Press Release – Agreement on Washford between WSRHT & S&DRT

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT) and Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust (S&DRT) are delighted to confirm that they have finalised the agreement to purchase the S&DRT shed and track at Washford. In addition, the WSRHT has signed an agreement for a 10-year lease of the site from WSR PLC, both agreements being effective from 1^st February 2024.

"I am really pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement with the S&DRT for the Washford assets. The agreement will benefit both the WSRHT with improved facilities and the S&DRT by providing funds to invest in their future activities. The deal was very complex to finalise owing to the need for simultaneous agreement between three parties, which of course required three sets of legal teams. I must especially thank Roger Hardingham, S&DRT Chairman, Joy Boswell, Finance Director of WSR PLC and Steve Williams, Vice Chairman of WSRHT, who between them had the tenacity to navigate an extremely complex set of articles in the final agreements"

Heritage Trust Chairman, Mike Thompson

‘’he was delighted to have completed the final arrangements at Washford which will allow the S&D Trust to embark on new ventures elsewhere along the original S&D route, and other locations, to keep the fascinating history of the Somerset & Dorset Railway alive.’’

Roger Hardingham, Chairman of the S&DRT said...

The agreement will help secure proper covered facilities for the WSRHT Carriage Restoration team who until now have had to work largely in the open at Williton, where the Trust will now cease restoration activities.

The WSRHT plans to move most of its fleet of heritage carriages to Washford over the next 12 months, from their existing locations at Williton and Dunster. All future carriage restoration activities will then take place in the 3-track shed at Washford.

As part of the lease agreement, the WSRHT has agreed to adopt and operate all activities using the WSR PLC Safety Management System. It will also invest further in the Washford site, and will work with the PLC to support the sustainability of the heritage and historic nature of Washford station.

For further information about the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT) please contact Steve Williams, Company Secretary at steve@williamsemail.uk or 07748-637209

For further information about the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust (S&DRT) please email at info@sdrt.org

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Rail200 Celebrations: Young Engineers Day with Chris Vine - 9th - 10th April 2025

In celebration of Railway 200 the West Somerset Railway are offering two dates where you can come for one day dedicated to learning about everything steam in our Young Engineers Days with Chris Vine.

Chris Vine is the author of the Peter’s Railway books, and he will join staff and volunteers from the West Somerset Railway and West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, to provide a day dedicated to engineering on heritage railways. The day will take a deep dive into the mechanics and some operational factors of the West Somerset Railway and is aimed at Children aged 5-15 with an interest in the railway industry.

Prices for this event could vary from day to day, click on the link below which wil direct you to the West Somerset Railway website to see prices for your chosen date.

The day will begin at 10.30 at the Gauge Museum which is located at Bishops Lydeard station and will include:

Introductory talk from Chris Vine.
Signalbox tour
Model railway tour
Museum tour
A train ride from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead where Chris vine will join you for some activities.
Turntable demonstration.
Some free time at Minehead.
Minehead shed tour (rarely open to the public).
Return travel from Minehead back to Bishops Lydeard.
You will arrive back in Bishops Lydeard at 18.00 where the event will finish.

Also included in your ticket price is a free hardback copy of one of Chris Vine’s Peter’s Railway books.

Tickets are sold for one adult and one child, and the adult must attend for safety reasons. If you have more than one child that wishes to attend, please call us on 01643 704996 to discuss options. Unfortunately due to the areas that attendees will be required to visit we are unable to accept any children under the age of 5.

Please bring a packed lunch with you as catering is not included. We do have a cafe at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead station we also have a buffet car on board the train where refreshments can be purchased throughout your visit with us.

Volunteering Opportunities with Heritage Trust 2025

February 20, 2025

WSRHT Learning Assistant Advertisement

The Heritage Trust is a registered charity and the principal provider of education, learning and community outreach activities and resources on the West Somerset Railway.

We have just agreed our programme for the 2025 season which includes engagement with the national Rail 200 celebrations. There will be a number of exciting and innovative events providing opportunities for primary schools, community groups and families with young children to learn more about the history, heritage and social context of the West Somerset Railway.

We are looking for new volunteers to join our Education and Learning Team as Learning Assistants to help us deliver the programme. Led by Helen Anson, our Education and Learning Officer, the team is looking for people who:

Are comfortable and interested in working with children and groups;
Have good communication and interpersonal skills;
Can adapt facilitation and engagement styles according to the needs of different sessions and topics;
Are team oriented.

Our Learning Assistants need to hold or obtain a DBS certificate [funded by the Trust] on taking up their role.

If you think you might have an interest in this area of the Heritage Trust’s work then please contact:

Helen Anson Education and Learning Officer for an initial informal discussion. Helen can be reached by writing to helen.anson@wsrht.co.uk.
For a volunteer application form and role profile, please contact John Robinson Safeguarding and People Lead on jwrobinson01@talktalk.net or 01823257448.

Completed applications may be forwarded by email to jwrobinson01@talktalk.net or by post marked FAO John Robinson to West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, The Railway Station, Station Road, Bishops Lydeard, TA4 3BX, to be received by not later than 31st March 2025.

WSRHT Board Meetings – July, September and November 2024

February 1, 2025

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.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

Press Release – Agreement on Washford between WSRHT & S&DRT