Date/Time

• Sat, 18 May 2019, 11:00-18:00
  Download calendar (ics) file

Location

• Bishops Lydeard Station, Station Rd, Bishop’s Lydeard, Taunton, TA4 3BX

IRO Area

• South West & Wales

Event Details

By arrangement with the West Somerset Railway www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk we will be taking a trip along Britain’s longest standard gauge heritage Railway in a Railway Inspection Saloon built in 1948 for the Taunton District Engineer.

• 11:00
  The Saloon will be attached to the 11:00 departure from Bishops Lydeard. This will be an operating ‘first’ in preservation as the Saloon will run as a tail traffic vehicle hauled by the Railway’s Class 117 Diesel Multiple Unit. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.The train passes through the beautiful wooded country between the Quantock and Brendon Hills and breasts the line’s major summit at Crowcombe. The Bristol Channel is reached at the lively port town of Watchet, and then the line follows the coast to the resort at Minehead. For those who would enjoy a beach walk, Blue Anchor would be suitable stopping off point.
• 12:20
  Minehead will be reached at 12:20 and has a beautiful sandy beach and many shops and restaurants.After 4 hours to enjoy the delights of the Somerset coast the Saloon will be attached to the rear of the train.
• 16:30
  Departure from Minehead which will be steam hauled, arriving at Bishops Lydeard at 17:52.

Tea, coffee and cake will be served.

Members of the Area Council will be on hand to discuss the work of the Area and the IRO.

Please Note: The Saloon seats up to 20 persons. If the trip proves popular, you will be allocated a place in the Saloon in one direction and the West Somerset Railway train it is attached to in the other direction.

When booking, please indicate whether you would wish to travel in the Saloon on the unique DMU hauled outward trip or the steam-hauled return.

Travel in the Saloon will be free of charge to IRO members and one companion.

For those coming by train, Bishops Lydeard is a short bus ride from Taunton station. First Group’s service 28 making the connection from adjacent to the down platform at Taunton and stopping alongside the platform at Bishops Lydeard. Arrive early to enjoy a unique collection of station buildings from 1862 to 1905 and a lottery supported museum in the goods shed.

If it is necessary to use the WSR train as an overflow an single ticket will be required. WSR Privilege rate fares are available to employees and retired employees of Network Rail and main line operating companies (approx. £5).

Places are limited and pre-booking is essential using the booking form below.

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