West Somerset stops summer Friday trains to save coal
THE West Somerset Railway will not run any trains on Fridays during the peak summer season in a bid to save on coal consumption.
A statement from the railway said: “There is a national shortage of coal for steam engines and while the railway has a good supply, it is important that this is used for busy trains. The cost of other supplies to the railway is also rising fast, and the railway wants to avoid raising ticket prices if it possibly can.”
General manager Kerry Noble added: “The planned changes for this
August will help secure the long-term future of the railway.
“In the last couple of years, everyone (including our 800-plus volunteers) has worked hard to ensure the railway operates on a good commercial basis.
“This year continues to be a difficult trading environment and it is essential that we continue to monitor finances closely. A number of options were explored and we believe that this option has the least impact on our customers and that these changes will ensure that we continue to work on a sound basis.”
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays there will be five trains each way between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, while on Mondays and Sundays there will be four. All of them will be hauled by steam, apart from one train each way on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the 11am from Bishops Lydeard and the 3.25pm return, which will either be diesel-hauled or comprise a DMU.
A special service will run on August 6/7 including trains to and from the Norton Fitzwarren showground for the West Somerset Railway Association’s Steam and Vintage Rally,
Forthcoming special events will include the September 10/11 Forties Weekend and the autumn steam gala from September 29 to October 2. Regular services will continue in September and October, followed by the usual gap in early November before a full season of Winterlights Specials and Santa Express Trains runs from late November and right through the Christmas period. Booking can be made online at www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk