Number 163 Winter urnal

Transcription

1 o Number 163 Winter 2018 JWest Somerset urnal Railway

2 Information West Somerset Railway Association The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3BX. Chairman: Paul Whitehouse, Vice Chairman: Mike Sherwood. Trustees: Geoff Garfield, John Glover, Nigel Power, Will Foster, Mike Lea, Robin White Association General Manager: Jacquie Green, , Association Administrator: Keith Sandford, , Retail Sales: Kate Beard, , Engineering Production Manager: Don Wood, , West Somerset Railway Plc The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG Talking Timetable: (24 hours) Chairman: Jonathan Jones-Pratt Company Secretary: Richard Maw Directors: Ric Auger, Frank Courtney, Paul Conibeare, Richard Maw, Mark Smith. General Manager: Paul Conibeare. Head of Commercial Services: Mark Hill Head of Infrastructure: Andrew Young. Head of Operating: Richard Jones. Head of Finance: Richard Maw. West Somerset Steam Railway Trust The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3BX. President: Lady Elizabeth Gass, DCVO. Chairman: Christopher Austin OBE Directors: Ian Coleby, Geoff Evens, Don Foster, Alan Meade, John Jenkins, Steve Williams

3 Jo West Somerset urnal Railway Number 163 Winter 2018 The WSR Journal is published four times a year. It is the journal of the West Somerset Railway Association and covers activities on the whole West Somerset Railway. Editor: Ian Coleby journal@wsra.org.uk Editorial Team: Don Bishop, Nigel Kendall, Nigel Power, Martyn Snell, Allan Stanistreet, Keith Smith, Ian Tabrett, Rob Stokes ADVERTISING: please contact Martyn Snell c/o The Editor Copyright 2018 West Somerset Railway Association. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Editor. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor, the WSRA Trustees or the West Somerset Railway Plc. The Editor is always pleased to receive readers news, views, articles and photographs for possible use in the Journal. Material sent is at contributor s own risk. Please send all submissions by to the address above. If no clear instructions are received the Editor will retain work submitted on file. As the WSRA is a largely voluntary body, fees are not normally paid for contributions. Contents Editorial General News Letter from the Chair Gala Planning Team Wagon Restoration Team Station Synopsis The Last GWR Timetable Odney Manor Return to Steam Departmental Review s Weekend, a Personal View Peter Barnfield Heritage Coaches 3631 and Memories News from the WSR Groups Association News Front Cover: West Country 34056, Braunton, masquerading as 34052, Lord Dowding, approaching Whiskey Trail crossing with the from Bishop's Lydeard, 27 September Photo: B246. Back Cover: Braunton again, passing Woolston Moor on 30 August Photo: Steven Leek Frontispiece: Standard Tank class 4, approaches Crowcombe under clear signals during the Autumn Gala, 29 September Photo: Cliff Woodhead. Centrespread: GWR splendour and 7822 Foxcote Manor and 6960 Raveningham Hall approaching Blue Anchor on 29 September Photo: Keith Smith. COPY DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 31 Jan

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5 Editorial Welcome to the West Somerset Railway Journal Every organisation or committee needs renewing from time to time. It s what keeps things fresh and maintains the enthusiasm of those who work for it or support it. A change is as good as a rest is an old, but true cliché. From the highest level of parliamentary elections to renew our government down to the lowest switch it off and switch it on again solution to correct a computer error, this rebooting is vital. I have seen this in many different organisations - things get a bit routine, things get in a rut, the same old same old day after day then new blood comes along, a committee is reshaped, processes are reviewed and updated and the organisation takes a leap forward and improves itself. I am sure we all have experience of such sea changes. It, therefore, should come as no surprise that our railway is now undergoing a similar change. The inspectors from the Office of Rail Regulation visited in October and have suggested improvements that we can make to our processes and procedures to make our safe railway even safer. We have a new chairman of the board who comes with renewed vigour and enthusiasm to sort out some of the issues that have been around and has the good of the railway at his heart. Some directors have moved on to other things and new people are coming in. It has been decided to run no trains at all during January, February and March to enable us to focus on updating our processes and also to give the whole railway a wash and brush up. June represents forty years since we reopened to Bishops Lydeard. The work that will now happen between January and March, the great news about the Hinkley Point successful bid, the return of Odney Manor to steam and all the other great things happening provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved and to show off our railway to the visitors. We should all look forward to an exciting 2019 ahead! Ian Coleby Calling all photographers! The Journal is enhanced by your pictures of the railway. We are always short of pictures for publication and especially welcome images of volunteers and staff at work or unusual happenings. Please pictures to journal@wsra.org.uk We welcome all contributions to the Journal. Reports of what you have done, interesting stories about the line, photographs and other contributions. Please all to journal@wsra.org.uk. We plan to publish future Journals as: Spring March 2019 Summer June 2019 Autumn September 2019 Winter December 2019 Copy date for each Journal is 6 weeks in advance of the publication date. Subject to production schedules. 5

6 General News Hinkley Point Community Fund Success The West Somerset Railway has been awarded a grant from the Hinkley Point C Community (HPC) Fund, in place to mitigate the impact from the construction of the new power station. The successful WSR application, led by the West Somerset Railway Association with the full support and involvement of the West Somerset Railway plc and other members of the WSR Family, will allow the railway to increase its engagement with local communities, individuals, and Ex-SDJR 7F on the morning goods approaching Crowcombe Bridge with the first train of the Autumn Gala, 27 September Photo: Steven Leek organisations extend its reach to a wider, more diverse community base. A range of activities have been developed including volunteering opportunities, training, and work experience, which are all designed to facilitate personal well-being, community cohesion and improving the skills of people to help the economic stability of West Somerset and the wider areas surrounding the Hinkley site. The programme will reach out to attract new volunteers and stakeholders from the wider and more diverse population which HPC brings and it will help to facilitate their integration into the community as the populations of Somerset towns and villages develop and change during the construction of HPC. As well as its core purpose, this award will also allow the WSR to build and develop strategic partnerships with organisations, agencies and businesses to allow it to work much closer with others who have similar objectives. This in turn will help the WSR as a large and important not-for-profit community project to continue and expand as a place people can experience many activities (not all related to railways), as an educational, heritage and leisure attraction and a large local employer which currently generates spending in the surrounding community in the region of 9 million a year. 6

7 The award of 96,000 over two years includes the employment of a dedicated WSR Community Engagement Officer who will develop new relationships and activities designed to open up the new opportunities for existing communities, new HPC workers and others to meet, integrate and develop interests and pastimes that bind them together. WSR PLC Chairman Jonathan Jones- Pratt said: This is an exciting new dawn for the Railway, which demonstrates how important the WSR is to our stakeholders through the West Somerset Community. I wish to thank and congratulate the WSRA on the hard work that has led to our successful HPCF bid submission. Andy Norman, the WSR's new Community Engagement Manager said: "This is a great opportunity for the WSR and the community as we now have a dedicated resource to work with the community and new people interested in coming to the WSR to enjoy what we have to offer in the way of heritage, volunteering, education and personal skills training. The WSR is in many respects a large training, social and mentoring organisation. All of our volunteers learn new skills or pass on their existing skills to others, many of which are not railway-focused. There is a good social scene where people from all walks of life and experiences interact and enjoy a common goal. "We will also be encouraging community groups to come on train trips so that people can experience the WSR's heritage and educational resources along our 23 miles of line. We have already arranged for a number of local schools to come and see what we do and we want to roll that out to adult groups and, of course, new members of the community, especially those coming to the area in connection with the Hinkley Point C project". Andy can be contacted on andy.norman@wsra.org.uk or He is keen to hear from individuals or groups who would either like to be more involved with the WSR as volunteers or to know more about what the WSR does and how the we can help with their community needs. WSRA Chairman Paul Whitehouse said: As the support charity for the West Somerset Railway we are thrilled to have been selected to deliver this project which will be of great benefit to individuals, the West Somerset Community, and the railway. The late Martin Southwood The funeral of the late Martin Southwood took place on Friday 9 November at St George's Church, Bicknoller, where he had been a Churchwarden. Bicknoller is a small village with a parish church Wick House Bed and Breakfast, Stogumber. Philip and Sheila welcome visitors to the West Somerset Railway. With a friendly informal atmosphere, your comfort is important to us. Twin double or super King rooms available. All rooms en suite with either a bath, a shower or bath with shower over. Hospitality trays, complimentary toiletries and flat screen TVs in all rooms. TV lounge, sitting room, garden and licensed bar available. Please ring Sheila or Philip or sheila@wickhouse.co.uk 7

8 commensurate with its size. However, it was estimated that over 200 people attended the service, a measure of the man and the high esteem in which he was held. Indeed, there were so many wishing to pay their respects that not only were there extra chairs in the church but many were standing and others who arrived just before the service were obliged to stand outside! It is gratifying to report that at least thirty members of the WSR staff attended and one of the tributes to Martin was given by Richard Jones, Head of Operations, who, at the gathering in the village hall afterwards, also presented Gill with a framed photograph of a passenger train of the type Martin must have signalled thousands of times passing Bicknoller. The majority of the WSR attendees were, like Martin, long-serving volunteers. Our condolences go to Gill and the family, who must have been much comforted by the large congregation which assembled to say farewell to a much respected member of staff. Allan Stanistreet Bishops Lydeard Shop Now that the railway's main running season is coming to an end, it's time to look back once more. Footfall in the shop and cafe seems to have been much the same as ever this season, with the usual peaks and troughs depending on the train service in operation. A rather challenging new development over the autumn has been the introduction of Orange timetable days, when nothing happens at the station between am and 4.00 pm. It is clearly not worth remaining open throughout this time, but conversely it is not easy to staff the shop and cafe for no more than hour before the train departs. The cafe has been as busy as last year, and there is no sign of customers losing their taste for our locally-sourced pasties and sausage rolls! Re-stocking the cafe's consumable items remains a challenge because of limited space, with a lot of A new view, only possible after the recent removal of the conifers Foxcote Manor passes an Autumnal Doniford Halt on 29 October Photo: B246 8

9 rather frustrating to-ing and fro-ing between the cafe and the two storage areas, which is not an efficient use of staff resources. Lack of seating at peak times has also been an issue. Despite an attractive range of items, welldisplayed within the constraints of available space, there is evidence that customers in our shop don't have the spending power of previous years. We must hope that some of the more gloomy forecasts for the UK economy in 2019 don't turn out to be correct. On the staffing side, we have successfully recruited several new faces and our thanks must go to all our keen band of happy volunteers. It would be invidious to mention names, but we are particularly pleased to have been joined by several enthusiastic younger volunteers who work regularly in the shop and cafe. It is quite true what they say about young people and new technology none of them has the slightest difficulty understanding the intricacies of our complicated new tills! We must not forget to mention my seasonal assistant Martyna, whose time with us proved a great success, and who is missed by all. One side effect of all these new faces has been that the average age of our workforce has plummeted! I am pleased to report that we continue to be offered some very useful donations of DVDs, and railway and transport books for re-sale in our shop. In particular, I would like to put on record our grateful thanks to long-standing WSRA member John Moore who has donated his entire collection of railway books to us. This wonderful gesture will really help to boost our book sales in the months to come. Our thanks are also due to John's nephew Chris, and to WSR colleague Beryl for facilitating this generous gift. Kate Beard Minehead and class 14 D9526 passes Marsh Common with the train to Bishops Lydeard on 1 September Photo: Tim Edmonds. 9

10 Changes in the PLC Board Ian Coleby and Rodney Greenway have both stepped down from the PLC Board. Jonathan Jones-Pratt was coopted to the Board in September and was later elected Chairman of the Board. Mark Smith has rejoined the Board and will bring welcome railway expertise. Jonathan said Personally, I have been overwhelmed with the level of support that I have received since my appointment as Chairman and thank everyone who has taken time to write to me offering their support, and with the shared view point that we all wish the WSR to succeed. Long Service Awards Ceremony The West Somerset Railway held their annual Long Service Awards presentation on Saturday 10 November 2018 at The Quantock Brewery in Bishops Lydeard. WSR plc Chairman, Jonathan Jones- Pratt, presented awards for 10, 20, and 30 years long service to 39 volunteers and some of the WSR's staff too. Two other 'Significant Contribution' awards were also presented to John Robinson and David Bagshaw for their support in the Human Resources department. Our 800-strong volunteer team and small paid staff have a long-established place within the West Somerset Railway, and the distinctive contribution they all make. The value added by volunteers on the WSR is something that money simply cannot buy. Jon Jones-Pratt comments: Our volunteers and staff are essential to the WSR as they are all here because they want to help and support the railway. That makes working and volunteering on the West Somerset Railway an invaluable asset and, of course, is critical to the future enhancement and success of the Railway. The service provided by our volunteers and staff also demonstrates a 10 commitment to the community and a willingness to work for the benefit and betterment of others. Without doubt, this commitment makes a difference to the many thousands of people who come to visit and travel on the West Somerset Railway. It's clear, therefore, that without our volunteers and staff the West Somerset Railway would, at best, be only able to offer a very limited service to the communities it serves, and, in the worst case, there would be no legacy of railway heritage left for posterity. But, in recognising those today who have given such sterling service to the WSR in the past, we should also recognise that our younger volunteers and staff members are our future -- they will take up the mantle and drive the West Somerset Railway forward on the strongest of foundations built by past and present volunteers. We cannot thank our volunteers and staff enough for their tireless professionalism, commitment, love and passion for our wonderful railway. A great railway heritage legacy has been built and will remain forever in the heart of West Somerset for decades to come. ORR Inspection Chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt writes: The railway was inspected by the Office of Road and Rail Regulation in October and improvements to our processes and procedures were recommended. The PLC board have taken the decision to temporarily close the railway for three months to allow us a period to deal with as many of the ORR's findings as possible. This demonstrates a proactive approach to safety by our adoption of a sensible and pragmatic plan. Whilst this may be seen as a tough and unpopular decision by a some people, it is

11 Recipients of the 20 and 30 year long service awards. Photo: Tom Gulliford one that was made with responsibility, logic, reason and for the good of the railway. In reality, this means that just 17 days of normal railway operations, plus four gala days, will be lost in this period. It will hurt us financially but this is for one year only - it's short-term pain for long-term gain whilst we address the ORR's action list and tighten up where they wish us to improve. There are actually only five key points raised by ORR for us to action, many of which we had already recognised and were already underway. Our railway has not been singled out by the ORR, a fact which other heritage lines will readily attest, but some elements of our Safety Management System (SMS), procedures, corporate governance, appointments and staff responsibilities, plus items of infrastructure, have been identified as requiring updating. We have to accept that we must do better and that there is no room for complacency. In my view, the WSR has almost stagnated in recent years and arguably lost sight of being one of the country's premier heritage railways, partly because of political distractions of the recent past. Having grown ever larger over 40 years might perhaps be seen as being at odds with the vision of those great early WSR pioneers of the 1970's whose herculean efforts secured the WSR for posterity. But the WSR has every ingredient needed to restore that pride and vision again, and it is my earnest wish that we all work together and do so in 2019, our 40th anniversary year of reopening to Bishops Lydeard. I must stress that the extended period will not be a holiday for us, anything but that! It will be a focussed and busy period to get our ship into proper order. There will be a restructure of all departments early in 2019, a season that we will all enjoy, but above all else, operate safely and professionally. We have our 40th year celebration, so let's make sure it is a celebration to remember and savour! We have to do better and this will enable the WSR to benefit and become truly great again, and the benchmark for others to follow. 11

12 Summer Visitor - Dinmore Manor Ex-GWR Dinmore Manor made a welcome return to WSR metals during the summer. Above, 7820 is seen leaving Bishop's Lydeard with the to Minehead on 27 September Note the recently cleared embankments, this photograph has not been possible for several years. Photo: B246. Below, two days later, 7820 at Castle Hill with the from Minehead. Photo: David Bott. 12

13 Letter from the Chair Association Chairman PAUL WHITEHOUSE reports. You may already have read elsewhere about the award by the Hinkley Point C Community Fund (HPCCF) of 96,000 over two years to help achieve greater community cohesion. This award will enable the appointment of a Community Engagement Manager, as well as providing funds to enable him or her to use the railway as a focal point to bring people together in the different communities near the line. We hope this will foster community spirit, bring the railway and its adjacent communities closer together, and perhaps encourage some more volunteers along the way. This is the first significant grant which the Association has bid for, but it will not be the last. Of course we shall need to demonstrate that we can deliver what we have promised, but nothing succeeds like success. We need to do far more of this and have therefore appointed Kate Williams, who has a proven track record in fundraising, for 15 hours per week to make applications to trusts and foundations (including the Lottery funds, of which there are several). This is not the only way to raise money. We need to reinvigorate our membership offer and develop the many other opportunities which enable people to give to us. One thing which we need to start thinking about now is our name. Would it be easier if our purpose was clearer to the many visitors the railway entertains every year? We are the railway's principal supporting charity. Should we call ourselves the West Somerset Railway Supporters' Society or similar? That will need to be decided at a General Meeting so your thoughts would be very helpful. We have agreed with the Plc that we should be doing the fundraising, and the Plc running the trains. If someone gives us money and is paying income tax, there is an immediate benefit to us of an additional 25% through Gift Aid so we must ensure that this opportunity is maximised. We have to understand what the Plc needs so that we can fundraise for items which fit into their plan. We can only support their requests where they fall within our charitable remit, but there are many areas where there's no doubt the restoration and maintenance of heritage locomotives and carriages spring immediately to mind. If you haven't already given the office your address, please do, and then you can receive our monthly s which will keep you up to speed on what we are doing. Don't forget that we always need volunteers, and there are some tasks which can be done from the comfort of your own home, if you don't want to venture out. easyfundraising.org.uk continues to go from strength to strength. We have raised over 400 so far. Remember that helping the railway by using this costs nothing. It's the firms you buy from that make the donation. Are you signed up? Every time you buy something online the Association gets a donation. If you're already signed up then thank you. ses/westsomersetrailwayassociation/ 13

14 Gala Planning Team Don Bishop reviews the late summer gala and looks forward... A Success Story What a joy to be able to report a nice story of co-operation between heritage railways with the 11th hour need to replace the BR Standard Tank we had booked from Swanage Railway and how our friends at Llangollen Railway pulled out the stops to help us. On Saturday 22 September, while on holiday on the Isle of Man, I received a message from the Swanage Railway that due to the failure of the T9 they wouldn't be able to send their BR Std 4 tank No for the WSR's Autumn Gala the following weekend. I couldn't to do much until I was home on the Monday morning, when, with just three days to agree the hire of an alternative loco and get it transported to the WSR, I had a difficult if not near impossible task. The lack of the Standard Tank would give us a problem with the loco rosters, with the S160 No having been withdrawn and a diesel loco being arranged to cover some of its duties. We could cover the S160's duties without losing our cherished smokebox first running on most trains, but to lose another loco would make things very difficult to achieve. I decided to call our friends at Llangollen The Autumn Gala sees Ivatt standard 2MT No approaching Roebuck crossing with a Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren 'local'train on 27 September Photo: Don Bishop. 14

15 Railway to see if No could be made available as a like-for-like replacement. I was told that the loco was under repair in Llangollen shed and that it was unlikely to be available. I explained the situation we were in and later that afternoon I had a call to say the engine was back together and would be sent out on a test run the following morning (Tuesday). Meanwhile I called Reid's Heavy Haulage, as the nearest haulier to Llangollen, and asked if they could move the loco down to Somerset for us at such short notice. By the Tuesday lunchtime I had a call from Graham Elwood at Llangollen to say the loco had passed the running tests and could come down to Somerset, but that a small list of minor faults did exist; also the loco wasn't particularly clean, having been out of service recently. I decided to accept this, and the list of faults was ed to me on Wednesday morning to be discussed with WSR colleagues. In the meantime Reid's Haulage altered their plans to be able to fit the job in and sent a lorry to Llangollen to pick up the loco. After an overnight stop, it arrived at Bishops Lydeard around lunchtime on Thursday, the first day of the gala, and with the car park very much in use, some careful work was required to unload the loco and get it into service. It missed its first booked working on the Thursday morning, which was covered by No Camelot after it was removed from the following train where it was to double-head with No Braunton. After being examined by a qualified and available fitter, No was prepared to haul the ex- Bishops Lydeard service to Minehead, bunker first as there had not been time to turn it on Norton triangle. There were no problems and it worked all weekend, proving to be a fine machine despite being close to the end of its current 10- year certificate. A great achievement by all concerned from being out of service and under repair at Llangollen on Monday morning to working a train along the WSR to Minehead just 72 hours later. Our very grateful thanks to our friends at Llangollen for their help and cooperation. Autumn Gala The Autumn Gala itself was a great success, with excellent time-keeping and a variety of trains being run including short locals, double-headed expresses and goods trains to our theme of Cross Country Railway Routes. Passenger numbers were up on previous years at 4,105, as was revenue from ticket sales and overall revenues to the railway was very good. The undoubted star of the show was BR Std 5 No Camelot visiting from the Bluebell Railway, its first trip away from its home line since finishing in BR service and leaving Barry scrapyard in the 1970s. It was unusually hauled to the WSR from East Grinstead over Network Rail metals by a West Coast class 37 diesel. Joining the Standard 5 and No was small Ivatt class 2 tank No from the Mid-Hants Railway, which spent the weekend as a popular attraction hauling a three-coach local train, and Bulleid Pacific No Braunton (running as No Lord Dowding), the Bulleid having spent the late summer running on service trains on the WSR. The Ivatt tank caused a few worries on the day before the gala when it had travelled light engine to Minehead when it needed to have a broken spring replaced. Once fitted the team at Minehead had some difficulty getting the loco to balance correctly and our former CME, Andy Forster, was able to give good advice and declare the loco fit for traffic. Representing the Great Western were 15

16 long term visitors Manor 4-6-0s Nos Dinmore Manor and 7822 Foxcote Manor. Our home-based Modified Hall No Raveningham Hall performed well, as she always does. Completing the line-up was the ever-popular S&D 7F No The S160 No. 6046, which had spent the summer season at the WSR, didn't take part in the gala as reliability issues caused concerns about running the loco when the railway was at full capacity. Overall a very welcome reward to the WSR and its hard-working staff and volunteers Future Galas With the planned temporary closure of the line through the winter, we have had to cancel this year's Spring Gala. However, we are planning on a theme weekend to mark the reopening of the line at the very end of March - more details later. Then there is to be a gala weekend using our own fleet of both steam and diesel locos to mark the 40th 16 Autumn Gala: Unusually, visiting BR Standard tank No Camelot arrived by rail from East Grinstead and the Bluebell Railway. Here it is seen passing Norton Fitzwarren just about to pass on to WSR metals hauled by class 37 No Photo: Tim Edmonds anniversary of the reopening of the WSR through to Bishops Lydeard in June 1979, to show just what the WSR has achieved. Following this two weeks later will be our 2019 Diesel Gala Vintage Diesels to the Seaside II on Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 June, with the Sunday then becoming a Mixed Traction Day with both steam and diesel locos working additional trains. This event will be accompanied by our Beer Festival at Washford station, courtesy of the S&DRT and CAMRA Somerset Branch. The Autumn Gala will follow between 3rd and 6th October with a planned theme of Western steam, and to close the year will be our annual Winter Steam Festival on 29 and 30 December.

17 Wagon Restoration Team Ken Davidge updates the latest news. Hard work and daily sessions resulted in the Military Brake Van No being ready to run to Minehead for the 1940s weekend. The guard was duly warned there was a little wet paint on a couple of handrails then the brake complete with Roger Sanders left Williton. It was a great effort with Angie, Dave, Mike, Alan, Ian and Jordan putting in those final hours. A great big thank you to them all. The wagon wasn't finished inside and no seats were fitted, so it ran in the train but wasn't the most comfortable van! It looked really smart and the numbering and tare etc., on the solebar looked very good. It remained running for the event and was then delivered back to Williton. We weren't able to get the brake back inside for a couple of weeks, so Angie and Dave painted inside and started to sort out the sections of timber that made the seats. This has now been sorted with a few pieces needing replacing. The van is now back inside and we will be turning our attention to the roof. The next jobs will be to strip off the old roofing felt; upholster inside seats; refit potbelly stove and plumb up chimney; acquire and apply specialist coating for canvas application; acquire and fit canvas, trim off and finish edges; make and fit rain strips above access doors; apply a final coat of drab olive paint; then return to service! That will mean we have a new wagon to take on and we have arranged a quid pro quo with Restorations. We will rebuild the body of the GWR five-plank wagon for the 813 Fund, and in return they will lift the tank off Esso tanker 1822, weld up the tank and overhaul the chassis. This will leave us to procure six bolsters each 8ins by 8ins and 7ft long in oak; shape bolsters and make and refit end clamps; The WD Brake van stands outside Williton shed, waiting further work. behind it is the Esso tank wagon, a future target for the wagon restoration team. Photo: Ed 17

18 paint the tank and apply decals; finish final chassis painting; fit tank and bolsters; then another wagon returns to service! On a personal note, I shall be 70 next birthday. I have a very badly-damaged right ankle which cannot be replaced, and the only possible solution is fusing both ankle joints together to make things painfree. This will make me lame on the right side and it will be virtually impossible for me to climb about on a railway wagon. I am extremely grateful to all the team for putting up with me, and especially to Angie who steps in at a minute's notice and runs the group. Therefore, my heavy work will become less and less, and I am seriously considering retiring completely in

19 Stations Synopsis The quarterly review of events and happenings at our ten beautiful stations. Bishops Lydeard Welcome to another episode of 'Life At Lydeard' where after a manic August, and a special event-loaded September, it is comparatively ghostly quiet something to do with us being the start of the Halloween Trail, with our ingredient being 'Vampire Blood', and our waiting room kitted out in a traditional Hallowe'en display accordingly. After Hallowe'en it was only a few days before yet another main season drew to a close. From the customer flow that we saw during August, and supported by press reports that two Wednesdays in August saw record passenger loadings for the WSR, we have obviously had a very busy time with overflow car parking in constant use often requiring two staff to manage just the parking situation. Early September saw the Late Summer Weekend which did seem rather quiet compared to previous years. On the other hand, once we had seen the usual crowd of young people dragging their parents along to see Gruffalo at Minehead, we then moved into the total unknown in Ivatt Standard Tank passing Whiskey Trail with the from Minehead, approaching Bishops Lydeard. 27 September Photo: B246 19

20 staging the first 1940s Weekend on the WSR. This used up the whole site at BL (still not sure how a Spitfire and Hurricane managed to land at the RAF base in one of our parking fields!) and we were well blessed with re-enactors in various uniforms or period costume. All in all, it went off extremely well and we look forward to a repeat next year. With hardly time to draw breath, we had only just recovered from the 1940s event when the Autumn Steam Gala was upon us. Unusually for special events on the WSR the weather was kind to us for both the above event and the Gala and what a difference it makes! All visitors were in a good mood, numbers seem to have been reasonable, even the resulting diesel turn was accepted. We also had the positive of the replacement standard tank from Llangollen, although only through the skill of the low-loader driver who, having got all the way from Llangollen, found a car parked on the corner of our approach road, which had happened when backs were turned even to the extent of moving our marker cones! That car driver would no doubt have been the first to moan if the Standard didn't run! The loading and unloading of locos in our lower car park is an unfortunate but necessary part of Galas, both our own Galas for importing from other heritage railways, plus when we are releasing our own locos to go on holiday elsewhere. We have now reached the stage where the loading/unloading area in our lower car park is time expired, so during the winter months this will be receiving a total revamp with new concrete etc. The ongoing staffing of BL station under Lesley's command is continuing to ease with a further two new recruits welcome to Kerry Haine and Richard Wollen plus we have had two trackers 20 join us - Reece Bedingfield and John Harding. Lesley has also taken on the challenge of white lining the platform edges, which hasn't been done for nearly three years. Some of the work was undertaken on lighter evenings earlier in the year with a few helpers, but now it has defaulted to do as and when possible between trains. Lesley is very grateful for the assistance received from John Cane, of the station team, on this exercise. The usual mention for the shop, where once again we must pay credit to the way everyone on the shop staff supports all our special events, particularly the Galas. On a sad note, we have had to say goodbye to Martyna as her seasonal contract in supporting Kate has now ended, her time with us was much appreciated and she was very much part of the team. Another area of our station that gives constant support, but rarely gets a mention, is our team in the ticket office who often have to field a whole variety of enquiries, and never more so than special events, particularly Galas. Their contribution is much appreciated. RAMS continue to progress various areas on the station: waiting room frontage now starting to look very smart, toilet block progress slowly, and the red post office trolley taken in for attention to paintwork. Further plans are for replacing shop canopy pickets and also the white picket fencing on platform 1. As the season draws to a close, our garden train will be departing from platform 2 for winter quarters and some TLC from Clive. It was nice to receive the positive comments on the gardening achievements of Clive and his team from the Best Kept Station judging. That's about it for this time: when this

21 journal is published we will be heading into the formal session of Dunster/Carol/Santa trains plus the post-christmas events, it just remains for me to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers. Hopefully this column will return in 2019 and in the meantime we must see if we can beat the 10,000 twinkly lights we had up last Christmas! Norman Barker Crowcombe Heathfield Several of us (and mostly married couples) were absent at one time or another which hasn't helped the staffing for the late summer weekend, 1940s weekend, or the Autumn Gala, but thanks to the extra efforts of the remaining volunteers, we've managed. September saw the children back to school and holiday prices drop. Is it any wonder that it's a favourite time of year for us retired types to take a break! Life at Crowcombe carries on and the station still looks a picture. However, with winter just around the corner, the Summer flashback. Flower borders at Crowcombe Heathfield remind us of the heat of the summer months. Photo: Cliff Woodhead hanging baskets were removed. We're planning to deep clean the buildings and as we weren't open for pre-christmas visitors to see Santa this year, we had quite some time off until the Winter Steam Festival. However, the maintenance team have a full list of repairs and renewals to complete. They should be comfortable in the new maintenance workshop now we've installed heating. We also plan to paint the down waiting room inside and out (where we can get at it) during the winter break. We've been fortunate to recruit three more volunteers recently, and they are all under training. This will be a great help to our hard-pressed Roster Clerk for next year. There is also some very good news about our long-term sick staff. One has returned to duty, and the others are making good progress and are looking forward to returning to active duty for the 2019 season. A full team will make a huge difference to Crowcombe. There was one event to really look forward to. The Crowcombe Station Christmas Lunch once again being held at the Beam Bridge Hotel near Wellington on 6 December. With more than 40 putting their names down the thoroughlyrecommended threecourse Christmas Carvery was eagerly awaited. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Crowcombe Heathfield. Geoff Cross 21

22 Stogumber At the Friends of Stogumber Station annual meeting during the Autumn Steam Gala, Colin White stood down as Acting Chairman, a position he agreed to hold on a temporary basis following the death of Alan Bines earlier this year. Terry Shipton, who is probably known to many of you, has been elected as the new Chairman. Although not living in Somerset, Terry and his wife Val regularly visit the railway throughout the year, and in particular Stogumber. As a long-term supporter and friend of Stogumber Station, combined with his depth of knowledge and enthusiasm, I'm sure Terry will be a great asset for the station. The 1940s Weekend and the Autumn Steam Gala proved to be our busiest time in the 2018 calendar. There was a steady flow of visitors throughout both occasions, and our cream teas, pasties and Gil's home-made cakes were so popular that at times our food stocks became alarmingly low. To avoid this situation again we have purchased an additional freezer. Helped by the weather, both events proved immensely enjoyable for both visitors and volunteers alike. In particular the 1940s Weekend attracted many local residents as well as enthusiasts and the visit made by Churchill and General de Gaulle will, I'm sure, be etched in the memories of lots of people for a long time. Both days started off well with Blitz Time Sally singing in the garden, and we were very fortunate in having the group of Land Girls resident throughout. In true Land Girl style they made themselves comfortable, bedded down overnight in the waiting room even if it meant I had to try and sleep, unsuccessfully, on a garden chair in the booking office. They have already asked if they can come back to Stogumber next year! We are still struggling with volunteer numbers, particularly for the booking office, and had it not been for the generosity of a number of our volunteers, we would have struggled to remain open at times. However we have been very lucky to have our ranks swelled by Vic Simpson helping out with maintenance as well as continuing in his role with RAMS. Additionally, when not on guard duties you may recently have seen Steve Lewis looking very smart on the platform. He is also pretty adept at the sink when times get busy! Work steadily progresses to keep pace with the never ending maintenance and improvement projects. Vic has made a The long arm of the law. Station Master Bob Preston looks secure at Stogumber station during the very successful 1940s weekend. Photo: Editor 22

23 start on repainting the GWR benches and the platform light columns. The booking office and waiting room are both looking very smart following the upholstering of the original bench seats by Thomas Payne at Wiveliscombe. These sit nicely alongside the previously restored GWR chairs. The longer of the two benches, previously used in the waiting room, has been relocated in the booking office to provide more seating, which means the rear external door will need to be re-hung to the opposite hand. Another job for the future. Colin and Terry have put their heads together to get the model rail layout in the waiting room running. When operative, apart from the movement of rolling stock, there is the soothing sound of bird song recorded at Stogumber. We had noticed tiny footprints on the adjacent chairs, obviously from children standing on them to get a better view of the layout. To avoid this happening we have made a recent ebay purchase of a small fixed set of wooden GWR branded steps. It did involve Colin having to collect them from Northampton! A chance remark made to Bob Livermore resulted in him generously donating his 1950s bicycle to the station, which can now be seen chained to the platform fence opposite the booking office. In addition an anonymous donor has kindly given us a nice enamel advertising sign to add to our growing collection to the same fence. Both help to aid our continued efforts to enhance the period ambience of the station. The original precast concrete step units which led up to the cattle dock have now been recovered from the former station house garden, with Robin White's permission of course. It took numerous cups of tea and Vic's ingenuity to move them, each weighing about three or four British Railways Ivatt Class 2MT No nears Leigh Wood Crossing with a short branch line train, the 0900 MD to NF on 29 September 2018 during the Autumn Gala. Photo: David Bott 23

24 Is this the classic WSR photograph? Departing Williton, Bulleid Pacific No Lord Dowding (34046 Braunton) passing Castle Hill with a Bishops Lydeard bound train on 27 September Photo: Don Bishop cwt, but hopefully by the next edition of the Journal they will be rebuilt in their former position. One small problem is that only five steps were recovered, whereas six steps are required. After considering and dismissing the idea of increasing the pitch and depth of the risers it was decided to cast the missing bottom step in situ. Additionally 400 reclaimed bricks have been bought from the junk shop at Carhampton for future repairs to the top of the cattle dock with some being used to rebuild the steps. Originally they had been used to build the laundry on the former paper mill site at Watchet. Subject to available finances and approval by the Heritage Committee we hope to make a start on reinstating the railings to the former livestock pens next summer as a precursor to the brick repairs. As always, Anne keeps the garden looking very nice, but to save her the hard work of cutting the grass by hand we have invested in a Flymo mower and rechargeable strimmer. Both have proved invaluable in saving time and effort even if it has deprived the local rabbit population of their grazing facility! Works planned for the winter include carrying on with painting of benches and tidying up the paintwork to the booking office as weather permits. RAMS are in the final stages of renewing the station sign (not strictly a running-in board) leading from the car park to the station forecourt. It is hoped, with the help of RAMS, to extend the garden wicket fence alongside the former vegetable garden to permit this area to be levelled out and 24

25 tidied up as it presents an eyesore from passing trains. Part of the project will be forming a much-needed safe permanent area for bonfires and a separate compost area. Both the running-in boards on the platform need replacing and the exterior of the waiting room is programmed for painting with associated roof repairs which may need to be deferred until the Spring of This all represents a sample of the many jobs to be completed before next season if the station is to be kept looking nice and in a good state of repair. It leaves me to thank all of our volunteers for their commitment and hard work, not forgetting RAMs of course, for helping to make the station such a happy place for visitors and staff alike. Bob Preston Williton I think as far as Williton is concerned we have had a successful season being able to be fully staffed and open throughout, with just one exception in that the Booking Office was closed for one day. This is despite having some staff being off with illness and of course, those things called holidays! Thanks are expressed to all the staff especially the two ladies in the shop who have worked so hard during the year It was good to be awarded 'runners up' in the Best Kept Station Competition and we were not really expecting any prize. It should make next year's competition more of a challenge. Perhaps we should clean the windows more often. We have had many compliments passed regarding our floral displays and, as we have not got much garden most of the displays were hanging on the fences. We also planted an 'Allotment' in one of the platform raised gardens with beans cabbages, carrots, tomatoes and potatoes etc. in readiness for the 40's weekend. However come the event most of the produce was 'over' but we have plans for that should the event be repeated next year. We also made the effort and 'taped' up all the windows around the platform as protection against flying glass. Numbers on and around the station were up considerably that weekend and the refreshment room did good business. While writing this report we are in the middle of the trial 'one train' days on Mondays and have made arrangements to open up the station and toilets around the times of the trains coming through. The How many of our visitors see these trunks at Williton and know nothing of the significance of the names? Chris van den Arend was a long serving volunteer, holding many positions on the railway, for many years as station master at Williton. He was instrumental in the installation of the footbridge. Chris died in 2010 and is still missed. James Thomas, who is an historian at Portsmouth University worked with Chris and contributed much to the station. Photo: Editor 25

26 first week there were three passengers (from New Zealand), and the second week, just one. But the facility was there and we were also able to help the signalman with the gates. We will do the same for the 'Fry Day' later in the month. Roster sheets for the duties involved in receiving the Christmas list of special trains is well in hand. Following a couple of severe rain storms we had rain coming through the roof of the main building and we are grateful to RAMS who came and made some temporary repairs which seem to be doing the job. We are waiting now for an estimate for renewal of that part of the roof. We are currently working on the winter maintenance schedule which I am hoping will not be as long as last winter as we have been able to continue with much of the work right throughout the season, especially with exterior painting and sundry repairs. No doubt there will be more work involved once it is all down on paper. John Parsons Watchet The main season has been most successful and the station had been busy with many happy smiling visitors enjoying a variety of events and occasions. The galas proved as popular as ever with keen photographers and holidaying tourists alike. The varied running stock and in particular the goods trains have caught the eye and favourable comment of many a visitor. Running concurrent to each Gala the station held a model rail sale in the pagoda to help raise funds for the station's maintenance. The platform white line was repainted over several evenings in early summer and further evenings were used to clear the high shrubs and weeds along the public car park opposite the platform. 26 The shrubs and weeds restricting visibility and looking untidy at both ends of the station limits have also been cleared. Maintenance work during the summer was restricted to the essentials. The station gardens, flower boxes and displays take hours of loving care and continue to bring delight to our visitors. One large project facing the station is the replacement of several window frames in the shop and booking office which are beyond repair. The first of these was replaced by RAMS and work on it was due to be completed as the season wound down. The remaining windows will then be replaced. In July the Best Kept Station Award judgement provided some helpful feedback and insight, and Watchet volunteers expressed their appreciation to the judges Richard Fox and Peter Tinckner for the time and care they took in their preparations, research visits and final judgement. On a Friday evening in early August the town welcomed the WSRA Steam Rally evening train from Norton Fitzwarren. This was the first time the special had been run to Watchet, providing the rare sight at Watchet of an entire train of 600 passengers disembarking all at once. The evening was a tremendous success for all involved, and people remained in good humour, jovial and friendly through to the train's departure at Station staff rose to the occasion and volunteers turned out to staff the shop and café, assist on the platform and keep a watchful eye on Goviers Crossing. The town welcomed the party by organising a number of special events which were well received by visitors. It is hoped the event will be repeated in Highlight of the year is without doubt the 1940s Weekend which proved a major success for town, station and all involved.

27 On the Friday evening prior to the event Watchet volunteers turned out en masse to help dress the station with bunting and posters and such like, the reward for which was a difficult choice between two gastronomic delights: fish and chips or pizza. On both Saturday and Sunday, volunteers turned out in numbers to assist with the crowds. Their help was essential. The station could not have operated this weekend without their care, professionalism and vigilance. Four student volunteers from West Somerset College assisted with the event at Watchet and they were a credit to themselves, the college and their families. A letter of appreciation along with some photographs for each of the four was sent to the college principal. Robin Wichard, the event organiser, was invited back to the station in the week after the event and presented with a framed photograph and letter commemorating the event. The station remained unstaffed during this autumn's orange timetable of one train each way and will review this once operational plans for 2019 are available. Winter maintenance for has now been drawn up and was implemented when the railway stopped running public services in November. Along with the usual painting, mending, replacing, installing, pruning and planting that goes on over the winter months it is hoped some progress can be made on largerscale projects such as completing the window replacements, addressing the deterioration of the booking office canopy, grassing the exposed high bank by the goods office and replacing some of the retaining wooden walls holding back the raised bank at the rear of the platform. Kevin Smith Ex-SDJR 7F & Camelot approaching Washford with the Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead on 28 September Photo: David Bott. 27

28 Washford During the Autumn Gala, we steamed No Caledonia Works at Washford and over the weekend, re-positioned several items of stock in the yard. The grey 1898 LSWR ventilated van has moved indoors for much-needed attention whilst the green PMV and the Fruit D (crimson) are on the platform siding and connected to mains power. The 40s weekend back in September was a big event for the S&DRT, occupying the entire site and beyond. The Somerset Light Infantry were on the platform at Washford to greet Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle when they arrived from Minehead. Later on, the King (very authentic-looking!) stepped onto the platform. A canvas Womens Voluntary Service tent was selling homity pie and suitable refreshments. A period roadwork gang was present, complete with a 1928 cement mixer and in the fields behind the site was a camp of the 21st US Infantry Division. On the platform, we had an aluminiumcollecting bin but there was a genuine purpose for this! We are turning scrap aluminium into replica railway items, such as single line tablets. One of these tablets - an S&D one for the Bath to Midford section - was presented during the summer to George Tucker, then the oldest surviving S&D driver, to mark his 100th birthday. Sadly, George died on 5 September. We continue to work on improving our museum displays. One item brought out recently was a setting gauge for the 28 Whitaker tablet apparatus. The 1905 invention of the S&D's Locomotive Superintendent saved much time in exchanging tablets between signalmen and loco crew but it had to be set correctly for height and distance from the track. No mention of Kilmersdon? Indeed, still down in Cornwall at the Helston Railway... she will have forgotten what Somerset looks like by now! Rod Ormston Blue Anchor As we pen these notes October is drawing to a close, the daylight hours are getting shorter, and the shadows longer. While it's an appropriate time to reflect on the season it is also time to think of the winter jobs. The highlight of the year must be winning the Best Kept Station Award that was reintroduced. To attain this award, a lot of hard work was put in by a number of people. It was not just the garden the Blue Anchor and 6960 Raveningham Hall running round empty stock on the popular Steam Enginemans Course working. Photo: Tim Edmonds.

29 Dunster and Val and Frank Rooker hard at work on the station garden as the Bishops Lydeard to Minehead DMU arrives 19 September Photo: Tim Edmonds. judges took into account but the maintenance of the buildings. Ivor Baulch keeps an eagle eye on things and draws attention to each and every defect which is generally rectified within a short space of time. Gill Baulch, wearing her gardening hat, oversees and ensures the gardens are at their best while the rest of us do our part to ensure all is in apple pie order. While it is important to give people that warm inviting feeling it's far more important to make them feel at home and being a friendly bunch of volunteers we go out of our way to make this happen. At this time of the year it's good to read through the visitors' book. The positive comments made by people whether travelling or just visiting us make the job worthwhile. It's always nice to welcome back old faces and see new ones. We regularly have gifts of plants and bulbs for the garden which are gratefully received. Since the last report we have had the running-in board, the storage hut on the down platform together with the Lamp Hut painted. In addition the tiresome but absolutely necessary white lines have been painted on the platform edge. Still outstanding are the palings which we had hoped would have been done by now. After the half-term trains it wasn't a time to rest as thoughts immediately turned to Santa trains. A lot of preparation has to be done. The Back Room has to be cleared and turned into a Grotto. Where do all the items go? Packed into the Booking Office! Next the Waiting Room had to be decorated, along with the Christmas Tree, the fire laid plus the usual trimmings. On Boxing Day, while most people are sitting around letting their Christmas day over-indulgence go down or out changing those gifts that don't fit or are the wrong colour, everything has to be put back ready for trains that will run the next day. Who said Christmas was a time of rest? 29

30 The winter is also time when only certain jobs can be done. We are hoping this year to decorate the Waiting Room and Booking Office so we will be smart for the start of next season. Although we haven't seen any new volunteers in recent months we have lost one of our joint station masters with the departure of Derek Tarr. Derek was chairman of Friends of Blue Anchor Station for a number of years as well as serving as station master. As with all our volunteers at Blue Anchor, and no doubt throughout the railway, Derek gave 100 per cent dedication, and his experience and knowledge will be greatly missed. Fortunately he is not leaving us completely as he will continue taking turns in the Booking Office. Brian Stainton has taken over as chairman, Gill Baulch stays as station master and will be deputised by David Carter. May we take this opportunity to thank everyone who are so dedicated to the station and for the hard work and time they give. Gill Baulch and David Carter Dunster We are in the throes of our winter maintenance programme and are generally tidying up the gardens. There is some interior decorating to be done and the white line will need painting during March when we have some breathing space with no spring gala and a late start to the 2019 season. The major work involving the re-plumbing of the waste outlet and the installation of ceramic urinals in the gents which will wait until January at the earliest. Next week will see the platform benches 30 brought under the cover of the platform canopy to assess what work needs to be done to spruce them up but they will be out again for Dunster By Candlelight. We will need to request a visit from RAMS to assess what needs to be done to the front face of the platform canopy but any work on that will have to wait until after 2 January. More news next time Alan Bond Minehead And all of a sudden the season ended and we started to get ready for the Christmas period and all that this brings. Where do the seasons go? It is pleasing to report that after a long wait we have finalised the floodlighting of Minehead station. The original installation did not fully meet with approval from our local planning officers and we had to change colour and reduce the number of lights installed. We now await an inspection by a council officer to ensure we have got it right. The events when we can use the lighting are limited The newly revamped station lighting at Minehead. Photo: Martyn Snell

31 but the first will be when we illuminate over Christmas. If you are in the area, do come and see how we have progressed. We have had to jump through a few hoops to get the shed erected that was referred to in the autumn edition of the Journal. Contractors approved by the Plc have to be employed and if they are not approved, they have to be registered. This very necessary process has delayed some of the work, but the concrete base was put in place and hopefully by the time this Journal reaches you the shed will be up and in use. This will relieve much of the clutter that has been around Minehead Station for some time. Progress indeed. The Friends of Minehead Station works team has cleared the first flower bed beyond the canopy of all plants ready for tarmac to be laid, returning that section of platform to how it would have been in BR days and giving more usable space for events that stray beyond the canopy area. Readers Halt continues to provide the funding for these projects. The Halt is heading for a record year and, during 2019, will pass a very significant total raised since it first opened more of that during next year, in which the whole railway will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the line being opened between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. My thanks as ever go to all who help in any way with the running of Minehead Station, including the shop, café, main office, Readers Halt and the works party under Gordon Harris. It is a real team effort and we are so grateful that Alan Smithers has stepped in and taken on the role of Station Master, even if it is on a temporary basis. Do have a wonderful Christmas and we hope you may have strayed on to the platform for our Christmas Market. Martyn Snell 31

32 The Last GWR Timetable IAN TABRETT investigates a very weighty tome in the WSSRT archives Totally mind-blowing. Those are the only words I can find to describe an astonishing and possibly unique tome in the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Gauge Museum's extensive collection at Bishops Lydeard station. It was picked out by Trust chairman Chris Austin as being of possible interest for an article in the Journal. and he certainly wasn't wrong. It is more than 2,000 yellowing tissue-thin pages long, measures well over six inches (16cms) thick, and weighs in at almost seven pounds (3.2 kgs). It is the very last full set of service timetables issued by the Great Western Railway as the debate on nationalisation of Britain's railways reached its conclusion and the company prepared for the inevitable end of its 112 years of service. The timetables cover from June 16 to October inclusive. They detail every scheduled passenger and freight train plus light engine movement on every main line and branch even those used only by occasional freight trains in the GWR's huge network. That stretched from Chester to Taunton and Penzance, Fishguard Harbour and the Welsh Valleys to Stratfordupon-Avon, Paddington to Weymouth, and everything and everywhere in between, and 17 independently-numbered sections were needed in that final bound volume. The pages, 32 with their tightly-packed print, give a huge range of facts and instructions for a railway empire now long vanished but not forgotten: the gradients and speed limit for each stretch of line, junction and passing loop; the loads which could be hauled by every class of steam locomotive, from Kings to ageing and diminutive tank engines; the number of wagons of whatever size which could fit into every loop and siding together with an engine and brake van; the opening hours of all the signal boxes; the times that pilot and banking engines had to be in position and ready to work up to 24 hours in a number of cases. When the timetables were being prepared and issued to staff (but not to the public), very few closures had taken place before

33 or during the war. In Somerset there were no fewer than 111 stations, 72 operated by the GWR, 29 by the S&DJR, seven by the Southern, and three by the LMS. In contrast, today in the same area there are just 16 stations on the national rail network operating a vastly different service, with another 14 on heritage railways of which of course the West Somerset is the largest. The year 1947 was extremely tough, beginning badly with a winter of exceptional severity. Mr Austin, who this autumn received a lifetime achievement award from the rail industry for his work on community rail projects and heritage railways, says: Worse than that, there was a coal shortage, partly because demand exceeded supply and partly because preference was given to export coal to help to close the balance of payments deficit. Consequently a large number of trains throughout the week are marked 'Suspended.' During this period, the GWR was converting steam locos from coal to oilburning, and providing fuelling points accordingly, particularly in Devon and Cornwall where the cost of transporting coal from South Wales was high. A number of branch lines lost their Sunday service completely, including the Minehead branch and the Taunton to Barnstaple line, along with Clevedon, the Exe Valley line, Par to Newquay, and St Ives. But Portishead, the Cheddar Valley line and Bristol Radstock Frome, by contrast, retained their few Sunday trains. Some lines certainly benefitted from a frequent service. The seven-mile branch linking Yatton and Clevedon saw 22 return workings between 6.37am and 10.53pm by either the regular steamhauled autocar or diesel railcar, which were allowed between seven and 11 minutes for the journey. Portishead had 14 weekday return journeys, and more on Saturdays, with the last train leaving at 10.45pm for the 11-mile trip. Crews were allowed 30 minutes for the journey, which included several intermediate The late 1940s, so possibly one of the trains listed in the 1947 GWR timetable, and Taunton s Collett no 2213 heads a down train on the double track section between Norton Fitzwarren and Bishops Lydeard. Photo: WSSRT Collection 33

34 stops. The Cheddar Valley line, linking Yatton, Wells, Shepton Mallet and Witham, had seven daily return passenger journeys and a number of regular freight trains. I travelled the branch twice a day to and from school for seven years in the 1950s and can vouch for the fact that the trains invariably ran more or less to time much to the chagrin of we pupils who would have been quite happy to arrive late for the start of the school day! All of these as well as the Minehead, Barnstaple and Yeovil branches had early trains timed to get commuters to work at a reasonable time, but the service from Chard carried passengers to Taunton barely in time for a mid-morning coffee break. Comparing timings in the 61-yearold volume with today's left Mr Austin less than impressed: he found that the first up express from Taunton to Paddington was the 10.47am which didn't arrive until 1.44pm. Today, the first train is the 6.22am, arriving in the capital at 8.37am. The fastest then took two hours 38 minutes against 2018's one hour 46 minutes. On the Berks & Hants line via Castle Cary and Westbury, he could find only four trains compared with today's hourly service, and half-hourly at peak times. The timetables give a poignant reminder of some obscure and long-lost lines which perhaps saw no more than a lone goods train a day: These included the Blagdon branch, which had a speed limit 10 mph, and Limpley Stoke to Camerton on which all passenger services had been suspended but which survived with its lone freight just long enough to be immortalised six years later by the film Titfield Thunderbolt. Then there was Bristol's busy harbour line serving the 34

35 docks, where the speed limit was just 5mph, or the Culm Valley branch, with five services a day, four of them carrying both passengers and freight. As well as giving thousands of humdrum details of timings, loadings, gradients, headlamp codes and signalbox bell codes, the timetables contain many fascinating details and instructions. For instance, all out-of-date timetables were to be returned forthwith to the distributing office as waste paper, while all railway employees supplied with the latest ones must have in his possession a copy of No. 4 Service Book Appendix dated September 1932 and is responsible for obtaining same from his superior officer. Drivers were warned that all permanent and temporary speed restrictions were to be very strictly followed, with the maximum for passenger expresses anywhere just 75mph. Some specific freight trains must be formed only of wagons fitted with standard oil axleboxes and under only exceptional circumstances were they to convey wagons fitted with axle-boxes packed with horsehair or waste. And in bold type right at the very beginning, the order: Every care should be taken to avoid running over Packs of Hounds, which during the Hunting Season may cross the Line. All employees of the Railway are hereby enjoined to use every care consistent with a due regard being paid to the proper working of the Line and Trains. All those details and many, many more are contained in this mighty timetable volume in the Gauge Museum. It came from the estate of Dr Anthony Dickens, of Bristol, and was among his large collection of railway and Isambard Kingdom Brunel reference books donated to the Trust by his daughter. Mr Austin, author of a number of books including the recently-published Holding The Line: How Britain's Railways Were Saved, says they will form the nucleus of a specialist library to be created for students of the GWR and railways in Somerset. However, one mystery remains which will probably never be solved: what has been its journey since it was issued? It certainly shows little sign of having been leafed through and consulted, so perhaps it was kept at Paddington as a master copy. What happened to it once its useful life was over in October 1947 as BR prepared to replace GWR and the other companies from January ? The tome certainly wasn't returned as waste paper as its own pages instructed. So who finally took it home then handed it to an antique shop or second-hand bookshop where the price of 2 was pencilled on the top sheet? What is clear though is the unbelievable amount of work which went into its production and proof-reading I couldn't find a single typographical error in those far-off pre-computer and internet days. Mind-blowing indeed. Advertising Information 2019 Advertising Rates for Journal published in A5 format Quarter page (one issue), (4 issues) Half page (one issue), (4 issues). Full page. 80 (one issue), (4 issues) All prices include VAT at the current rate of 20%. Advertisements are invoiced in advance Advertisements will appear in colour unless otherwise requested Advertisers to provide their advertisement in pdf format please For further information, please contact the WSRA office on

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38 Manor 7828 Odney Manor - returning to the WSR It is hoped that Odney will return to steam this year. KEITH SMITH looks at its history By the time this Journal falls on your doormat, we should be celebrating the return to traffic of No: 7828 Odney Manor after its overhaul. Built as part of the second batch of 'Manor Class' locomotives (Nos ) by British Railways (Western Region), it was completed in December 1950 at Swindon Works to Lot 377 at a cost of 10,425. After the usual period of running-in, the engine was, surprisingly, placed in store at the start of However, in February of that year it entered service based at Neath shed for use on secondary duties in the Swansea area. During December 1952, No commenced an extended period of operation on the lines of the former Cambrian Railways, initially allocated to Shrewsbury shed, where it remained for nine years. During this time, it became a frequent choice to work the Cambrian Coast Express between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, but also worked local passenger and goods trains in the Shrewsbury area. While at Shrewsbury, the Manor received three major repairs - a Heavy Intermediate at Wolverhampton (November - December 1953), a Heavy General at Swindon (June - July 1956), and a Heavy Intermediate, also at Swindon (June - September 1959). Odney Manor was transferred to Croes Newydd shed in May 1961 for use on services in the Wrexham area, where it was principally deployed on workings from Chester and Wrexham to Barmouth and Pwllheli (via Ruabon and Llangollen). However it did stray from its own patch on occasions, even being noted on a goods train at Stratford-upon-Avon. GWR Odney Manor stands outside Minehead shed in October We hope to see this sight again very soon. Photo: Keith Smith 38

39 A further Heavy General overhaul took place at Swindon (June - September 1962) followed by a new allocation to Aberystwyth shed in March While there, Odney Manor would have worked services to Carmarthen, Shrewsbury, and Oswestry. A move back to Shrewsbury occurred in August 1963, which proved to be its last as No was condemned on 2 October 1965, its recorded mileage being 402,613. The locomotive was subsequently bought by Woodham's Scrapyard, and moved there in May Privately purchased in June 1981, the locomotive was moved initially to the infant Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, together with No Ditcheat Manor. The engine was steamed again on 11 December 1987, before spending a brief period on hire to the Gwili Railway in South Wales, followed by a more permanent move to Llangollen. Odney Manor then moved to unfamiliar territory on the East Lancashire Railway, followed by a move by road to the West Somerset Railway on 25 April 1995, initially for a period of one year. No, 7828 was sent to Swindon for repairs, returning in May 1998 and becoming a regular performer on WSR trains. However, in August 2002, a tube problem was found, and as the locomotive was near the end of its tenyear boiler certificate, it was decided to withdraw it from service pending a discussion on its future. The owner subsequently put the engine up for sale, and it was purchased by the WSR plc to secure its future, the agreement being completed on 13 May No entered the workshops in November of that year, the boiler being removed for dispatch to LNWR at Crewe on the same vehicle that brought in No 's overhauled boiler. On completion of the overhaul, No was temporarily renamed in 2011 as Norton Manor (40 Commando) as a tribute to the Marines based at Norton Manor Camp just south of Bishops Lydeard. A boiler problem materialised and the locomotive was stopped in October 2016, only half-way through the current 10-year certificate. This resulted in the boiler being sent to Riley's in July 2017, whilst the Minehead team undertook a complete bottom end overhaul. The boiler returned to Minehead on 3 August 2018 when it was reunited with the frames. As these words are written, the intention is to undertake steam tests and running-in trials during November, with a view to operating Santa specials. That is assuming of course that no problems are discovered and the paint has dried! No will initially be paired with the tender from Unlike the rest of the class names, there is no building actually called Odney Manor. It seems that the Swindon researchers got it wrong, as the manor house they assumed to bear the name, was in fact Lilleshaw Manor, which stands in Odney Lane, Lilleshaw, near Cookham, Berkshire. Bed and Breakfast 39

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41 Departmental Review Another busy and interesting few months in the departments Operations As I write this, it is raining hard in Minehead and looking rather gloomy, and as I look out of my office window all is quiet around the station, though a lot of hard work is going on behind the scenes and in undertaking essential maintenance a far cry from the picture painted in my last report to the Journal when we were in the midst of a heatwave and instigated the Red Fire State for several weeks! Despite the various challenges thrown at us by the weather and other factors, it is pleasing to report that all our timetabled services and many additional workings (dining trains, SECs, charters etc) have run as planned over the period under review, with services operating every day throughout this period with one exception when, on Saturday 7 July, the date of the WSRA AGM, we had to cancel the diesel diagram that day due to no Guard being available. This is a fantastic achievement, and I would like to place on record my thanks to everyone who has worked extremely hard and pulled out all the stops, and given freely of their time, to ensure that our services have operated as planned. There have been occasions when it has been a particular challenge, Summer visitor, No 7820 Dinmore Manor is seen hauling the demonstration goods train near Leigh Woods Level Crossing on 29 September Photo: Cliff Woodhead 41

42 and we are grateful to all our Guards and Signalmen for their help, often at short notice, to fill gaps in the rosters. Our station staff along the line have also done a valiant job over the summer and autumn in ensuring our stations which are very much our shop windows have been manned and presented a welcoming appearance to our visitors. My thanks, and those of all the Operations Team, to all concerned. Services over the summer have been worked by a combination of Nos 6046, 6960, 7820, 7822, (34046), 53808, D6566, D6575, D7017, D9526 and our faithful DMU not forgetting, also, Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No 1219, which operated brake van shuttles over the Rally weekend! After nearly six weeks of the peak Yellow/'D' timetable which in itself requires five Signalmen and four Guards each day we were then straight into September with, in addition to trains running every day, no fewer than four special events. We kicked off with the Late Summer Weekend, which provides an opportunity to showcase our own fleet of steam and heritage diesel locomotives, the event this year seeing Nos 6960, 7820, 7822, 53808, D7017, D9526, the two Class 33s and the DMU in action at some point over the two days. The Saturday had a distinct BR Western Region flavour with No Foxcote Manor, the Hymek and Class 14 all in action. The following Saturday saw the last of this year's Meet and Greet Days, and then came the Forties Weekend. What an event that was! The whole railway, and many places along the line, literally came alive in recreating memories of the 1940s, and we were extremely busy with many full trains. From an Operations point of view, a number of extra services were 42 operated in addition to the published timetable, including a military freight train the last occasion that the S160 worked on the WSR and an Evening Dance Special on the Saturday evening. With barely time to catch our breath, the last four days of September saw our popular Autumn Steam Gala take place. An impressive timetable, based largely on the one successfully used at the Spring Gala, was in operation on all four days, featuring a wide variety of services and locomotives in action. In respect of the latter, the highlight for many were the appearance of both the BR Standard Class 5 No Camelot and the little Ivatt tank No on a local train, ably supported by No (running as No Lord Dowding), BR Standard tank No (a last minute substitute for the unavailable No ) and the four home fleet locos with grateful thanks to our friends at the Bluebell, Mid Hants and Llangollen railways and Locomotive Services Limited. Yet again, throughout September, our teams rose admirably to the challenge. Timetable planning has been completed for the various trains run during the festive period in December, including Santa Expresses, Santa Specials, Quantock Belle dining trains, Dunster by Candlelight workings, Carol Trains and additional DMU workings, thus providing plenty of variety. After Christmas, trains run daily for six days between 27th December and New Year's Day inclusive, including the popular Winter Steam Festival on December, which this year should feature the welcome return of No 7828 Odney Manor. On the staffing side, over recent weeks since my last report the following have recently passed their examinations on the following Signalboxes: Anth Warren (Bishops Lydeard), Nigel Stevens, Tim

43 Always a popular sight for visitors, Standard Tank gently eases onto Minehead turntable on 29 September Photo: Keith Smith Johnson and John Beckenham (all Williton). Congratulations to all! Richard Jones Steam Locomotives 4110 Little has happened to this locomotive since the last report. The steam locomotive department has produced a cabside number plate which will feature as part of a fund collection stand. USATC S After a problematic stay, the locomotive was failed again just before the Autumn Steam Gala with air pump problems. It was therefore decided to take it off-hire early and return it to its home base at Cheddleton Dinmore Manor Again, we had the pleasure of this engine to help out over the peak season. Other than some minor repairs and routine washouts, it performed admirably. The locomotive returned to its home on the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway just after the gala on 30 September Foxcote Manor The locomotive has been a star performer throughout the year, only requiring the usual routine repairs and boiler washouts. It had a little holiday in Hampshire to attend the Mid-Hants Railway's Autumn Steam Gala October. It was considered to be the star of the show, with the Hampshire Alps echoing to the sound of the Swindon bark as Foxcote Manor climbed them with ease will be rostered for service until Christmas running ceases and then going away for some contract work to be carried out at Tyseley. This will involve a complete bottom end overhaul, a task last done in 2003, returning to the WSR 43

44 in Its use on the last day of the main season (4 November) chalked up a milestone for Foxcote Manor as it achieved 150 steaming days this year on the West Somerset, and three on the Mid-Hants. Estimated mileage run this year, was 10,799. Meanwhile, making the most of the break before the Christmas specials, 7822's fire grate has been removed and is being replaced by a WSR pattern drop grate, which will make disposal easier and quicker Odney Manor See separate report Ravingham Hall It continues to be a reliable and popular locomotive in service, only being stopped for the usual routine maintenance, and boiler washouts. Consideration is now being given to a repaint to smarten it up till the end of its current boiler certificate in Work on this has been slightly overshadowed by the need to get Odney Manor back in traffic as soon as possible. Currently awaiting needle gunning of the boiler and a coating of protective paint applied, the boiler will then be replaced in the frames for final assembly. It is planned that the locomotive will return to traffic in Braunton (Currently running as Lord Dowding) Again, a very welcome return for this locomotive to what some consider as its home railway. It was used on nominated services on the WSR between main-line railtours, and left us to return to Crewe on 10th October No progress since our last report. The wheelsets remaining at Williton Again, has been an excellent performer. A valve and piston exam is due to take place after Christmas. Keith Smith (from notes supplied by Paul Conibeare and other sources) Loco Group Work on the boiler at the Flour Mill has been steadily progressing as time allows between their other higher priority jobs. The boiler is now on its side and the 60 suspect crown stays have been removed. The refurbished foundation ring has been bolted back into the inner firebox and the new lower steel plates have been cut, drilled for riveting, and prepared for welding into place. Removal of the old wasted inner firebox copper lap rivets & replacement with patch screws is also progressing well. Meanwhile work at Looking inside the firebox of 6695, with rear crown stays removed as well as ongoing replacement of lap rivets with patch screws on the rear copper lap joints. Photo: Nigel Clarke

45 Williton continues with sorting, cleaning & refurbishing of parts ready for refitting. Further 6695 Loco Group information, offers of help, or details of how to purchase shares etc can be obtained via to Nigel Clark 4561 Following Mike Sherwood's announcement in the Autumn issue, work has resumed on this overhaul. Members will recall Williton had already assembled and rivetted the new frame section behind the cylinders to the rear buffer beam. This work was undertaken by the younger members of the team who learned the skill of hot riveting. The forward frame extensions had been tried The boiler from No.1857 (behind) showing the extent of the firebox repairs. New sides had been welded in place and the new throat plate was being prepared for welding. Behind No.1857 but out of sight is a DEPG class 14 for axlebox attention and behind that is their Class 47 having some bodywork repairs before possible repainting. Photo: Mike Johns in place but not finally fitted when work stopped. Estimates have now been obtained for cylinder machining and the new castings are ready to be collected by Harco who have been selected to do this work. This company had several sets of new cylinders on its order book and those recently produced for the Grange project have been completed to a high standard. Receipt of ours will enable the whole front end of the No. 4561's new frames to be completed structurally. Members may also recall that the boiler was brought back from South Devon Engineering at Buckfastleigh unfinished but with the new platework in place. The aim is to trial-fit the boiler in the new frames around mid-2019 to check clearances prior to returning it to the SDR for completion and testing once the work outstanding can been confirmed. Meantime some machining work is being progressed at Williton ready to fit the new horn blocks and stays but this is very dependent on availability of staff with the required skills. If you think you can give some help and spare some time, please get in touch with Ryan Pope or Don Wood at Hudswell Clarke no.1857 Having successfully completed contract repairs to a traction engine boiler (a first for Williton) in time for it to take part in this year's Great Dorset Steam Fair, work switched to the boiler for No.1857, another contract job. This is having extensive repairs to the firebox involving new plate sections riveted and 45

46 welded into position, a refurbished foundation ring, crack repairs to the copper firebox and re-installation, new front tubeplate, re-staying and re-tubing, and a new smokebox. The welding work is being undertaken by Ian Massey, a coded welder usually based at Llangollen and a one-time Williton volunteer, the other work by the local team. The introduction of boiler work at Williton has only been possible thanks to help and guidance from Bob Garnett, who was chief pressure vessel inspector for Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Co. The good progress made has already led to a number of enquiries being received for other boiler work that might be taken on. It also gives the railway another capability in dealing with its own locomotive repairs and overhauls in the future. Other Work Regular if infrequent enquiries are received for new or repaired mechanical lubricators, a capability developed at Williton during the restoration of Braunton. Currently 1 x 12-way and 1 x 6- way are being produced following the supply of one to the A1 Trust for use on Tornado. A recent project has been the conversion of a Network Rail inspection saloon back to a passenger vehicle for a private owner. This involved new bodyside sections and windows, interior fitting-out and re-painting. Some additional work is expected but has not yet been specified. Coach No from the WSR fleet and owned by the WSRA has arrived for a full external repaint as the first of the home fleet. Mike Johns DEPG Williton Depot News After the main operating days at Williton we have been gearing up to the winter maintenance programme. With some 46 wonderful autumn weather and gloriously blue skies, we had the first frost of the season which initiated the checking of anti-freeze concentrations in our locos to make sure we don't get caught out by ice damage. It is fair to say that 2018 has been a good season for the diesel department as we have been called in to keep the railway running on many occasions, mainly due to a certain large foreign steam locomotive being a tad less reliable than required. So without further ado, the latest fleet news: Class 14 D9518 The loco frames in the Swindon Shed were successfully lifted off their wheelsets in mid-october in an operation that ultimately was concluded in about 15 minutes. This is a tribute to the hours of preparation to try to make sure that everything moved smoothly. After the springs were also removed, work started immediately on stripping the old paint, rust and years of accumulated grime that was now accessible at last. Ryan and his staff are now busy identifying any loose rivets on the axlebox horn guides and preparing to fit new rivets as required. The wheelsets will be sent away for reprofiling so that they can be refitted to the frames as soon as these are ready to receive them. Class 14 D9526 After successfully passing all the required testing, this loco has been returned to the active fleet and has been performing well, although it does not get called upon very much in late season. D9526 left the WSR for a month to operate beside the River Dart on the South Devon Railway where it was used on a driver experience course and a photo charter before becoming the main guest loco at the SDR Diesel Gala at the beginning of November. Then back to

47 Williton to feature in our last Diesel Driver Experience Course. Class 33 D6566 This loco has taken over as the railway's duty Thunderbird loco and has been working well. It has been used on DDEC workings and has covered for the S160 on numerous occasions, then it was used for a team-building exercise for GWR staff along with two Toad vans and D6575 on the BL NF section. Class 33 D6575 This loco has been stood down from WSR Thunderbird duties to allow some muchneeded attention. Ian and his small team carry on looking after it whenever we leave it standing still for long enough, so they can keep things in order. D6575 remains available for use by the railway as it doesn't need any major work apart from the paintwork, but a lot of little jobs can now get done. Blue Anchor see Hymek D7018 on a loaded test train prior to its return to service. 24 October Photo: Tim Edmonds. Hymek D7017 Our working Hymek remains available for use but has been prepared for winter storage. We are currently sourcing a set of new springs for her as the ones she currently sits on are the same ones fitted by BR many years ago and they are getting very tired. We have some interesting proposals for getting this work done soon. During the winter some attention will be given to tasks that we have been waiting to do but couldn't afford to stop the loco for long enough. Among these are attention to some minor but annoying leaks in the air system that take a disproportionate amount of time to deal with. This winter the loco will also finally have her original carbon pile automatic voltage regulator replaced with a modern 47

48 electronic one that has been specially built for us. Hymek D7018 The big news of the year has been that our second Hymek has ventured out of the shed under her own power once again. A request was made to the WSR for a loaded test run over the full length of the line and permission was granted to do this when there were suitable gaps in the timetable. After a flurry of activity to make it safe to operate, we were ready to go. We had decided to take D7017 with us as the insurance loco and the news of the test run soon found its way on to that modern phenomenon, social media. The level of interest from enthusiasts and supporters was considerable. Several times during the day I had to remind myself that we weren't participating in a Diesel Gala, even though it looked like it at several locations. Both locos travelled light from Williton to Bishops Lydeard to collect six coaches which were then top-and-tailed to Minehead where on arrival the General Manager was on the platform to congratulate our arrival after 23 years of waiting! The return working was doubleheaded although you should be aware that D7018's performance was deemed good enough that D7017 was deliberately shut-down at Blue Anchor. During the trip the train was stopped in section at suitably challenging locations so that we could ensure that D7018 could re-start the train unassisted. One of these was on the steepest part of Washford Bank. The result was impressive. From a standing start under Old Cleeve Bridge we were at line speed by the time we got to Halscombe Accommodation Bridge with no hesitation or any sign of slipping. There is more work to be done before the loco can be released to traffic, but now we are definitely on the final stretch. I am 48 confident that we will see this Hymek working passenger trains again on the West Somerset Railway next season. Class 47 D1661 North Star Our contractor has finished work on the body repairs and having painted the loco in two coats of grey primer, it is now back inside the Swindon Shed to protect it from the weather while we await the warmer weather and a berth in the paint shop. During the winter further work will be done inside the loco to prepare for its next use. The cabs will receive a tidy-up together with the removal of some redundant BR equipment such as the NRN phone system. As this system has now been switched off by Network Rail its value is cosmetic only and we will remove it so that the loco is more in keeping with the body style and livery we are planning for it. Western D1010 Western Campaigner The big news for this loco is that the transmission has been removed from the loco and placed on the floor in the workshop. After removing the top covers we can already see the two parts of the gearbox involved in the failure and by the time you read this they should be on the bench where we can deal with them. The loco will go outside again while the gearbox is worked on so that another loco can go under cover to be worked on during the winter. ROF Barclay No 578 Sadly the loco has proved problematic in starting and the recently-fitted starter motor has been removed again for expert assessment. In the meantime we will be taking a slow look at some level of cosmetic refurbishment while we await additional paperwork from the General Manager's office.

49 And finally, the WSR was approached early in October with a request for a Diesel Driver Experience for a terminallyill ex-railwayman. All the remaining DDEC courses were fully booked and it was clear that time was of the essence so after consulting with the General Manager and the Head of Ops, the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group offered to take him for a ride on the Hymek test run. On the day, he was offered a ride in the cab of D7017 along with his son who had made the initial contact. They rode as passengers while the testing was taking place but during the return to Williton with the two light engines, he was helped into the driver's seat and given the controls. Despite not having been in a locomotive cab since being made redundant by BR in 1968, it was clear straight away that he had not forgotten the loco crewing skills that he had learned so long ago. The look on his face as he drove us back was absolutely priceless. The DEPG is proud to have been able to help one family enjoy some precious moments and record some happy memories on a diesel locomotive for a much-loved family member. On behalf of the recipients, we would like to thank all those on the railway who made it possible. Martin Howard AutoCoach 169 Since my last notes, we have been doing the final fettling on section 2 and the final assembly of this section is now underway. Scarf joints have been made on the Watchet end of the soleplates and new tongue and groove underflooring has been made and fitted in the first bays. New roof sections have been made, rolled and riveted so that an extension of the roof can be fitted as soon as the rebuilding of section 2 is completed. A 49

50 start has also been made on section 3 (of 4) which will take us past the entrance area. Our main fund-raising was at the WSRA Steam Fayre and we had a very good weekend, no records were broken but nevertheless, a good sum was raised for our funds. The Autumn Gala also saw a good weekend at Williton where the downward trend of previous years was arrested and despite a limited range of attractions those who visited were very generous. We received many positive comments and encouraging words about our progress. At the end of September, a group of us attended the Carriage Restorers Convention at Havenstreet on the Isle of Wight, where we were treated to some very interesting insights into their carriage restoration and maintenance work and some detailed information on their Ashbury Carriage restoration undertaken for the recent Channel 4 television series. Further talks on the LSWR Queen Victoria carriage and an overview of the whole series was presented by Steve Davis, former NRM director. A try your hand session on Gold Leaf lettering was very interesting although I doubt that 169 will receive anything that posh!. Despite all this activity we have made further good progress on the carriage with section 2 final assembly virtually complete with roof panels almost ready for fitting. The plywood floor has been cut for the next section and so almost ready for fitting. Our progress has been aided by a number of donations 50 of good quality timber and we are always on the lookout for more if you have any filling up your garage or shed. Lookout for regular updates on our Facebook pages.many thanks to all who have supported us in any way recently it's very much appreciated. John Wood Infrastructure Engineering Volunteer PW Gang We seem to have done as much cutting back as we have PW work recently. Our annual visit to Crowcombe took place recently cutting back and strimming around both Crowcombe and Lydeard St Laurence Bridges. The ditches, drains and downshutes around both bridges have been cleared and the concrete canvas laid a few years ago has been inspected and found to be in good condition. Moving on to Norton, the bridge and abutments have been strimmed and cleared of undergrowth. The adjacent ditch and the one next to the rally field have also been done and all the brash and rubbish burnt even though Our ballast regulator continues to brush along the line, tidying up the "4ft" and improving the side ballast. Photo: WSR

51 it was quite wet at the time. Further up the line towards Norton Manor Camp about a quater of a mile of undergrowth has been flailed where it was getting too close to the track after which we moved to the other side of the camp where an oak tree had been hit by lightning and a couple of its branches were fouling the line. Luckily we had a chain saw operative with us and were able to fell the tree before cutting it up and clearing the line. Some time has been spent on the top of Washford Bank sorting the drains, ditches and downshutes out so that water will run down correctly and and at least minimise any land slips if not preventing them altogether. All the ditches from the accommodation bridge to Cleeve Bridge have been strimmed and dug out so that they flow from the high point in a gentle slope. In areas where there are big dips due to slippage drain pipes have been laid and supported with sandbags filled with concrete. One of the hardest jobs was breaking up 18 inch concrete at the top of one of the downshutes as we had to lower the ditch to get it flowing in the right direction. We now know what it was like working on the chain gang. It would have helped if the drainage from the new cycle path that runs parallel to our ditches had been placed nearer the downshutes. As it is we have had to form concrete basins where their pipes meet our ditches to prevent erosion and subsequent slips. Over the last year or so the Ford digger, that we used quite a lot during the construction of the lead into Norton Platform, has had a leaking hydraulic ram(jack). Recently it has been getting worse so the decision was taken to remove it and have it repaired. It was taken to a specialist engineering firm in Bridgwater who stripped it down and replaced all the seals that had to be specially made because of its age. On return all the fittings were cleaned and greased, the ram primed and fitted making sure the pipework was routed correctly and not chafing. With the system bled and a leak check carried out the digger was put through its paces and declared fit for work. PW work has not been completely overlooked during the last quarter. The disused crossing just south of Bishops Lydeard at milepost 168 has been removed and the very tired timbers have been replaced with five new sleepers. At Williton we have jacked a couple of areas in the North Yard to remove twists in the track. In conjunction with this work two sleepers were changed as they were found to be rotted. Moving on to the running line another 25 have been changed on the up line within Williton station limits. A further three concrete mileposts on the Norton section at 165½, 165¾ and 166 have been painted. A new stanchion and milepost head 179¾ have been erected at Watchet. At the same time the gradient board 76/L and whistle board for Goviers Crossing was also painted. Back at Williton the gradient board 196/200 just north of the station was found to be beyond repair so a new one has replaced it. One Sunday with only two volunteers available they managed to drill holes in 63 new sleepers ready for fitting the chairs. Early August found some of the PW gang, their families and friends manning the refreshment tent during the annual Steam Rally as you will read about elsewhere in the journal. Moving on to the Autumn Gala in September we again had our stall on Bishops Lydeard platform on all four days. The money earned going on the repair of the digger and replacing the broken rear light cluster on June s van which we have had to use on a more regular basis lately. We have had a couple of new volunteers 51

52 recently and we are hoping they will get the bug and come out on a regular basis. If you are reasonably fit and like the outdoors come and see us one Sunday. You can contact me at kenandmaryb@hotmail.co.uk or or Ken Barker Volunteer Cutting Back Gang August brought a complete change for the gang because normally I would have been running the car parks at the Steam Rally. However, following my retirement last year as car park marshal I took the opportunity to visit the rally for the first time since It was good to see the rally as a member of the public and I really enjoyed my day. However prior to the rally Martyn Trott and I assisted with rally preparation duties and spent the day cutting back various areas to improve the visibility when emerging from Allerford Lane, and clearing vegetation around the car park entrance and exit. I also found myself crawling around under several of the bridges clearing vegetation to enable cables to be pulled through. Several others members from the cutting back gang also helped with various duties at the rally during the course of the weekend. The weekend of the 8 and 9 September saw the gang return to lineside cutting-back duties after assisting with the Steam Rally during July and August. Following a request from a local landowner early in the year we proceeded to Washford to clear the embankment between Whitehall Bridge and Mineral Line Bridge. After the weekend we had completely cleared yards of embankment on the up side and I received praise from the adjacent property owners for the work. The weekend of the 13 and 14 October brought a change of venue for the gang with a return to Eastcombe cutting. As parking is difficult at this location I had arranged with the owner of Pixford Fruit Farm to park in his orchard as we had done on previous occasions. This keeps our vehicles off the grass verges, which can restrict visibility for road users. Unfortunately the gang did not have the services of a chain saw operator as I was away on holiday for two weeks. However I understand that good progress was made during the course of the weekend with vegetation clearance and tidying up following flailing. Future cutting back dates are as follows: 9 & 10 February 2019, 9 & 10 March, and 13 & 14 April. Steve Gooding The volunteer cutting back gang recently cleared this stretch between Watchet Bridge and the old paper mill. Photo: Rob Lindley

53 1940s Weekend Angela Coleby presents her personal view of a very successful event I spent an absolutely fascinating time over the two days of the 1940s weekend in September. It was wonderful to see so many people in period civilian costume and forces uniforms which gave a real authentic atmosphere to the event. My husband was tasked to accompany King George VI around the railway and had hired an army colonel's uniform which really suited him. I wore an outfit that befitted the occasion. We met the King at Bishops Lydeard station and conducted him around the spitfire displays. We joined the train as far as Washford to inspect the WRVS emergency tent selling delicious cakes and hot food. A shifty looking young lad opened up his violin case filled with black market sweets and chocolate and we couldn't resist buying some. We enjoyed the road repair gang clearly the King was fascinated as he had a long chat with them. Then the highlight! We, and the Royal party, were taken by armed convoy in US Army jeeps to Minehead I have always wanted to ride in that sort of vehicle and now I had my chance. It was fast, exciting and windy my hair was really blown around but at least it was dry. In Minehead we met two ladies who had been caught up in the aftermath of a bombing raid and who were now injured and destitute. We gave them a 10 shilling note enough (one lady said) to almost Angela spent her weekend with the Royal Party. Here she is seen with Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle. Photo: Editor 53

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55 buy a new house in 1940! The King delivered a rousing speech from the GWR Toad van on Minehead station which attracted a large crowd. Soon after we climbed back into the Jeeps for another breathtaking ride to Watchet. There was a wonderful atmosphere by the station and along the promenade - songs were being performed and seems everyone was dressed for the occasion. Stall holders contributed to the atmosphere of 1940s. There was a real buzz about the place and yet more excitement was generated when the King mingled with the crowds and shook hands with ex-war veterans. Soon it was time to head back to Bishops Lydeard by train again. The next day was similar but minus the jeeps! We travelled with Winston Churchill and General de Gaulle and these two gentlemen received a good reception at Minehead where again speeches were made and many hands shook. On the return journey, the call of a cream tea at Stogumber station was too much to resist and there we met some members of the timber corps of the Women's Land Army. Among the items on display was the biggest saw I have ever seen. The King again chatted with the people who were delighted to meet him and we sat down to the best cream tea I have ever had - I later found that these are famed across the railway. I can understand why! Sadly time passed all too quickly as the train returned to Lydeard. It was certainly a wonderful weekend experience. So many people went to so much effort to put on a brilliant show. Well done to them all. The Victory Stores were established at Watchet for the weekend packed full of everything the 1940s housewife might need. Here the proprietor puffs on his pipe while waiting to sell his next rationed goods. Photo: Editor 55

56 WSR 1940s Weekend The West Somerset Railway celebrated the 1940s during the weekend 15 and 16 September Along the whole line, stations were dressed in 1940s style and staff and visitors wore appropriate costume. Above, ex-usatc S approaches Blue Anchor with one of the highlights of the weekend, the military train. Photo: Tim Edmonds. Below, Watchet station en-fête, with the proprietor of the Victory Stores and the local bobby. Photo: Editor. 56

57 WSR 1940s Weekend Above: King George VI, (Paul Eastwood) speaks to the crowd from the veranda of the Toad van at Minehead station, flanked by Home Guard and with his equerry, Phil in attendance. Photo: Editor. Below: the popular Road Up gang in action at Washford station, receiving a visit from the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Photo: Naomi Wright (the Living History Group). 57

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59 Peter Barnfield Chris Austin pays tribute to the late Peter Barnfield Founding member of the Blue Anchor Railway Museum, Peter Barnfield, passed away on 15 August after a long illness. Peter and his wife Ginny were pioneers with Pete Treharne in setting up the Blue Anchor Railway Museum, opened by Major General Errol Lonsdale on 14 July It is a tribute to Peter's vision that the museum remains very much as he designed it. For many years Peter produced fantastic artwork for posters and leaflets for the WSR using the better by miles strapline. As well as the timetable leaflet each year, he also designed printing plates for the Dunster ticket printing machine. Peter, Ginny and I were members of the Bristol Railway Circle in the 1960s, and in those days before the Beeching Report, Peter was able to record so much of the railway scene in the West Country before it was all swept away. Fortunately these exquisite images can still be seen in his books reflecting on journeys made in the early 1960s in the West Country and in Wales, published by Wild Swan. The latter includes early days on the Welshpool & Llanfair and it was the quaint and the remote that fascinated Peter and led to his own creation of the Peter posing with a shunting pole in front of Mells Road signal box (between Radstock (West) and Frome, probably around Photo: Chris Austin railways of Whimshire, with their archaic Victorian trains and stations and highly inventive scenes of rural crafts and industry served by the railway. Some of the scenes were recreated in the models he made as well. Peter was a highly talented graphic designer who went independent in 1986 and has left a great legacy of cartoons as well as some very evocative drawings of the railway scene in the early 1960s, which were sold under the name Steam Pencil, and he worked in acrylics as well. Some of his work can be seen on his website ( and we are planning, with Ginny, to arrange an exhibition of images during

60 Heritage coaches, Toplights 3631 and 3665 CLAIRE SHEPPY MRICS investigates the Trust s twin coaches, Toplight TK 3631 and 3665 These two coaches are being dealt with together as not only were they both built to the same original diagram (C28), but are the same diagram as TK 3639, which I dealt with in Journal No.160, (Spring 2018). As such, they will have virtually identical structural members, and so theoretically the drawings that I produced in 2008 should apply to both coaches as well as TK That these coaches have survived at all is almost entirely due to a whole group of similar coaches being converted into camping coaches and sent to various GWR coastal destinations, of which Blue Anchor on the West Somerset Railway was one. Dawlish Warren was perhaps one of the best-known - in fact there are still coaches there used for holiday accommodation to this day - while Marazion in Cornwall was another location. Not all camping coaches were by the sea by any means, indeed Stogumber station was one such location. Toplight TK 3631, like TK 3639, was a corridor third class coach with eight compartments. It was built in 1908 to lot 1136, but like TK 3639 it was also converted to an ambulance vehicle in After the First World War it was rebuilt in 1929 to diagram C32, lot , and served with the GWR and then British Railways Western region, performing the usual duties of a passenger coach, and no doubt being cascaded down as newer stock became available until October 1958 when it was converted into a camping coach. It was one of the Dawlish Warren coaches, but it was moved to the South Devon Railway in 1981 where it was used as a mess and volunteer accommodation coach. The coach was moved to the West Somerset Railway in October 2008, where it currently sits in the Sherrings Yard at Williton awaiting restoration. I am indebted to John Broderibb, formerly of the South Devon Railway, who has provided quite a lot of the background information, and had this to say about the coach: "The Staverton Preservation Group had been interested in buying a larger coach Almost brand new. Toplight 3663, sister vehicle to the ones discussed here, stands ready for GWR service. Photo: WSSRT Collection

61 for sleeping and messing for some time, and those at Dawlish Warren became available; BR considered them lifeexpired and wanted to replace them with more modern stock. Having been over and inspected them, we settled on this vehicle. (TK3631) and the tender forms were duly completed and returned, and we were successful. I was completely amazed when I got a phone call from someone in BR who asked: 'And I assume you'll be moving it by rail?'" Mr Broderibb adds: I immediately responded 'of course' and it went on from there. I fear that BR had no idea of the condition of the coaches. Ours required some remedial work on site and was then tripped at 5mph to Exeter Riverside Yard, where further fairly extensive work was done to make it fit to run. This took at least a couple of weeks, following which it was tripped to Totnes, and pushed over onto the branch. It was then collected by a DVR locomotive and taken to Staverton, where it became the Group's sleeping and mess vehicle. I think the coach was called Carol when at Dawlish Warren; we renamed it Florrie, after Mrs Florence Whitefoot, a resident of Staverton village who had married Jack Whitefoot, a ganger on the Dart Valley Railway. She was best known for working the crossing gates at Napper's Crossing, officially Staverton Mill Crossing." Toplight TK 3665 has just as interesting a background. For the information concerning this coach I am indebted to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's Richard Johnson, together with further confirmation from Clive Whitwham, with David Clark acting as messenger. Richard had this to say about the coach: No and the almost identical ex- GWR TK No were probably the first coaches that the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway bought in about They were at the railway from the very beginning. Both had been converted to holiday accommodation but had been taken out of use as they were in a very poor condition. One of them was used by GWSR as the first café, and was parked in the bay platform at Toddington once that was built. When the Flag and Whistle cafe was opened, both coaches were pushed up the north headshunt until they were sold. By then they were very dilapidated, without many windows, and the wood was all rotten so we sold them in about We began operating services in 1986, and all the effort went into refurbishing Mk 1s. These two coaches were seen as of no use to us, so nothing was done to them until they were sold. Clive Whitwham added: "They were converted to camping coaches by BR in the 50s or 60s. I think 10 or 12 were done. No was renumbered 9886 in the camping coach series. My notes show it was later on the South Devon Railway in No on the other hand was converted to a breakdown van and renumbered ADW " These coaches will both require a great deal of time and money spent on them before they will be fit to run on the West Somerset Railway. Only time will tell if this will be possible but when one looks back at what has been achieved in total on the railway, one can always think that there is hope that this goal will be reached. 61

62 THE WSRA'S BISHOPS LYDEARD SHOP NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT! The Association's shop at Bishops Lydeard Station is always looking for donations of good quality railway and transport books, as well as magazines about railway history. Collections of public and working timetables, official notices, tickets and similar ephemera are required, as are model railway items. Proceeds of sale will help boost the shop's profits, all of which are used to support the charitable objectives of the West Somerset Railway Association. If you can help please contact Kate Beard, Retail Manager on (01823) or by to WSRA (Promotions) Ltd Company Registration No (England and Wales) 62

63 Memories IAN TABRETT looks at events in the past as reported by the Journal 40 Years Ago (from Journal No ) Reports outlined events at what was described as the seventh annual general meeting of the WSRA (or, more properly, the inaugural meeting since we have only just become properly constituted). Membership fees were increased for families from 3.50 to 5, adults 2.50 to 4, and students and pensioners 1.50 to 2. This entitled everyone to one day's free travel in the coming year. A steam crane had been moved from Taunton to Minehead, and a good deal had been achieved by station volunteers so that the railway itself was in good health and going well. The company chairman reported that the line was close to breaking even, although a 27,000 loan still had to be repaid to Somerset County Council. More than 150,000 passengers had been carried, with most trains running between Minehead and Williton while DMUs went to and from Stogumber. Regular services were planned six days a week in the coming winter and there were hopes it would be possible to have the line right through to Norton Fitzwarren passed for passenger trains in However, with the WSR continuing to expand, there was an appeal to individuals and groups to obtain more rolling stock, including coaches, ballast hopper waggons and a DMU trailer car. The Loco Department reported that saddle tank No Vulcan continued to give good service and was due a repaint; pannier tank No would undergo a heavy overhaul but was essential to run next year; and Peckett No Whitehead had been transported to the Southern TV studios in Southampton to appear on a new Saturday morning magazine programme. 30 Years Ago (from Journal No. 45, 1988) Editor Graham Stagg wrote that one of the pleasures of preparing the Journal was to be able to say each time that the railway had got better and this issue was no exception. However, there was one rather unfortunate matter to mention the growing number of photographers along the line has brought complaints from local farmers fed up with people trespassing on their land and trampling crops. A share issue had raised more than 100,000 towards the minimum target of 160,000. Elsewhere it was noted a BR CK coach had been obtained from Taunton's Fairwater Yard, with both 1st and 2nd class compartments, raising the possibility of being able to offer first-class travel on timetabled trains. Sadly thefts had continued, with break-ins at both Blue Anchor and Williton stations, causing considerable damage. A lengthy letter from Mr and Mrs Joe 63

64 Public was included in the issue, which editor Graham Stagg admitted he had to think long and hard before publishing. The couple wrote that they had visited the line over the New Year holiday, and this was their end-of-term report: The trains were reasonably punctual, so top marks there. The coaches were a bit scruffy but acceptably clean inside we were disappointed at the lack of uniformed staff at Bishops Lydeard and on the train. No and crew were smartly turned out as usual and a credit to your loco dept. Nought out of 10 for the on-train buffet which had run out of food half-way through the day. At Williton we still had to put up with that tedious change to a diesel train for Minehead nought out of 10 again on the uniform front on the DMU, the trilby-hatted driver and guard in bomber jacket and cord trousers do not project the atmosphere we pay good money to experience. Minehead, what a mess. Are you running a subsidiary car breakers' business on the side? Disappointment, too, back at Bishops 64 Lydeard where the booking clerk had gone home early, locking the station and its toilet facilities with two trains still to arrive. So what was the overall impression? The underlying feeling that the WSR is just a bunch of amateurs playing trains still exists and it is time that attitude is eradicated. 20 Years Ago (From Journal No. 85, 1998) Hold the line! At Bishops Lydeard in the autumn of 1988, a 1920s telephone box from Taunton is loaded into the guard's compartment of a train bound for Minehead, with pannier tank No at the head. The kiosk was to be re-erected on the station at the resort. Photo: WSRA The headline news from Peter Cattermole, chairman of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, was that as owners of 7F No.88 [now running as 53808] the first large engine to run regularly on the WSR had come to a unique agreement with the company. This meant it was hired on a full repairing contract until 30 April In fact, by 2018 the loco would have operated on the Minehead line for longer than it did for any of its former railway owners: the S&DJR, LMS and BR, who saw it condemned on 26 February 1964 and sent to the H Woodham & Sons scrapyard in Barry from which it was rescued four years later by the S&DRT. Other reports showed that cutting-back along the line had continued during the autumn and more than 20 volunteers ran a log-collection train between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield, loading more than 30 tonnes of logs. A group from the civil engineering team travelled from Minehead by DMU to carry out an inspection of lineside structures. By dusk they had reached Kingswood

65 and examined 16 under-bridges and around 60 culverts, at times having to be lowered by rope to reach the bottom of steep embankments. There were heartfelt appeals for more volunteers at the stations, especially BL where Tony Bishop noted: My staff including me are increasing rapidly in age and need help at times there is only one person trying to run the station, look after the passengers' welfare and sort out admin. problems all at the same time. 10 Years Ago (From Journal No.125, 2008) Much of the issue was devoted to two reports from inquiries into what some had described as a fiasco on the WSR. This had been caused by an exercise which was meant to grind rails along the line into a better profile to make the running of trains better, but which went disastrously wrong. The operation in January 2008 utilised a rail-grinding train owned by the engineering company Serco and operated by trainee staff from Network Rail under supervision. It meant the railway gained the free use of the equipment to solve a number of problems caused by worn rails on a number of highly-canted tight curves and steep gradients. However, the grinding equipment left rough surfaces which badly damaged wheels and flanges on the steam locos with the result that all but one had to be withdrawn for repair, and services were taken over by diesel power to the disappointment and annoyance of many passengers. The reports made a number of recommendations to avoid the situation happening again and criticised the way the company dealt with public relations and publicity. General manager Paul Conibeare, in his report, admitted the problems had caused a drop in passenger numbers in the first six months of the year although matters had improved and it was still the second-best year with a total of 203,966 tickets sold. As part of a feature in Journal No. 45 on an abortive pre-ww2 GWR scheme to electrify the main line between Taunton and Penzance, Peter Barnfield offered an impression of how Taunton station and locos might have looked under the catenary. 65

66 News from the WSR Groups The latest reports from other groups in the WSR 'family'. West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Gauge Museum: Initial work on the HLF project for the Gauge Museum, under Steve Williams as Project Leader, has seen discussions with consultants about plans for the museum. A shortlist of candidates for the job of Learning Officer has also been drawn up for the outreach work with schools and young people to encourage more visits to the museum and the railway. The museum will receive a heavy clean this winter and some improvements will be made to the displays, although the main changes, using the HLF funding, will not take place until winter 2019/20. Model Railway: Winter work will also take place on the model railway, managed by the young volunteers who operate it. Some track relaying will be required as well as remedial work after the railway suffered from track buckling during the extreme temperatures last June and July. It has proved to be a good year for the model railway and Alan Meade has recruited no fewer than ten new young volunteers this year. During December, the model railway will be open on the days that Santa Express Trains are running from Bishops Lydeard, and for the first time, the museum will be staffed and the sleeping car open on these days too, as well as during the Winter Steam Festival. New Items: Recent acquisitions for the museum include the loan of an 'O' gauge model of a Pannier Tank, the Great Western's ubiquitous engine that 66 managed every duty from shunting to local passenger trains, banking and freight transfer trips between yards. We have also been given a pinch bar which allowed wagons to be moved by hand by overcoming the inertia and starting it rolling. Stopping it was a different matter and required the shunter to double round to the hand brake pretty quickly! GWR ambulance class medals from between the wars have been loaned by Allan Stanistreet, plus a rare book on railway medals and medallions. Cross Country Trains Ltd kindly donated some of their current posters for display during the Autumn Steam Gala, and these are particularly valued as they continue the great railway tradition of the pictorial poster depicting the picturesque places they serve. Blue Anchor (BARM): We were sorry to learn of the death of Peter Barnfield who, with his wife, Ginny, and Pete Treharne set up the little gem that is Blue Anchor Railway Museum. It is a tribute to Peter that the museum remains much as he designed it with good interpretation and some great displays. With Ginny's help we plan to arrange a display of Peter's artwork and photography during 2019 at the Gauge Museum, as Blue Anchor hasn't sufficient space to do this. The museum has done well for visitors and we are grateful for the involvement of a number of new volunteers. Carriage Restoration: Having purchased a lock-up store at Williton, we have at last been able to empty the brake van of coach No of the components and tools it contained, and start to tackle

67 the last remaining unrestored bit of the coach. Steadily, week by week, it is coming together and at long last the end is in sight. We look forward to seeing it running in Looking back, looking forward: The Trust's job is to look back and conserve the heritage of the railway entrusted to its care. But we need to look forward too, and thanks to the IT skills of our younger volunteers, we now have a Facebook page to bring you up to date with what is happening. Thanks to valiant efforts by Geoff Evens, the website is looking fresher and more informative too, and is well worth a visit. Our new Treasurer, Don Fraser is now in post and also handles membership applications. He will always welcome an application or a donation - see for details. And a date for your diary the AGM of the Steam Trust will be held on Saturday 23 March at Bishops Lydeard. Help welcomed: More help is always welcome, so please get in touch with me if you want to work with us on carriage restoration or admin, or as a guide in the Smartly refurbished third class compartment in coach Photo Claire Sheppy Gauge Museum ( austinca2@googl .com). For 2019, we will also be looking for volunteer guides who are able to travel with school parties and to host visits by Quantock Belle passengers as well. We are also keen to recruit help in cataloguing our new library of specialist railway books so that we can make them available to bona fide students of the Great Western, the West Somerset and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. David Baker is looking after the rosters for Blue Anchor for 2019 and can be reached on davidbaker687@btinternet.com. My thanks to all our volunteers who worked so hard to make 2018 a successful year for the Trust. Chris Austin Taunton Model Railway Group Our Half Century Part Two Firstly, an apology to a car maker based in the North East which I incorrectly credited with the manufacture of our group's premises in the last issue. I wish to express my contrition for my error and apologise for any damage to the image and reputation of the Nissan car company that might have resulted! Luckily, the Nissen hut that we acquired way back in 1971 has continued to serve us well, albeit with an overlaid disguise more aesthetically suited to its location on a GWR station. In Journal No. 162 I covered a fair chunk of the group's history we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year. This included the development of our nowdismantled multi-award winning Tamerig layout. Other layouts also figured in our history, but mention 67

68 must be made of our Bath Green Park layout, which still resides in our premises, together with the extension sections which see it at its full length of 60 ft when on the exhibition circuit. The seeds of its development were sown in the mid-1990s when a sub-committee of members was convened to decide on a new project. This consisted of Graham Warburton, Dave Bysouth, Norman Solomon and Chris Phillimore. It was Chris whose mention of Bath Green Park as a possibility was picked up and progressed to a meeting of all the members on 20th October 1996, receiving a unanimous vote of approval. Researches commenced with the S and D Trust at Washford, who held a substantial quantity of drawings of the station, and Bath City Council who as ultimate custodians approved of their release to the group. Graham Warburton made contact with Valerie Lloyd, then Managing Director of Green Park Station (Bath) Ltd. She was a leading light in the restoration of the station and took great interest in our group's plans for a model, putting Graham in contact with Stride Treglown, architects overseeing the restoration. They were able to supply a number of drawings to a scale of 4mm to the foot. Further researches with the Bristol LMS club, Railtrack, Aerofilms and various railway photographers brought forth numerous additional resources to enable construction to commence. An estimate of cost involved came to 3,500, so sponsorship was floated as a means to raise the cash. Valerie Lloyd was the first to be approached and offered the full amount! A number of other local organisations helped out, but particular mention should be made of Alan 68 Gibson, who converted artwork prepared by Graham Warburton of the station overall roof, bridges 42 to 44, gantry signal, together with all the windows for the station, goods and locomotive sheds into brass etches (still listed in Alan Gibson's catalogue). The construction of Bath Green Park owes a lot to various group members. Norman Solomon, whose track making/laying is legendary. Now an honorary life member, he builds layouts and track work professionally under the name of Quantock Models. Mike Cook made the Midland locomotive and goods sheds, Bob Eyles, the S and D loco shed, and Keith Dyer painted the backscenes. Steve Stubbs joined the group in 2003 and is a whizz at layout wiring. David Butcher, who was the West Somerset Railway's first General Manager after a long career on BR including as Area Manager at Westbury, developed the train working schedule which we still use today when the layout is on show at an exhibition or at one of our open days in association with WSR Galas etc. He and Mike Cook are both honorary life members. Chris Phillimore, who first put the idea forward is now a Director of A view of Bath Green Park station. Photo courtesy of Chris Nevard

69 Track Systems UK Company specialising in design, manufacture, supply and installation of equipment for rail track systems. Bath Green Park has been featured many times in the model railway press, having appeared in Railway Modeller, Hornby Magazine and British Railway Modelling over the years. It has been exhibited up and down the country at model railway exhibitions in Epsom, Princes Risborough, Warley, Rail-Ex Taunton, Exeter - where I first saw it - Wigan, Corsham, Gaydon, Aylesbury, Basingstoke and Quorn. Open Days 2018 With a rather large space in our premises where Tamerig used to be, we put the word out that we needed visiting layouts to help entertain our audience on our open days in association with the WSR. We therefore offer our thanks to Rob Whish who brought in Coaley Junction, an OO-gauge layout with a BR WR flavour main line with a branch line, for the Spring Gala. For the Diesel Gala our thanks go to our friends at the Culm Valley Model Railway Club, who brought in their N-gauge Extown and Winsbridge layout. The Late Summer Weekend saw a privately-owned N-gauge layout - Bath Green Park and the cantilever bracket signal for Bath Junction. Photo courtesy Chris Nevard Bridgebury Gate, a fictional town somewhere in the South of England. Finally, for the Autumn Steam Gala we had two visiting layouts booked, an N- gauge layout, Otterhampton exhibited by Mark Savage, and the second, Gas Works an O-gauge layout courtesy of the Yeovil Model Railway Group. Not forgetting a layout brought in on a number of occasions for our Summer Wednesday openings, Phoenix Road, an N-gauge layout belonging to one of our members, Steve Stubbs. An OO9 layout also made an appearance courtesy of Keith Dyer. A very big thank you to all. We will be looking forward to supporting the WSR in creating a rounded visitor experience again in New Layout Progress Planning continues apace on the design of the layout that will fill the space previously occupied by Tamerig. It will not be too long until construction commences, so there is no better time to join our group. The members credited in this piece are very capable modellers. It must not be forgotten that they started out knowing little but have learned their craft from trial and error, extensive reading, and of course learning from those that went before. Most of them, I am sure, would admit that they are not skilled in every area involved, so if you aspire to improve your modelling skills and enjoy the company of others with the same enthusiasm why not take a look at what we get up to by coming along to one of our meeting evenings, Monday or Thursday, and see what we get up to? me at: secretary.tmrg@hotmail.com so that I can make sure I or one of our other members will be there to greet you. Simon Ford 69

70 Association News Jacquie Green reports... Promoting the WSR Film maker David Parker has been touring the country with his illustrated talk about restoring branch lines, heritage railways and Flying Scotman. The WSRA teamed up with him for his visit to Bridgwater Arts Centre in November and we took along Trustee John Glover who remembers the early days of the WSR and Ryan Pope who started as a volunteer, became a WSR apprentice and is now our engineering foreman at Williton. David's talk was entertaining and informative and he enlightened us about a few behind the scenes filmmaker's tricks. David also took time out from his presentation to interview John and Ryan about their roles at the WSR. We took along some WSR flyers and a display board showing some of our activities and we had some great informal chats with the very interested audience, promoting the West Somerset Railway. Fundraising This year WSRA has begun to increase fundraising and funding activities. In 2018 the WSRA has supported: New Tarpaulins for 2 open wagons for an authentic military train; refurbishing and upholstering two new seats for Stogumber Station; a new set of lever leads for Williton signal box; wood, paint and other materials to support the restoration of an ex MoD brake van; materials for rebuilding the steps to the cattle dock at Stogumber station and pledges for new station sign patterns The campaign and fundraising for 70 restoring small prairie 4561 has also increased, following a board decision to re-start the project and we have secured the services of a contractor to machine the new cylinder blocks, which will be leaving Williton shortly. We still need to do more and you will have read in the chairman's letter that we have secured the services of a freelance fundraiser, Kate Williams, for 15 hours a week. Kate brings a wealth of information about trusts and funds to the table and I will be working closely with her to identify projects and the funds most likely to be interested in supporting them. We will also be developing a fundraising plan and ramping up other fundraising activities over the coming months. How can you help? Well, there are always WSR projects needing donations. Keep an eye on our website, facebook, justgiving.com and mydonate.bt.com pages for the latest campaigns. This year's small campaigns have been funded very quickly THANK YOU. Next year we will be asking for a little more Our fiftyfifty club delivers 50p in funding for every 1 you spend and Somersetwestlottery.co.uk does the same if you sign up in support of the WSRA. If you can't donate yourself, why not let retailers do it for you? Shop online and use easyfundraising.co.uk or smile.amazon.co.uk, making sure you first register your support for the WSRA. It may sound a little corny in the modern day but is no less true, YOUR RAILWAY STILL NEEDS YOU!

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