WSR trains return to Dunster

THE West Somerset Railway (WSR) extended its services to Dunster from Watchet on

July 16. Passengers can board vintage buses, two of which are open top, to complete their journey to Minehead.

These buses will continue to run for most of the summer, but work on completing Minehead’s Seaward Way level crossing is proceeding well. A number of contractors, and the WSR’s own technical team, have been working for several months, and the main technical contractor, Amey Rail, is due to start work on the ground shortly.

The new CCTV system is also due to be installed shortly. It is unlikely the crossing will reopen for passenger trains before the end of September.

Trains are running weekends and Tuesdays-Thursdays in August. From July 19, the WSR opened all staffed stations between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. This means that passengers will be able to walk up, buy a ticket and travel again – but pre-booking of compartments or tables remains available for those starting their trips at Bishops Lydeard, Watchet and Minehead online at www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk or by calling 01643 704996.

The smaller stations at Doniford and Washford remain closed for the time being.

A mixed traction weekend is to be held on September 17/18, while a steam gala is booked to run on October 1-3.

JOHN SAGAR THE GREEN DRAGON LIVES AGAIN: Keighley & Worth Valley Railway-based Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 0-6-0 No. 957 was steam tested on July 21, running up and down Haworth yard. It is hoped running in can begin in earnest shortly. It has been turned out in the fictional Great Northern & Southern Railway green livery it carried when it appeared in the 1970 film The Railway Children as ‘Green Dragon’.