News from the Association 2000

• 30 Dec   The next "New Volunteers' Day" - where prospective new recruits are encouraged to visit and see the WSR with a view to becoming a volunteer - is being planned for Sunday April 8 2001. If you would be interested in receiving details of the event please e-mail us and we will contact you a little nearer the date.

• 4 Dec   As well as being the Silver Jubilee of the Railway, 2001 also marks the 30th anniversary of formation of the WSRA.

• 4 Dec   The Visitor Centre at Bishops Lydeard is undergoing considerable refurbishment over the close season. Exterior repainting has already been completed, and work is now concentrating on the interior, which is being redecorated. Several new displays are to be established, and the Association has secured on loan one of the original cylinders and motion from No 71000 Duke of Gloucester.

• 4 Dec    A future support coach for use with No 34046 Braunton has been purchased. Mark 1 BSK No 35451, which previously served in a similar role for LMS 4-6-0 No 45596 Bahamas, is to be overhauled at Derby prior to delivery to the WSR.

• 14 Nov    The Association's popular GWR 0-6-0PT No 6412 will be spending a large part of the 2001 season on its 'home' railway. The pannier tank is due to return home after its spell on the North Norfolk Railway in early January. After routing maintenance at Williton, No 6412 is expected to be available for service on the WSR from March until early July.

• 14 Nov    A very successful 'Clear-Up Train' run on Sunday 5 November, hauled by the Class 08 diesel No D3492, collected an estimated 20 tons of logs as a result of lineside clearance activities over recent months. Despite the pouring rain, well over 30 WSRA volunteers assisted, including many members of Trackers, the Railway's Youth Section.

• 4 Nov    The WSR Youth Section, Trackers, has recently received a Millennium Award made on behalf of the Taunton Area Youth Advisory Committee. The award was in consequence of a successful application relating to the continued development of Tracker training programmes.

• 4 Nov    Bookings for the special "Red Griffin" Christmas dining trains are coming in very well, and can be made to Don Edwards (Tel: 01823 433959).

• 4 Nov    The Railway's highly popular annual Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally at Bishops Lydeard, organised by the WSRA, will next year be held over the weekend of August 4-5 2001.

• 17 Oct    Congratulations to long-serving Association member Dave Randall, who has recently celebrated a quarter of century of volunteer service on the WSRA Permanent Way gang and 20 years unbroken service on the WSRA Committee/Board.

• 17 Oct    The WSRA's popular 64XX Class 0-6-0PT No 6412 is currently on hire at the North Norfolk Railway. It is scheduled to remain there until after Christmas, but will return to the WSR early in January 2001 for planned maintenance work.

• 17 Oct    Bishops Lydeard Station Shop will be open daily (except Monday and Friday) during October; on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays in November; and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and at weekends in December up to and including Christmas Eve.

• 17 Oct   The "Red Griffin" dining train on Sunday, December 3 is now fully booked.

Updated: 6 January 2001