West Somerset Express
The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway
Issue 36 – July 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 Issue 35 - June 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
2-3 July:- Friends of Thomas The Tank Engine
8 July:- Murder Mystery Special from Bishops Lydeard
9 July:- Fish & Chips Special from Bishops Lydeard
16 July:- Jazz Special from Bishops Lydeard
16 July:- Belgian Beer Tasting Special
23 July:- Fish & Chip Special from Bishops Lydeard
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.
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
Late news:
The HST set stored by First Group at Minehead will be making an appearance this weekend at the Thomas Event.
It will work the 14:50 additional Minehead-Bishops Lydeard service stopping only at Williton on Saturday.
On Sunday it will work the 09:55 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead calling all stations except Stogumber/Doniford and returning with the 14:50 additional Minehead-Bishops Lydeard service stopping only at Williton.
The workings from Minehead-Bishops Lydeard are believed to be available for general public use.
Contact Minehead office for further details.
Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally
August 6 & 7:-
Once again the West Somerset Railway station at Bishops Lydeard will echo to the sight, sound and smell of many mighty steam engines as they gather for what will be our 19th Rally.
A glittering array of superb machinery will be in action alongside our restored country station on Britain’s longest heritage railway, and 2005 looks like beating all records with some of the country’s finest examples of vintage transport on display.
Bishops Lydeard Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally is well known for its unique location, friendly atmosphere and good value for money. Backing up the transport exhibits will be displays, stalls, trade stands, children’s entertainments and ample refreshment facilities.
The event is organised by the West Somerset Railway Association, with support from the Somerset County Gazette and Ian Allan Publishing.
Details from the WSRA, Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally
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.
Work is nearing completion on the S&D 2-8-0, 53808/88 which is in the works at Minehead, the main news is that 88 will be appearing in Prussian Blue in the Autumn. Work is continues to progress 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 early 2006. 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. Restoration work on 169 has now started in earnest at Williton.
This Month's Photos...
...start with this one of Pete Waterman's small prairie 5553 getting a very thorough polish.
At the other end of Minehead shed 7828 Odney Manor was in a very stripped down state as her overhaul gets underway - see below for details of the appeal to help fund this work.
The line's resident small prairie 5542 in the bay platform at Minehead with the Quantock Belle dining train with some additional chocolate and cream coaches on the rear during a special working.
Earlier in the year there was a variety of motive power on view at Bishops Lydeard, from left to right EWS's 67014 on a through charter, small prairie 5542 stabled with the Quantock Belle stock, 6412 with auto trailer 178 and, just visible, 5029 Nunney Castle.
As mentioned above the First Group HST which is stored at Minehead will be in action during the Thomas weekend, this photo sees it at Williton during the Spring Diesel Gala.
Now for a look ahead to August's Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally by way of a few views of last years event starting with this Fowler ploughing engine.
A 1921 Foden C type tipper in the colours of local quarryman W J King
A modern steamer was this locally based 2002 built Roanoake.
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.
Meetings will resume after the summer break with:-
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:-
The next meeting will be in September
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 July 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.