LOSSES by the West Somerset Railway (WSR) soared eight-fold in the past financial year to the equivalent of nearly £4,400 a week as it entered its 50th anniversary year.

The company’s accounts for the year ending March 31, 2026, showed a trading loss of £228,704, against £29,460 last year.

However, the figure was nearly half the £422,690 the heritage railway lost two years ago.

WSR chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt said income from regular fares failed to show any growth from the previous year and did not keep up with the company’s forecast.

This was despite visits by the world’s most famous steam locomotive the Flying Scotsman, which provided income boosts.

Mr Jones-Pratt said: “Rising costs have continued to make it increasingly difficult to operate profitably.

“Our senior management team are focused on finding ways to encourage more visitors to the railway and to increase income outside of the fare box.

“This has been developed further during the year but despite the visit from the Flying Scotsman, general fares were below that forecast for the year.”

Mr Jones-Pratt said the WSR’s fare income for the first quarter of 2026 was also slightly below the sum achieved in the same period last year when adjusted for Flying Scotsman fares and was nearly four per cent below forecast.

He said: “This is disappointing, but the recent heatwaves have a detrimental impact on passenger numbers and the railway had to close for three days in June due to extreme heat.

“Weather challenges are beyond our control, but work must continue to maximise revenue streams, minimise costs, and manage cash.

“The railway remains in need of regular and significant capital investment.

“In recent years, this investment has been financed from cash reserves as the level of profit generated has not been sufficient.

“In the future, the company will need to generate more profit or identify other ways to finance this continued investment in the railway.”