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|  Wildlife Special 20 April 2008
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• See the wildlife from the train...
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The West Somerset Railway is not only Britain’s longest heritage railway, it is also one of Somerset’s longest nature trails. Because of the away it is managed by the WSR, a huge variety of flora and fauna, some of it rare, happily resides on the earthworks alongside the passing trains.
Since 1966 photographer and naturalist David Bailey of Ilminster, assisted by his wife Jennifer, has been painstakingly exploring the 23 miles of the WSR and recording plants, animals, birds and insects that can be found within the railway fence. He regularly gives his illustrated talk "Primroses grow 173½ miles from Paddington" to local groups of naturalists, railway enthusiasts, WIs and others. The WSR now has three officially recognised County Wildlife Sites within its boundary fences. Using a public address system, David acts as on-train guide on our "Wildlife Specials".
The 2008 Wildlife Special Train will run on Sunday 20 April with David using a public address system as on-train guide. It will depart Bishops Lydeard at 10.55am and return at 4:50pm. There is also a short excursion to Norton Fitzwarren which leaves Bishops Lydeard at 9.50am and returns at 10.35am. To give maximum opportunity to view the wildlife the train will slow or stop at appropriate places along the journey. Consequently the travelling time in each direction will be two hours. There will be a ninety five minute break in Minehead for travellers to explore the town or the sea front.
The train will have a Buffet facility with hot and cold drinks, and a limited range of alcoholic drinks; also snacks and cakes. There is also a toilet on board. (Disabled persons toilets are situated at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.)
Please allow at least twenty minutes on arrival at Bishops Lydeard for parking and getting booked in. The Wildlife Special uses a Diesel Railcar as it is easier for David to communicate with the Driver.
To be announced soon...
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| | · | Please ring 01643 704996, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
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This page is not from the official West Somerset Railway website
© Stephen Edge
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