Heritage
Preservation
Community
The West Somerset Railway Association has been supporting the Railway since 1971 with all forms of volunteer activity, from fundraising to working on the line and restoring carriages and locomotives. The Association’s restored carriages and locomotives run on the railway. Some things have changed over time, but fifty years later the WSRA remains the support organisation for the West Somerset Railway.
Latest WSRA news
Progress update on 4561’s side tanks
Before the top sheet was finally put in position the fixing bolts for the air vent, feed pipe bracket and top inspection cover were welded in place. These items cannot be accessed internally once the tank is complete, so the bolts are held captive...
How You Can Get Involved
WSRA Charity Fund
The WSRA charity fund supports smaller, short term projects on the railway and ensures the sustainability of the charity to manage projects and campaigns for the benefit of the railway and the wider community in Somerset.
Preserve and Protect our Carriages
The charity owns 5 TSO passenger carriages, a BCK brake carriage, the four carriages of the Quantock Belle dining train, an observation saloon and several others too. Click on the photo above to find out more.
Locomotive Restoration
WSRA owned Small Prairie 4561 has been out of service since 1998. The aim is to complete the restoration and return it to running on the railway as soon as possible. Click on the photo above to find out more.
Rail Renewal
The West Somerset Railway track uses 53,000 sleepers and over 40 miles of rail. The rail has a life of between 50 and 100 years. Much of our track is at the end of its life and needs renewing. Click on the photo to learn more.
Play our lottery
- £1 per ticket per month
- pay monthly or annually
- half the fund is prizes
- half the fund supports the WSRA
Our Mission
is to support and promote the heritage of the West Somerset Railway.
As an Association of volunteers we do that by restoring and preserving railway locomotives, carriages,wagons and other artefacts of historical interest on the railway and by reaching out to engage with the wider community.
Become a Volunteer. Get Involved.
Our Trustees are volunteers, as are most of those who support the WSRA and the railway. We have a very small team of paid staff, but could not operate without our volunteers. The annual Steam rally, for instance, is run entirely by a team of volunteers.
Find out more about supporting the WSRA and the railway with your time and talent.
