West Somerset Express
The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway
Issue 22 – May 2004
Issue 15 - October 2003 Issue 16 - November 2003 Issue 17 - December 2003
Issue 18 - January 2004 Issue 19 - February 2004 Issue 20 - March 2004
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
Dates in May
1 May: Fish & Chips Special. 6.45pm from Bishops Lydeard. Diesel hauled
1 May: Coastal Belle. 7.15pm from Minehead. Steam hauled. Curry evening with a Guest Real Ale
3 May: WSRA Taunton Group - Visit to the BRISTOL HARBOUR RAILWAY & INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM – at 5pm [Joint visit with WSRA Bristol Group and GWS Taunton Group]
7 - 9 May: Spring Diesel Gala - see below.
8 May: Hertfordshire Railtours diesel hauled charter to Minehead from Paddington
16, 23, 29 May: Quantock Belle luxury dining train.
16 May: Wildlife special
25 May: WSRA Bristol Group -“Diesel Railcars” - Stuart Smith
Regular services continue:- Train Timetables and other Services on www.wsr.org.uk has full details for the year.
News at Norton and a Vision at Minehead
It has been a time for major news on the West Somerset, first the announcement that the West Somerset Railway Association has bought 33 acres of land at Norton Fitzwarren where it is hoped to develop new facilities which would include engine, carriage and wagon restoration sheds, a loco turning facility, plus a possible new station serving the WSR.
At the other end of the line the plc has published its Vision for Minehead Development as part of a regeneration of the station area proposed by the SCC and WSDC, the major feature of which would be the installation of a turntable.
Full details of these proposals can be seen on Stop Press
Spring Diesel Gala
This year sees the first full diesel gala for some years and promises to be a really good event. The line up is expected to be:-
· A GB Rf Class 66/7 *
· Two EWS locomotives inc class 37/4 ~
· 'Western' no D1010 "Western Campaigner"
· 'Hymek' no D7017
· Class 14 no D9526
· Class 25 no D7523
· Class 33 no D6566
· Class 08 and Class 03 diesel shunters
· An ex-Puriton RoF Andrew Barclay shunter +
In addition the through excursion from Paddington on Saturday 8 May is booked for haulage by an EWS Class 59/2.
* Courtesy of GB Railfreight
~ Courtesy of English Welsh & Scottish Railway
+ A very rare opportunity to see this Loco in passenger service
All locomotives subject to availability. Further details on www.wsr.org.uk
Volunteers
The line is always looking for new volunteers for just about any task you can think of, from gardener to guard via firemen, ticket inspectors, buffet staff, p-way...
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 is on the line for a long stay.
5553 ex GW 4575 Class 2-6-2T from Waterman Railways - she has been away but arrived back today!
Resident Locos
The lines resident steam locos currently operational are:
5542 ex GW 2-6-2T small prairie
6412 ex GW 0-6-0PT -back "home" for the early part of the year, including some of the February Half Term services and the Spring Steam Gala.
7820 Dinmore Manor ex GW Manor Class 4-6-0.
The creation of a small-boilered "Mogul", a locomotive designed by the Great Western Railway but never built, continues to make progress with entry into service planned this year. Still no news on whether it will be 5193 or 9351 though! Good progress is also being made with the S&D 2-8-0, 53808/88 which is also in the works at Minehead. Work is also progressing on 34046 Braunton at the WSRA's works at Williton, her boiler has recently arrived back from Pridham's and much other work is in hand.
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, return to the WSR is expected to be in about 15 months. 7828 Odney Manor is at Minehead, she is at present up for sale by her owner and it is expected that she will remain on the WSR. Small prairie 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
The other resident Hymek, D7018, is undergoing a major overhaul at Williton.
This Month's Photos...
...are of this years Spring Steam Gala.
First is LMS Black Five 45407 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield on a down train.
Next, at Bishops Lydeard BR Standard 4 2-6-0 76079 and rebuilt West Country 34027 Taw Valley (running as 34022 Exmoor) wait to come on to the next train while resident pannier tank 6412 waits with the auto trailer ready to run down to Norton Fitzwarren.
Their train arrived behind long term visitor, BR Std. 4 tank 80136.
Further down the line, GER J15 0-6-0 65462 and GWR small prairie 5553 approach Williton with an up train.
The next day and another view of the Black Five, 45407 approaching the summit of the line at Crowcombe Heathfield with a down train.
The next down train at Crowcombe was in the capable hands of 34022 Exmoor.
The big surprise came on the Sunday afternoon when all 3 small prairies, from the front 5542, 5552 and 5553, worked an up train from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard where they are seen arriving.
These photos and many more of the Gala are on Spring Steam Gala 2004 and West Somerset Railway on the Web..
Note: you need to be connected to the Internet to view these photos.
West Somerset Railway Association
Area Group Meetings:
Taunton Group:
In 2004, 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.
3 May: Visit to the BRISTOL HARBOUR RAILWAY & INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM – at 5pm [Joint visit with WSRA Bristol Group and GWS Taunton Group]
7 June: "Ten Years of Main Line Steam" - Peter Doel
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:-
25 May: “Diesel Railcars” - Stuart Smith
For the full programme for 2004 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
Events for 2004
The next big event is the Spring Diesel Gala on 7 - 9 May followed by "Days out with Thomas" on 7-9 May.
The full programme for the 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 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 May 2004.
© 2004 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.