The WSR is a heritage line, so they run old steam and diesel locomotives. It also has the honour of being the longest preserved railway in the country, running some 23 miles through some of the most amazing countryside and coastal plain, through the Vale of Taunton Deane, passing the Quantock hills, running along the coast into the seaside resort of Minehead. The total journey from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead takes a leisurely hour and a half. On the journey, you go through the spectacular Quantock hills, out to the coastal plain. Back inland through farmland, and back to the sea again with views over Exmoor. Every time I've been on this journey I've managed to see something different.
** Where is it? **
The Railway head office is based at Minehead railway station, but the point most people will join the train is from Bishops Lydeard. This station is about 4 or 5 miles from the centre of Taunton, on the A358 Minehead road.
** How do you get there? **
By car I'm afraid. There is a main line connection to Taunton railway station, but apparently they can only use a limited number of times a year (something to do with Network Rail) They have built a railway bridge over the mainline, and some of the work is going to allow a permanent connection to be
established (something to do with signals - which as of July 06 has been completed, but there is a lot of work going on which at the moment prevents connections) once this has been done there is talk of a shuttle service from Taunton railway station. So if you want to get there by public transport, you need to take a bus. There is a bus which goes directly from Taunton railway station, bus number 28A run by First National just check their web site for times.
@@ Update 2/11/06 - Just out of interest, they have started work on the main line connection, they are (for those that know) building a triangle at Norton Fitzwarren, this work is being carried out by Network Rail as part of some other scheme they are working on, apparently all the waste from a re-railing project further up the line will be deployed here, saving hundreds of lorry journeys on Somersets roads - now that can't be bad!@@
If travelling by car, get off the M5 at junction 25 or 26, and follow the road for Minehead. There are a number of brown tourist signs pointing you in the correct direction.
Once at Bishops Lydeard, there is a large car park (on gala days they also have a massive field for you to park in) there is just a short walk from the car park to the station (disabled can park adjacent to the station) Toilets are near the car park - these are run by the council, and are always clean and functional - There are no loos on the platform.
** What's there? **
The railway has a number of stations on the line, in fact at one time (I don't know if it is still the case they actually had more stations on the line than British Rail had in Somerset) Each of the stations has their own character. One thing to be aware of though, as seemed to be the practice when the line was built in the 1800's they applied the name of the nearest town or village to the station, so some of the stations are a fair old hike away from its namesake village.
The line was built by Brunel in the mid 1800's, and closed by BR in the early 1970's, but people wanted the line to be kept open, the County Council bought the line and 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 in, including some moving wooden boards showing how pistons work!! 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 is a lower exhibition area, where they sometimes have looped videos running with various railway related subjects.
There is another model railway on the platform, but this is only open on certain days, mainly on Gala days. This is a massive model - they have built a scale model of Bath Green Park, I would say that it is well worth a look. When it is open, it generally cost £1 for adults, 50p for kids. It will certainly make the dads want to build a railway at home!
This station boasts a shop, where you can buy many things, the kids will love Thomas, the Dads, the model railway items and the books. The prices in this shop are very fair, and they do sometimes have a sale!
There is a signal box on the platform, I've seen people ask to have a look around, and the
Pictures of West Somerset railway
Atmosphere
signalman has shown there round.The ticket office is just on the entrance to the platform.
Crowcombe
This is one of the stations where The Beatles filmed A Hard Days Night!! A beautiful little station where trains pass! There is also a small museum here.
Stogumber
Just a small station in the rolling Quantock countryside, it is very quaint, the idea place to stop off if you want to walk some of Somerset's highways & byways.
Wiliton
This is the home of the Diesels - there are workshops here where a number of repairs are generally going on. This is again where trains pass. It is a really nice little station.
Watchet
This station is right in the heart of the town, from the train you can see the Marina. It is worth getting out here, and having a good walk around the town, so very interesting shops - the town museum is pretty good too.
Washford
This station has a museum dedicated to the Somerset & Dorset Railway. There are a number of area to visit here, there is a believe a separate charge to look at the S&D museum
Doniford Halt
As it says, it is a Halt, you tell the guard you want to get off here, and he stops the train for you. Likewise if you are on the platform, stick out your arm and the train will stop for you.
Blue Anchor
This is one of the main tourist area in Somerset, with a number of caravan parks nearby. The trains pass each other here.
This a very small station, from here you can walk to Dunster Beach in one direction, or in the other to the village of Dunster, where you can visit the castle (National Trust) or look around some of the interesting little shops.
Minehead
The is the headquarters of the WSR, and the terminus, get off here to walk along the seafront, or visit the town or even visit Butlins - which is a kind of Holiday Park. Here is the main steam loco servicing area, so from the platform you can see the locomotives being coaled and watered. There is an engine shed, but there is no public access, as I guess Health & Safety laws prevail!
Again The Beatles filmed "A Hard Days Night" here!
Here they have a very large shop, again selling all things railway related. As with the Bishops Lydeard shop, you can buy pocket money priced things, right up to quite expensive model locomotives.
** What do they run? **
Trains! Trains! And more trains! The railway is one of the many heritage railways in the country, and as such run a number of steam trains, they also run diesel engines. On certain occasions they have 'guest engines' where a loco from another railway will be the guest for the duration. I have just read that "Lord Nelson" is going to be on the line for the Autumn.
All trains have buffet coach, so you can get tea, coffee and pasties etc. on your journey. Again all trains have loos on them, which generally are very clean and well looked after.
If you are the energetic type, there are many walks from the various stations, all seem to pass by some very nice pubs!!
** Special Events **
They have their fair share of special events. The Thomas weekends are always popular with the kids (or is it really the parents!)
In early August, they also have a "steam fair" held in one of the field near Bishops Lydeard, all manner of steam powered vehicles (traction engines etc) pound the fields, there are also a number of historic vehicles running too. There is generally a free bus laid on to Taunton railway station.
At Christmas, they also run the popular "Santa Special"
In September that is also a Beer Festival on Minehead station
*** Disabled ***
All access is suitable for disabled, there are ramps to get to everywhere (except the model railway at Bishops Lydeard which has a couple of steps) To board a train, the Guard provides a ramp, wheelchairs can be stored in the guards area on the train, and I believe there are large windows, to allow wheelchair users to see the view, also fixing points.
** What's it cost? **
A return trip from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead as in 2006 will cost for adults £12.40 for children between 5 and 15, they pay half the adult fare. There are discounts for senior citizens, but not being one, I've never had to enquire! The fares do change if there is event on, so it is best to check before setting out.
The journey takes about a hour and a half
For information on timetables, events etc, check out the web site www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
There is a talking timetable available on 01643 704996, where you can up to date information.
So if you want to have stress free trip to the seaside, take in some really beautiful scenery, you really can't go wrong with a trip on this line. Personally I like the engineering side of it, seeing how the trains pull, how the steam engines work.
If you do go I hope you enjoy it.
Larry
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Hardly need to go now you've described it so well! On the other hand you've sold it to me. Can't wait to go next time we're down that way.
COOOEEE 05.12.2006 10:42
I went there for the first time in the summer and hope to do it again in the warmer weather again. Trouble with the guards train where they stick the wheelchairs is there are no seats for the carers and also the space has to be sheared with pushchairs and push bikes moving around plus it is next to the buffet so non stop traffic. I took some photos of the steam trains but they came out a bit dark. Fionaxx
UKRushbrook 15.11.2006 00:25
Excellent review. We love trains especially locomotives. Will have to visit this on our next visit down to the west country.
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