That was the 1940s weekend, thank you!

Wow, what an event! The 1940s weekend is now packing up after a truly fantastic couple of days. Throughout the entire railway, everybody got into the spirit of the time and there was a real buzz of enthusiasm and excitement everywhere. I am sure lots of lessons were learned for next year, but this year was outstanding.

A huge amount of effort had been put in everywhere, the displays at Bishops Lydeard, land girls encampments, the timber corps, military vehicles...and of course the whole event at Watchet where the entire town seemed to be out with displays and entertainment. Thank you to everybody who helped make this a such a success.

A massive thank you from me to Robin Wichard who oversaw the event and  to everybody who took part. I appreciate how much effort goes into this sort of thing and how much dedication is required. Well done, you should be proud of what you achieved. The railway looked at its best and everywhere i heard only positive comments. Well done and thank you.

My job, along with Mrs C, was to escort the King and his entourage around the railway and so I can only report on what I saw. We travelled by train to washford where we inspected the troops and took in the displays including the wonderful 'road up' gang and even the lad selling contraband chocolate from his violin case. Then a rapid drive in open top jeeps saw us at Minehead to sympathise with the bombed out refugees and also to inspect the military train and its crew. Another open top jeep ride took us to Watchet where the King was greeted by the mayor and shown around the town.

Sunday was much a repeat, but gave us the opportunity to visit the Victory Stores at Watchet station, a fantastic recreation by two dedicated individuals and again witness the military train passing through. Minehead station again to hear the entertaining UXB talk, then back to Stogumber for cream teas. 

Traveling around, the stations looked great, the bunting out, staff in period costume, windows taped up. Well done to our station teams.

There are so many highlights that it is difficult to single out anything. For me, travelling back to Stogumber, as I looked down the carriage all I could see were personnel in period costume, it felt fantastic and really looked the part. 

Here are some of my pictures, loads more on the Facebook page and of course on Steve Edges www.wsr.org.uk

See you all again next year!

"One Railway"...what does it really mean?

I have been asked on many occasions since 23 August to expand on the “One Railway” principle. I had thought that it pretty much did what it said on the tin, but I will now do my best.

I should start by saying that I did not invent the term. I am not sure where it came from, but it emerged after the Robin Coombe “Road Ahead” report in 2015. In two words, it encapsulates exactly how the management of the railway should be taken forward.

The WSR family is a broad one. The operational body is the PLC. The WSRA is a supporters and fundraising organisation. The WSSRT supports the heritage of the railway. The DEPG focusses on diesel locomotives, the SDRT runs Washford station and promotes the history of the late lamented SDJR. Then we have station groups, locomotive owning groups and on top of that informal groups who run different parts of the railway. To my mind, this is part of the WSR’s richness and diversity. We all do our own bit, the bit we are most engaged with and this keeps the wheels turning. It might be complex, but it generally works and works well. But there is a fatal flaw in this too. Groups can become blinkered to their own views and their own plans to the exclusion of others. One group may wish to pursue a particular strategy and may divert resources onto it, whereas another group may be doing something that undoes that work. Two groups might duplicate work. And worst of all, members of one group might decide they don't like the work or membership of another and try to disrupt things. These things are not constructive - nor are they unique to the WSR.

This came to the fore in a big way in 2013 when the WSRA became embroiled in a argument with the WSR PLC. I was involved in those events and it was not a happy time. Groups of individuals became embittered and embattled. Others felt under attack. We were pulling in opposite directions and if we were not careful, something would have broken – and that would have been the railway. I wanted to reach out with an olive branch from one group to another, to try and understand other's points of views, to try and get us working together, to share information - and I got illegally suspended as a trustee for my efforts.

These difficulties were resolved and we all fervently hope that we will not return to those days.

One Railway has now become the guiding mantra to prevent it happening again. Working together we can achieve miracles, working apart we will struggle to do the smallest things.

It's about at all times asking yourself, “What is best for the railway?” rather than “Whats best for my organisation?”, or even worse "Whats best for me?". It's about understanding each other, about working together. It's about respecting other's viewpoints and their needs. It's about compromise, collaboration and communications. We have seen some excellent examples. The wagon restoration group has made truly fantastic progress using resources and help from most of the major players on the railway. One group has provided funds, another has facilitated spending money in cost effective way, another has provided material help. The BESTT Apprenticeship scheme sees the WSRA and the WSR PLC working closely together to provide a supported training environment for three young apprentices in Minehead shed. This is what One Railway means to me: All of us working in a supportive way to ensure the future success of the railway which we support.

Link to the wagon restoration group

Personal Statement from Ian Coleby.

Personal Statement by Ian Coleby.

Today my director colleagues have decided to remove me as chairman of the West Somerset Railway. This gives me great regret and sadness, not for myself but for the stability and reputation of the railway. I have been chairman since December 2017 and I have tried my best under very difficult circumstances to ensure our railway is successful. Sadly, those efforts have not been fully appreciated and I now join the ranks of past chairmen of the railway.

I would like to thank all those volunteers and staff on the railway who have supported me during my time as chairman. At the stations, in the offices, workshops and in the messrooms, I have always been greeted with smiles and a cup of tea. Thank you to all who work so hard and so fantastically for our railway, I appreciate your support.

Throughout my time as chairman, I have acted at all times to promote the principle of “one railway” where all the different groups on the line work closely together for its success. Teamwork really is the only way and the latest dispute, of which I am now a victim, can only harm the railway. It is incumbent on all of us to overcome our differences, put our personal feelings to the side and work together to ensure success. I support all the various organisations on the railway and I support their joint efforts to work together.

I explained at the AGM that the railway is in a very serious financial situation and some tough decisions need to be taken to get us back to stability. Our costs are far too high and we must grow the income side of the business. Above all else, taking those decisions and gaining financial security is critical. This need trumps everything else and is where we should be totally focused.

I do not intend to resign as a director and I remain on the board in support of my colleagues. I thank again all of those people, too many to mention, who have helped and supported me over the last 8 months and who continue to do so.

My AGM address can be read again here

Ian Coleby

Gateway project at West Somerset College

I had a very interesting day today. As part of their 'Gateway' project, Careers South West ran a two-day business development exercise at West Somerset College in Minehead.

The premise was that the WSR requires to develop its station at Bishops Lydeard. The young people at the college were split into teams of about 6 or 7 people and given the project brief, they had to come up with a development plan which then had to be presented back to the tutors and railway representatives.

The teams appointed surveyors, architects, commercial and advertising leads and each studied their particular aspects. Initially I was allocated to the surveyors and i had to tell them a lot more about the layout at BL, what the constraints might be (eg ground levels, underground pipes, planning issues etc) and give some general background about what might be required.

there then followed mentor sessions, when we visited each team and discussed their presentation plans, answered their questions and gave more pointers.

Finally, we had to listed to the proposals and judge them!

There were some great ideas! In no particular order:

1. provide a wedding venue at BL station. It was suggested we could charge £6000 for a wedding and once costs taken out, make £144K per year.
2. Donate a quarter of all our profits to the Dogs Trust
3. Build an underground multistory car park so that visitors' modern cars are hidden from the heritage railway (cost was £1M per storey!)
4. Build a maze in the shape of a turntable
5. use as much sustainable material as possible, recycled bricks, reclaimed timber etc
6. build an interactive museum with 'speaking boards' to encourage young people.

All the teams did very well with some very imaginative drawings and plans. The winning team was the one who had  costed out their proposals and suggested how it might be paid for.

Considering these were year 9 students, the results were very encouraging. Stepping back, all realised the need to expand visitor facilities, make them more attractive to visitors and to advertise them much better - I am sure we can all agree with that.

We do need top do more work at BL, it is our busiest station and does not present the image we may wish to our visitors. The board realise this and we have now restarted the BL development project which first came to light under the Southern Gateway project.

A Trip Down the Line

Today was a day for the Chairman's day out! Not really on duty inasmuch as I didn't have any meetings to go to, but on duty in the sense of having a great day out and the chance to talk to people on the ground.
First stop was at Crowcombe to chat to Geoff about the Best Kept Station competition that is being held in just two weeks time. All is looking good at Crowcombe and I waited long enough to photo the down DMU as it paused at the station. Although steam trains are lovely, my train spotting days were 1970s diesels and this multiple unit brings it all back to me. I collected the best kept stations trophy and that is now safely at Castle Coleby ready for presentation soon!

Next we headed to Stogumber to view the work that Bob and Russel are doing on restoring the old cattle dock. Its good progress. A large skip was filled with rubble and Bob had exposed the original bridge rail posts. The current intention is to cap these with new wooden posts with metal rails. This is a pragmatic solution that will enable bridge rail to be substituted in the future if needed.

Lunch at the White Horse in the village.....

Then on to Watchet. It always seems a bustling station, particularly after the quite of Stogumber and Crowcombe. What did I notice? First rate floral displays despite the inexplicable theft of some plants directly out of the planters around the station. Incredible!
Here are some pictures of the floral displays at the station:

And here a view of the heritage display in the pagoda shelter where we sheltered from the rain...

Next a walk along Blue Anchor beach. I had no idea that this crossing was called Dingles Crossing - see the small nameboard. Has anyone got any idea why this crossing is so named?

On the way home we dropped into Doniford Halt. Incredibly, after 35 years of volunteering on the railway, this is the first time I had stepped foot on the platform here. Well that's put right then. The halt looks great, really well maintained. Despite its diminutive size, its an impressive place. Great foresight from those who rescued the platform from Montacute all those years ago.

West Somerset Railway AGM 23 June 2018

And that was the PLC AGM!

The AGM was held last Saturday at the Hobby Horse. This is a formal meeting that has to be held annually and is the opportunity for the shareholders to listen to the directors reports and have the chance to question them on what they have been doing during the year.
Whilst only a two-hour meeting, it takes a lot of organisation to get it right. The formal buisness is straightforward, approval of the accounts, election of directors, appointment of auditors.

We then had an informal question and answer session and these will be posted as soon as we can. Some very perceptive questions were asked and some very good points raised.

The minutes of the AGM are now being finalised and also will be put on the website when ready.

It is up to the chairman to make an address, and I attach to this blog what I said. I won't elaborate on that here, but will be posting more on here as things become clearer.

Day trip to Barnstaple

It was another very hot day last Tuesday. What is the best thing to do? Relax in the garden or...well take a day trip to Barnstaple. Really easy from Taunton. Travel on a 125 (we will soon miss those) to Exeter St David's. Then a very quick and easy cross platform to an old GWR pacer for an easy trundle along the old southern tho Barnstaple. We paused at Eggesford tyo change tokens.





And then continued to the terminus. Although only a shadow of what it once was,  Barnstaple Junction station is endowed with southern green paint and southern signs.

There is a handy cycle hire shop where we took charge of a tandem for the cycle ride to Instow with its preserved station and signalbox.









An ice cream then a swift cycle back saw us home in time for tea.

Highly recommended!

Well hasn't it been a long time

I am sorry that blogging here has been intermittent. In fact, my last posting was way back on 19 May. So here we are a month later. What's been happening on the railway? We have had a heat wave and the loco crews are now taking special measures to minimise the risk of lineside fires. There have been a couple of board meetings which have been reported. We are now gearing up for the demanding high season and all of our staff are now working hard and for long hours to make sure the trains keep running. Well done to them all. 

Last Saturday was the company AGM. Although only two hours,  it is a formal meeting and takes a great deal of planning and work up front.  

I will write much more about all of these things over the next few days. Please keep checking in.

Country Railways

I live by the main line just outside Taunton, near Cogload Junction. It is nicely busy and I enjoy watching 125s pound up and down. Not for much longer though as the IEPs have started to appear.
Today we were out in the WSR and the difference struck me. Not sure why it's taken me all these years, but there we are. Settled into a comfy corner seat in a compartment, the gentle steam engine motion soon had my head lolling.
I found I was remembering Sassoon's poem:

 A Local Train of Thought

Alone, in silence, at a certain time of night,
Listening, and looking up from what I'm trying to write,
I hear a local train along the Valley.  And "There
Goes the one-fifty," think I to myself; aware
That somehow its habitual travelling comforts me,
Making my world seem safer, homelier, sure to be
The same to-morrow; and the same, one hopes, next year.
"There's peacetime in that train."  One hears it disappear
With needless warning whistle and rail-resounding wheels.
"That train's quite like an old familiar friend," one feels.

I was also reminded of John Betjeman's journey from Evercreech Jct to Burnham. I am sure most of you have seen it, but if not, please do follow the link and enjoy the next 26 mins. It is recommended.

Link to YouTube video

Best Kept Station Competition

We used to hold this competition several years ago but for reasons I don't understand we haven't run it for a while. Time to change that!

A brief conversation with Geoff Cross revealed his enthusiasm and we were off. In the past the competition has been done by a 'mystery shopper' but this time there is a set day, July 15th, when the judges will visit. I have secured the services of Richard Fox of Taunton Flower Show and Peter Tinckner of Wellington Camera Club to act as judges. Both Richard and Peter are railway enthusiasts and regular visitors to the railway.

I am pleased that the station staff have keenly taken to the idea and already the stations are looking fantastic. 

Of course, this is not a new idea. The GWR used to run a station gardens competition which sometimes was judged by George Luttrels wife. George not only lived in dunster castle but was also a director of the GWR. Blue anchor museum has a copy of the winners certificate from the 1930s when stogumber won it. We have designed a new certificate based on this which will be awarded in July. Below you can see both the GWR original and the modern version.

I sincerely hope this will please the heritage committee!

Somerset Day

Somerset Day is a new event chosen after a public vote in 2015. May 11 was chosen in honour of Alfred the Great, though it isn't clear to me exactly how Alfred relates to the date. Anyway, for reasons that are not entirely clear, there was a gap in the timetable for today with no trains scheduled. This always looked a little odd and so we have taken the opportunity to plug the gap and run the Somerset Day Express.

I arrived at Bishops lydeard in good time to find the platform comfortably packed with prospective passengers. In fact, as the tickets had been mostly sold on line, all were actual passengers. Raveningham Hall was at the head of the train and we left at 1030. 

The train was non stop through crowcombe and stogumber and paused at williton just long enough to pick up three visitors from North America. More at Watchet then non stop to Minehead with just a stop at Blue Anchor. Arrival at Minehead was ahead of time and it was refreshing to avoid the lengthy pauses at the loops that seems to characterise the standard timetable.

Plenty of time to chat to visitors, run the dogs on the beach and have a snack in the dog friendly Apple Tree restaurant before we rejoined the train for the 1415 return trip.

Another 'express' run saw us return to BL time enough for a cup of tea before spending a couple of hours preparing for next month's AGM. The service was only finalised recently and I should thank all those who turned out at short notice to make this service possible. We couldn't do it without you.

Talking about the current timetable... It is obvious this has a number of shortcomings. Long pauses at crossing loops is one issue. Short turnaround times at the terminals mean visitors either don't have long enough or far too long and train crews get little time to rest. There isn't a lot we can do for this year, but we realise the issues and will make sure next year's timetable is better. 

Parked up at Minehead was the S160. It's fair to say this locomotive has had a disappointing start with continual air pump issues. As can be seen in this photo, the air pump has been removed and and sent away for repair. Let's hope it is fixed soon!

Board Update April 2018

Here is the board newsletter for April 2018. Please click on the image below to see the full newsletter.

SDRT AGM and a prize

I was a special guest at the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust AGM on Saturday. Held in Edington village hall, the meeting was pretty much not far from the railway itself. I was born in Templecombe, probably to the sound of steam engines clanking in the lower yard, but my earliest memory is being sat in my father's car at Evercreech Junction crossing gates as a steam train rumbled past. Railways have been in my blood ever since....

The SDRT are based at Washford and have made great progress over many years. Track has been laid, engine shed built, signalbox and museum established and there is more to come. A lottery bid could see more developments. The main reason for me being at the meeting was to sign a new 50 year lease which gives the trust security of tenure for its funding bid.

An annual model railway competition was held and I took along my model of SDJR 4-4-0 No 55 which I scratchbuilt in 7mm scale several years ago. The model was entered in the competition and I won the coveted Mike Palmer trophy. 

A great afternoon, good company and fantastic tea and cake. 

Signing the new lease

My model of SDJR locomotive

The Mike Palmer trophy.

Slip Coaches in Action

Something now totally missing from today's world either on the main line or on private railways is the slip coach. And no real prospect of it reappearing again.
The vision that a portion of the train could just be uncoupled and then run of its own accord into the station is today unparalleled. Here is a great period video explaining the whole operation at Bicester. My favourite moment? It's the cheery wave from the train guard out of the window as the slip coach is detached and slows.
So how did the passengers know to get into the right portion? And if they wandered off or went to the buffet, how were they all gathered up before the guard pulled the lever. And to someone like me who enjoys fiddling, how did you prevent small boys playing with the lever?
How is this relevant to the WSR? Slip portions were dropped at Taunton and hauled to Minehead. There is a picture somewhere. I'll try and find it!

PLC Board Update March 2018

The board met this month in the midst of the successful spring steam gala.
We have just issued this update. Please click here for the full document:  Board Update March 2018

On the Auto

One of my favourite trains! Any chance to travel on the GWR Auto train is welcomed. The coach and tank has been lent by the Severn Valley who were looking after it and cosseting it jealously! A sunny Sunday saw us on the train to Norton and back. Here are a few quick picture.

Mystery Shopper at the Spring Gala

Well maybe not such a mystery as I had my name badge on! Saturday started a bit damp but we arrived at BL safely. Good signs into the car park, yet using my chaimans privelidge we sneaked into the staff car park. Military train parked up looked very impressive. Friendly troops welcomed us and posed for pictures.

We were invited onto the footplate of the S160 and given a good explanation of the workings. Trains seemed to be running late but there were no explanations, maybe something to be sharpened up. 

Eventually the train to Norton arrived and we joined the QB section.

The journey to Norton and back felt quite dragged out. A lot of waiting around and a hour and twenty minutes later saw us back where we started at BL. A very efficient service on the QB saw us devour steak and ale pies followed by cheesecake. Slight confusion over the menu saw us being offered salmon, but this was later cancelled!

Our train was delayed at CH with an overheating lubricator but this appeared to be rapidly fixed and we were kept well informed throughout.

The QB was reasonably well filled but I couldn't help thinking that more tables could have been occupied if there had been some better advertising on the platforms.

Currently sat at Williton station. Double headed panniers just arrived on the up service. Things seem to be running about 20 minutes late, but its a gala. Everybody is enjoying themselves and they don't seem to mind.

Overall impression is good. Staff very friendly and helpful. A good train service and a variety of motive power. Great food on QB which was the highlight. A real buzz about the railway and a great atmosphere all round. Well done to everybody.

The Spring Steam Gala Kicks Off

Today is the start of the spring gala. It always seems to me that this is the real start of the new season, the running days before this being tasters and practices for the real thing.

I hadn't intended to be on the trains today, but an unexpected change of plans meant that I was able to 'pop into' Bishops Lydeard for a while. First thing to be seen was the US Army Transportation Loco sat in the QB siding. And a fine sight it was too.

It was well loaded with military vehicles - jeeps, guns and even a landing craft - not quite sure where that was going to. Well done to the team who turned out the train. It looked splendid and is a credit to all who have worked so hard on it. I understand more work is planned ready for running it again during the 1940s weekend.

At that point, the QB arrived at the station  - and well it would have been rude not to board and sample the offerings. As always, a great presentation and a very tasty steak and ale pie made the journey down to Williton most enjoyable. even a chickatarian is allowed a day off!

A nifty turnaround at Williton saw me behind the double headed panniers back to BL. A jourrney spent in the brake van riding shotgun with Chris Austin who was transferring valuable historic artefacts from BA museum up to BL.
Later in the day I understand that the S160 decided to shed some parts along the line which meant a rescue by 7714, so a late end to the day for some. As always, in these circumstances the dedication and commitment by the railway staff is second to none. Well done to all.
And especially well done to the new rookie waiter in the QB - say hello to the young lad if you're on the train tomorrow!

Looking Forward to the past - 1940s weekend

The launch of the military train this weekend has got me thinking about the 1940s weekend on 15 and 16 September.
This is lining up to be a great event. The organiser, Robin Wichard, is making great progress and many exciting events are anticipated. The Spitfire, of course, 1940s dancing on Minehead Station, RAF displays, the Military train loaded with WW2 Vehicles and troops to run from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, Military and civilian vehicles and displays at Minehead, Watchet and Washford. Land Army, civilian life and home front displays at both Watchet Station and Watchet Town. Uniformed British & American troops who were both stationed in the area during the war.
There are some rumours that Winston Churchill and the King and Queen may put in an appearance.
I understand that there could be allotments at stations and lets hope we see lots of parcel tape on windows and plenty of sandbags. ID papers for the public and military guard posts at stations???

To get fully into the spirit of things, I have decided to turn myself out as an army colonel for the weekend. A rank, I think, that befits the chairman! Robin has suggested that if I am properly turned out I can accompany the royal party. So I have been researching uniform hire and come across this which looks very promising.

http://www.costumehiredirect.co.uk/mens/1940s/british-army/1940s-british-army-colonel.html

So now I am looking at the all the supporting stuff. Do I need a lieutenant to accompany me? Where do I get a general service watch and should I find some 1940s maps to stuff in my pocket....and what about carrying the right money, notes and coins! I spent last evening browsing the 'soldier of fortune' website and am amazed at what you can buy. I am totally new to all this re-enacting stuff so any advice would be great to receive.

A Day Out with Tim West and Prunella Scales

Today the railway had the honour of entertaining Tim West and Prunella Scales in the Hawksworth Saloon. Both are well known in the acting trade. If you are in a slightly older age group then just think Sybil Fawlty, but if youth is on your side, then Eastenders or now Great Canal Journeys may be the prompt you need.
A bitterly cold day, we were pleased that the saloon had been preheated and equally grateful to Jenni for the hot tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes. James Mills as the most polite guard made sure everything ran efficiently.
The trains were delayed due to technical faults - I am not sure exactly what but at one stage the fitters at Minehead were working hard under Foxcote Manor fixing a broken pipe.
An excellent journey to Minehead was made even better by a visit to Williton signalbox. Arrival at Minehead saw a guided tour of the engine shed followed by a Turntable Buffet lunch.
Jenni's tea and cakes brought us back to Lydeard which was rounded off by a visit to the Gauge Museum.
Both Pru and Tim were gushing in their praise for our railway and clearly enjoyed the day. The railway looked fantastic - as usual  - and all the staff helpful and friendly. Just as we all know anyway but its always good to see it in practice. Many thanks to everybody on the railway who made this such a great day.
We are now looking forward with excitement to the Spring Steam Gala.Today the S106 steamed to Minehead and the military goods train is assembled ready to go....
Here are some pictures of the day.

The saloon at Williton waiting for the up train

A visit to Williton Signalbox

Inside the saloon at Williton

Pru inspects the newly rewheeled Edward I at Minehead

Jenni's excellent tea and cakes....

Chairman and Chairman's wife entertaining in the Gauge Museum

At BL....

Waiting to leave MD

Tim travelled on the footplate to Washford - just getting ready to board!

Old Minehead - the Regal Cinema

This is a fascinating film, it shows the opening of the Regal Cinema in Minehead. in 1934.
The film is wonderful for the view of The Avenue and the cars and the period dress of the people in the film - most of which I guess were visitors who had arrived by train.
There is much to love in the commentary. "No expense has been spared to ensure the finest films are shown in the theatre". "This cinema is equal in every way to the best theatres in the west end of London". "the walls are lined with polished hardwood and the construction is fireproof throughout"...surely this is a contradiction! We may think Minehead is busy with traffic now, but it looks like it was the same in 1935.
Happily the Regal is still with us, even if it now only occupies a portion of the original building. Enjoy!

WSR Board Update February 2018

We had a productive meeting last Friday. The update from the board is available here.

Taunton Station, then and now.....

Last week I found myself with half an hour to spare waiting at Taunton Station. Tough, some might say, but luckily the sun was shining. Every time I visit a mainline station, I always seem to find myself looking for evidence of its past lives and ownership. Quite obviously, years ago this was much easier as there was still a lot of heritage to be seen. Today it is getting far more difficult as time marches on and older artefacts are swept away. As I wandered around the car park, I noticed a fire hydrant cover marked GWR and soon a water stopcock cover also labelled. Considering these are in the tarmac car park which must have been resurfaced many times, then these are remarkable survivors from at last 80 or so years ago. Sorry, this really is a geeky post, but it interests me.

I then looked up and realised that the most obvious survivor is the station building itself (on the down side). The sun was in the wrong posiiton for a replica photograph, but here are a 'then and now' pair for comparison, 130 years apart...

Spot the differences! Any brownie points to anyone else who spots GWR survivors.....