Weekend of mixed trains brings visitors flocking to West Somerset

NEARLY 3,300 passengers visited the West Somerset Railway’s ‘mixed traffic weekend’ from June 15 to June 17 to enjoy a mixture of vintage diesel and some steam locomotives in action.
The theme of the weekend was ‘Western Region in 1965’, the period when steam was finally giving way to diesels in the Westcountry.
To this end, the WSR turned out a fleet of diesel locomotives appropriate to the period.
D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’, Class 14 D9526, Class 47 D1661 ‘North Star’, and Class 25 D7523 were all part of a collection by the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, based in Williton, while guests D832 ‘Onslaught’ and Hymek D7076 were hired from the East Lancashire Railway, and Class 14 D9520 came from the Nene Valley Railway.
Two of the WSR’s resident diesel shunting locomotives worked passenger trains between Minehead and Dunster on the Saturday and steam duties were undertaken by GWR engines 4160 and 5553.
In addition, D1015 ‘Western Champion’ made a visit to the line with yet another excursion train to Minehead on the Saturday from the national network.
The West Somerset had not held a diesel themed event since 2005 and it was pleased with the number of passengers who travelled.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “Our event coincided with a diesel weekend on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire and we did have some concerns if this would affect the number of visitors we saw, but obviously the attraction of our line-up of machines that are no longer seen on the main lines proved a hit.
“The West Somerset will remain predominantly a steam railway, but clearly there is a good market for us in special, suitably-themed, diesel special events.”

• Our photograph (top) shows diesel locomotive D1010 and a steam train at Blue Anchor Station. Photo by Beverley Zehetmeier, courtesy of www.wsr.org.uk.
• Our photograph (below) shows a diesel locomotive D7076 in a cutting. Photo by Dean Fisher, courtesy of www.wsr.org.uk.

Nostalgic return to West Somerset for famous Beatles train

THE West Somerset Railway’s ‘mixed traffic weekend’ took place from Friday, June 15, to Sunday, June 17, taking the heritage back to the 1960s when diesel locomotives were replacing steam engines on British Railways.
Both steam and diesel engines featured at the head of trains during the event.
It was during the 1960s that what was then the Minehead branch of British Rail saw some of the most hectic scenes in its history as, in 1964, the Beatles first feature film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, was partially filmed on the line.
The locomotive which headed the filming train is still in existence and made a return to the West Somerset line for a headlining appearance during the mixed traffic event.
It is a Class ‘Hymek’ diesel and is one of four survivors of the 101 which were built in Manchester by Beyer Peacock between 1961 and 1963 for use on the Western Region of British Rail.
The sequence in the film in which the ‘Fab Four’ can be seen running alongside the train was filmed at Crowcombe Heathfield Station, as was one of Ringo Starr riding a bicycle along the platform.
Pictures of the scenes along the railway during the making of what was described as the ‘Citizen Kane of jukebox movies’ are featured in the book ‘Ticket To Minehead’, by Richard Derry and Alan and Christine Hammond, and published by Millstream Books which is on sale at WSR book shops.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “Given that the last Hymeks came out of service in the early 1970s when the thought of preserving diesel locomotives was a novel one, it is one of those quirks of railway history that D7076 has survived while 97 of the class have long since gone for scrap.
“It is normally based on the East Lancashire Railway, at Bury, but its return to the West Somerset brings back a part of the history of the branch line.”

• Our photograph shows the Beatles train D7076 back on the West Somerset Railway during the mixed traffic weekend. Photo submitted.

Diesel and steam mix bringing back memories for Father's Day

MEMORIES should come flooding back in West Somerset this year for fathers and grandfathers who took an interest in the railways of the Westcountry during the 1960s.
For the West Somerset Railway is turning back the clock on its 20-mile line to 1965 for Father’s Day, June 17.
The heritage railway is holding a ‘Mixed Traffic Weekend’ from Friday, June 15, to Sunday, June 17, and will be reliving the period when British Railways was converting from steam to diesel power.
With this in mind, the majority of the trains will be hauled by vintage diesel locomotives, although there will also be two steam engines in action.
The diesel locomotives in service will be drawn from those in the collection of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, at Williton, and some guests hired in from other lines.
The ‘guests’ will include a ‘Warship’ Class D832 ‘Onslaught’, ‘Hymek’ D7076, and a Class 14 locomotive number D9520.
In addition, on the Saturday only, ‘Western’ Class D1015 ‘Western Champion’ will work an excursion train from Paddington on a tour by Past-time Rail and, before it returns home, will run a WSR service train between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard.
The home fleet will include ‘Western’ D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’, Class 14 D9526, Class 25 D7523, and the Class 47 locomotive D1661 ‘North Star’.
Shunting locomotives will also operate some shuttle services.
Among the museums which will be open along the line, the Diesel Heritage Centre, in Williton, will give an insight into the history of the development of diesel locomotives.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “We will have seven diesel hauled trains and four headed steam locomotives travelling over the line on Father’s Day and there is plenty of opportunity to alight at one of our stations and take in a walk and a lunch in a pub or restaurant along the way as well as riding the trains.
“And, for anybody who really remembers the 60s, there is the chance to alight at Crowcombe Heathfield for the site where Ringo rode the bicycle along the station platform in the Film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’.”
Full details of the Mixed Traffic Weekend can be obtained by telephoning 01643 704996 or visiting www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/mixedtraffic.html.

• Our photos show (top) a diesel engine and (below) a steam train which will be working on Father's Day. Photos submitted.
  

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.

Long service award for three decades with heritage railway

TWO servants of the West Somerset Railway present on the day the heritage line reopened on March 28, 1976, are returning for duty at Minehead Station more than 30 years later on March 28 this year.
Don Spencer was on duty in Blue Anchor signal box on the opening day, and on March 28 this year he will be receiving a long-service award before the 10.15 train departs for Bishops Lydeard, running for 20 miles rather than the four which the very first train covered from Minehead to Blue Anchor, five years and two months after the branch line fell victim to Beeching’s ‘Axe’ and was closed.
He brought a wealth of experience to the safe operation of the train services and has since trained many volunteer signalmen who have served the WSR well down the years.
The 10.15 train will be headed by Great Western pannier tank number 6412 (pictured), the first working Great Western steam locomotive purchased by the West Somerset Railway Association.
The 6412 is a ‘Pannier Tank’ of a type which worked lightly loaded branch lines and suburban trains until the 1960s.
It was a mainstay of the WSR into the late 1980s, but as numbers of passengers on the West Somerset have grown, peak-season trains are now too heavy for it to haul.
However, it does its share of work in the early and late seasons, is often hired out to other steam lines for the summer, and has been a popular engine for the railway’s footplate experience courses, giving enthusiasts an opportunity to learn something of the driving and firing skills involved in handling steam engines.
Another regular duty for the engine is the ‘Quantock Belle’ dining train.
Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “After the hectic weekends of our Spring Steam Galas which bring thousands of visitors to West Somerset and Taunton Deane it will be good to look back on how the WSR adventure began over three decades ago and to mark Don’s pioneering contribution.
“We also will have time to reflect on the other early volunteers, some of whom are still contributing now and some of whom have passed on.
“Without them and the machines they have lovingly worked on and cared for there would be no West Somerset Railway today.”
Photo contributed.

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.

West Somerset Railway wins travel trade award

THE West Somerset Railway has won a travel trade award after attending the British Travel Trade Fair, held in the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
The exhibition helped the railway to make new contacts in the travel industry and allowed useful face-to-face conversations with management and representatives of existing customers of the line.
The railway’s stand also won the exhibition’s award for best overall participation, which was given on the basis of the quality of the stand, the staff’s approach, and the amount of work carried out before the show to make contacts and seek new business.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: “Given the size and resources of some of the participating companies and organisations it reflects very well on the WSR and the commercial department that they should be so highly thought of by a gathering of hard-headed tourism trade professionals.
“Apart from the certificate, we are confident that this will lead on to more business coming to Somerset in the future.”

• Our photograph shows railway commercial manager Martyn Snell and tours officer Samantha Minter at the Minehead Station with the certificate.
  Photo submitted.

WSR unveils second railway of the year award

A CEREMONY has been held on Minehead Railway Station to unveil a plaque commemorating the Independent Railway of the Year 2006 award to the West Somerset Railway.
It was the second time in three years that the steam railway had received the prestigious title, having previously won it in 2004.
In between, the Bishops Lydeard to Minehead line was also voted Heritage Railway of the Year 2005.
Among those attending the unveiling of the plaque were West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Granger, West Somerset District Council chairman Councillor Pam Driver, district council leader Councillor Christine Lawrence, who is also a county councillor for Dunster, past district council chairman Councillor Barbara Child, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Minehead Councillors Ann Foxhuntley and Stephen Dear, and National Railway Heritage Awards committee chairman John Ellis.
Guests were able to travel to the ceremony steam train from Williton, and returning from Minehead afterwards.
The independent panel of award judges cited reasons for the giving the title to West Somerset, including the railway’s contributions to the local economy along its route and its high standard of customer care.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said the railway was now looking ahead to its spring steam gala which has reached a level of popularity where it will run over the weekend of March 17 and 18 and then continue during the four days of March 22 to 25.
Among the gala’s featured attractions will be up to 14 steam engines in action, a Virgin Voyager train linking Taunton and Bishops Lydeard, vintage buses between Dunster Station and Dunster village, and museums and workshops opening along the route.
Mr Conibeare said: “The gala makes a major contribution to the economies of West Somerset, Taunton Deane, and the surrounding area with guest houses and hotels seeing bookings from all over the country.
“As the year progresses, we are due to welcome 21 excursion trains to and from the mainline network, and are looking to build on this aspect of our business in the future.”

• Our photograph (top) shows the plaque being unveiled by (left to right) David Allan, chairman of award sponsors Ian Allan Publishing, WSR general manager Paul Conibeare, and WSR chairman Chris Austin, watched by guests including MP Ian Liddell-Grainger (right). Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M010021. Order image reprints online at http://www.tcpbymtp.co.uk
• Our photograph (below) shows (left to right) National Railway Heritage Awards committee chairman John Ellis, WSR general manager Paul Conibeare, David Allan, chairman of award sponsors Ian Allan Publishing, and WSR chairman Chris Austin. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M010035. Order image reprints online at http://www.tcpbymtp.co.uk/.

£174,000 bequest funds steam train overhaul

AN unexpected £174,000 bequest to the West Somerset Railway has virtually completed the funding needed to finish an overhaul of an important steam engine.
The heritage railway bought the Great Western Railway-designed steam locomotive 7828 ‘Odney Manor’ and its tender three years ago and set about raising the £600,000 needed to cover the purchase and the overhaul.
Now, the legacy by railway enthusiast Derek Stephens has brought in the remaining funds which will see the engine working trains over the 20 miles of line between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said the railway was grateful to the late Mr Stephens and ‘a little moved that he should think of us when making his will’.
Mr Stephens’ connection with the railway was that he had travelled on the line and found his visits enjoyable and impressive enough to make a major gesture of support.
Mr Conibeare said: “Together with the generous support of our shareholders and other well-wishers we have reached our target ahead of the planned timescale.
“The ‘Manor’ class engines are ideal for our line, being designed to work passenger trains of 250 tons over secondary mail line routes and we look forward to welcoming ‘Odney’ back to heading our trains when overhaul is complete in a couple of years’ time.”
Two ‘Manor’ class engines are being hired in by the WSR as part of the ‘guest list’ for its spring steam gala, which runs on March 17t, 18t, 22, 23, 24 and 25.
Number 7802 ‘Bradley Manor’ is being hired from the Severn Valley Railway, while 7822 ‘Foxcote Manor’ is coming from Lllangollen.
Visitors to Minehead on the Saturdays and Sundays of the gala will also be able to look around the locomotive shed and workshop at Minehead to see for themselves the progress on ‘Odney’.

• Our photographs show 'Odney Manor' before the overhaul began (top) and some of the work in progress. Photos submitted.

Extra winter steam trains by request for Dunster

EXTRA steam trains are being run by the West Somerset Railway on Saturday, February 10in response to a request from the local community.
The Dunster-based organisers of the production of Hadyn’s Creation asked if the railway could operate trains as an extra attraction for the weekend.
So, the award-winning heritage railway agreed to operate steam services between Minehead and Blue Anchor.
Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “The winter months are a balancing act for us between our wish to run trains and the need to give our various engineering departments an opportunity to do heavy maintenance work at what is traditionally a quiet time of the year.
“However with Dunster being ‘open’ and a minibus linking Dunster Station and the village’ we are interested in seeing how much response we get for the extras.”
Steam trains will leave Minehead at 12.15 pm, 1.40 pm, and 3.15 pm, and will depart Blue Anchor at 1 pm, 2.20 pm, and 3.55 pm.
Regular advertised services for the year start with steam trains between Minehead and Williton on February 17.
An amateur production of Hadyn’s Creation is being performed in St George’s Church, Dunster, on Sunday, February 11, as part of a music workshop weekend being hosted by the village’s Yarn Market Hotel.
Photo submitted.

Steam railway celebrating tourism milestones

THE West Somerset Railway, one of the district's most important tourism businesses, is celebrating passing three important milestones during the past year.
For the first time in its 30-year history, the railway’s turnover exceeded £2 million in 2006, while for the second successive year the number of passengers topped 200,000, and, for a third time, it won a prestigious national railway award, this time as Independent Railway of the Year 2006.
With the figures for the year now in, the growth in passenger revenue was matched by increased receipts from catering and shop sales.
Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “For the railway, 2006 was a great year.
“We are being successful in developing the attractiveness of our line with more than train rides, and people have flocked to our special events and activities, such as steam engineman courses and other areas of the business.
“We have been delighted to be able to support the local community by providing services for Dunster by Candlelight, the RNLI raft race, beer festival, and many other events, including the railway’s own steam rally in August.
“However, the demands on our finances are also growing continuously.
“High costs are inherent in running a business whose core operation revolves around the regular use of vintage machinery, and at the same time the demands of the modern world, such as rising fuel bills, insurance costs, and the like cannot be ignored.
“We also have a series of expensive commitments to meet in order to see further successful development of the railway’s business, the most readily visible being the overhaul of steam locomotive 7828 Odney Manor and our contribution to the installation of the new turntable at Minehead.
“As always, the hard work of our staff and volunteers is the key ingredient in developing our income, but the hard fact of the outgoings cannot be avoided either.”
Photo submitted.

Railway beats the 200,000 passengers mark again

DESPITE an especially challenging 2006 season for tourism businesses, the West Somerset Railway has again broken its 200,000th passenger milestone.
The achievement was reached on December 30 when Wayne Cochrane, a Serviceman on holiday from Milton Keynes, arrived at the window of the booking office at Minehead Railway Station.
He received a festive season surprise as he was greeted by railway general manager Paul Conibeare.
Wayne, who is based in Windsor, was visiting the railway to give his nine-month-old daughter her first train ride.
He received free tickets for his train journey as a small token of the occasion.
Mr Conibeare said: “We carried 200,000 passengers for the first time in our 30-year history in 2005 and we are very pleased to have passed the same landmark again in 2006, especially as the trading conditions for tourism in Somerset were difficult in the first part of the year.
“With this in mind and the ‘bar’ being set at 200,000 passengers a year now, we will be doing a lot of work over the next few weeks when our trains are not running to make sure that we press ahead in 2007.
“Apart from the engineering work on locomotives, coaches, track, and signalling, we will be mailing information to coach companies and group organisers, timetables to hotels and guest houses, and also getting information out about our spring gala weekends in March.”

• Our photographs show West Somerset Railway steam trains during the festive season. Photos by Claire Rickson.

Steam train footplate pass eBay auction for charity

A RARE opportunity to ride on the footplate of a West Somerset Railway steam train is being offered in an internet auction for charity.
The eBay auction, which will start on December 1 and run for 10 days, could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for somebody not already connected with the railway.
Photographer Mark Stothard, of Timberscombe, is auctioning the WSR footplate pass to try to raise at least £1,000 for West Somerset charity CLOWNS.
Mr Stothard said: “My family are indebted to CLOWNS for the help they gave my daughter Kyla when she was little and I want to do all I can to support them.
“I am a steam train enthusiast and when I heard how CLOWNS was losing a lot of grant money from local councils and would struggle to continue delivering their services, I came up with this fund-raising idea.
“As I understand it, these passes hardly ever go outside the confines of the WSR and their staff and volunteer members, so this really could be somebody’s chance of a lifetime to experience riding on a steam engine footplate.”
Mr Stothard approached WSR general manager Paul Conibeare, who agreed to donate the footplate pass for the auction.
Mr Conibeare said: “I was very pleased to be able to support CLOWNS like this when Mark came up with the auction suggestion.
“We all know what terrific and valuable work CLOWNS does with needy young families in communities right across West Somerset.”
CLOWNS co-ordinator Kathy Morton said: “We are facing a real funding gap due to Government cut backs and we need all the help we can get
“Mark’s offer to organise the auction was very welcome and we will put the money it brings in towards continuing our services, which we know are welcomed and valued by the people we help.”
The eBay auction item can be found by following this link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330057216930

• Our photograph taken on a WSR steam engine shows Kyla Stothard with Kathy Morton and Paul Conibeare. Photograph by Mark the Photographer, ref M1117008. Order photo reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.