When was the West Somerset Railway built?
7 April 1859
The railway’s engineer, George Furness of London, started construction on 7 April 1859 at Crowcombe and construction lasted for nearly three years. The railway opened for passengers from Watchet Junction (2 miles or 3.2 kilometres west of Taunton) to Watchet on 31 March 1862; goods traffic commenced in August.
Does Watchet have a beach?
Below the cliffs of the harbour town of Watchet, low tide exposes a vast flat, rocky area, which then disappears once more as the tide comes in. Beachcombing is popular on the beach, as many interesting fossils get washed up by the tides. …
What is the longest heritage railway in the UK?
West Somerset Railway
West Somerset Railway – The longest Heritage Railway in England.
What is Nailsea like to live in?
The resistance of Nailsea generally feel safe and secure and the area has lower than average crime rates for the Avon & Somerset police force area. Somerset’s crimes rates overall are also very low, and it is one of the safest regions in the UK according to Home Office figures.
When did Watchet station on West Somerset Railway open?
Watchet Station was the original terminus of the West Somerset Railway, at the end of the fourteen mile line from Norton Fitzwarren opened in 1862. This explains the rather odd position of the main station building set at right angles to the line.
Is the Watchet railway station back on track?
Watchet Station is back on track with the return of the refurbished footbridge and a repaint of the station buildings. Watchet is an ancient harbour town with a history of over 1000 years and still has a network of small streets and shops to be explored, including several pubs and cafes.
When did the Taunton to Watchet railway open?
The railway opened for passengers from Watchet Junction (2 miles or 3.2 kilometres west of Taunton) to Watchet on 31 March 1862; goods traffic commenced in August. Trains were operated through to Taunton railway station as no station was provided at the junction.
Why was Watchet chosen as the station for the WSR?
The commercial aim of the WSR in choosing Watchet as its terminus was hence to provide a wider and cheaper distribution route for goods from the port. The station forecourt originally linked both station building and goods shed, hence the now unusual alignment of the station building facing towards Taunton.