Chris Austin OBE, President WSRHTPete Treharne, formerly station master at Blue Anchor and founder of the Blue Anchor Railway Museum passed away on 20 December 2022, and is missed by all who knew him.
For many years, he was the driving force at Blue Anchor, living in the adjacent station house, and competent as station master, signalman, booking clerk, porter and general factotum. In earlier years, he was often called out to open the box if the signalman had been delayed on the A39 or cover had not been available, one of the penalties of living ‘over the shop.’
Pete was not one to complain, and he was always ready with a wry comment and an infectious smile to anyone passing through or visiting his station. If meeting anyone in authority on the railway, he would always enquire when he could expect to see his bonus. In the words of Mark Smith, former Managing Director: “Pete never got his bonus, the WSR did.”
He was the founder of the Blue Anchor Railway Museum, along with Peter and Ginny Barnfield, which was opened in the former down side waiting room in time to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the GWR in 1985. The exhibits included many of Pete’s own collection of number plates, nameplates and models. He assembled a rare collection of key tokens from the Minehead and Barnstaple branches as well as the ticket printing press.
Pete had been a BT engineer specialising in maritime navigation communications before his retirement, latterly working at Portishead.
In 1995 he became a Trustee of the then West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, a position which he held for 23 years, and on relinquishing this post he became Vice President of the Trust. His advice was always thoughtful and his experience much valued by other trustees. He will be remembered as one of a band of dedicated volunteers whose prodigious work over many years established the West Somerset as the longest and the finest in the country.
31st December 2022