Welcome to the East Somerset Railway
Slow the pace of life with a trip at the East Somerset Railway. Nostalgia comes to mind, with thoughts of “yester-year”, guards with flags and whistles, doors closing, the sight and smell of steam in the air, then we are off into a bygone era. During our five mile return journey, you are pulled by lovingly restored steam engines whilst watching the rolling Mendip Hills drift slowly by.
For our steaming days see our Timetable. Our day rover ticket allows you to ride more than once while you are here. On your journey from Cranmore you go by the miniature railway, and soon pass our Engine Sheds where we restore our steam engines, diesel engines and carriages. Cranmore West Station is a little way beyond the Engine Shed and on the return trip you can get off here to see the work we do, just ask the Guard, its only a five minute walk back to where you started. As you journey down the line, the train pauses at Merryfield Lane Halt where in sunny weather you can picnic, before plunging into the steep sided cutting, a site of special scientific interest and finally arriving at Mendip Vale Station.
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You can get off for a while as the engine swaps ends of the train ready for the return journey. From the Carriage window you may be lucky to see some of the many Varieties of wildlife in the area. |
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Visit our on-line |
The main building at Cranmore was once the Great Western Railway Goods shed at Wells and the Lodge Hill Station near Westbury-sub-Mendip on the old Cheddar Valley line. It was transferred to Cranmore brick by brick and rebuilt into what you see today and is now our ticket office, restaurant and shop. The old station waiting room is now a museum. |
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Have you ever thought you would like to drive a steam engine. We have opportunities to suit all tastes and budgets from full and half day Footplate Experience Courses to shorter Driver for a Fiver taster sessions where you can take the controls and live your dream. |
Thomas the Tank Engine comes twice this year on the first Bank Holiday in April/May and then again in August. There will be lots to keep everyone busy all day. |
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We have wine and dine dates throughout the year. With meals served during your journey on the train. Sunday lunch from April to October, Cream Teas and Morning Coffee in the summer. Our Murder Mystery evenings happen 3 times a year, with chance to win a prize if you guess whodunit? The Christmas meal in December is always very popular.
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Its never to early to book for our Santa Specials - with our online booking system, it’s easy |
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If you have any comments regarding the ESR and our services or events, please Contact us. We appreciate your comments and feedback.
All our latest news is here on these pages. |
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Trains next run on -
| Sun 18th Mar: | 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 |
| Sun 25th Mar: | 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 |
Click on Timetable for full timetable details.
The next Wine & Dine is -
The next Event is -
Latest News
Mendip Steam Dream
By: GM, Mon 29th Aug
The East Somerset Railway’s Mendip Steam Dream gala takes place over the weekend of the 3 & 4 September 2011. Locomotives in traffic will be ex GWR 56xx nr 5637 (based in South Wales throughout her working life and subsequently the 61st engine to leave Barry), Nr 47 Moorbarro...[Full story]
| 25/08/2011 | The Way We Were |
| 21/06/2011 | ESR Vintage Vehicle & Steam Gala |
| 12/09/2010 | Water Tower Progress |
| 02/09/2010 | Mendip Steam Dream |
| 04/06/2010 | 5637 Passes Final Test |
