The first Living History weekends at West Somerset Railway have raised over £12,000 for the line’s emergency appeal, after 880 visitors descended on Minehead station to enjoy two days of nostalgia and fun as the railway came back to life again after the April lockdown.

A WSR spokesman said: “Last weekend brought a net income of £6,770 from all sources and taken with last weekend’s figures of 740 visitors and an income of £5,390, that makes a total of 1,620 visitors and £123,160.

“It’s a real triumph for the WSR and a boost to the morale of staff and volunteers, and the local community, too.”

The spokesman added: “These weekend events not only contribute to the financial side of the business, but are a way to ensure that people do not forget that the railway is still working hard to get back to do what it does best – running trains and providing unforgettable experiences for its passengers.”

Attractions at the weekend event included visiting steam vehicles, demonstrations of shunting goods wagons, a locomotive in steam, and a static steam loco and a diesel multiple unit that visitors could board and have the controls explained.

The turntable was in use and the station shop, café, Readers’ Halt bookshop and a number of other stalls were open for visitors to browse.

A highlight of the event was the opportunity to tour the locomotive workshop, which is usually closed to the public, giving a chance to get a glimpse behind the scenes and see locomotive restoration at first hand.

West Somerset Railway chairman Jonathan Jones Pratt said: “I am truly proud of the team for putting together these events.

“It is a first step towards a form of normality after a very difficult time for all businesses. We are working very hard to ensure that the railway that we all love comes back stronger than ever.

“I have been truly touched by the help from our support organisations and the generosity of the general public, shareholders and outside organisations.”

See tomorrow’s Free Press for more photos.