The day-to-day income from passenger fares, shops and catering just covers the costs of running the trains (including normal maintenance and renewals).
However, it does not generate enough income to invest in development projects. These include railway expansion (track, station, signalling etc), restoration (including historically important trains), building educational facilities, or conserving historical artefacts and records.
WSR has many plans for the future to continue to run one of the UK’s finest railways, but to do so, we rely on people to leave us gifts in their Will.
Legacies fund investment for the future, not day-to-day operations.
Your legacy matters
Making a Will
Some people may feel daunted at the prospect of making a Will, and it should never be under-estimated how emotive the process can be. However, a Will is also an opportunity to achieve peace of mind and, to use the age old phrase, “… to get your affairs in order …”. This may also include reviewing your tax position, potential impact of care fees, claims against your Estate, and all other matters of particular relevance to you.
The West Somerset Railway teams with Pardoes Solicitors
The Railway has taken the step to partner with Pardoes Solicitors (a local firm with offices in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil) who understand all of these aspects.
Pardoes also have agreed to undertake Will preparation for those who care about the Railway at a very competitive rate, and have further agreed to donate from those costs an amount which will go direct to the railway. Pardoes offer to provide fixed price Wills for West Somerset Railway members of staff (paid and volunteer) that carry a valid WSR ID Card or those who use the new Legacy Leaflet with the Pardoes logo within. The price for a single Will is £100, £130 for a couple or for mirror Wills (all inclusive of VAT). And the Railway will also receive a donation of £10 - £15 for each Will that Pardoes prepare. So both you and the Railway can gain!
To take advantage of the discount:
-please see the coupon on the new Legacy leaflet (with the Pardoes logo)
or contact
- the Railway Legacy Officer via legacy@wsrail.net or via Minehead Station on 01643 704996
- Pardoes directly via 01278 457891 mentioning the Railway and this article**.
**Please note … whilst the West Somerset Railway and Pardoes are able to offer this discount scheme, you do not have to use Pardoes to leave a legacy to the WSR or make a Will; it is your right to take your own independent legal advice if you wish to do so.. Pardoes are professionally obliged to act for you completely independently, despite the existence of this scheme.
How your gift could help
A gift, no matter how small, will make a difference.
Buffet Car Coach 4346 has used £10,000 of legacy money to completely rebuild a wrecked shell of a coach. The refurbished coach will provide excellent on-board catering facilities (such as hot & cold drinks and snacks – pasties & sandwiches, etc) for passengers travelling on the WSR.
7828 Odney Manor is a Great Western Railway designed locomotive, one of the Manor Class of 30 locomotives. Built by British Railways in 1950, it was withdrawn from service in 1965 and ended up in Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales. Having been rescued and returned to running order, it was withdrawn for a major overhaul. Eventually, Odney Manor was bought by the WSR in 2004, and it has been under major overhaul ever since. A legacy donation of £123,000 is helping to complete the restoration which will allow it to be used regularly to haul passenger trains on the WSR.
New locomotive tyres. It is surprising how steel tyres on locomotive wheels can wear on the tightly curved and steep gradients of the WSR! Using £43,000 of legacy money, new tyres have been provided to help provide the long-term availability of the WSR locomotive stock.
And of course, the Minehead Turntable which was originally based at Pwhelli (North Wales). It was built at Swindon in 1898, and (with a locomotive) weighs 170 tons. It is now installed and in use, providing an excellent turning facility not to mention a thrilling and popular visitor experience. Amongst other monies, the turntable project used £58,000 of legacy money.
Here are some examples of how your gift could benefit the WSR:
£500 could buy 50 sleepers which would help provide much needed siding space to accommodate historic vehicles
£1,000 could enhance the authentic appearance of the railway by installing a goods yard loading gauge or restoring a lengthman’s hut
£10,000 would allow us to renovate the roof of a station building or goods shed and so protect that building for the next 50 years
£100,000 would help the restoration of a historic coach
£500,000 would enable a major overhaul of a steam locomotive
Want to know more?
I am considering a Legacy for the WSR and would like to talk with someone (confidentially) about this . . . click here to email our legacy officer or call 01643 704996
Please send me further information or you can download the leaflet by clicking here
I have already remembered the WSR in my Will so why not let us know? . click here to email our legacy officer
