Locomotive Fleet
The West Somerset Restoration is the custodian of three heritage steam locomotives for the West Somerset Railway Association, these locomotives are:
- Ex GWR 2-6-2 tank locomotive No 4561 currently awaiting an overhaul.
- Ex GWR 0-6-0 tank locomotive No. 6412 is now at Williton undergoing a 10 year overhaul.
- Ex SR 4-6-2 tender locomotive No 34046 currently undergoing restoration.
Ex GWR 2-6-2 tank locomotive No 4561
The locomotive is currently on view at the former Swindon railway works in the STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway - www.steam-museum.org.uk
Having worked on West Country branch lines for over 30 years prior to its withdrawal in 1962, No 4561 was purchased by the WSRA from Barry scrapyard in 1975, and - following extensive restoration by volunteers - re-entered service on the WSR inAugust 1989. The engine was a regular performer on the WSR over the following ten years - recreating a past era, as the 'small prairie' tanks were a regular sight on the Minehead branch in GWR and BR days - but was withdrawn for heavy overhaul in November 1998, having run over 46,000 miles in that period. No 4561 also spent short periods on hire to a number of other heritage steam lines.
Ex GWR 0-6-0 tank locomotive No 6412
No 6412 was one of the first engines to work on the WSR in the preservation era, sharing train workings on 'reopening weekend' in Easter 1976. The 'popular pannier' - as it is affectionately known - worked between 1976-78 and, after heavy overhaul from 1984 to 1993. A second heavy repair carried out by WSRA volunteers culminating in the engine re-entering service again in May 1998. No 6412 has worked over 40,000 miles whilst in WSRA ownership. The locomotive was withdrawn from service on 30 September 2007 for a major overhaul at Williton.
Ex SR 4-6-2 tender locomotive No 34046
Please see the Current Projects page for details.
