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At The East Somerset Railway we always want to be busy and ensuring we are protecting Britain's railway heritage for generations to come.
Find out more information about our current projects and how you can help.
A Footbridge for Cranmore Station
We are pleased to say that the Network Rail project to replace the listed footbridge at St Erth in Cornwall is going ahead and the East Somerset Railway (ESR) have received the footbridge recently.
The ESR are fortunate in that the structure has recently been repaired by Network Rail and looks in relatively good condition considering its age, and this should reduce the amount of restoration work needed.
Work has already started on the foundations for the bridge on the Cranmore platforms and restoration work has started by a team of volunteers.
Donate to this projectPurchase of Ivatt 2MT, 46447
Help us secure a steam traction on the East Somerset Railway for future generations to enjoy.
The East Somerset Railway has been in operation providing heritage steam train rides across the Mendips for the past 50 years. The railway has always relied on deals with owning groups or other railways to provide steam engines to haul our trains. However steam locomotive availability is changing, and many railways are struggling to source enough suitably sized locomotives to haul their trains. The East Somerset Railway currently owns most of it’s coaching stock, but does not own any locomotives of its own, which this appeal hopes to change that.
Back in 2012 a deal was struck with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to overhaul Ivatt 2MT, 46447, where in exchange for labour the East Somerset Railway would be able to operate the locomotive for 10 years. At the end of this period the East Somerset Railway has since funded the overhaul in exchange for use for a further 5 years. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has since offered the East Somerset Railway the opportunity to purchase the locomotive from them, which would allow the ESR to retain the locomotive for the full 10 year ticket and save enough money to overhaul the engine again in 2036.
We are therefore looking to raise £275,000 to purchase the locomotive and help safeguard steam as an important part of our railway heritage. Your donation will help bring the locomotive into the ownership of the East Somerset Railway and ensure that its story can continue to be enjoyed by visitors, volunteers, families, and railway enthusiasts for years to come.
Every donation, large or small, helps bring the locomotive closer to safety, preservation and future operation. By contributing, supporters become part of the story and help ensure that steam heritage can continue to inspire future generations.
We thank you for your continued support, your donation will be very much appreciated.
Donate to this projectSignal Box Project
The headline vision is to return the Signal Box back to its original purpose and function with commissioning of the signalling on The East Somerset Railway, which in turn will safely allow more than one train to run and also contribute towards the commissioning of platform 2.
This project is a significant undertaking, both technically and in the volume of work to be carried out.
Time has been spent engaging with and visiting other heritage railways, visitor centres and S&T practitioners to explore best practice and to validate our thoughts and plans.
Our team of S&T volunteers have been working hard on many tasks to progress with this project:
- Locating and bringing together the many pieces of signalling equipment to be found around the railway.
- Reorganising the Signal Box, removing to store any items not required in the immediate future.
- Refurbishing the interior of the Signal Box.
- Restoration of the first of many signals, a BR(W) ground signal.
- Preparing the lever frame for relocation so that the lever movements will no longer interfere with the floor joists and also to provision for any extra levers to be added in the future.
- Restoration of lever Cams, used to connect the levers to the interlocking.
- Plus many other tasks behind the scenes!
A significant majority of the work is being carried out by our Signalling and Telegraph Volunteers, who can often be found on steaming days in the Signal Box engaging with our visitors and imparting their exceptional knowledge.
There are many tasks to go on this project. If we have peaked your interest and you would like to volunteer with our Signalling and Telegraph team please let us know.
Equally, any donations towards this project are gratefully received.
Donate to this projectVictorian Coaches Project
The East Somerset Railway is developing a Victorian and Edwardian train in the coming years and four coaches are currently undergoing restoration, the first of these has been on site since 2020.
This coach is a combination of a Midland Railway coach body and a separately acquired Midland Railway 6 wheel chassis. The coach body, No. 255 was built in 1890 as one of 120 identical 3rd class, 5 compartment, 6-wheel coaches built that year. The chassis, No. 1753 is of a similar vintage and is identical to one that would have been under No. 255.
The second is a twin of this with the same history but currently in two parts. The chassis is being restored and the body is in storage awating the completion of the chassis.
The third is an 1896 Barry Railway 6 compartment 3rd, but without a chassis at the moment.
A fourth coach from the Taff Vale Railway, with the body built in 1912, but placed on an earlier chassis, arrived at the railway early in 2026.
As well as the restoration of the coaches, the plan is to create a building to house these carriages. Material for the groundwork has been offered free by two local quarries, but an additional £250,000 is required to fund the actual building and to equip it.
If you wish to be involved in this project and volunteer as part of the restoration, please get in touch [email protected].
Equally any donations are gratefully received to fund this project.
Donate to this project