The West Somerset Railway PLC and the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust have confirmed to RailAdvent that they have opened discussions over a 10-year lease to allow the SDRT to occupy the Washford site.

This follows on from the West Somerset Railway PLC notifying the SDRT earlier in the year to leave the site as they wanted it for their use.

However, after the Coronavirus pandemic, the Washford Yard site is no longer being required by the PLC for the foreseeable future.

Although a new agreement is being made, as part of it, the WSR PLC has said that they wish to use the Yard from time to time during the period of the lease.

The future arrangements, however, will see the station go into PLC management. The new agreement will allow the SDRT to continue with the restoration and maintenance of their rolling stock at Washford whilst at the same time, relocating some artefacts to other sites.

The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust has said that it has concluded from a review of the objectives that moving some Museum items elsewhere will broaden the appeal of the Trust.

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