Group TravelSteam train travel along the Exmoor coast and through the Somerset countryside.

2017

www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

West Somerset Railway

Front page photographs courtesy of Julia Amies Green Photography

County of contrasting beauty and places to seeThe West Somerset Railway is one of the county’s major tourism attractions and a great day out but, if you are planning a longer break in South West England, Somerset has much to offer.

Scenically it has one of the most diverse series of landscapes of any English county. There are major contrasts between the Mendips in the north east around Bath and the Quantock Hills and Exmoor in the west (and most of Exmoor is in Somerset). The south of the county with buildings of “Ham stone” is different again and the Somerset Levels are a world apart, flanked by the Bristol Channel and ranges of hills.

Places of interest abound. Bath is world famous, but you should not miss the beautiful little cathedral city of Wells and neighbouring Glastonbury with the Abbey. Close at hand to Glastonbury is Clark’s Village shopping outlet in Street. Museums? The Museum of Somerset is in the county town of Taunton, Yeovilton is the Museum of Naval Flight and you will find Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford. Castles? There is impressive Dunster on the WSR route, the small scale charm of Nunney, and the huge hill fort at Cadbury has long established connections with King Arthur. This is a small sample of places of interest.

The main seaside towns are Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead but please don’t over-look such lovely little coastal villages as Porlock, nestling between Exmoor and the bay at Porlock Weir. Another fascinating village situated on the Levels is Muchelney with its ruined Abbey and the studio of the world-renowned potter John Leach, one of hundreds of artists and craftsmen who find so much inspiration from these diverse surroundings.

So why not book a hotel for your group booking and take extra time to explore? There is much to see and enjoy in the Land of the Summer People.

Somerset

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Welcome...Let the West Somerset Railway look after your organisation on a group visit.

We will do our best to ensure that everyone has a great day out, whatever their age or interest. We cater for groups of many sizes and backgrounds from school groups to coach companies WI’s and associations.

The West Somerset Railway is Britain’s longest standard gauge railway running twenty miles through ten stations between

Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton), and Minehead on the Somerset Coast.

We offer groups their travel at a discounted rate and this comes with the added comfort of reserved seating, so that your group can all sit together and have access to our party catering menu, where you can be served your food choice at your seat by our dedicated and friendly catering team*. Please see our group catering page for more information.

*T’s and C’s apply

Photograph courtesy of Julia Amies Green Photography

Combine packages with local attractions

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Group Rates TRAVEL FROM JUST

£11Pre-booked groups of 16 passengers and above receive discounted travel on the West Somerset Railway.

We offer group rates on all single and return journeys between each of our ten stations (Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber, Williton, Doniford Halt, Watchet, Washford, Blue Anchor, Dunster and Minehead). Our most popular group journeys are full length of the line singles and returns:

*Under 5’s travel for free when accompanied by a full paying adult. The ratio would need to be 1:1.

If you have a large group it may work out more cost effective to hire a whole carriage for your exclusive use on a scheduled service. Carriage hire is only available for full length of the line journeys.

SINGLEBishops Lydeard to Minehead(or vice versa)£11.00 Adult/Seniors£5.50 Young Persons (Age 5 – 17)£FREE Children (Age 0-4)*.£500 Carriage Hire (Holds up to 64 people)

RETURNBishops Lydeard to Minehead(or vice versa)£16.00 Adult/Seniors£8.00 Young Persons (Age 5 – 17)£FREE Children (Age 0-4)*. £800 Carriage Hire (Holds up to 64 people)

With the starting point of Bishops Lydeard we have:

Can’t make the specified days but the package looks attractive? Talk to us about tailoring it to your needs such as using your own coach for transfers if you wish.

Lynton and Lynmouth Explorer. Join the West Somerset Railway and Ridlers Coaches for a combined return steam train ride from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Station, Ridlers Coach transfer from there to Lynton & Lynmouth, returning after to Minehead Station and an optional cream tea on the return steam train journey. On selected days throughout the season.

Starting from Minehead: Hestercombe Express.Every Wednesday we have our Hestercombe Express, where your journey begins on the West Somerset Railway - join us at any station and wind your way along the coast and through gentle countryside to the pretty village of Bishops Lydeard. Here, you will be met by our special heritage bus and travel in comfort to Hestercombe. Hestercombe is a unique combination of three period gardens: the Georgian Landscape Garden, Victorian Terrace & Shrubbery and the Edwardian Formal Garden, designed by Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. With over 50 acres to explore and an exciting programme of events, there’s lots to see and do.

Main image: The Village and Castle Tower of Dunster

Dunster Castle Express: Make the most of your visit to the area by combining your trip with a visit to Dunster Castle. The normal Dunster Castle Express happens every Wednesday and Saturday and includes your train travel from Bishops Lydeard, bus ride and entrance to the castle. Picnics can be added for collection from the castle itself when pre-booked.

Charters are charged at the following rates dependent on mileage:20 Mile Trip (i.e. Minehead to Bishops Lydeard) £1650.0040 Mile Return trip (full length of line) £2200.0080 Miles – or two return trips £3300.00If a specific locomotive is requested there may be an additional charge. Any additional coaches to the six provided will incur an additional cost of £400.00 each.

Train Charter Why not charter a whole train for your group (capacity of approx 300 passengers)? Charters consist of one steam locomotive and up to six carriages and can include an optional staffed buffet (additional fee).

Guide BooksIf bought in advance guide books are £4.50.You can give these to your group as an extra.They are also available at our station shops.A smaller pictorial guide called ‘Along theLine’ is also available for 50p.

Group & Coach Company Travel during Gala Events

MuseumsWhy not stop off to see one of our railway museums at Bishops Lydeard, Washford and Blue Anchor.

Past experience has shown that, during our Gala events, the WSR is unable to accept group bookings in our usual manner, with seat reservations and optional catering etc.

However we do not wish to disappoint potential customers, when there is a great deal to see anddo along the railway itself. In addition there are attractions and places to visit along the routeand the regular train service makes it very easy for passengers to explore at their own pace.

So what we are prepared to offer coach companies and group organisers are discounted fare Day Rover Tickets which allow the freedom of the line for the day. They cover all train services although there may be extra charges for admission to such places along the way as Washford Railway Museum and the club room of the Taunton Model Railway Group at Bishops Lydeard station. Please note that on these days seats cannot be reserved.

The discounted Rover Tickets must be ordered a minimum of 10 days before the intended day of travel to allow for processing and posting.Please note that prices on gala days are sold at a premium rate, discounts are given when booked at least 10 days in advance. For further information and prices, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Groups may also travel on other special event days. Please contact us for details, pre-payment will be required.

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Accessible Guide Width: 700 millimetres (27 inches)Length (including footplates): 1,200 millimetres (47 inches)Weight (including passenger): 230kg (36 stone), the safe limit of our ramps.

The West Somerset Railway welcomes passengers who have a disability and any accompanying assistance dogs. Even if your mobility is limited, most of our stations are accessible to you.

The TrainsMost of our trains are accessible even if you have a disability. You can move between the carriages (including to the buffet car) on the level, but the somewhat narrow connecting doors of our heritage carriages, stop you from doing so in a wheelchair or scooter.

Booking of Accessible CoachesWe have three carriages which can be added to a specific train (subject to advance booking and availability). These three carriages are specially adapted to accommodate wheelchairs. The ‘Lorna Doone’ carriage can accommodate between 6 and 10 wheelchairs, depending on size and our ‘Golden Fox’ another accessible carriage can accommodate 4. To check availability and to pre-book, please call us on 01643 704996. Additionally, there may be room to travel in the Guard’s van.

Size RestrictionsMost West Somerset Railway services can carry manual or powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, folded if necessary, up to the above limitations (for safety reasons):

Boarding the TrainIt is your responsibility to load your wheelchair or scooter on and off the train and we ask you or your travelling companion to ensure that the scooter is folded ready for boarding prior to the train’s arrival. If you require help, please do not hesitate to ask.

If your scooter or wheelchair is oversize, we have a small number of ordinary, standard size wheelchairs available for loan at Bishops Lydeard, Watchet and Minehead for your use whilst you are on the railway.

If your wheelchair is oversize for medical reasons (but not overweight), please contact us in advance of travel and we may be able to issue a permit to travel for your wheelchair.

Please ask for assistance if it would help. We are here to ensure you enjoy your day!

Please view our website for accessibility at stations and for more information.

Photograph courtesy of Zummerzet Photography

JANUARY 2018M 1

JANUARYS 1

M 2

FEBRUARYM 6 13 20 27

T 7 14 21 28

W 1 8 15 22

T 2 9 16 23

F 3 10 17 24

Sa 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

MARCHM 6 13 20 27

T 7 14 21 28

W 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24 31

Sa 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

APRILM 3 10 17 24

T 4 11 18 25

W 5 12 19 26

T 6 13 20 27

F 7 14 21 28

Sa 1 8 15 22 29

Su 2 9 16 23 30

NOVEMBERM 6 13 20 27

T 7 14 21 28

W 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24

Sa 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26 29

DECEMBERM 4 11 18 25

T 5 12 19 26

W 6 13 20 27

T 7 14 21 28

F 1 8 15 22 29

Sa 2 9 16 23 30

Su 3 10 17 24 31

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Train Times 2017

Match the colour on the date you wish to travel with the timetable of the same colour. Dates in orange and purple are special events with non-standard timetables. Special fares apply on orange and purple dates.This timetable was published in October 2016. The West Somerset Railway reserves the right for operational, technical and any other reason to amend the published dates, timings, number of services, type of haulage and event dates.

KEYRed Timetable

Green Timetable

Blue Timetable

Yellow Timetable

Brown Timetable

Special Timetable Operates

Day Out with Thomas

Festive Trains

313131

3131

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Please check our timetable at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or by calling 01643 704996 prior to your date of travel or check upon arrival at the Booking Office.

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31

KEY TO STATIONS: MD = Minehead, DR = Dunster, BA = Blue Anchor, WD = Washford, WT = Watchet, DD(R) = Donford Halt (request stop) WN = Williton, SR = Stogumber, CH = Crowcombe Heathfield, BL = Bishops Lydeard X=Trains Cross

Steam Steam Steam Steam SteamBL dep 10 20 11 05 12 40 14 35 16 30CH arr 10 34 11X18 12 53 14 48 16X43CH dep 10 35 11 25 12 54 14 50 16 46SR 10 44 11 33 13 03 14 59 16 55WN arr 10X53 11 42 13X12 15X08 17X04WN dep 11 00 11 43 13 22 15 17 17 15DD (R) 11 04 11 47 13 26 15 21 17 19WT 11 11 11 54 13 33 15 28 17 25WD 11 19 12 02 13 41 15 36 17 33BA arr 11 28 12 09 13 47 15X42 17 39BA dep 11 30 12 11 13 49 15 48 17 40DR 11 37 12 18 13 56 15 55 17 47MD arr 11 43 12 25 14 03 16 02 17 54 Steam Steam Steam Steam SteamMD dep 10 10 12 35 14 30 15 30 16 30DR 10 18 12 43 14 38 15 38 16 38BA arr 10 25 12 50 14 46 15X45 16 45BA dep 10 27 12 52 14 48 15 48 16 47WD 10 35 13 00 14 56 15 56 16 55WT 10 44 13 09 15 04 16 06 17 03DD (R) 10 48 13 12 15 08 16 10 17 07WN arr 10X53 13X16 15X12 16 14 17X11WN dep 11 00 13 18 15 14 16 16 17 13SR 11 12 13 30 15 26 16 28 17 25CH arr 11X21 13 38 15 34 16X36 17 33CH Dep 11 27 13 39 15 36 16 45 17 34BL arr 11 38 13 50 15 46 16 56 17 45

Steam Steam Diesel Steam Diesel Steam SteamBL dep 10 20 11 05 11 50 12 40 14 35 16 30CH arr 10 34 11X18 12 00 12 53 14 48 16X43CH dep 10 35 11 25 12 02 12 54 14 50 16 46SR 10 44 11 33 12 11 13 03 14 59 16 55WN arr 10X53 11 42 12 20 13X12 15X08 17X04WN dep 11 00 11 43 12 22 13 22 15 17 17 15DD (R) 11 04 11 47 12 26 13 26 14 20 15 21 17 19WT 11 11 11 54 12 33 13 33 14 26 15 28 17 25WD 11 19 12 02 12 41 13 41 14 34 15 36 17 33BA arr 11 28 12 09 12x48 13X47 14 40 15X42 17X39BA dep 11 30 12 11 12 54 13 49 14 50 15 48 17 40DR 11 37 12 18 13 01 13 56 14 57 15 55 17 47MD arr 11 43 12 25 13 08 14 03 15 04 16 02 17 54

Steam Steam Diesel Steam Steam Steam Diesel MD dep 10 10 12 35 13 30 14 30 15 30 16 30 17 20DR 10 18 12 43 13 37 14 38 15 38 16 38 17 27BA arr 10 25 12X50 13X44 14X46 15X45 16 45 17X34BA dep 10 27 12 52 13 52 14 48 15 48 16 47 17 42WD 10 35 13 00 14 00 14 56 15 56 16 55 17 49WT 10 44 13 09 14 08 15 04 16 06 17 03 17 56DD (R) 10 48 13 12 14 11 15 08 16 10 17 07 17 59WN arr 10X53 13X16 15X12 16 14 17X11 18 03WN dep 11 00 13 18 15 14 16 16 17 13 18 04SR 11 12 13 30 15 26 16 28 17 25 18 16CH arr 11X21 13 38 15 34 16X36 17 33 18 24CH Dep 11 27 13 39 15 36 16 45 17 34 18 25BL arr 11 38 13 50 15 46 16 56 17 45 18 36

Steam Diesel Steam Steam SteamBL dep 10 20 11 05 12 40 14 35 16 30CH arr 10 34 11X18 12 53 14 48 16X43CH dep 10 35 11 25 12 54 14 50 16 46SR 10 44 11 33 13 03 14 59 16 55WN arr 10X53 11 42 13X12 15X08 17X04WN dep 11 00 11 43 13 22 15 17 17 15DD (R) 11 04 11 47 13 26 15 21 17 19WT 11 11 11 54 13 33 15 28 17 25WD 11 19 12 02 13 41 15 36 17 33BA arr 11 28 12 09 13 47 15X42 17 39BA dep 11 30 12 11 13 49 15 48 17 40DR 11 37 12 18 13 56 15 55 17 47MD arr 11 43 12 25 14 03 16 02 17 54 Steam Steam Steam Diesel SteamMD dep 10 10 12 35 14 30 15 30 16 30DR 10 18 12 43 14 38 15 38 16 38BA arr 10 25 12 50 14 46 15X45 16 45BA dep 10 27 12 52 14 48 15 48 16 47WD 10 35 13 00 14 56 15 56 16 55WT 10 44 13 09 15 04 16 06 17 03DD (R) 10 48 13 12 15 08 16 10 17 07WN arr 10X53 13X16 15X12 16 14 17X11WN dep 11 00 13 18 15 14 16 16 17 13SR 11 12 13 30 15 26 16 28 17 25CH arr 11X21 13 38 15 34 16X36 17 33CH Dep 11 27 13 39 15 36 16 45 17 34BL arr 11 38 13 50 15 46 16 56 17 45

Steam Steam Steam SteamBL dep 10 20 12 40 14 35 16 30CH arr 10 34 12 53 14 48 16X43CH dep 10 35 12 54 14 50 16 46SR 10 44 13 03 14 59 16 55WN arr 10X53 13X12 15X08 17X04WN dep 11 00 13 22 15 17 17 15DD (R) 11 04 13 26 15 21 17 19WT 11 11 13 33 15 28 17 25WD 11 19 13 41 15 36 17 33BA arr 11 28 13 47 15 42 17 39BA dep 11 30 13 49 15 48 17 40DR 11 37 13 56 15 55 17 47MD arr 11 43 14 03 16 02 17 54 Steam Steam Steam Steam MD dep 10 10 12 35 14 30 16 30 DR 10 18 12 43 14 38 16 38 BA arr 10 25 12 50 14 46 16 45 BA dep 10 27 12 52 14 48 16 47 WD 10 35 13 00 14 56 16 55 WT 10 44 13 09 15 04 17 03 DD (R) 10 48 13 12 15 08 17 07 WN arr 10X53 13X16 15X12 17X11 WN dep 11 00 13 18 15 14 17 13 SR 11 12 13 30 15 26 17 25 CH arr 11 21 13 38 15 34 17 33 CH Dep 11 23 13 39 15 36 17 34 BL arr 11 34 13 50 15 46 17 45

Diesel Diesel DieselBL dep 10 30 12 30 14 30CH arr 10 42 12 42 14 42CH dep 10 43 12 43 14 43SR 10 51 12 51 14 51WN arr 11 00 13 00 15 00WN dep 11 03 13 03 15 03DD (R) 11 07 13 07 15 07WT 11 11 13 11 15 11 WT 11 20 13 20 15 20DD (R) 11 24 13 24 15 24WN arr 11 28 13 28 15 28WN dep 11 30 13 30 15 30SR 11 40 13 40 15 40CH arr 11 48 13 48 15 48CH dep 11 49 13 49 15 49BL arr 11 59 13 59 15 59

MAYM 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24 31

T 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

Sa 6 13 20 27

Su 7 14 21 28

JUNEM 5 12 19 26

T 6 13 20 27

W 7 14 21 28

T 1 8 15 22 29

F 2 9 16 23 30

Sa 3 10 17 24

Su 4 11 18 25

JULYM 3 10 17 24 31

T 4 11 18 25

W 5 12 19 26

T 6 13 20 27

F 7 14 21 28

Sa 1 8 15 22 29

Su 2 9 16 23 30

AUGUSTM 7 14 21 28

T 1 8 15 22 29

W 2 9 16 23 30

T 3 10 17 24 31

F 4 11 18 25

Sa 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

OCTOBERM 2 9 16 23 30

T 3 10 17 24 31

W 4 11 18 25

T 5 12 19 26

F 6 13 20 27

Sa 7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 29

SEPTEMBERM 4 11 18 25

T 5 12 19 26

W 6 13 20 27

T 7 14 21 28

F 1 8 15 22 29

Sa 2 9 16 23 30

Su 3 10 17 24

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On Train RefreshmentsServed from the Buffet Car•Hotbeverages•Colddrinks,includingwine,beers,ciders and spirits•Cakes,biscuits,crispsandconfectionery• Freshdaily–sandwiches,sausagerolls and traditional pasties available

£6.00Railwayman’s Lunch

Either sandwiches or pasty, plus a hot drink/soup or juice plus crisps and a cake.

Food with Reserved Seatsand Table Service for parties of 16 or more people

•Packed lunch Sandwich, crisps, pre packed cake, an apple or banana served with tea, coffee or fruit juice £6.50

Hot Meals - all served with tea, coffee or fruit juice drink• CodandChips(GlutenFreeoption available on most services but MUST be pre-ordered) £10.00• Jumbosausage&chips£8.00 •Chicken&chips£10.00 •Vegetarianburger&chips£9.00•Childschoicesavailable

•Teaorcoffeewithbiscuitselection£3.80•Teaorcoffeewithhome-madecakeselection£4.80 (buttercream sandwich, coffee & walnut, Victorian fruit cake or similar selection)

Delicious Treats

£5.50

West Country Cream TeaThe taste of the West Country

Locally sourced scones, jam and clotted cream served with a cup of locally blended tea.

We regret we are unable to supply gluten free cream teas.Other gluten free options available.

For your special occasion...If you charter a whole carriage or a private train, we can provide a bespoke catering service to suit your party. We will discuss your requirements and provide suggestions andrecommendations ranging from finger buffets to 3 course meals.

We have experience in catering for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and funerals, as well as corporate occasions. We can provide wine and beer, including real ales from excellent local breweries, soft drinks and hot beverages. Your private carriage can be decorated with ribbons, balloons, flowers, paper sprinkles etc as you wish and for your private train you can even commission your own commemorative head board.

All these specials are open to your groups, on selected dates.Please call 01643 704996 or visit our website for more information.

When you have the date that you would like to travel and an idea of the timings, please contact us either by email groups@wsrail.net or phone 01643 700398 to let us know your plans.

We can then talk you through availability and any extra arrangements that you may require for the day, please ensure you let us know at this time if you have any specific requirements, for example, wheelchair access or catering. Once we have checked the date is available we can provisionally put you onto the system, please note, we have a pre booked passenger limit of 120 people per train so there may be times where the train you would prefer to travel on is fully booked, in this instance we will help you as best we can with alternative ideas for your day out. Once your booking is on the system we will send you a confirmation letter.

When you receive your confirmation letter either by post or email depending on how you would like to be contacted, we will require you to check it through and inform us if we have got any details wrong. It is at this time that we would require a non refundable 10% deposit. This deposit forms confirmation of booking and your date and time will be secured. Final payment for your fares can then be made on the day at the booking office.

If catering is involved with your group booking, payment would be slightly different. For catering, we require full payment to be made no later than two weeks before your travel date. The fares element of your group trip can be settled on the day of travel at the booking office. For further details please see our terms and conditions on the next page.

How to book.

Terms and conditions for catering:

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• Food can only be pre-booked for 16 or more persons

• Groups of less than 20 may have their seats reserved in the buffet car.

• Some items may not be available on Sundays, especially hot food and orders with chips.

• We regret that we cannot accept party catering bookings for: Special Event days (purple and orange days on the timetable) High Season days – 25th July to 3rd September

• The Diesel Multiple Unit is not suitable for party catering.

• Party Catering Bookings must be received by WSR no later than one week before travel.

• All party catering requests are subject to availability and must be confirmed by the WSR catering department before they are considered firm orders.

• Orders are individually sourced from local suppliers and then delivered to you by our team of dedicated volunteer staff.

• No changes to the catering order can be accepted less than 2 weeks before travel.

• Payment in full must be received by WSR plc at least two weeks before travel.

• If we provide a staffed buffet car service for a whole train charter, there will be an additional charge over and above the standard train charter fee.

CONTACT: - For more information on catering on the West Somerset Railway please call 01643 704996 or email groups@wsrail.net

Special Events 2017On the dates listed below we will unfortunately be unable to accept any group bookings.Tickets on the below dates may be able to be provided but would not carry the same group booking privileges. Please contact us direct for more details.

Snowdrops Excursion Saturday 11th February to

Sunday 19th February

Spring Steam Gala Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th April

Diesel Gala and Ale Festival Friday 9th June to Sunday 11th June

Day Out With Thomas Friday 7th July to Sunday 9th July

Autumn Steam Gala Thursday 5th October to

Sunday 8th October

Halloween Steam and Scream Saturday 28th October

Dunster By Candlelight Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December

Bishops Lydeard Sherry and Mince Pie Available dates released Summer 2017

Carol Trains Monday 11th December and Tuesday

12th December

Bishops Lydeard Santa Express Available dates released Summer 2017

Minehead Santa Special Available dates released Summer 2017

Minehead Santa Express Available dates released Summer 2017

Winter Steam Festival Friday 29th December to

Saturday 30th December 2017

• Group bookings should be made at least one week prior to the event date.

• Please note we have a pre booked passenger limit of 120 people for any one train. This may mean that your preferred date and time may not be available. This will be discussed with you at the time of booking.

• A non-refundable 10% deposit will need to be received before your booking is confirmed (please refer to the how to book page)

• Full payment of the fare can be made on the day at the booking office unless previously agreed with a member of the group bookings team.

• The West Somerset Railway reserve the right to alter the timetable at late notice, if this happens, we will endeavour to contact you as early as possible to make you aware of changes that may affect your day.

• Please let us know at the time of booking, if you think that any members of your group will be using a wheelchair.

Terms and conditions for group booking:

Meet and Greet The Gruffalo 15th April 2017

Meet and Greet Paw Patrol 3rd June 2017

Vintage Vehicle Rally Saturday 5th and 6th August 2017

Meet and Greet Peppa Pig 16th September 2017

Please note on the below dates we have extra activities on and around the line. You may still travel on these dates at the group rates however it may be useful for your group to know. Please contact us for more details.

Except Monday 13th and Friday 17th

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Do you still have that wish to try your hand at driving and/or firing one of the giants of the age of steam train travel?

Or find yourself at the controls of a vintage diesel locomotive dating from the “Beatles Era” of the 1960’s?

For groups of six (steam course) or four participants (diesel) we can turn this dream into a reality. A two day, steam footplate experience gives an insight into how steam engines work and how railways are operated, before you get the opportunity to see how it feels to be in charge of an engine at the head of some passenger coaches (empty ones). The one day diesel course introduces you to the machine and the WSR line as you make your way along with a line of freight wagons in tow.

Visit our website or telephone for details.

The participant must be healthy and physically fit, there will be times when they will need to climb from ground level to the locomotivefootplate. Also if there is an emergency, they will need to descend to ground level from the locomotive cab.

Footplate ExperienceCourses

Bringing a group of children on the West Somerset Railway?

Let us know at the time of booking if you require a batch of our free activity

sheets starring our brand new character Brunel K Beagle. We shall then ensure

that they are ready for you to collect on the day from the booking office.

Photographs:DavidSmith•SteveEdge•CliffGregory•AlanTurner•JuliaAmies-GreenTimStanger•Fotophile69•TonyDown•SamBurton

Designed and produced by meridianprintdevon.co.uk

How to find us:

By Road:Bishops Lydeard station (TA4 3RU) is on the A358, west of Taunton with a large free car park (height restriction of 2.4m). Follow the brown WSR signs from M5 J25 or J26 from the north, east or south.

Minehead station (TA24 5BG) is on the coast off the A39 (and the A396 from Tiverton) with public car parking nearby. Blue Anchor & Watchet have public car parking nearby.

By Coach, Minibus, etc:Free coach parking is available at Bishops Lydeard Station for coaches, there is also a drop off point right next to the station. Free coach parking is also available in Minehead near the railway station. Please note that the coach parking is not accessible through the car park next to the station. It can be accessed through Mart Road.

Station postcodes (for SatNav users): Bishops Lydeard - TA4 3RU, Crowcombe Heathfield - TA4 4PA, Stogumber - TA4 3TR, Williton - TA4 4RQ, Watchet - TA23 0UA, Washford - TA23 0PP, Blue Anchor - TA24 6LG, Dunster - TA24 6PJ, Minehead - TA24 5BG.

Please allow at least 25 minutes to park, purchase tickets and find your seat on the train.

Smoking Policy: The Railway operates a no-smoking policy on all its trains, in station buildings, on platforms and all public areas. This includes e cigarettes.

Map by kind permission of Stephen Edge

FURTHER INFORMATION: Information and enquiries: 01643 704996The West Somerset Railway, The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset TA24 5BG E-mail: info@wsrail.net www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk