West Somerset Railway Association


News from the Railway July to September 2004...


Last updated: 20 October 2004 News is presented in reverse order Past news index



29 Sep		With the arrival of SR ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T No 32678 Knowle by road from the Kent & East Sussex Railway on 28 September, all the visiting engines have now arrived and the engines in the correct place at both ends of the line in readiness for the start of the Autumn Steam Gala on Thursday 30 September. The four-day event will feature a total of ELEVEN engines in steam, ranging from BR 9F 2-10-0 No 92214 to Peckett 0-4-0ST Kilmersdon! For full details of the trains to be worked by each engine, a souvenir programme can be purchased from WSR stations over the weekend, priced Ł2.50. Rover tickets are available, with a three-day ticket permitting travel on all four days of the Gala. Enjoy……



29 Sep		The WSR is again to be used as a storage facility for main line certificated rolling stock, which is currently off-lease. At short notice, on 29 September an ex-Virgin Trains HST set was hauled to Minehead by Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 47 No 47150. Extensive shunting has been going on at Minehead in recent days in order to accommodate the ten vehicles. It is not yet known how long the HST will be stored on the WSR.



29 Sep		Past-Time Rail are running a main line charter from West Country stations to Dunster by Candlelight on Friday 3 December, the first day of the popular two-day annual event. Starting from Weston-super-Mare at 12:00, the special charter picks-up at Yatton, Nailsea & Backwell, Bristol Temple Meads (12:40), Bath Spa, Trowbridge and Westbury (13:30), before running over the WSR’s main line connection at Norton Fitzwarren and on to Dunster and Minehead.



29 Sep		Since its arrival from Llangollen on 23 September, ex-GWR ‘Large Prairie’ tank No 5199 has enjoyed a busy period working trains on the Railway. It made its debut on Saturday 25 December, when it worked an 80-mile dining train diagram with the “Quantock Belle” dining train, followed the next day by a similar length diagram on scheduled passenger trains. It again worked scheduled services, starting and finishing at Bishops Lydeard, on both 28 and 29 December, and is rostered to work on all four days of the Autumn Steam Gala. Memories of No 4160……



29 Sep		The Railway’s new GW ‘Mogul’, No 9351, made its first run in steam along the line on Saturday 25 September, running light engine from Minehead to Blue Anchor and back. After a small number of minor finishing-off tasks were then completed, on 29 September No 9351 is rostered to work a round trip to Blue Anchor and back, and then on to Williton and back, hauling a rake of coaches. If all goes well, the new 2-6-0 will make its passenger debut on Thursday 30 September, the first day of the Autumn Steam Gala, as planned.



29 Sep		The West Somerset Railway on the Web reports: “Slippage of the bank near the headshunt at Washford Station now requires remedial works. But care is required here due to a small colony of the rare Crown Vetch – a small grassland plant first discovered at this spot in 1923 – and so the clump of vetch was divided. Parts of the root system have been replanted in four sites further down the bank. Some root stock was also taken to be potted on and seed was taken as a further reserve. Hopefully all this effort will ensure the survival of this interesting specimen, which is just part of the great diversity of wildlife which helps to give the WSR its special character.” Yes, there’s an awful lot to the WSR than just running steam trains……



29 Sep		The WSR is again to be used to convey stone to be used for a road repair contract in the Leigh Bridge area, between Crowcombe Heathfield and Stogumber. Around 1,800 tonnes of Mendip rock will be brought from Merehead Quarry and unloaded by the site of the former Leigh Bridge Loop (closed by BR in 1964). The stone will then be moved across neighbouring fields, where it will be used to carry out repairs to a minor road, which was truncated due to subsidence some time ago. Three trains of stone are expected to operate, with the first scheduled for Monday 11 October. This is the third time the WSR has been used for such work, following the very successful movement of rock for coastal defence works at Minehead in 1997-98 and again at Hell Bay, near Doniford in 2000.



21 Sep		A total of ELEVEN engines will be in steam at the four-day Autumn Steam Gala from 30 September to 3 October, ten of which will be working passenger trains over the course of the event. The engines are planned to be in action as follows:- Thursday 30 September: Nos 5199, 9351, 9466, 32678, 92214 [spare: 5542, 80136] Friday 1 October: Nos 4936, 5199, 5542, 9351, 9466, 32678, 92214 [spare: 5553, 80136] Saturday 2 October: Nos 5199, 5542, 6412, 9351, 9466, 32678, 80136, 92214 [spare: 5553] Sunday 3 October: Nos 4936, 5199, 5553, 6412, 9351, 9466, 32678, 80136, 92214 [spare: 5542] Full details of the engine rosters – including the goods train workings – will be published in the working timetables, which form part of the special Autumn Steam Gala souvenir programme. This can be obtained either by sending a cheque for Ł2.50 and a 9” x 6” stamped addressed envelope to the West Somerset Railway, The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset TA24 5BG, or at principal stations over the Gala weekend itself.



21 Sep		The Railway has recently published details of its programme of Santa Specials later this year. In addition to the usual format of trains from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield, and from Minehead to Blue Anchor, to meet Santa in his Station Grotto, a new series of trains – The Santa Express – is being introduced in 2004. The Santa Express travels from Bishops Lydeard to Williton, with Santa himself riding on the train as well, visiting children during the course of the journey. The Railway’s Santa Specials are always very popular, with many trains being fully booked well in advance. For details of the Santa Specials click here, and for the new Santa Express trains here.



21 Sep		Mike Little’s beautifully restored Great Western auto trailer No 178 ‘returned home’ to the WSR on 21 September after spending the summer working on the Dean Forest Railway, where it was often paired with GWR 14xx 0-4-2T No 1450 – which returned to steam after overhaul earlier this year. The Railway’s auto train, with the trailer hauled by No 6412, is booked to work at both the Autumn Steam Gala and Grand Trains Extravaganza in October. Who knows………maybe the “auto tank” will join it on the WSR at some time in the future……



21 Sep		The visiting BR Class 9F 2-10-0 No 92214 made its debut in WSR, as expected, on Saturday 18 September, when it worked the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust’s annual charter train on a return trip from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. This was very appropriate, as the 9F’s were a regular sight on the S&D in latter years. The 9F worked an 80-mile diagram on scheduled services the following day, followed by a further 80 miles on a private Steam Engineman course on the 20th. However, in addition, the 9F was unexpectedly called back into action on Tuesday 21 September, when the rostered engine – BR Class 4 2-6-4T No 80136 – was failed with a weeping fusible plug. No 92214 thus worked a further 80-mile diagram on the WSR. The engine is now expected to remain out of service at Bishops Lydeard, prior to working on all four days of the Autumn Steam Gala (30 September – 3 October).



21 Sep		Work will begin in earnest on the renovation and replacement of the platform canopy at Minehead Station on Monday 4 October, the day after the Autumn Steam Gala, though some preliminary work has already commenced. Some alterations to train working will be necessary during this time. The cost of the work – in excess of Ł200k – will be helped by a significant contribution from the Friends of Minehead Station.



21 Sep		Good progress continues to be made on the restoration of a number of the Railway’s fleet of heritage goods wagons. At Minehead, LMS Brake Van No M73235 – built by British Railways at Derby in 1949 – is the current subject of attention, where it has received considerable body repairs and attention to its running gear. The van will be turned out in early BR dark red livery – where it will look very good when running with the dark grey ballast hopper wagons – and used primarily by the permanent way department, enabling the GW Toad brakevan to be released from traffic for overhaul. Meanwhile, at Williton, members of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group have been progressing the repaint of the WSR Company’s two “Catfish” ballast wagons, both having already been fully repainted and currently being lettered-out. A small amount of finishing off is all that is now required, and the pair will be collected soon and taken to Dunster for use in the Engineers’ train. Inside the shed, restoration of the former BR 20 ton brake van continues, with many new pieces of timber and wood cladding being fitted. At Washford, the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust have completed the reconstruction of a seven plank mineral wagon, complete with tarpaulin, which is now on display in the station yard. Look out for a rake of well turned-out heritage wagons in the demonstration goods trains at the Autumn Steam Gala……



21 Sep		No less than three dining trains will be seen out and about on the Railway this coming Saturday, 25 September, in a timetable which sees no less than eight trains in each direction over a twelve hour period over the day. Unusually, the Association’s “Quantock Belle” will work a Minehead-Bishops Lydeard-Minehead train, which – as the stock is normally based at BL – will also see the train making two empty coaching stock movements. In the evening, the Company’s “Coastal Belle” will work a 40-mile diagram (starting at Minehead), whilst the evening “Fish & Chip Train” (from Bishops Lydeard) completes the trio of dining trains. Another quiet September Saturday……!



21 Sep		Work on the new bridge to replace the existing (and busy) level crossing at Silk Mills, to the west of Taunton, is due to begin this autumn following the go ahead from the Planning Inspector at the end of August. The work is expected to last 14 months and the structure will be a 40-metre braced arch structure, to be built adjacent to the existing crossing. The Ł14.5million project will see the bridge span the existing three main line tracks and the trackbed of the former Up Relief line, plus the former bed of the Grand Western Canal. Work to upgrade the signalling at Norton Fitzwarren – where the Minehead branch joins the main line – to allow more regular train movements on and off the WSR will, the Railway understands, be undertaken at the same time as Silk Mills level crossing is decommissioned.



21 Sep		The Somerset branch of the Campaign for Real Ale has reported that its fifth Real Ale Festival on the WSR – held under the canopy on the platform at Minehead Station – has been the best yet! About 90% of the beer was sold, which is some 5600 pints. A good time was obviously had by all……



21 Sep		The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group report that the Class 33 No 6566, ‘Hymek’ No D7017 and Class 14 No D9526 all remain available for traffic. The former is currently serving as station pilot at Bishops Lydeard, as the regular pilot – Class 08 No D3462 – is currently out of use awaiting the repair or replacement of a defective voltage regulator. Class 03 No 03 119 has received new oil pads to its wheelsets, while No D1010 Western Campaigner has received attention to the “B” end fuel rack and associated components. The bodywork of Class 25 No D7523 is in need of extensive repair, and the Group has sought a quotation from Cranmore Train Maintenance Services to refurbish it. Meanwhile, the Sulzer Type 2 awaits the return of its defective turbocharge after repair.



21 Sep		No 5542 continues to prove itself as a reliable and regular member of the fleet. Prior to being taken out of service for a boiler washout and routine maintenance (the WSR washes a boiler out after every 28 days in service) on Friday 17 September, the ‘small prairie’ tank had run a total of 19,932 miles since its return to steam. Unfortunately, No 5542 was withdrawn from service one day earlier than planned, due to a collapsed brick arch, which meant it just missed the 20,000 miles in preservation mark. The engine will, however, soon be back in service. Meanwhile, 5542 Limited are awaiting a date from the haulier to transport auto trailer 168 – a very similar vehicle to the restored No 178 on the line – to the WSR for extensive restoration to begin in earnest.



18 Sep		The new Great Western ‘Mogul’ No 9351 – which has been restored rebuilt from former ‘Large Prairie’ tank No 5193 – is nearing completion in the Company’s workshops at Minehead. A fire was lit in the firebox for the first time for many years on 31 August, and the boiler subsequently passed its inspection and steam test. This was the first time No 9351 had been seen outside the shed! The ‘Mogul’, which will run initially with the tender from Odney Manor, is currently being repainted in unlined Brunswick green. The current aim is for No 9351 to commence running-in during the week beginning 20 September and make its public debut into passenger service over the Autumn Steam Gala.



18 Sep		Following the cancellation of a main line charter originally booked to run on Saturday 25 September (reportedly due to lack of bookings), GWR ‘Hall’ Class 4-6-0 No 4936 Kinlet Hall is now able to remain on the WSR for the time being. The ‘Hall’ will now be able to work trains at the Autumn Steam Gala from 30 September – 3 October, and visitors will now be able to see ELEVEN engines in steam over the course of the event.



18 Sep		BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No 92214 – which returned to steam last year and is normally based at the Midland Railway Centre – has been confirmed as the final guest engine for the WSR’s popular Autumn Steam Gala. The immaculate 2-10-0, resplendent in BR unlined black, returned to service last year after an extensive rebuild from scrapyard condition. It was one of a class of 251 engines originally designed for heavy freight work. However, they were also seen on passenger trains on occasions, and were a regular sight on such services on the former Somerset & Dorset line in its latter years. The 9F will work on seven days during its stay on the WSR. On Saturday 18 September it is rostered, appropriately, to work the annual charter run by the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust on the WSR. The following day – Sunday 19 September – will see No 92214 work the following scheduled passenger services: 10.25am and 2.10pm trains from Bishops Lydeard and the 12.15pm & 3.55pm ex-Minehead. Normal ticket prices apply. After a private Steam Engineman course on 20 September, the 9F is then scheduled to work at all four days of the Autumn Steam Gala.



18 Sep		A car travelling from Watchet towards Minehead collided with the bottom of Blue Anchor signalbox in the early evening of 11 September. No-one was hurt in the incident, but some damage was caused to the brickwork of the structure around the corner nearest to the crossing itself. Temporary repairs have been carried out, but some rebuilding of the brickwork will need to be carried out at some stage in the future. Train services have not been affected.



6 Aug		The Railway has just confirmed that the running number to be carried by the new Great Western 2-6-0 tender engine will be No 9351. This is not only a reversal of the pairs of numbers from the “parent” engine – the ‘Mogul’ has been converted from ‘Large Prairie’ tank No 5193 – but it also follows a system devised by the Great Western Railway for the first of a new series, which, after all, the new engine is! New plates for the cab sides have already been fabricated and, in addition to the running number itself, also feature “WSR” at the top, in the style of the plates fitted to many of the older engines absorbed by the GWR in 1923. Another nice touch! The WSR has also confirmed that No 9351 will be turned out initially in unlined Great Western green livery, similar to No 3205 when that engine was based on the line.



6 Aug		Meanwhile, the restoration of No 9351 has reached the final stages in the workshop at Minehead. WSR Managing Director, Mark Smith, writes: “The new engine is all but complete. Work remaining is, however, problematic and we are therefore unable to predict with certainty when the locomotive will emerge to enter service. We have to manufacture two new copper steam pipes. They are of 3˝ inch diameter and rather thick in the wall. More significantly, design includes two bends, and it is the bending process that is proving difficult. As far as we can ascertain, none have been made since the withdrawal of steam in the 1960s. No-one has yet been found who can recall the method used at Swindon, and CME Andy Forster and the WSR engineers are having to experiment. Components to make welded alternatives in steel have been ordered as a backstop, but we are loath to go down this route, as the steel would lack the flexibility of the copper and is likely to cause jointing problems. We have been unable to locate any to borrow or modify. Other work required includes the “cosmetics” – painting, finishing off and an HMRI inspection of the modification.”



6 Aug		The Railway is continuing to enjoy another very successful season. At the end of July, a total of 101,183 passengers had travelled so far in 2004, compared with 96,992 at the same stage in 2003. However, the next six weeks or so is crucial to the overall performance of the year as a whole.



6 Aug		The Railway has recently secured two large Great Western tank engines for its Autumn Steam Gala on 30 September-3 October, to join the already-secured Southern “Terrier” 0-6-0T No 32678 Knowle. ‘5101’ Class 2-6-2T No 5199 from Llangollen and Dennis Howells’ 94xx Class 0-6-0PT No 9466 will both be in action on all four days of the event. Approaches are currently being made to secure another – ideally, non-GW – guest engine for the Gala.



6 Aug		Plans for the Autumn Steam Gala have almost been finalised – full details of this popular event are here. This year, the event has again been extended, with Thursday 30 September becoming, in effect, a “Preview Day”, when the Railway’s normal Red timetable will be enhanced by a number of additional workings and the running of a demonstration goods train. Highlights of the event include the “Terrier” 0-6-0T No 32678 Knowle hauling two green coaches on a typical Southern branch line train between Minehead and Blue Anchor – together with, on the Saturday and Sunday, the “Dunster shunt” turn – the return of the Great Western auto train hauled by No 6412, and the debut Gala appearance for the new GW 2-6-0 No 9351. Don’t miss it…!



6 Aug		Two events at Minehead Station later this month offer a treat for model railway enthusiasts. Sunday 8 August sees a “Toy & Train Sale”, when over fifty tables will be set-up under the station canopy. The Sale will be open from 10.45am to 4pm, and is free to WSR ticket holders. This will be followed by Exmoor Modelling Club’s Mini Model Railway Exhibition on Sunday 29 August between 10am and 5pm. Entry will be by donation. Layouts attending include Derek Boswell’s Channel Tunnel layout, a model of Minehead as it used to be, and a Swiss layout “Lilikon”.



6 Aug		For the first time in ten years, the WSR will not have a GW ‘Manor’ class 4-6-0 operating on the line – a situation likely to continue for several years. The withdrawal of No 7828 Odney Manor two years ago – which has subsequently been purchased by the West Somerset Railway plc – has more recently been followed by No 7820 Dinmore Manor, which has just completed a decade of excellent service on the line and now, too, has been stopped for heavy overhaul. No 7820’s final day in service was on 22 July, and in its final week the engine became something of a ‘publicity star’ for a few days in connection with a filming assignment, which saw a lot of photographs taken and its train being “buzzed” by a helicopter!



6 Aug		The loss of Dinmore Manor has been offset by the return of GWR ‘Hall’ Class 4-6-0 No 4936 Kinlet Hall for the peak summer season. The engine arrived in late July, and – following the attention of the regular WSR engine cleaning gang – now looks absolutely superb in its lined Great Western green livery. The big 4-6-0 is currently rostered to haul trains on 6-8 August (staring on the 10.15 ex-Minehead), 18-21 August (same diagram), 29 August (starting on the 10.25ex-Bishops Lydeard) and 30-31 August (10.25BL) – all, of course, subject to availability. No 4936 joins Nos 5542, 5553, 6412 and 80136 in working peak season trains on the WSR.



6 Aug		Enthusiasts of both railways and real ale will be delighted to hear that the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) annual Somerset Branch Real Ale Festival will be again be held over the weekend of 11-12 September at Minehead Station, based on the usual format. Full details of this very popular event are here. A total of 35 real ales will be provided, the majority from award-winning breweries of Somerset and south-west England, but there will be others from further afield, including Wales and Scotland. There will also be wine, cider and perry, and real lager. Live music is also on offer. The Railway will be running its Green timetable on both days, supplemented by some additional evening dmu trips in connection with the Festival.



6 Aug		The vintage bus service – linking Dunster Station with the village – continues to prove very popular with WSR passengers. The service will be operating next on Friday 20 August in connection with the Dunster Show, and again on Sunday/Monday 29/30 August over the Bank Holiday. Travel is free to WSR ticket holders and the vehicle used will be a vintage bus from the Quantock Motor Services fleet. The bus link to Dunster Fayre was a major success, with 429 passengers carried.



6 Aug		The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group is continuing to experience problems with returning its ‘flagship’ locomotive, ‘Western’ Class No D1010 Western Campaigner, to active service. Repairs continue at Williton Depot, but the loco was still suffering from preheater problems in mid-July and its appearance at the Diesel Weekend on 14-15 August is now in some doubt. Its place in the event – sharing workings with ‘Hymek’ No D7017 and Class 14 No D9526 – will be taken by the Class 33, No D6566. Meanwhile, the seized Sulzer turbocharger from Class 25 No D7523 has now been transported to Birkenhead for repair by Marine Turbo Engineering.



6 Aug		Good progress continues to be made on wagon restoration. The second of the two former War Department open wagons is now resplendent in War Department green and black livery, complete with gold lettering, and is now almost ready to take its place in the demonstration goods train. At Williton, members of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group have started work on repainting the Railway’s two “Catfish” ballast hopper wagons. Preparation work is proceeding well, and the wagons will be painted dark grey, with black underframe and running gear. When complete, the pair will be swapped with the two remaining unpainted “Dogfish” wagons, which will then receive the same treatment.



6 Aug		Next month will see not one, but two genuine Great Western auto trailers return to West Somerset metals. Mike Little’s superbly restored trailer, No 178 – which has spent the last few months based on the Dean Forest Railway – will be returning in good time for the Autumn Steam Gala, where it is again likely to prove a popular attraction when paired with No 6412. Meanwhile, 5542 Limited are progressing plans for the movement of its recently-acquired auto trailer No 169 to Williton in September. Active fund raising to restore the coach is already in progress and, upon arrival, a full restoration programme will be drawn-up. A number of useful parts have already been sourced. Any information as to the whereabouts of any parts, large or small, or sources of any suitable hardwood timber for use in the restoration would be much appreciated.



6 Aug		The Railway Company Secretary, Roger Lizars, has announced that he wishes to retire from the role – a position that he has held for many years – and in the next couple of months he will hand over to Geoff Evens, who is currently a Director of the WSRA, the Co-ordinator of the Railway’s Youth Section (Trackers), and also Youth Volunteer Advisor to the Heritage Railways Association. The WSRA would like to extend its thanks to Roger – and his wife Joan, who has given him great support over many years – for his tremendous contribution to the WSR’s affairs over many years, and would like to wish him well on his forthcoming (second) retirement.



7 Jul		One of the diminutive Southern ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T engines, No 32678 Knowle, is to return to the WSR in the autumn to star at the Autumn Steam Gala over the first weekend in October. Officially the ‘A1’ Class, they were designed by William Stroudley for the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway, the first entering service in 1872. A total of fifty were built, of which ten have been preserved. Knowle began active service on 23 June 1880……almost 125 years ago! After various allocations on the South Coast, No 32678 was withdrawn from traffic on 5 October 1963, and subsequently bought by Butlins for static display – together with LMS ‘Pacific’ No 46229 Duchess of Hamilton – at its then almost new Minehead Holiday Camp. A change of policy saw the ‘Terrier’ move the short distance to Minehead station for preservation on the WSR. Restoration was started but, inevitably, its small size meant it was never a top priority, and it eventually was sold on to a group based on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, where Knowle worked in former times. Now restored in BR black, No 32678 is sure to prove a very popular attraction at the Autumn Steam Gala, where it will be rostered on the “Dunster shunt” turn on the Saturday and Sunday.



7 Jul		The WSR is continuing to enjoy a very successful year so far in 2004. Passenger numbers over the first six months to the end of June stood at 71,164 – as against 66,888 over the same period last year – an increase of 6.4%.



7 Jul		The weekend of 14-15 August 2004 will provide another opportunity for modern traction enthusiasts to see, photograph and travel behind the three operational former BR Western Region diesel hydraulics under the care of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group – ‘Western’ No D1010 Western Campaigner, ‘Hymek’ No D7017 and Class 14 No D9526. The three locomotives will share 140 miles of diesel passenger train mileage each day, and a special demonstration freight train – featuring a rake of our beautifully restored period wagons – will also operate a 40-mile diagram. The intensive timetable will also feature two 80-mile steam diagrams………so there really is something for everyone! Full details of the Diesel Weekend are here...



7 Jul		GWR ‘Hall’ Class 4-6-0 No 4936 Kinlet Hall – which enjoyed a very successful stay on the WSR for part of last year – is to return for the summer, to share train workings over the busiest part of the season. The engine is expected to arrive in mid-July and be based on the Railway until mid-September, so at this stage an appearance at the Autumn Steam Gala is unlikely.



7 Jul		This month marks the fortieth anniversary of the world premiere of The Beatles’ first film A Hard Day’s Night, which was featured on BBC Television’s Breakfast News programme. The West Somerset Railway on the Web reports: “Actor Victor Spinetti and hairstylist Betty Glasgow were interviewed. They chatted at length about The Beatles and the making of the film. Best of all was Betty’s memory of being on the train “from London to Minehead” and all the screaming fans at each station along the route.”



7 Jul		No 5542 – one of two Great Western ‘small prairie’ tanks in the WSR steam fleet – continues to prove how well-suited the class is to the Minehead branch. The engine recorded its highest monthly mileage so far in June – 1,940. For the statistically minded, this equates to 97 journeys between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. No 5542 has now covered 15,642 miles since its acceptance into traffic after restoration in October 2002, and steamed on 243 days – an average of almost 64 miles per steaming day. The ‘small prairie’ is now back in traffic and available for service following a boiler washout. Keep up-to-date with news from 5542 Limited via their website.



7 Jul		The proposed visit of the SR un-rebuilt Bulleid ‘Pacific’ No 34067 Tangmere at the head of a main line charter to Minehead on 2 October – the Saturday of the Autumn Steam Gala – has, regrettably, been postponed following notification from Network Rail that insufficient advance notice was given in order to time the train. Had the visit gone ahead, the ‘West Country’ would have been available to work service trains at the Gala on Sunday 3 October. It is hoped the visit can be rescheduled for October 2005.



7 Jul		One of the most successful engines to have worked over the WSR in recent years, BR(W) 4-6-0 No 7820 Dinmore Manor, is currently working its last period of 28 days in service – the number of steamings the Railway runs every engine between boiler washouts. As things stand at present, July 21 will be the last day in traffic for the ‘Manor’, which will then have to be withdrawn from active service for a statutory ten-year overhaul. Its owners, Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited, are currently making plans for the overhaul of No 7820. Meanwhile, the extensive restoration project to convert the former GWR ‘5101’ Class 2-6-2T No 5193 into a “Small Mogul” is steadily nearing completion in the workshop at Minehead. Recent activity has included fitting all the boiler backhead and cab fittings, applying the boiler cladding, and the fabrication and fitting of the main steam pipes. When complete, the new engine – which will initially run with the tender from Odney Manor – will undergo extensive testing on the WSR, though the hoped for “seamless transition” of its entry into service to dovetail with the withdrawal of Dinmore Manor at the end of the month is now highly unlikely. It is anticipated the “Mogul” – whose final running number and livery has still to be confirmed – will make its passenger debut in the late summer, and its appearance at the Autumn Steam Gala has already been confirmed.



7 Jul		If you have not had the unique experience to drive and fire a real steam engine on one of the WSR’s very popular Steam Engineman Courses, you will very shortly be able to enjoy the next best thing! The West Somerset Railway “add-on” software for the Microsoft Train Simulator – developed by railwaves.com and published by Just Trains will be published on 9 July. Retailing at Ł19.99, it will be available from the WSR shop at Minehead (with the usual discount for working members etc), and from other computer retail and web suppliers. Please note that the full Microsoft Train Simulator software must be installed first in order for the WSR “add-on” software to be run on your PC.



7 Jul		Planning for the Autumn Steam Gala is now well advanced. As in 2003, this year’s event will actually be spread over FOUR days – from Thursday 30 September to Sunday 3 October. The usual intensive gala timetable will operate over the weekend itself, whilst the timetable on both the Thursday and Friday will be considerably enhanced by the operation of our GW auto train – with No 6412 & trailer 178 – and running a demonstration goods train over the whole length of the line between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. The Railway is looking to hire three guest engines for the Gala, the first of which – SR ‘Terrier’ No 32678 Knowle from the K&ESR – has already been secured. It is confidently expected that the “new GW Mogul” No 5193 (or will it be No 9351…?) will make its debut appearance at a WSR Steam Gala, and will be supported by Nos 5542, 5553, 6412 and 80136.



7 Jul		Further panels of track have recently been purchased, and subsequently laid, to extend the former narrow gauge peat-carrying railway at the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust’s base at Washford. The railway used to run over part of the Somerset Levels, but was closed many years ago. The annual reunion of former S&D staff took place in Bath on 13 June. The 150th anniversary of the opening of the Somerset Central Railway will be commemorated in Glastonbury on 29 August.



7 Jul		The WSR Company has started an appeal – including to its shareholders – to raise funds towards the overhaul of No 7828 Odney Manor, which it recently purchased for Ł250k. Thanks to some very generous donations, some Ł21,000 has already been raised. Work on the engine is unlikely to start in earnest until completion of both the “new GW Mogul” and the S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 No 53808.



7 Jul		This year’s Toy & Train Sale will take place on the platform at Minehead Station on Sunday 8 August between 10.45am and 4.00pm. Admission will be free to WSR ticket holders, otherwise Ł1 for adults and 60p for senior citizens and children. Further information about the event can be obtained from Chris Dyer on 01643 702757.



7 Jul		The annual Dunster Country Fair will take place on Wednesday 28 July, and the Railway will be running a vintage bus link connecting Dunster Station and The Steep, from where it will be possible for visitors to take a short walk to the Show Ground and/or the village and castle. Travel on the bus link will be free to WSR ticket holders. A similar operation will be run in connection with Dunster Show on 20 August, whilst there will be another vintage bus link connection the station and village over the August Bank Holiday weekend.



7 Jul		Three engines from the Williton-based fleet – ‘Hymek’ No D7017, Class 33 No 6566 and Class 14 No D9526 – have been in service during June and July, while the Class 08 shunter No D3462 continues to serve as the station pilot at Bishops Lydeard. Meanwhile, work continues on ‘Western’ No D1010 Western Campaigner, in order to have it back in service for the August Diesel Weekend, whilst the defective turbocharger has been removed from Class 25 No D7523 and sent away to a specialist company for repair. The depot facilities for volunteers at Williton continue to be improved. Work continues on the restoration of one of the two ‘new’ ex-BR standard brake vans, No B952527.



7 Jul		The original GWR Ganger’s cottage at Woolston Moor – located at the halfway point of the Minehead branch – is still available for renting from 15 July on a six-month rental basis. It comprises two bedroom, kitchen/dining area, conservatory, garage and gardens. One of its most appealing features is the superb view to be had of WSR trains passing by! The rent is Ł600 per month, inclusive of gardening services if required. Further details can be obtained from Peter Meneer, Stable Cottage, Crowcombe, Taunton TA4 4AA (Tel: 01984 618263).



7 Jul		A lot of work has been put in during last winter and over the spring in connection with the installation of the Railway’s own electric key token equipment (rather than having to rely on a BT line) between Minehead and Blue Anchor. The work has involved digging trenches, laying new cable, the reconnection of the token machine in each signalbox and testing. At 5 o’clock on 22 June 2004 the first direct bell signals were sent between the signalboxes at Minehead and Blue Anchor, and an intermediate instrument will shortly be installed at Dunster, which will enable trains to access and ‘shunt themselves in’ the yard without the need to return the token back to either MD or BA box by road. The various items of plant will now be moved to Williton for work to commence on a similar scheme for the section to Blue Anchor. Trench digging has started towards Norton Fitzwarren, whilst next winter will see the stretch between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield undertaken.



7 Jul		The Countess of Wessex paid an unscheduled, but very welcome, visit to Bishops Lydeard Station in the afternoon of Friday 11 June. Managing Director Mark Smith introduced the Countess to many WSR personalities on duty at BL that afternoon – including Paul Conibeare, Stuart Nelhams, Keith Speller and Brian Crudge. After spending some time talking to visitors, the Countess visited the footplate of No 6412, rounding off with a stop at “Arkwright’s” (aka the Station Shop, run by WSRA President John Pearce).