West Somerset Railway General Discussion

April 19th seems more likely - Easter weekend - but pre-book.

 

Well you can still take in the bracing sea air.

 

and don't forget your long johns and other thermals. The wind is biting in the Bristol Channel!

 

Correct - the online timetable gives 19th April as the first date of all-line running.

 

Does this affect the rail tour on April 16th with Mayflower? The 47 was suppose to take the train to minehead.

 

You say that but today the weather was rather pleasant at Blue Anchor. After deciding not to cancel the accommodation I had booked for the Spring Gala I’m enjoying what Somerest has to offer. The weather is much better than last week and lunch at the Ship in Porlock Weir today was most pleasant. Just a shame there won’t be any trains running, for some reason my wife doesn’t share that view .

 

I just get a message saying "Sorry, this episode is not available" from that link

 

News things are usually only up for 24 hours so you've probably missed it.

 

Looks like I caught it just in time!

 

Ah well, I don't think that'll change my life

 

Visitors are the lifeblood of Minehead. The winter is always a hard time for traders in the town with many not covering their costs during those months. They look to the spring to start paying their way and a further two months without the benefit of railway travellers could quite literally see businesses go to the wall.
Although the railway is the jewel in the crown there is much to see in the area so please come and enjoy our town, you will be most welcome.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then, Then and Now

Leigh Loop 1934 / 1972 / 2017

On my morning run I pass this view from Leigh Bridge towards Stogumber.

Mowat Collection / Nick Jones Collection / Robin White

 

I prefer the black and white photo: it has a more busy railway look about it.

 

Fair question. Don't know the answer. We staff have been informed to soon expect more details of operations during the BL-WT services period so maybe it'll be covered there.

Meantime, I'd encourage folks to consider a visit to the lovely harbour town of Watchet which has a very active community, pubs, shops, cafes, live music, and much more to see and enjoy.


( graphic credit: visit-watchet.co.uk )

Steve

 

Great map, shame it uses that 21st Century abomination of "Train Station".

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk

 

Agreed.

If someone says train station to me I ask if they mean a train shed and point out that so and so railway station doesn't have a train shed.

 

I agree with you but I think it's pointless to try and fight something like that. "Train Station" has, in my experience, become the norm for many, certainly a majority of those in their 30's or younger, so it won't be changing. And, to be fair, none of us query "Bus Station" which surely has the same logic?

 

Going off thread slightly: Up on Mendip, near Oakhill there used to be a pub known as 'The Fire Engine'. It was not named after the prized vehicle of the local fire brigade, but rather for a stationary steam engine used to de-water a local coal mine. That was the term used for a steam engine in the eighteenth century and the inn got stuck with it. It is now a private house which has a garden open day. https://www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden/garden/34033/

 

Sadly, I think that the abomination that is "train station" is here to stay. Young people today think in terms of it being a station where they catch a train, unlike us oldies who think in terms of going to a station on the railway to catch a train.

Anyway, to get back to the post that started this little debate. My family had a very enjoyable two week holiday in Watchet, it's a nice little town and somewhere I often return to for a visit when in Somerset.

 

Hopefully, Watchet is getting ready for 200 0r 300 folks arriving - all at once - twice a day!

Edited to add: & there's a new Radio Museum opening on the 15th - over the foot-bridge & first left off Swain Street - http://www.orbem.co.uk/misc/washford.htm