With a length of 20 miles, the West Somerset Railway is the longest standard gauge heritage railway in Great Britain. The line runs from Bishops Lydeard, 5 miles north-west of Taunton, to Minehead on the Bristol Channel coast. The line has a connection to the national rail network at Norton Fitzwarren, 2 miles west of Taunton.
Brief History
The original line from Taunton to Minehead was built to the Great Western Railway's broad gauge of 7' 0¼" (2,140mm), the Bristol and Exeter Railway operated the line from the outset.
* 1862 - West Somerset Railway opened from Norton Fitzwarren to Watchet.
* 1874 - Minehead Railway from Watchet to Minehead opened.
* 1897 - The Great Western Railway absorbed the Minehead branch.
* 1923 - Nationalisation - The Minehead Branch became part of British Railways Western Region.
* 1971 - Minehead Branch closed by British Railways
* 1976 - The current West Somerset Railway re-opened to passengers between Minehead and Blue Anchor. Later the same year the line opened to Williton.
* 1979 Opened to the current southern terminus at Bishops Lydeard.
Trains
When the West Somerset Railway opened in 1976, traction was provided by just two Bagnall 0-6-0T industrial saddle tank steam locomotives. The railway now operates a variety of larger steam and diesel locomotives suited for the longer trains needed to cater for the current passenger numbers. The railway's steam locomotive list includes:
* S&DJR class 7F 2-8-0 No. 88 (built 1925).
* SR West Country class 4-6-2 No. 34046 Braunton (built 1946).
* 3 GWR Manor class 4-6-0s (built 1950)
* Main line diesel locomotives available to the line include:
* BR class 47 Co-Co No. D1661 North Star (built 1965).
* BR class 52 C-C No. D1010 Western Campaigner (built 1962).
In addition there are about eight shunters and industrial locomotives. Train consist of mostly British Railways Mk1 stock painted in GWR chocolate and cream livery with West Somerset Railway crests but there is also an increasing number of restored older carriages. BR class 115 and 117 diesel multiple units work some trains.
The West Somerset Railway Association operates a dining train called the Quantock Belle which is easily identified by it's BR maroon livery.
Visiting
I have travelled on the line more times than any other heritage railway as it is my nearest steam railway. The journey over the full length of the railway takes about 1¼ hours. That gives plenty of time to relax and partake of refreshments from the buffet car including local beer and cider, whilst enjoying the picturesque Somerset countryside.
To really appreciate the West Somerset Railway stopping off at the beautifully restored intermediate stations and visit the other places of interest nearby. There's pretty much something for everyone, from the various locomotive preservation groups along the line to the delightful historic harbour town of Watchet.
No holiday in south-west England would be complete without a visit to what is in my opinion, one of the best standard gauge preserved railways in Britain and most certainly the premier heritage line in the South West. If you are visiting Somerset or the surrounding area, don't miss it!
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