Wildlife Specials 2002
Over the last few years, photographer and naturalist, Ilminster based David Bailey has been painstakingly exploring the 23 miles of the WSR and recording the plants and animals, both commonplace and rare, the seasonal visitors and those who are with us all year, the hibernators and the active throughout.
He has regularly given talks "Primroses Grow 173.5 miles from Paddington" to local groups of naturalists, railway enthusiasts and other groups over recent years and now he will act as on-train guide on three 'Wildlife Specials' along the West Somerset Railway this year.
The "Wildlife Specials" will run on May 19 and September 22, leaving Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton at 10.45am and departing from Minehead at 2.45pm. (This will allow travellers time to explore the seaside town and perhaps take a stroll along the opening section of the South West Coastal Path).
The Diesel Railcars are well-suited to this kind of trip along the Railway as the big windows afford excellent all-round views of the lineside.
David will travel on these Diesel Railcar trains which will be fitted with public address equipment, allowing him to point out matters of wildlife interest as it makes its way through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel coast. Payment for these trains should be made to "West Somerset Railway".
© J P Allen
Courtesy of imagesofdorset.org.uk
Cost for each "Wildlife Special Train" is £10.00 per person.
The above text is taken mostly from the WSR web site
© Alan Grieve
In addition to these trains there will be a third "Wildlife Special" which will run on 20 May from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. This will depart from Minehead at 6pm and will arrive back there around 9.30pm giving passengers a chance to see the change over from Diurnal to Nocturnal activity along the line. Payment for this specific train should be made to "Minehead Station Fund".
Contact the Railway on 01643 704996 for more details and booking procedure.