For the Love of a Railway

Help us keep the legend of Lyme Billy alive

We are a small band of dedicated volunteers with a big dream: to keep the legend of the old Axminster to Lyme Regis line - and its Victorian ‘Lyme Billy’ locos - alive. In just a short time, we’ve achieved a lot and created a valuable community and tourist asset.

First, we transformed the windows of an abandoned restaurant with a temporary model of the famous old line. Then we got ambitious! By taking over an empty shop and transforming it into a visitor centre known as‘The Depot’ with a centrepiece layout and historic display. We also became a registered charity.

Our big challenge now is to secure our future by committing to our premises long term and coping with the costs that go with that. Our other plans include:

* Heating The Depot to make it a comfortable winter workshop and visitor space

* Running organised model railway and modelling sessions

* Capturing and sharing the memories of those who lived through the Lyme Billy era (1903 - 1965)

* Holding special ‘tea and chat’ sessions for those with failing memories

* Preparing an education pack for local schools.

We aren’t short of volunteer prepared to give their time and skills, but we can’t keep going without support from people who care about our cause and about what we are trying to do for our town.

Your donation – big or small – will help us.