West Somerset launches £1m SOS appeal – and two galas announced

THE West Somerset Railway has launched an SOS appeal to its shareholders, stakeholders and supporters for £1 million to see it through to May 2022.

It follows the WSR's two appeals against the rejection of its £432,200 second round bid to the Government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport's Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. It received £864,900 in the first round last October.

The railway is preparing for an expected 2021 trading revenue shortfall for the truncated operating season, due to fewer trains running and a reduced capacity resulting from Covid-19 restrictions, combined with delays on the completion of the new £1 million Seaward Way level crossing which has prevented trains reaching Minehead.

Officials hope to raise much of the appeal money through monthly donations by members of the public, from as little as £5. The WSR plc board is also actively looking at launching another share issue appeal to help raise funds from its 8000-plus existing shareholders or new subscribers for specific projects needed on the line.

The plc is also seeking backing from its supporting charities, the West Somerset Railway Association and the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, via targeted expenditure.

WSR plc chairman Jonathan JonesPratt said: “Naturally, we are bitterly disappointed not to have gained this valuable and much-needed second round of grant support from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Emergency fund

“Given this bad news, we simply had to launch another SOS emergency survival fund appeal for up to £1 million.

“We are still receiving donations every week because people believe so strongly in our railway. Long may that continue to be the case, and let's try to raise the £1 million as soon as possible – maybe more!”

The delay in Somerset County Council completing its replacement of the Seaward Way crossing has led to WSR services terminating at Dunster, with weekend passengers ferried on to Minehead by bus.

Minehead's MP Ian Liddell-Grainger demanded a full explanation of a “farcical” situation which has left the town without trains this summer.

The railway, which had hoped to begin using the new crossing in September, issued a joint statement with the council which said: “This is a complex project involving a number of agencies and equipment suppliers and it has unfortunately been hit hard by the Covid crisis. There have been supply chain issues for some key parts, and most of the specialist rail contractors needed are currently required by Network Rail for vital works across the main UK network.

“Initial planning started in 2018 and the design was completed in 2020. It was finally approved by the Office of Rail and Road in February. Despite the difficulties, it's anticipated the crossing will be operational in time for the festive season.”

Jon also expressed surprise at an article in the summer edition of WSRA Journal which raised the possibility of selling off the ‘Quantock Belle' dining train because its ability to turn a profit has been questioned, and that money raised from such a sale could be used elsewhere on the line.

Gala plans

Jon said: “The company is in the process of finalising a short-term agreement with the WSRA for the use of the set during the 2021 season, primarily to offer the full dining experience to customers who booked in 2020 and who we expect to carry on the railway from the end of August onwards.

“Once these trips have been completed, the plc, working in conjunction with the association, will undertake a review of the role of the ‘Quantock Belle' on the WSR. There have been no decisions reached and it would be premature to reach any conclusions until the review (which will cover commercial, operational and mechanical considerations) has been completed, well in advance of the start of the 2022 season.”

Meanwhile, the WSR has announced a mixed traffic gala for September 17/18, with diesel-only haulage on the Friday (Class 35 ‘Hymek' D7018 and Class 33s D6566 and D6575), a mix of steam (GWR 2-6-2T No. 5199, WSR 2-6-0 No. 9351 and 4-6-0s Nos. 7822 Foxcote Manor and No. 7828 Odney Manor), and diesel on the Saturday, and then a steam-only service on the Sunday.

Trains are expected to run between Bishops Lydeard and Blue Anchor and Dunster, with a heritage bus link to Minehead and possibly a few workings from Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren.

The same steam locomotives will be rostered for the October 1-3 autumn steam gala, with the possibility of a guest engine.

DEPG The Williton-based Diesel & Electric Preservation Group expressed disappointment that the upgrade to the Seaward Way crossing in Minehead has been delayed, resulting in loss of services that were to have been dieselhauled. Class 47 No. 47077 (D1661/47613/47840) North Star has now gone on hire to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a minimum of two years after receiving treatment for bodywork corrosion since its withdrawal from traffic in late 2018. It has been reliveried in BR blue with its first TOPS number, which it carried when allocated to Cardiff Canton in the late 1970s. The WSR has also agreed that the group's Class 33s will operate in multiple on August 21 to mark the 60th anniversary year. Class 35 ‘Hymek' D7018 will also haul one of the Bishops Lydeard to Dunster and return services on July 17 and 31, August 14 and September 25.

WSRHT The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust has appointed volunteer guard, booking clerk and travelling ticket inspector Mike Thompson, who has a business background with more than 30 years in aviation leadership roles, as its new chairman from the next annual general meeting.

LMMR The Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway has acquired two Class 143 ‘Pacer' DMUs following their withdrawal from main line service. No. 143606 arrived on June 1 and No. 143607 on June 23/24 following their donation by Porterbrook, joining Class 142 No. 142006, which arrived on February 15 (issue 178). The South Wales Railcar Group will restore, operate and maintain the trio at the railway, which is now in the unique position of being home to both types of ‘Pacer' operated in South Wales. No. 142006 gave public rides during the venue's first post-pandemic open day on June 26, and a ‘Pacer' gala is being planned for Saturday, August 28. Visit www.llanellirailway.co.uk for details.