The West Somerset Railway on the Web

Travel behind the recently restored Great Western Railway 2-6-2T no 5542 - which was once based at Taunton and may have actually hauled strawberry trains - on the "Strawberry Sunset" from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead while enjoying a buffet meal. At Minehead there will be half an hour to stretch legs and listen to live music on the station platform.

On the return journey, the train will stop just before Blue Anchor Station with an uninterrupted view of the Bristol Channel whilst Strawberries and Cream and Champagne are enjoyed as the sun setsover the sea - weather permitting of course.

Later, cheese, coffee, and perhaps a little something from the bar, as the train travels back through the hills to Bishops Lydeard.

Coach link

A coach link to Bishops Lydeard Station will be available from Nether Stowey, Cannington, Wembdon, Bridgwater, North Petherton, Taunton Railway Station and Staplegrove at an additional cost of £2.50 per person. The coach times are 5.50pm Nether Stowey Clock Tower; 5.55pm Ashford Lane, Cannington; 6.00pm Cannington Post Office; 6.05pm Cannington Bridge; 6.10pm Inwood Road, Wembdon; 6.15pm North Street, Bridgwater; 6.18pm Hope Inn, Taunton Road, Bridgwater; 6.23pm North Petherton Church; 6.30pm Monkton Heathfield Community Centre; 6.35pm Taunton Railway Station; 6.40pm Westerkirk Gate, Staplegrove
Other points along this route can be considered as pick up points - please indicate your request on the Booking Form.

Train times

7.15pm	Train departs Bishops Lydeard Station En route there will be a self service Buffet of Terrines of Smoked Salmon, Chicken Peperonato or Chargrilled Vegetables, with various salads, roll and butter and a bottle of wine per table
8.30pm	Arrive Minehead Station Time to stretch your legs and enjoy live music on the station platform
9.05pm	Depart Minehead Station
9.20pm	Arrive Blue Anchor Bay Enjoy Strawberries and Clotted Cream and a glass of Champagne as the sun sets over the Bristol Channel
9.35pm	Depart Blue Anchor Cheese and Biscuits, Coffee and Mints will be served.
10.30pm	Arrive Bishops Lydeard
10.35pm	Coaches depart Bishops Lydeard.

For further information and to obtain a Booking Form

• by telephone - 01278 652953
• by post - Strawberry Sunset, The Rectory, 27 Brook Street, Cannington, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 2HP
• by email - petermartin@petermmartin.fsnet.co.uk

The advice is to book early to avoid disappointment as this train is limited to 224 seats.

The organisers thank the Staff and Volunteers of the West Somerset Railway plc and Crowcombe Heathfield Station for arranging and staffing this train.