Skip to content

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

Donate
Support US
Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 Facebook-f Envelope Map-marker-alt

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.

Click here to book and see prices

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.

Share the Post:

Recent News Posts

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 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. 

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

October 9, 2024

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

OUR LOCATION

Registered Charity No: 265564.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust,

The Railway Station, Station Road,

Bishops Lydeard, Somerset TA4 3BX

info@wsrht.co.uk

QUICK LINKS

© All rights reserved. Website by Distinctive UK and Matt Sutton (WSR Volunteer)

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust 1972 - 2025

© West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust 1972 - 2025

 Designed by Matt Sutton (WSR Volunteer) & Distinctive UK

Home | About | Follow Us | Privacy | Membership | Learning | Contact Us