5 Nov The visit of the Royal Train conveying HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to Minehead on Friday 1 November was a great success. The special train arrived at Bishops Lydeard at 4.45am, having departed from London Euston at 11.17pm the previous night. After a “recess stop” the Royal Train – formed of six vehicles and hauled by Class 47 No 47798 Prince William – departed Bishops Lydeard at 8.10am. Many people turned out at stations and at points along the lineside as the train made its leisurely way to Minehead, arriving on time at 9.20am.
Upon arrival at Minehead, the Duke was introduced to many Railway officials and volunteers, including: Mark Smith & Roger Lizars, representing the WSR Company; Alan Grieve, Frances Bristow & Gordon Harris (Friends of Minehead Station); the Railway’s Commercial Manager, Hein Burger; Gary Filer, Jonathan Mitchell & Shane Tarr (Trackers); and Ian Salt, Apprentice Fitter. After being introduced to Robin George (Chairman of the Dinmore Manor Fund), the Duke was invited on to No 7820 for a short footplate ride at Minehead.
After his brief visit, the Duke set off across Exmoor for his next engagement at Lynmouth, to mark the 50th anniversary of the terrible flood that devastated that town in 1952. Meanwhile, the Royal Train stock – after No 47798 had run round – departed empty for Wolverton (where it is based) at 10.05am.
The Duke last visited the Minehead branch in 1952 (see below), and his visit is further recognition of the WSR’s growing stature as a part of the national railway network.
5 Nov Back in 1952, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh came to Minehead in the aftermath of the Lynton and Lynmouth flood disaster. The Railway Observer reported: “On the 29th October HRH the Duke of Edinburgh started his West of England tour at Minehead, and a special train was provided which was hauled on the branch by 5376 (83D) in beautiful condition, even the brass safety-valve cover having been polished for the occasion. The special train was partly made up from the Royal Train stock and arrived punctually at its advertised time, 9.15am.
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5 Nov The main 2003 operating season drew to a close on Sunday 3 November, with train services that day being worked by No 4160 and the green Class 117 dmu, with No 5542 working the “Quantock Belle” dining train. However, an extra train service – leaving Minehead at 1.30pm for a round trip to Williton – will run on 7 and 10 November. This, of course, will be followed by an intensive period of train operation in December – with the Santa Specials, Carol Trains, Dunster by Candlelight and seasonal special dining trains.
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5 Nov Despite the inclement weather for several days during the month, passenger figures stood at 159,189 by the end of October – an increase of 2.1% over the same stage of 2001.
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5 Nov Tickets for the Railway’s programme of trains next month – the majority of which have to be pre-booked – are selling very well. Both the Carol Trains are now full, as is the “Coastal Belle” dining train on 14 December and the 4.45pm from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster by Candlelight on the 7th. Ten Santa trains also have less than 50 seats remaining. Early booking is very strongly advised. For full details of our December train services click here.
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5 Nov Four steam engines – Nos 7820 Dinmore Manor, 5542, 5224 and 4160 – are expected to be available to work train services over the remainder of the year.
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5 Nov Martin Southwood – a regular signalman on the line – has set up a website about his beloved Crowcombe Heathfield station, where he is also a regular volunteer. The web site is at mysite.freeserve.com/chstn.
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5 Nov Storms again hit the West Somerset area on 27 October and, whilst some trains were delayed a little, no services were cancelled (unlike on the main line network, where many TOCs cancelled services to/from the south west). The 10.25am dmu – the first down train of the line – encountered falling trees at Roebuck and at Stogumber, where a tree fell narrowly missing the platform shelter, crashed through the fence, crushed a platform seat and came to rest on the opposite boundary fence. A team of volunteers, including three travelling permanent way staff, removed the tree, thus allowing services to continue. Earlier in the day, another large tree fell across the line at Bicknoller, but was removed before the first train.
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5 Nov e WSR is to run a further ‘Fish & Chip Special’ – this time steam hauled – on Thursday 2 January 2003. The lunch will be served on the 12.25pm service from Bishops Lydeard, but pre-booking is ESSENTIAL. Passengers can either travel from Minehead on the 10.15am ex-MD (returning on the 12.25pm ex-BL), or from Bishops Lydeard (returning on either the 2.25pm or 4.00pm ex-Minehead). Cost - £12 (adult) and £8 (child). To book, please telephone Minehead Station – Tel: 01643 704996.
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5 Nov The Railway has recently purchased five 34-ton bogie “Turbot” wagons from EWS, which had been stored in Fairwater Yard, Taunton for several months having last been used in 1997/98 for the transport of stone in connection with the new sea defence scheme at Minehead. The five – Nos DB978105, DB978037, DB978348, DB978622 and DB978032 – were all built at Shildon in 1982-83 to Lot 4021, and were delivered the short distance to Bishops Lydeard by road. They will be used on permanent way trains on the line, and one – No DB978622 – has already received a quick repaint in ‘engineering department green’.
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5 Nov Of the original print run of a thousand, less than 100 copies of the Railway’s 2003 calendar now remain. Act now if you want a reminder of the WSR on 365 days next year……
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5 Nov No 7820 Dinmore Manor has now been re-united with its own tender, after a fault developed with the tender brake cylinder. Whilst its tender was being repaired, the ‘Manor’ ran with the tender from No 7828. Odney Manor itself is now on display at Minehead awaiting a decision from its owner on when, and where, its ten-year overhaul will be carried out. No 4160 has now run in excess of 80,000 miles on the WSR since it was returned to service in 1993. Work continues on the frames of the new GW ‘Mogul’ – formerly 2-6-2T No 5193 – with recent activity concentrating on the side rod bearings, brake rigging and footplating. The boiler overhaul at Crewe is now complete, with the exception of fitting the tubes. Meanwhile, the boiler from the S&DJR 7F No 53808 continues to make good progress at Pridham Engineering. All of the new firebox steel platework has been formed and fitted with the exception of the actual riveting. The barrel and throatplate have been split from the firebox wrapper to enable the new copper firebox to be fitted.
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18 Oct The West Somerset area was again subjected to high winds and heavy rain on Sunday 13 October, with consequent flooding on several roads – including the main A358 at Washford Cross. The weather brought a tree down near Sea Lane Crossing at Dunster after the passing of the return “Quantock Belle” dining train (hauled by No 5542) but, unfortunately, in front of the 4.05pm ex-Bishops Lydeard service train, worked by No 4160. This latter train was delayed by about an hour whilst members of the Railway’s permanent way gang worked in atrocious conditions to clear the offending tree. About 180 people were on board, including many on the inaugural “Cream and Steam” initiative. The planned light engine movement to return No 5542 was cancelled and the engine disposed (again, in heavy rain) at Bishops Lydeard. One consolation of this was that, on the following day, the ‘small prairie’ tank hauled a permanent way train to Minehead, comprising of three ballast hopper wagons and a “Toad” brakevan.
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18 Oct Virgin Trains has confirmed that one its Class 220 Voyager unit No 220 008 will be renamed Somerset Voyager in a ceremony on the WSR (exact location to be decided) during the “CrossCountry” weekend on 10-11 May 2003.
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8 Oct On Friday 1 November HRH The Duke of Edinburgh will make a brief visit to Minehead Station to see the West Somerset Railway and meet representatives of the Railway’s workforce on his way to visit Lynton and Lynmouth. The Royal Train is expected to arrive at Minehead at 9.20am, and the visit is planned to be of fifteen minutes duration.
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8 Oct The power unit from the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group’s second ‘Hymek’ diesel hydraulic No D7018 was lifted out on 4 October for repair – the start of the locomotive’s overhaul in the workshop at Williton. No D7018 was prematurely withdrawn from service on the WSR on 19 August 1995 due to an engine fault whilst hauling the “Quantock Belle” dining train. Once the Group’s Class 14 No D9526 returns to active service work on D7018 will commence in earnest.
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8 Oct Four steam engines saw service at the Railway’s 1960s Weekend on 5-6 October – Nos 7820, 80136, 5542 and 4160. The ‘Large Prairie’ replaced No 5224 at late notice, following the failure of the 2-8-0T with a leaking steampipe a few days before the event. No 5542 continued its programme of running-in, double-heading with the rostered engine on several trains and working the Saturday evening “Coastal Belle” dining train on its own.
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8 Oct Following further running-in at the 60s Weekend – which proved very successful – GWR ‘4575’ Class 2-6-2T No 5542 is now a ‘full member’ of the Railway’s steam fleet. Meanwhile, BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T No 80136 – which has enjoyed a very successful stay of almost twelve months on the WSR – is shortly to depart (by road) to Crewe. A number of repairs are to be carried out on the Standard Tank over the winter, including tyre turning.
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2 Oct The 1960s Weekend – our last principal gala event this year – will be held this coming weekend, 5 & 6 October. The majority of train services will be hauled by Nos 7820 Dinmore Manor, 5224, 80136, D1010 Western Campaigner and D7017 – whilst No D2133 will also feature and the green Class 117 dmu will be used on shuttle services between Norton Fitzwarren and Bishops Lydeard. The Saturday evening “Coastal Belle” dining train will be hauled by either No 5542 or No 4160. Regrettably, the Taunton Model Railway Group will not be able to open their club room as previously advertised. However, the new Diesel Heritage Visitor Centre at Williton will be open. For full details of the event click here.
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2 Oct At the end of September, the total number of passengers carried on the WSR in 2002 to date stood at 148,205, compared with 145,634 at the same stage in 2001 – an increase of just under 2%. The Autumn Steam Gala made a healthy contribution to the September total, with 4296 passengers carried over the three days of the event.
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2 Oct The period of running-in for GWR ‘4575’ Class 2-6-2T No 5542 at the Autumn Steam Gala highlighted that further work was needed in a number of areas. The left hand rear cylinder cover has been removed and refitted in a bid to cure the steam blow, whilst the right hand rear cover has also been checked. Work has also taken place on the spark arresting system, whilst the brick arch has been fitted. A number of other minor jobs have also been carried out. It is hoped to recommence running-in of the ‘small prairie’ tank during the 1960s Weekend.
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2 Oct The Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival – held at Minehead Station on 14 & 15 September – was another resounding success, with the supply of beer just holding out until ‘close of play’ on the Sunday…! The final number of visitors was between 1,600 and 1,700, and 600 gallons of beer & cider were consumed. A collection for the RNLI raised just under £500. Special ales brewed for the Festival included “5542 Revivale” from Glastonbury and “Campaigner’s Festival Mild” from Moor as a ‘40th birthday tribute’ to ‘Western’ No D1010. RCH added in “Evening Star” to bring back memories of 1989.
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2 Oct Four steam engines – Nos 7820, 5224, 4160 and 80136 – remain available for service. Work continues on the re-wheeled frames of the new ‘Mogul’ (No xx93) in the workshop at Minehead, whilst the tenders from Dinmore Manor and the 7F 2-8-0 No 53808 are both currently in for attention. No 7820 is currently running with the tender from No 7828. Work on No 3850 progresses as and when labour is available. On No 34046 Braunton, the replacement piston head casting has been received and two valve head castings ordered. The small end pins have been hardened and are being lapped into the crossheads prior to final grinding. The rear dragbox is also marked out for machining and new spindles have been received for two mechanical lubricators. The boiler combustion chamber bottom plate, two siphon back patch plates, front foundation ring corners and outer wrapper patch plates have all been welded into position. On the diesel front, ‘Western’ No D1010 made its debut at the Real Ale Festival weekend in its latest livery of maroon body, with small yellow front warning panels and early British Railways crest on the cab sides. Work continues on the Class 14 No D9526, which will be turned out in “as built” BR green. The Class 03 No 03119 has been given a new coat of BR blue.
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2 Oct The programme of Fish & Chip Specials and Wildlife Specials – two new ventures introduced on the Railway this year – have both been a terrific success, and more are being planned for 2003. The Class 33 No 6566 worked the last ‘F&C’ Special on 28 September. A further new initiative currently being planned for next year is a series of “Murder Mystery” evenings. The Sunset Specials will also return in 2003.
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25 Sep The WSR has now finalised its programme of special events for 2003. The very popular Spring Steam Gala – generally regarded as one of the best events in the national heritage railway calendar – will be held on 28-30 March, with a ‘Preview Day’ on the 27th. In addition to the regular favourites – including the Autumn Steam Gala, Thomas, the Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally and the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival – three new events are planned for next year. “The CrossCountry Network: Past, Present & Future” on 10-11 May is a special diesel and steam event being run in association with Virgin Trains. It is our aim to strive to assemble a representative selection of locomotive classes (steam to Voyager) that have been the mainstay of train services on the CrossCountry network over the last 50 years or so. Virgin Trains have agreed to re-name their Class 220 No 220 008 Somerset Voyager on the WSR that weekend. “The Grand Trains Extravaganza” weekend on 25-26 October – deliberately timed to coincide with the school half term week – will be another joint steam and heritage diesel event, with lots of trains, using the Railway’s ‘in-house’ engine/rolling stock resources. The third new event planned for 2003 is a “Winter Steam Festival” on Sunday 28 December – plenty of steam action, with nice warm, steam-heated trains! For fuller details of the 2003 programme of special events please click here.
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25 Sep A total of 4,296 passengers enjoyed the Autumn Steam Gala over the first weekend of September – up almost 24% on the 2001 event. The timetable worked very well, with six steam engines in action and working trains – Nos 6024 King Edward 1, 5542, 5553, 4160, 5224 and 80136. The sight and sound of the ‘King’ was as popular as ever, but the highlight for many was the appearance of not one, but two, ‘new’ Great Western ‘small prairie’ tanks. After a Herculean input by the restoration team, No 5542 appeared from its base at Washford just in time for the event, whilst No 5553 had also been delivered to the WSR for some running-in after restoration at Tyseley. Sadly, however, as both 55xx’s were, in effect, ‘straight out of the box’ they were restricted to light duties, though No 5542 put in a superb performance on the third of the six-coach Minehead-Blue Anchor shuttle trains on the Friday afternoon. As a direct consequence, this also meant the goods trains had to be cancelled – and shuttle services to Norton Fitzwarren were worked by a diesel railcar – though additional shunting demonstrations in Dunster yard were arranged at short notice as some compensation. The last time a pair of 55xx’s were seen in action together on the Minehead line was in 1964 – the last year of BR steam on the branch. An excellent barbecue for staff was laid on for all by members of the 6024 Preservation Society on the Saturday evening. Next year’s Autumn Steam Gala will be held on 3-5 October 2003.
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25 Sep The Railway’s next special event is the 1960’s Weekend on Saturday/Sunday 5 & 6 October. An intensive timetable will be in operation, and train services will be worked by both steam and heritage diesel locomotives (in authentic liveries wherever possible), to reflect the British Railways era of the early to mid 1960’s. There will be many other attractions, period cars and other vintage vehicles on display, and the line’s museums will be open. Lots of West Country branch line railway atmosphere is guaranteed! For full details of the event click here.
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25 Sep Another major stride with the restoration of former GWR 2-6-2T No 5193 (or xx93 as it is often referred to for the time being) – which is being converted into a 2-6-0 tender engine – took place on 16 September, when the fully refurbished frames were re-wheeled. ‘It’ is now beginning to look like a steam engine again…! Good progress is reported on the boiler overhaul at Crewe, and hopes remain high that the finished ‘Mogul’ will be back in steam towards the end of 2003. The restoration is being carried out to a very high standard in the Company’s main engineering workshop at Minehead, and everyone involved is to be congratulated on the excellent progress made to date.
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25 Sep The highly popular combination of railways and real ale came together again over the weekend of 14-15 September for the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival at Minehead Station to make the event another resounding success. Several hundred people – including many on a fully-loaded 13-coach Hertfordshire Railtours charter, formed of an immaculate rake of green Mark 1’s hauled by EWS Class 66 No 66132 – consumed several hundred pints of real ale and cider, many from several of the excellent local breweries in the county. The ‘Green’ timetable was in operation – enhanced by a Saturday evening dmu special to the Beer Festival – with the diesel diagram being worked, appropriately, by ‘Western’ diesel hydraulic No D1010 Western Campaigner. The weekend of 13-14 September 2003 has already been earmarked for a repeat performance next year…!
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25 Sep At short notice, GWR 2-6-2T No 5553 was collected by low loader from Bishops Lydeard on 19 September to answer the call for a steam engine to attend the first GWR Convention at the STEAM museum in Swindon on 21-22 September, when a range of additional exhibits were on display for the weekend. Subsequently, the ‘small prairie’ tank has moved back to Tyseley – where its restoration was carried out – for a number of tasks to be ironed-out that came to light when the engine was steamed on the WSR. Whilst nothing definite has yet been confirmed, it seems likely that the immaculate BR lined green tank will return to the line at some stage in the future.
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25 Sep The Railway said “farewell” to No 6024 King Edward I again – at least for the time being – on Wednesday 25 September, as the engine (together with support coach) departed for Tyseley, after another successful stay. The 4-6-0 will be based there for the remainder of the year to work a number of charters being promoted by Vintage Trains. One of these, on Saturday 26 October, will see No 6024 pass through Taunton again on a Birmingham Snow Hill to Kingswear charter, recalling the days of steam hauled holiday expresses to the West Country. Since its debut appearance at the 1997 Spring Steam Gala, the ‘King’ has made several subsequent visits to the WSR, where it has been very popular.
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25 Sep Saturday 14 September was a memorable day for the D&EPG, as their Class 14 0-6-0 diesel hydraulic locomotive No D9526 burst into life again for the first time for many years. The loco later ventured out of its shed briefly, for the latter stages of the loco’s overhaul to be completed, culminating in a full repaint in its original BR green livery. It is confidently expected the Class 14 will return to active service on the WSR next year.
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25 Sep In another new initiative this year, the WSR’s Catering Department has introduced a trial “Cream and Steam” package on the 2.25pm departure from Minehead (and return) on Sunday 13 October. The package includes a full WSR Cream Tea that can be savoured on 40-mile round trip on the line – all for just £8.00 per person. For full details click here.
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25 Sep Bookings are still being received daily for the Railway’s programme of special trains in December – which, in addition to the well-known Santa Specials, also include dining trains, Carol Trains and special train services to Dunster by Candlelight. However, as a direct consequence, the number of available seats is steadily reducing – indeed, one of the Carol Trains is already fully booked. Please click here for full details of all our special services in December, including full details if how to book. Don’t miss out – rush that booking off today, so you do not end up disappointed.
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3 Sep The Railway has been very busy during the peak season, with 7-coach sets in use and many busy trains recorded during August. By the end of the month, a total of 126,389 passengers had travelled on the line in 2002 to date – around 1,500 more than at the same point in 2001, which was an all-time record year.
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3 Sep No 5553 – a member of the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust fleet – has now undertaken a full week of running-in on the WSR, having arrived on 23 August after completion of its restoration from scrapyard condition, and looking immaculate in BR lined green. Inevitably, a number of minor points were found to be in need of attention, but overall the running-in was successful and the ‘small prairie’ tank will soon become a regular member of the Railway’s steam fleet. Meanwhile, No 5542 moved under its own steam (around the yard at Washford) – for the first time for 41 years – on 30 August. Resplendent in GWR green, the engine is a credit to the small team involved with its restoration. With No 5553 also in action on that date (when it piloted Dinmore Manor on the 10.15am ex-Minehead as far as Williton), visitors were able to enjoy the sight of two 55xx tanks in action on the Minehead branch for the first time (probably) since 1964. It is still hoped that both No 5553 and No 5542 will feature in some way at the Autumn Steam Gala on 6-8 September.
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3 Sep Details of the programme of “Quantock Belle” dining trains for the Christmas season are now available. For full details click here.
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3 Sep Williton was awarded the top prize in the Railway’s own “Best Kept Station Competition” in 2002, with Blue Anchor being nominated as runners-up. The ‘Most Improved’ award was given to Watchet, whilst Stogumber was considered to have the ‘Most Attractive Gardens’ and Crowcombe Heathfield was judged to have ‘The Best Floral Display’. With all the Railway’s stations showing a marked improvement over recent years, the judges task becomes seemingly more difficult each year!
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3 Sep Additional heritage buses will run on 8 September – the Sunday of the Autumn Steam Gala to augment the First Southern National 928 service. Buses will leave Taunton Castleway hourly between 9am and 5pm, and Bishops Lydeard Station hourly from 11am-5pm.
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3 Sep Due to the popularity of this year’s Wednesday evening Minehead-Blue Anchor “Sunset Specials” an extra one is being run on the evening of 5 September. As the evenings are now drawing-in, this extra train will depart from Minehead at the slightly earlier time of 7.30pm. The train will be steam hauled, and full bar & buffet facilities will be available on board.
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3 Sep The restoration of the ‘new’ 2-6-0 tender engine – formerly 2-6-2T No 5193 – has reached the stage where the frames will soon be re-wheeled at Minehead. Repairs to the axleboxes are now complete, and these have now been fitted into position on the axles in readiness. Meanwhile, the overhaul of the boiler is rapidly nearing completion at Crewe. No 7820 Dinmore Manor is likely to be paired with the tender of recently withdrawn No 7828 Odney Manor for the Autumn Steam Gala whilst its own is being repaired. Latest news concerning the restoration of No 34046 Braunton is that the reversing shaft bearings have been line bored and the right hand cylinder bored ready to take the new liner. A jig is being made to enable the piston heads to be separated from their rods to enable the latter to be refurbished. One new piston head is required, whilst the other two can be re-used.
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27 Aug GWR ‘4575’ Class 2-6-2T No 5553 – the 213th, and last, steam engine to be rescued from Woodham’s Scrapyard at Barry in South Wales – arrived on the WSR (by road from Tyseley) on Friday 23 August. Looking absolutely superb in BR lined green, the ‘small prairie’ tank has undergone a complete contract restoration at Tyseley Locomotive Works, during which time it was purchased from its previous owner by the Waterman Railways Heritage Trust. No 5553 will now begin a period of running-in on the WSR from Tuesday 27 August. No major problems are anticipated, and the Railway confidently expects that the engine will be able to make its public debut in steam at the Autumn Steam Gala. No 5553 will shortly become the third member of the ‘4575’ Class to steam on the WSR in the preservation era – after No 5572 (1986 & 1987) and No 5541 (1999), and will very shortly be joined by No 5542, whose restoration is rapidly nearing completion at Washford. Members of the class were a regular sight on the Minehead branch in GWR & BR days.
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27 Aug After several years sterling work on the WSR – it entered service in May 1995 – No 7828 Odney Manor has had to be withdrawn due to a boiler defect. The ‘Manor’ was stopped at Minehead on 19 August due to a fire tube blowing at the joint with the firebox tubeplate. Examination has concluded that repairs at this stage would not be cost effective, and so the decision was made to stop the engine. Following agreement with its owner, No 7828 will be left intact and remain on display.
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27 Aug The Railway was very busy over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Nos 6024 King Edward I, 7820 Dinmore Manor & 4160, ‘Hymek’ No D7017 and the green Class 117 dmu worked train services. The set hauled by the ‘King’ was formed of nine coaches.
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27 Aug The weekend of 14-15 September sees the welcome return of the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Extravaganza held in conjunction with the WSR on the platform at Minehead Station. For full details click here.
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27 Aug A combination of steam and diesel traction will be in action at the 1960’s Weekend on 5 & 6 October. For full details of the event click here.
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22 Aug The WSR remains upbeat about the line-up of engines for the popular Autumn Steam Gala, though it looks like being a very tense and nail-biting next couple of weeks…! GWR ‘4575’ Class 2-6-2T No 5553 is due to arrive on the WSR from Tyseley very soon and, from next week, will begin a period of running-in overseen by staff from Tyseley Locomotive Works, where the restoration of the engine was carried out. It is hoped this will reveal no serious problems and the ‘Small Prairie’ tank will be able to make its public debut at the Autumn Gala. Meanwhile, the team behind the restoration of No 5542 – a member of the same class – remain confident that it will also be able to star at the ASG. BR(W) 78xx 4-6-0 No 7828 Odney Manor has developed a problem with one of its flue tubes. Repairs are taking place in the hope that the ‘Manor’ can re-appear in time for the Gala. Other engines ‘in the frame’ are Nos 6024 King Edward I, 5224, 80136, 4160 and 7820 Dinmore Manor. For full details of the Autumn Steam Gala click here.
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22 Aug The popular GWR ‘King’ No 6024 King Edward I returned to the WSR at the head of the Mid Hants Railway’s “Green Train” on 27 July, when it worked from Oxford to Minehead. The following weekend, the ‘King’ worked trains on both days in connection with the Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally, which included the sell-out 12-coach “Severn Coast Express” on the evening of Saturday 3 August (non-stop Bishops Lydeard-Minehead & return). No 6024 can next be seen in action on WSR service trains this coming weekend, on Sunday/Monday 25/26 August, when it will work an 80-mile diagram each day, starting with the 10.25am ex-Bishops Lydeard. Don’t miss out on a trip behind this giant of steam…! For timetable details click here. On Saturday 31 August King Edward I will be returning to the main line, when it is due to work a Pathfinder Tours charter from Exeter-Par & return. The engine will return to the WSR later that day (facing the opposite direction!), and will again be in action at the Autumn Steam Gala.
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22 Aug GWR ‘5205’ Class 2-8-0T No 5224 – a member of the Waterman Heritage Railway Trust’s fleet – returned to the WSR in mid-July and, after sundry repairs were carried out, is now in active use, sharing the working of peak season services with Nos 7820, 7828, 4160 and 80136 – plus, occasionally, No 6024. The BR black-liveried ‘coal tank’ is expected to remain based on the WSR until early October.
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22 Aug The weekend of 14-15 September will see the welcome return of the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Extravaganza held in conjunction with the WSR at Minehead Station. The Festival will feature over 35 real ales and ciders, many from local Somerset breweries. So far as the Railway itself is concerned, the ‘Green’ timetable will be in operation on both days, and the diesel diagram is due to be worked, appropriately, by ‘Western’ diesel hydraulic No D1010 Western Campaigner (subject to repairs being completed in time). A visiting charter from the Home Counties to Minehead (organised by Hertfordshire Railtours) on Saturday 14 September is a sell out, so the CAMRA bar staff are likely to have a very busy weekend…! For full details of the Real Alex Extravaganza click here.
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22 Aug ‘Hymek’ diesel hydraulic No D7017 – the most reliable of the D&EPG diesel fleet based at Williton – will be out and about again working the diesel diagram on the WSR this coming Saturday, 24 August. The 80-mile diagram will give visitors plenty of opportunities to sample the ‘Maybach music’ in the beautiful scenery of West Somerset. No D7017 worked a similar diagram on 10 August. The ‘Hymeks’ were regularly deployed on through trains to/from Minehead (including to London Paddington) in the later years of the British Railways era prior to closure of the line in 1971.
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22 Aug Due to the considerable demand – will all trains run this year to date being a sell-out – an additional Fish & Chip Train will run on the evening of Saturday 28 September. This will depart from Bishops Lydeard at the earlier time of 6.00pm (due to less light in the evenings by then) for a round trip to Minehead. For full details click here.
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22 Aug Christopher Awdry – author of some of the more recent “Thomas” books – and illustrator Marc Vyvian-Jones visited the WSR on 27-28 July to sign copies of their new books based on locomotives from the Eastbourne Miniature Railway. It proved a successful venture, with plenty of guests coming along and our guests enjoying themselves.
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22 Aug In another new initiative from the Railway’s On-Train Catering department, a “Cream & Steam” package is to be tried on Sunday 13 October. Passengers will travel on the 2.25pm ex-Minehead and 4.05pm return from Bishops Lydeard. This is the WSR’s contribution to the ‘Exmoor Food Festival’ and the cost of the package (train fare and cream tea) is a bargain £8.00. Advance booking is essential – please telephone 01643 704996.
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22 Aug Visitors to the WSR on the Saturday & Sunday of the Autumn Steam Gala (7 & 8 September) will get a rare opportunity to tour the engine shed and workshops at Minehead, which are normally out of bounds to the public for Health & Safety reasons. This will provide the opportunity to see the latest progress on three future members of the active steam fleet – GWR 2-8-0 No 3850, S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 No 53808 and GWR 2-6-2T No 5193, which is being converted from a tank engine to a 2-6-0 tender engine. Admission is just £1.00 per person, payable at the shed on the day.
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20 Jul GWR 2-8-0T No 5224 – a member of the Waterman Railways fleet – arrived on the WSR on 12 June by road. The ‘big coal tank’, which visited the line back in March for our Spring Steam Gala, will be based at Minehead until mid-June – and, as well as working regular services, will also be working at the Autumn Steam Gala and the 1960s Weekend. It will join Nos 7820, 7828, 4160 & 80136 in working trains over the peak season period. No 5224 is currently receiving sundry running repairs and is expected to re-enter service over the weekend of 3-4 August, the date of the Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally.
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20 Jul No less than TWO ex-GWR 55xx 2-6-2T’s will be in WSR passenger service for the first time at the Autumn Steam Gala on 6-8 September. No 5542 – which has been based on the Railway since being rescued from Barry scrapyard in 1975 – was lit-up for the first time for 41 years on Sunday 7 July, as its restoration nears completion. The honour of striking the first match fell to WSR stalwart Trevor Barnett. The boiler passed its steam test with flying colours on 10 July. Running-in is now imminent. Meanwhile, No 5553 – also nearing completion of its restoration from scrapyard condition – will also be starring at the Autumn Gala. Another member of the Waterman Railways fleet, the ‘small prairie’ – the very last engine to be rescued from Barry scrapyard – is currently at Tyseley, and is expected to move directly from there to the WSR.
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20 Jul The engine line-up for the Autumn Steam Gala has now been confirmed as:
- GWR ‘King’ 4-6-0 No 6024 King Edward I
- GWR ‘4575’ Class 2-6-2T Nos 5542 & 5553
- GWR ‘5205’ Class 2-8-0T No 5224
- BR(W) ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 Nos 7820 Dinmore Manor & 7828 Odney Manor
- BR(W) ‘5101’ Class 2-6-2T No 4160
- BR Class 4 2-6-4T No 80136
- plus Peckett 0-4-0ST No 1788 Kilmersdon/Mike Palmer
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20 Jul The pride of the Great Western, No 6024 King Edward I, will be returning to the WSR for another visit on Saturday 27 July, when it heads the Mid-Hants “Green Train” from Oxford to Minehead. For full details of this tour CLICK HERE. Thereafter, the ‘King’ will be working on 2-3 August (Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally), over the August Bank Holiday and on 6-8 September (Autumn Steam Gala).
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3 Jul The Railway’s annual ‘Days Out With Thomas’ event – held over the weekend of 29 & 30 June – was a resounding success, with over 4,400 people attending over the two days, an increase of 3% on the 2001 event. At Minehead “Thomas” gave rides in the station area, whilst “Ben” could be seen pottering around shunting the Troublesome Trucks, assisted by “Mavis”. There were many other attractions and sideshows on offer, while “Mrs Kyndley” was kept very busy serving refreshments. Meanwhile, at Washford, “Percy” was trying to keep more of the Troublesome Trucks in order in the station yard, watched by “Rusty”. The passenger trains – several of which ran fully booked – were worked by “Duck” (which had to be assisted by “BoBo” because its train was loaded to seven coaches), “Henry” and two other of the ‘big engines’, together with “Daisy the Diesel Railcar”. No less than TWELVE locomotives could be seen in action over the weekend: Steam – Nos 4160, 6412, 7820, 7828, “Thomas” (The Lady Armaghdale from the SVR), “Ben” (Alfred from the B&WR), “Percy” (Peckett Kilmersdon); Diesel – Nos D7523, D6566, D3462, D2133, plus the Class 115/117 dmu.
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3 Jul For the second time in twelve months, the Kent & East Sussex Railway has been forced to call off the planned visit of its SR ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T No 32678 Knowle to the WSR due to problems with the firebox. The small tank had been due to visit the Railway in early September to star at the Autumn Steam Gala. This is a bitter disappointment for all concerned…………maybe it will now be third time lucky…? A replacement engine for the Gala is currently being sought.
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3 Jul A total of 63,344 passengers have travelled on the WSR up to the end of June. This is on a par with the figure at the same stage with the 2001 record year.
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3 Jul Special trains were again run in connection with the Glastonbury Music Festival in late June. A regular service of shuttle trains was run between Westbury and Taunton between 29 June and 1 July, with one set formed of a pair of Wessex Trains Class 150 units and the other formed of seven InterCity-liveried Mark II vehicles ‘top-n-tailed’ by a pair of Res Class 47’s, Nos 47749 Atlantic College and 47789 Lindisfarne. On three occasions, the train and one of the locomotives was stabled overnight at Bishops Lydeard, for servicing and cleaning, with the other ‘47’ returning light engine to Bristol Barton Hill for fuelling.
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20 Jun The diminutive ex-Port of Par 0-4-0ST Alfred – painted in a bright yellow livery – has now arrived at Minehead in readiness for the WSR’s annual “Days Out With Thomas” event on 29-30 June, where it will spend the weekend pottering around the station area at Minehead, together with “Thomas” and “Duck”. The South Devon Railway are now unable to release their ex-GWR 57xx 0-6-0PT No 5786 for the event, so No 6412 will be returning from Toddington in order to star as “Duck”. Advance ticket sales are doing exceptionally well. The first three Up trains – the 9.40am, 10.25am and 11.10am from Bishops Lydeard – are now full on both days, and tickets for the next two trains (11.50am & 12.40pm) are also selling very well. To avoid disappointment, book now – for full details click here.
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20 Jun After working successfully at the WSR’s “Anything Goes” Weekend – following repair over the winter – further problems with the heat exchanger have recently been found on ‘Western’ diesel hydraulic No D1010 Western Campaigner. The locomotive is back in the D&EPG shed at Williton, and will now miss its scheduled appearance at the next ‘Diesel Running Day’ on 13 & 14 July. Its place that weekend has been taken by another diesel hydraulic, ‘Hymek’ No D7017. The Group is hoping that No D1010 will be returned to service in order to star at the WSR/CAMRA Beer Festival Weekend on 14 & 15 September, followed by the 1960s Weekend in early October.
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20 Jun A number of extra ‘shuttle’ trains are again being laid on to/from Taunton during the last week of June in connection with the Glastonbury Music Festival. This year, the special services will be formed of a rake of stock from Riviera Trains, ‘top-n-tailed’ by EWS Class 47 diesels. Exact operating arrangements are currently being finalised, but the stock – and at least one of the locomotives – is expected to be stabled at Bishops Lydeard overnight each day.
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20 Jun The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust’s annual special train on the WSR ran on 15 June, formed of a rake of six coaches hauled, appropriately, by BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T No 80136. The Class 4 tanks were a regular sight on local trains on the S&D in its last years, from November 1963 right up until the final weekend of services on the line in March 1966.
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15 Jun GWR ‘King’ Class 4-6-0 No 6024 King Edward I and SR ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T No 32678 Knowle will be the stars at the Autumn Steam Gala on 6-8 September. The ‘King’ is expected to be based on the WSR between 27 July and 14 September – in between its main line charter commitments – whilst No 32678’s visit will be just for the Gala itself. The ‘Terrier’ was in fact based on the WSR from 1976-83, but – although restoration was started at Minehead – it never steamed on the line. Up to ten engines are expected to be in steam at the ASG…………a three day feast of steam! For full details of the Autumn Gala, please click here.
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15 Jun
The Bishops Lydeard station pilot, Class 08 shunter No D3462, was pressed into passenger service on Sunday 9 June. The engine rostered to work the “Quantock Belle” dining train – BR(W) 4-6-0 No 7828 Odney Manor – was unable to create sufficient vacuum, so the ‘08’ was attached to the front of the ‘Manor’ and the pair worked through to Williton, where No D3462 was substituted by ‘Crompton’ No D6566 to Minehead. The problem on No 7828 was fixed and, after inspection upon arrival at Minehead, it worked the return dining train to Bishops Lydeard unaided.
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15 Jun Following repair work at Minehead – principally to the crown stays in the firebox – BR(W) 4-6-0 No 7820 Dinmore Manor has rejoined the steam fleet, and is expected to work WSR trains for the rest of the main season, together with Nos 7828, 4160, 80136 and – from mid-July – No 5224.
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15 Jun The first locomotive acquired by the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group – ‘Hymek’ No D7017 – was the star at the latest ‘Diesel Running Weekend’ on 8 & 9 June. The blue-liveried diesel hydraulic worked the diesel diagram on both days, together with the “Fish & Chip Special” from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return on the Saturday evening.
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6 Jun The West Somerset Railway plc has recently published its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2001. These reveal that the Company made a profit of £21, 269 (after taxation). Revenue totalled £1,367,547 – a record – of which 930,595 (68%) was from fares from service trains. The Chairman, in his annual report, comments that “in many ways 2001 was the most successful year to date” experienced by the Company. The retail activities, shop at Minehead and on train catering both had record years. The nett worth of the Company at 31 December 2001 was £1,191,017. Almost £700k of an “apparent” large cash balance (nearly £940k) has already been committed, including monies for work on Nos 53808 and 5193, the replacement of the canopy at Minehead Station, other capital commitments in 2002 and share monies received to date to fund the extension of electric key token working. The Chairman states that the Board “is actively pursuing a policy of ensuring we have sufficient steam locomotives in the future, and one matter under consideration could cost us as much if not all of the balance” (nearly £240k). The Board is indebted to the continued support of its shareholders, staff and the ever increasing number of volunteers of all ages and both sexes in ensuring that the Railway enjoys continued success. The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on 22 June.
6 Jun The re-signalling of Bishops Lydeard – at a cost of £96,000 together with 20,000 man hours of labour – was completed last year, thus enabling the WSR to continue to receive trains from the main line network. The Railway has yet to receive a firm commitment as to when the upgrading of the main line connection at Norton Fitzwarren is to take place, but the Company Chairman – in his annual report to shareholders – states that it is expected that work should be completed by Railtrack in conjunction with the replacement of Silk Mills Crossing by a bridge, which “hopefully could be in place by 2005”……
6 Jun Three ‘guest’ engines will be visiting the WSR for our next “Days Out With Thomas” event over the weekend of 29 & 30 June. Star of the show will, of course, be “Thomas” himself – in reality 0-6-0T No 686 The Lady Armaghdale, built by the Hunslet Engine Company in December 1898. “Thomas” will be joined by “Duck” (GWR 57xx 0-6-0PT No 5786 from the South Devon Railway) and “Ben” (ex-Port of Par 0-4-0ST Alfred from the B&WR). This will be the first time that No 5786 has worked on the WSR. For details of the WSR “Days Out with Thomas” event please click here.
6 Jun The forthcoming “Days Out With Thomas” event is highly likely to feature ten locomotives in action. These will include: “Duck” (No 5786), “Thomas” (No 686 The Lady Armaghdale), “Percy” (Peckett No 1788 Kilmersdon/Mike Palmer), “Ben” (Bagnall 0-4-0ST Alfred), “Henry” (one of the two ‘Manors’), “Rusty” (Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0DM No 24), “Diesel” (No D3462), “Maud” (No D2271), “Daisy” (the green Class 117 dmu)………and at least one other (the other ‘Manor, No 4160 or No 80136). With an intensive timetable, and lots of shunting moves, this will create lot of railway operating interest. Whoever said that “Thomas” events were boring and just for the children…!?
6 Jun The two ‘Wildlife Specials’ run in May were a great success. Both trains – using the newly-restored Class 117 3-Car dmu – were well loaded and everyone aboard thought they were excellent value, appreciating David Bailey’s expert commentary about the flora and fauna along the way. Another trip is scheduled for 22 September – for details click here.
6 Jun The Railway reports with regret that, on the Saturday of the recent “Anything Goes” weekend, some unauthorised cutting back of trees took place on land adjacent to the line at Leigh Bridge, between Stogumber and Crowcombe Heathfield. This was totally un-necessary and, naturally, the landowner is understandably very angry. Circumstances suggest that the damage was caused by a diesel ‘enthusiast’. The WSR is following-up a very promising lead from a Lineside Photographic Permit holder who was in the vicinity at the time, and is hopeful that a successful prosecution will now result. The Railway enjoys good relationships with holders of a Lineside Permit and is confident that a LSP holder did not cause this damage.
6 Jun The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust has produced an excellent new leaflet to promote their activities – if you would like a copy please e-mail the Trust. At Washford, the Museum at the station – which contains a superb collection of S&D artefacts and is well worth a visit – will be open daily in June, July, August and September. The ex-Edington Junction gates at the Minehead end of the station have recently been replaced. For more details of the Trust’s activities click here.
6 Jun As part of the lead-up to the September Real Ale Festival at Minehead Station on 14 & 15 September – and to mark the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the “Western” diesel hydraulics – Moor Brewery of Ashcott, near Street will be brewing a special commemorative ale. The original gravity will be 1040, the promotional material will feature No D1010, and it will be on sale at the Festival. Western Campaigner will also be in action on the WSR that weekend.
6 Jun The WSR is again supporting St Margaret’s Hospice with their fund raising, which this year has the theme of “The Golden Mile”. Noticing that a £1 coin has a diameter of one inch, the Hospice are aiming to raise £63,360 (equivalent in value to a mile of coins) in June. On 20 June collectors from the Hospice will be riding on the trains and selling yellow ribbons. The steam engines in use that day will carry special headboards.
21 May Passengers on “The Somerset Coast Express” – a through charter from Altrincham to Minehead, organised by the Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Association – on Saturday 18 May had an eventful journey. EWS provided one of its ETH-fitted Class 47 diesels, No 47725 Bristol Barton Hill, to haul the 13-coach train, but the locomotive expired between Highbridge and Bridgwater with a small fire on the traction motor, possibly caused by an oil leak. The SW ‘Thunderbird’ loco, No 47733 Eastern Star (which visited the WSR back in 1996) was sent from Exeter to assist and hauled the train through to Taunton, where No 47725 was detached and deposited in the down side bay platform. Eastern Star then took the train on to Minehead, where it arrived over 100 minutes late (through no fault of the WSR). Departing Minehead at 16.45, No 47733 also encountered problems on the return leg and had to be detached at Bishops Lydeard to have its coolant topped-up. The loco was detached at Bristol and replaced by Class 67 No 67008 for the rest of the journey.
21 May Three Great Western engines are set to return to service on the WSR over the next two months or so. No 7820 Dinmore Manor has successfully passed its hydraulic and steam tests – following replacement of many firebox crown stays, which has resulted in the boiler pressure returning to 225psi – and is now receiving the ‘finishing touches’ prior to re-joining the fleet. The return to steam of GWR ‘small prairie’ 2-6-2T No 5542 is continuing to move closer, recent work involving the shaping and fitting of the large bore copper pipework. Thirdly, ‘5205’ Class 2-8-0T No 5224 – which visited the line for this year’s Spring Steam Gala in March – will be returning in mid-July, and will stay initially until the end of October.
21 May The WSR has recently published details of its 2002 “Days Out with Thomas” event, which will be held over the weekend of 29-30 June. For full details please click here.
21 May The programme of six ‘Fish & Chip Specials’ – a new venture for 2002 – has already sold out. The second train, on the evening of Saturday 11 May, was formed of six coaches and worked by Class 33 No 6566 instead of the dmu. For details of the trains click here.
21 May As already reported, the popular GWR ‘King’ Class 4-6-0 No 6024 King Edward I will be paying another visit to the WSR in the late summer in connection with the Autumn Steam Gala, and details of its workings on the line are beginning to take shape. No 6024 is being lined-up to work a Daylight Railtours charter formed of the Mid-Hants “Green Train” stock from Oxford in late July – possibly on the 27th – which will return diesel hauled. After working passenger trains on the WSR on several dates in August – including the Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally weekend, and a special occasion for members of the engine’s support crew – the ‘King’ is scheduled to work a Pathfinder Tours’ Exeter-Par-Exeter charter, before returning to the line (facing the other way). After starring on all three days of the Autumn Steam Gala on 6-8 September, King Edward I is likely to work a further charter to Birmingham on Saturday 14 September.
21 May One of the main highlights of the “Anything Goes” Weekend on 11-12 May was the preservation debut of the Territorial Army’s 257 Railway Squadron’s 3-car Class 117 diesel multiple unit. Formed of vehicles DMBS No 51352, TCL No 59506 and DMS No 51376 the set looks superb in early BR green livery, complete with “cats whiskers” on the front of the power cars. The dmu formed one return trip from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead in the first half of each day, before working ‘shuttle’ services on the Norton Fitzwarren section in the afternoon. The “Anything Goes” event was a great success – attracting a very encouraging number of passengers – and seven locomotives could be seen in action working trains – Nos 4160, 7828, 80136, D1010, 6566, D7017 and D7523, plus the Class 117.
21 May The evening of Saturday 11 May saw two dining trains passing at Williton. The WSRA’s “Quantock Belle” (7.15pm ex-Bishops Lydeard) crossed with the “Coastal Belle” (7.00pm ex-Minehead), hauled by BR Standard 2-6-4T No 80136 and BR(W) 2-6-2T No 4160 respectively.
21 May Visitors to Blue Anchor Railway Museum last year were approximately 7% up on 2000. A number of new exhibits are on display this season. The museum is well worth a visit and is normally open on Sundays, Bank Holidays and on Wednesday evenings when the “Sunset Special” is running. Admission is free, but a donation is appreciated.
1 May It is confidently expected that GWR 5205 Class 2-8-0T No 5224 – a member of the Waterman Heritage Railway Trust fleet and returned to steam in 2001 – will return to the WSR for the summer in order to work peak season services, together with Nos 7820 Dinmore Manor, 7828 Odney Manor, 4160 and 80136. The ‘big coal tank’ made its WSR debut at the Spring Steam Gala earlier this year.
1 May In another new venture for 2002, the WSR is to operate a number of “Wildlife Specials” during the season. These will give the opportunity to view the flora, fauna and wildlife along the line – one of Somerset’s longest nature trails – by special train, led by local photographer and naturalist David Bailey. For full details of these special services please click here.
1 May In a totally mindless act – thought to be started deliberately by vandals – GWR 20T covered van No 56631 was severely damaged by fire whilst stabled in a siding at Bishops Lydeard in the early evening of Friday 26 April. Most of the wooden body of the van – built by the GWR in June 1918 – was destroyed, leaving just a metal skeleton sitting on top of the chassis.
1 May One of the most popular engines in the WSR steam fleet – BR(W) 4-6-0 No 7820 Dinmore Manor – is expected to return to service shortly, having received extensive repairs to its firebox including the fitting of a large number of new crown stays.
1 May Waverley Excursions Limited, in association with the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, has recently published details of its programme of sailings on the Bristol Channel for the 2002 season. These will feature both Balmoral and the paddle steamer Waverley, with the harbour at Minehead being used on several occasions, and many linking in with WSR trains. The season starts on Friday 24 May, with a cruise from Minehead around Porlock Bay behind Waverley in the late afternoon. For full details of the Bristol Channel cruises please ring 0845 130 4647.
24 Apr GWR ‘Castle’ Class 4-6-0 No 5051 Earl Bathurst will be in action again on the WSR this coming weekend. On the Saturday (27 April) the engine will work a 60-mile diagram on a private Footplate Experience Course. The following day, the Didcot-based ‘Castle’ is rostered to work a 100-mile diagram on service trains, as follows:-
10.15am MD-BL (double-headed); 12.25pm BL-MD; 2.25pm MD-BL; 4.05pm BL-MD; 5.25pm MD-BL dining train. No 5051 will thus end up at Bishops Lydeard, where it will be prepared for its next main line railtour commitment to Penzance on Saturday 4 May.
24 Apr Peckett 0-4-0ST No 1788 Kilmersdon/Mike Palmer is now back at Washford after receiving a boiler overhaul carried out by Locomotive 5542 Limited at a private industrial site in Taunton. The engine could be seen in steam around the yard at Washford on Sunday 21 April.
24 Apr There is still time – just! – to purchase Rover Tickets for NEXT year’s Spring Steam Gala – to be held on 28-30 March 2003 – at THIS year’s prices. This offer ends on 30 April. For full details please click here.
10 Apr The WSR has already secured the services of two ‘guest’ engines for the Autumn Steam Gala on 6-8 September. GWR ‘King’ Class 4-6-0 No 6024 King Edward I – which has recently received its final main line certificate, prior to being withdrawn for overhaul – will again be in action, and is due to arrive on the line at the head of a main line charter on 4 August. This will be No 6024’s fifth visit to the WSR. At the opposite end of the size scale, the K&ESR has offered the Railway their ex-SR ‘Terrier’ Class 0-6-0T No 32678 Knowle. Recently repainted in BR lined black livery, No 32678 was a former resident at Minehead. The WSR is also hoping to bring in another ‘main line guest’ engine for the Autumn Gala.
10 Apr The Railway’s Class 33 ‘Crompton’ diesel electric locomotive No 6566 will be working trains at the first of this year’s Diesel Running Days this coming weekend – Saturday & Sunday 13 & 14 April. The ‘33’ will work the following trains on both days:-
10.25am BL-MD; 12.15pm MD-BL; 2.35pm BL-MD; 4.00pm MD-BL
10 Apr The return of Class 14 0-6-0 diesel hydraulic No D9526 – another member of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group’s fleet – to full working order took a significant step forward on 20 March with the successful installation of its Paxman engine during the D&EPG volunteer work week. It is hoped the locomotive will return to service on the WSR later this year, after an absence of five years.
10 Apr Steam services over the Easter weekend were worked by GWR ‘Castle’ Class 4-6-0 No 5051 Earl Bathurst, LNER B1 4-6-0 No 61264 and BR 2-6-4T No 80136. No 61264 left the Railway the following week, whilst the ‘Castle’ will remain based on the WSR until 4 May, when it will work a charter train from Taunton to Penzance in the company of another ‘Castle’, No 5029 Nunney Castle.
10 Apr The WSR was advised in early April that plans to bring the world famous LNER A3 ‘Pacific’ No 4472 Flying Scotsman to Minehead later this year have had to be cancelled.
10 Apr Up to the end of March, the Railway had carried just over 12,000 passengers
10 Apr A reminder that time is running out to avail yourself of the opportunity to purchase Rover Tickets for NEXT year’s Spring Steam Gala – to be held on 28-30 March 2003 – at THIS year’s prices. This offer ends on 30 April. For full details please click here.
27 Mar No less than NINE engines were in steam and working passenger trains at the Spring Steam Gala on 22-24 March, including SEVEN ‘guests’ - GWR 4-6-0’s Nos 5051 Earl Bathurst, 6960 Raveningham Hall & 7828 Odney Manor, GWR 2-8-0T No 5224, BR(W) 2-6-2T No 4160, BR(W) 0-6-0PT No 1501, LNER B1 4-6-0 No 61264, BR 2-10-0 No 92212 and BR 2-6-4T No 80136. No 5051 worked in to Bishops Lydeard on a main line charter, which was hauled on to Minehead by Nos 7828 & 4160. Nos 6960, 5224 and 1501 made their first appearance on the WSR at the Gala, whilst No 92212 put in an exemplary performance all weekend, in contrast to its last appearance in September 1999. A little over 4,800 passengers travelled over the three days.
27 Mar The peak (Gold) timetable will be in operation this coming weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (30/31 March & 1 April). For timetable details click here. Two of the three engines rostered to work trains over the three days (subject to availability) are the Didcot-based GWR ‘Castle’ 4-6-0 No 5051 Earl Bathurst and the LNER B1 4-6-0 No 61264. Details as follows:-
| No 61264 |
| 10.25am BL-MD; 12.15pm MD-BL;
2.10pm BL-MD; 3.55pm MD-BL
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| No 5051 |
| 11.25am BL-MD; 2.50pm MD-WN;
3.45pm WN-MD; 4.45pm MD-BL
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No 4160 or
No 80136 |
| 10.15am MD-BL; 12.25pm BL-MD;
2.00pm MD-BL; 4.05pm BL-MD
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27 Mar Peckett 0-4-0ST No 1788 Kilmersdon/Mike Palmer will soon be returning to its base at Washford following completion of a ten-year boiler overhaul carried out by Locomotive 5542 Limited (whose own engine is nearing completion at Washford) at a private site in Taunton. Some wasted areas on the outer firebox wrapper sides have been built-up with weld and some new stays fitted, riveting in the Smokebox and the fitting of new tubes. The boiler has now passed its hydraulic and steam tests, and efforts are now concentrating on reassembly, prior to delivery (by road) to the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust’s base.
19 Mar Three ‘new’ Mark 1 coaches have recently arrived on the WSR. Two TSO’s - Nos 5025 & 5030 - have been purchased privately from Riviera Trains for use on the line. Both carry BR Western Region chocolate-and-cream livery, and will enter service at the Spring Steam Gala. The WSR plc has purchased BSO No 9380, which previously formed part of the now-disbanded “Berwyn Belle” dining train on the Llangollen Railway. The BSO has been moved to Minehead, and is now in the carriage shed where it will lose its royal blue livery in favour of the more traditional chocolate-and-cream. The arrival of the two TSO’s - together with other recent coach arrivals - means the WSR can now muster a rake of six dual-braked Mark 1 vehicles (TSO Nos 4875, 4876, 4909, 5025, 5030 & BSK No 35451), which opens-up new commercial possibilities.
19 Mar Details of the Railway’s special seasonal services in December have recently been announced. As well as the Santa Specials, there are also special trains in connection with ‘Dunster by Candlelight, two ‘Carol Trains’ and a special Christmas “Coastal Belle” dining train. Full details will be available on this web site in a few days...
19 Mar Departure of the 12.15pm ex-Minehead diesel railcar service was delayed slightly from Bishops Lydeard on the last leg of its journey to Norton Fitzwarren - a feature of the Off Peak (Blue) timetable in 2002 - on Saturday 16 March in order that passengers on the train could see the passing of a steam hauled charter heading south on the West of England main line. Shortly before 2 o’clock, the pairing of two Great Western ‘Hall’ Class 4-6-0’s - Nos 4965 Rood Ashton Hall & 4936 Kinlet Hall - made a fine sight as they passed Norton Fitzwarren with “The Torbay Limited” charter, which was steam hauled from Gloucester to Kingswear.
19 Mar With thanks to the Severn Valley Railway, the WSR has - at short notice - hired BR(W) 15xx Class 0-6-0PT No 1501 for the Spring Steam Gala on 22-24 March to replace No 6412, as repairs to the latter’s firebox will not be completed in time. This means that no less than SEVEN of the nine engines scheduled to appear at the Gala are ‘guests’ - Nos 1501, 5051, 5224, 6960, 61264, 80136 & 92212. For full details of the Gala please click here. No 1501 was the second of a batch of ten outside-cylinder pannier tanks designed by F.W. Hawksworth and constructed at Swindon in 1949, primarily for shunting and for working empty stock trains between Old Oak Common and London Paddington. No 1501 was withdrawn in 1961 and sold to the National Coal Board and worked at Keresley Colliery, Coventry from 1961-69. The ‘big pannier’ has been based at the SVR since 1970, and was steamed for the first time in preservation in May 1997.
19 Mar BR Standard Class 9F No 92212 arrived at Bishops Lydeard (by road from Bury) on 7 March, and was subsequently hauled to Minehead by the Class 25 diesel No D7523. The big 2-10-0 - expected to be the second 9F to work passenger trains on the WSR, following the visit of Evening Star in 1989-90 - is currently receiving planned maintenance and repairs at Minehead in readiness for its 2002 season. It will be one of the seven ‘guest’ engines to star at the Spring Steam Gala, before moving on after the event to the Mid-Hants Railway.
19 Mar The WSR ran its annual Clear-Up Train over the weekend of 2-3 March. This year hauled by the Class 25 diesel No D7523, the train - nicknamed “The Steptoe Special” - worked over the whole length of the line, with volunteers collecting scrap chairs and logs, burning rubbish and old sleepers etc, with the overall aim of making the lineside neat and tidy in readiness for the start of the season. It is estimated that over 25tons of scrap chairs and around 20tons of logs (from lineside cutting back) were collected over the weekend.
19 Mar After being postponed from its original date of Sunday 12 May, it is now expected that the LNER A3 4-6-2 No 4472 Flying Scotsman will visit the WSR - at the head of a charter former of the VSOE Northern Belle stock - on Sunday 16 June. For full details please click here.
19 Mar The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group are planning to reinstall the overhauled Paxman engine on their Class 14 0-6-0 diesel hydraulic No D9526 in late March. After sundry other repairs have been completed, it is expected that the locomotive will re-enter service - after an absence of several years - at the 1960s Weekend on 5-6 October.
19 Mar The section of track between Longlands Farm Bridge and Norton Road Bridge - on the section between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren - has been upgraded, with a consequent increase in line speed to 55mph. It is NOT intended that passenger trains will ever exceed the current permitted maximum of 25mph on any part of the line. However, from time to time the Railway receives requests from Train Operating Companies to undertake crew training and stock testing on our line (using the existing connection with the main line network at Norton Fitzwarren), and it is for this reason that the WSR decided to undertake the upgrade. The arrangements are that the line speed over the section concerned can be increased on a short-term basis, and in certain circumstances requires an exemption from the WSR’s Safety Case.
19 Mar As well as the obvious attractions on the Railway itself, no less than THREE new books will be launched over the Spring Steam Gala on 22-24 March. The WSRA - in conjunction with Ian Allan Publishing - has just produced the second volume of Locomotives of the West Somerset Railway, which contains well over 60 colour photographs (all previously unpublished) of steam and diesel in action on the WSR. Priced £12.99, the Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard will be the ONLY place you can purchase a copy of the book until mid-April. Full details will be available on this web site in a few days...
For full details of this new book, and how you can obtain your copy, please click here.
At Minehead, well-known S&D author Alan Hammond will be on hand in ‘The Buffer Stop Shop’ to sign copies of his new title, Heart of the Somerset & Dorset Railway. Richard Derry’s Book of the West Country & Battle of Britain Pacifics will be launched at Williton Station on the Friday of the Gala. Published by Irwell Press, the 180-page book retails at £19.95.
19 Mar The WSR’s ticket printing press at Dunster - which produces traditional Edmondson card tickets for both the WSR and many other private railways - has to date printed a total of six and a quarter million tickets since the operation was first started. As each ticket is printed twice - on the front and back - this means that, in effect, twelve and a half million tickets have passed through the machine, purchased from Crewe. The WSR is always happy to quote for the production of card tickets.
19 Mar Following the success of the Railway’s Carol Train in recent years - which has traditionally run on a Monday evening in early December between Minehead and Williton - a second train will run in 2002 from Bishops Lydeard, with both trains crossing at Williton. Each train will be hauled by two different steam engines! Full details of this year's trains - which run on 9 December - will be available on this web site in a few days...
19 Mar The popular Great Western ‘King’ 4-6-0 - No 6024 King Edward I - will be returning to the WSR to take part in the Autumn Steam Gala on 6-8 September.
19 Mar Details of the “Anything Goes” weekend - a new gala event for the WSR in 2002 - have recently been announced. The event will feature an intensive timetable, worked by a host of steam and heritage diesel locomotives, together with the diesel railcar. For full details please click here.
19 Mar The date of the NEXT year’s Spring Steam Gala has now been fixed - 28-30 March 2003. For a short period, the WSR is offering the chance to book advance tickets for this event at 2002 prices. This offer is open until 30 April. For full details please click here.
22 Feb The WSR ran passenger trains on eight days in February, principally around the school half term week. A special timetable was in operation, which featured two return trips between Minehead and Williton (the Bishops Lydeard-Williton section was closed for engineering work). BR Class 4 2-6-4T No 80136 worked all the trains, hauling a six-coach set.
22 Feb The WSR plc has purchased two Mark 1 TSO coaches from HBSC Rail. No 4876 is now resplendent in chocolate-and-cream livery and is now receiving attention to its interior and having its seats refitted prior to entering service. No 4875 is currently at Bishops Lydeard awaiting transfer to Minehead, where it will also be repainted and refurbished prior to entering service. A further TSO - No 4909 - is currently receiving attention in the carriage shed at Minehead, whilst TCL No 59506 is being repainted in BR green to become the centre vehicle in the ‘new’ 3-car dmu (owned by 275 Railway Squadron). The TCL is also being fitted out internally with a small micro-buffet. A further TCL, No 59505, has been repainted in chocolate-and-cream.
22 Feb Despite the West Somerset area receiving its fair share of wet and windy weather over recent weeks, the Railway’s permanent way and signalling gangs have made excellent progress since Christmas. A major track relay between the two automatic crossings at Leigh Wood and Roebuck - between Stogumber and Crowcombe Heathfield - is nearing completion, a distance of nearly a mile. This has utilised concrete sleepers, with new ballast being delivered to Bishops Lydeard by road and transported to site by rail (hauled by Class 25 No D7523). Whilst the old track was removed, the opportunity was taken to repair and waterproof the overbridge at Roebuck Farm. Bridge repairs to the second of the two metal bridges that take the line over the main A358 road at Combe Florey are also nearing completion. The cutting back gang have completed lineside clearance behind the platform at Watchet and also in Leigh Lane cutting. A pair of rail-mounted flails have been hired and are currently trimming undergrowth in the immediate vicinity of the track throughout the whole length of the line prior to the start of the new operating season on 10 March. Meanwhile, the S&T Gang is currently carrying out repairs to the traditional gated level crossing at Blue Anchor.
22 Feb The WSR - in conjunction with the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster - is offering the opportunity to experience a nostalgic visit to the railway combined with elegant and comfortable accommodation in the picturesque village of Dunster. Several ‘Weekend & Midweek Breaks’ are on offer during 2002 to suit a variety of tastes and interests - for full details click here.
22 Feb The programme of Santa Steam Specials for 2002 is now available. A total of 7,014 passengers travelled on the WSR’s Santa Specials last December - an all-time record - so early booking for this year is strongly advised. Why not treat yourself and the family to a steam train ride through the beautiful Somerset countryside and visit Santa in his Station Grotto. For full details click here.
15 Feb The WSR has secured BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No 92212 as a further ‘guest’ engine for the Spring Steam Gala on 22-24 March. A total of SIX visiting engines will now be in steam hauling trains over the event - GWR Nos 5051 Earl Bathurst, 5224, 6960 Raveningham Hall; LNER No 61264; BR Nos 80136 & 92212. The Railway is eagerly looking forward to the visit of the 9F and is confident that its return will be more successful than its first visit to West Somerset. The engine was hired for the 1999 Autumn Steam Gala, but was received in poor condition from its then base, the Great Central Railway (through NO fault of the owners). It did manage to work light engine (with No 7820 Dinmore Manor) in 1999, but failed upon arrival at Minehead and it did not work a passenger train on the WSR. No 92212 will be arriving on the WSR from the East Lancs Railway - where it is currently operating - and after the Spring Gala will be moving on to the Mid-Hants Railway.
7 Feb GWR ‘5205’ Class 2-8-0T No 5224 has been confirmed as another ‘guest’ engine at the Spring Steam Gala on 22-24 March. Resplendent in BR unlined black livery - complete with the ‘cycling lion’ crest on the tank sides - the engine has recently been outshopped from Pete Waterman’s LNWR Co. workshops at Crewe after an overhaul lasting 18 months and costing £200,000. No 5224 - previously based at the Great Central Railway - will work trains on all three days of the Gala, and is expected to return to Cheddleton in time for Easter. Built in May 1924, No 5224 spent all its working life on the GWR and BR in Wales, before being withdrawn in April 1963 and sent to Woodham’s Scrapyard at Barry. It will become the third member of the class to work on the WSR in preservation, after Nos 4277 (1996 & 1999) and 4247 (2001).
7 Feb One of the two ‘Manor’ Class 4-6-0’s based on the WSR - No 7820 Dinmore Manor - is currently rated as ‘doubtful’ for the Spring Steam Gala, as repairs to its firebox have taken longer to complete than originally anticipated. No 7820 will, however, again be a regular sight in steam on the WSR during the 2002 season. If the ‘Manor’ does not make it in time, the Spring Gala still promises a feast of steam - with Nos 4160, 5051, 5224, 6412, 6960, 7828, 61264, 80136 and (hopefully) one further ‘guest’ in action hauling trains.
7 Feb A recent signalling alteration at Williton has seen the GWR backing signal arm - which stood at the Minehead end of the Up platform - replaced with a new standard four foot arm on the same post. As a consequence, it has been re-designated from a shunt signal to a main running signal. The signal - number 19 - is often used for Minehead-Williton trains which, after the engine has run round, usually depart back to Minehead from the Up platform.
7 Feb The WSR is hopeful that a GWR 55xx ‘small prairie’ 2-6-2T engine will feature at the “Anything Goes” Weekend on 11 & 12 May………
31 Jan The visit of GWR ‘Modified Hall’ Class 4-6-0 No 6960 Raveningham Hall for the Spring Steam Gala on 22-24 March has now been confirmed. No 6960 - which will become the second ‘Modified Hall’ to work over the WSR in preservation, following the visit of No 6990 Witherslack Hall in 1998 - appears courtesy of both its owner and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Toddington.
31 Jan The Railway has recently been informed that the proposed visit of the famous LNER ‘Pacific’ No 4472 Flying Scotsman hauling the VSOE "Northern Belle" stock to Minehead on Sunday 12 May has been postponed.
31 Jan Special new On-Train Catering mugs are currently being produced, which will be on sale on the Railway’s buffet cars during 2002. Purchase of one of these mugs will entitle the passenger to free tea and/or coffee for the rest of the day of their visit (or for a later visit during the season if they remember to bring their mug back with them!).
31 Jan GWR ‘Large Prairie’ No 4160 is currently receiving a valve and piston examination at Minehead in readiness for the start of the new season. 2002 will be its last full season in service prior to being withdrawn for overhaul. Since it entered service on the WSR in 1993, No 4160 has run over 70,000 miles - a very creditable achievement. Work is progressing well on the firebox repairs on No 7820 Dinmore Manor. Work on the restoration of GWR 2-8-0 No 3850 continues at both Tyseley and Minehead. At the latter, work continues on the frames - including assembly work on the front sanding gear, attention to the splashers, and rectification of small imperfections in the running platework.. At Tyseley, boiler work has seen the completion of about 70% of the steel and copper stays, whilst the tubeplate and smokebox door have both been repaired. Further funding is urgently required to enable the boiler work to be completed and get the big 2-8-0 back in traffic on the WSR. If you can help, please contact Robin George, 1 Laurel Terrace, Yatton, Bristol BS19 4AF.
31 Jan The WSR received its first Santa Special booking for 2002 on 23 January...a party of 70 who wish to travel from Minehead to Blue Anchor on Christmas Eve!
31 Jan A lot of permanent way work has taken place on the WSR since Christmas, particularly in the Williton-Bishops Lydeard section. A major track relay is currently in progress between the two road crossings at Leigh Wood and Roebuck, using concrete sleepers. Whilst the track was lifted, the opportunity was taken to refurbish Roebuck Farm Bridge, which has now been waterproofed. Repair and refurbishment work is also being carried out on ‘Farmers Arms Bridge’ at Combe Florey - the last of four such bridges in this section to be given ‘the treatment’.. Lineside flails will be operating over the line during the last two weeks of February, flailing as much lineside undergrowth as possible. This will be closely followed by the annual pre-season "Tidy Train" on 2 & 3 March.
31 Jan In a new venture, the WSR Company is running a programme of evening dining trips between Minehead and Williton in 2002. The "Coastal Belle" will run on five evenings, during which a full three-course meal based around a particular theme will be served. The themes are: 6 April - British Beef; 4 May - Spring Fish; 1 June - Italian Summer Evening; 13 July - Somerset Special; 5 October - Harvest Home. The cost is £28 per adult and £15 per child. There are also some special themed packages in conjunction with the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster. For full details/bookings please telephone the WSR at Minehead on 01643 704996.
31 Jan WSR passengers will have the opportunity to travel over the Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren section on more occasions this coming season. On days when the Blue (‘A’) timetable is operating, and the diesel multiple unit is in use, the 12.15pm ex-Minehead will be extended to Norton Fitzwarren, returning from there at 1.45pm - when the unit then forms the 2.35pm ex-Bishops Lydeard. Normally, the BL-NF section is only used by through charter trains and at special events. For details of the dates when the Blue timetable is in use please click here.
28 Jan The WSRA has now finalised its programme for its "Quantock Belle" Luxury Dining Train for the forthcoming season. The programme operates from 31 March (Easter Sunday) to Christmas and features a mixture of Sunday Lunch and Saturday Evening Dinner services. An all-day dining service will also be available during many of our special events. For full details of the 2002 programme click here. Advance booking - which is essential - can be made by telephoning 01823 433856 (Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm).
20 Jan GWR ‘King’ Class 4-6-0 No 6024 King Edward I is to pay another visit to the WSR for the Autumn Steam Gala on 6-8 September. Since making its WSR debut in March 1997, the ‘King’ has made several ‘guest’ visits to the line - achieving a total WSR mileage to date of 2,175 - where it has been very well received and proved extremely popular. Whilst not confirmed at this stage, it is expected that the ‘King’ will work to the WSR on a main line charter prior to the Gala.
20 Jan The 2002 programme of Diesel Running Days has been confirmed. Several members of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group’s fleet will feature during the season, with ‘Western’ No D1010 Western Campaigner and ‘Hymek’ No D7017 predominating. For full details of the programme click here.
20 Jan The WSR is running a special timetable on several dates in February to coincide with the schools Half Term week. An ideal opportunity to see the beautiful West Somerset scenery from the comfort of a nice warm coach! For details of the special timetable click here.
11 Jan GWR ‘Modified Hall’ Class 4-6-0 No 6960 Raveningham Hall is likely to pay its first visit to the WSR for the Spring Steam Gala on 22-24 March, courtesy of the Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway (where it is normally based). This will be the second ‘Modified Hall’ to visit the line in the preservation era, following in the footsteps of GCR-based No 6990 Witherslack Hall in 1998. No 6960 was built at Swindon in 1944, and during its GWR/BR career worked from Old Oak Common, Reading and Oxford sheds. It was withdrawn in 1964 and spent many years at Barry scrapyard, before being purchased for preservation in 1972.
9 Jan The Railway’s fleet of steam engines achieved a total mileage of 39,738 in 2001. This was achieved by a total of 15 engines:-
- GWR - Nos 4160, 7820 Dinmore Manor, 7828 Odney Manor, 6412, 4247, 6024 King Edward I, 5029 Nunney Castle, 9466, 4936 Kinlet Hall, 813
- LMS - 45337, 47383 (as Thomas)
- LNER - 61264
- BR - 80136
- Industrial - 1788 Mike Palmer
The highest mileage for an individual engine last year was achieved by No 4160 (11,035 miles). Only Dinmore Manor (11,139 miles in 1996) has run more miles on the Railway in a single year.
9 Jan The WSR will now be running its ‘Early Season Special Service’ on two additional dates in February - Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st.. For details of the special timetable being run on selected dates in February please click here.
3 Jan The WSR enjoyed another record year in 2001 - the third consecutive year of growth on the previous year. The Railway ended the year carrying a total of 169,275 passengers - an all-time record - compared to 154,421 in 2000, an increase of 9.6%. This further confirms the WSR as being one of the country’s top heritage steam railways and one of the most successful leisure attractions in the West of England.
3 Jan A total of 7,014 passengers travelled on the WSR’s Santa Specials in December - an all time record.
3 Jan All the post-Christmas steam services - the WSR operated daily between 27 December and 1 January inclusive - were hauled by BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T No 80136, working an 80-mile diagram each day. The engine, which is particularly popular with footplate crews, performed faultlessly, and looked and sounded superb at the head of its rake of chocolate-and-cream Mark One coaches. Passenger loadings on New Years Day necessitated the strengthening of the set to six coaches to cope with demand.
3 Jan The WSR’s new colour timetable brochure - which gives full details of all the scheduled train services in 2002 - has recently been published. If you would like a copy - or, indeed can help distribute a few copies - please e-mail us.
3 Jan The Electric Key Token equipment between Minehead and Blue Anchor is to be upgraded over the close season. This will release the existing MD-BA equipment for re-use in another section.
3 Jan In a new venture for 2002, the WSR has introduced a programme of "Fish and Chips" Specials from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return on selected evenings during the season. For full details click here.
3 Jan The popular Sunset Specials from Minehead to Blue Anchor on Wednesday evenings will again be running in 2002. The programme has been extended and will now operate throughout June, July and August. For full details click here.
Updated: 28 December 2002
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