Special events have their own pages, this page has photos of the "everyday" scene on the West Somerset.

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February  March  April

February

During the "close season" in January the line was visited by a Rail Grinder train which is seen here at Williton, a sophisticated piece of equipment that grinds the railhead to restore the correct profile and so reduce wheel wear.  Photo by Jon Tooke

A close up of a rail that has been ground by the rail grinder.  Photo by Jon Tooke

Pannier tank 6412 is undergoing overhaul at Williton, in January she was completely stripped down, these two photos show major sections of her cab in the yard.  Photos by Jon Tooke

March

On 1 March SDJR 2-8-0 No. 88 was receiving a lot of attention from the cleaning gang at Minehead.

While 88 was being cleaned the Class 115 DMU was waiting in the platform to depart back to Bishops Lydeard.

There was a small fleet of new wheel barrows lined up on the platform en route to the extended loco compound at Bishops Lydeard, meanwhile work on 88 continued.

Auto trailer 225 had arrived ready for the Spring Steam Gala over the next two weekends.

The "Brunel Buffet" has now moved from the bay platform to its final position by the sea front.

These two photos show how far advanced the installation of the turntable at Minehead is.

The Spring Steam Gala 2008 started the next weekend and has its own page.

Large Prairie 4160 seen at Minehead on a grey and wet March day.  Photo by Jon Tooke

Small prairie 5542, back on the line for a while after a too long absence, also at Minehead on the same day.  Photo by Jon Tooke

Another view of 5542, this time arriving at Dunster with an up train.  Photo by Jon Tooke

A last one from Jon of 5542 that day sees her passing Doniford Halt.  Photo by Jon Tooke

Former Class 101 DMU more recently Lab 19 - IRIS II has been acquired for use for transport to site by the WSR's P Way department.  It is seen here in the P Way yard at Dunster.  Photo by Jon Tooke

February  March  April

April

On 12 April small prairie 5542 was working a special for her supporters, she is seen here at Bishops Lydeard waiting to come on to her train.

By the time she was on her train there had been a heavy storm as can be seen in these two photos of her on her train just before departure.

At Crowcombe Heathfield 5542 crossed with 9351 on a service train.

At Minehead SDJR 2-8-0 No. 88 was having a boiler washout after her return from a visit to the Severn Valley.

Large prairie 4160 was spare at Minehead, stabled in the headshunt next to the "Brunel Buffet".

5542 on shed taking coal and water before working back.

Before going back to her train 5542 was outside the loco mess room with 4160 behind.

Back on her train and almost ready to leave.

A final one from the day, 5542 back at Bishops Lydeard waiting to go to shed.

My visits to the WSR were far less frequent for the rest of 2008, but there are a few photos below from those visits.

On 6 June GW 2-8-0 no. 2874 was seen at Minehead shed awaiting restoration.

On the same sunny June day large prairie 4160 was basking in the sunshine at the other end of the shed building.

Also in the sun was Class 25 diesel D7523 with a GWR tender stabled behind it and the "Brunel Buffet" static buffet car alongside.

Three views of progress with the installation of the turntable at Minehead.

Two shots of S&D 2-8-0 no. 88 approaching Blue Anchor with an up train on 15 August 2008.

88 crossed with another 2-8-0 at Blue Anchor, GW no. 3850 then headed across Kerr Moor for Minehead with a down train.

Not leaves but Rooks on the line near Blue Anchor, not something I'd seen before and I've no idea what attracted them there.

88 approaching Blue Anchor again, this time on 22 September.

Later that day the Class 115 DMU leaving Blue Anchor over the level crossing en route to Minehead.

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