West Somerset Railway General Discussion

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now

Or, in this case, then, then, then, then, then, then and (almost) now.

The extension of the West Somerset Railway by the construction of the Minehead Railway, opened in 1874, was an exercise in property speculation by the Luttrell family which turned an insignificant fishing port into a major seaside resort. These views, from 1879, 1898, 1930, 1957, 1976, 2004 and 2015 show how the town has deleloped.

Back to pictures on Monday with some interesting long ago views of Minehead.

1879


1898


1930


1957


1976


2004


2015

 

Submarine forest is not a term I've seen on a map before!

 

I'm intrigued by the short spur shown on the 1930, 1957 & 1976 maps that goes off towards what I think is Mart Road.
I wonder what it's purpose was.

 

That was the Loco yard.

Robin

 

Thanks Robin.

 

When will the pier get reinstated?

 

Interesting that once the Seaward Way relief road went in, the main A39 road ceased to bear right at Alcombe and serve the town but carry straight on towards Porlock. Assume this is a nod to the intended purpose of the relief road to keep traffic out of the town centre.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

 

It was used on brake vans on Saturday afternoon, so Sunday definitely won't be its first public passenger use.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

 

Quite right.

Minehead used to be completely gridlocked at 'Butlins changeover' times on a Saturday before Seaward Way was built. Anyone sensible avoided it completely at such times.

Robin

 

I hope the rest of that magnificent cast-ironwork survived into preservation somewhere.

 

It served a timber yard - and a coal yard by the looks of this 1946 RAF air photo.



Steve

 

See also http://maps.nls.uk/view/101461099

 

Sunday 8/6/2017.

1150 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead.
1330 Minehead-Doniford.
1420 Doniford-Minehead.
1630 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard.
All Caped.

1530 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard retimed to 1600 to partly compensate for no 1630 train.
Loco and stock off 1435 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead doing 1720 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard instead of 1630.

44422 1010 Minehead.
7820 1020 Bishops Lydeard.
D1661 1105 Bishops Lydeard vice 6960.

 

Old news, or thinking in American?

 

Yes indeed! - though some hope.

One of the things really missing from the Bristol Channel is a regular boat service as was provided by P & A Campbell until 1968.

http://www.paddlesteamers.info/PACampbell.htm

 

http://www.minehead.oldpicturepostcard.co.uk/minehead33b.htm

https://www.piers.org.uk/pier/minehead-pier/



It was demolished in WW2 Services were reinstated in 1951 using the harbour but unlike the pier the harbour is very restricted by the tides

 

At the risk of going further o/t I'm surprised nobody has promoted a Cardiff Bay - Somerset or N Devon Hovercraft service. Shame a displaced cross channel one was not tried.

 

I would like to think the sensible option would be to come by train .

 

I very much doubt that a hovercraft service would be financially viable. There was a documentary on their demise and part of the equation was the end of duty free . Sales were just sufficient to hold the service in profit. Costs were high as the 4 engines consumed prodigious quantities of aircraft kerosene at significant cost As I understand it it was the fuel costs which killed off the cross channel hovercraft

 

It was tried, on more than one occasion. The last attempt swamped the road and buildings (inside and out!) with sand and stones so after a few futile attempts they had to admit defeat and withdraw.