WSR bid to link with Taunton in 2019

The West Somerset Railway has submitted proposals to Great Western Railway for a shuttle train service connecting Taunton and Bishops Lydeard on peak days during the summer of 2019.  

The bid is to GWR's Customer & Communities Improvement Fund and is in competition with hundreds of others from around the Great Western Network.  The results should be known later this year, and if successful, the service could start at the end of May 2019.  The diesel trains, run by GWR, would connect with the WSR steam trains from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.   

WSR and GWR have worked together on improving the link between the two railways for some time, and GWR already offers through ticketing from staffed stations to the WSR, including the connecting service provided by Buses of Somerset route 28 from Taunton station.

Paul Conibeare, General Manager said:

“We are extremely grateful to GWR and the LEP in their support for this Bid application, next year is the Fortieth Anniversary, as Operator of England’s Longest Heritage Railway, so what a better way to link into our existing Steam Services to Minehead”

“With the refurbishment of Taunton Station, a new Car Park and Re-furbished Great Western Hotel, there is no better time to start the new Shuttle service”

Photo - Jon Simons