Buses complete Minehead link as crossing work progresses
VINTAGE buses are completing full-length journeys of the West Somerset Railway.
Friday, July 16 saw steam trains running from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster, with a small fleet of heritage buses travelling onwards to Minehead.
Two of the vintage buses were open-top types, which proved very popular with visitors given the sunny weather, and another and more modern bus was disabled-friendly.
The first is a former Devon General AEC double decker, originally built in 1934 with a closed top. Converted to open top in 1955 and operated along Torquay and Paignton seafront, it was withdrawn from regular service in 1961 and moved to South Wales before entering preservation.
The second bus is a Bristol VR type which first entered service with the Bristol Omnibus Company in 1976 – the same year that the WSR first started running trains.
Level crossing delayed
More than 120 people travelled on the buses on the first day, with many more jumping aboard during the following weekend.
The bus services have been made necessary by the controversial delays in completing the Somerset County Council-funded £1.2 million project to rebuild the Seaward Way level crossing outside Minehead to 21st century safety standards.
Traffic across the level crossing has increased over the last 20 years and the equipment is now worn out after years of exposure to sea air. The current two-barrier crossing will be replaced by four barriers to extend over the entire road and will be controlled from the signalbox, with the railway signalling also having to be rebuilt.
The delays in completing the project in time for the 2021 season, which have been blamed on the pandemic, have attracted criticism from Minehead traders and civic representatives, but hopes were rising that the crossing might yet reopen at some point in September.
Pay on the day
A WSR statement said: “Work on completing Seaward Way level crossing is proceeding well. A number of contractors and the WSR's own technical team have been working for several months, and the main technical contractors – Amey Rail – will start work on the ground shortly.
“The new closed circuit television system is also due to be installed shortly. It is unlikely to reopen for passenger trains before the end of September. But everyone involved is working hard to try to bring that date forward.”
On July 19, when Government Covid-19 restrictions were largely lifted, the WSR opened all staffed stations between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, allowing passengers to buy tickets on the day without pre-booking. However, the smaller stations at Doniford and Washford will remain closed for the time being.
Passengers from Bishops Lydeard, Watchet and Minehead can reserve spaces at tables or in compartments, either by telephoning 01643 704996 or visiting www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk/events
Some passengers paid in advance to travel in reserved coaches with significant circulation space, in which walk-up passengers cannot travel.
Throughout August, trains run every day except Mondays and Fridays – and all will be steam hauled by GWR-designed locomotives, including Class 5101 2-6-2T No. 5199 which has just been repainted in GWR green livery (see separate story).
As reported last issue, the planned Mixed Traction Weekend on September 17/18 and the Autumn Steam Gala on October 1-3, will be the line's first enthusiast events since the Winter Steam Festival of December 2019. Visitors are advised to check the website for updates.