Full Steam Ahead - restoration of heritage loco

Aim

WSRA seek funding to pay for a heritage restoration project to repair a BR Standard Class 4MT steam locomotive 80064 for use on our line

The West Somerset Railway (WSR) is a 23-mile long steam heritage railway running through the heart of West Somerset – the longest in fact in England.  Started in 1871, the railway is one of the largest tourist attractions in the area bringing around 300,000 visitors each year. The organisation has become an integral part of the wider local community, providing employment and volunteering opportunities and boosting the local economy through tourism. 

The West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) is a community led, member driven, charitable association. Our aim is to preserve and restore the heritage of the WSR, to fundraise, promote education, ensure community involvement, and to leave a legacy for future generations. Our services include: heritage restoration projects, supporting friends of station groups, running free ‘railway walks’ for disadvantaged people, informing people about the history of stations and locomotives, organising educational visits, and running events including: an annual steam gala, Halloween events, 1940s weekend and even Santa trains for the younger generation!

80064 is one of 155 locomotives of this design produced between 1951 and 1956.It was one of the most successful of all the Standard designs built in the 1950’s. On withdrawal, 15 of these locomotives were preserved, the rest being scrapped. Locomotives of this type have been used on the West Somerset Railway in the past and proved ideal for the challenging gradients and heavy loadings experienced on the WSR: the longest full-size preserved railway in England. It will be ideal to replace the locomotives currently in service, when they are withdrawn on expiry of their boiler certificates, over the next 4 years.

 Why the restoration is important

The West Somerset Railway welcomes some 300,000 visitors annually. It is a major attraction in West Somerset, the economy of which is heavily reliant on tourism, together with agriculture. The railway directly provides some 40 paid roles, supported by some 1,000 volunteers. Each year volunteers give over 50,000 hours to keep the Railway running. Many local jobs are supported by the railway’s supply chain, and in related businesses like accommodation and refreshment providers.

 A trip on the WSR is an important part of the holiday of many visitors to West Somerset. Most travel the whole length of the 20-mile line, from the relatively affluent and well-connected Taunton end to the traditional seaside resort of Minehead, in the less affluent west of the county.

 The most popular trains are steam hauled, giving visitors a 1950’s experience, although operating to 21st century standards. The motive power has been heavily reliant on the “home” fleet of steam locomotives, 7828 Odney Manor and 9351 (the Minehead Mogul) plus hired in locomotives. Both 7828 and 9351 are nearing the end of their current 10-year boiler operational cycle. In the next 4-5 years these locos will have steamed for 10 years, after which, the boilers  must be withdrawn from service, dismantled and refurbished: a process which will take several years to complete.  The WSRA’s 80064 will be one of the main replacements for these locos.

Cost projection, finance in place, and funding appeal

Based on current knowledge, the cost of restoration of 80064 to service is estimated at £500,000. The WSRA has a portion of the finances needed in charitable reserves, which have been contributed by our supporters and from legacies. These funds will provide £100,000 towards the £500,000 cost.

 We plan to secure an additional £200,000 in grants from charitable trusts, and £100,000 through a public appeal, with the final £100,000 being secured through community events. Our target is to achieve this by 2028. 

You can follow the restoration journey on the 80064 blog: https://wsra.org.uk/80064-blog/ 

 We are seeking donations to help achieve this goal - any donation, whether big or small, will help us raise funds to protect this piece of our history. For example:

£25 would pay for 11 Crown stays

£50 would pay for 488 Rivets

£100 would pay for 178 Patch Screws for Firebox

£600 would pay for boiler matting for insulation

£3,000 would pay for the reboring of the valves and cylinders

£5000 would pay for the painting of the locomotive

£10,000 would pay for the reprofiling of the tyres

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 30th September 2026 at 2:20pm