GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) invite you to a special charter on Sunday 19 June 2016 for the launch of the new WSR Away Day
The Charter will run from Taunton through to Minehead via Bishops Lydeard & Return

Taunton to Minehead
•Departing
•Taunton 1115
•Bishops Lydeard 1135*
•Arriving
•Minehead 1255

Minehead to Taunton
•Departing
•Minehead 1525
•Arriving
•Bishops Lydeard 1630
•Taunton 1705

An on-board trolley will be serving a range of refreshments with all proceeds going to charity.

On arrival at Minehead a launch party will take place with special guests in attendance.

A limited edition "E-ticket" is available for travel on the charter, priced at £25.99. There is only a limited number of tickets so book early.

*Inclusive connection at Bishops Lydeard for those wishing to travel behind a Great Western steam loco to Minehead.

Here’s something a little different! Enjoy a special midweek tour, taking 60163 ‘Tornado’ all the way from London to the Severn Valley Railway.

‘Tornado’ storms out of London Victoria, taking us via Kensington Olympia, Willesden, Acton, Slough and Reading. We continue past Oxford’s ‘dreaming spires’ to Banbury where we pause for water.
After passing through Leamington Spa, Solihull and Tyseley our journey takes us through the revived Birmingham Snow Hill, then on via Smethwick, Old Hill and Stourbridge Junction to Kidderminster where we take the link that connects the national rail network to the Severn Valley Railway.

With 60163 still at the head, the train calls at Bewdley before travelling the length of this superbly preserved railway, passing through idyllic countryside before reaching Bridgnorth. Here you have a break of around three hours. The pleasant town is just a short walk from the station, linked by an authentic cliff lift – an unusual feature for an inland location.

For the return journey from Bridgnorth to Bewdley we have requested the use of Bulleid ‘West Country’ Pacific 34027. At Bewdley a DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) Class 66 takes over for the return journey which re-traces our outward route to London Victoria.

Your tour ticket will also be valid for travel on scheduled Severn Valley Railway trains, giving a variety of alternative itinerary opportunities.

We're really pleased to report the safe return turn of the missing builder's plate!

The item from DRS^▸ (Direct Rail Services Ltd) Class 68 diesel locomotive was removed while it was stabled at Bewdley overnight (May 21st) following its visit for our Spring Diesel Festival.

Yesterday, the item, was returned anonymously in the post to General Manager, Nick Ralls.

We are very pleased and relieved that the plate has been returned safely so that it can be put back in its rightful place.

Thank you to everyone that shared our posts on this matter and helped spread the word.

Looks as if the line is going to be busy over the Spring Bank Holiday (28th - 30th May) with not only London - South Wales trains diverted but Cross Country ones as well. Combined with the normal (Paddington) - Swindon - Gloucester - Cheltenham services, Real Times Trains show about 100 trains a day total compared to the normal 36 weekday ones.

Any ideas as to when this will hit our TV screens ?.

The article also says:


Which has prompted the comment:


Must try harder RAIL. Article written by the Assistant Editor no less. I wonder if the inaccuracies are in the print version too. 

Confirmed visiting locomotives so far are:
^Class 03 - D2120 - 0-6-0 Diesel Mechanical
^Class 33 - 33035 - BRCW Type 3/Crompton Bo-Bo (courtesy of the Pioneer Diesel Locomotive Group)
^Class 46 - D182 (46045) - Derby Type 4 1Co-Co1(courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company Limited)
^Class 52 D1015 - ^Western Champion^ (courtesy of Diesel Traction Group)
The event will also feature Didcot Railway Centre's:
^Class 08 - 08604
^Class 14 - D9516
^Hunslet - DL26
^GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Diesel Railcar No.22

Other possible visitors include classes 37, 66 and a pair of HST^▸ (High Speed Train) power cars.

Other attractions include:
^Signalling in Operation on the Branch Line
^A flypast by a Dakota on Sunday at about 3pm, weather permitting
^The ^Black Python^ bar will be hosting the Real Ale Festival
^Oxford Ukuleles Big Band on Sunday only

43002 will be in traffic tomorrow. I doubt there are any plans to repaint it any time soon.