Historic Railways in South West England Information about Historic Railways in South West England including historic railways, vintage railways, Dean Forest Railway, East Somerset Railway, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Moors Valley Railway, Swindon & Cricklade Railway, West Somerset Railway, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire plus where to go and day out.
Dean Forest Railway .....when travel on trains was full of fun and excitement. Cosy compartment coaches, a chance meeting or a fond farewell, milk churns and mail bags, pigeons and porters, flowers and fresh air at the country station, birds singing as excitement mounts with the sound of a distant whistle, then the sight, sound and smell of the steam engine arriving at the station!
Dean Forest Railway, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 4ET
The line opened to Shepton Mallet on Tuesday 9 November 1858.Extended to Wells in 1862.In1870 the line reached Yatton through the Cheddar Valley. Built as a broad gauge line it connected Whitham to Yatton passing through Wanstrow, Cranmore ,Shepton Mallet,Wells. By 1892 it was converted to standard gauge. Known locally as "The Strawberry Line" as it carried the fruit grown in the Cheddar valley to the fruit markets of London.
The GWR is an all-volunteer steam and diesel heritage railway in the English Cotswolds. Since 1981, the volunteers have restored over 10 miles of line, together with platforms, buildings, steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock. In addition to a scheduled service, the GWR hosts a number of galas, enthusiasts' events and events for all the family throughout the year, including our popular Santa Specials, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, Fish and Chips specials and dining trains.
The Moors Valley Railway is a miniature passenger-carrying railway running largely next to a lake in the Moors Valley Country Park near Ringwood in Hampshire U.K. All trains are normally steam hauled and a typical train will carry around 50 people for an approximately 15 minute long Journey. There is also a well-stocked shop with items such as Thomas the Tank Engine to Hornby and Lima.
Based on the site of Blunsdon Station between Swindon and Cirencester, the line uses part of the trackbed of the former Midland & South Western Junction Railway. Today, visitors can enjoy all the facilities they expect from a Heritage Railway centre. But it is worth remembering that everything they see has been re-created by the Society. Rolling stock, track, locomotives and building materials are all delivered by road.
Running between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead, the trains pass through the Quantock Hills before emerging on the Somerset coast. Our ten lovingly restored stations offer a range of things to do. Buffet cars are on most of the trains. A wonderful day out for old and young alike. The West Somerset Railway offer Family Saver 'Return' and 'Rover' tickets which are valid for 2 adults and up to 4 children. Family Savers give you a discount over buying individual tickets.
