West Somerset Restoration Vacancies And Opportunities

The 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.

West Somerset Restoration's Role

West Somerset Restoration is responsible for the restoration, heavy overhaul and annual maintenance of these locomotives; developing in-house sub-contract work on other engineering components and sub-assemblies as may be required on and off the West Somerset Railway; and for the provision, operation, and maintenance of the necessary workshop facilities, machine tools, and staff required to undertake such work.

Location

West Somerset Restoration is housed midway along the West Somerset Railway at Williton in the Swindon Shed, a large (60 metres x 15 metres) covered building originally within Swindon Works but relocated when that site was cleared. This contains the main working areas, vehicles under repair, and some materials storage. Adjacent are the Engineering Manager's office, staff facilities, paint shop, small tools store, and sundry stores for components, machine tool parts and spares, etc.

Activities

The development of a heavy engineering centre for the West Somerset Railway requires the provision of a wide range of activities including tool making, precision machining, fitting and assembly, welding, cleaning, and painting etc. Backed up by record keeping, cost control, general site maintenance, and administration.

The facilities include centre lathes, vertical and horizontal mills, horizontal borer, radial drills, shaper and slotter, cylinder and surface grinders; MIG, Arc, and Gas welding etc. Lifting capacity is provided by an overhead travelling crane, forklift trucks, and various hoists.

Staff activities include fitting, turning, tool making, machining, welding, painting, de-rusting, scraping, sanding, cleaning, stock control, job and cost control, general administration etc.

Staffing Needs

A core of full-time skilled machining staff is provided to ensure production continuity and to advise and guide less skilled volunteer staff.

Volunteers may have skills in engineering or other disciplines; be self developed from the likes of DIY work; from office work either manual or IT based; or be totally unskilled. All have a part to play.

What is required is enthusiasm and commitment to provide regular support whether it is daily, weekly, or monthly.
In return we can offer variety of work, an opportunity to learn and practice new skills, and a chance to join a team making a major contribution to the ongoing success of the West Somerset Railway and its support Association.

For more information please telephone: 01984 633547 or
E-mail: admin@wsrestoration.co.uk