The West Somerset Railway is a well established heritage railway running from Bishop's Lydeard,…read morenear Taunton, to the seaside resort of Minehead. It is one of the longest preserved lines in the country, and has a wide range of steam and heritage diesel rolling stock. It makes for a great family day out (for families of all ages!)
History
Plans for a line in the area were proposed on the completion of the Bristol to Exeter Railway in 1845 through nearby Taunton, but it was not until 1857 that an Act of Parliament was granted to build a line from a junction south of Taunton to the harbour town of Watchet. Construction began in 1859 and the line opened in 1862. The extension to Minehead opened ten years later in 1872.
The line became part of the Great Western Railway in 1874, and survived nationalisation to become part of British Railways. Traffic had always been heavily seasonal, being much busier in the summer holiday season, and the line was proposed for closure in 1963. Facilities were slowly rationalised and services finally ceased in 1971. Almost immediately, proposals were made to reopen the line, and in 1976 the section from Minehead to Blue Anchor opened as a heritage railway. The line was progressively restored and reached Bishops Lydeard in 1979.
The Line
Until the reopening of the 25 mile long Welsh Highland Railway, the West Somerset was, at 22.75 miles (36.6 km), the longest privately owned passenger rail line in the UK. However, normal operation for regular services is on the 19.5 miles from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard; services only run through to the national network for special events, via the connection at Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton.
Special 'Gala Days' attract large crowds and are extremely popular; in addition, there are special trains at Christmas and New Year, Santa Specials, Fine Dining Services, and even Fish & Chips specials and Cheese & Cider specials! You can even learn to drive a steam train on a special course. See website for details.
The line runs through delightful and varied scenery; from Bishops Lydeard to Williton, it follows the edge of the Quantock Hills through rich farmland, before heading to the coast at Watchet, where the line overlooks the harbour. It then heads inland to avoid cliffs, before running along the coast on the levels between Blue Anchor, past Dunster Castle, to Minehead. Bishops Lydreard and Minehead normally have steam locomotives around the station to look at, and Williton is home to the Diesel and Electric Preservation group.
The stations have been beautifully restored, and there are toilet facilities and souvenir and bookshops at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. There are catering facilities at Minehead. The line makes some provision for passengers with disabilities there is level access (and Disabled Toilets) at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. See website or telephone for details.
Rover tickets valid for a whole day's unlimited travel are £15.60 for adults, £7.80 for children, or £43 for two adults and up to four children (2011 prices). Although that might sounds pricey, a return trip takes a minimum of two hours for the 40 miles, and there are plenty of locomotives to see along the way. Special fares apply for special events.
