West Somerset Express
Update 2 – May 2003
Issue 10 - May 2003 Issue 9 - April 2003 Issue 8 - March 2003 Update 1 - February 2003
West Somerset Express homepage
A quick update to remind you of the next big event on the West Somerset Railway.
Charity Train to raise money for the RNLI
Virgin Trains is to run two charity trains from Bristol to the West Somerset Railway at Minehead to raise money for the RNLI.
A £4m Voyager train will visit Minehead on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May, giving passengers the unique opportunity to travel direct by train from Bristol to Minehead. At Minehead the Voyager will connect with the West Somerset Railway’s Cross Country steam and diesel gala. On the Saturday the train will be named Somerset Voyager.
Tickets for the trains are £20 and all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the RNLI. Tickets are available from the West Somerset Railway. The railway can be contacted by writing to West Somerset Railway, Minehead, Somerset TA24 5BG or telephoning 01643 704996. Payment can be made to West Somerset railway by credit card, debit card or cheque.
This is a great opportunity at a bargain fare for a good cause, don't miss out - call 01643 704996 to book your seats!!
On each day the Voyager will leave Bristol Temple Meads at approximately 08.15 and depart from Minehead at 16.35 on the Saturday, 16.50 on the Sunday. Once timings have been confirmed they will be available from the West Somerset Railway or on the internet at
THE WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY - Official SiteCROSS-COUNTRY WEEKEND
Saturday & Sunday 10-11 May 2003
EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
First visit of a Class 220 Voyager to the WSR.
Naming of Voyager No 220 008 "Somerset Voyager" at Minehead Station on the Saturday.
Plenty of locomotive action - both steam and diesel.
Visiting locos.
Voyager in use on both days.
Special Bristol to Minehead through train on both days.
Intensive timetable.
Services to Norton Fitzwarren.
Bar/buffet facilities on all trains - including real ale!
Day & Weekend Rover Tickets available - cheaper if booked in advance.
Lots of photographic opportunities.
THE VOYAGER
No 220 008 will be named (or, more correctly, re-named) "Somerset Voyager" in a special ceremony on the platform at Minehead Station at 11.00am on Saturday 10 May. All welcome, subject to space! Naming to be performed by local historian and Channel 4 "Time Team" regular Robin Bush, who is also the Chairman of Somerset County Council.
The Voyager will work scheduled timetabled services on both days.
LOCOMOTIVES
All subject to availability:-
DIESEL - Voyager No 220 008, an EWS dual-braked Class 47, 'Peak' 46035 Ixion, D1010 Western Campaigner, D6566.
STEAM - GWR Nos 5051 Earl Bathurst, 7820 Dinmore Manor.
An EWS Class 67 will also be on display at Bishops Lydeard and available for inspection, cab visits etc.
Two photos of locos that will be working during the Cross Country Weekend, fist D1010 Western Campaigner.
Second ex GW Castle No. 5051 Earl Bathurst
TIMETABLE
Intensive timetable on both days, different on each day. See various websites (listed below) for full details. Complete working timetable, including loco & coaching set diagrams, available from Minehead Station on receipt of cheque for £2.00 and large 1st Class SAE. The timetable is available on line on www.wsr.org.uk .
See above for details of the Voyagers workings to and from the WSR and how to book your seats!
TICKETS
Please note that ALL privilege ticket, free pass and voucher facilities will NOT apply. Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased IN ADVANCE - e.g. Adult 2-Day = £26, Adult 1-Day = £16, Family 1-Day = £32.
CATERING
Full bar/buffet on all trains, including local real ale!
OTHER THINGS......
D&EPG Diesel Heritage Centre at Williton open. Museums at Bishops Lydeard, Washford and Blue Anchor open. Taunton Model Railway Group's base at BL open. Alan Hammond will be signing copies of his new book "Spirit of the Somerset & Dorset Railway" in the shop at Minehead.
HOW TO BOOK
Discount rover tickets, and tickets for the through Bristol-Minehead Voyager specials, available from: WSR, The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset TA24 5BG. Tel: 01643 704996
WEBSITES
Information on the Cross-Country Weekend (and other WSR special events) available, and regularly updated, on:-
www.West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk
www.wsra.org.uk
www.wsr.org.uk
Come and join us for what promises to be a great weekend!
Richard Jones
Chairman, WSR Special Events Planning Team
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.
2 June: “The restoration of GWR 2-6-2T No 5542” An illustrated talk, followed by a return trip from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield behind the engine. Meet at Bishops Lydeard Station Visitor Centre at 7.45pm.
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:-
27 May: “W(h)ither the Location” Part One – The Withered Arm – slides of the former LSWR lines in North Cornwall, allowed to wither and die after nationalisation. Part Two – Whither the Location – a pictorial quiz to end the season on a lighter note! Howard Sprenger.
For the full programme for 2003 see West Somerset Railway Association, for further details email.
WSR Screensaver
There is a screensaver of views of the Spring Steam Gala available for free download from www.wsr.org.uk. Others are available on CD-ROM from the WSRA's shop at Bishops Lydeard station price £4.99.
Ever thought about helping us out?
The Railway survives on the goodwill of hundreds of volunteers who give up their time to help out in all manner of tasks, some operational, some not. The Railway is urgently in need of some new blood for the following events or tasks:
• The 17th Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally 2,3 August
• The Association Stand at the Taunton Flower Show on 6,7 August
• aboard the "Quantock Belle" dining train
• in our busy Booking Offices
There are many other different jobs for volunteers on the line, 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, e-mail the West Somerset Railway Association or call at Bishops Lydeard station.
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 May 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.