West Somerset Railway Association

The West Somerset Railway Association is run entirely by volunteers who work with the West Somerset Railway PLC. It is a registered charity established for the purpose of preserving and restoring locomotives, rolling stock and other items of historical interest particularly connected with the South West. The W.S.RA. played a very major role in the refurbishment of the line prior to re-opening and it continues actively to assist the Company with the operation of the railway. Almost all of the staff seen working on and around the railway are volunteers and all stations are staffed and run by volunteers.

The Association owns two Great Western locomotives, 45xx 2-6-2T No. 4561, returned to service in 1989 after extensive overhaul, and 64xx 0-6-OPT No. 6412, a stalwart performer on the line since re-opening. The W.S.R.A. is rightly proud of its luxury prestige dining train, which operates regularly on the line. Many projects have been actioned and funded on the railway since its inauguration in 1971. The Association's registered office is at Bishops Lydeard, although evidence of its activities can be seen throughout the W.S.R.

Membership of the W.S.R.A. brings a number of excellent benefits:-

• The quarterly W.S.R.A. Journal, -a high quality magazine full of news and features about the railway and information of events etc.

• The opportunity to support area groups, which exist to promote the railway and organise social events for members.

• The chance to do voluntary work on and for the railway.

• Above all, the satisfaction of helping to keep steam alive on Britain's longest preserved railway and helping a picturesque West Country branch line to flourish.

• The WSR pic offers travel concessions to Association members, wholly at the discretion of the Company.

If you would like to become a member of the Association , please write to the W.S.RA. Membership Secretary, The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3BX for a membership application form

See also:

West Somerset Railway

www.West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk

Contributed by: Tom Goodman