The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

Gauge Museum Blue Anchor

In 1985, the Great Western Railway celebrated its 150th anniversary and created a museum at Blue Anchor Station to showcase its legacy and artefacts. It houses railway maps, historical documents, photos, and memorabilia for visitors to appreciate and to keep the traditions of the company alive for future generations.

Visit Gauge Museum Blue Anchor to explore railway technology history. Located in Somerset, it’s open on Sundays, Bank Holidays, and Gala days from Easter to October. Contact us for special opening arrangements via our website.

The museum showcases 550 GWR artifacts with a West Country focus. Generous loans and donations have helped amass an impressive collection for visitors. Displays are well-curated, and information leaflets provide insight into the artifacts. Come visit and see for yourself!

The museum is financed by donations from visitors and admission is free.

More content on this page is envisaged over the next few months as the Museum reopens. If you have any pictures, along with your permission, please do contact us if you would like us to publish your images.

Trust projects

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Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard
Discover the ever-growing lists of projects within the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard
Discover the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard
© Matt Sutton
Gauge Junction, Model Railway
Our 00 gauge Model Railway, as featured on the homepage, is located on the first floor of the Gauge Museum. We are regularly reaching out to recruit more volunteers of all ages between the age of fourteen to one-hundred and over! © Matt Sutton
Learn more about the Gauge Junction team
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GWR Sleeping Car No 9038
This coach was one of three introduced by the GWR in 1897 to carry First Class passengers between Paddington and the port of Fishguard and the Irish ferry. The coach was in service until 1931
Learn more on GWR Sleeping Car No 9038
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The Heritage Carriages Project
The West Somerset Railway is a magnificent recreation of a Great Western Railway branch line. Fine GWR locomotives haul passengers in comfort through splendid scenery between delightful and varied GWR stations. Working parties take place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Williton and new volunteers are welcome, as are funds for the project – see the Contacts page if you require further details.
Heritage Carriages Project Gallery

End of the
West Somerset Railway 2023 Season

The official railway season for 2023 has now ended.

Both the Gauge Museums at Bishops Lydeard and Blue Anchor, operated by the West Somerset Railway Trust, are currently closed to the public for winter maintenance until March 2024. The Gauge Museum Blue Anchor has been closed for a few years, but progress is being made to reopen it in the Spring of 2024.

While both Gauge Museums remain closed until the end of March 2024, the WSRHT will continue its Educational Outreach activities during this period. If you have inquiries about our Education Programme, please reach out to helen.anson@wsrht.co.uk.

The Trust expresses its gratitude to all our Members, volunteers, and visitors who supported us throughout the WSR 2023 Season. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in 2024.

Blue Anchor Railway Museum - Closed

Owing to extensive refurbishment and renovation at the Blue Anchor Railway Museum – the Museum remains closed. It is anticipated the Museum will reopen in 2023