The West Somerset Railway offers facilities for School Group Visits and for young people seeking work experience in some departments on the Railway. Information is listed below:
Click the Logo above for more Information
-
The West Somerset Railway offers school groups more than “just a train ride”. We want your students to gain as much as possible from their experience and offer some unique opportunities.
-
Would your visit be enhanced by any of the following? A preliminary chat with or visit from a member of our school's team, to ensure that your group gains as much as possible from their visit and so that the trip remains in your budget.
-
A theme carried throughout your visit to enhance the subjects being studied, why not come in fancy dress? A carriage reserved for your group to use as a mobile classroom.
-
A talk relating to the subjects you are studying, for example an insight into being an evacuee, from someone who was evacuated
-
A hands on visit to the museum, where you can work the signals yourself.
-
Worksheets, quizzes and competitions during your visit as well as preparatory work provided.
-
The choice of stopping at any of our ten stations, the majority of which have educational opportunities. For older groups a guided tour of our workshops and a chance to see some heavy machinery on a grand scale.
-
You can order refreshments from the train.
-
We also welcome ideas from you to show us how we can fit in to today’s national curriculum.
Please call Sam on 01643 700384 for more information or a Schools Pack or email Sam by Clicking here
Over the years the West Somerset Railway has developed opportunities for work experience. These have been designed to fit around the requirements of individuals ranging from Secondary School young people to University students preparing their Dissertations. There are a limited number of these per year on a first come first served basis. An example programme is shown below for a previous university students programme for Human Geography Degree:
| Date |
Programme |
| Monday |
1000 Meet Ops Roster Clerk at Bishops Lydeard and catch 1025 train to Minehead. Volunteer system and rostering ‘on train’ session.
Day in Minehead office talk to staff, General Manager, controller etc. Services offered; Dept structure, visit loco if possible and restoration work. 1555 Train, return train to Bishops Lydeard. |
| Tuesday |
1030 Bishops Lydeard. Meet Museum Curator. Day in Museum and meet station staff. WSRA association and role in promoting and supporting volunteers. Future developments at Norton Fitzwarren and potential for development of Main Line charters / services. |
| Wednesday |
0930. Report to Bishops Lydeard to Guard for the 1025 BL-MD service. Spend day on train. Train crew tasks, shadow guard. Catering services. Travelling Ticket Inspectors. Train management, teamwork. PR aspects of the week, heritage and tourist. Speak to passengers to find out their opinions |
| Thursday |
1000. WILLITON. Meet Company Secretary for review of restoration work at Williton and any other business.
LUNCH 1400 Minehead. S&DJR include Washford visit. |
| Friday |
1100. BISHOPS LYDEARD. Join Driver for cab ride on DMU, view of the line as far as Blue Anchor. Chance to view the line first hand view, what do you think it offers? Meet Stationmaster and Museum Curator at Blue Anchor. AOB, summary of week with Ops Roster Clerk |
Anyone interested in taking part in a work experience programme with the West Somerset Railway should contact Justin on 01643 700398 or email him by clicking here. Anyone wishing to carry out a programme is required to attend an interview with a teacher or guardian to establish the need of both the Company and the student, and following this interview a mentor is appointed to guide the student through the week. Many areas of work on the railway are carried out observing strict health and safety guidelines, and any students participating in these schemes must operate within these rules.
Any interested Teachers are welcome to visit the Railway to discuss work experience projects by arrangement with Justin on the number or email above.
