MOST of the West Somerset Railway’s 22 miles of track is “at the very end of its serviceable life” and in urgent need of replacement in the coming months, it was revealed this week.

Railway supporters have now launched a £250,000 fundraising campaign to help with the cost – described as “eye-watering” – of replacing a rail system which was scrapped by the national network over 50 years ago and dates back to the mid 19th century.

The plan is to take up the existing ‘bullhead’ rails, which sit in ‘chairs’ on wooden sleepers, and install modern and cheaper ‘flat-bottomed’ rails attached to concrete sleepers.

The modern system is also easier to maintain and has a 100-year life. The existing WSR rails are at the end of their 50-year life and are nearly twice as expensive to replace.

The West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) and West Somerset Steam Railway Trust (WSSRT) are now involved in urgently raising funds to help pay for WSR’s planned track relays over the coming winter.

Donations are invited for replacement equipment ranging from £1,800 for a 60ft panel of flat-bottomed track to £28 for a concrete sleeper.

WSR plc chairman Jon Jones-Pratt said: “I applaud this bold, £250,000 fund-raising initiative jointly from the West Somerset Railway Association and Steam Trust to help us deal with pressing track issues this winter.

“Track work is always an expensive and ongoing project on all heritage railways, and it is a focal point for our business too as the longest heritage railway line in England."

The Just Giving page for the project is at www.com/campaign/railrenewal2019.

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