Saving our Heritage

West Somerset Railway Association are seeking funding to help pay for a heritage restoration project to repair a BR Standard Class 4MT steam locomotive 80064. Any contribution will help support this heritage project for generations to come.Significance of the locomotive

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. They have been used successfully in preservation, with 10 currently in steam throughout the country.
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 It will be ideal to replace the locomotives currently in service, when they are withdrawn on expiry of their boiler certificates, over the next 4 years.

Restoration plans

The locomotive is currently located at Williton, in the workshops of Williton Restorations Ltd, which is operated by the West Somerset Railway. The restoration work is expected to be relatively straightforward, because of its condition and relatively light usage since manufacture. A detailed restoration plan can only be produced once the loco is dismantled when the condition of the internal components can be assessed.
Given the current information of the loco’s condition and the capacity and workload at Williton, the WSRA is confident that the restoration can be achieved in approximately 4 years, starting in the summer 2024. The work will be carried out under the supervision of Ryan Pope, the WSR’s Head of Mechanical Engineering, by a combination of paid and volunteer staff, supported by specialist external contractors where necessary.
 
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, together with the WSRA’s Small Prairie 4561, which is also undergoing restoration at Williton, and should follow 80064 into service.

Developing the capacity of Williton restorations

The restoration provides an investment opportunity to develop the WSR’s own restoration facility at Williton. Work is carried out under the supervision of Ryan Pope, who started his career at Williton as an apprentice. The work to be carried out will provide the opportunity to develop two new engineering positions.
 
The WSR will also take delivery of a new computer-controlled lathe for the work. This machine will make the work of manufacturing the parts required for the restoration more efficient, as well as providing the opportunity for staff and volunteers to experience both modern and traditional mechanical engineering skills. Part of the work will be carried out by teams of volunteers. As well as contributing to the cost-effectiveness of the restoration, the use of volunteers provides important opportunities for some of the retired people who live locally to gain the health benefits of companionship and a sense of purpose, as well as providing the opportunity for them to mentor younger people and pass on their skills.
Between 2017-21 West Somerset was identified by the Secretary of State as an ‘Opportunity Area’ due to its poor social mobility - it is an area that has a high percentage of elderly residents, few employment opportunities, is rurally isolated, and has few amenities in the local area. By providing opportunities for volunteering, and for skill development and employment, the WSRA contributes to addressing this issue.

Sustainability

Care has been taken to ensure that this work is as sustainable as possible. Environmentally, while a coal powered steam engine is not the most environmentally friendly form of transport, its exhausts have a lower carbon footprint than if the many passengers used their cars to undertake the same journeys. 80064, designed in the 1950’s, is more efficient in its coal consumption compared to most of the older pre-grouping designs of steam locos which were designed earlier in the last century. It is worth noting that heritage railways in Britain contribute just 0.02% of the country’s total CO2 emissions and last year were visited by a total of 16 million people, demonstrating they are hugely popular and have little impact on environmental damage.
 
In engineering terms, the restoration will make the Williton facility more sustainable, by providing a guaranteed workstream, a more efficient and cost-effective facility, and developing new skilled employees. This will equip it for the current and future restorations.
 
Care has been taken to make the process as financially sustainable as possible. Williton restorations will charge the WSRA appropriate commercial rates for the restoration. When restored, the locomotive will be leased to the WSR on a commercial basis, providing a hire fee to the WSRA. This money will be invested in a dedicated charitable fund, designed to offset the costs of future restorations necessary after each 10 years of use.

Cost projection, finance in place, and funding appeal

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 3,000 members 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 an appeal to members and supporters which will be launched in Autumn 2025, with the final £100,000 being secured through community events. Our target is to achieve this within 2 years. Our history of successful appeals leads us to believe that the target is achievable, and we will publish periodical updates.
 
We would be pleased to hear from any individual or organisation who is interested in contributing to this appeal, and happy to provide further information as needed. To date we have secured an additional £66,700 through grants, bringing the total secured to £197,659 (see attached income and fundraising plan).
 
You can follow the restoration journey on the 80064 blog: wsra.org.uk/80064-blog/