West Somerset railway

...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 ...
...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 ... more

Firstly I was absolutely flabbergasted to find that this attraction was not even listed on Ciao. Secondly it must hold the record for a product proposal being accepted by Ciao from my good self as it took less than an hour after the suggestion to it being enabled for reviews.

How on Earth this gem has escaped the attention of Ciao, its readers, and the general public really is beyond my understanding. Anyway now I will rectify this travesty of a missed opportunity with this review.

(All people's names have been changed to protect anonymity in this review)

A LITTLE HISTORY

The first mention of what 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 ferrying of household coal to Taunton and passenger communication to South Wales. The original plan was for a 14 mile stretch 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 first earth was dug at Crowcombe Heathfield and the beginnings of a new railway line had begun.

In March 1862 the line was opened and in July 1864 the line was extended to Minehead. The West Somerset railway retained its independence until 1922 when it was incorporated into the Great Western railway company and later became part of British railways in 1948. It remained so until they closed the line in January 1971.

Amazingly agreement was reached with British rail as early as May 1971 the purchase price agreed by 1972 and contracts were exchanged for the charity to run the line on behalf of Somerset county council in 1975. The line opened properly in March 1976 with trains operating from Blue Anchor station and plans were afoot to open the whole 22 miles from Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton to Minehead.

The line has been used for various films such as "A hard day's night", "The Belstone fox", and more recently "The land girls". It was used in the television series "The Flockton flyer", and since then in various other television series and programmes.

I could probably write several pages on the West Somerset railways entire history but after mixed fortunes since its inauguration including the time when it was shut it is now run almost entirely by volunteers and has a charitable status.

MY JOURNEY BACK IN TIME

Before my latest visit to the West Country I was unaware of the existence of this railway line. I have always been an advocate of the old steam trains and the character of the old railways has always had a place close to my heart from a young child when I would walk up and down the train with my Father and stick my head out of the windows. I loved the corridors and the splendour of "first class" as I passed their small compartments. There always seemed to be something special about the unique smell of the coal from a steam train or the oily aroma of the diesel engines together with the awesome power they seemed to contain.

So here I was at Minehead station early on a Sunday morning in August waiting for the departure of the 10.15am to Bishops Lydeard stopping at all stations.

We had arrived early to catch the first train of the day, I was gambling somewhat on the fact that the British public tend to be lazy on a Sunday and would not be up to catch this early bird and the gamble paid off. The platform was quiet as we approached the train with gentle clouds of steam emanating from its funnel in the distance. The atmosphere was relaxed and a group of people huddled around the engine in the early morning sunshine looking in awe as it gently purred before its exertions through the Somerset countryside. Steam engine 5553 looked superb with its finely polished brass funnel and black/green gleaming paintwork a gentle ripple of steam exiting from the top together with the hiss of the valves.

Derek the driver stood proudly by the engine entrance together with his overalls and drivers cap whilst Sid his fireman attached the hose to fill engine 5553 with water.

Three older ladies, one with West Somerset railway overalls stood chatting with Derek and Sid. I sidled up beside them wanting to have a look properly inside the drivers cab but of course being programmed in this day and age I was not ever expecting to be allowed to do so.

Derek the driver and one of the ladies lit a cigarette and Derek stepped down from the cab. He looked at me and said, "Go in and have a look if you want to". I was a like a young boy with a bag of sweets as I leapt into the cab not waiting to be asked twice.

The cab was awesome with a furnace far larger than I would ever have anticipated. It was hot and smelt of coal, but the inside was as clean as the outside and clearly this engine had some very special carers. I asked some questions of both Sid and Derek who answered me with interest, enthusiasm, and clear pride for this huge metal machine they seemed to treat more like a fragile baby.

The station announcer informed us the train was about to leave and so it was time for me to alight my carriage and enjoy the journey. The guard stood on the platform with his green flag and blew his whistle as 5553 begun to pull the six 1950s carriages from the station. The familiar chug, chug, chug, of the train gaining speed brought it all back to me like it was yesterday as I stuck my head once again out of the window and allowed the steam and smell to hit my face and nostrils.

Six minutes later we pulled into Dunster station passing the ancient castle in all its splendour on one side with the coast and South Wales on the other. To alight here it is a twenty minute walk to the medieval village, tea shops, castle and mill.
Another nine minutes and we were at Blue Anchor station and adjacent to a beach. There is also a small Great Western railway museum here if you fancy a stop.

Another eight minutes and we were at Washford. The station is actually a museum of the former Somerset and Dorset railway. There is a pub near the station and 12th century Cleeve abbey together with the Torre cider farm (free entry) welcome you together with some craft shops. These are about a 15 minute walk from Washford station.

Nine minutes later and we arrived at Watchet, a Victorian station.The train stops in the middle of the town with the new marina only seconds away and visible from the train. An ancient quaint little town with a museum and old narrow streets with tiny shops.

After just four minutes we approached Donniford halt which is actually a request stop only and you have to tell the guard you want to stop there for the train to halt. If you are on the station and want to get on the train you have to put your hand out for the driver.

After Donniford halt there is another eleven minutes before you reach Williton station which is restored to the 1860s style, and internally to Great Western railway standards. There is a shop and a fifteen minute walk to the town centre with pubs, shops, and cafes. A thirty minute walk takes you to the bakelite museum and the diesel heritage centre. We waited here for fifteen minutes as there was a wait while another train came from the opposite direction. Some of the line is double tracked but most is a single line track so you sometimes have a wait. Once again I disembarked and chatted to Sid and Derek whilst Derek's Granddaughter chatted to the three ladies. After another cigarette on the platform (you can't smoke on the trains) another steam train came into view and stopped next to us on the opposite platform.

Danny the waiter came through the carriage offering us goodies like Cornish pasties and souvenir mugs which we bought. He had the gift of the gab and was very persuasive in his own friendly way without the pressured selling i am so used to. It all added to a wonderful relaxed atmosphere without compromising safety and none of this official modern stuffy attitude so common today. I wasn't told once to keep my head inside the train as I constantly switched from one side of the train to the other to get the best views. Although there were signs telling me not to do so back then just like now which i ignored as always.

The points changed and the antique signal post came down offering us safe passage to the next station which was a most unusually named place called Stogumber. Unusual name it may have, but this was in my view the most pretty station on the line and had benches and flowers, a pagoda like shelter, and wonderful cut lawns in the most beautiful garden and picnic site along one side of the train. If you wish to leave the train here there is a fifteen minute walk to a picturesque village with a pub.

Crowcombe Heathfield is next and the penultimate and most famous station on the line. This is where "A hard days night", and the "Land girls" were filmed and is an excellent place for country walks.

Me and my wife reminisced about our younger days when we travelled on trains like this and my wife insisted I used the toilet as it was amazing and just how she had remembered them. Trust a woman to spot the toilet.

At 11.50am 5553 finally entered Bishops Lydeard and the end of the line although the line continues to Norton Fitzwarren you can not alight or board the trains here. At Bishops Lydeard I explored the signal cabin allowed in by the signalman who explained the workings of the huge levers banked up in a huge row with great enthusiasm. I was too polite to tell him I already knew their function as my Dad was a signalman for 38 years.

I watched as 5553 was de-coupled from the carriages and chugged off into the distance to turn around and re-join our train at the other end. Soon she was back and 5553 stopped as Sid and Derek together with his Granddaughter filled 5553 up with water from an antique looking water tower for the return trip as I watched with others from the platform.

At 12.25 pm 5553 and myself were on the way back to Minehead.

The return journey was identical but you pick up sights you missed on the upline. All the stations are beautifully kept and old signage is abundant on all the platforms. In sidings up and down the line Diesel engines, old carriages, and buildings line the route which all added to the atmosphere. A nice touch was the luggage trolleys with the old suitcases. All the staff were uniformed unless you were Sid the fireman who was black from head to toe with coal dust.

At 1.35pm as we approached Minehead with soot in my hair, steam in my nostrils and a grin on my face it was the end of my journey back in time. I realised I had enjoyed this day more than any other on our holiday.

TECHNICALITIES

The West Somerset railway is open almost all year round at certain times. They publish a colour coded timetable which is very easy to understand. There is a 24 hour talking timetable on 01643-704996.

Journey time approx without disembarking: Just over three hours.

Other Enquiries: 01643-704996

Address: The West Somerset railway
The Railway Station
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 5BG

E Mail; info@West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk
Website: www.West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk

Prices; Fares vary from £3.20 to £11.90 depending on the length of the journey with the highest price being the "day rover" ticket which allows you complete freedom of the line for a day. There is family tickets which somewhat differently than normal attractions covers two adults and up to FOUR children instead of the usual two.
Discounts are given to groups of sixteen or more.

Shopping: There are large shops at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard for souvenirs and rail paraphernalia.

Parking: Large free car parks at Williton, Bishops Lydeard, and Dunster. Pay and display car parks at Minehead and Watchet.

Disabled: West Somerset railway suggests that disabled passengers embark at either Minehead or Bishops Lydeard, although all stations have ramps or level access except Donniford halt. There are toilets with RADAR keys at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. All the trains have ramps for boarding but the disabled are required to remain in their wheelchairs for the duration of the journey and space is limited so advance booking is advisable in busy periods or for groups.

How to get there: Train to Taunton and then bus to Bishops Lydeard. By car junction 25 or 26 and follow the brown signs.

Additional information: The West Somerset railway operates many special events and special trains. These include; Spring steam gala, Spring diesel gala, Days out with "Thomas", Steam fayre and vintage vehicle rally, CAMRA real ale festival, Autumn steam gala, grand trains extravaganza, Santa steam specials, Dunster by candle light, Carol trains, Murder mystery, fish and chip specials, sunset specials, Halloween, and events for Mothers and Fathers days, and a winter steam day.

The Quantock Belle is a luxury dining train operating from Bishops Lydeard offering a luxury service.
You can also hire your own train for a special function.

They also run courses to become a steam engine driver throughout the year.

CONCLUSION

The whole time I was on this train I felt like a young boy who's Christmases had all come at once. The whole experience has the potential to make you and your children's day what you will. With castles, beaches, country walks, pubs, villages, old churches, museums, a harbour, a medieval abbey, cider farm, or just a ride on a steam train. Switch trains and ride on the diesel train, go for a walk or stop at a picturesque pub for lunch. All can be done on what I recommend as a very good, excellent value for money attraction. One of the best experiences I have had in a very long time.

Thank you to the West Somerset railway for a lovely day out and I will be back. It was a pleasure to ride.

Thanks for reading.

 

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