East Somerset Railway

Many thanks to the crew at the ESR today, footplate crew and the guard.
Most enjoyable way to travel!


Nick

 

Some good news from ESR.

https://eastsomersetrailway.com/news/view/the-east-somerset-railway-wins-national-lottery-support

 

This is good news for the ESR. I am sure the new works will bring more enhancement to the line.

 

An artists impression of the to be built Platform 2. Taken from ESR website.

 

My impression of the ESR is that it is rather 'run down' and needs some significant investment in all areas

 

Announced in the ESR journal that 2-6-2T 4555 from the Dartmouth Steam Railway will be resident on the railway from 2020 for a year or 2 replacing 5637 when it comes out of service for overhaul.

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

 

Is there anything to look out on non train days. Are you allowed to visit cranmore ststuon?

 

Yep the station is normally open, if people are in the workshop (normally wed to sun) the shed can be opened where there are engines and coaches to have a look at.

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Thanks

 

Work has started on the second platform at Cranmore.
Report on FB:

 

What chance of extending the line eastwards by using the dished section into Torr quarry? A train would be a good safe way of letting people have a glimpse of quarrying operations, still a very important Mendip industry but one inaccessible to the general public.

 

Running the disused 3/4 mile has been looked at but there are not any current immediate plans. The current priority is upgrading the current track with concrete sleepers and replacement rail in sections. The section to the quarry is very overgrown and would also require repair work. It is however much more likely to run eastwards than westwards and I would not rule it out in the medium/long term but not immediately!

 

Glad to hear it's on the agenda. If you could somehow provide a view of the quarry by steam train that'd be a unique experience.

Going the other way, in my view, only makes sense if you get to a destination. The centre of Shepton could be but the edge of Shepton isn't. And presumably you couldn't get into the centre of town due to track bed obstructions. Hypothetically, could you link into the ex S&D formation at Shepton?

 

It would provide something different to the norm but to gain a view of the quarry you would need pass through main quarry yard and under the A361 as the quarry is the opposite side to the Witham Cranmore line ( A quick google map search makes it more obvious) so I would doubt being able to get a good view of the quarry would be possible.

As regards to a Western extension there is a not so railway friendly land owner who has taken down part of the embankment and a bridge. If these were replaced you would realistically only be able to reach the edge of the town as much of the railway infrastructure has been built on. The station would however most likely be adjacent to a major road.

 

I suggest that before any extensions are considered the station area needs a significant amount of work, the coaching stock is best described as tired , and the track is in need of attention

 

Is the ESR the line that used to cross the road and thru what is now crown industrial estate?

 

Yes it skirted the southern edge. The furthest you could realistically get would be the other side of the A361 at Dobbies Garden Centre.

 

Just a quick note, mainly to photographers, that following its visit to the Isle of Wight 46447 will be facing the other way round to before. Ie towards Shepton (same as 41313.)

 

Ideal for a shot from just beyond Cranmore signal box.