East Somerset Railway

Just what we like to see in our car park😁! We welcomed a group of Rolls Royce Enthusiasts today for a private visit.

Goliath - Workshop update......... Another couple of milestones reached this week with Goliath’s overhaul. The coupling rods have been refitted which not only marks the final stage of a huge amount of work but also clears a lot of floor space! On the boiler, the tubes have now been expanded and next, they will be beaded. Photos - Steve Masters

Two from the archive - 1953 and 1983 (no picture credits available) and one from today. Not too much has changed in 66 years!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED TO HELP WITH SCHOOL GROUPS Are you interested in supporting school visits between 10 & 3pm on Wednesdays? If you have a sunny approach with youngsters, are committed to giving our school visitors a really great experience, are adaptable and interested in history, we’d love to hear from you!! Please contact education@eastsomersetrailway.com for further details.

Do you like dressing up? You've got plenty of time to dig out that special outfit and join us for our fabulous 'The Way We Were' weekend over the August Bank Holiday. All costumes welcome - from 1930's spiv to 1960s hippy.
New exhibitors and entertainers welcome!... See the link below for further information or enquire at info@eastsomersetrailway.com.
https://eastsomersetrailway.com/events/vi ew/the-way-we-were
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A update from the pway gang March Civ week which was kindly sponsored by Storm Gareth;
March Civ Week was mainly about dismantling most of Mendip Vale loop, grading the track bed, then replacing 130 sleepers and associated rails, fishplates and keys, followed by jacking and packing before handing the line back to Operations for the commencement of services on the Saturday 16 March, 'Somerset Strimmer' Railtour day.
This was achieved with the small but perfectly formed gang of... regulars Tom, Tel, Steve & Phil, together with the essential Alex & Chris and honorary member Colin, who also provided half of the motive power in the shape of DH16.
Tom Yeoman supplied plant and staff - the excellent Brad & Chris - who know us too well!!
As ever the Pway gang are always looking for more willing members to assist, if you are interested please do get in touch.
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Now that the Discovery Centre is officially open to the public, we are looking to complete phase 2 of our project which includes renovating the 'Down Platform' which it stands on. A £20 donation will buy an inch of platform. If you would like to support this project, please follow this link: https://eastsomersetrailway.digitickets.c o.uk/category/20719 For more detailed information. click here: https://eastsomersetrailway.com/donations

A very special day today. Avril Shepherd officially opened our new David Shepherd Discovery Centre - followed by a retirement lunch for one of the original ESR team, Barry Buckfield.

We had a great Steam Gala at the weekend! Thanks to all of you who came and supported us - and for all the great comments and photos. Here are 3 more of our fabulous volunteers- Pauline the Guard, Kerry the Crossing Keeper and James the Fireman. Come and join our friendly team! Photos - Elaine Lavender

Steve Masters driving the Ivatt at today's Steam Gala Photo - Elaine Lavender

Don't forget - it's the Steam Gala over this weekend. 5637 and 46447 running - there will be goods and passenger trains as well as an opportunity to drive Lady Nan for a tenner. The miniature railway is also running. Shop is well stocked with lots of goodies and the cafe will be serving food all day. https://eastsomersetrailway.com/events/vi ew/steam-gala

Dick and Derek performing a bit of tree surgery in readiness for the erection of a new visitor shelter near the Whistlestop Cafe.

A few more from Saturday's Railtour visit. Photos: Rob Green

One of the many You Tube videos from Saturday. credit - Dave Lovering

A great day - photos will follow !

We are looking forward to welcoming the UK Railtours 'Somerset Strimmer' to Cramnmore tomorrow at around 1.30. It will be great to see a mainline train in the station again! PLEASE NOTE - if you are planning to visit us tomorrow, we will be very busy in the afternoon with the Railtour's prebooked passengers.

Well worth a visit. A great day out and the people working there were all very friendly, helpful and informative, including in the Whistlestop Cafe. This made the experience even more enjoyable.

We were on the Santa train yesterday, 23rd December. My nearly 4 year old loved it. She loves trains anyway, and getting on to find an entertainment book and colouring pencils, plus receiving a balloon penguin thrilled her. Mummy liked the mulled wine whilst daddy stuck to the coffee lol. They also bought biscuits for the kids, mince pies for the parents and a chocolate at end of ride. Going to see Santa was exciting, you walk through the train to wait in one of the old style compartments. Santa was amazing and she received an Angry Birds puppet. Highly recommend and will book again next year

We went to have a special birthday lunch with hubby's sister and two friends. I thought the meal was good, not piping hot but very nice, i had the roast chichen and three had roast beef, with one having the vegetarian. We had a good look around, brought back memories for our friends one if which went to school everyday on the train to Shepton, the other worked stoking up the train many many years ago. First time i have been there and hope to go back again even if its just for a cup of coffee in the cafe. After the meal we had a ride on the train again. The ticket for the meal included the whole day. I hope they soon dust the museum it needs a good clean. We had a good enjoyable day.

We went on the starlight Santa train yesterday , it was everything you could wish for , the children loved every minute , great refreshments , the Volunteers were so friendly and nothing was to much trouble , Santa’s grotto was a magical place for the kids to meet Santa , thank you to all involved in the running of this special day xxxxxx can’t wait to visit again xxx

We have been on the train a few times now and our last visit was in the Santa train we have the most magical time as always a wonderful experience looking forward to the paw patrol lorraine and her grandsons Boe 5years and Jaxon age 1 xx

We are very lucky to have a great place just on our door step. Our two grandsons just love riding on trains, (especially Steam) we got ourselves a family season ticket. With the great trains and the lovely friendly volunteers, it all makes for a great day out. There is always plenty to do and see. From the next train to being restored, to finding little things in the shop. The Whistlestop café is a great room for you to refill, Great food & snacks. All round a great place to visit at a great price. Thanks Alot Cranmore, See you very soon.

Took the family there on bank holiday Monday to see pj masks. Kids had a fantastic time meeting cat boy and owlette, they enjoyed story time and the crafts table. We enjoyed having burger and chips for lunch there. The miniature railway was good fun. The steam train ride was very enjoyable. Overall a good family day out for the whole family. Would highly recommend to my friends and family.

Surprise trip on the evening Santa train. Outstanding!!!! Staff super friendly and helpful, homemade mince pies (warm, delish and very festive), magical experience for all. Extremely good value for money. Such a shame more people haven't cottened on to the magic of the evening Santa train. We'll be back without a doubt!

Popped in this afternoon had a great time had a nice walk up to the engine shed looked round the sentinel museum which was a nice surprised caught the last train great steam engine . Very friendly place will definitely come back

My husband and I visited on 04/07/2018 We had a lovely time and I enjoyed photographing the trains which was lovely as I’m actually a wildlife photographer so was nice to do something different that day ���

I was on the Santa Train yesterday - what a perfect Steam Train experience! The volunteers are absolutely brilliant - so friendly. The train was perfect for Thomas fans of all ages and the experience as a whole was one of the best Christmas ones any family could have.



Refreshments for both adults and children (mince pies, biscuits, squash, chocolates, teas, coffees, mulled wine etc), activities awaiting the children on the tables, Father Christmas giving out really lovely age appropriate (and really nice) gifts and the balloon modeller was good too with the festive balloons!



Would highly recommend to any family for a pre Christmas treat x

I spent a day at the railway with my wife and 3 year old. We loved it. It had a real family atmosphere and every member of staff that I saw were smiling enthusiastic.

The prices were more than reasonable and everything was clean and tidy. If you are in the area it's a must visit for a great day out.

Had a brilliant day at the railway on Sunday, the food far exceeded expectations and was great to go up and down the line as many times as we wanted. Will look to return when the signal box is open and model railway is running, but the dining experience was a real treat, thanks to all who work and volunteer on the line to keep it going

An amazing place. Lovely and friendly staff everywhere and the cafe is also very good. Well worth the money for the rover ticket. A magical place for children that also love choo-choos! :-) x

Absolutely fantastic despite it only being a 45 minute round trip. The volunteer guard even got the kids involved by showing them the brakes & letting them apply the brakes & move the lamp from one end to the other. Would thoroughly recommend this 10/10 all the way.

A little gem of a railway, warm friendly welcome, the station staff very helpful, it was a perfect day to spend an afternoon, travel on the railway - not a long line but the ticket is unlimited journeys on the day, and even try driving a Diesel. Will certainly visit again.

Visited here on the off chance after hearing the lovely sound of the whistle and chuffing whilst in Shelton Mallett shopping. We had a warm welcome which sets the tone..everyone is happy to help or explain things to you. Highlights were driving an engine for a tenner up and down a siding and spending a long while in the signal box as the steam trains crossed the points to swap tracks.it was wonderful, nostalgic and relaxed. I even got to have a go at pulling the levers and dinging the signal bells. The train journey is only short but you can go up and down as many times as you like. The volunteer staff clearly love it here and are knowledgeable.it was great to see so many young people giving their time alongside the not so young folks- just a wonderful atmosphere.There was a goods train running too and you could travel in the guards open wagon which looked like so much fun ( if you were quick enough to bag a place!). Tea room serves a range of good wholesome food at reasonable prices. This is a little gem of a place ..well worth a visit.

Lovely little line although only a short trip... We had a nice ride behind an ex Great Western tank engine... Your ticket lets you ride all day and the cafe serves a very decent ham, egg and chips for lunch... You can also walk round the engine shed and view the restoration of locomotives underway... Well worth a visit

A small heritage railway in Somerset. First time visit with my grandson and we both had a good time. Excellent value for money and their more to this than just a train ride as you can go round the engine shed and signal box and get up close to the engines and carriages would visit again

Well worth a visit. A great day out and the people working there were all very friendly, helpful and informative, including in the Whistlestop Cafe. This made the experience even more enjoyable.

We were on the Santa train yesterday, 23rd December. My nearly 4 year old loved it. She loves trains anyway, and getting on to find an entertainment book and colouring pencils, plus receiving a balloon penguin thrilled her. Mummy liked the mulled wine whilst daddy stuck to the coffee lol. They also bought biscuits for the kids, mince pies for the parents and a chocolate at end of ride. Going to see Santa was exciting, you walk through the train to wait in one of the old style compartments. Santa was amazing and she received an Angry Birds puppet. Highly recommend and will book again next year

We went to have a special birthday lunch with hubby's sister and two friends. I thought the meal was good, not piping hot but very nice, i had the roast chichen and three had roast beef, with one having the vegetarian. We had a good look around, brought back memories for our friends one if which went to school everyday on the train to Shepton, the other worked stoking up the train many many years ago. First time i have been there and hope to go back again even if its just for a cup of coffee in the cafe. After the meal we had a ride on the train again. The ticket for the meal included the whole day. I hope they soon dust the museum it needs a good clean. We had a good enjoyable day.

We went on the starlight Santa train yesterday , it was everything you could wish for , the children loved every minute , great refreshments , the Volunteers were so friendly and nothing was to much trouble , Santa’s grotto was a magical place for the kids to meet Santa , thank you to all involved in the running of this special day xxxxxx can’t wait to visit again xxx

We have been on the train a few times now and our last visit was in the Santa train we have the most magical time as always a wonderful experience looking forward to the paw patrol lorraine and her grandsons Boe 5years and Jaxon age 1 xx

We are very lucky to have a great place just on our door step. Our two grandsons just love riding on trains, (especially Steam) we got ourselves a family season ticket. With the great trains and the lovely friendly volunteers, it all makes for a great day out. There is always plenty to do and see. From the next train to being restored, to finding little things in the shop. The Whistlestop café is a great room for you to refill, Great food & snacks. All round a great place to visit at a great price. Thanks Alot Cranmore, See you very soon.

Took the family there on bank holiday Monday to see pj masks. Kids had a fantastic time meeting cat boy and owlette, they enjoyed story time and the crafts table. We enjoyed having burger and chips for lunch there. The miniature railway was good fun. The steam train ride was very enjoyable. Overall a good family day out for the whole family. Would highly recommend to my friends and family.

Surprise trip on the evening Santa train. Outstanding!!!! Staff super friendly and helpful, homemade mince pies (warm, delish and very festive), magical experience for all. Extremely good value for money. Such a shame more people haven't cottened on to the magic of the evening Santa train. We'll be back without a doubt!

Popped in this afternoon had a great time had a nice walk up to the engine shed looked round the sentinel museum which was a nice surprised caught the last train great steam engine . Very friendly place will definitely come back

My husband and I visited on 04/07/2018 We had a lovely time and I enjoyed photographing the trains which was lovely as I’m actually a wildlife photographer so was nice to do something different that day ���

I was on the Santa Train yesterday - what a perfect Steam Train experience! The volunteers are absolutely brilliant - so friendly. The train was perfect for Thomas fans of all ages and the experience as a whole was one of the best Christmas ones any family could have.



Refreshments for both adults and children (mince pies, biscuits, squash, chocolates, teas, coffees, mulled wine etc), activities awaiting the children on the tables, Father Christmas giving out really lovely age appropriate (and really nice) gifts and the balloon modeller was good too with the festive balloons!



Would highly recommend to any family for a pre Christmas treat x

I spent a day at the railway with my wife and 3 year old. We loved it. It had a real family atmosphere and every member of staff that I saw were smiling enthusiastic.

The prices were more than reasonable and everything was clean and tidy. If you are in the area it's a must visit for a great day out.

Had a brilliant day at the railway on Sunday, the food far exceeded expectations and was great to go up and down the line as many times as we wanted. Will look to return when the signal box is open and model railway is running, but the dining experience was a real treat, thanks to all who work and volunteer on the line to keep it going

An amazing place. Lovely and friendly staff everywhere and the cafe is also very good. Well worth the money for the rover ticket. A magical place for children that also love choo-choos! :-) x

Absolutely fantastic despite it only being a 45 minute round trip. The volunteer guard even got the kids involved by showing them the brakes & letting them apply the brakes & move the lamp from one end to the other. Would thoroughly recommend this 10/10 all the way.

A little gem of a railway, warm friendly welcome, the station staff very helpful, it was a perfect day to spend an afternoon, travel on the railway - not a long line but the ticket is unlimited journeys on the day, and even try driving a Diesel. Will certainly visit again.

Visited here on the off chance after hearing the lovely sound of the whistle and chuffing whilst in Shelton Mallett shopping. We had a warm welcome which sets the tone..everyone is happy to help or explain things to you. Highlights were driving an engine for a tenner up and down a siding and spending a long while in the signal box as the steam trains crossed the points to swap tracks.it was wonderful, nostalgic and relaxed. I even got to have a go at pulling the levers and dinging the signal bells. The train journey is only short but you can go up and down as many times as you like. The volunteer staff clearly love it here and are knowledgeable.it was great to see so many young people giving their time alongside the not so young folks- just a wonderful atmosphere.There was a goods train running too and you could travel in the guards open wagon which looked like so much fun ( if you were quick enough to bag a place!). Tea room serves a range of good wholesome food at reasonable prices. This is a little gem of a place ..well worth a visit.

Lovely little line although only a short trip... We had a nice ride behind an ex Great Western tank engine... Your ticket lets you ride all day and the cafe serves a very decent ham, egg and chips for lunch... You can also walk round the engine shed and view the restoration of locomotives underway... Well worth a visit

A small heritage railway in Somerset. First time visit with my grandson and we both had a good time. Excellent value for money and their more to this than just a train ride as you can go round the engine shed and signal box and get up close to the engines and carriages would visit again