East Somerset Railway

There was a terminus at Avonmouth for passengers joining ships, but services these days continue (Sometimes) to The Gem of the West of England, Severn Beach

More importantly however there is the freight only Henbury Loop

 

Ah that would mean the railtour goes that way, cheers

 

Yes the 2 lines crossed on the east side of Shepton

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The tour runs in a loop from Westbury - Bath - Lawrence Hill - Filton Abbey Wood - Henbury - Avonmouth - Clifton Down - Lawrence Hill - Bath - Westbury.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53082/2019/03/16/advanced
As you join the Westbury to Bristol main line at Hawkeridge Jn. in the morning, look out for two LSL class 47s (top 'n tail?) hauling a Statesman railtour from Crewe to Portsmouth Harbour. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63580/2019/03/16/advanced

 

The tour enters Avonmouth via the Henbury line and then goes back to Bristol via the Clifton Down line.

 

Oh thank you, didn’t know about that.

 

If you are that way though dont whatever you do get off the train at Severn Beach......................

 

The Somerset Strimmer, UK Railtours, DB Cargo UK, Diesel Electric Co-Co General Motors Class 59/2 No.59201 & No.59206 London Victoria to Cranmore, Keynsham Station.

 

However 2 1/2 miles with no underbridges is easier to deal with than 25!

Is there any plan to tackle the breakdown crane that has been quietly rusting away for the last twenty-plus years? I remember this at Newton Abbot works , then the Dart Valley when it was in full working order. It's since fallen on hard times.

 

No current plans unless someone with funds to work on it comes forwards.

 

No Thank You. Just taking your point, what's to extend for towards the quarry? Is there anything of Interest that way or something?

 

Not really just the extra length of line really. In theory you can get as far as White's Crossing which is just a level crossing where the line to Cranmore is connected to the Merehead dispatch siding. The quarry itself is closed to the public for obvious reasons. At White's there is little to no space to insert a loop/platform so would have to be top and tailed or DMU running down there most likely.

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If anything ever happened to the quarry an extension to Wanstrow or even a station at Witham Friary would be comparatively easy, but not whilst freight traffic is so significant.

Has any consideration ever been given to dropping onto the S&D route east of Shepton? Not sure it'd be hugely worth it but you could get just north of Evercreech and therefore spitting distance of the Bath and West Showground

 

We did look at this a few years ago. Remember that the ESR runs roughly east - west and the S&D north - south so a substantial section of new railway would have to be constructed at very considerable cost even assuming that the land required could be acquired, so I think that idea is very unlikely to succeed.

 

Yea it would have to take a tight turn by the Mendip Distribution Centre to get onto the S&D trackbed, across a lot of what I assume are privately owned fields now - and with the Prestleigh viaduct missing you could only get as far as there

 

To be clear, I dont mean it in a negative way.............

The ESR doesnt go anywhere, you can extend it but it still wont go anywhere.

What you do have is a short out & back run up a hill ^ down the other side which gives a decent climb, and of course the running costs are - presumably not that high. The visitors dont have to stay to long & can walk through the shed at Cranmore.

I used to wonder what the point was of the ESR but when my children were small itwas ideal, ditto of course for anyone who wants a short steam train ride

After a period in the doldrums I suggest that attempts to develop Cranmore station are a move in the right direction.

 

That may be true but I've enjoyed some memorable visits to the railway over the years. One of the highlights for me was the Ivatt gala in September, 2017. There were three locos in service, 41312, 46447 and 41313, fresh from overhaul before transferring to the Isle of Wight. The final train of the day was hauled by 41312 and 41313 double-heading. Happy days. <BJ>

 

Yes, the Ivatt Gala was excellent, a classic case of making the best of what you have

 

Amazing Day at the East Somerset Steam Gala Thanks to Everyone, the new platform is looking good.


GWR 56XX Class 0-6-2T No.5637

 

A good start to the steam gala today with a good mix of passenger and goods trains. The day was blessed with clear blue skies.

Unfortunately the gala fell apart a little in the afternoon. The 15:00 goods train from Cranmore was cancelled and the 15:55 passenger service with GWR 5637 and 46447 ran with the Ivatt solo. We were later informed that 5637 had failed.

I was pleased to see that there has been a lot of clearing along the railway making the journey much more enjoyable.

Despite the loco failure I thoroughly enjoyed the day. If you have yet to visit the railway make a point of doing so. You won't regret it. <BJ>