West Somerset Express
The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway
Issue 35 – June 2005
Issue 27 - October 2004 Issue 28 - November 2004 Issue 29 - December 2004
Issue 30 - January 2005 Issue 31 - February 2005 Issue 32 - March 2005
Issue 33 - April 2005 Issue 34 - May 2005
West Somerset Express homepage
This page is part of the newsletter archive, photos of the year on the line can be seen on
WSR 2005 Spring Diesel Gala 05 Spring Steam Gala 2005 Autumn Steam Gala 2005
The West Somerset Railway - Independent Railway of the Year 2004
Dates for your diary
31 May:- WSRA Bristol Group - "The Welsh Highland Railway" - Tony Ward
4 June:- Fish & Chip Special from Bishops Lydeard
6 June:- WSRA Taunton Group, visit to Bristol Panel Box - this is already fully booked
17 June:- Murder Mystery Special from Bishops Lydeard
18 June:- S&D Special
19 June:- Fathers' Day Special
25 June:- 5542 Midsummer Evening Special
26 June:- Strawberries & Champagne Special , join at Bishops Lydeard or Minehead
Note: the above special trains need to be booked in advance.
Regular services are running daily, the next day without any is in October! Train Timetables and other Services on www.wsr.org.uk has full details for the year.
Spring Diesel Gala
This was a great success despite a few problems on the Sunday. There's plenty of photos of it on www.wsr.org.uk and on Spring Diesel Gala 05 .
Days Out With "Thomas"
July 2-3:-
Once again Sir Topham Hatt (The Fat Controller) brings the famous blue tank engine and some of his other friendly engines to the West Somerset Railway. Children's entertainment and other attractions make for a great family day out. Advance booking essential. If you want to come then tickets are fast selling out, further details on www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk .
Advance News...
Former Southern Railway ‘LN’ Class 4-6-0 No 850 Lord Nelson is still expected to visit the WSR in 2005 for running-in following completion of its current overhaul. The express passenger engine, which is part of the National Collection, is nearing completion at Eastleigh Works, and will in due course haul charter trains on the main line. There are no firm plans as yet, but a period of running-in is expected on the WSR. Details from www.wsra.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, signalmen, ticket inspectors, buffet staff, station staff, p-way, S&T...
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. If you can't give the time but would still like to support the WSR then you can still join the association. Details from www.wsra.org.uk
Visiting Locos
The visitors at present are:
80136 BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T which is on the line for a long stay.
5553 Pete Waterman's ex GW 2-6-2T small prairie
Resident Locos
The lines resident steam locos currently operational are:
5542 ex GW 2-6-2T small prairie
6412 ex GW 0-6-0PT the WSRA's pannier tank.
9351 WSR rebuild as a 2-6-0 mogul of 5101 class prairie tank 5193.
Progress continues with the S&D 2-8-0, 53808/88 which is in the works at Minehead, the boiler has passed it's steam test and has been returned to Minehead and refitted into the frames, she is now beginning to really show the progress that has been made. Work is also progressing well on 34046 Braunton at the WSRA's works at Williton.
Large prairie 4160: The overhaul continues to progress well and is running close to budget so far. No predictions of a steaming date yet, but it can't be too far away (mid to late 2005 maybe ?). New livery will be BR lined green with late style crest.
7828 Odney Manor is in Minehead Works for her overhaul, there is an appeal for funds for this, see below for more details. Small prairie 4561 is on display in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard while she awaits her turn in Williton Works - which it is hoped will be during 2005. 7820 Dinmore Manor, ex GW Manor Class 4-6-0, is also now awaiting overhaul as her boiler ticket has expired.
Great news from the Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited people who say the Final Push in the long restoration of ex-GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 is well and truly on with a real possibility of a steaming in the Spring of 2005. A return to the West Somerset Railway is expected in shortly. More help is needed, however, and well-wishers are invited to visit the Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited website for more details of how to help... Details from www.wsr.org.uk
Diesel Locos
The line's resident operational mainline diesel locos are:
Class 52 D1010 Western Campaigner - currently stopped for repairs
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.
There's plenty of opportunities if you'd like to be involved with the DEPG's fleet, see their new web site at DEPG
Auto trailer 169 Project
The group who own 5542 have launched a new project, the restoration of ex GWR auto trailer 169. See their web site www.loco5542.co.uk for further details of of this exciting development. 169 is a year older than 178 (which has recently been back on the WSR), slightly shorter but otherwise pretty much the same. 169 has now been moved to Williton where restoration has commenced.
This Month's Photos...
...start with the Diesel Gala, the first is of 50007 Sir Edward Elgar running round a Bishops Lydeard
The most unusual visitors were 3 Class 73/2 Electro-diesels from GB Rail Freight, two of which, 73204 and 73205 are seen here arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield.
Another visitor was 31271 Stratford 1840-2001, named after Stratford Depot, seen here running round at Bishops Lydeard. This loco, like the two above, has a version of the English Electric engine which in 6 to 16 cylinder variants powered a wide variety of first generation BR diesels.
Another EE powered visitor was 37190, complete with West Highland terrier logo. This was one visitor that I would really have liked to stay, the 37s are my favourite diesel electric locos. Photo by Jon Tooke
A last one of the diesels, this time Sulzer power in the form of "Peak" 45112 seen here leaving Williton with a down train. This class had a long association with the South West working Cross Country services. Photo by Jon Tooke
Now for some steam, sidelined by the diesels 80136, 6024 King Edward I and 5542 were on shed at Bishops Lydeard along with class 03 03119.
Also seen during the Gala was 5029 Nunney Castle which was receiving attention to its air brake system at Williton, West Country 34046 Braunton can be seen just inside the shed.
The weekend before 6024 King Edward I was working services on the line and was seen arriving at Blue Anchor with an up train.
These photos and many more are on West Somerset Railway and West Somerset Railway on the Web..
Note: you need to be connected to the Internet to view these photos.
Funding Appeal for Odney Manor
The WSR Plc have launched an appeal to raise funds to help bring No 7828 Odney Manor back to "active steaming life" on the West Somerset Railway. Cash donations are required and for subscribers, a number of benefits are available. All donations of at least £20 will receive a commemorative Odney Manor certificate; for donations of £200 and £1,000, the certificate plus two tickets for the "Odney Manor Return to Steam Celebration Train" awaits, whilst for £1,000 donations the two tickets are First Class Dining seats plus a trip round the workshops. Top treatment for donations of £10,000 who receive four First Class Dining tickets on the Celebration Train, plus a full day Steam Engineman course driving and firing Odney Manor and arrangements to visit the loco during overhaul. For full details and conditions, look out for the leaflet or ring 01643 704996 for more details.
West Somerset Railway Association
Area Group Meetings:
Taunton Group:
In 2005, 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.
6 June:- Visit to Bristol Panel Signalbox (numbers must be strictly limited, those going were "drawn" at the May meeting)
5 September:- "Over 30 Years with Steam" - Richard Jones
For the full programme for 2005 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 May at the BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol starting at 7.30pm for 7.45pm:-
31 May:- "The Welsh Highland Railway" - Tony Ward
For the full programme for 2005 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
Events for 2005
July 2-3:- Days Out With Thomas
August 6-7:- Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally
September 17-18:- CAMRA Real Ale Festival
Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2:- Autumn Steam Gala
October 22-23:- Grand Trains Extravaganza
Further details on these and the winter events will be in future issues of West Somerset Express.
Groups on the line which would welcome support include:
West Somerset Railway Association
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.
The next issue is due 27 June 2005.
© 2005 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.