West Somerset Railway - Bishops Lydeard to Minehead (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

As one of those involved at the start (and there are ever fewer of us left) I can say that the original intent was indeed to run such a service.  I even got the timetable all sorted out, in 1978.  The DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) service (using not particulalry "new" Park Royal DMUs) that we did initiate, between Williton and Minehead, was, in effect, a part of the intended route-long service.

In those days we had the (unaffordable at the time) prospect of using the former Up Relief Line between Norton Fiztwarren Junction and the Up side bay at the country end of Taunton station.  The present arrangement of having to cross trains across both Main Lines at Norton Fitzwarren to and from the branch is going to be problematic, without quite a bit of resignalling.  I understand this can't happen with the present arrangements at Exeter Power 'Box


It would be very pleasing to me to see this happen.  I've always wanted to show that the closure decision by BR^▸ (British Rail(ways))(WR) management at Bristol was totally wrong!

The above views are in my view particularly pertinent in view of the O/Ps long standing connection with the WSR and his detailed knowledge of both present day operations and of the early days.

The merits of through passenger  services all year round have already been noted, but in the longer term we might hope for regular freight traffic. At least one major supermarket is only separated from the line by a fence. Other businesses are near the line and could in future be rail served.
If we are serious about the climate emergency, then we need to make more use of railways and less use of fossil fueled cars, vans, and trucks.

"guilt free port" Imported by sea, distributed to a Minehead supermarket by freight train, and then to my door by battery van.

[broadgage]

According to a news report on the WSR website a charter train is due to run from Paddington to Minehead in August. Minehead as the destination is mentioned more than once without any reference to a bus connection from Dunster.

Yet the level crossing works are not expected to be completed by then.

http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm


edit to add that the above was accurate WHEN I TYPED IT, but that the information on the WSR website has now been corrected and no longer shows train to Minehead. Connecting bus via Watchet. Also see the following post.

[Lee]

The article - https://www.railwaytouring.net/the-west-somerset-steam-express-2-21 - says main line steam Paddington to Bishops Lydeard, WSR steam loco(s) taking the carriages to Watchet, with coach connections to Dunster and Minehead.

[broadgage]

The latest news on the Seaward lane level crossing project may be found here.
http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm

But it is very well written so as to sound vaguely optimistic without including any hard facts such as an opening date.

[broadgage]

Looking a bit more hopeful WRT^▸ (with regard to ) the infamous level crossing works at Seaward Lane, Minehead.

Signs are up near the crossing warning of overnight road closures on several dates during October, and of temporary traffic signals at other times.

[Ralph Ayres]

After all the reports of infighting and power struggles, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found on a recent visit for a gala weekend.  Plenty of keen and helpful volunteers of all ages, well organised including the Minehead bus, and everything apparently well-maintained in contrast to the lines of rusting stock and the faded paint on the carriages in use that you see at many heritage railways.  It all looked very hopeful

[broadgage]

The infighting and divisions are very regrettable, but as you point out a lot is nevertheless achieved.
A new innovation for the coming Christmas season is a number of Christmas lights trains, several of these are already sold out which must be good news.

[broadgage]

It seems unlikely that we will see any passenger trains to or from Minehead this year, which is a backward step to that previously expected.

It seems that the level crossing is "on target for handover on October 21" but that "handover" does not mean being able to run a regular train service.

It seems that "handover" means limited ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) and staff training runs only, with no regular passenger services expected until the Spring service in 2022.

It was certainly implied even if not categorically stated, that the Santa trains and the Winterlights services would run to/from Minehead.

[Witham Bobby]

The good news is that that Seward Way LC^▸ (Level Crossing) alterations have been completed and Minehead station and environs are now operational again

http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/snap.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2021/11/007

[broadgage]

Completed, yes, but as far as I am aware no regular passenger trains to/from Minehead are expected until the Spring service next year.
Only limited ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) and training runs.

[broadgage]

The webcam at Seaward way is back in use.
http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-cam-md2.htm

Good views of seagulls, Canada geese, dog walkers, cars, and the newly installed semaphore signal.

[GBM]

The webcam at Seaward way is back in use.
http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-cam-md2.htm

Good views of seagulls, Canada geese, dog walkers, cars, and the newly installed semaphore signal.

Excellent quality pictures

[johnneyw]

Just had a look, great pictures quality indeed.  Got a bit of a start when a seagull flashed past right in front of the camera.

[broadgage]

Agree that the picture quality is good, but there seems to be something missing from the program content ?

[grahame]

Agree that the picture quality is good, but there seems to be something missing from the program content ?

National Rail Trains arriving at 08:25, 19:10, 20:50 and 25:50 from Taunton and beyond at the platform behind Butlins just to the east of the crossing, leaving at 05:40, 07:05, 08:30 and 21:00.   Heritage trains Eastbound just after 10:10, 11:10, 12:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15 and 17:10 headed for Bishop's Lydeard, returning just before 10:52, 11:47, 12:47, 13:47, 14:52, 15:47 and 17:52, connecting in almost all cases with National Rail at Lydeard?