TWO West Somerset Railway (WSR) supporters successfully completed the London Marathon to raise more than £4,000 toward the major restoration of BR Standard locomotive No 80064, which is hoped to be back on the WSR rails in 2028.

Reece Bartle-Coates was taking part in his first marathon, although he previously ran the Bath Two Tunnels half-marathon, while Joe Rogers is an experienced distance runner and was the first to run the 20 miles of the WSR line from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.

In London, despite needing treatment for back pain injuries following two accidents, Joe managed to clock up a time of five hours nine minutes, while Reece completed the course in four hours 30 minutes.

The pair were congratulated by West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) chairman Edward Martin as they reached the finish line.

Following the departure of No 80064’s boiler to the workshops of Riley and Son, in Bury, for refurbishment at the beginning of February, the association is about to sign a contract for work on its chassis, which should be completed around the same time as work on the boiler.

The WSRA estimates the eventual cost of restoring the locomotive to working condition will be in six figures.

A WSRA spokesperson said: “Between them, Joe and Reece have raised some £4,000 in direct contributions from JustGiving pages and money sent to the WSRA office at Bishops Lydeard Station.

“More donations toward the cost of the overhaul can be made online at the WSRA website, or cheques, payable to West Somerset Railway Association, can be sent to West Somerset Railway Association (80064), The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard.”

Visitors to the WSR’s spring steam spectacular from May 1 to 4 will see one of 80064’s classmates, 80078, in action as a ‘guest’ locomotive.