Present-Day East Somerset Railway
The railway now runs from Cranmore to Mendip Vale, providing a nostalgic experience of steam-era rail travel. It is also a working railway with a locomotive restoration workshop, actively engaging in restoration projects for heritage railways across the UK. The East Somerset Railway reopened as a heritage railway in 1975 with a focus on preserving historical steam engines and offering scenic rides for visitors.
Preservation and Reopening
In 1973, David Shepherd, a renowned artist and steam locomotive enthusiast, purchased part of the line to preserve it as a heritage railway. He played a pivotal role in restoring the railway and introducing a collection of steam locomotives. The East Somerset Railway reopened as a heritage railway in 1975 with a focus on preserving historical steam engines and offering scenic rides for visitors.
History of the East Somerset Railway
The East Somerset Railway Company was founded in 1855 to improve transport links in the region. It initially served industries, such as coal mining and agriculture. The railway line officially opened in 1862, connecting Witham to Shepton Mallet. It was built as a broad-gauge line under the management of the Bristol and Exeter Railway before eventually being absorbed by the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1874 this same year the line was converted to standard gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm). The railway played a crucial role in freight and passenger transport for decades. However, by the mid-20th century, competition from road transport led to its decline. The Beeching cuts of the 1960s significantly reduced railway services across the UK. The East Somerset line was closed to passenger traffic in 1963, with freight services continuing until the early 1970s.