Gartell Light Railway facts for kids
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Templecombe |
| Locale | England |
| Dates of operation | 1990–Present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 2 ft (610 mm) |
| Length | 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) |
The Gartell Light Railway is a special, privately owned railway in Somerset, England. It's located near Templecombe in a beautiful area called the Blackmore Vale. This railway uses a "narrow gauge," which means its tracks are closer together than standard railway tracks. It runs for about 1.2 kilometers (or 3/4 of a mile). Part of its route follows an old railway line called the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.
The railway has four stations: Common Lane, Pinesway Junction, Park Lane, and Tower View. It uses a detailed signalling system to control the trains safely. This system is managed from two signalboxes, which are like control rooms, at Common Lane and Pinesway Junction. These signalboxes use both old-style semaphore signals (which look like arms that move) and modern colour light signals. They also control the points, which are the parts of the track that let trains switch lines.
The Gartell Light Railway is open to visitors on certain days throughout the year. On these days, it usually runs three trains at once, with trains leaving Common Lane station every 20 minutes. This busy schedule helps many people enjoy the ride!
Contents
Exploring the Gartell Light Railway Route
The railway's route takes you through different areas with its four stations.
- Park Lane
- Pinesway Junction
- Tower View
- Common Lane (the main starting station)
Amazing Locomotives of the GLR
The Gartell Light Railway has a collection of interesting locomotives, which are the engines that pull the trains. Each one has its own story!
| Number | Name | Builder | Type | Year Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMANDA | Gartell Light Railway | Bo-BoDH | 2000 | This engine was rebuilt right here at the railway. It used to be part of the Southend Pier Railway. |
| 2 | ANDREW | Baguley-Drewry | 4wDH | 1973 | This locomotive joined the railway in 2007. It was later moved to the Amberley Museum in 2025. |
| 5 | ALISON | Alan Keef | 4wDH | 1993 | |
| 6 | Mr. G | North Dorset Locomotive Works | 0-4-2T | 1998 | This engine was built specifically for the Gartell Light Railway. Its design is based on an older locomotive called Polar Bear by W.G. Bagnall. |
| 8 | Faith | North Dorset Locomotive Works | 0-4-2T | ||
| 9 | Jean | Alan White | 0-4-0T+T | 2008 |
Safety on the Railway
Safety is very important on any railway. In April 2025, a volunteer worker was hurt while getting off a train that was still moving. This is against the railway's safety rules, which say that people should only get on or off a train when it has completely stopped. Following safety rules helps keep everyone safe!
Learn More About Railways
- British narrow gauge railways
