1960s Weekend

Saturday & Sunday 5 & 6 October 2002

Relive the era of the early 1960s on a West Country branch line, when steam engines were being replaced by brand new diesel locomotives, but country buses still ran from stations to villages.

Engines Train services will be worked by both steam and heritage diesel locomotives, in authentic liveries, to reflect the British Railways era of the early to mid 1960’s. It is anticipated that the locomotives in use over the weekend – all typical of the former BR Western Region – will be selected from the following pool:

• Steam: Nos 7820 Dinmore Manor, 5224, 80136 & a 55xx.
• Diesel: Nos D1010 Western Campaigner, D7017, 3-Car diesel multiple unit, D2133, D3462

N.B. The engines in use may differ slightly on both days!

Events & Highlights

• Lots of West Country railway atmosphere
• At least 6 locomotives in use, all of which were associated with British Railways Western Region in days gone by
• All train services hauled by locomotives typical of the steam-to-diesel transition period in the 1960’s, all in authentic liveries
• An intensive timetable
• Double heading on some trains
• Diesel multiple unit shuttle service between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren
• Shunting demonstrations
• Period cars and other vintage road vehicles on display at selected stations
• Museums open at Bishops Lydeard, Washford and Blue Anchor
• Bar and buffet car facilities on all trains
• Day & weekend rover tickets available
• Gift shops, refreshments, free parking
• Bus service between Taunton & the WSR
• Lots of photographic opportunities

[N.B. All events listed are subject to availability]

Timetable Click here for the timetable for the Weekend.

A complete working timetable – which will include full details of all train workings (including goods trains) and the locomotive and coaching set diagrams – will be available 7 days in advance from Minehead Station priced £2.00 and a SAE.

Bishops Lydeard-Norton Fitzwarren A 3-Car diesel multiple unit will operate a regular shuttle service between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren on both days.

Tickets Please note that ALL privilege ticket, free pass & voucher facilities will NOT apply at the 1960’s Weekend. Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased IN ADVANCE.

Catering Buffet and bar facilities will be available on ALL train services during the weekend, serving a range of hot and cold food, tea & coffee and a range of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Other attractions The Railway’s trio of excellent museums – at Bishops Lydeard, Washford and Blue Anchor stations – will be open throughout the weekend, and are well worth a visit. The Taunton Model Railway Group’s base – situated on Platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard – will be open throughout the weekend.

Connecting bus service Taunton-Bishops Lydeard, service 28 (Saturday) & 928 (Sunday). On both days, there is a frequent Southern National bus service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard Station. WSR tickets are NOT valid on these services, except return tickets to Taunton issued by Booking Offices at Minehead, Dunster, Blue Anchor, Watchet and Williton. Full timetable details available direct from First Southern National – 01823 272033.

How to Book You can book Rover Tickets in advance in the following ways:-

• By telephone, using your Credit Card. Please ring 01643 704996, 9am-4pm Monday-Friday.
• By completing the Booking Form on our leaflet giving full details of the event. Please e-mail us if you would like us to send you a booking form in the post.
• In person at Minehead Station (9am-4pm, Monday-Friday).

Would you like to take part? Remember the sight and sound of a Morris Minor, a Triumph Herald or an Austin A40…? There will be a display of period road vehicles at a number of stations over the weekend.

Do YOU own a car, motorbike or other road vehicle appropriate to the period that you would like to bring along to add to the period atmosphere…? Just turn up and show your vehicle registration document at any Booking Office and we will issue you with a FREE Day Rover Ticket (one per vehicle). Don’t miss out………come and join us!

Next Years Events

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! Fuller details of the 2003 programme of special events will be announced in future issues of West Somerset Express and on West Somerset Railway Association and The Official West Somerset Railway Web Site.

Volunteers

There are around 400-500 active volunteers whose contribution help makes the West Somerset Railway 'tick'. Indeed, without their considerable input the West Somerset Railway would probably cease to tick!

Volunteers are able to assist (subject to undertaking a training programme and passing a medical in some cases) in all aspects of the WSR, and their contribution is absolutely vital towards ensuring the success and future growth of the Railway. On any given day, the footplate crew, guard, ticket inspector, booking clerk, stationmaster, track worker, buffet car steward - and many, many more - are likely to be volunteers.

As the Railway's principal support organisation, the WSRA has a vital role to play in the provision of volunteers.

The WSRA wants to encourage people with or without railway skills or background to join in the volunteer work and activities of the West Somerset Railway. The Association will support all volunteers and provide a safe and challenging environment for them in which to work and learn about all the interesting and satisfying aspects of the Railway.

With the support of experienced staff, volunteers can be trained and mentored in any of the Railway’s activities and functions. With the help of our volunteers, the WSR will grow and flourish for future generations.

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
• Signalling
• 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!

Prior to starting work on the railway, all new volunteers are expected to attend an initial Induction Course (lasting about half a day), led by our Volunteer Co-ordinator. A booklet Essential Information for Volunteers has also been produced to help volunteers in the course of their duties on the line. All volunteers are also issued with a Staff Identity Card, which they are expected to carry with them whilst working on the Railway (and which also entitles the holder to a number of benefits).

Twice each year the Association holds a NEW VOLUNTEERS DAY, with the aim of giving prospective new volunteers the opportunity to see the Railway at first hand and meet some of the key personnel involved.