THE West Somerset Railway Association is hoping for a push to get its fundraising appeal over the finishing line.

In the past few weeks, the association (WSRA) has launched funding appeals for the final work to put GWR Mogul locomotive 9351 (pictured) back in service on the West Somerset Railway.

That work is estimated to cost £14,000 and a further £3,200 is needed to cast four replacements for historic Bristol and Exeter Railway cast iron station signs for the railway.

Both appeals are close to target: “Supporters have been very generous,” said WSRA manager Jacquie Green.

“We now only need £4,000 plus gift aid to reach our target for loco 9351 and only a further £800 plus gift aid for the station signs.

“As the principal supporting charity for the line, for every £1 donated by a UK tax payer, under the ‘Gift Aid’ scheme, the UK Government adds 25 pence.”

Donations can be made via the WSRA website ‘assembling 9351’ link, and work progress on loco 9351 can be followed on the website’s link ‘category 9351-blog’.