The West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) has unveiled its Corporate Plan for 2026 to 2031, setting out an ambitious strategy to strengthen heritage preservation, education, volunteering, community engagement and financial sustainability to support the West Somerset Railway. The five-year plan reaffirms the Association’s charitable purpose of promoting education in the heritage of the railway from Taunton to Minehead, while outlining a programme of restoration, preservation and public benefit activities designed to safeguard the Railway’s heritage for future generations. The plan can be viewed by clicking this link.
Key priorities include completing the restoration of locomotives 4561 and 80064, both currently targeted for return to service in 2028, developing plans for the future restoration of Ditcheat Manor, implementing a carriage-by-carriage restoration strategy and exploring the provision of covered carriage storage facilities. The plan also places strong emphasis on growing membership, attracting new volunteers, expanding educational outreach, increasing community engagement and developing the railway corridor’s role as a “living corridor” supporting biodiversity and environmental education. Alongside these heritage objectives, the WSRA aims to modernise its digital systems, strengthen governance and improve organisational resilience through disciplined financial planning and effective risk management.
WSRA Chairman and Trustees believe the plan provides a clear roadmap for a sustainable and collaborative future. Recognising challenges including rising restoration costs, ageing assets, volunteer recruitment, environmental responsibilities and funding pressures, the Association will work closely with the West Somerset Railway Plc, West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, local communities, educational partners and funders to deliver its objectives. By implementing this strategy, the WSRA aims to remain a stable, respected and effective charity while making a lasting contribution to the preservation, interpretation and enjoyment of the West Somerset Railway for the public benefit.
Edward Martin, Chairman of the WSRA, said “We recognise that the aspirations we have set out in this Plan are challenging. Like all heritage bodies and many charities, we are finding resourcing our plans increasingly difficult. We hope that this plan, in showing clearly what we are planning and outlining how we hope to achieve those plans, will provide a solid foundation to support grant applications and will attract more donors and volunteers to support our work.
In particular we are looking for volunteers to help with many of the support functions of the WSRA. Volunteer roles can be in support of our restoration work, in supporting our business functions, or working to support our education work. The full range of potential volunteering roles can be seen clearly in the Appendix to the Corporate Plan.
While some of these roles might be quite time consuming at certain times of the year, for example helping with our Events programme, others might only take a few hours a month. Volunteer support is vital to achieve our aims and objectives and if you think that you may be able to help, do please get in touch.
We are also looking to appoint at our AGM in September a number of new Trustees to strengthen our Board, In particular we are looking for people with skills in Fund Raising, Governance, Finance and Communications.
If anyone, or any organisation, wishes to support us as a Trustee, in a professional advisor capacity, or as a Volunteer, please contact in the first place either chair@wsra.org.uk or admin@wsra.org.uk
Donations are always very welcome and can be given here https://wsra.org.uk/donate/
If you wish to become a Member of the Association and not only provide direct support through your membership subscription but also get the additional benefits that becoming a member brings https://wsra.org.uk/membership/