West Somerset works finished on schedule

Two major infrastructure projects have been completed at the West Somerset Railway in time for the 2017 season. Regular services over the full length of the 20-mile line resumed on March 11, following re-laying of the station throat at Minehead, at a cost of £120,000. Work included digging out nearly 1,000 tonnes of old ballast, repairing the trackbed drainage, and replacing the sleepers on three sets of points. One job that was deferred was the renewal of the level crossing, which will now take place in November, along with the re-laying of the running line eastwards to Alcombe foot crossing. At Williton, a £250,000 remodelling has returned the station to its pre1968 layout by restoring the passing loop to its original length - thereby permitting trains to make use of the full length of the Up platform. The installation of new outer home signals - said to be “probably the biggest job ever undertaken” by the WSR’s Signal & Telegraph team - will streamline operations, by allowing shunting at Williton while trains are in section from Crowcombe or Blue Anchor.