Blue Anchor railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blue Anchor
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|---|---|
| Station on heritage railway | |
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| Location | Blue Anchor, Somerset England |
| Coordinates | 51°10′53″N 3°24′09″W / 51.18152°N 3.40239°W |
| Operated by | West Somerset Railway |
| Platforms | 2 |
| History | |
| Original company | Bristol and Exeter Railway |
| Key dates | |
| 16 July 1874 | Opened |
| 4 January 1971 | Closed |
| 28 March 1976 | Opened in preservation |
Blue Anchor railway station is a cool old train station in the small seaside village of Blue Anchor, Somerset, England. It's part of the West Somerset Railway, which is a special kind of railway called a heritage railway. This means old trains still run on it for fun and history! The station also has one of the two museums run by the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust.
Contents
Station History: A Journey Through Time
How Blue Anchor Station Began
Blue Anchor station first opened its doors on 16 July 1874. It was built by the Minehead Railway company. At first, it only had one platform, which was the side facing the beach.
Growing Bigger: More Tracks and Platforms
In 1904, the station got bigger! The Great Western Railway company, which had taken over the line, added a second track and a second platform. This made it easier for trains to pass each other. At the same time, a signal box was built. This box helped control the new gates at the level crossing. A level crossing is where a road crosses the railway tracks. A goods yard was also added in 1913. This was a place where trains could load and unload goods.
Upgrades and Holiday Coaches
In 1934, the platforms and the passing loop were made longer. A passing loop is a section of track that allows trains to wait while another train passes. From 1934 to 1939, a special camping coach was kept here. These were old train carriages that people could rent for holidays, like a tiny house on wheels! More camping coaches were used from 1952 to 1964.
Closing and Reopening for Fun Rides
The station stopped handling goods in 1963. Passenger trains stopped running on 4 January 1971. But don't worry, the station didn't stay closed for long! The West Somerset Railway reopened the line from Minehead to Blue Anchor on 28 March 1976. Later that year, it reopened all the way to Williton. Today, camping coaches are back in the old goods yard. They offer a unique place for volunteers who work on the railway to stay overnight.
Discover the Railway Museum
What's Inside the Museum?
The station buildings have been carefully fixed up. The waiting room on the platform where trains go west was turned into a railway museum. It first opened in 1986. This museum is looked after by the West Somerset Railway Steam Trust.
Who Helps at the Museum?
Volunteers from the "Friends of Blue Anchor Railway Museum" help run the museum. They also raise money to keep it going. The museum now has about 550 items. Most of these items are related to the Great Western Railway or other old train lines in the West Country. It's a great place to learn about train history!
Station Layout: What It Looks Like
Platforms and Buildings
Blue Anchor station is on a passing loop. This means it has two tracks side-by-side for a short distance. It also has two platforms. The platform closest to the beach was built in 1874. This is where you'll find the signal box and the ticket office. The second platform has the railway museum in its old waiting room.
Train Services: When Can You Ride?
Catching a Train at Blue Anchor
Trains run between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. You can usually catch a train on weekends and some other days from March to October. During late spring and summer, trains run every day. There are also special train days during the winter. It's a fun way to see the countryside!
| Preceding station |  Heritage railways |
Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunster | West Somerset Railway | Washford | ||
Images for kids
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The station approach in 1963
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A DMU train heading to Minehead
See also
In Spanish: Estación de Blue Anchor para niños
