Great Western Railway is running a special shuttle train to get passengers to see the Inspiration Train on the West Somerset Railway.
The shuttle trains will run from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard, using a rarely used section of track.
Today (25 November) and Friday (28 November), four return trips will run between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard, departing at 1005, 1120, 1350 and 1505.
Travel on these special trains is free to holders of tickets to visit the Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ train.
The shuttles will use a Class 150, trains from Bishops Lydeard running at 1040, 1155 1425 and 1540
“Obviously the best way to get to the Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ train is by rail. We’re really pleased to be partnering with the West Somerset Railway to allow visitors to arrive by a GWR train over this rarely used section of track.”
GWR Head of Train Planning, Matt Cambourne
Responses
This is a very welcome move by GWR.
It’s just a great pity that the WSR cannot find a way to routinely run its trains into Taunton. I get that there are no run-round facilities at Platform 1 which has the advantage of being able to be used without having to cross the main line, but topping and tailing trains between Bishops Lydeard and Taunton would resolve that issue.
Quite a few other heritage railways have managed to arrange running into Network Rail stations – North York Moors, Severn Valley, Strathspey, Peak Rail, Bluebell, Ecclesbourne Valley are a few examples, and all have benefited from the increased custom that these arrangements generate.
The WSR would, I’m sure, see a large increase in its passengers if it could advertise a regular connection with mainline trains at Taunton.
Brilliant that pathing issues have been solved. A shame that the Platform 1 does not have a runround facility, but the adjacent southerly line could be used providing two switches are available.
The big but, I understand is the hence requirement of 4 switches to be operated to get the WSR stock across two main lines onto their “own” line. Alas serious reliability issues for these 4 switches could cause major main line problems. Notwithstanding the requirement for WSR shuttle stock to be 100% reliable.