The East Somerset Railway
East Somerset Railway
56XX No.5637 sits in Cranmore Station
The East Somerset Railway is a standard gauge steam railway which runs through the picturesque Mendip Countryside.
Route
The route totals up a round trip of nearly 5 miles.
Cranmore
Cranmore is the Railways Headquarters. At the Station, there is the Booking Office, Gift Shop, Restaurant, Signal Box, Play Area and Miniature Railway.
The Signal Box is in the process of being restored to working order. There is also the Water Tower Project, which is nearly complete. The miniature Railway is still being constructed, this too is also nearly complete, now with a resident steam loco!
Cranmore West
Cranmore West lies roughly a Third a Mile from Cranmore Station, Trains stop in both directions. Most passengers alight on the return Journey, to visit the Engine sheds. The Miniature Railway will be another Transport link between the Station and sheds, as it’s a long walk!
During most Special Events, “Driver for a Fiver” operates at the Engine sheds, where you can drive one of our smaller steam engines. (Loco currently operating “DFAF” is Lady Nan)
Merryfield Lane
This about the Halfway point on the line. There is a P-Way Siding here, and a Picnic Area. There is no Exit from this Station!
Mendip Vale
This is the Railways Western Terminus. You can Alight here and watch the Engine run round. You can leave the station and walk along the Embankment alongside the line, this is a favourite spot with enthusiasts for capturing Steam working up the Bank.
Upon departing the Station, the locomotive has to immediately tackle the the 1 in 52 climb back to Merryfield Lane.
Future Plans
There are plans to Extend the Line into Shepton Mallet, running down a 1 in 40 incline. The Station would be placed next to Dobbies Garden Centre, it would be the original GWR Shpeton Station, which was dismantled Brick by Brick and brought to Cranmore.
Other
Other Attractions at the ESR Include the Miniature Railway, situated at the Foot of the Signal Box at Cranmore, this is accessed via the Foot-crossing at the Far end of the Platform. This is nearly complete and will run to Cranmore West Station. The Mini Railway now has an Engine shed and a Resident Steam loco, this at the moment only operates during Special Events.
There is also the Model Railway, this is only rarely open. East Somerset Models is open every Running Day.
Website: www.Eastsomersetrailway.com
Operating days: Weekends from April to October.
Line Length: 2 Miles
Operational Locomotives:
- Robert Stephensons & Hawthorn 0-6-0ST No.47 Moorbarrow (On Long-term loan from the Linconshire Wolds Railway)
- Robert Stephensons & Hawthorn 0-6-0T No.7609 Meteor (Under Restoration)
- LBSCR E1 Class 0-6-0T No.110 Burgundy (Cosmetically restored)
- Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Lady Nan
- Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No.705 (Moved to Plym Valley Railway late 2011)
- GWR 5600 class 0-6-2T No.5637 (On long-term loan from the Swindon & Cricklade Railway)
- Huddswell Clarke 0-6-0 Diesel shunter No.45
- Sentinel 0-4-0 diesel shunter Cattewater
- Sentinel 0-6-0DH No.39
- Sentinel 0-4-0DH Joan (Undergoing Restoration)
Gallery:
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No.1719 'Lady Nan'
RSH 0-6-0ST No.47 'Moorbarrow' in the shed
BR 9F 2-10-0 'Black Prince'
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
No.705 has left Cranmore and No.39 is back in sevice now.
Also there is a steam engine at Cranmore No.32110.