West Somerset Railway reaches provisional agreement over Washford site

The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust (S&DRT ) has reached a provisional agreement the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust to sell it the Somerset & Dorset shed and track at Washford.

Talks about selling the shed and track were initiated by the West Somerset Railway Association (WRSA), and after a number of meetings between the main parties the sale was brought to a conclusion through the efforts of Mike Thompson, the chairman of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust.

Although the sale has not been totally concluded as the legal documentation is still to be completed, it is hoped that everything will be tied up before the end of this year. Both organisations hope that the deal will bring them benefits as they progress with their respective future projects.

Roger Hardingham, the Chairman of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust Ltd. said “To complete the exit from Washford, the S&DRT volunteers have been working tirelessly to clear the shed and surrounding areas and I would like to personally thank them for this arduous task in difficult circumstances.”

“All the rolling stock has now all moved from the site apart from Coach No. 4 which is waiting for loan agreements to be finalised. The two diesel shunters have now been sold and will be leaving in the coming days. Our exit from Washford after all these years has seen some good news stories too.

“We have put on long-term loans many items of rolling stock, artefacts and buildings such as the Wells Hut and Lamp Room with lamp posts and signal posts also being distributed to like-minded trusts.

“The signal frame and levers from the demonstration box at Washford has been put on loan to the Tarka Line at Torrington who will be rebuilding a signal box on their site. This LSWR location was clearly very suitable for our LSWR/SR equipment. These moves have all helped other organisations.

“And so our departure has benefitted many other organisations in the heritage railway scene, these are –

• The North Dorset Railway Trust at Shillingstone;
• The Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust at Midsomer Norton;
• The Tarka Line Trust at Torrington;
• The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway;
• The Mid-Hants Railway – Watercress Line.

“Some items will need to be stored by ourselves in three containers which will leave Washford in the coming weeks and we can then concentrate on our strategy for the future which will include the overhaul of our 7F No. 53808 and the development of our museum status and vast artefact and historical record collection.”