Excursions make a day to remember in heritage railway's history

ANOTHER ‘day to remember’ in the history of the West Somerset Railway occurred on Saturday, March 31, when for the first time the heritage line welcomed two mainline excursions to the branch line on the same day.
Kingfisher Railtours was the first to arrive with an excursion train from Eastleigh which arrived behind diesel locomotive 67020 and departed behind the 1926 built Southern Railway express locomotive number 850, ‘Lord Nelson’.
Departing in the early afternoon, the train passed at Blue Anchor a Nenta Tours special from Norwich, which was worked to and from Minehead by a Class 47 diesel locomotive.
Between them, the two excursions brought 526 passengers to Minehead, where they were able to enjoy time in and around the town on a sunny day.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “The two specials rounded off a hugely successful month for us which has also seen two other main line charters on and off the branch on March 10 and 24 and our most successful spring steam gala to date.
“Over the six days of the gala we carried over 10,000 passengers, and Saturday, March 24, was the busiest single day in our history with over 3,000 travelling.
“Nor should it be overlooked that many of the visitors to the galas stay in the area and that both gala visitors and excursionists visit local shops, pubs, and cafes and bring early season revenue into the area along the route of the West Somerset.
“We next welcome an excursion from Preston on April 14, while on April 28 another special train will leave Minehead for an excursion to York.
“Meanwhile we continue to operate our own services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead and our evening programme of catering specials starts with a cancer charity fund-raising fish and chip special on May 5.”

• Our photograph (top) is by Alan Meade, showing steam locomotive 850 ‘Lord Nelson’ entering Bishops Lydeard Station on a Kingfisher Railtours journey to Eastleigh from Minehead.
• Our photograph (bottom) is by Brian Garrett and shows the Class 47 diesel locomotive at the junction at Norton Fitzwarren on a Nenta Train Tours trip from North Walsingham.

Spring gala is huge success for heritage railway

THE West Somerset Railway’s six-day Spring Steam Gala event was another highly successful ‘launch’ to the main season for the award-winning heritage line.
Passengers flocked over two weekends to travel behind an array of steam locomotives working an intensive train service between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard.
General manager Paul Conibeare said: “We had a very pleasing first weekend with over 3,000 people travelling over the two days, and the second weekend also saw good levels of business.
“The sunshine on the second Saturday brought out both the enthusiasts and the general public and we had one of our busiest days ever.
“We were also pleased to welcome 395 visitors who travelled on an excursion train from Sheffield and had an enjoyable afternoon either on the railway or in Minehead.
“It will take us a couple of days to finally ratify the passenger figures for the gala as a whole, but we are delighted with the results.”
Apart from the line-up pf historic engines, which included seven ‘guests’ hired-in especially for the gala, there were plenty of other factors which brought the visitors to the railway and the surrounding area.
Amongs them was a Virgin Trains ‘Voyager’ which ran a shuttle service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard, while a free vintage bus service also linked Dunster Station with the village and its castle.
Artist Alan Ward put on an exhibition of his work at Bishops Lydeard, and four new railway books were on sale for the first time, including ‘Return Ticket To Minehead’.
Taunton Model Railway Group also opened its clubroom to visitors, and there were special openings of the locosheds and workshops at Williton and Minehead.
Mr Conibeare paid tribute to the WSR workforce: “Our volunteers and staff put in a lot of hard work in the three months leading up to the gala and during the actual operating days the first workers are on duty at 4 am and the last make their way home around 10 pm.
“It is rewarding to see their efforts producing such satisfactory results for the railway.”

• Our photographs show (top) a steam train preparing to depart Bishops Lydeard and (bottom) a Virgin Voyager alongside Great Western pannier tank number 6412, the first working Great Western steam locomotive purchased by the West Somerset Railway Association. Photos submitted.

Gala weekend steams to early success for heritage railway

THE first weekend of the West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Gala saw 3,295 passengers riding on the trains over the 20 miles of line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, making it a huge success. A dozen steam locomotives were in action, ranging from the small tank engine ‘Kilmersdon’ shunting at Washford Station to mighty express locomotives, including 34007 ‘Wadebridge’ and Great Western ‘Castle’ class 5051 ‘Earl Bathurst’.
Four new books were launched at the gala, including a collection of memories of the Minehead line pre-1971 titled ‘Return Ticket To Minehead’, a volume of cartoons by railway artist Alan Ward, who had a temporary gallery at Bishops Lydeard Station, and new editions of the West Somerset Railway’s own ‘Stock Book’ and ‘Stations and Buildings Book’.
These helped to make sure that the shops along the line had a busy time and many travellers also took advantage of the buffet and catering facilities on offer, including the railway’s new buffet coach at Minehead.
Many visitors travelled to the gala by the free bus service operating to Bishops Lydeard from Taunton Railway Station and the park and ride car park at Silk Mills, while others used the Virgin Voyager train shuttle rail service.
The WSR also ran a free vintage bus service between Dunster Station and Dunster village.
West Somerset Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “Our 2006 Spring Gala marked the passing of the much-loved Somerset and Dorset line and set records that we thought we might struggle to match.
“So, to find ourselves with what is shaping up to be an even more successful event is very pleasing and a great reward for all the volunteers and staff who put so much effort into making the galas attractive for both enthusiasts and the public.”
The gala continues on Thursday, March 22, through to Sunday, March 25, the Thursday and Friday being ‘quieter' days without the Virgin Train or the Dunster Bus links, and operating and ‘only’ nine trains each way rather than the 14 which run on the Saturday and Sunday.
Fuller details can be obtained by telephoning 01643 704996 or visiting www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.
Photos submitted.