WSRA - West Somerset Railway Association

» Lots more news about the Railway can be found at » the official WSR website and also at » www.wsr.org.uk

The 2010 Spring Draw was held at the Annual General Meeting on 10 July 2010 at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall. The ten winning tickets were drawn by Ray Waldron, West Somerset Restoration works manager. It was a great pleasure to find that winner of the first prize, Mr Faulconbridge, had attended the AGM and was present in the Hall. Spring Draw ticket sales totalled £5872.31 and all profit from the draw will be put towards the restoration of 4561. If for any reason we can’t restore 4561, or there are surplus funds left over following the restoration of 4561, we will use the money to restore, preserve and display other artefacts which enhance the heritage of the West Somerset Railway.

The Association thanks everyone who bought draw tickets and the many who topped up with extra donations.

West Somerset Railway Association Spring Draw 2010
Position	Prize	Name	Ticket No	Town
First	£456.10	Mr T Faulconbridge	17493	Bideford
Second	2xQB tickets	Mr R Moyes	18001	Farnborough
Third	£45.61	C Truscott	11168	Plymton
Third	£45.61	Mr P Heaton	19765	Tavistock
Third	£45.61	Mrs B Sumbler	19537	Penzance
Third	£45.61	Mr B Rich	00653	Leek
Third	£45.61	Mrs E Dent	11604	Wiveliscombe
Third	£45.61	Mr B Parkin	21873	Bristol
Third	£45.61	Mr C Young	14238	Biggleswade
Third	£45.61	Mr N Grenter	2121	Glastonbury

Plans are afoot for a Turn-of-the-Year Draw to help lift the winter gloom but meanwhile, still selling on the trains (more sellers needed) and also on offer at the Steam Fayre (even more sellers needed) are tickets for the Summer Draw to be drawn on August Bank Holiday Monday at Bishops Lydeard station with proceeds once again to 4561.

Posted: 27 July 2010

A Quantock Belle consultation session will be held on Saturday 31 July 2010 at the Gauge Museum, Bishops Lydeard at 5pm.

Items for discussion...

Meeting the 2011 Covenant
Making 2011 and beyond growth years for catering
Maintenance and improvement of the QB set
Recruiting and training volunteers

If you would like to attend, please contact Susan Kaufman, 01823 431311, manager@wsra.org.uk

Posted: 20 July 2010

David Holmes, WSRA Chairman, explains "Barnstaple Junction has been chosen as the name for a new lead on the West Somerset Railway giving access to the triangle which is planned for completion in the new year. The name , chosen by Association members in an on line vote, reflects the placement of the new lead which diverges from the existing Minehead branch along the truncated formation of the old line to Barnstaple which now forms one side of the new triangle. The junction formed by a single new lead will eventually be operated using a groundframe locked by the Bishops Lydeard to Norton token.

Background information, more photos and a location map can be found at the » Norton Fitzwarren Project page and also at » www.wsr.org.uk/norton.htm and » www.wsr.org.uk/nortonmap.htm

The new lead which is 46 metres long overall has been made for us by Eastleigh Switch & Crossing ( » www.eastleighsandc.co.uk ) using a mixture of recovered and new components. It has been manufactured from 113lb flat bottom rail matching the Network Rail connection and the new triangle - the branch itself becomes bullhead rail at this location. After trial assembly and acceptance at their works it was match marked, dismantled and delivered to the Norton site by road in component parts on Wednesday July 7th. Once offloaded it was taken to site using the WSR PLC road railer and trailer.

The original intention had been to assemble the components into sections over two or three weekends and then lift the larger assemblies into place in a repeat operation of the point installation carried out between the East and West chords in February. However when a convenient window in the HOBC programme opened to give four consecutive days without services the temptation proved too much and in a combined PLC/West Somerset Railway Association operation the P.Way teams set to work.

The branch was severed on Thursday July 8th and the first panel of track lifted out before the trackbed was levelled. The new switch section was the first to go in on Friday 8th followed by the removal of a further panel of track and installation of sleepers for the crossing and nose on the Saturday. A big gang on Sunday helped complete the basic ironwork installation. Final packing and adjustment completed the job once the closure rails were cut and fitted at either end of the new installation. The branch was handed back after inspection on Monday July 12th in time for the first train which is due just a week after the components were delivered by road. The branch was handed back after inspection on Tuesday in time for the first train which came in the form of Network Rail's Ultrasonic Test Train. Once again sterling work by our combined P.Way teams.

For the moment the lead will be clamped and locked out of use but a token operated ground frame is nearing completion and will be installed at the first available opportunity. A second lead will now be installed and interlocked to act as a catch point to protect the new lead from conflicting movement from the triangle. As a token operated ground frame and the first piece of infrastructure beyond Network Rail metals the location needed a name and hence the selection of 'Barnstaple Junction'. The existing token operated access installed in 2006 at the Bishops Lydeard end of the triangle and already named Allerford Junction will remain in use and with a third junction which has already gained the name of Orchard Junction will be the only points on the site to gain official names.

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE SITE OF THE NEW JUNCTION AT PRESENT AND WSR LINESIDE PASSES ARE NOT VALID ON OR NEAR NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE.

Thank You"

Posted: 14 July 2010

It is customary for the Chairman to give a report into the past year, in this case 2009, but there is much detail in the Committee of Management report already before you and Susan will shortly give you more information than you can possibly absorb on our financial performance so I would like to be brief in my resume of 2009 and then take ten minutes of your time to look forward.

First I would like to thank you, the membership and volunteers without whom there would be no West Somerset Railway. Your support whether it be financial through subscriptions and donations, through the costs associated with simply coming here (which are not inconsiderable) or the time, effort and attention you give to the job and to our passengers is far greater than the sum of its parts alone. In financial terms membership and donations income to the WSRA has held up in a year of financial uncertainty and the praise of our passengers and commercial customers is always warm and genuine. For all of this thank you from the Trustees of the WSRA and the Board of the PLC.

There are many volunteer groups on the railway but I’m now going to single out one group for a mention and that is RAMS. In so doing I am not ungrateful for or unaware of the considerable efforts put in by our other volunteer groups but despite the extremely large and obstructive presence of a substantial building in Brunel House throughout last winter I omitted to include RAMS in the Committee of Management report – an oversight for which I should perhaps be shot but under the M&A as it stands can but apologise to John and his team. However if senility is affecting me it is certainly not affecting RAMS and if you have not been to Crowcombe to see the new ticket office or Stogumber to see progress on the waiting room for yourself then you should go as they are a testament to the ability and achievement of this largely unseen and obviously un-mentioned team of volunteers.

On occasions I hear people mutter about the lack of co-operation and co-ordination between the WSRA and the PLC. Then I look around and see a unified S&T gang, staff and volunteers working alongside each other in the P.Way gang, in catering and on trains, costs for tampers and equipment shared, a PLC Conductor Driver bringing in an HOBC for the WSRA, Williton and Minehead sheds sharing tools and knowledge. I am re-assured that where it matters the two organizations co-exist very well and the PLC’s need to run a vibrant commercial railway and our ability to draw in volunteers, funds and other support makes this a very successful synergistic relationship.

Returning more specifically to 2009, it should have been a tough year with the economic climate in apparent melt down and many of our volunteers and passengers alike suffering reduced incomes. However as Susan will shortly tell you we have actually bucked the trend and had a reasonable year and trading income started to rise after a less than sparkling performance in 2008. We could spend the rest of the afternoon speculating why this should have been but we were obviously lifted by the spring visit of Tornado, our passengers seemed to come and spend despite the gathering gloom and the welcome was warm. 2010 will be different – the welcome will be just as warm, but Tornado has worries of its own and will not be with us and our passengers definitely have less income to spend. We should therefore be thankful for the good results we have had but remain cautious about loosening the reins on spend or our attention on the need for income.

Last year we spoke about the reluctance of volunteers to come forward for the Treasurer post but that we planned to introduce a Financial Manager to strengthen our team. In preparing the accounts for 2009 we had the advantage of that new Financial Manager who set to the task with our Auditors with a commendable devotion and level of accuracy and detail. I can positively confirm that this has been the most detailed, extensive and exacting audit we have performed. During the year we altered and expanded the Chart of Accounts in order that going forward we may better track and account for income and expenditure. Whilst that will yield benefits in 2010 and beyond it has complicated matters for this year’s audit as we now have to compare first half apples with second half pears but the results for the future will be worth the effort and heartache.

One of the things we have done is to wind up the Braunton fund. This system was put in hand many years ago to fund the restoration of Braunton by a third party and in simple terms expenditure on the engine was balanced by drawing down a fund topped up as required by the benefactor. Naturally nothing is that simple and the system was actually quite complex to administer, made more complex by the additional inter-company transactions required once the actual work became part of WSRA Promotions. Expenditure on labour and material has been reconciled through Promotions in 2009 although the final credits payments will come into the WSRA’s accounts within 2010. As a result of this winding up future work on Braunton, now largely maintenance will be directly invoiced as any other commercial job.

The work on the chart of accounts, the Sage system and IT upgrade which we have carried out, the exhaustive audit and the Braunton Fund winding up have all provided a challenging level of work to our Financial team but together they have updated and cleansed the accounting systems and put them in a very good shape to move forward into 2010 and beyond. Our Board of Trustees and the Directors of Promotions all now have improved management accounts to enable them to make better informed decisions – even if not always better decisions! I am very grateful to all involved including our Financial and Association Managers, FMSG and to Albert Goodman.

As a result all those budding Treasurers desperate to apply for the vacant position can now cast off their fear of a system in disarray and come forward to steal the glory of the moment. Leaving Accounts aside then we will shortly be considering a new set of Memorandum and Articles which will move us into compliance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charity Act 2006. The ‘M&A’ have been in need of revision for some time and a great deal of preparatory work was done in 2008 and early 2009.

The Trustees published a consultation copy of the proposed changes last year but in the light of comments received together with a desire to gain the approval of the Charity Commissioners before putting the amendment to you we withdrew them before the AGM.

The Memorandum and Articles before you today appear on the face of it very little different to the set placed before you last year however a number of changes of detail have been made based upon your comments and the recommendation of a firm of specialist solicitors retained to advise the Trustees. Perhaps more significantly the amended document has been submitted to and approved by the Charity Commissioners, subject of course to your ratification later this afternoon.

Apart from thanking our Secretary on your behalf for the hours of detail work this has involved I will leave further comment until a little later this afternoon when you will have the opportunity to raise any further questions you may have on the proposed adoption of the new Articles; however at this stage I would commend them to you.

At Williton Restorations 2009 became a bit of an eventful year culminating in Gareth’s decision to seek pastures new and sever his connections with the WSR and Braunton. Gareth has been on the WSR for over twenty years and I am glad to hear that he has found a position as a Boiler Inspector for one of the major insurers based in the East Midlands – Congratulations to Gareth…and please be kind to our boilers when you return!

In his place Ray Waldron has taken on the post of Works Manager and has firmly stamped his own mark on Williton as those of you who have been there will already know. If you have not been then please take the opportunity to call in and see for yourself the changes that have taken place.

I know you will be keen to hear of progress on 4561, our own small Prairie. 4561 has been the subject of instructions to Williton to strip and examine for some months now. However we have to recognize that at Williton the Association is both master and servant and the balancing act between our own work and that of our commercial customers is not always easy. Braunton’s tender delayed by external suppliers and the customer’s decision to place Raveningham Hall ahead of Braunton has meant the allocated space inside the shed for 4561 has yet to be made available. However I am pleased to say that work, largely volunteer to date, has started to remove and safely store small components, the cab and tanks are ready to remove and Ray has begun to prepare to lift the boiler and move the chassis under cover. You will have seen that in the current hot weather 4561 has gone topless and Ray has removed the cab roof to make access easier to the cab fittings. When we do get to grips with the bottom end it is expected new frames will be required so I would ask you to dig deep for those raffle tickets this year as we attempt to build up the fund for this necessary additional expense.

If Ray is technically our supplier for work on 4561 then I am pleased to confirm that Brain Lee has agreed to assist the Trustees as Locomotive Officer ensuring that our interests as the owners are protected and that the work is carried out economically to a high standard. Brian has already pitched in with enthusiasm and I have great confidence that between them Ray and Brian will get this job done and done well.

Meanwhile our other engine 7821 Ditcheat Manor has been cosmetically restored for display and fund raising and brought up to Bishops Lydeard. I am grateful to Nick Nichols as the Director on Promotions for Williton for his help and assistance and for the space in the bay siding made available by the PLC at no charge. Ditcheat will be making a star fund raising appearance at this year’s Rally so go and see her close up. I do not expect Ditcheat to enter works for at least five years and storage will be kept under review to ensure the engine does not deteriorate.

Here at BL the Association has had an offer to lease the ground floor of the Quantock Motors building, a space that was originally designed to be a café and shop for the Heritage Bus Museum that never quite came to fruition.

The Associations plans to relocate and expand the existing buffet into the area proposed for the original café, leaving the shop on Platform 1 with room to expand the retail space into the former buffet area – a sort of improved Arkwright’s Emporium – and by the way he sends his regards and has issued a warm invite, nay demand, to you all to go and spend some money in the shop once we have finished this meeting.

The balance of space in the new building will be devoted to drawing together the various strands of the Association administration into one area so that we will have one BL Office, one phone line, a central intranet and someone available at all reasonable times to answer your queries.

Hopes that the café stage would be able to open for the high season this year have been thwarted by a series of legal difficulties associated with the terms of the undivided and shared space which has been a disappointment to the team involved in trying to bring this to a conclusion. However negotiations are still proceeding and I hope that 2011 will see our larger café available to our passengers, a larger shop area and a consolidated office.

During the last week we have run a little competition specifically for Association members rather than volunteers and supporters in general. We need to give the new junction at our boundary with Network Rail a name and with the arrival of the point itself this week it seemed the opportune time. I am grateful to Stephen Edge for his help with the website side of this. I must stress that we took the view that the selection should be restricted to paid up Association Members – this is after all an Association project, paid for and supported by the Association so any entries which did not quote a valid membership number were excluded.

………and the name selected is………………..Barnstaple Junction by 13 votes out of a total of 37 cast by 9pm last night.

I will ask RAMS to make us a running in board.

Before I finish, I would like the opportunity to thank two specific groups of people;

our paid staff because all of them without exception work for us during their hours of employment and then go on to work extra hours for us as volunteers – how many of you do or did that for your last paid employer? Our professional advisors constantly remind me one of our biggest business risks is the thin level at which we run our business and administration for the size of the turnover we have and I am grateful to Susan, Keith, Mary, John and to Ray, Phil and the Williton team for their hard efforts,
and my fellow Trustees because they too give hours of dedicated work and service as a team and without their help I could not even hope to function as Chairman – thank you to each of you.

There are many other plans and topics we could discuss and other groups of volunteers, all well known to you that we could highlight and with the notable exception of RAMS I trust I have included everyone in the Committee of Management Report before you today. I could stand here all day but I think I have taken enough of your time already and trust I have given you a flavor of what you have achieved, what is planned and what we hope to achieve in a number of key areas.

Thank You.

David Holmes.

Posted: 10 July 2010

The newly manufactured lead to be installed at the boundary with Network Rail to allow direct access to the triangle is due for delivery within the next two weeks. Pictures of the final assembly being inspected at the works are available on the website. Installation will follow shortly once a suitable window in the busy traffic schedule has been identified. Once installed the new lead will be the first piece of West Somerset Railway infrastructure facing incoming charters. The site of the new junction is shown in Len Renwick's photograph and the diverging road will take trains up the original Barnstaple formation seen directly ahead of the camera.

The WSRA would like to invite Association members to choose from some of the shortlisted names already suggested for the new Junction. Appropriate and distinctive new names may also be considered, but please remember poor RAMS who will have to make the running in Board! Those suggested so far include:

Barnstaple Junction,
Canal Junction,
Devon & Somerset Junction,
Fideoak Junction,
Hotel Junction,
Longaller Junction,
Seabridge Junction,
West Somerset Junction

Association members may e-mail their preferred name to junction@wsra.org.uk to arrive by 9pm next Friday July 9th. Please write your name, membership number and selected junction name in the Title (or Subject) line of the e-mail. The selected name will be announced at the Association AGM on Saturday July 10th

Please write your name, membership number and selected junction name in the Title (or Subject) line of the e-mail.

Posted: 4 July 2010

Can you help toward the final restoration of the Sleeping Car at The Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard Station on the Minehead Branch. Volunteer Malc Stacey is looking for donations of old style suitcases and travel trunks to clean and renovate to help raise funds to complete the superbly restored 1897-built Great Western Railway Sleeping Car no 9038. If you have suitable trunks or suitcases, please deliver to Malc Stacey at the West Somerset Railway's Bishops Lydeard Station. The Sleeping Car is a shining example of the restoration skills of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, one of the key organisations supporting the West Somerset Railway.

Ian Coleby, Trust Director and Archivist said, "Malc has worked tirelessly to support the Trust and the restoration of the sleeping car. The Trust is very grateful for his work and hope all can help in this simple but effective idea to raise funds for the final restoration."

Malc is also keen to receive donations of old apple, wine or spirits boxes. Contact Malc by email at malcstacey@aol.com

More about the Sleeping Car and the Trust can be found at » www.wssrt.co.uk

Posted: 4 July 2010

Wendy Turner, WSRA Tracker Coordinator writes:

Trackers are to gain a senior grade to recognise the growing experience of our older trackers and to ease the transition into the railway’s volunteering systems. The new grading for 16 – 18yr olds will be similar to the role of a Venture Scout and will give our Trackers that important link between the work they already do as young people and the less cocooned environment into which they will transfer. It will also allow our more senior Trackers to gain some mentoring experience as they help their younger colleague progress through the ranks

These Senior Trackers (16-18yrs) will continue with current rostering or working patterns on the WSR. This change has been made with a view to

Continue with training and nurturing until 18yrs
Improve the transition from tracker to adult volunteer
Fulfil our duty of care
Assist with training and supervision of the
younger trackers 13 – 16yrs

With this change ALL 13-18yr olds MUST be registered with the tracker coordinator, Wendy Turner. Contact via wendymturner@btinternet.com, telephone 07950 556221, or mail via Bishops Lydeard Station.

Posted: 15 June 2010

The team at Bishops Lydeard Station urgently need more books and more help.

Magda Davies explains "The Station is running out of second-hand books to sell. Please, if you have any such books, in reasonable condition, bring them along to the Station. All books will be gratefully received and money raised from sales goes towards the maintenance and restoration of the Station. Meantime, there is an urgent need for more volunteers at Bishops Lydeard Station, to help with a range of duties. This is interesting and rewarding work. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Ian Aldridge at the Station on 01823 433856."

Posted: 29 May 2010

Update 30 May: Susan Kaufman adds "Many thanks to everyone who responded, and we now have enough volunteers for the QB Saturday evening service on 5 June."

There is an urgent problem with finding staff for the QB, particularly with the evening service on 5 June.

If you have views on this situation and would like to discuss how this can be resolved, please attend the Quantock Belle Consultation Session at Brunel House, Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 30 May 2010 at 2pm, or send your views to the WSRA Manager, Susan Kaufman at manager@wsra.org.uk

Updated: 30 May 2010

Ever fancied a turn on the QB but not gotten around to volunteering?

The evening of Saturday, 5 June could be your chance! The QB urgently needs volunteers for this service.

What better way to spend a tranquil summer evening than by journeying to Minehead at a relaxed pace and enjoying the sunset.

In addition, you will have the reward of providing the passengers with an evening out to remember.

If you are interested, please contact Susan Kaufman at 01823 431311.

Posted: 19 May 2010

If you have administrative skills and are interested in being part of the West Somerset Restoration team, we can use your help!

We would like office cover for Mon-Fri to answer the telephone, and deal with ordering and delivery of supplies.

Hours are flexible - please ring Ray Waldron, 01984 633547 if you are interested.

Posted: 18 May 2010

Wendy Turner has taken over the roll of Youth Welfare Officer and Tracker Co-ordinator from Ian Aldridge and may be contacted via the association office at Bishops Lydeard Station on 01823 433856 or by email at wsra@btconnect.com.

John Hallett has been appointed WSR Association Press Officer and may be contacted directly at press@wsra.org.uk or via the Association office as detailed above.

Posted: 18 May 2010

Rog Stobbs writes...

The Railway has taken the step to partner with Pardoes Solicitors (a local firm with offices in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil) who understand all of these aspects. Pardoes also have agreed to undertake Will preparation for those who care about the Railway at a very competitive rate, and have further agreed to donate from those costs an amount which will go direct to the railway.

Pardoes offer to provide fixed price Wills for West Somerset Railway members of staff (paid and volunteer) that carry a valid WSR ID Card or those who use the new Legacy Leaflet with the Pardoes logo within. The price for a single Will is £100, £130 for a couple or for mirror Wills (all inclusive of VAT). And the Railway will also receive a donation of £10 - £15 for each Will that Pardoes prepare. So both you and the Railway can gain!

Please note...whilst the West Somerset Railway and Pardoes are able to offer this discount scheme, you do not have to use Pardoes to leave a legacy to the WSR or make a Will; it is your right to take your own independent legal advice if you wish to do so. Pardoes are professionally obliged to act for you completely independently, despite the existence of this scheme.

» Full details...

Posted: 2 May 2010

David Holmes writes...

Network Rail and the WSR have agreed to install a new lead giving direct access to the triangle for trains coming onto the branch. The lead, will be installed on the very boundary with Network Rail at MP 165.25, facing to inbound trains. This new lead will in time be worked by a ground frame locked by the BL-NF token.

This connection was shown on some early drawings but was then deleted pending Network Rail agreement and approval.

The triangle will remain limited to five coaches for internal services which still may not pass the boundary (shown by the distant board in the photo) but the new connection will allow trains passed for the national network to use the triangle directly – the limiting length being that of the Allerford spur toward Barnstaple which will be 330m long when completed.

This addition will therefore enable the HOBC and TRT to benefit from the triangle and will allow a full HST set to be turned if the need is ever required making the facility much more attractive for future commercial use. It will in effect create two triangles, the ‘new’ larger version using the existing branch line past Norton Platform rather than the East Chord.

» Full Report

Posted: 21 April 2010

Susan Kaufman, WSRA Manager, writes...

From 5-9 April the WSRA office will be installing the new membership database.

The new database has been developed by our 1000 Club Volunteer, Colin Street, and will be a huge step forward for the WSRA.

During this period, please avoid contacting the WSRA office for routine matters so that the Admin staff can concentrate on the database installation with minimum interruption.

Posted: 1 April 2010

David Holmes, WSRA Chairman writes...

"To its many members, volunteers and staff the West Somerset Railway Association is something of a mystery. How is it structured, what does the 'Board' really do, who is responsible for what? In this article, David Holmes will begin to unravel some of the mystery and answer some of the more common questions, but first would emphasise that what he is about to describe is work in progress and change will continue to occur – in the parlance of the day – Progressive Improvement! "

» a detailed feature on the Structure including links to the current and draft Articles.

Posted: 29 March 2010

Don Bishop writes...

"I’m pleased to be able to inform you that I have now secured a lease deal, subject to final contract, on the Quantock Motors office building adjacent to Platform 2 at Bishops Lydeard sta with the owner. Once the legal stages are complete the building will be brought into use for the dual purposes of bringing all the WSRA’s administration and office functions under one roof with a much better public interface, for memberships and Quantock Belle bookings etc., and a new buffet/café to replace the current cramped facilities in the shop. This will in turn enable the shop to be expanded, a desire of the WSRA Promotions team for some time.

The range of food in the new café will be expanded, although full detail’s are yet to be worked out. There will also be some outside seating for the use of our passengers on those balmy summer days (!). A new entrance from the platform and foot crossing will be installed to enable safe access to the building across the station approach road for our passengers.

As the project progresses it is also planned to restore the waiting room on Platform 1 (currently in use as an office) as a heritage feature and to use the room for our on train staff’s signing on etc., a much needed improvement over the current hut used adjacent to the signal box.

A good deal of work is now required to plan and design the new café, to be called “The Coal Yard” after the sites original use in earlier railway days, and get the conversion work carried out. It is however hoped that the new café will be brought into use during the first half of the coming season.

I believe this is an exciting development for the WSRA at Bishops Lydeard and will improve the offering to our passengers and bring additional funds into the WSRA to support the railway as a whole."

Posted: 1 March 2010

The Quantock Belle dining set will be out all six days of the 2010 Spring Steam Gala.

For this event, the activity will be managed by the plc Catering Manager, Jacquie Green.

Volunteers are urgently needed, so if you can help with this service, please contact Jacquie on her office number, 01643 700390, or her mobile number, 07895 808934.

Posted: 21 February 2010

A great way to celebrate Mothers Day.

Enjoy a superb three course lunch on the Quantock Belle First Class Dining Train on Sunday 14 March 2010.

Depart Bishops Lydeard Station at 12.55pm and journey through the glorious countryside to the coast at the seaside town of Minehead.

Plenty of time to stroll along the promenade before the cream tea on the return journey!

The all inclusive fare is £42 per person.

The Quantock Belle is very popular so don't delay - ring 01823 433856 for reservations.

Posted: 19 February 2010

Due to retirement, a vacancy has arisen on the » "Quantock Belle" for a Bar Manager to oversee the running of the dining train bar.

This is a volunteer position. Duties will include stocking and preparation prior to each train, and preparing drinks for the wine waiters to serve during the journey.

It will also be necessary to purchase drinks for the bar, and keep a stocklist.

If you would like further information contact the QB Volunteer Co-ordinator Mrs Larraine Willmott on 01934 732171 or email » qbvolunteers@tiscali.co.uk.

Richard Knight.

Posted: 12 February 2010

The next WSR Association Taunton Group meeting will be at the GW Staff Association Station Approach Taunton on Monday 1 February at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start. Until the next coordinator is appointed, the monthly meetings will continue on an ad hoc basis with slide shows, videos and DVDs covering railway history and events. The February meeting is a slide show presentation by long-time WSR supporter Peter Triggs.

Meantime, veteran WSR volunteer Keith Smith writes about a talk at Slough Station, "Members in the London/Thames Valley area are invited to attend the Slough and Windsor Railway Society's meeting on Friday 5 February, where I will be giving my new all-digital show on the WSR. The show will commence at 7.45pm at their building 'The Manor'. This can be found at Slough Station, situated on the Reading end of the down side, next to the Windsor branch bay platform. For further information, visit their web site at www.swrs.co.uk."

Posted: 30 January 2010

The next Volunteer Liaison Meeting has been scheduled for Saturday 13 March 2010 at Bishops Lydeard Primary School at 3pm.

These meetings allow the volunteers of the railway to come along and talk to the managers of both the Railway Company and the Association.

Parking for the event will be in the school playground accessed via Quantock Road.

Posted: 28 January 2010

Chairman David Holmes writes "Following the resignation of Gareth Winter as West Somerset Restorations Works Manager interviews have been held to appoint a replacement. I am delighted to tell you that Ray Waldron has accepted the post and will take up his duties immediately."

"Ray who has been involved with West Somerset Restorations as works foreman stepped into the position of Works Manager temporarily when Gareth left and will now head up the team as they complete the tender for Braunton, continue the assembly of Raveningham Hall and carry out work for Dinmore Manor Ltd on the chassis of the Manor. These three contracts will receive priority."

"Once Ray and the team have got to grips with that little lot then 4561 will enter the shops for assessment. With all this work there is plenty to do at Williton for both staff and volunteers alike!"

Posted: 22 January 2010

Steve Roberts and Don Bishop have jointly stepped into the position of Vice Chairman of the Trustees Board of the WSRA. Both are already heavily loaded, Steve with S&T work and assisting with Williton, Don with the Heritage Carriage Project and Station Farm. David Holmes, WSRA Chairman comments "It was felt that by combining the roles it would allow the additional duties to be shared and I am grateful for their additional help."

Andy Chatwin, chairman of WSRA (Promotions) Ltd the wholly owned trading subsidiary of the Association has announced his intention to stand down as Chairman. Andy who served as Loco Officer on the Main Committee and then Vice Chairman to Humphrey Davies took on the role of WSRA (Promotions) Ltd in 2008. Andy who is also a Director of 4160 Ltd has confirmed his intention to remain a Director of Promotions. The main Trustees Board is very grateful to Andy for his work over the last two years.

At their meeting of January 21st the Promotions Board elected Susan Kaufman as their new Chairman. Andy will assist Susan as Vice Chairman.

Peter Darke who has led the Taunton Area Group for several years has stepped down due to ill health and we both thank Peter for his hard work over the last couple of years and wish him in his retirement.

The Taunton meetings were key to the early development of the WSRA and remain an important meeting point for local members. The group is now looking for someone to help organize and arrange its monthly meetings which are always well attended by WSRA supporters and volunteers alike. Meetings are held in the GWR Staff Association adjacent to Taunton Station.

If you feel you would like to help either as an individual or maybe as part of a small group organizer then please get in touch through Susan Kaufman at Bishops Lydeard or any member of the Trustees Board.

Posted: 22 January 2010

Beaten back by the snow the Special Projects Group will be re-forming for an assault on coppiced re-growth at Combe Florey on February 20th and 21st. This was originally planned for January but had to be called off due to the severe weather conditions – a real tragedy as the Cutting Back gang Christmas Dinner was scheduled for the same night! However not to be beaten the Xmas Dinner is also re-arranged although whether we are now late for 2009 or early for 2010 is a moot point for debate. As usual all hands will be welcome and if you contact David Holmes quickly enough there may be a Xmas dinner available as well!.

Posted: 22 January 2010

Spurred on by an increasing pile of concrete sleepers the WSRA P.Way gang have been busy of late laying out sleepers along the original Barnstaple formation. These now stretch from Orchard junction toward the new junction with the East Chord and with the track already laid make a total length of over ¼ mile relaid on the Barnstaple alignment which takes us well alongside the Up main line.

The Plym Valley railway has bought a lead surplus to or requirements and this will be dispatched shortly to Marsh Mills where it will form one end of their new run round loop. Whilst the lifting plant is on site the P.Way gang plan to lift the new lead between the East and West chords into position taking advantage of the current HOBC outage to get possession of the track. Completion of this task will mean that two of the three triangle points will be in place, one side of the triangle fully laid and railed, a second side laid in concrete sleepers and the Allerford headshunt laid.

Posted: 22 January 2010

Norton is to play host to a two day practical exercise jointly organized by Birmingham University, the HRA and ORR.

Designed as part of a course to train the new breed of Independent Competent Persons required for safety verification under the new ROGS regulations the students will crawl over the triangle design and construction looking for design and safety flaws – just for once we hope they will be unsuccessful!

Posted: 22 January 2010

Make a diary date now for the 2010 Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally. One of the biggest shows of its kind in Somerset, the Rally attacts thousands of visitors who flock to see the spectacular showman's engines and the workhorse traction engines, along with over 150 vintage cars, military vehicles of all types, and fire engines, police cars and ambulances. Add to this the minituare railway, steam vehicles, tractors, motorcycles and stationary engines, children's entertainment, large craft marquee, railway art display, fairground and street organs, trade stands, food and drink, beer tent, all topped by the parades in the main arena. The Rally is organised by the West Somerset Railway Association and is held at the WSRA Fields, Norton Fitzwarren on 7 and 8 August 2010. For more details please » email or call 01823 433856. » More details...

Posted: 16 January 2010

Actor and author Bill Pertwee will be at Bishops Lydeard Station Shop on 2 January. Bill, known to millions as ARP Warden Hodges, will be signing copies of his latest book "Dad's Army - the making of a television legend".

This fully revised guide, published by Conway, includes biographies of the whole cast of actors on "Dad's Army", full episode listing, as well as new appendicesto cover recent musuem openings, restored episodes from the BBC archives and anniversary celebrations also featured.

Come along to the Bishops Lydeard Station Shop between 12.30pm and 4pm on 2 January 2010 and meet Warden Hodges himself!

Posted: 22 December 2009

WORKS MANAGER

Williton Restoration is the Heritage Engineering Excellence centre based on the West Somerset Railway and run by the Association through its Promotions trading organisation. Restoration has grown through the long term restoration of Bullied West Country 34046 Braunton, which is currently having a new build tender completed and OTMR fitted. Further details of the Association, Promotions, Restorations and Braunton are all on this website.

Williton Restoration has recently taken on additional internal and external work and is currently working on a variety of projects in addition to Braunton including the assembly and completion of Raveningham Hall, the complete heavy overhaul of the Association's small Prairie 4561, and overhaul work on 7820 Dinmore Manor. Other work is planned including boiler repair and heavy and light overhauls of the Association's Mk 1 coaching stock including the prestigious Quantock Belle first class dining train.

The works employ a mixture of skilled staff, subcontractors and volunteers most of whom have been associated with the railway for many years. Together they have been responsible for the extremely high quality work seen on Braunton, Pannier 6412 before it and now continued through the projects currently going through the works.

Williton Restoration is situated at the centre of the West Somerset railway line between Taunton and Minehead and close to the Exmoor National Park and Severn coast.

The WSRA is looking for an experienced Heritage railway Engineer to take up the post of Works Manager. He/she will effectively and efficiently plan, control and report the work of Williton Restorations taking the existing workload forward and developing the business whilst maintaining high standards of workshop safety and craftsmanship.

Key areas of the Manager's role will include managing;

Health and safety
Customer satisfaction
The reputation and image of Williton Restorations in particular within the Heritage railway and related industry
Training and motivating staff and volunteers
Costs and overheads
Forecasting and reporting on quotations, sales, costs and business performance
Workshop loading, layout and work flow
Ordering, goods receipt and invoice approval systems
Upkeep and condition of all equipment, fixtures and fabric of workshop premises
Contributions to company strategy and policy-making as required

It is expected that the successful candidate will already posses a good knowledge of Heritage Engineering and be used to working with and motivating staff and volunteers. 'Hands on' ability in locomotive assembly and fitting is essential, whilst experience of the management activities required to control an expanding busy traditional workshop is highly desirable.

The position of Works Manager is a full-time, paid, staff post and attracts benefits including paid annual leave, sick leave and access to a pension scheme. Salary will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Applications for this post are invited with CV to
» chairman@wsra.org.uk
or by post in a sealed envelope marked Private and Confidential to;

The Chairman
West Somerset Railway Association
The Railway Station
Bishops Lydeard
Taunton
Somerset
TA4 3BX

Closing date for applications is December 31st 2009.

DIRECTOR

The trading activities of the WSRA are run by a separate Board of Directors (WSRA (Promotions)) who report to the Association's Trustees. Promotions comprises a number of cost centres including Restorations, the Bishops Lydeard shop, Quantock Belle and Rally.

A Director is required to take responsibility for Williton Restorations on the Promotions Board. The post is voluntary and is not a direct line management position. It would therefore suit a person with a broad mixture of business and engineering skills who would have one or two days per week available to devote to assisting with the development of Williton Restoration together with the new Manager and our existing staff and volunteers.

If you believe you have the necessary skills to develop and steer this business and a few hours to spare please forward brief details to the Chairman at the above address. Candidates will be expected to live within a reasonable distance of the railway. The post will be subject to interview.

Posted: 30 November 2009

The 2009 draw was held on the 14th November 2009 at 1.00pm at Bishops Lydeard Station. Mr Paul Conibeare drew all the winning tickets. Raffle ticket sales totalled £23,096.00 and all profit from the draw will be put towards the restoration of Ditcheat Manor. The WSRA would like to thank all those who took part in the draw and to the those volunteers who sold tickets on the trains and helped to raise the much needed funds.

Position	Prize	Name	Ticket No	Town
First	£1,000	Mrs Wells	123759	Wells
Second	£500	Mr Dore	156620	Brixham
Third	£200	Mr Cooper	14108	TBA
Fourth	£100	Mrs Edgington	081041	Kingsbridge
Fifth	£50	Mrs Colley	118933	Ipswich
Fifth	£50	Mrs Thick	122233	Burnham on Sea
Fifth	£50	Mr Hales	149904	Exeter
Fifth	£50	C Newman	51430	Weston Super Mare
Fifth	£50	Mrs Saunders	004264	Tetsworth
Fifth	£50	J Druif	118333	The Netherlands
Fifth	£50	Mrs Febrey	096153	Wrington
Fifth	£50	Christine Brown	113576	TBA
Fifth	£50	Kerry Ham	030736	Wells
Fifth	£50	K Sagar	074472	Northolt
Fifth	£50	Sharon Hadley	090400	Birmingham
Fifth	£50	Mr Kendall	55708	Northwich
Fifth	£50	Mr Palmer	147924	Bristol
Fifth	£50	Mr Moffat	017437	Waterlooville
Fifth	£50	Mr Lee	125688	Taunton
Fifth	£50	Jenny Thomas	125489	Camborne
Fifth	£50	Mr Cottrell	120748	Taunton
Fifth	£50	Mrs and Mrs Rendell	001277	Weston Super Mare
Fifth	£50	Mrs Hipwood	124425	Bristol
Fifth	£50	Mr Fowler	114885	London

Posted: 28 November 2009