Field Trip 2000 - West Somerset Railway

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Broad Gauge Society 2000 Field Trip

Report (With Pictures Version)

Taunton

We were due to meet at Taunton station at 10:30am. Of course I was late, despite having one of the shortest journeys! We assembled outside the main entrance, and went in search of remaining BG buildings. Taunton station was opened in 1842, and the first West Somerset Railway trains ran to Watchet on 31st March 1862, with the extension to Minehead opening in 1874.

The station has been rebuilt over the years, and little of the original remains. It was originally a "single sided" station, and one of the station buildings remains on the down side platform, although parts of it have been much altered. After looking around the outside of this, we returned to the up platform and left by the ramp, stopping to look at the base of the water tank, as far as we know, the only other remaining structure.

Above: The surviving original station building from road and platform sides © J Boshier
Above: The water tank base as it is today (© J Boshier), and a late 19th Century view (BGS Collection)

We returned to our cars for the drive to Bishops Lydeard.

Bishops Lydeard

Bishops Lydeard station is the southern end of the operational part of the line, and is the best place to start if visiting the West Somerset Railway by car. Originally it had a single platform, and the station building, goods shed, station masters house, road overbridge and nearby railway cottages are from the Broad Gauge era. We had a look round the buildings, including the inside of the goods shed, which is now a museum.

General view of Bishops Lydeard looking south, showing original platform on right. © J Boshier

After a discussion on the itinery in the car park, we left by car for Crowcombe Heathfield.

Crowcombe Heathfield

Crowcombe Heathfield is the second station and the summit of the line, and our next stop. The first sod was cut here on 7th April 1859. It used to be noted for the appalling state of the approach road, but this is now much improved. Parking is limited here, but luckily there was room for all of us.

The station building is the only original structure on the platforms, and this has been extended at the Minehead end. There was much discussion on the exact position of the join, which has been made very skillfully - we couldn't work out where it was!. There is a permanent way display on the down platform, including a section of Broad Gauge baulk road.

Left: The station building, with extension at the far end Right: BGS members study the track display © J Boshier

Williton

Our final stop before lunch was Williton. This has been a crossing place since Broad Gauge days, and has a wonderful range of period buildings, including the only surviving Bristol & Exeter Railway signal box. We started our tour with a visit to the signal box. The station master then took us on a guided tour of the station, starting with the small office next to the site of the water tank. We then moved on to the station building, and a look round the booking office. This was followed by an investigation of the inside of the goods shed, which is in need of much attention. The whole site is listed, but resources for restoring and maintaining everything are limited and priority has to been given to the areas used by passengers.

Williton signal box from the level crossing, and the BGS party inside waiting for some action © J Boshier

Left: General view of Williton looking towards Watchet, showing the station building with the goods shed in the distance Right: Road side of the station building © J Boshier

By this time we were getting hungry, and drove to Watchet where parking on the East Quay had been arranged.

Watchet

Lunch had been arranged at Chris Saunder's home, a short walk from the East Quay. Chris's wife had put together a wonderful buffet lunch, and we sat in the garden in the sunshine to eat it. Next years Field Trip organiser has something to live up to, as the catering arrangements get better every year! Indoors, a selection of plans and photos of the line were on show, including maps brought by Ian Coleby, the West Somerset Steam Trust Archivist. I then spoilt things by going around everyone collecting money!

I missed the visit to Watchet station, as I drove off with the money! It was in a good cause though, as I was buying train tickets for the next part of the trip!

Watchet station was the original terminus of the line, and the station building and goods shed survive. There were once sidings on the East Quay, which is now covered in concrete, and will eventually be covered in houses as part of the new marina. The goods shed is now the home of Watchet Boat Museum, but the station building, at right angles to the line, is still occupied by the railway.

Blue Anchor

I arrived at Blue Anchor well before the rest of the party, and purchased return train tickets to Minehead. Everyone arrived just in time to catch the train, and we had an enjoyable trip along the coast around Blue Anchor bay, through Dunster and into Minehead.

Minehead

While we were waiting for the return trip, we had a quick look at the goods shed, but it has been considerable extended recently and converted to a loco depot. We then moved on to the station building. This had a large extension added in the 1930's, but the original building is largely intact, and we spent some time in the car park discussing it.

Left: Minehead goods shed, now the locomotive depot. The timber extension on the left is a recent addition Right: Road side of the original part of the station building © J Boshier

It was then time to board the train for the return to Blue Anchor

Blue Anchor (Again)

We then moved on to the station building. This has been altered since Broad Gauge days - the entrance door has been moved, and the brickwork rendered. When we had finished our tour, we had time to watch two trains crossing, and it was then time to head for home after a most enjoyable day.

Blue Anchor station building © J Boshier

Other Stations

As there was so much to see, we didn't have time to visit Stogumber, Washford or Dunster stations. There are also a number of interesting bridges along the line.

And Finally