WSRHT Board Meetings – July, September and November 2024

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.

The Trust AGM was held last Saturday and saw the retirement of Geoff Evens who stood down from the Board after over 30 years service on the West Somerset Railway. Geoff was presented with a special cake baked and decorated by Pam and Helen Anson.

Mike Thompson Trust Chairman said “Geoff has been one of our longest serving Trustees. He has been involved with the WSR in a variety of roles across the West Somerset Railway PLC, West Somerset Railway Association and the Heritage Trust during his time on the railway.  He has been a stalwart of our board for several years and his enthusiasm, commitment and wider knowledge of the railway has been invaluable, especially to me personally when I took on the role of Chairman of the board. 

Geoff will be sorely missed and I want to pay tribute and give thanks for everything he has done for the WSR, not just the Heritage Trust”.

A full report of the AGM will be sent to Trust members in due course.