West_Somerset_Railway

West Somerset Railway

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

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 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 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

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. 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

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

Special operation only

Taunton (National Rail station)
Norton Fitzwarren (no passenger facilities currently)

Normal operations

Bishops Lydeard (normal southern terminus)
Crowcombe Heathfield
Stogumber
Williton
Doniford Halt
Watchet
Washford
Blue Anchor
Dunster
Minehead (northern terminus)

Locomotives

Steam locomotives

Operational

S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 No. 88 - S&DJR Prussian Blue
GWR 2884 Class 2-8-0 No. 3850 - GWR Green
GWR 5101 Class 2-6-2T No. 4160 - BR Green
GWR 4575 Class 2-6-2T No. 5553 - BR Green
GWR 6000 Class 4-6-0 No. 6024 "King Edward 1" - BR Green - Arrived on Sunday 14th August after failing on the Torbay Express, it is now here for repairs but is still currently operational
GWR 5600 Class 0-6-2 No. 6695 - came for contract repairs, usually based at the Swanage Railway
WSR '9351' 2-6-0 No. 9351 - GWR green
SR West Country Class 4-6-2 Rebuilt WC No. 34046 "Braunton" - BR Lined Green
Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST No. 1788 "Kilmersdon" - Green

Resident steam locomotives in service/overhaul elsewhere

GWR 4575 Class 2-6-2T No. 5542 - GWR Green - At the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway

Undergoing restoration

Undergoing overhaul

GWR 6400 Class 0-6-0PT No. 6412 - GWR Green - expected completion in 2008-2009.
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

GWR 4500 Class 2-6-2T No. 4561 - BR Black - Planned to start overhaul once 6412 is finished.
GWR 2800 Class 2-8-0 No. 2874 - Recently purchased from Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway
GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7820 "Dinmore Manor" - Planned to return to service by 2012, will undergo overhaul at Williton shortly.

Stored locomotives

SR Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 Rebuilt MN No. 35011 "General Steam Navigation" - recently arrived for mechanical survey, being quoted for restoration.

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

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
977692 (ex-53222) + 977693 (ex-53338) - At Dunster, awaiting a repaint to BR Green
51859+51880 - awaiting overhaul at Minehead - Faded Maroon and Cream corporate colours

References

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.