West Somerset gala’s success shows way to better times ahead
DESPITE mixed weather and the Minehead terminus still being off limits, the West Somerset Railway's Western Region-style October 1-3 Autumn Steam Gala – its first in two years – proved popular with the travelling public.
All of the four home-based steam fleet – WSR mogul No. 9351, GWR 2-6-2T No. 5199, and 4-6-0s Nos. 7822 Foxcote Manor and 7828 Odney Manor – were in action, along with Class 35 `Hymek' D7018.
With 1071 passengers travelling, revenue exceeded £20,000, despite trains being restricted to the Bishops Lydeard to Dunster section, as the all-new Seaward Way level crossing giving trains access to Minehead was not yet complete.
A railway spokesman said: “While numbers were down on previous events, the gala was a big morale booster for WSR staff and a publicity success in proving that the WSR is alive and well, and going in the right direction again.”
Elsewhere, the railway's £1 million SOS appeal has now exceeded £57,000. The railway is looking to increase this figure with the help of a new fundraising drive and coordinator post to push donations in different ways, plus identifying specific infrastructure projects that the line's two support charities, the West Somerset Railway Association and the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, can both contribute towards the appeal.
Illuminated trains
More than 2000 tickets have been sold for the Bishops Lydeard to Williton `Santa Express' with a value of more than £40,000, while ticket sales for the new Winterlights illuminated train between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe have done “spectacularly well”. More than 3800 tickets have sold at a value of more than £75,000, well ahead of expectations.
The spokesman added that the WSR plc's 49th annual general meeting, which took place on September 25 at Oake Manor Golf Club near Bishops Lydeard station, “was held in a far more positive and convivial atmosphere than some of the recent more troubled shareholder gatherings, with all of the business conducted quickly and efficiently, with clear majority votes in favour of the resolutions tabled.”
WSR plc chairman Jonathan JonesPratt said: “What a great year it's been for us on the WSR! In January we were still in lockdown and no trains could run, but now, as we come ever closer to the season's end, our trains are full, passengers are very happy and the line looks fantastic.
“Our bank balances are improving and we are very optimistic about the ongoing financial performance of the company.
“The Winter Lights and Santa Express trains are proving popular and are selling well, and our monthly management accounts are proving that the right decisions were made.
“Our target break-even point will be achieved very shortly, and this will mean we can then focus our sales effort on building up the winter reserves in order to prepare the railway for the anticipated full 2022 season.
“This income boost is really important to the overall plan we have prepared. All this good news is solely down to one thing – the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers.
No trains to Minehead
“Without them, this railway would not have survived and this year has demanded more from them than ever before. Our workforce has turned out in all weathers and sometimes at very unsocial hours to keep the railway running, and our passengers happy.”
October 21 was the target date for the handover to the railway of Seaward Way level crossing by contractors, following its upgrade. However, the railway was not expecting to resume running passenger trains into Minehead this year, as final clearances need to be undertaken with both Somerset County Council and the Office of Rail & Road, with training and competency testing having to be arranged for railway staff using the new crossing. It is planned that the line will reopen to services along its entire length from next spring.