THE NEWSLETTER OF THE WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS MARCH 2017 INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT FEBRUARY 2017

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1 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS MARCH 2017 INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT FEBRUARY 2017 SIGNAL & TELEGRAPH (Richard Harman) Work started again at Williton after the Christmas, removing the temporary cabinet and block shelf and installing all the new components and changes as per the final design. The majority of the work has involved wiring the new relay racks in the locking room, something like 3350 connections. Outside the box all of the mechanical work is complete with some minor alterations to a track circuits which displayed a fault. The old cabinets and cables have been cleared from the site but there are some external paint jobs to be completed, weather permitting. The Williton resignalling is probably the biggest job ever undertaken by the S&T on the WSR. It has averaged 4 or 5 volunteers every day during the closed season, some feat for a single gang. S&T have also assisted with Minehead relay, with a large gang on site in early January to clear equipment on the main platform crossover (13A/B), steam cleaning components in readiness for reassembly and stripping the lead off bed to refurbish components. With the amount of work currenting being undertaken by S&T on the Railway, the equipment stores and workshops in Brunel House will be moved by contractors and RAMS. PERMANENT WAY The track gang have been busy all month on the Minehead Relay with only a brief pause for line patrols to facilitate February DMU running BL / WT. Land Management have also assisted with the Minehead Relay work, in between completing work on the initial stages of drainage work at Crowcombe and Nornvis, a number of cutting back and level crossing assignments and trimming trees at Combe Florey. The PW Volunteer Gang have spent the last month preparing for the move out of Brunel House to the new Station Farm site, sorting out surplus tools and moving the contents of the racks to their new container and Randalls retreat. New shelving has been built in the containers and some finishing touches will be supplied by RAMS. 1 P a g e

2 Work has also continued on the track, packing and adjusting the alignment on the track leading into Norton Platform and strimming the ditch between the Rally Field and Paddock at Norton. Three long timbers on the lead north of Crowcombe Station have been changed, along with 31 sleepers between Longlands Bridge and MP 166 1/2. The gradient board (L/80) near MP 172 at Crowcombe has also been replaced. MINEHEAD RELAY The groundwork component of the relay is now complete. Contractors CJ Lynch have dug out and replaced the formation and drainage as per designs supplied by the ESP ground survey last year, and our volunteer PW designer, Andrew Trust. Our thanks also to Paul Haines for assisting in groundwork and setting out and David Depoix and Roger Dick who helped oversee the works. The PW gang are progressing well with the trackwork, with the main crossover and turnout to the bay road now installed. Work is three days behind schedule due to the need to replace more (almost all) timbers than estimated in the crossover and additional groundwork required under the crossover to ensure a decent foundation into the sidings. Ballasting and tamping will start on schedule in the third week of February. The Project Board have agreed to delay the level crossing renewal until November due to resourcing and focus moving to the Flying Scotsman visit. We also plan to relay the remaining plain line section from the level crossing to Alcombe foot crossing in the November period. FLYING SCOTSMAN An initial meeting of the IE technical team has discussed the preparations and inspections required to accommodate the visits later this year. An Action Plan is being developed which includes track inspection, further ground surveys, bridge assessments and structural gauging. BRUNEL HOUSE REPLACEMENT RAMS continue efforts on the new building and renovating the portacabins. There is still a substantial amount of work to carry out: RAMS availability to carry out work elsewhere on the railway will be limited until at least June The building has shown signs of trapped moisture and leaks are being attended to by the supplies. In the meantime temporary services are being set up. Water and electrical supplies are expected to be installed by the end of February. A contractor has been instructed to move the majority of S&T equipment in Brunel House to the new building given the gang s involvement in current projects. Cutting Back and PW Volunteer gangs have been assigned space in the cargo containers and are in the process of moving in. Catering and WSRA Catering have also had cargo containers installed at BL station to store their supplies. Electric will be connected to these early March. BRIDGE MAINTENANCE M&H contractors have completed work at Helwell ( Howells ) Bridge in Watchet, having restored the lost and damaged masonry. The scaffolding is due to come down in the coming weeks. Work has moved to repairing Bye Farm cattle creep, and Land Management have been clearing selected bridges in preparation for the Bridge Assessments. CROWCOMBE DRAINAGE Matthew Brewer and James Mills have tied up the first stages of drainage improvements at Crowcombe. Our thanks again to volunteer Ian Retter who has continued to assist. Land 2 P a g e

3 Management have had grills made to cover the manholes built by contractor Lee Elston. A number of delicate slopes have had small retaining walls installed to reduce ground movement and ballast surcharged at the toe to strengthen and secure the drainage. The new system will be built upon in coming years to reestablish the slopes and make further improvements to the drains. IE DEPARTMENT VACANCIES Bridges & Culverts Team - volunteers required to assist with bridge renovation work - physical clearance and pointing. Staff will be working at height and will have the required training provided to them. Track Inspection - even more so now with the Flying Scot visit, volunteers are needed to help carry out Line Patrols. Staff must be physically fit (able to comfortably walk 6 miles), have good eyesight and a keen eye for faults. Technical expertise is not essential and training will be provided over the course of four days to achieve a level of competency. Training is planned for May 2017, but volunteers are encouraged in the meantime to join existing track patrol experts from March when patrols start again after the winter works (staff must hold a valid PTS). Please contact the Infrastructure office for more details / andrew.young@wsrail.net FUTURE PTS COURSES Information as 28/02/2017 When applying to join a course, please supply: * A postal address to which material can be sent before the course, and a PTS card sent after the course. * A contact phone number for small problems with test answers, and for sudden changes of date, time or venue. * An address for minor pre-course information and less sudden changes of date, time or venue. Courses can be arranged for groups or departments on other dates than those listed. To book a course, please Rhiannon Powis at training@wsrail.net. If you have no , but not otherwise, please telephone Rhiannon on during office hours only. First-timers Spaces 04 March 2017 Quantock Brewery Meetings Room10: Spaces 29 April 2017 Minehead Training Room 10: Spaces 15 July 2017 Minehead Training Room 10: Refreshers - Non-Ops FULL 04 March 2017 Minehead Training Room 10: Spaces 25 March 2017 Quantock Brewery Meetings Room14: Spaces 22 April 2017 Minehead Training Room 10: Spaces 17 June 2017 Minehead Training Room 10: P a g e

4 Refreshers - Ops Spaces 18 March 2017 Minehead Training Room 10: Spaces 13 May 2017 Minehead Training Room 10:00 STOGUMBER REPORT Winter has been a busy time maintenance wise at SR station, with all of our Memorial benches and garden seats being stripped back and re-painted, ready for the new season. Add to this we are now the proud owners of all 6 of our new GWR platform benches, looking resplendent along the platform and in front of the Station building. Meanwhile we host the remaining seat ends in our workshop, ready for John Baines to construct the remaining seats for the other Stations. The Station building floor has also received several coats of floor paint and now looks resplendent ready for the new season. We have at last got our Barrow crossing lamp working and this completes the lighting back to full strength. It has been a busy time too with various courses for our volunteers, Safe System of working, PTS, Ticketing for 2017 and numerous meetings in preparation of the visit of Hopefully we have our plans in place and all will go off safely. We now look forward to the start-up of services at the end of March and the season getting fully under way on April 1 st. Alan Bines. DIESEL AND ELECTRIC PRESERVATION GROUP FEBRUARY 2017 It has been a busy February for the team at Williton. Whilst the Depot has been largely cut off due to the extensive impressive engineering works there has been much progressed on the shed. Work on D7018 continues a pace, Graham has been busy re-furbishing the cabs including replacing some metal panels which had worn a bit thin. It is hoped to give the loco a full test on its own during the March work week. D9526 has been moved into the shed to enable the engine change to take place over the coming months. The replacement has been built up by Simon, Terry and team over many months now but will be a quality product to last the loco a good length of time as the engine currently in the loco has also been. The loco has been formally withdrawn for 2017 to enable other work to be completed. The other Teddy Bear D9518, is in the Old Goods Shed now awaiting a lift to be undertaken when funds permit to allow the bogies to be released and sent away for contract repair. Ian Robins and team have been busy working on Class 33 D6566 over the Winter period. Ian has led considerable work on the brakes over the last few months. 4 P a g e

5 Meanwhile good news this month on the 2017 Gala, in that Friday and Saturday will be all diesel, with the Sunday having the usual Steam turn. Hymek D7017, Class 47 D1661, Western D1010 and Crompton D6575 are all expected to be in use with hopefully two additional visitors. At this time D7018 is not ready to appear until testing has been undertaken and we are confident around the reliability of the loco. Matt Cambourne SOUTHERN GATEWAY AND STAKEHOLDERS PRESENTATION The West Somerset Railway has released the presentation on the Southern Gateway Consultation on draft proposals to develop the Bishops Lydeard Station site and surrounding area and the slides for the Stakeholders meeting. Both documents can be found at the bottom of the page which can be accessed via this link. VACANCIES STATION MASTER AT BISHOPS LYDEARD Are you a well organised railway enthusiast, looking for a new challenge? Bishops Lydeard is the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway. An opening exists for a full time Station Master. He/she will be responsible for the platform management of the station, working with a team of Station Staff volunteers. He/she will ensure all rules and procedures of the railway are followed to allow all passengers and visitors to Bishops Lydeard from arrival to departure to have a safe and enjoyable experience. He/she will have a good working knowledge of railways (ideally Heritage) will be able to interact and communicate, be able to delegate and deal with any customer issues that may occur. Previous people management will be an advantage. This is a voluntary role, reporting to the Stations Coordinator Please register your interest by letter or to hr@wsrail.net. Closing date 31st March 2017 VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (FULL OR PART TIME) A number of volunteers are required at Minehead to undertake a variety of interesting and varied administrative duties. These include providing assistance to Directors and Managers within the Company. Some of the positions are for part-time staff and job holders may work days and hours which suit their availability. The positions will suit those with clerical experience in a busy environment. Applicants should be familiar with the use of PC's and spreadsheets. 5 P a g e

6 If you, or anybody that you know, are interested, please submit brief details to by 31 March and somebody will contact you. SIGNALLING INSPECTOR West Somerset Railway is a premier UK Heritage Railway, currently carrying over 200,000 passengers a year along England`s longest heritage line We have some 50 employees and 1200 volunteer staff. We are seeking a suitably experienced individual to ensure that effective staffing of `signalmen` both in numbers and registered for WSR railway operations. You will need a passion and enthusiasm for railway signalling, backed by with a good knowledge of the rules and regulations and interest in developing them. Responsible to the Head of Operating, you will ensure the satisfactory rostering of staff and their competence training, including rules and regulations examinations. You will ensure the selection, training and examination of new staff. You will be expected to investigate departures from Rules and Regulations and/or good practice and take appropriate steps to learn from incidents and make recommendations for improvements / remedial action. You will have overall line management responsibility for staff and their development, maintaining records of duties worked, training and competence. You will be a good manager of people and keen to lead and work in a team to achieve the best outcomes for the Railway. This is full-time permanent post. We offer a competitive salary and benefits including a noncontributory pension scheme. If you feel you can meet this challenge contact us on hr@wsrail.net for an application form and information pack. Completed applications should be returned to HR Department under confidential cover by no later than 24 March. WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY PLC JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Signalling Inspector Responsible to: Head of Operating Job Purpose: This is a full time role. To ensure that an effective staff of signalmen is available for WSR operations. Main Responsibilities: To ensure that a suitably trained and examined staff of signalmen are available to operate WSR signalboxes. Duties: 6 P a g e

7 1. To recruit and select suitable staff for training. 2. To ensure that signalmen are properly trained and certified competent to perform their duties. 3. To ensure sufficient numbers of qualified signalmen are rostered as required to run the railway. 4. To ensure competence is maintained by (for example) regular signalbox visits and by carrying out rule and regulations examinations. 5. To investigate departures from Rules and Regulations and/or good practice and take appropriate steps to learn from incidents and make recommendations for improvements / remedial action. 6. To manage their staff, maintaining suitable records of duties worked, training and competence. 7. To participate in on-call arrangements (up to one week in 4 or one day in 4) as may be required. 8. To ensure that up to date working procedures for signalmen, including the relevant parts of the WSR Rulebook, are maintained and available to all staff. 9. To provide emergency cover in one or more Operations Grade Scale and Impact: No financial responsibilities. Line manager for all WSR signalmen and deputy signalling inspectors and trainers. Approx personnel. Discretion to Act: The post holder is responsible for all day-to-day activities in signalling operations. Relationships: Daily contact with signalmen. Frequent contact with the Head of Operating. PERSON SPECIFICATION [ideal skills/training/background if seeking to recruit to post] Education: A good level of secondary education Experience: 7 P a g e

8 1. Comprehensive and practical experience of signalling operations, particularly in a heritage environment. 2. Experience of training and examination 3. Team working Skills: 1. Able to lead, inspire and innovate. 2. Knowledge of and experience in railway operations, particularly related to signalmen 3. Able to devise and implement training regimes. 4. IT literate Personal Attributes: Jobholder to demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for railway signalling, with a good knowledge of the rules and regulations and interested in developing them. Need to be a good manager of people and keen to work in a team to achieve the best outcomes for the railway. WSRA STEAM FAYRE & VINTAGE RALLY VOLUNTEERS WANTED Planning and running the annual WSRA Rally, which attracts some 2000 exhibitors and over 5000 visitors is a demanding and enjoyable task. We have many volunteers from throughout the railway, and beyond, who help in different ways and enjoy being part of this fun and friendly event, working as part of a great team. We do have some vacancies for extra help, so why not join us? We are particularly interested in: * Section Marshalls and deputies to co-ordinate and plan exhibitors. You will need to be at the rally for the weekend, and also available during the year to recruit exhibitors and deal with their paperwork. We currently have vacancies for: o Steam Section Marshal, to coordinate the exhibitors of full size and scale model working steam traction engines, lorries, buses etc. A great role for a steam enthusiast, and there is induction and training available. o Safety officer, to work with our team to provide an independent voice on safeguarding our exhibitors and visitors. A great role for someone with experience of safeguarding health & safety o Bar steward: our existing steward plans to step down after many years, so we need someone with relevant experience to order, look after and dispense our range of beers, ciders etc in the bar. Full training given. o If you are interested in any of these key roles, please contact the Rally Chairman at geoff.garfield@otford.net to arrange an informal chat 8 P a g e

9 * Help during the Rally week: any day(s) from 31st July to 7th August, to help set up all the equipment, and help pack it away * Help during the weekend, 5th and 6th August, such as: o Ticket booth operators and programme sellers o Marshalls on site during the rally to direct traffic, and ensure safety o Serving and clearing in our refreshment tent o Sourcing prizes and running a raffle in aid of WSRA on Saturday evening in the beer tent! o For any of these roles, please e mail wsrarally@gmail.com, and we will get back to you If you do not live locally, we may be able to provide camping or caravanning space on our rally fields for the weekend by prior arrangement. WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY ASSOCIATION. The West Somerset Railway Association is looking for volunteers to staff a membership stand on the platform of Minehead station during the Spring Steam Gala. (Thursday April 27th to 30th). To help to run this there will be a need for 2/3 volunteers a day to be present between and If sufficient volunteers come forward it is hoped to have a further stand at Williton during The event. If you can assist please contact John Simms via simmsj841@gmail.com or UPCOMING EVENTS Mothers Day Steam and Cream 26 th March 2017 Mothers Day Quantock Belle 26 th March 2017 Hestercombe Express starting 1 st April and running most Wednesday s and Saturday s (apart from Special Events). Dunster Castle Express starting 1 st April and running most Wednesday s and Saturday s (apart from Special Events). The Gruffalo, making appearances at intervals throughout the day on Minehead Station on 15 April 2017 St George s Day Fish and Chip Special 23 rd April Spring Steam Gala 27 th 30 th April Antiques Roadshow 17 th May 2017 Fish and Chip Special 20 th May 2017 Murder Mystery 27 th May Cheese and Cider Special 2 nd June 2017 Diesel Gala and Rail Ale Trail 9 th 11 th June For more details or to book please visit the Events pages on our website. 9 P a g e