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WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY 2012 |
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The West Somerset Railway opened in two sections, first from Taunton to the port of Watchet in 1862, thence the extension to Minehead in 1874. The branch was absorbed into the Great Western Railway in 1897. With goods and holiday passenger traffic, the branch flourished during the first half of the 20th century. But with falling trade during the 1950s and 1960s, the line was closed down in 1971. The new West Somerset Railway reopened the line between Minehead and Blue Anchor in 1976, reaching Bishops Lydeard in 1979. Today, the 20-mile long line is one of the premier preserved railways in the Country. It maintains workshops at both Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. These photos were taken on 5th August 2012. |
Minehead railway station first opened in 1874 as the terminus and headquarters
of the Minehead Railway,
which was absorbed by the GWR in 1897. The line was closed by British Railways
in 1971.
It is now the terminus and headquarters of the West Somerset Railway,
The platforms at Minehead are very well presented.
Looking east towards Dunster.
3850 is a 2-8-0 built by GWR at Swindon in 1942. She was bought for preservation in 1984.
6960 Raveningham Hall is a 4-6-0 built by GWR at Swindon in 1944. Bought for preservation 1972.
7828 Odney Manor is a 4-6-0 built by GWR at Swindon in 1950. Bought for preservation 1981.
4160 is a 2-6-2T built by GWR at Swindon in 1948. Bought for preservation 1974.
4160 is a 2-6-2T built by GWR at Swindon in 1948. Bought for preservation 1974.
D2133 diesel shunter was built by BR at Swindon in 1960, and withdrawn in 1969.
The leading motor car of this DMU set is W 51880. It is
a Class 115 built by BR at Derby.
The class was introduced in 1960 mainly for use on the services from Marylebone
to destinations in Buckinghamshire.
The units were withdrawn from Marylebone services in 1992.
View from the cab of W 51880 DMU driving car.
5553 is a 2-6-2T built by GWR at Swindon in 1928. Bought for preservation 1990.
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© Copyright M J Smith, 2012
No photographs to be reproduced elsewhere without permission.