West Somerset Railway Latest News

Tour of Britain Cycle Race - Tuesday 14th September

There will be a DMU service on the 14 September from Bishops Lydeard departing at 0830 arriving at Minehead at 0935 stopping at all intermediary stations ON REQUEST ONLY. This is to get those to Minehead to see the start at 10.15.

The 1015 departure from Minehead will be delayed until 10.25 thereby allowing the start of the race to be witnessed and passengers to travel to Blue Anchor to watch a sprint within the race timed at 11.18 or to Watchet to witness the race pass by.

We would ask that travellers should not assume that trains throughout the rest of the day will run 10 minutes down and should get to their starting points at the scheduled time.

The Race Times are:

Start	Minehead Station	1015
-	Lype Hill	1050
-	Blue Anchor	1118
-	Raleghs Cross	1136
-	Honiton	1249
-	Sidmouth	1311
-	Peak Hill	1313
Finish	Teignmouth Promenade	1415

Added 27 August 2010

Exclusive Limited Edition Print of 60019 Bittern at Minehead Station

60019 Bittern seen at Minehead Station in a picture by David J. Webster

The West Somerset Railway Retail Department is pleased to announce the availability of a limited edition print of Bittern at Minehead Station. These prints, taken of an original painting by David Webster, are available exclusively from the West Somerset Railway.

The prints are strictly limited to a run of 150. Prints are published on the highest quality, hand finished engraving paper, using the very best colour printing technology available, which produces a high quality product for the discerning client. Each work of art is individually numbered and signed by the artist, David Webster.

David was born in Birmingham in 1947. By the time he was fifteen David had in an equal number of homes. After finishing part of his Education at Emerson College in the USA, David returned to what he regards as his natural home of Dorset, where he grew up as a boy.

After leaving a successful career in marketing brand leaders in the textile world, he utilised his entrepreneurial skills as an experienced director for various international companies. Ever since he can remember David has always had a love of painting, holding his first exhibition in his early teens. His works have sold worldwide and are highly collectable.

As an artist he has an extremely versatile ability to produce in a variety of styles and in various media. The portrayal of Bittern at Minehead Station is typical of David's ability to absorb and produce detail. Recent works have included military commissions in addition to land and seascapes, sporting and architectural works of Venice. Married with one son living in South Somerset, David actively spends his time producing these wonderful works of art.
The overall size is 19 1/2 x 22 1/2, which includes the description at the base of the picture and a border all round.

These unframed prints are available for the price of £220, which includes postage and packing. Any profit made will go to the West Somerset Railway. High demand is anticipated for these very collectable items, so order your copy as soon as possible.

For more details or to place an order contact Colin Howard at the West Somerset Railway Retail Department or email at shop@wsrail.net. The prints will also be available in the online shop.

Added 27 August 2010

More Stormy September Weekends Promised For West Somerset Railway As “Tornado” Visit Extended

Following confirmation of the planned visit to the West Somerset Railway in September by the new express steam locomotive 60163 “Tornado”the WSR was delighted to learn that the engine will now also be available to work trains between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead on an additional weekend September 18th and 19th. This means that the engine will now see service on September 4th and 5th, 11th to 16th inclusive and on the 18th and 19th.
The 4th and 5th is the WSR’s “Late Summer Weekend” when “Tornado” will be in action alongside two other express locomotives from the great days of steam Great Western 5029 “Nunney Castle” and the Bulleid “West Country” Class 34046 “Braunton”.

These will be joined by two other steam locomotives and some vintage diesels from the 1960’S to operate an hourly service of trains with the first departures from each end of the line at 9.00 a.m. and the last at 6 p.m.

September 11th and 12th is the Annual Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Festival at Minehead Station and “Tornado” will be bringing visitors to that event to sample the hundred or so examples of the best of traditional British cask-conditioned beer that will be on sale over the two days. The Festival is organized by CAMRA’s Somerset branch and strongly features the products of the award-winning small breweries in the county.
Rover Tickets giving the freedom of the line during the day for the dates when “Tornado” is in action can be purchased in advance by telephone by ringing 01643 704996 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week. Advance purchase will give the buyers the chance to walk past any queues and all cards are accepted apart from AMEX.
West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare is anticipating a busy fortnight for the WSR. “We saw the attraction of “Tornado” during its 2009 visit” he said, “and with it participating in a new event, the Late Summer Weekend and the well-established CAMRA Festival which is in its eleventh year now we will be sure to have every coach that we have in operation”.

Added 18 August 2010

Paul Atterbury Book Signing at Minehead on Sunday September 19th

The well-known antiques, art and architecture expert and railway enthusiast Paul Atterbury will be paying a return visit to Minehead on Sunday September 19th when he will be signing copies of his new book “Life Along the Line” between 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Published by David and Charles this new work is 256 pages long with 250 illustrations - many not previously published - and concentrates on the human side of the railway industry in the British Railways era. There is an overview of life across the network as well as showcasing local differences in a series of sections, covering the West Country (including a couple of pages on the WSR), Southern England, Wales, Central England, East Anglia, Northern England and Scotland.

The book costs £25. Paul is best known from his appearances on “The Antiques Roadshow” and although his interests are generally found in the 19th and 20th Century we can be sure he will also be interested in the modern machinery of the 2008-completed “Tornado” which will be working trains on that date.

Added 18 August 2010

New Gates to Replace Flashing Lights at Goviers Lane Crossing in Watchet

The West Somerset Railway is replacing its long–standing red/green crossing warning lights at Goviers Lane at the South End of Watchet Station with a set of new gates.
The decision has been taken after consultation with Somerset County Council, West Somerset Council and Watchet Town Council and the new crossing. It has been designed to meet Network Rail’s national standards with outward opening gates and will be operated by the users of the pedestrian crossing.
West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare commented: “The old lights have been subject to regular vandalism in past years and as a result the crossing could be showing no indication at all to its users. Pedestrians have used their own common senses and kept a good look-out when crossing our line and we thank them for this and look forward to this continuing. The crossing now conforms to National Network standards for foot crossings and we are sure that with our train approaching at reduced speed and giving warnings of their approach we can look forward to the crossing giving access to the town and the marina for years to come.

Added 16 July 2010

Bring out your old suitcases and trunks

Can you help toward the final restoration of the Sleeping Car at The Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard Station on the Minehead Branch. Volunteer Malc Stacey is looking for donations of old style suitcases and travel trunks to clean and renovate to help raise funds to complete the superbly restored 1897-built Great Western Railway Sleeping Car no 9038. If you have suitable trunks or suitcases, please deliver to Malc Stacey at the West Somerset Railway's Bishops Lydeard Station.

The Sleeping Car is a shining example of the restoration skills of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, one of the key organisations supporting the West Somerset Railway. More about the Sleeping Car and the Trust can be found at www.wssrt.co.uk. Ian Coleby, Trust Director and Archivist said, "Malc has worked tirelessly to support the Trust and the restoration of the sleeping car. The Trust is very grateful for his work and hope all can help in this simple but effective idea to raise funds for the final restoration." Update: Malc is also keen to receive donations of old apple, wine or spirits boxes. Contact Malc by email.

Added 01 July 2010

Steams Up: Photographic Competition

What do you do with the snaps you take of steam engines when you get home, besides just uploading them into Picasa? Send them to a couple of fellow-enthusiasts, print them out and frame them, make Christmas cards out of them?

Here’s a chance to do something more – and let many more steam railway enthusiasts see the results of your efforts – and even better, get the chance to win a copy of the latest Adobe CS5 Creative Suite, and its’ very popular Photoshop to enhance your images to professional standards!

We are holding a Steam Railway photographic competition and exhibition throughout the summer – the exhibition will take place in West Somerset House, in the centre of Williton, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of October – to coincide with the Final Gala Weekend. A number of different categories are included – steam engines and rolling stock, diesel, railway landscapes, railway people (WSR staff or passengers), young enthusiasts (those under 16!). There’s even a competition for those who shun the digital age, and want to render their images in paint, pastel crayon or any other medium.

Entries can be submitted throughout the next four months, with a deadline just one week before the exhibition,and competition rules can be obtained by visiting the Williton Parish Council website on www.willitonparishcouncil.org. For those who want to continue snapping over the final weekend, a further category has been added, which will be judged on the Sunday afternoon – the 3rd of October. You just need to come with a convenient method of uploading your images to our resident computer.

And, as a bonus, we will be providing a Poster Service throughout the exhibition – where you can turn your snaps into poster size images – for just the cost of the materials, plus a small contribution to charity!

Accompanying the exhibition will be a number of other events, stalls and activities, so you can bring your family along, as well. In Williton centre you will also have access to local cafes, restaurants, shops and pubs, and I have been reliably informed that Williton Social Club, adjacent to the exhibition, will be running a barbecue!

For those travelling by train, we are also laying on a free shuttle service, in vintage transport, from Williton Station to West Somerset House, and there is plenty of parking for visitor by car!

For more information, contact:
David Chadwick, Williton Parish Council, on:
Telephone 01984 641055, or drchadwick@gmail.com