The last two locomotives have departed from the now redundant site at Washford on the West Somerset Railway.
Roger Hardingham, chairman of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, said, “the two diesel shunters left the site in early December for pastures new. The Ruston 0-4-0 shunter has been purchased for use at the Vale of Berkeley Railway in Gloucestershire and the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 shunter has been sold for use at the Leiston Works Railway in Suffolk. These engines have found new homes to begin useful operations and which otherwise would not have been used elsewhere.
We are delighted that we are either loaning or selling non-accessioned items to other heritage sites since our departure from Washford. Our new strategies for the future of the trust will be announced in early 2024 which will include overhaul of our 7F No. 53808 and the preservation and wider circulation of our large and historic artefacts and coaches from the old S&D.”
“A very Happy Christmas to all our supporters.”
[Photos by Roger Hardingham]