General News

Seaward Way Crossing

Seaward Way Crossing is now authorised for all traffic (including passenger trains). Various assessments have taken place and the ORR have agreed it is compliant with the previously approved design, subject to one or two very minor adjustments. These will be completed shortly, and next season there will be a full service of trains again to and from Minehead.The crossing is now complete with double barriers, and is operated by the signalman with the aid of a CCTV system. Previously the crossing was an automatic half barrier design, operated automatically. Whilst suitable for minor roads, traffic on Seaward Way had increased over the last twenty years. A full celebratory re-opening of Minehead station is planned for the spring.

Plans for New Joint Planning Group

Plans are being developed for new regular quarterly high-level meetings to help develop and co-ordinate the contributions of the main partners in the West Somerset Railway. All the directors of the West Somerset Railway plc, trustees of the West Somerset Railway Association and trustees of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust are to meet together to develop and review strategic planning for the railway on a regular basis. Full details of how these meetings will operate and deliver are being worked out, and it is intended that the first meeting will take place in December. From now on there will also be an annual review meeting to ensure that the group is making the maximum impact. As their titles indicate, each of the constituent organisations has a different focus: the job of the plc is to run the railway so that it is safe and profitable; the Association is the main membership organisation and has a key role generating charitable funding with specific objectives; and the Heritage Trust has the important role of making sure the heritage features of the railway are conserved and made available in the best possible way. In the past, effective co-ordination between these organisations has sometimes been difficult, and so this new initiative is seen as way to make sure that all three organisations, which each have an important role to play, work collaboratively and in step. In this way it is seen that the railway will most likely prosper and move forward. Each organisation will continue to have its own key role, but by working positively and

Seaward Way Crossing as seen by the Minehead signalman via the new CCTV system. Photo: John Jenkins.

constructively together in this way it is seen that there is the maximum potential benefit. Jon Jones Pratt, chairman of the WSR plc, said: “We see this as a major step to ensuring all three organisations work constructively together. We look forward to collaboration in the future using this new framework.” Mike Sherwood, chairman of the WSRA, said: “I hope that this acorn will grow into an oak tree. I am sure with time and sufficient nurture that it can.” And Mike Thompson, chairman of the Heritage Trust, said: “We welcome any initiative to improve communications across the railway, and look forward to participating in discussions to help bring the railway family closer together”.

Mike Hodge

We are sorry to report the passing of Mike Hodge, former joint Station Master at Crowcombe Heathfield. One of the very nicest people anyone could hope to meet. He passed away peacefully on Saturday 13th November at the age of 90. Michael was joint Station Master at Crowcombe Heathfield for 35 years before retiring in January 2010 and regularly visited the railway since. All of Mike's friends on the railway (and there will be a huge number) will, we are sure, offer sympathies and best wishes to Mike's family.

WSRA Membership Fees for 2022

The Trustees would like to encourage volunteers on the railway to join the WSRA and take an active part in how their railway is supported. The short window for FREE volunteer membership for new members has therefore been extended until 31st December 2021. To join the WSRA with a photo of yourself actively working on the railway in 2021 visit https://wsra.org.uk/members WSRA Membership fees were last increased in January 2018. The Trustees have re-evaluated the membership fees along with the vital contribution WSRA membership makes to the support we are able to give to the railway. A lot of costs have increased in the last couple of years and whilst the WSRA keeps a tight rein on costs, some increases have been inevitable. Therefore the Trustees have decided that with effect from 1 January 2022 WSRA membership fees will be: Adult: £27.00 Two Adults: £41.00 Family: £50.00 Junior / Student: £11.00 Senior Citizen: £24.00 Two Senior Citizens: £37.00 Volunteer: £16.00 The Trustees hope that members will understand and support these small annual increases, which help the charity to fund heritage projects on the railway.

David Randles

Alan Clifford, a close friend of the late Dr David Randles, who many will fondly remember as a long serving, generous and friendly WSR signalman, writes: David's family were granted permission for him to make his last journey on the railway by the 14.45 service train from Bishops Lydeard on 30 October 2021. A small group of invited guests accompanied the family on the train to Blue Anchor station where a small ceremony took place prior to David making his final journey. On leaving Blue Anchor station as the train steamed along the track at Ker Moor, a favourite place, all guests said goodbye, sending David on his last journey in the customary railway way.

James Thomas

Mike Organ writes: I am sorry to report that James Thomas died on Monday 30 August in Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. He was

stationmaster at Williton after Chris van den Arend. He was well known and liked locally and was friendly with our nearneighbour Edward Martin. James married Sheila at the St. Peter's Church, Williton, and the reception was held at the Raleghs Cross Hotel. He had been having treatment for cancer for the last few years. James had a strong intellect and I am sure many of the more longserving members of Williton staff will mourn his passing.

Quantock Belle

Here we go at long last, riding the rails, although sadly at present we can only travel from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster by train. Then our passengers transfer to a heritage buses for a tour of Minehead seafront, which they all seem to enjoy. We had four Sunday lunch trains during September and October, doing what we do best – feeding our customers with first-class fare. These customers had booked before the pandemic struck. The carriages have all been smartly painted in maroon and a few mechanical jobs carried out. We hope to have the original names restored in the near future, Aries, Meteor, Orion and Jupiter, which we are looking forward to. We have a returning chef, Carol Lockton, preparing a fine and varied selection of food assisted by Margaret Depoix running the front-of-house with her wonderful stewards. Our bar manager, Roger, and his wine waiters are yet again serving a fine selection of wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks. Our crew are really excited to be back doing what we enjoy and we pride ourselves in the whole experience being afforded to our diners. Let us hope that 2022 will be a full season of QB running. The QB crew

Steam and Vintage Vehicle Rally 2022

After two years’ break because of the restrictions and uncertainties caused by the Covid pandemic, we are delighted to confirm that the 2022 rally will take place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August 2022, on the rally fields at Norton Fitzwarren. Our annual rally is loved by more than 6,500 visitors who join us each year. It is great to see the generations of families enjoying all the heritage transport exhibitions, the live steam and having a great day out. This makes it an important showcase for our railway, as well as raising valuable funds for our charity. It brings together all the railway family organisations who showcase their work, and help make it such a successful event. The rally team have now

The Quantock Belle crew willing and ready to run the service again in 2022. Photo: Don Wood

started their planning and will soon be contacting the exhibitors and traders. We are very grateful to our many volunteers from all over the railway who help us set up, run and pack away the event. This is a huge task – but it's not just hard work. We all enjoy our time at Norton and we keep coming back, and that's not just for the free tea, coffee and lunches! So put the Rally in your 2022 diary. We would be delighted to see you as a visitor on the two days but even more delighted to welcome you to our band of volunteers. There are lots of opportunities to help, from setting up the event the week before or packing it away on Monday 8, to weekend help at the entrance gates, selling programmes, marshalling rides, helping with catering: lots of jobs to suit all skills and be part of the team for this great event. You will find more information and updates on our website www.steamrally.org.uk. If you would like to find out more about volunteering or offer to help, please ring 01823 433856 or e-mail us on info@steamrally.org.uk Geoff Garfield

Collection Care and Housekeeping

Team. The WSRHT has started to consider the role and makeup of various teams and identifying the individuals that will be required to move forward with collections care and housekeeping. The Trust will be convening a meeting shortly to discuss the various options it has and to set plans to start developing an action plan to look to assigning roles. Would you like to be part of a Collections Care and Housekeeping Team? If you would please contact us info@wsrht.co.uk

John Cronin has sent this picture of two recently departed friends. This is Len Renwick and Pat Langan in the cab of one of the DEPG class 33 locomotives in around 2004. The locomotive is standing at Blue Anchor station on the down line on its way to Minehead. Photo John Cronin.