WSR to provide railtour support for Locomotive Services Ltd

THE West Somerset Railway has reached agreement with Locomotive Services Limited to use the line for stabling locomotives and providing support facilities for its 2022 programme of the ‘Torbay Express’to Kingswear.

LSL stock will be based at Bishops Lydeard and a section is being set up for it. WSR plc chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt said: “This is a piece of really good news on partnerships and income generation for 2022.

“LSL is one of the fastest-growing charter train and locomotive-owning organisations in the UK. If we can meet its needs effectively for this contract, we will be looking to extend the relationship further.”

Elsewhere, following the completion and approval for use of the new Seaward Way level crossing at Minehead, staff training for its use will begin in February.

The planned start date for WSR services – which this year will run the whole length of the line – is March 19. It is also intended to increase the axle loading for the 2022 season so heavier locomotives can once again be used.

Meanwhile, WSR plc, the West Somerset Railway Trust, and the supporting association have agreed to work much more closely together than before. “We have planned the first of a series of tri-partite meetings to help avoid some of the misunderstanding of the past and map out the future strategy,” said Jonathan.