he'd found out why after listening to the engine the other side of a thin partition!

 

 

 

Hastings DEMU set 1001 at Lydeard

After I'd got my my train out of the way a rather better view became possible, must be the first visit of a Thumper to West Somerset.

 

Thumper unit 1001 leaving Bishops Lydeard for Hastings

Later in the day I was back in time to catch the unit leaving the West Somerset for the trip back to Hastings.

 

The Thumper departs for Hastings

A last view of the Thumper, a "quiet" late season day which had besides this visitor seen 4 steam turns and the resident DMU.

 

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

November/December

9351 on Santa duties at Crowcombe Heathfield

9351 has been working the Bishops Lydeard - Crowcombe Santa Specials this winter, she is seen here at Crowcombe Heathfield waiting while the children visit Santa.

 

9351 on Santa duties at Crowcombe Heathfield

Another view of her, for the kids it's a chance to have good look at a steam engine while the others see Santa.

 

D6566 on banking duties at Crowcombe

For the first two trips at least the trains are top and tailed in case of difficult rail conditions, this is Class 33 "Crompton" D6566 on the rear after banking the train up from Lydeard.

 

9351 on Santa duties

On this occasion, 28 Nov., the diesel wasn't needed for the last two trips so 9351 had run round in this view.

 

9351 at Bishops Lydeard on santa duties

A fortnight later 9351 was again on Santa duties, this time she was caught by Jon Tooke at Bishops Lydeard awaiting departure.  In the background is 5542 with the stock for the Santa Express to Williton.  Photo by Jon Tooke.

 

D3462 and D6566 in Bishops Lydeard Up Sidings

Meanwhile Class 08 D3462 and class 33 D6566 were stood in Up Sidings awaiting their next duties.  In the left background, under a sheet, is Autotrailer 169 which will soon move to Williton for restoration to commence.  Photo by Jon Tooke.

5542 with the Santa Express at Williton

A little later 5542 had got to Williton and run round.  On these trains the children see Santa on the train while on the move.  Photo by Jon Tooke.

 

Santa at Williton

Santa took advantage of the break at Williton to take a walk on the platform before the return run to Bishops Lydeard.  Photo by Jon Tooke.

 

 

 

D7523 recently repainted at Williton

In the DEPG workshop at Williton Class 25 D7523 is undergoing a bodywork overhaul and repaint, she is seen here gleaming under the lights.  Photo by Jon Tooke.

 

 

 

Rick Wakeman at the controls of 80136

Also at Williton, Rick Wakeman was at the controls of Standard 4 Tank 80136 on a Driver Training Course.  You don't have to be a rock star to go on one of these, see www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk for details - perhaps you could ask Santa to book you on one next year!  Photo by Jon Tooke.

 

 

February  March  April  May  June  August  September  October  November/December

Visit our Travel Centre for train, tunnel and ferry times and tickets.

 

 

 

Home Section home Volunteers Spring Steam Gala 2013 Spring Steam Gala 2012 Spring Steam Gala 2009 Spring Steam Gala 2008 Spring Steam Gala 2007 Spring Steam Gala 2006 Spring Steam Gala 2005 Spring Steam Gala 2004 Spring Steam Gala 2003 Spring Steam Gala 2002 Cross Country Weekend Diesel Days Thomas weekend Mixed Traction 2012 WSR 2017 WSR 2014-2015 WSR 2013 WSR 2012 WSR 2010 - 2011 WSR 2009 WSR 2008 WSR 2007 WSR 2006 WSR 2005 [ WSR 2004 ] WSR 2003 WSR Locos Royal Visit Along the Line Teddy Bear's Picnic WSR Summer 2002 6024 Arrives Autumn Steam Gala CAMRA 2002 WSR oddities 1960's Weekend Diesel and Electric Group Older WSR photos

This site was last updated 13-08-2012

Photos not otherwise credited are ©2001-2004 S G J Huddy.  Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.