West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

An opportunity to ‘bring home’ a significant West Somerset Railway artefact

Minehead Signal Box closed in 1966. Since then the original cast iron signal box name plate has
been in private hands. The owner has now offered the West Somerset Railway the chance to
acquire this relic, which is in original condition, just as it was removed from the signal box. If the
funds can be raised, the plate will pass into the ownership of the West Somerset Steam Railway
Trust, who will ensure that it is kept available for posterity.

£1,400 needs to be raised as a matter of urgency to secure this item. If all donations were to
benefit from Gift Aid, donations of £1,100 would be sufficient. £640 has already been pledged. If
you can help, please don’t send any money now, but e-mail Robin White, who is co-ordinating this
effort at robin215white@btinternet.com with your pledge and an indication of your eligibility for
Gift Aid.

The original Minehead Signal Box (inset shows the original name plate)

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Recent News Posts

WSRHT Board Meetings – July, September and November 2024

Board Meeting Minutes Published
July, September and November Meetings

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to publish the minutes of three recent Board Meetings. July Board Meeting held on Thursday, 25th July 2024. September Board Meeting held on Thursday, 26th September 2024. November Board Meeting held on Thursday, 28th November 2024.

Please click the Board Meeting links below to access the document as a pop-up tab. Alternatively, to view all Trust Board Meetings since 2016 – view the collection

July Board Meeting 25th July 2024
September Board Meeting 26th September 2024
November Board Meeting 28th November 2024

Trust News on Toplight Carriage No. 3639

WSRHT News on Toplight Carriage No. 3639

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to confirm the move of Toplight carriage no. 3639 from Williton to Washford was completed by a WSR PLC team using two shunters on Monday 7th October. 

The special train also carried a wreath in memory of Ronnie Wainhouse who passed away recently.  Ronnie was a well loved member of the carriage restoration team working for the past 10 years on both 6705 and 3639 – he will be sorely missed.

Due to the poor condition of the carriage, the move was completed using a specially devised safety procedure (as used for moving the earlier carriages from Dunster) at a maximum speed of 5mph with careful monitoring along the way before arriving safely at Washford.

The restoration of 3639 has been ongoing for many years at Williton without using any covered accommodation. The move to Washford brings a much improved environment for the Trust’s carriage restoration team with the carriage now residing under cover in the shed at Washford next to Collett carriage no. 6705 where restoration work will be carried out on both carriages.

© WSRHT 2024

Ongoing Website Maintenance

Maintenance to the WSRHT Website

The official website of the WSRHT is undergoing a short maintenance overhaul, but will remain live throughout this time. However, visitors to the website may notice some modest changes from time to time, which reflect valuable feedback from our members, volunteers, and members of the public. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for supporting our Heritage Trust and Railway. Our social media accounts remain open, live and will continue to update our community. 

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