West Somerset Railway Association

19/06/2026

The WSRA has recently been subject to a series of thefts of equipment used to support steam rallies at Norton Fitzwarren. The items stolen have included electric cables, generators and other, related, equipment. The Association Chairman, Edward Martin, said “The fact that people would steal equipment from a charity such as the WSRA is hugely disappointing. Like all charities, and other organisations in the heritage and tourist markets, money is incredibly tight. We will now need to find additional money to replace these items, which are essential for us to deliver events such as the rally, and which are enjoyed by thousands of people. At a time when we are also trying to fund the restoration of our locomotives and fleet of railway carriages for use on the West Somerset Railway, this is a major setback for us”.

If anyone has any information that might help identify the perpetrators of these thefts, please let the local police know – crime refence number 5226164953 – or contact in confidence the WSRA on 01823 433856 email [email protected]

17/06/2026

More Progress on 4561's Chassis

The pictures show.the machining and fitting of 4561’s eccentrics after white metaling.

This work needs funding please could you help to keep up this progress moving forward. Please click the link to donate https://wsra.org.uk/donate-to-wsra-locomotives/

Pictures by Matt Healey

17/06/2026

West Somerset Railway Association has been chosen by a winning Co-op member to receive £5,000 as part of our Member Prizes draw.

Co-op offer loads of Member Prizes, including allowing five Co-op Members to win £500 for themselves and £5,000 for their chosen Local Community Fund cause until the end of the year. So why not join up and select WSRA as your charity cause.

Co-op Members can help raise funds for our project by choosing West Somerset Railway Association as their cause at https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/94155

16/06/2026

April 50/50 Draw Results

1st Price of £169.20 - ticket no 1622

2nd Prize of £84.60 - ticket no 2293

3 Equal Prizes of £42.30 each to tickets nos 118, 3176, 2342, 2126

We are nearing 850 entries per month and would like to hit 1000. Now is an ideal time to take part - as the number of entries increase so do the winning amounts!

To join https://wsra.org.uk/fiftyfifty-club/

12/06/2026

80064 Boiler Update

Work continues in Lancashire at Rileys. This week the following work is as is follows (sorry no pictures):

Completion of removing the crown stays
The copper stays have been removed from the side sheets
The Monel stays have been removed from the side sheets
The rivets and patch screws have been removed from the side sheets
The side sheets have been removed.
The dome studs have been removed.

A busy week with progress continuing.

01/06/2026

80064 Chassis Update

More stripping on the frames this week. All of the sanding pipe work has been removed along with the majority of the rest of the vacuum and steam heat pipes. Work has started removing the platework around the cab doorways ahead of removing the steps and balance pipes.
As the parts are removed, most are steam cleaned before being stored ready for future work on them.
Meanwhile, the new smokebox has been drawn up in CAD from the original drawings. This has all the holes already in place ready to laser cut with the exception of the saddle holes, steam pipe casing holes and the fixing holes to the boiler barrel which will all be marked and drilled on assembly. The images show not only the main wrapper but also the inner liner plates, ejector brackets, self cleaning brackets and attachments and the new front ring.

This work needs funding. Please help to keep up this progress moving forward. Please click the link to donate https://wsra.org.uk/donate-to-wsra-locomotives/

Words and pictures courtesy of Steve Masters

27/05/2026

Thank you everyone for supporting our London Marathon runners! We raised over £3000 which is amazing!

Update report from Joe:

"I first started running when I was about 13 years old at Secondary School. It was the only sport I excelled at and more important was the freedom it gave me, running through the woodlands and coastlines of West Dorset during lunchtime. Naturally, for many runners, the Marathon distance is a looming goal and the London Marathon offers the biggest stage on which to complete it.

After my spur-of-the-moment 20+ mile run along the footpaths of the WSR in 2018, the idea of completing the London Marathon and fundraising for the railway was the ultimate combination of passions. Following the deferral last year because of injury, I'm so pleased to have finally crossed the line. The atmosphere, weather and record-breaking nature of the event were all things to remember and I cannot be more thankful for the support that the WSRA provided me, with particular thanks to Kate, Reece and Edward.

On the day, it was all about completing the distance rather than setting a time. I ran all but 1 mile of the event, taking between miles 20 - 21 to walk, whilst assessing my achilles heel. Crucially, I did not stop once!

I can't wait to see how the restoration of 80064 progresses and will certainly be on the platform when it first steams back into service."

24/05/2026

Update on progress of 80064 chassis restoration at Cranmore

Connecting and coupling rods removed today. Quite a few of the bearing brasses are loose in their rods. Most of the air brake system is now removed. Injector delivery pipes, steam heat and vacuum pipes removed. Some of the vac pipework will need repair or replacing as expected.

This work needs funding - please donate to keep the momentum going. Please do what you can to support getting 80064 in steam ASAP. Thanks

https://wsra.org.uk/donate-to-wsra-locomotives/

20/05/2026

West Somerset Railway Association is part of the Local Community Fund. So far an amazing 922 of Co-op members have chosen our charity as their recipient. Thank you so much! We have so far secured £500 and the scheme runs until the end of october.

To find out more about our project and choose to support us, click here:

The Co-op Local Community Fund is supporting West Somerset Railway Association. Become a member or sign in to choose a local cause to support.

18/05/2026

Work is progressing on 80064's boiler at Rileys in Lancashire. The picture shows boiler with the front tube plate removed.

The original British Railways era steel front tube plate as lost up to 50% of its original thickness following its 10 years of service on heritage railways then some 30 plus years in store awaiting overhaul.

A replacement tube plate will be welded and machined to modern standards to help progress this restoration