West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I'd have thought that the Swanage to Wareham debacle would have taught us that such pipe dreams end in tears.

 

A very lucrative income I would suspect with them being there for a fortnight.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles...ed into a film,TV thriller Down Cemetery Road.

 

Films (and the BBC) don't tend to pay too much for simple location filming, if that's all that is basically involved. They aren't the cash cow many people think they are. I'd be more than happy to be told I'm wrong, though, and the WSR are getting a small fortune.

 

I have seen the stock being returned to Great Yarmouth so that alone must have cost a fair bit

 

Given that it’s DMU Party time in Somerset, I wondered if there was any news on the DMU appeal?

Specifically, how much money has been raised and what is the next work-stage target?

Robin

 

Some welcome news c/o wsr.org. <BJ>

''WSR Assistant General Manager Seb Welsh awarded a richly deserved 'Highly Commended' in the 'Rising Stars' category at the Heritage Railway Association's Annual Awards event on 8 February 2025. Well done, Seb''.

 

Thankyou for sharing!

I feel very grateful for the nomination and short listing. Congratulations to Hannah Drury from the North Norfolk for winning the award.

I would not have been nominated or shortlisted if it was not for the overwhelming support of the WSR family. Proud to be a part of it.

 

Congratulations Seb. Very well deserved.

 

Brilliant, well done and highly deserved. Great team running the WSR these days!
Ian

 

Sorry to hear of the death of David Baker who had many jobs on the WSR right up to acting Chairman. Lovely chap and thoughts go to Gill and family at this time.

https://www.wsrht.co.uk/2025/02/wsrht-tribute-to-david-baker/

 

No news?

 

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Somerset, there are social media reports that Trump and Zelensky met in the Yeovil Office....

 

Hope they didnt eat all the biscuits

 

https://depg.org/dieselgen/diesel-running-dates/

 

We're considering a run on the WSR this week. The timetable mentions S/D on one of the services. Is there any possibility of two steam locos in service? TIA. <BJ>

 

Absolutely. For Tues, Wed and Thurs this week it is planned for two steam locos to be in service.

It's likely to be 2807 from BL and 9351 from MD each day. That's obviously subject to the usual caveats about availability, but is the current plan.

If diesel substitution comes into play then it's usually the MD service that is amended where possible, and would either be Class 33 hauled stock or the DMU dependent on loadings, bookings etc.

Hope you enjoy your day if you're able to make it because it's a great time of year to visit. The railway is looking superb at the moment, and really benefitting from the beautiful spring weather as shown by 2807 last Saturday morning.

 

Thank you for your reply. From the recent photographs that I've seen of the railway, the lineside has been cleared to a very high standard. Thanks to those that have been involved in that work. When travelling on a preserved railway it is always good to look out and appreciate the scenery rather that travel through a continual avenue of woodland. [BJ]

 

From the WSR Facebook page

The West Somerset Railway plc is pleased to announce that the iconic, world-famous locomotive, No 60103 Flying Scotsman will be hauling passenger trains on West Somerset metals in June and July 2025!
Following agreement with the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam Operations, Flying Scotsman will arrive in West Somerset near the end of June. Flying Scotsman will then run services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead on 28th, 29th, 30th June and 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th July, with static displays of the locomotive available at Bishops Lydeard on 26th, 27th June and 3rd – 7th, 13th & 14th July.
On the days where services behind Flying Scotsman will be running, we will be offering excursions behind the Flying Scotsman for one full length journey of the line and a return journey behind one of our home fleet locomotives.
Further evening excursions will also be available on the evenings of 28th & 29th June, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 11th & 12th July for a full return trip behind the Flying Scotsman from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead with various ticket options including travel only, fish and chips, afternoon teas or on board the Quantock Belle Dining Train to enjoy a 4-course meal.
The static days offer the opportunity to see Flying Scotsman up close, including an afternoon tea in the station house garden with the locomotive as your backdrop. With so many ticket options we are sure to have an affordable option for all.
Tickets for the event will go on sale on the West Somerset Railway website at 9.30am Wednesday 23rd April 2025. A dedicated phone line will also be open from 9:30am on Wednesday 23rd April 2025 and will be publicised shortly. Please do not call before this time for information about the Flying Scotsman.
If you already have tickets with us that fall within the duration of the Flying Scotsman Event, we will be in contact with you by email as soon as possible.

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I hope they've considered how much security will be needed to protect the whole length of the line from the inevitable influx of idiots who will break fences to get lineside with the Flying MoneyPit. GLWT!

 

Whilst I appreciate all the visitors - and hopefully their money! - that it will bring to the WSR, I have to say that I am seriously unmotivated by all the hype to go anywhere near the railway on the dates in question. It reminds me about the well-known quote about some celebrities being just "famous for being famous".
But each to his own....