As we continue with the latest lockdown during 2021 having another look ahead to better times when hopefully we can visit some more of our Heritage Railways. Part one took a look at some of the GWR based railways and now we will move further down the line towards Bristol and the West where there are several lines which have survived into preservation, haven't been to visit these for some time, and hopefully will be able to rectify that sometime this year.
Avon Valley Railway
https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/
Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton
Bristol, BS30 6HD
Telephone: 0117 932 5538
Email: info@avonvalleyrailway.org
Opened in 1869 by the Midland Railway as a through-route between Birmingham and the South Coast the line was later linked to the iconic Somerset & Dorset Railway. Closed under the Beeching Axe of the 1960's the Avon Valley Railway was preserved by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Today, 40+ years on, three miles of track has been re-laid, locomotives and carriages restored, and the sound of steam can once again be heard along the Avon Valley.
The main area of railway interest is found at their Bitton station headquarters, the line heads north in direction of Bristol to Oldland Common and also been extended south in the direction of Bath with a stop along the river Avon Riverside. While further extensions would seem unlikely due to redevelopments on the old track bed it's still a very pleasant ride of around an hour for the round trip eventually returning to Bitton once more.
East Somerset Railway
https://eastsomersetrailway.com/
Cranmore Railway Station
Cranmore, Shepton Mallet,
Somerset, BA4 4QP
Telephone: 01749 880417
Email: info@eastsomersetrailway.com
The East Somerset Railway is a Brunel railway (Isambard Kingdom Brunel was the Surveyor), though it was not originally owned by the Great Western Railway, that came later. Opened in 1858, it originally ran from Witham to Shepton Mallet and was built under an 1856 Act of Parliament. The GWR ran the line for the East Somerset Railway, as the ESR only owned the rails and had no rolling stock. The first train was hauled by a classically named engine called Homer thereby starting the ESR on its own Odyssey.
The line was later extended to Wells where it joined the Strawberry line and continued through to Yatton. Always a modest railway, the ESR depended on passengers and rock for its prosperity, with a drop of milk thrown in. Quarrying was and is big business in the Cranmore area and soon Cranmore Station developed links with local quarries and a narrow gauge railway was built from Waterlip to Cranmore, with a rock crushing plant erected close to the mainline.
The renowned Wildlife Artist, the late David Shepherd, was looking for a home for two engines he had acquired (Black Prince and The Green Knight). He found this home at Cranmore and acquired it. The East Somerset Heritage Railway was officially opened to the public on 1st August 1974. It’s has had its ups and downs since then but is now thriving and providing a much needed tourist attraction for the locality. It is run by a number of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, recently boosted by the ward of a Lottery grant to reinstate the second platform at Cranmore Station. Dad had a few paintings by Mr Shepherd, lots of elephants, and always a small mouse hidden away in them too.
West Somerset Railway
https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/
The Railway Station
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 5BG
Tel: (+44) 01643 704 996.The West Somerset Railway a true country branch line of the old Great Western Railway is full of fascination whether you are looking for a nostalgic ride back in time through lovely countryside or to study the railway and industrial heritage which our line preserves. The historic steam locomotives, coaches and wagons, and the buildings of our ten unique stations linked by a twenty mile scenic journey will repay hours of exploration. The surrounding countryside is as varied as it is beautiful.
The gently rolling Quantock hills and distant Exmoor, unspoilt villages and farms nestling in leafy lanes, the cliffs and coast of the Bristol Channel with views of distant South-Wales, confident Church Towers, Dunster's imposing castle and Minehead's seaside charm are all waiting to be discovered. Honestly you would want to spend a weekend here to enjoy it all. It's come a long way since I used to visit here with my late father in the 1980's, and even sees occasional services through from Taunton now that the line is connect to GWR main line once more. Though regular steam services are still from Bishops Lydeard station through 20 miles of scenery to Minehead, there are (Covid-19 lockdowns excepted) some through services and railtours, something I will be looking into this summer hopefully.
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