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/.

Signalling award for WSR main line link

THE West Somerset Railway has been awarded joint-first prize in the competition for the Westinghouse Signalling Award for the Best Restored Operational Signal Box or Signalling Installation.
The steam railway gained the award for its installation of signalling at Bishops Lydeard Station, which was carried out by WSR staff and volunteers from the West Somerset Railway Association.
The project was commissioned to meet the demands of increasing numbers of trains and passengers on the WSR and also as part of the work to upgrade the link with the national rail network at Norton Fitzwarren.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare and deputy operating superintendent Pat Langan accepted the award at a ceremony in the Merchant Taylors Hall, Threadneedle Street, London.
Mr Conibeare said: “It is always pleasing to receive awards on behalf of the ‘family’ of volunteers and staff who make up the West Somerset Railway, especially as the competition for the Westinghouse Award is truly national and includes Network Rail plus other heritage railways.
“When the Bishops Lydeard project began, we had a Great Western Railway signal box structure and some signal posts without any of the actual signalling arms.
“Now, after many years of hard work, the whole site is fully and correctly signalled with traditional semaphore equipment, and as well as our own trains, the Bishops Lydeard signalmen are controlling an increasing number of excursion trains travelling to and from the mainline network.
“Over the years, many people have worked on the Bishops Lydeard project and all contributions have been invaluable to its success.”
The other joint-winner of the Westinghouse Award was Network Rail for its restoration of the Bury St. Edmunds yard signal box.

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.