Hopes are growing that regular scheduled train services will once more operate between the West Somerset Railway (WSR) and the national rail network.
There is an increasing interest in re-opening long-closed stations and lines on the network. To this end, a partnership working group has been set up to look at the prospects of running scheduled trains between WSR's Bishops Lydeard station and Taunton, which would safeguard the WSR's long-term future.
The working group comprises representatives of the Heart of South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Great Western Railway, Network Rail, Somerset County Council, and WSR Plc.
A connection between Taunton and Minehead branch has been a long-term aim since the line was rescued by enthusiasts after BR axed services. At one time, services to Minehead included through trains from London and other parts of the country.
The first task will be to look at the simplest and most effective way in which the link between the WSR and the mainline can be improved, signalled, and operated. An outline business plan will then be developed to estimate how much it would cost.
Christian Irwin, director of Network Rail's rail investment centre, said:
“Working closely with our local partners is essential to understanding the transport needs of local communities. We are pleased to be supporting this study.”
GWR's head of service strategy, Matt Barnes, commented:
“We are delighted to work with the WSR and other partners to explore the feasibility and business case for restoring daily passenger services between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard. This would build on the successful trial of a summer Saturday shuttle service during 2019 before the Covid pandemic.”
Ian Harrison, Transport Adviser to the Heart of South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
“Re-connecting the local communities to the national rail network would give residents better access to employment, services, education and training, and improve connections to local businesses. Direct train services from Taunton will support inbound tourism to West Somerset, not least to the West Somerset Railway itself.”
WSR company director Steve Williams commented:
“This work is seen by the Plc as playing a vital part in securing the long-term sustainability of the West Somerset Railway. We have excellent relationships with our partners in this venture and we hope we can develop a strong case for reconnection to Taunton that will attract the necessary support and funding to make it a reality.”
So what happened? Haa it all come to nothing?
I moved to Taunton in 1968 and this is where I grew up! Many years ago I learnt of the dream that is WSR. A rail link Taunton to Minehead via a “romantic” steam train seems ideal. Ideal for “staycations”. Travel from anywhere in the UK by culminating your holiday in a steam train journey to stay in a traditional British seaside resort.
Minehead is a beautiful town with vast amounts on its doorstep. Butlins on hand for entertainment and Exmoor & the north Somerset coast for beauty just next door.
Think of a “green” holiday taken in the UK without the need for polluting air travel, journeying to a beautiful part of this country, travelling via an extraordinary way of getting there.
GET WSR TO TAUNTON!! Help save this planet!
Will use this service when avalible
That would be great if they could resume a summer service operating from Taunton to Minehead again after all these years. It would bring back memories of my time as a Fireman at Taunton in the 1950s when we used to work trains to Minehead from the downside Taunton Bay platform.
I fully support this initiative as it will increase access to this beautiful part of the country. I know from recent experience that myself and visitors from Austria were frustrated by the poor bus service to Bishops Lydeard. It’s been a long time coming.
What about GWR to run their trains on the Portishead line if the line does reopen.
Some ten years ago, I tried to get a rail ticket from London to Minehead. Being aware that sometimes trains connected through Taunton, and even though I had booked a local Minehead B & B, the WSR failed to return any of my determined emails asking about through working. Therefore regretably I had to cancel my B & B booking. Instead I travelled to Penzance overnight by the Night Riviera and returned with the morning Pullman.
Until the 1980s a track ran from the West Somerset railway alongside the main line into a bay platform at Taunton station. It could have been operated without any need for signalling. It was idiotic to remove it.
I guess that a traffic census would reveal how viable a link might be. Traffic might be reasonable during the summer months, but during the winter, I doubt it. Time will tell.
Just get on with it… no excuses.
About time too! How long has that taken? 55 years? While the connections were there all the time? Make it a through service to Minehead please
I think I had read that, when the WSR was initally saved by volunteer enthusiasts, they wanted to run into Taunton. However this was blocked by the RMT union because of a local quirk which had Minehead to Taunton bus services operated by RMT members. They didn’t want the competition of a railway service, especially one run by volunteers. I hope the RMT won’t raise a similar objection this time round but, in their current militant mood, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they did.
Yes, I remember that as well Chris. As much as I support unions (I was a member the entire time I was an employed person) for them to say it was competition is just ridiculous. A bus trip Minehead to Taunton would be far quicker than the train anyway, so I can’t see a problem there, OR the bus services could easily pick up at villages not normally serviced feed the trains and vice-versa, and bingo… but there again, what do I know.
Last August I took a trip to Axminster with my Grandson and there outside the station was a bus. We were then in Lyme Regis in 20 minutes. Same deal when returning – fab!
Great news, and if it happens, will be a boost for both the WSR and the town of Minehead.