And here we are, 52 years later, with rails still in situ all the way from Minehead to the national network, but only the occasional through special service - and I think those are very much fewer in the current decade than they were in the last.
The West Somerset Railway has been a huge success, carrying what must be millions of passengers over the years, but in my view the real prize would be to have / add services back on a regular basis to connect into the main network from Minehead and its hinterland. It's been done at Ebbw Vale, at Tweedbank, and at Okehampton. We have shared heritage and national rail operation to Mallaig and to Whitby. Come on, West Somerset. Don't tell us why it can't be done - tell us how you ARE going to overcome the obstacles and do it!
The original intention was that there should be a year-round public transport railway service. Local people lined up in their hundreds to buy shares in the new company, as soon as they became available. But the money supply never matched what was needed.
The feasability study done for the project in the years between closure and the granting of the Light Railway Order did show how an ally-year "commuter" service, supported by the summer revenue from tourist steam trains could be viable (just about). But then
BR▸ decided it was all too awkward and would have upset the unions (who had blacked the project anyway) so the idea faded over time.
We used to meet, to lay plans and discuss developments, in an upstairs room at the Black Horse on Station Road in Taunton. The one with the worryingly saggy, creaky floor, warmed by a smoky paraffin heater. Its a wonder we weren't snuffed out before the whole thing had even started
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