Advantages: A fantastic great value for money day out for all the family Disadvantages: You may not like trains
...was to later become the West Somerset railway (WSR) was made in 1856 in an advertisement in a local newspaper suggesting the building of a new railway. Many different routes were discussed later at this meeting in which the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel was present. Later Mr Brunel became the chief engineer and his favoured route was the one that was opted for. In August 1857 work was due to begin with the lines apparent purpose to be the ... ...of railway from two miles west of Taunton to Watchet on the North Somerset coast. The prospective builders had hoped for a flood of subscriptions to build the line but by February 1859 this was not forthcoming and it was believed that local businessman and landowners had no interest in the project. Two weeks later the Bristol and Exeter railway company reported that the building of the line had been postponed. However, just two weeks after that the ...
milleniumzeus 26.08.2005 (27.08.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of West Somerset railway
Advantages: Great day out, Our industral heritage Disadvantages: None
...rented it back to the West Somerset Railway, since those early days, the line has gone from strength to strength
Bishops Lydeard
This is the southern end of the line, this is where the trains from Minehead terminate. Here you can see the trains pull in, then chuff off to the water tower to fill up ready for the return journey. You can even get on the footplate if you ask the driver nicely.
There is a museum, which has some really interesting items ... ...There is a model railway up the stairs here, which seems to be being rebuilt.
In the museum, there is a locomotive, which you can climb in the cab, and play with the controls, this is only a relatively small loco, but it sure is big!! (there is a donation box to help with its rebuild) There is also a signal box with a couple of levers, you can operate some signals. There are also lots of "interesting" things to read dotted around the building
There ...
lazza123 24.08.2006 (02.11.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of West Somerset railway
Advantages: Another enjoyable day out Disadvantages: Bug-ger # see review
...off to play on the West Somerset Railway.
This is another preserved railway that runs from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead through some very nice country. It is some 19 3/4 miles in length passing through the Quantock hills and then along the coast to Minehead. This was another route engineered by Mr I K Brunel. It was originally in broad gauge. Some parts of the line were single with passing places and some double tracked. This line was closed during ... ...railway.
Travelling on The West Somerset railway I noted again that there were several coaches of the older persons on day trips. They would board at one station and be collected at the other end some time later and then off to the next destination. There always seem to be more women than men on these trips.
Another traveller is the trip for the physically or mentally disadvantaged. I have noted that these always seem to be enjoyed by the participants ...
Coloneljohn 06.08.2006 (08.08.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of West Somerset railway
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