Bishops Lydeard railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bishops Lydeard
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|---|---|
| Station on heritage railway | |
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| Location | Bishops Lydeard, Somerset England |
| Coordinates | 51°03′15″N 3°11′39″W / 51.0541°N 3.1942°W |
| Operated by | West Somerset Railway |
| Platforms | 2 |
| History | |
| Original company | West Somerset Railway |
| Post-grouping | Great Western Railway |
| Key dates | |
| 1862 | Opened |
| 1971 | Closed |
| 1979 | Reopened |
Bishops Lydeard railway station is a special kind of train station. It is part of a heritage railway in the village of Bishops Lydeard, Somerset, England. This station is the starting point for regular trains on the West Somerset Railway. It's a place where you can experience train travel from the past!
Contents
A Look Back: Station History
Bishops Lydeard station first opened its doors on March 31, 1862. It was part of the original West Somerset Railway line. This line ran from Norton Junction all the way to Watchet. The Bristol and Exeter Railway (B&ER) operated the trains back then.
When it first opened, the station had just one platform. This platform was on the west side of the tracks. There were also facilities for goods, like a shed and extra tracks for loading. A house for the station master was also on site.
Changes Over the Years
The B&ER company later became part of the Great Western Railway in 1876. However, the West Somerset Railway stayed independent until 1922. That's when the Great Western Railway took it over completely.
A second platform was added in 1906 on the eastern side. A footbridge was built to connect the two platforms. A signal box, which controls train movements, was also added. In 1936, the track from Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren became a double line. This meant the signal box needed an upgrade to handle more controls.
British Railways Takes Over
In 1948, all British railways became part of a national system called British Railways. Bishops Lydeard station became part of its Western Region. In 1970, the signal box closed down. The track from Norton Fitzwarren through Bishops Lydeard became a single line. Sadly, the station and the entire line closed on January 4, 1971.
The West Somerset Railway Revival
After the closure, Somerset County Council bought the railway line. The West Somerset Railway then leased it to run as a heritage railway. A heritage railway uses old trains and stations to give people a taste of history.
The West Somerset Railway started bringing the line back to life from its western end. They began at Minehead and slowly extended the service. On June 9, 1979, trains started running to Bishops Lydeard again!
At first, only one train could be on the section west of Williton at a time. But soon, Bishops Lydeard became the main starting and ending point. In 1981, the railway got a new signal frame. They also made the station's loop track longer. This allowed trains to arrive and depart from both platforms. These improvements were approved in 1997. The full system, including control of the Norton Fitzwarren section, started working in August 1998.
What You See Today
Today, Bishops Lydeard station has two platforms that are used for trains. It is also the main office for the West Somerset Railway Association.
The first platform, called No. 1, is on the western side. The West Somerset Railway made it even longer. This allows trains to leave from both platforms. The old building where goods were stored has been fixed up. It is now a visitor center and museum called the Gauge Museum. Here you can see old railway items. There is even a model railway layout! The original station offices now have modern toilets. They are used by the West Somerset Railway Association.
Platform No. 2 is on the eastern side. It was built in 1906. This is now the main platform for passengers. You can get to it from a large car park. On this platform, you will find the ticket office, toilets, a shop, and a café. The signal box is also here, now enclosed. This platform is much longer than platform 1. It even has a third platform, No. 3, but it is mostly used for storing special dining cars.
The West Somerset Railway also has a yard here for storing locomotives. This is where visiting trains arrive by road. It is not open to the public.
Train Services
Trains run between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. You can catch a train on weekends and some other days from March to October. They run daily during late spring and summer. There are also services on certain days in winter.
During special events, a shuttle train runs between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren. Sometimes, special trains even go onto the main national railway tracks at Taunton.
In 2019, the West Somerset Railway worked with the modern Great Western Railway (GWR). They ran special services to Bishops Lydeard on some summer Saturdays. These services ran from Taunton. In May 2022, a group was formed to explore connecting Bishops Lydeard to Taunton again. The goal is to bring back regular scheduled trains.
How to Get There
Bishops Lydeard is the main way for visitors to reach the West Somerset Railway.
- Train: The closest national train station is Taunton. You can get trains there from Great Western Railway and CrossCountry.
- Bus: The number 28 bus service runs from Taunton town centre and the railway station. It stops directly at Bishops Lydeard station.
- Car: The station is easy to find from junctions 25 or 26 of the M5 motorway. It is just off the A358 road, across from the village. There is a big free car park next to platform 2.
