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West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

HCP Progress Report for Feb 2024

Heritage Carriages Project - Progress Report Feb 2024

On the 6th February the carriages team started its move to Washford.Our tme during February has been entrely focused on the move to Washford and the creaton of our workshop facilites there. During these past four weeks we have achieved the following:

  • An electrical inspection has been carried out – no problems found and an EICR has been issued.
  • Over two days we transported roughly 90% of the contents of the Titern and the old woodshop from Williton to Washford.
  • The third-lane flour has been degreased and cleaned. This part of the shed now acts as a holding area for much of the equipment and materials arriving from Williton, while we organise the rest of the workshop spaces and main shed.
  • The ground flour workshop walls have been waterproofed with a tanking slurry and are now ready for painting. The internal wall of the ground floor workshop has been painting, as have all the walls of the mezzanine workshop. 
  • We have fixed the leaking gutter on the end wall of the shed; we hope this will help with the damp on the end wall which is currently being waterproofed. 
  • The air compressor pipework has been reconnected to the air distribition system and the air reciever and the power cable routed to the distribution box; this now awaits connection by the electrician.
  • The dust-extracton unit has been positoned outside the shed adjacent to the rear door.
  • Some 18 metres of storage shelving have been made, divided between two units. One has
    been placed in the mezzanine workshop and the other in the main shed.
  • We have moved the long bench from the ground-floor workshop to the mezzanine and this is
    being remodeled to form the basis of a purpose-built miter saw bench.
  • We will place a second bench in the mezzanine workshop which will support the bench-top
    pedestal drill which we have moved from the ground floor.
  • The worktable from Tintern has been placed in the mezzanine workshop.
  • The pipe work for the vacuum pump has been made and is ready to be fi1ed to the pump.

6705 was moved into the shed on February 13th. Works on the carriage will recommence once we
have completed our move to Washford and the organizaton of our workshops.

SMS Documentaton: Roughly 30 documents have been wri1en describing many of the processes
and procedures used on-site.

Plans for February 2024

  1. Washford
    • Complete painng of workshop walls.
    • Electrician scheduled March 26th to make required changes to installaton to
      accommodate new machine tools and connect dust extractor, air compressor and
      vacuum pump.
    • Install ducting for dust extractor.
      d. Build racking for timber storage.
    • Build four staging sectons to enable safe working on 6705.

2.  Safety Documentary

Work will contnue on our documentation set, focusing now to include machine-specific risk assessments
prioritzed in the order the machines are likely to be implemented in the Washford workshops.

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WSRHT Tribute to David Baker

WSRHT Tribute to David Baker

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT) is saddened to learn of the passing of David Baker who held lots of roles across the West Somerset Railway. 

A statement from the Trust’s President, Chris Austin.

David Baker's interest in railways was kindled by his grandfather and uncle, both of whom worked for the Southern Railway. He was an enthusiastic and devoted supporter of the West Somerset Railway for over 25 years. David was Catering Manager for the railway's buffet cars and later was Commercial Director and in 2013, became Vice Chairman of the PLC and in 2015 was acting Chairman. In 2016 he became a trustee and Company Secretary for the Steam Trust (now the WSR Heritage Trust), while continuing to support the PLC as Share Registrar. After the retirement of Pete Treharne, David took on the role as curator of the Blue Anchor Railway Museum. Working with him in these roles was his wife Jill, who survives him and also worked for the Chief Mechanical Engineer, Andy Forster, fulfilling the key role of maintaining locomotive records and also minuted meetings of the Trust's board. David retired as a trustee in 2020.

Rail200 Celebrations: Young Engineers Day with Chris Vine – April 2025

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. 

© Railway200
© Railway200

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

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 2025