West Somerset Express
Update 1 – February 2003
Issue 1 - August 2002 Issue 2 - September 2002
Issue 3 - October 2002 Issue 4 - November 2002 Issue 5 - December 2002
Issue 6 - January 2003 Issue 7 - February 2003
West Somerset Express homepage
This page is part of the newsletter archive, photos of the year on the line can be seen on
WSR 2003 Spring Steam Gala 2003 Autumn Gala 2003 Cross Country Weekend
WSR Rally 2003 Teddy Bear's Picnic Great Trains
A quick update to remind you that the West Somerset Railway's season is about to start.
2003 Timetable
The railway's timetable for 2003 can be seen on line at WSR Timetable which also has the dates for all the special events on the line in the coming year.
Current Services
Services resume with the half term workings between Minehead and Williton on February 22, 23 and 25 - 27.
Spring Steam Gala
The West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Gala, one of the major events in the heritage railway calendar, will take place over the weekend of 28-30 March and will have a "West Country Branch Line" theme. Full timetables are now available.
Confirmation has now been received for three visiting steam engines to attend the Spring Steam Gala on 28-30 March 2003 – the ex-LSWR M7 0-4-4T No 30053 from Swanage, ex-GWR 57xx 0-6-0PT No 5764 from the Severn Valley and ex-GWR ‘Small Prairie’ No 5553 (owned by the Waterman Railways Trust and currently at Cheddleton). A successful conclusion is also anticipated for two other ‘guest’ engines for the Gala – the Ivatt 2-6-2T No 41312 from the Mid-Hants and ex-GWR ‘Large Prairie’ No 4141 (currently at Llangollen).
An intensive three day timetable is planned to give passengers plenty of chances to travel over the WSR’s banks behind "Prairies" (Large and Small), "Panniers" and other engines evoking memories of the West Country in the days of steam. On Saturday 29 March a dramatic contrast will be offered by the arrival of a Hertfordshire Railtours excursion behind a modern class 66 diesel.
With every WSR Spring Gala there will be plenty of extra activity. The Williton restoration shed will have its annual three day opening so that visitors can see progress on Bulleid "West Country" class 4-6-2 no 34046 "Braunton" and the nearly-completed 1897 GWR sleeping car, whilst the Minehead Sheds will be open on Saturday and Sunday.
There is still time to purchase rover tickets for the Spring Steam Gala at specially reduced prices on the ‘discounted in advance’ rates. This special offer ends on 31 January. Three, two and one-day rover tickets are all available, including a one-day Family Ticket. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please have your credit/debit card details to hand and telephone the Railway direct on 01643 704996.
Details from www.wsr.org.uk and www.wsra.org.uk
Steam Up at Washford
As a prelude to the start of the new WSR operating season, both Nos 5542 and the Peckett 0-4-0ST No 1788 Kilmersdon will be in steam at Washford station – the headquarters of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust – over the weekend of 1-2 March 2003. The two engines will perform shunting demonstrations, be available for close inspection (including a chance to look on the footplate), whilst visitors will also be able to see recent restoration on some of the Trust’s fleet of historic vehicles. The museum in the station building, together with the signalbox, will also both be open.
Details from www.wsra.org.uk
This Issue's Photo
Is of 5542 which will be the star attraction at the Washford Steam Up on 1-2 March.
Note: you need to be connected to the Internet to view this photo.
West Somerset Railway Association
Area Group Meetings:
Taunton Group:
In 2003, 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 March: Travels on the Indian Sub Continent - Keith Strickland.
7 April: Nostalgic Days on the Dining Cars - Mike Chapman
For the full programme for 2003 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 February: “A Journey in Three Legs” - The story of the Railways of the Isle of Man – not just those which still exist today, but many more which have long since disappeared from the island
of tailless cats, toast-rack trams and one of the biggest water wheels in the world. Trevor Nall
25 March: “Jaunceys’ Jaunts” PSOV videos show British steam locomotives at their best – storming through stunning landscapes, slogging up the most notorious climbs. Commentary on the videos is minimal, the locomotives being allowed to speak for themselves. However, on this occasion the producers of the videos will be on hand to add their own personal commentary on a year’s worth of main line steam activity. Come along for a superb, breathtaking, scintillating evening of main line action – experience the exhilaration of locomotives working at full power.
An admission charge will apply for this meeting……but you will NOT be disappointed!
For the full programme for 2003 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
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!
There are many different jobs for volunteers on the line, the next New Volunteers Day will be on Sunday 6 April 2003 but 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 – or e-mail the West Somerset Railway Association.
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 main diesel group on the line
The next full issue is due 27 February 2003.
© 2003 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.