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:-
6412
5553
80136
88
3850
D7523
D6566
Class 115/117 DMU
Other features:
On the Saturday and Monday the Quantock Belle luxury dining train will be open at Bishops Lydeard station.
An exhibition on the history of the WSR will be open at Bishops Lydeard - including a Time Line
Shop and museum open at Bishops Lydeard Station
30 April and 1 May only - vintage bus service between Dunster station and village for the castle
Displays at other WSR stations
Park Royal DMU on view at Minehead
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.
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.
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.
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 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.