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Soon it was taken over by the [[Bristol and Exeter Railway]], which in turn was taken over by the [[Great Western Railway]] in 1874. The line, built to [[broad gauge]] standard, was converted to standard gauge in one day in October 1882.
Soon it was taken over by the [[Bristol and Exeter Railway]], which in turn was taken over by the [[Great Western Railway]] in 1874. The line, built to [[broad gauge]] standard, was converted to standard gauge in one day in October 1882.


The line was mentioned in the Reshaping of British Railways report or the [[Beeching Axe]] review, in 1963 as a line recommended for closure. However, the line lingered on, in an increasingly decrepit state until it was closed by [[British Rail]]ways in January 1971. At the closure inquiry in 1968, the local bus company had informed the Transport Users Consultative Committee (TUCC) that six buses would be needed in the winter months and some twenty buses in the summer to cope with the influx of holidaymakers. Not to mention the congestion that this was likely to cause on the Taunton to Minehead road. When closed, negotiations were entered in to between a new embryo West Somerset Railway Company, headed by a local business man, Douglas Fear, whose intention was to reopen it as a diesel commuter line to [[Taunton]]. However, [[Somerset|Somerset County Council]] were wary of the lucrative Minehead station site falling into private hands and withdrew their support from the company. The only option remaining was for the council to purchase the line and lease back the operational to the West Somerset Railway Company with the idea of providing the daily year round rail service.
The line was mentioned in the Reshaping of British Railways report or the [[Beeching Axe]] review, in 1963 as a line recommended for closure. However, the line lingered on, in an increasingly decrepit state until it was closed by [[British Rail]]ways in January 1971. At the closure inquiry in 1968, the local bus company had informed the Transport Users Consultative Committee (TUCC) that six buses would be needed in the winter months and some twenty buses in the summer to cope with the influx of holidaymakers. Not to mention the congestion that this was likely to cause on the Taunton to Minehead road. When closed, negotiations were entered in to between a new embryonic West Somerset Railway Company, headed by a local business man, Douglas Fear, whose intention was to reopen it as a diesel commuter line to [[Taunton]]. However, [[Somerset|Somerset County Council]] were wary of the lucrative Minehead station site falling into private hands and withdrew their support from the company. The only option remaining was for the council to purchase the line and lease back the operational to the West Somerset Railway Company with the idea of providing the daily year round rail service.


===Preservation===
===Preservation===

Revision as of 06:21, 8 February 2009

West Somerset Railway
Legend
 Minehead
187 mi 71 ch
302.38 km
Seaward Way level crossing
187 mi 50 ch
301.95 km
Dunster West level crossing
186 mi 24 ch
299.82 km
 Dunster
186 mi 21 ch
299.76 km
Sea Lane level crossing
186 mi 9 ch
299.52 km
Blue Anchor level crossing
184 mi 37 ch
296.86 km
 Blue Anchor
184 mi 43 ch
296.98 km
 Washford
182 mi 11 ch
293.12 km
Kentford loop (1933–1964)
West Somerset Mineral Railway
to Gupworthy & Watchet
Wansbrough Paper Mill
 Watchet
179 mi 64 ch
289.36 km
Watchet Harbour
 Doniford Halt
178 mi 75 ch
287.97 km
 Williton
178 mi 6 ch
286.58 km
Williton level crossing
 Stogumber
174 mi 64 ch
281.31 km
Leigh Bridge loop (1933–1964)
Leigh Wood level crossing
173 mi 48 ch
279.38 km
Roebuck Gate level crossing
172 mi 66 ch
278.13 km
 Crowcombe Heathfield
172 mi 10 ch
277.01 km
 Bishops Lydeard
168 mi 20 ch
270.77 km
Allerford Junction
165 mi 60 ch
266.75 km
 Norton Fitzwarren
165 mi 43 ch
266.41 km
Devon & Somerset Railway
to Barnstaple
West Somerset Railway
Network Rail
165 mi 20 ch
265.94 km
Bristol–Exeter line
to Exeter St Davids
 Norton Fitzwarren
(original)
165 mi 8 ch
265.7 km
 Taunton National Rail
163 mi 12 ch
262.56 km
Bristol–Exeter line
to Bristol Temple Meads
&
Reading–Taunton line
to Reading
Mileage from London Paddington

The West Somerset Railway (WSR) is a heritage railway that runs along the edge of the Quantock Hills in Somerset, England, between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet. The line then turns inland to Washford, and returns to the coast for the run to Minehead. The Exmoor National Park is nearby.

At 23 miles, it is the longest privately owned passenger rail line in the UK. It operates using heritage steam and diesel locomotives, and provides transport for the 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).

History

File:WestSomersetRailwayLogo.png

Construction

There were many proposals to build a West Somerset Railway, but the first was the 1850s West Somerset Mineral Railway (WSMR), which constructed a standard gauge line from the iron-ore mines of the Brendon Hills to Watchet. The company then had a proposal for an extension to Minehead, but this was not proceeded with.

Two meetings then took place in 1856. The first in Williton was attended by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It originally debated connecting Watchet with Bridgwater via a tunnel under the Quantock Hills - but Brunel suggested that although there may be coal under the hills, the tunnel was too long and costly compared to a direct route following the Quantocks and accessing the Bristol & Exeter railway at Taunton. The second meeting was held in Taunton, which proposed a route which cut closer to the Quantocks, and then meandered down to Minehead. However, the first group had Brunel survey the route, and plans for broad gauge railway were submitted in November 1856.

The West Somerset Railway Company was incorporated on 17 August 1857 by way of Act of Parliament, and a prospectus issued to raise the required £120,000 - but share holders failed to take any interest. After a considerable delay, Furness of London started construction on 7 April 1859 at Crowcombe Heathfield.

Operation

Soon it was taken over by the Bristol and Exeter Railway, which in turn was taken over by the Great Western Railway in 1874. The line, built to broad gauge standard, was converted to standard gauge in one day in October 1882.

The line was mentioned in the Reshaping of British Railways report or the Beeching Axe review, in 1963 as a line recommended for closure. However, the line lingered on, in an increasingly decrepit state until it was closed by British Railways in January 1971. At the closure inquiry in 1968, the local bus company had informed the Transport Users Consultative Committee (TUCC) that six buses would be needed in the winter months and some twenty buses in the summer to cope with the influx of holidaymakers. Not to mention the congestion that this was likely to cause on the Taunton to Minehead road. When closed, negotiations were entered in to between a new embryonic West Somerset Railway Company, headed by a local business man, Douglas Fear, whose intention was to reopen it as a diesel commuter line to Taunton. However, Somerset County Council were wary of the lucrative Minehead station site falling into private hands and withdrew their support from the company. The only option remaining was for the council to purchase the line and lease back the operational to the West Somerset Railway Company with the idea of providing the daily year round rail service.

Preservation

Bishops Lydeard Railway Museum.

The railway was reopened by a new West Somerset Railway company, headed by Douglas Fear. His intention was to run a diesel commuter service linking Minehead to Taunton. It was purely a commercial operation, but in order to supplement income, it was intended to run a summer steam service for Tourists between Minehead and Williton. However, the commercial service never started as it was objected to by British Rail whose drivers were now running the replacement bus services. So when it reopened Easter 1976, it was as a steam railway. Initial services were between Minehead and Blue Anchor, but were extended to Bishops Lydeard in 1979. It was necessary to catch a bus between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard.

The main line rail connection still exists with the national rail network via Norton Fitzwarren to Taunton. In 2006 the signalling was upgraded to allow through workings from Taunton to Minehead and vice-versa. As of late 2006 several charter trains have now used this facility and a regular service from Bristol is being considered.[citation needed] A “Butlins Express” service was introduced for the summer of 2007 on a few days each week. This ran non-stop from Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton over the West Somerset Railway to Minehead. operated on Network Rail by Victa Westlink Rail but was not resumed in 2008.

The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust is concerned with the historical aspects of the line and runs a museum at Blue Anchor.

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

Station sign at Williton

The railway has nine stations and one halt for normal operations. Stations are listed in the down direction, in increasing distance from London:

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

Point Coordinates
(links to map & photo sources) 		Notes
Taunton 51°01′22″N 3°06′13″W / 51.0228°N 3.1035°W / 51.0228; -3.1035 (Taunton) Connection to National Rail
Norton Fitzwarren 51°01′00″N 3°08′00″W / 51.0167°N 3.1333°W / 51.0167; -3.1333 (Norton Fitzwarren) No passenger facilities. Planned future facility
Bishops Lydeard 51°03′12″N 3°11′35″W / 51.0533°N 3.1931°W / 51.0533; -3.1931 (Bishops Lydeard) Normal southern terminus of railway line
Crowcombe Heathfield 51°06′06″N 3°14′02″W / 51.1017°N 3.2340°W / 51.1017; -3.2340 (Crowcombe Heathfield)
Stogumber 51°07′39″N 3°16′20″W / 51.1274°N 3.2722°W / 51.1274; -3.2722 (Stogumber)
Williton 51°10′00″N 3°18′33″W / 51.1667°N 3.3092°W / 51.1667; -3.3092 (Williton)
Doniford Halt 51°10′34″N 3°18′04″W / 51.1760°N 3.3011°W / 51.1760; -3.3011 (Doniford Halt)
Watchet 51°10′51″N 3°19′48″W / 51.1808°N 3.3301°W / 51.1808; -3.3301 (Watchet) Goods shed is home to Watchet Boat Museum
Washford 51°09′42″N 3°22′08″W / 51.1618°N 3.3690°W / 51.1618; -3.3690 (Washford)
Blue Anchor 51°10′53″N 3°24′05″W / 51.1814°N 3.4015°W / 51.1814; -3.4015 (Blue Anchor)
Dunster 51°11′34″N 3°26′17″W / 51.1929°N 3.4381°W / 51.1929; -3.4381 (Dunster)
Minehead 51°12′22″N 3°28′00″W / 51.2061°N 3.4668°W / 51.2061; -3.4668 (Minehead) Northern terminus & headquarters of West Somerset Railway


Locomotives

Steam locomotives

Operational

Bishops Lydeard station. The locomotive is Great Western 2-8-0T tank no. 5224
Another view of Bishops Lydeard station. The locomotive is British Railways 4MT 2-6-4T tank no. 80136, built in 1958
9351 at Bishops Lydeard
88 pulls into Minehead with the Quantock Belle
901002 in Network Rail's all-over yellow livery in 2005
34046 Braunton approaching Watchet station

Resident steam locomotives in service/overhaul elsewhere

Undergoing restoration

Undergoing overhaul

  • GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7828 "Odney Manor" - expected completion in 2009.
  • GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7821 "Ditcheat Manor" - Planned to return to service by late 2008/early 2009, however the overhaul has not started yet so it is hoped to be a fast track overhaul.

Awaiting overhaul

Stored locomotives

Diesel locomotives

Mainline diesels (Operational)

  • BR 0-6-0DH Class 14 no. D9526 - BR Two Tone Green
  • BR Bo-Bo Class 25 no. D7523 - BR Two Tone Green
  • BR Bo-Bo Class 33 no. D6566 - BR Green, with full yellow fronts
  • BR Bo-Bo Class 42 no. D832 "Onslaught" - BR Maroon - visiting for 2008
  • BR Co-Co Class 47 no. D1661 "North Star" - BR Two Tone Green

Shunters

  • Sentinel 0-4-0 Diesel Hydraulic no. DH16 - Blue - Regularly used at WN
  • Barclay Shunter 0-4-0 - Green - Blue Badges - At Dunster - Rarely used
  • Barclay Shunter 0-4-0 - Green - Red Badges - At Minehead at the moment
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. 03119 - BR Blue - Occasionally used a WN
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2133 - BR Green - Regularly Used at MD
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 04 no. D2271 - Blue Gardner - Occasionally used at MD
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. D3462 - BR Green - Regularly used at BL

Undergoing repairs

  • BR Bo-Bo Class 35 no. D7017 - BR Blue - Major repairs - Expected to be running in 2008
  • BR Bo-Bo Class 35 no. D7018 - BR Green - Major repairs - Expected to be running in 2010
  • BR Co-Co Class 52 no. D1010 "Western Campaigner" - BR Maroon - undergoing repaint, repairs undergoing on engine unit B -Expected to be running in 2009

Undergoing overhaul

  • BR 0-6-0 Class 04 no. D2133 - BR Black
  • BR Bo-Bo Class 33 No. 33057 - Power Unit started for first time in 12 years on 16/2/08. - Major body overhaul, being repainted into BR Green

Diesel multiple units

  • BR Class 115 unit 51852+59678+51887 - Operational - BR Green - Used nearly Every day of the year sometimes used in 4-car formation with an extra TCL, equaling a formation of DMBS-TCL(Buffet conversion)-TCL-DMBS.
  • BR Class 901 (ex-Class 101) unit 977692 (ex-53222) + 977693 (ex-53338) - At Dunster, repainted to BR Green from network rail yellow.
  • 51859+51880 - awaiting overhaul at Minehead - Faded Maroon and Cream corporate colours

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm
  • Coleby, I. K. (2006). The Minehead Branch 1848-1971. Lightmoor Press. ISBN 1899889205
  • Maggs, C. G. (1998). The Minehead Branch and the Somerset Railway. Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361528-4.
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