Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good day trip
The station layout at New Street is a poor compromise. The A-end gateline is split into two sections by the third station entrance. You should be allowed through the gateline if changing trains, but I agree that how to get to the other half of the gateline is not particularly obvious. Most of the signs unhelpfully seem to refer to various coloured lounges rather than platform numbers!Ffestiniog Round Robin 30 July 2019
Arrival at Birmingham New Street at 18:30. The short train was in the middle of the platform so used the escalators up. Quick visit to the washroom then flummoxed by the layout. I could see the platform I need but there is no access. A sign for the platform unhelpfully pointed to nowhere really. I went to a gateline to enquire and was directed to somewhere else. At somewhere else I could again see the platform and again it is inaccessible. I found another gateline and at last I could reach platform 6. And they say London Bridge is complicated! At London Bridge there is a gateline upstairs and downstairs. Whichever gateline you use gives you access to ALL platforms. Quite simple really.
Thank you Iskra. It's certainly an interesting ticket and I feel sure the validity has been stretched by a few to the maximum extent! Fantastic scenery around much of the loop. Good luck with your trip if you take it.An enjoyable report. That ticket came to my attention too and is a possible trip for me in the autumn, so it was good to read your informative report.
Thank you Belperpete; yes the gateline staff let me out. I only used the A-end as (1) the train arrived at the escalators there and (2) I thought it was about time I saw that end of the station! Last time I was there, on my way to Kiddy, I used the footbridge you mention at the far west end to escape to Snow Hill very quickly. I'll aim for the B-End escalators/stairs as you suggest next time so thank you again for the advise.The station layout at New Street is a poor compromise. The A-end gateline is split into two sections by the third station entrance. You should be allowed through the gateline if changing trains, but I agree that how to get to the other half of the gateline is not particularly obvious. Most of the signs unhelpfully seem to refer to various coloured lounges rather than platform numbers!
The trick if you are changing trains at New Street is NOT to use the A-end gatelines. The B-end gateline gives through access to all platforms. There are some posters up advising passengers changing trains to use the stairs/escalators at the B-end of the platforms, but they are easily missed. The old Hill Street-end footbridge at the far end of the platforms also gives access to all platforms except 12, and is usually much less crowded - probably because it isn't signposted on the platforms (I seem to recall the original intention was to close it after the station had been redeveloped, but it was kept open by public demand).
West Somerset Railway (WSR) Saturday 7th September 2019
In July 2019 it was announced that GWR would run a trial Summer Saturday shuttle service from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard WSR. Selected Saturdays from July 27th until October 5th. Great news for the WSR and passengers. I thought it would be good to use this service then promptly forgot about it. All the Stations posted a video on YouTube after using the service at which point I looked to see if I could fit it in. 7th September looked possible as Horsham FC weren’t playing. (Subsequently Horsham were scheduled to play Met Police at Imber Court in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round).
I looked in vain on the GWR website for the shuttle service. In the end Google came to my rescue pointing me to the WSR website. Looking at NR & WSR timetables it seemed possible to catch the first GWR shuttle leaving Taunton at 0939 and the last shuttle leaving Bishops Lydeard at 1711. I used TrainSplit to purchase tickets, none of which were Advances; a rare instance for me but most welcome. Route proposed by Trainsplit and NRE was via Redhill and Reading in both directions. Nearer the event I purchased a WSR DigiTicket Combined GWR Taunton to Bishops Lydeard shuttle and WSR Bishops Lydeard to Minehead return.
Saturday 7th September and my alarm awoke me at 0425. Had a quick cup of coffee and checked the Horsham departure board; everything looked good. Arrived at Horsham station in plenty of time. My 0525 to London Bridge was a 12-car (FLU) Thameslink 700. There weren’t many people on board. I sat near the rear for the subway at Redhill. We departed on-time. WiFi was working and there was no ticket check or sign of the OBS. When we stopped at Gatwick Airport I wondered why Trainsplit had the service change at Redhill not Gatwick. I resisted the temptation to alight at Gatwick and stuck with the script.
Arrival Redhill Platform 2 on-time 0559. I walked via the subway to Platform 0. This was the first time I’d used Platform 0. My Reading train, a 3-car GWR 165 DMU, arrived at 0605 from Gatwick. There were quite a few people on board, most with luggage and as usual treating the train as a bedroom. At least three cycles boarded. I boarded and found a good seat.
Departure from Redhill at 0613. The WiFi took a few attempts to get going and it wasn’t a particularly good service. I did notice for the first time the Unit number is displayed on the connection page! There was no ticket check and we arrived 3L into Reading 0721 Platform 5.
Platform 7 is fortunately adjacent to Platform 5 however because of the late arrival there was no time to pick up a coffee in Pumpkin. The departure board give the platform zone for boarding so I walked down to the far Western end of the platform for Coach A (Quite coach). My 0730 Penzance train arrived, a 10-car 802. Found my reserved seat and settled in. Departure 0731. There were a lot of exotic sounding Cornish stations on the display and I was reminded of my Newquay trip in 2018 when I travelled on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Taunton was the first stop. The WiFi was working but again wasn’t particularly good.
The trolley arrived so I was able to purchase fresh brew filter coffee. The journey was uneventful with some half-decent views. Arrived Taunton 0850 3L and alighted onto Platform 2. Had a quick look at what was once Platform 1 then headed for the cafe where a cup of tea was purchased.
By the cafe there was an exit to the Bus Stop for the 28 to Bishops Lydeard. A number of WSR staff on the platform also a fair number waiting for the Bishops Lydeard train. Tickets were being sold on the platform by the WSR staff.
A GWR 3-car 150 arrived Platform 2 at 0925 ECS from Exeter St. Davids. I boarded and found a good seat. Departure on-time 0939. A WSR ticket collector scanned my Digi-Ticket and gave me a small roll ticket marked “Combi Rtn Tn/BL/MD Ad £0.00”.
As we trundled down the line there was a very smart looking snowplough near the A3605 bridge. Then onto the Minehead branch! In 2018 I’d arrived on the WSR on a rail tour from Paddington hauled by Clan Line. We passed the platform at Norton Fitzwarren. A chap came through the train handing out a leaflet for the Minehead Rail Link Group and Rail Future. The WSR staff handed out a Transport Survey to complete.
Some coaches on the right alerted me that we were nearing Bishops Lydeard. We stopped at a signal just outside the station before proceeding into Platform 2 at 0956. I missed the loco shed. A steam train was waiting at west end of Platform 2. I alighted the train and asked the guard which coach for Dunster and was informed any would do.
At the head of the 7 coach train, all Mk I I think, was 2-6-0 9351. I later learnt that this was a conversion from 2-6-2T 5193 performed 2000-2004. I thought it looked rather good. 9351 had a Dunster Castle Express headboard fitted. WSR offer a combined train, bus and castle ticket. I took a few photos then boarded the train in the 1st carriage.
The Token was walked down to the driver, the Foot Crossing closed and we set off at 1015. It sounded like quite an effort pulling out of the station. We passed a field with crop pickers toiling away who stopped and waved to us. The weather had been overcast but the sun had now come out.
The first station was Crowcombe Heathfield. This is a very pretty station with a Broad Gauge exhibit on the platform. The Token was exchanged with the Signal Box and we set off at 1030. Very nice countryside outside the window.
Next up was Stogumber. This has a rustic single platform and a very nice station building on the other side. I stopped here in 2018 on the Clan Line railtour for refreshments. Departure at 1039.
As we approached Williton, sheep were seen running in the field, scared by the steam and smoke. There was another Token exchange. A Teddy Bear and Hymek sat beside Platform 1. We awaited the arrival of the 1005 from Minehead into Platform 2. Tea was delivered to the footplate crew. A second Hymek could just be seen sitting inside the shed along with some coaches undergoing restoration in the yard. Departed at 1050.
There followed another four stations; Doniford Halt 1054, Watchet 1100, Washford 1109 and Blue Anchor 1119. Doniford Halt is a request stop. A number of people joined the train. The train steamed into Dunster at 1127 and I alighted.
A lady on the platform held up a Dunster Castle Express sign and in the station yard a coach awaited for those taking the easy way to the castle. I set off on foot following the signs. There is a useful subway under the A39. Dunster village could be picturesque but is spoilt by cars parked on both sides of the road. I took a few photos but the end result is you’re viewing a carpark.
Google maps estimates the walk to the castle should take 20 minutes. I managed that and arrived just after the Dunster Express coach from the station. At the castle entrance I was given a map of the castle grounds. The castle is a combination of medieval gatehouse and lavish country home. I spent around an hour going round the various rooms then went out onto the terrace overlooking the Bristol Channel with some refreshments. Studying the map, I decided to head to the watermill.
According to the guide outside, the watermill is one of only two tandem watermills in England. The other being in the Lake District. Tandem meaning there are two wheels. There is a sufficient head of water to power both wheels simultaneously. Inside it was a fairly typical watermill arrangement. In the mill shop I purchased a 1kg bag of wholemeal spelt flour stoneground in the mill.
I followed the route back round to the castle entrance via a very pleasant garden then back through the town. At the carpark I purchased a pasty for later. The walk back to the station was downhill so easier than the march up! At the station I purchased coffee and waited for the 1352 to Minehead. 7828 Odney Manor was at the front of another set of Mk Is. We pulled into Minehead at 1400.
Somerset & Dorset 7F 53808 was sitting outside the shed and looked very fine indeed. I exited the station briefly to check the fish and chip takeaway was still there, it was. Back to the station and awaited departure at 1430, in the hands of Odney Manor.
It was a toss-up between Washford and Watchet for my next stop. Watchet won as I’ve a trip booked to Midsomer Norton in October. Arrival at Watchet 1508. I walked along West Pier to the lighthouse, just a small light really, then back to Watchet Museum. This is a small but very interesting museum with details of the West Somerset Mineral Railway. There is a great model of the 1 in 4 rope-worked inclined plane. It was very hard not to buy one the books about the line. On The Esplanade there is a Samuel Taylor Colridge Rime of the Ancient Mariner inspired sculpture. The inscription says part of the book was written in Watchet.
I returned to Watchet Station and purchased ice cream whilst I waited for the train. A little after 1606 a beautifully restored 3-car DMU appeared. It was a slow plodding journey back to Bishops Lydeard where we arrived earlier at 1645. Well that was fortunate so I dashed up the drive to the Quantock Brewery. The Small Batch (craft keg) in the Tap Room was an 8% DIPA so I purchased a pint in plastic to take back to the Taunton shuttle. Gorgeous stuff indeed!
The GWR shuttle left on time 1711 and was soon arriving a little early at Taunton 1725. Plenty of time to swap over to Platform 5 via the subway for the 1732 to Paddington, another 802.
Onboard Coach A was quite full. The seat reservations didn’t seem to match my ticket so I sat somewhere else. A while later I remembered my reservation was for the 1831. The weather really picked up in the afternoon and the sun was filling the carriage. There was no ticket check that I recall. Another smooth journey to Reading with arrival at 18:50.
Made my way up over the bridge from Platform 11 to Platform 5. There were a huge number of people get off an ex WAT service. Police were patrolling the platform. Guess just normal Saturday stuff. My Redhill train departed 1904 and was busy. Didn’t thin out until Guildford. There was a stunning pink sunset. Redhill 2023 then onto my last train of the day 2033, a Thameslink 700 arriving Horsham 2108.
A very good day. All the stations on the WSR are great. There were plenty of staff. The whole situation there seems at odds with what has been written elsewhere. I’ll return next year to visit more of the stations and sights.
Thank you very much! No I didn’t, I was largely ignorant of the mineral lines so the museum was a real eye opener. I can imagine that some good exploration can be done. I was looking at some websites today which give a lot of background information and details of what there is to see.Brilliant trip review. Nice to see a review of this part of the country, never knew quantock brewery did takeaway will have to call on way home after work. Did you notice the old Mineral line station at Watchet.
West Somerset Railway (WSR) Saturday 7th September 2019
In July 2019 it was announced that GWR would run a trial Summer Saturday shuttle service from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard WSR. Selected Saturdays from July 27th until October 5th. Great news for the WSR and passengers. I thought it would be good to use this service then promptly forgot about it. All the Stations posted a video on YouTube after using the service at which point I looked to see if I could fit it in. 7th September looked possible as Horsham FC weren’t playing. (Subsequently Horsham were scheduled to play Met Police at Imber Court in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round).
I looked in vain on the GWR website for the shuttle service. In the end Google came to my rescue pointing me to the WSR website. Looking at NR & WSR timetables it seemed possible to catch the first GWR shuttle leaving Taunton at 0939 and the last shuttle leaving Bishops Lydeard at 1711. I used TrainSplit to purchase tickets, none of which were Advances; a rare instance for me but most welcome. Route proposed by Trainsplit and NRE was via Redhill and Reading in both directions. Nearer the event I purchased a WSR DigiTicket Combined GWR Taunton to Bishops Lydeard shuttle and WSR Bishops Lydeard to Minehead return.
Saturday 7th September and my alarm awoke me at 0425. Had a quick cup of coffee and checked the Horsham departure board; everything looked good. Arrived at Horsham station in plenty of time. My 0525 to London Bridge was a 12-car (FLU) Thameslink 700. There weren’t many people on board. I sat near the rear for the subway at Redhill. We departed on-time. WiFi was working and there was no ticket check or sign of the OBS. When we stopped at Gatwick Airport I wondered why Trainsplit had the service change at Redhill not Gatwick. I resisted the temptation to alight at Gatwick and stuck with the script.
Arrival Redhill Platform 2 on-time 0559. I walked via the subway to Platform 0. This was the first time I’d used Platform 0. My Reading train, a 3-car GWR 165 DMU, arrived at 0605 from Gatwick. There were quite a few people on board, most with luggage and as usual treating the train as a bedroom. At least three cycles boarded. I boarded and found a good seat.
Departure from Redhill at 0613. The WiFi took a few attempts to get going and it wasn’t a particularly good service. I did notice for the first time the Unit number is displayed on the connection page! There was no ticket check and we arrived 3L into Reading 0721 Platform 5.
Platform 7 is fortunately adjacent to Platform 5 however because of the late arrival there was no time to pick up a coffee in Pumpkin. The departure board give the platform zone for boarding so I walked down to the far Western end of the platform for Coach A (Quite coach). My 0730 Penzance train arrived, a 10-car 802. Found my reserved seat and settled in. Departure 0731. There were a lot of exotic sounding Cornish stations on the display and I was reminded of my Newquay trip in 2018 when I travelled on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Taunton was the first stop. The WiFi was working but again wasn’t particularly good.
The trolley arrived so I was able to purchase fresh brew filter coffee. The journey was uneventful with some half-decent views. Arrived Taunton 0850 3L and alighted onto Platform 2. Had a quick look at what was once Platform 1 then headed for the cafe where a cup of tea was purchased.
By the cafe there was an exit to the Bus Stop for the 28 to Bishops Lydeard. A number of WSR staff on the platform also a fair number waiting for the Bishops Lydeard train. Tickets were being sold on the platform by the WSR staff.
A GWR 3-car 150 arrived Platform 2 at 0925 ECS from Exeter St. Davids. I boarded and found a good seat. Departure on-time 0939. A WSR ticket collector scanned my Digi-Ticket and gave me a small roll ticket marked “Combi Rtn Tn/BL/MD Ad £0.00”.
As we trundled down the line there was a very smart looking snowplough near the A3605 bridge. Then onto the Minehead branch! In 2018 I’d arrived on the WSR on a rail tour from Paddington hauled by Clan Line. We passed the platform at Norton Fitzwarren. A chap came through the train handing out a leaflet for the Minehead Rail Link Group and Rail Future. The WSR staff handed out a Transport Survey to complete.
Some coaches on the right alerted me that we were nearing Bishops Lydeard. We stopped at a signal just outside the station before proceeding into Platform 2 at 0956. I missed the loco shed. A steam train was waiting at west end of Platform 2. I alighted the train and asked the guard which coach for Dunster and was informed any would do.
At the head of the 7 coach train, all Mk I I think, was 2-6-0 9351. I later learnt that this was a conversion from 2-6-2T 5193 performed 2000-2004. I thought it looked rather good. 9351 had a Dunster Castle Express headboard fitted. WSR offer a combined train, bus and castle ticket. I took a few photos then boarded the train in the 1st carriage.
The Token was walked down to the driver, the Foot Crossing closed and we set off at 1015. It sounded like quite an effort pulling out of the station. We passed a field with crop pickers toiling away who stopped and waved to us. The weather had been overcast but the sun had now come out.
The first station was Crowcombe Heathfield. This is a very pretty station with a Broad Gauge exhibit on the platform. The Token was exchanged with the Signal Box and we set off at 1030. Very nice countryside outside the window.
Next up was Stogumber. This has a rustic single platform and a very nice station building on the other side. I stopped here in 2018 on the Clan Line railtour for refreshments. Departure at 1039.
As we approached Williton, sheep were seen running in the field, scared by the steam and smoke. There was another Token exchange. A Teddy Bear and Hymek sat beside Platform 1. We awaited the arrival of the 1005 from Minehead into Platform 2. Tea was delivered to the footplate crew. A second Hymek could just be seen sitting inside the shed along with some coaches undergoing restoration in the yard. Departed at 1050.
There followed another four stations; Doniford Halt 1054, Watchet 1100, Washford 1109 and Blue Anchor 1119. Doniford Halt is a request stop. A number of people joined the train. The train steamed into Dunster at 1127 and I alighted.
A lady on the platform held up a Dunster Castle Express sign and in the station yard a coach awaited for those taking the easy way to the castle. I set off on foot following the signs. There is a useful subway under the A39. Dunster village could be picturesque but is spoilt by cars parked on both sides of the road. I took a few photos but the end result is you’re viewing a carpark.
Google maps estimates the walk to the castle should take 20 minutes. I managed that and arrived just after the Dunster Express coach from the station. At the castle entrance I was given a map of the castle grounds. The castle is a combination of medieval gatehouse and lavish country home. I spent around an hour going round the various rooms then went out onto the terrace overlooking the Bristol Channel with some refreshments. Studying the map, I decided to head to the watermill.
According to the guide outside, the watermill is one of only two tandem watermills in England. The other being in the Lake District. Tandem meaning there are two wheels. There is a sufficient head of water to power both wheels simultaneously. Inside it was a fairly typical watermill arrangement. In the mill shop I purchased a 1kg bag of wholemeal spelt flour stoneground in the mill.
I followed the route back round to the castle entrance via a very pleasant garden then back through the town. At the carpark I purchased a pasty for later. The walk back to the station was downhill so easier than the march up! At the station I purchased coffee and waited for the 1352 to Minehead. 7828 Odney Manor was at the front of another set of Mk Is. We pulled into Minehead at 1400.
Somerset & Dorset 7F 53808 was sitting outside the shed and looked very fine indeed. I exited the station briefly to check the fish and chip takeaway was still there, it was. Back to the station and awaited departure at 1430, in the hands of Odney Manor.
It was a toss-up between Washford and Watchet for my next stop. Watchet won as I’ve a trip booked to Midsomer Norton in October. Arrival at Watchet 1508. I walked along West Pier to the lighthouse, just a small light really, then back to Watchet Museum. This is a small but very interesting museum with details of the West Somerset Mineral Railway. There is a great model of the 1 in 4 rope-worked inclined plane. It was very hard not to buy one the books about the line. On The Esplanade there is a Samuel Taylor Colridge Rime of the Ancient Mariner inspired sculpture. The inscription says part of the book was written in Watchet.
I returned to Watchet Station and purchased ice cream whilst I waited for the train. A little after 1606 a beautifully restored 3-car DMU appeared. It was a slow plodding journey back to Bishops Lydeard where we arrived earlier at 1645. Well that was fortunate so I dashed up the drive to the Quantock Brewery. The Small Batch (craft keg) in the Tap Room was an 8% DIPA so I purchased a pint in plastic to take back to the Taunton shuttle. Gorgeous stuff indeed!
The GWR shuttle left on time 1711 and was soon arriving a little early at Taunton 1725. Plenty of time to swap over to Platform 5 via the subway for the 1732 to Paddington, another 802.
Onboard Coach A was quite full. The seat reservations didn’t seem to match my ticket so I sat somewhere else. A while later I remembered my reservation was for the 1831. The weather really picked up in the afternoon and the sun was filling the carriage. There was no ticket check that I recall. Another smooth journey to Reading with arrival at 18:50.
Made my way up over the bridge from Platform 11 to Platform 5. There were a huge number of people get off an ex WAT service. Police were patrolling the platform. Guess just normal Saturday stuff. My Redhill train departed 1904 and was busy. Didn’t thin out until Guildford. There was a stunning pink sunset. Redhill 2023 then onto my last train of the day 2033, a Thameslink 700 arriving Horsham 2108.
A very good day. All the stations on the WSR are great. There were plenty of staff. The whole situation there seems at odds with what has been written elsewhere. I’ll return next year to visit more of the stations and sights.
Thank you Kite, it's a great line to visit.Sounded like a good trip to Minehead
15-20 I think outbound. Didn't count on the way back as I was late joining the service and rushed off to P 5 without looking back; perhaps 10 maybe more.How many people were on the shuttle to/from Taunton?
Walking the old mineral line is on the too list but I don’t like walking unless it’s to the pub.Thank you very much! No I didn’t, I was largely ignorant of the mineral lines so the museum was a real eye opener. I can imagine that some good exploration can be done. I was looking at some websites today which give a lot of background information and details of what there is to see.
Quantock have quart containers behind the bar for a proper takeaway experience. I was tempted!
thanks for the photos, I stopped and read that information panel but somehow failed se see the rails. Dooh!Walking the old mineral line is on the too list but I don’t like walking unless it’s to the pub.
Was almost harder writing the report than doing the trip. Reading the report must be a really hard slog!Phew indeed
The kind of day where it pays to keep a close watch on the time and progress of the train. In between trying to take in the scenery whilst simultaneously writing notesSounded like a busy day
Glad you enjoyed the report! Certainly one of my top trips this year so far.Really enjoyed your report there. Sounds like a brilliant day out. Last time I went to Blaenau there was a superb cafe above the mainline station.
Thank you yes, totally stress free!Sounded like a good trip to the island
Thank you. Home before Midnight so not sure it qualifies for a long day really!Very nice.
That's what you call "a long day!"
Exactly, only Yorkshire so wasn’t a long journey so doesn’t count! Had a DDH, sour and West Coast. I get the Patrons Society subscription box delivered once a month direct from the brewery. A bit more exotic than the normal fare available in the supermarket . Can’t say I’m surprised about the GWR IET, they have an almost commuter train feel about them to me.Hold on, you left Horsham at 0625 and got back at 2257, yet you don't call that a long day? By cripes even by my standards that is a lengthy one, considering you only went to Yorkshire!
I do, however, approve of your visit to Northern Monk. I haven't been myself, I cancelled my trip earlier this year to Leeds, but I am assured it is worth a visit. Quite, I have two 440ml cans of Northern Monk brews sitting in my fridge currently, got them from my local Morrisons on their beer festival promotion earlier. One of them will be devoured in a bit, possibly both...
Got to ask what you had there!
First Class on GWR's IETs is disappointing, so I can imagine it's not much better on the ECML. Not convinced I'd pay the extra for it now, unless it was £10 or less difference.