Blunsden Station: Refreshments, shop, museum

Hayes Knoll Station: Refreshments, engine shed

Two railways were merged to form the Midland and South West Junction Railway in 1884. The line was extended in stages and completed on 1 August 1891, it went from Cheltenham to Andover with a connection to Southampton.  

Passenger traffic was mainly short distance but there were scheduled trains from Southampton to Swindon, a journey distance of 94 miles taking 2½ hours. An express service from Andover to Cheltenham covered the 68 miles of track in 1¾ hours with one stop at Swindon. As the line was close to a number of military establishments many troops were transported in war and peace time.

Closure to passenger traffic came on 10 September 1961. A goods service continued on various parts of the line until 1971, although the section from Lugershall to Andover is still used for military transport.

West Somerset Railway

Bishop Lydeard Station: Refreshments, souvenirs, gifts, model railway shop, museum, model railway

Watchet Station: shop

Brunel's broad gauge branch line from Norton Fitzwarren to Watchet opened in spring 1862. An extension from Watchet to Minehead was added in 1874. All the track was converted to standard gauge in 1882. The Bristol and Exeter Railway operated the line until the Great Western Railway took over in 1923. Apart from some improvements carried out in the 1930s under a Government unemployment scheme, no alterations were made to the railway.

A major change came when the Butlin's holiday camp opened at Minehead in 1962. This gave the railway an increase in passenger traffic unfortunately it was short lived as British Rail applied for a closure notice in 1969. There were many objections with an enquiry delaying the closing date until 4 January 1971.

Minehead station has a platform ¼ mile long, capable of accommodating a sixteen carriage train, this was required when the railway was at its peak. There is some outstanding scenery on the 20 mile journey with views of the sea and the glorious Somerset countryside.

An excellent unofficial website for the WSR is www.wsr.org.uk where there are many innovative features including live webcams, 360º views of the stations and a trip down the line in photographs.

The WSR has 15 steam and 19 diesel locomotives/DMUs, about half of which are operational. A large fleet of locomotives is required because of the length of line.

East Somerset Railway

Cranmore Station: Refreshments, shop, model shop, art gallery, children's play area, museum

Cranmore West Platform: Engine Shed, workshop, picnic area

The original East Somerset Railway (EMR) opened on 9 November 1858 with a broad gauge line from Witham to Shepton Mallet. Later in 1862 it was extended to Wells where there was eventually a connection to the Bristol-Exeter route. Directors of the EMR tried to sell the railway in 1872 to the Great Western Railway but were offered only half the amount they required, so negotiations ended. Like many branch lines it was not profitable, with most shareholders receiving no dividends.

In 1874 the Great Western stated its intention to convert the Witham to Weymouth mainline to standard gauge. A sum of £7,000 would be required to convert the EMR to standard gauge. Unable to raise the money the EMR sold out to the Great Western for £67,442, 20% less than they were previously offered.

The line led the unhurried existence of a rural railway with four or five trains a day. Closure was recommended by Dr. Beeching with the passenger service being withdrawn on 9 September 1963. A freight service continued, but in 1969 the track west of Shepton Mallet was lifted. Stone is still transported on the branch from Merehead Quarry.

In 1967 the artist David Shepherd brought two steam locomotives from British Rail, they were "Black Prince" and "The Green Knight". David then set out to find a railway line to accommodate his engines. After looking at thirty one different locations in eighteen months he came to view Cranmore in 1971. Although the site was derelict and overgrown he could see the potential. The purchase price was £6,000 this included the platform and station. It required a great deal of work by many volunteers before the railway could be officially opened in 1975.

There are a number of steam locomotives at the ESR, some are small tank locos not suitable for passenger trains.

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