West Somerset Express
The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway
Issue 18 – January 2004
Issue 12 - July 2003 Issue 13 - August 2003 Issue 14 - September 2003
Issue 15 - October 2003 Issue 16 - November 2003 Issue 17 - December 2003
West Somerset Express homepage
This page is part of the newsletter archive, photos of the year on the line can be seen on
WSR 2004 Spring Steam Gala 2004 Autumn Steam Gala 04 Diesel Gala 04
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, hope to see you on the "Wizzer" in 2004.
2003 was another record breaking year on the West Somerset Railway. At the end of November we had carried 174,775 passengers compared with 172,457 in the whole of our record year, 2002, and it is expected we will exceed 185,000 by the end of the year - which will mean we will have carried our 3 millionth passenger!
Winter Steam Festival - Sunday 28 December
The West Somerset Railway’s Winter Steam Festival is a brand new gala event. Why not come along after Christmas to savour and enjoy a busy Great Western branch line in Winter…?
Events and highlights of the Winter Steam Festival 2003 include...
· Brand new event for 2003
· Lots of West Country branch line atmosphere
· At least three engines in steam - expected to be 5542, 5553 and 7820 Dinmore Manor
· Great Western auto train – with no 5542 & trailer no 178
· Intensive timetable
· Nice, warm, steam-heated trains!
· Day Rover tickets available - cheaper if booked in advance
· Museums open at Bishops Lydeard, Washford
and Blue Anchor
· Taunton Model Railway Group’s base at Bishops Lydeard open
· Gift shops, refreshments, free parking
· Bus service between Taunton and the WSR
· Lots of photographic opportunities
· All-in-all, a superb value-for-money day out for all the family
Further details on www.wsr.org.uk and www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk .
All events listed are subject to availability
Dates in December & January
December 27 - Jan 1, Jan 3 & 4: Post Christmas services on the line with nice, warm, steam heated coaches including-
December 28: Winter Steam Festival
January 5: WSRA Taunton Area Group meeting - members slides and competition
January 27: WSRA Bristol Area Group meeting - Roger Hennessey - Railway Humour
Services resume with the "half term" services on 14,15,17,18,19,21,22,25,26,29 February plus 7 March between Minehead and Williton then services the full normal length start for weekends for the rest of March, with the Spring Steam Gala on 25 to 28 March. Train Timetables and other Services on www.wsr.org.uk has full details for the year.
Volunteers
The Railway survives on the goodwill of hundreds of volunteers who give up their time to help out in all manner of tasks, some operational, some not.
There are opportunities in railway operations, operating procedures and restoration, maintenance and customer care, all on Britain’s longest heritage steam railway………we’re better by miles!
As a prospective new volunteer you could experience supervised work training in any of the following disciplines:-
- Engine Driver
- Fireman
- Signal & Telegraph installation and maintenance
- Locomotive Restoration
- Rolling Stock Restoration
- Guard
- Travelling Ticket Inspector
- Passenger Service Officer
- Station Staff
- Retail Staff
- Booking Office Staff
- Engineering
- General Maintenance
- ……and lots, lots more!
You can join us at any time of year, if you would like to know more please write to: The Volunteer Co-ordinator, The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3BX, visit www.wsra.org.uk, e-mail the West Somerset Railway Association or Tel: 01823 433856.
Visiting Locos
The visitors at present are:
80136 BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T which arrived back on the line in June for a long stay.
5553 ex GW 4575 Class 2-6-2T from Waterman Railways
Resident Locos
The lines resident steam locos currently operational are:
5542 ex GW 2-6-2T small prairie
6412 ex GW 0-6-0PT - currently away at the GWR
7820 Dinmore Manor ex GW 4-6-0.
The creation of a small-boilered "Mogul", a locomotive designed by the Great Western Railway but never built, continues to make excellent progress. Good progress is also being made with the S&D 2-8-0, 53808/88 which is in the works at Minehead. Work is also progressing well on 34046 Braunton at the WSRA's works at Williton, her boiler has recently arrived back from Pridham's.
The frames of ex GWR 2-8-0 3850 have now been moved to Tysley to be reunited with the boiler, the plan is for 3850 to return to the WSR when restoration is completed.
Large prairie 4160 is now away at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway for overhaul, its return to the WSR is expected to be in about 15 months. 7828 Odney Manor is at Minehead waiting a decision on when and where she'll be overhauled and 4561 is on display in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard while she awaits her turn in Williton Works.
Diesel Locos
The line's resident operational mainline diesel locos are:
Class 52 D1010 Western Campaigner
Class 35 Hymek D7017
Class 25 D7523 / 25 173
Class 33 D6566 / 33 048
Class 14 D9526 - fresh from overhaul
The other resident Hymek, D7018, is undergoing a major overhaul at Williton.
This Month's Photos...
... are of ordinary days in contrast to last month's special events.
First on a Sunday in March 5542 approaches Bishops Lydeard with the Class 117 dmu empty stock.
On another Sunday in March Class 25 D7523 was covering for the 117 and is seen here at Minehead
In June 5542 worked a special from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield and back as part of thw WSRA Taunton Group's monthly meeting, she is seen here in the twilight at Crowcombe.
Also in June D1010 Western Campaigner worked the Fish & Chips train from Bishops Lydeard, super power compared to the usual loco, D6566.
Two Swindon front ends seen at Minehead, 7820 Dinmore Manor and 5542 rest between turns.
Our big visitor for the summer was 4936 Kinlet Hall, seen waiting at Bishops Lydeard with a down train
In contrast, little resident, small prairie 5542 has been a big star working visiting auto trailer 178 on several occasions, including a charter in early December when she was seen at Minehead
A last one, on the same day 5542 during a photo stop at Doniford Halt.
These photos and many more can be seen on WSR 2003.
Note: you need to be connected to the Internet to view these photos.
WSR Screensaver
There is a screensaver of views of the Spring Steam Gala available for free download from www.wsr.org.uk. Others are available on CD-ROM from the WSRA shop at Bishops Lydeard station.
West Somerset Railway Association
Area Group Meetings:
Taunton Group:
In 2003, meetings will be held on the first MONDAY of the month (July & August excepted) at the usual venue – the Great Western Staff Association Club (at the north east corner of Taunton station) – starting at 7.45pm.
5 January: Members slides and competition.
2 February: “I would not normally show these, but……” - Peter Gray
For the full programme for 2004 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details e-mail
Bristol Group:
The Bristol group meets on the last Tuesday of the month between September and April at the BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol starting at 7.30pm for 7.45pm:-
27 January: Roger Hennessey - Railway Humour
24 February: Andrew Hook - The GWS Railmotor
For the full programme for 2004 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
Events for 2004
The programme for next year is now available on Stop Press, now you can plan ahead to get to all of the West Somerset's great events.
Groups on the line which would welcome support include:
5542 Limited
Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
Diesel & Electric Preservation Group
Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd
4160 Limited
Friends of Minehead Station
Friends of Blue Anchor Railway Museum
West Somerset Steam Railway Trust - icoleby@tiscali.co.uk
Telephone the West Somerset Railway on 01643 704996 for contact details of these groups.
WSR Links:
West Somerset Railway - an unofficial site full of information and photos of the West Somerset
West Somerset Railway Association - the Association is the main support group on the line.
The Official West Somerset Railway Web Site - for trains times and fares etc.
West Somerset Railway, heritage steam and diesel trains - pages of photos of the WSR.
Diesel & Electric Preservation Group Ltd (DEPG) - the main diesel group on the line
wizzer.me.uk is a new site about the West Somerset Railway by a fellow volunteer, Jon Tooke. He often finds odd places to take photos from and even odder things to take them of so check it as it grows!
The next issue is due 27 January 2004.
© 2003 Steve Huddy. This newsletter is independent of, and is not officially supported by, the West Somerset Railway plc or any of the affiliated organisations, unless specifically mentioned in the appropriate article. All information is believed correct but neither the publisher nor the Railway can be held responsible for any errors.