West Somerset Express

 

West Somerset Railway 30 weekend special

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

 

 

West Somerset Express homepage

 

West Somerset Railway 30th Anniversary of re-opening

The West Somerset Railway was re-opened between Minehead and Williton in two stages in 1976, the bank holiday weekend 29, 30 April, 1 May has been chosen to mark the 30th. Anniversary of re-opening.

 

There will be an enhanced Gold timetable in operation with 3 full line steam diagrams, the normal DMU diagram will be covered by the Class 25 D7523 and coaches, the DMU will operate shuttles between Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield and Norton Fitzwarren - see Timetable for full details.  In addition there will be a demonstration goods running on all three days and the Quantock Belle luxury dining train (pre-booking essential) is running on the Sunday.

 

So why not come along and join us celebrating the achievements of the last 30 years

 

Locos expected to be running:-

 

Other features:

 

Pannier tank 6412 has been on the West Somerset since those early days, arriving in 1976 just after re-opening from Minehead to Blue Anchor in March.  Here she is seen waiting the road at Bishops Lydeard.

 

6412 at Bishops Lydeard

 

Another loco that has been on the WSR since the early days is SDJR 2-8-0 No. 88 having arrived in 1976, entering service after restoration in 1987, working until 1996 when she was taken out of service for what turned out to be a protracted overhaul, re-entering service in late 2005.  She is seen here running round at Bishops Lydeard during this year's Spring Steam Gala.

88 running round at Bishops Lydeard

 

A more recent arrival is 9351, converted by the WSR from large prairie 5193 she entered traffic in October 2004.  She is seen here at Bishops Lydeard carrying a headboard to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - who was, amongst many grander things, the engineer of the original West Somerset Railway.

9351 at Bishops Lydeard

 

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

West Somerset Express Archive

 

The next full 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.