Heritage Trust’s Next Projects

After languishing for a couple of years at the end of an inaccessible siding at Williton, Toplight 3639 has been brought out by Ryan and his team where it will be moved to a position where work can start on its restoration. The first batch of timber has already been bought. Toplight 3639 was an ambulance coach during the first world war.

Chris Austin has a little more information on our former ambulance coach, Toplight 3639, the research he has done on ambulance trains has been focused on those that went to France.

Those used in Britain did not work to fixed schedules but ran from Southampton to destinations as required. For example, one trip ran directly to Highclere on the Didcot, Newbury & Southampton lines, where Highclere House had been turned into a military hospital. Later it was to be the setting for Downton Abbey. Destinations in South Devon included Newton Abbott, Torre, Torquay, Paignton and Plymouth.

On the continent, the trains were a key part of the chain, which started with the field dressing trains on the front line. Movement by narrow-gauge train, lorry, bus or even mule was the link to the field hospitals set up further back. From the nearest point to the field hospitals, and sometimes under enemy shell fire, the ambulance trains then took wounded soldiers back to the larger hospitals in towns such as Amiens, Abbeville, Boulogne or Rouen, or direct to the ships at Boulogne or Le Havre. From there, hospital ships linked the French ports with Dover, Folkestone and Southampton and the British based ambulance trains took their patients to inland hospitals.

Tracing individual coaches is more difficult, as we have not been able to find any official record of the allocation of coaches to the individual ambulance trains once they were in army ownership. Toplight 3639 was originally built in 1908 and was converted to an ambulance coach in 1915. Based on the dates of conversion, we think it is quite likely that Toplight 3639 was allocated to Ambulance Train 19, and probably as a ward car, unfortunately, we cannot be sure.

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Learning and Education Officer

July 29, 2026

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST

LEARNING AND EDUCATION OFFICER

We are seeking a professional and experienced person to fill this key role within the WSR Heritage Trust. This is a flexible [12 hours per week] paid role, based at WSR Bishops Lydeard Station.

This exciting role embraces developing and administering: the Schools Programme engaging with younger learners; the Families Offer of family focussed activities and events related to our museums; and developing the Outdoor Offer for community learning at our locations.

You will lead, develop and manage a small volunteer learning team, to optimise our programme and activity delivery.

Reporting to the Vice Chairman/Company Secretary, you will have a professional and policy link to the Trustee – Museum Collections and Learning and close working with the Museum Curator. You will provide regular reports to the Trust Board and contribute to the Trust Newsletter and the Learning and Education Programme.

Applicants should be suitably qualified with a degree or equivalent, or work experience in Teaching and Learning; knowledge of KS1/2 History and Science, together with experience of delivering learning programmes, and extensive IT skills.

The postholder should have strong leadership and organisational skills and communicate effectively at all levels.

Please contact john.robinson@wsrht.co.uk for further details and an information pack. Completed application forms together with a CV should be forwarded to him by not later than 17 August 2026. For an informal discussion about the role then please contact Steve Williams Vice Chairman and Company Secretary either on 07748-637209 or email steve@williamsemail.uk.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust Registered Charity No. 265564 Registered Office: The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard Taunton, Somerset. TA4 3BX

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Join us as a Museum Volunteer.

May 6, 2026

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST

DO YOU:

Love a bit of history?

Enjoy chatting to people?

Happy to work with children and families?

Keen on the WSR and its heritage?

If you’ve nodded “yes” to any of the above, we’d love you to join us as a museum volunteer.

Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor

We’re looking for volunteer stewards for the Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor Station on running days during the school holidays and for special events.

You’ll have an induction period alongside a mentor, and we’re very happy to arrange part-day shifts.

The role is simple: welcome visitors, share a little about the museum, and work alongside the station staff.

Interested (or just curious)? Please email Ian Camp (Curator) via info@wsrht.co.uk and put “Blue Anchor stewarding” in the subject line.

Fancy getting involved over at Bishops Lydeard?

We’re on the lookout for more friendly faces to join our team, especially as the museum is getting bigger and busier these days!

If Bishops Lydeard sounds like your kind of place, just drop us a line using the same email, but pop “Bishops Lydeard stewarding” in the subject so we know what you’re after!

And don’t forget – you can always support the WSRHT by becoming a member. Just ping us at info@wsrht.co.uk and pop “membership” in the subject line.

Keep up with what we’re doing, follow the Trust on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeritageTrust

WSR Heritage Trust Appointment of Trust Fundraiser

May 6, 2026

The Trust has appointed Jessica Rundle as its new volunteer Fundraiser. Jess is an existing Trust volunteer working in both the Gauge Museum and within the Education and Learning team. She is an Occupational Therapist by profession and is currently a Service Manager with Somerset Council. Her experience in report writing and business case development together with the networking and engagement required provides the right skill set for this role. The Trust has an ambitious capital programme within its recently updated Business Plan and raising external funds will be crucial to enabling the charity to achieve its medium-term business objectives.

Steve Williams Trust Vice Chairman and Company Secretary said “I’m delighted that Jess has agreed to take up this role. She has an impressive CV and is already familiar with the Trust and its work. I have no doubt that she will be a valuable asset in enabling us to source a wide range of external funding to complement the investment that the Trust intends to make in future projects”.

Jess Rundle said “ Bishops Lydeard station was one of the first places I stumbled across after moving to Somerset a couple years ago and I was quickly welcomed into the committed team of volunteers in to the Gauge museum. For me there is nothing better than watching a steam train in action – it brings relaxation and stimulation in equal measure! I know so many aspects of West Somerset heritage railway brings equal joy to so many others and so I’m delighted to be supporting with the fundraising programme.”

The appointment commences from 1st May. This is a part-time role reporting to the Vice Chairman.

For further details please contact Steve Williams at steve@williamsemail.uk or on 07748-637209

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