An unofficial website supporting the West Somerset Railway. Click here to return to the home page...
   An unofficial West Somerset Railway web site
supporting Britain's longest heritage railway
  
WSR The West Somerset Railway on the Web
 • Information...
 · At a glance 
 · Train times 
 · Special events 
 · Special trains  
 · Other services 
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 • Latest...
 · Latest news 
 · Latest pictures 
 • The Railway...
 · Locomotives 
 · Stations 
 · Gardens 
 · Railway map 
 · Virtual tour 
 · History 
 • Lots more...
 · Site index 
 · Webcams 
 · Photo gallery 
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 · Email website 
 · Home page 
 • Top story • Latest News  15 December 2005
News
•  Farewll trip for Army DMU 
•  WSR pictures on BBC website 
•  Promoting the Railway 
•  Spring Steam Gala 2006 - loco news 
•  Spring Steam Gala 2006 - stock news 
•  Spring Steam Gala 2006 - railtours 
•  Spring Steam Gala 2006 - stations 
•  Grant for Watchet Pagoda 
•  Award for Minehead Canopy 
•  New plans for East Wharf at Watchet 
•  Train times for 2006 
• Steam Trains to the Seaside
Minehead

Enjoying the steam train
 
The West Somerset Railway recaptures the era of the branch line country railway in the days of steam. Enjoy 20 miles of glorious Somerset scenery as the train gently rolls back the years on its journey beside the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel coast. Just sit back in your seat and watch the steam and countryside drift past the window...
The Railway has all the atmosphere of a Great Western Railway branch line. There are ten restored stations along the route, each having its own charm and character; many have signalboxes, engine sheds, museums, displays, steam engines and
From Bishops Lydeard, trains run beside the Quantock Hills northwards to the coast of the Bristol Channel - locally called the "Severn Sea" - at Watchet and Blue Anchor. The end of the line is the holiday town of Minehead, with its sandy beach, thrilling fun fair, beautiful gardens and lots of shops to explore. Buses run on to Exmoor and steamers call at the harbour.
• Acknowledgments
No 5542 © Peter Darke

 
This is an unofficial web site. It relies heavily on contributions. Grateful thanks to all who have offered help with contributions of text and images, also details and corrections, and special thanks to Hein Burger, Commercial Manager of the West Somerset Railway plc for his initial and continued support. This site now enjoys considerable support and a steadily growing number of visitors - my thanks to all for every snippet of information, and for every visit.
• Derek Edge 1927-1996
Derek Edge 1927-1996

 
These pages are dedicated to the memory of an ex-Somerset & Dorset Railwayman, Derek Edge, my Dad, who worked in the fifties and early sixties at Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Bailey Gate Stations, and who gave me no chance of escaping a lifetime interest in all things railway. He even managed to give his growing son a bedroom window with a wonderful view across the Dorset countryside, with trains passing in the middle distance, including the mid-afternoon "Bailey Gate Belle".
• Tail Lamp
Tail Lamp © Jon Tooke

 
Comments, corrections and ideas welcomed via email.
All photographs, drawings, diagrams and text are copyright of the respective photographers, artists and authors. If you wish to re-use any material, please contact us first by email.
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These pages are independent of, and are not officially supported by, the West Somerset Railway plc or any of the affiliated organisations, unless specifically mentioned on the appropriate page. All information is believed correct but neither this web site or the Railway cannot be held responsible for any errors.
The pages are created and updated to complement the Official West Somerset Railway web site...
© Stephen Edge 1998-2005
n17 The Saw Doctors
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www.wsr.org.uk is hosted by Freeola.  © Stephen Edge