Steam train Minehead Station, West Somerset
Trains and railways have their own magic, especially steam trains and I am very fortunate to live in an area where there is a surviving steam engine train line funded and manned largely by volunteers.
There is something special about steam trains and old railways. Even when they are standing still, they seem to be living beings. They huff and they puff. Smoke comes out of the chimney and steam escapes from other bits wherever it can. At the heart of every steam engine is a roaring fire, fed by logs or coal and the effort of a perspiring engineer.
The West Somerset Railway meanders from Minehead, the gateway to Exmoor, through a large number of local railway stations and the beautiful West Somerset countryside, until it reaches the outskirts of Taunton, with its access to fast motorways and the busy world outside. En route, it passes through Dunster, Blue Anchor, Washford, Watchet, Williton and a few other stations all beautifully maintained.
Level crossing at Blue Anchor, West Somerset
For me, this railway line has many memories.
I remember when Minehead Avenue was filled with local residents who were protesting against selling off the car parks to build new local District Council offices. We paraded down the avenue, almost filling it from end to end. There was a salsa band pounding away in a truly rousing way to raise our spirits. We then boarded a specially chartered train at Minehead railway station to take us to Williton where we presented our petition. It was a truly popular protest. Sadly, the Tory Council refused our pleas and continued with their plan to sell off the car park to fund their new posh Council offices. The car park would be far better used in many other ways, not least to expand the local industrial estate and give more scope for growth of small local businesses. Instead, the Tory Council wants to hand the land to retail superstores which studies show is likely to do nothing for our local town centre. There is a long history of Conservative local government rule in West Somerset and also a long history of economic decline which many consider to be in no way coincidental. Sadly, even if we now vote them out at the next elections, the damage will be done.
I remember Christmas times on the railway and playing folk music with other musicians as we trundled along, stopping at each station to get out, say hello to the locals and play more tunes.
I even remember, long ago, taking the steam train to school. One day, the connection will be made again between this branch train line and the main train line that starts at Taunton. It will be nice to see it reestablished again with its full functionality but the thanks must be due to the band of West Somerset railway volunteers and enthusiasts who have made this possible with their dedicated hard work over so many years.
I remember an advert, some time ago, that said that we are in the ‘age of the train’. It is interesting to reflect that steam engines that are powered by logs are powered with biofuel. Perhaps the day of the train will truly come again.
Bye for now
Rob
