West Somerset Railway
 |
 |
At 20 miles, the West Somerset Railway (WSR) is the longest privately owned passenger rail line in the UK. It operates using heritage steam and diesel locomotives, and claims to provide transport for the local community as well as a leisure attraction for visitors. In the first respect however the WSR's ability to provide a true public transport alternative to the car is limited by its having to stop short of the major town of Taunton (see below).
The railway runs along the edge of the Quantock Hills between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet, and then along the coast to Minehead. The Exmoor National Park is nearby.
History
Pre-British Railways it was part of the Great Western Railway. The earliest portion of the line was opened in March 1862 by the "West Somerset Railway Company", formed on 17 August 1857. The line was built to broad gauge and designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was converted to standard gauge in one day in October 1882.
After the Beeching review, the line was closed by British Railways in January 1971. The land was purchased by Somerset County Council, as the route of a potential new road to Watchet and Minehead for the heavy tourist traffic. However, this idea was dropped when the nearby Exmoor National Park became a National Park facility.
It reopened as a private heritage line at Easter 1976. Although a rail connection still exists to the national rail network at Norton Fitzwarren and Taunton, it is presently necessary to catch a bus between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard. This heavily restricts the WSR's ability to provide a true public transport alternative to the car, by its having to stop short of the major town of Taunton. However, the through the line from Taunton is used on Gala Weekends and by charter trains.
The West Somerset Railway Association provides an army of volunteers who carry out a wide range of tasks to support the Railway from booking clerks to gardeners to engine drivers.
Stations
From Taunton, towards Minehead:
- Taunton - an eventual goal, but with no present plans. Access only via a connecting bus service
- Norton Fitzwarren - purchased, no access yet. To be the site of a new and major loco servicing facility, carriage works and access station
Bishops Lydeard
First opened in 1862 when the line from Norton Fitzwarren to Watchet was opened, it was until closure a typical village station part way along a branch line. As the present Southern terminus of the WSR, the platforms, facilities and the car park have under gone extensive extension and refurbishment. The Station is the headquarters of the West Somerset Railway Association, and the "Quantock Belle" dining car train is also based here. A loco servicing depot is situated at the Taunton end of the Station. The old Goods Shed is restored as a visitor centre
Crowcombe Heathfield
The station was built in 1862 when the line opened, the station stands at the highest point on the line, just under 400 feet above the sea. The railway workers cottages and station masters house, together with the main station building are the only original structures left. The upper half of the signal box was purchased from Ebbw Vale.
Several films have been shot at Crowcombe, including the Beatles film A Hard Day's Night and latterly The Land Girls; and also on TV in The Flockton Flyer, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Stogumber
Opened in 1862, a different layout to most stations, in that the main building lies on the opposite side of the tracks to the platform
Williton
An unmolested example of a Bristol & Exeter Railway station, which retains a number of features including it's Italianate chimney. An original B&ER signal box, believed to be the only one surviving, guards the railway crossing - openly spaced thanks to the original installation of broad gauge in 1862. The Goods Shed is the WSR base for the Diesel and Electric Group. The Goods Shed is not original, having been donated by Tarmac Ltd after preservation from Swindon Railway works.
Doniford
Built on a curve to serve the nearby Holiday complex, one-platform Doniford was opened in 1988. Built from 1930's vintage GWR pre-cast concrete from Montacute Station, an authentic GWR corrugated iron pagoda building was reclaimed from Cove on the former Exe Valley line.
Watchet
The original terminus of the West Somerset Railway, the layout explains some of the odd features of this single platform station, before the line was extended to Minehead in 1874. The footbridge (the only one on the line) was added to maintain an original public right of way. The harbour was connected to the "main line" by a steep incline up to the goods shed.
Washford
Openend in 1862, a different layout to most stations, in that the main building lies on the opposite side of the tracks to the platform
· Doniford · Watchet · Washford · Blue Anchor · Dunster · Minehead
Trivia
- During the summer the railway employs 28 people, in addition to many volunteers. It carries 200,000 passengers each year, and has so far (end of 2003) transported over 3 million people
- The West Somerset is featured in the PC simulation game "Train Driver"
Locomotives
- Steam Locomotives
- SDJR 2-8-0 Class 7F no. 88 (current boiler ticket expires in 2016)
- Diesel Locomotives
- Diesel Multiple Units