West Somerset Express
The unofficial on line newsletter of the West Somerset Railway
Issue 45 – April 2006
Issue 39 - October 2005 Issue 40 – November 2005 Issue 41 - December 2005
Issue 42 - January 2006 Issue 43 - February 2006 Issue 44 - March 2006
West Somerset Express homepage
This page is part of the newsletter archive, photos of the year on the line can be seen on
WSR 2006 Spring Steam Gala 2006 Autumn Steam Gala 2006 GTE 2006
The West Somerset Railway - Heritage Railway of the Year 2005
Dates for your diary
April 3 - WSRA Taunton Group meeting
April 8/9 - S&D 2-8-0s in steam at Washford
April 9 - New Volunteers Day at Bishops Lydeard
April 25 - WSRA Bristol Group meeting
April 29 to May 1 - "Something a little different" to mark the 30th Anniversary of the re-opening of the WSR
Regular services are running this month, Train Timetables on www.wsr.org.uk has full details.
Spring Steam Gala 2006
What can I say about it that others haven't already said? Over the two weekends 9,301 passengers were carried, a superb selection of double header combinations ran as booked, lots of great photos taken, everyone seems to have thoroughly enjoyed it so all that remains is to say a great big thank you to all involved in planning and putting on a fantastic event.
30th Anniversary of Re-opening
28 March was the 30th anniversary of the WSR re-opening between Minehead and Blue Anchor. The re-opening from Blue Anchor to Williton was later in 1976 so there will be "Something a little different" to mark these anniversaries on the Bank Holiday weekend April 29 to May 1, no details as to what yet though so watch for the next issue or keep an eye on www.wsr.org.uk .
S&D 2-8-0s Nos. 89 (53809) & 88 in steam at Washford - 8 & 9 April
There will be opportunities to examine the engines, demonstrations of the Whitaker Tablet Exchanger and signalling demonstrations. The museum and shop will also be open.
“Railways Round Exmoor”
In a new initiative to increase the attractions of Exmoor three “heritage” railways are joining forces in a joint marketing and ticketing venture for 2006.
The three railways concerned are the twenty mile long West Somerset which runs from Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead, the water powered Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway which links the twin towns, and the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway which has begun to rebuild the narrow gauge line which closed in 1935 and is presently running trains from Woody Bay station towards Parracombe.
The tickets are priced at £16.00 for adults and senior citizens and £8 for children aged 5 to 15. (this gives some reductions over the tickets for the railways if purchased individually). They can be bought from the railway’s booking offices or in advance from West Somerset Railway (Commercial), The Railway Station, Minehead, TA24 5BG from whom leaflets giving fuller details can also be obtained. Credit card bookings can be made by ringing 01643 704996
Details from http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/
The other lines websites are Lynton & Barnstaple Railway and http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.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...
There is a "New Volunteers Day" on Sunday 9 April when prospective new recruits are invited to spend a day on the line – where they are introduced to key personnel, given a guided tour of the line and have the chance of learning more about the voluntary opportunities and what is involved. Further details on http://www.wsr-volunteers.co.uk/vol06.pdf
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. There's more about volunteering on a new site, WSR Volunteers .
If you can't give the time but would still like to support the WSR why not 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:
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.
88 ex S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 (BR No 53808) is now in regular service.
3850 ex GW 2-8-0 has recently arrived back on the WSR after completion of restoration and will shortly be entering service.
5542 ex GW 2-6-2T small prairie has now left the line and is at the South Devon Railway for the next couple of years during which the driving wheel tyres will be replaced. Hopefully she'll be back after this.
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. 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.
34046 Braunton continues to progress well with steaming anticipated in 2006.
30850 Lord Nelson should visit the line for a period of running in, possibly in the summer.
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.
D6575/33057 has arrived on the WSR, initially as a source of spares for D6566, it will be assessed to see if it can be restored in time.
There's plenty of opportunities if you'd like to be involved with the DEPG's fleet, see their 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...
...provide a taste of the Spring Steam Gala, the theme was the Somerset & Dorset and all the locos working were types that worked over the S&D. The first Saturday was very cold, at least that made for good exhausts in photos such as this one of 92203 Black Prince almost at the summit of the climb from Bishop Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield.
The next down train was in the hands of BR Std. 5MT 4-6-0 73129 and LMS 0-6-0 44422 seen here running in to Crowcombe Heathfield.
Down the hill at "Templecombe" (Bishops Lydeard), visiting S&D 2-8-0 53809 leaving for "Bournemouth West" (Minehead).
34067 Tangmere brought in an excursion from Victoria and is seen arriving at Bishops Lydeard.
While the Bulleid was taking water BR Std 4 mogul 76079 (running as 76009, an S&D loco) came on the front to pilot the 13 coach train on to Minehead.
On to the following Saturday and another of the visitors 45407 (running as 45440) arriving at "Sturminster Newton" (Blue Anchor) with a down train which included the "Quantock Belle" dining set which was doing a very good full breakfast when I sampled it.
44422 and 53809 running into "Bournemouth West" (Minehead), the WSR had hired the SRPS Railtour set which this train was formed of, the maroon stock gave this even more of an S&D atmosphere. On the right is Fragonset's diesel 47703 Hermes which had brought the SRPS stock back after it had returned to Victoria the pervious week.
The renaming of stations after S&D ones worked well, this is the Bournemouth West running in board at Minehead with 92203 and 80136 (running as 80138) waiting to leave with an up train.
Always popular during the line's Galas are the shunting demonstrations at Washford, here Isabel is seen in action in the yard there.
A last one of the Gala with 34067 Tangmere running into "Wincanton" (Watchet).
Not part of the Gala but on display during it, ex GWR sleeping car 9038 at Williton. It has been superbly restored and is well worth looking round when it's open for viewing.
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 appeal to raise funds to help bring No 7828 Odney Manor back to "active steaming life" on the West Somerset Railway remains open. 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.
3 April:- "Early Days on the West Somerset Railway" - Nick Jones
1 May:- Visit to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay - Joint visit with the WSRA Bristol Group & GWS Taunton Group. Meet at 6.30pm
5 June:- Visit to Cerdic Foundry, Chard
For the full programme for 2006 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:-
25 April:- "Women Workers on the Railways" - Helen Wojtczak
30 May:- "Irish Railways" - Patrick McCormack
For the full programme for 2006 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
Events for 2006
29 April - 1 May - "Something a little different" to mark the 30th Anniversary of re-opening of the WSR.
8-9 July - Days Out with Thomas.
5-6 August - Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally at Bishops Lydeard
16-17 September - CAMRA Real Ale Festival at Minehead station
5-8 October - Autumn Steam Gala.
21-22 October - Grand Trains Extravaganza
1-2 December - Dunster by Candlelight
30 December - Winter Steam Festival
Further details on these 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.
WestSomersetRailway Yahoo! group for discussion and chat about the WSR
WSR Volunteers - a new site with lots of info for those thinking of volunteering
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 April 2006.
© 2006 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.