Trial GWR shuttle service launches linking Taunton and West Somerset

The first Great Western Railway train left for Bishops Lydeard from Taunton at 9.39am on Saturday morning (July 27), shuttling 90 people.

ALL ABOARD: The train service announcement to Bishops Lydeard

This begins a host of Saturday services, aimed at boosting tourism in the area.

Officials gathered to mark the occasion on platform two of Taunton Railway Station, including mayor of Taunton, Fran Smith, and MP for Taunton, Rebecca Pow.

EXCITING: People on the platform at Bishops Lydeard

Once the train arrived at Bishops Lydeard at 9.56am, travellers could then hop on to the usual West Somerset Railway service, leading to the coast and a handful of other towns and villages, spend time in Bishops Lydeard, or head back to Taunton.

This means, people travelling from most anywhere in the country would be able to access West Somerset by train.

BIG DAY: Lord Richard Faulkner

Lord Richard Faulkner, president of the Heritage Railway Association and board member for West Somerset Railway, said: "It's a very big day for GWR and WSR.

"The schedule gives people the opportunity to travel to West Somerset from anywhere.

"It's good for business on the heritage line and the main line.

"As interest grows through the summer, this will prove very popular."

The trial Saturday service, which will run until October 5, was made possible after funding was received from GWR's Costumer and Community Improvement fund.

SUPPORT: Matt Barnes, GWR

Matt Barnes, regional development manager for Great Western Railway, explained how the West Somerset Railway put a strong business case together in order to gain the funding.

Problems in the past with available resources, which always halted the idea, were able to be resolved for the trial. He said: "The lack of resources is why it never worked in the past.

"This time there was a very strong case.

"There was also interest from the Department for Travel in terms of how we link the main line railway with the heritage line.

"We will have to wait and see how popular it is.

"If it is popular it gives us a nice bit of food for thought."

Jonathan Jones-Pratt, chairman of the West Somerset Railway plc added: “The new GWR shuttle link is another good reason to visit the West Somerset Railway this year.

“Coupled with great scenery, the friendly welcome and our steam trains, and you have an unbeatable day out. We are proud to be running our heritage steam trains alongside their Great Western successors.”

PROUD: Mayor of Taunton Fran Smith with her consort

Taunton and West Somerset's links have been getting stronger since the creation of the new council following elections earlier this year. Now they're linked by railway, too.

Fran Smith, mayor of Taunton said: "I think it's brilliant, for Taunton and West Somerset.

"Now it's the same council, it's great to be able to link the two areas in other ways.

"It's something a bit different for people to do."

The steam train, which can take anywhere between three and 12 hours to be prepared for its journeys, left Bishops Lydeard at 10.15am, and arrived into Minehead at 11.35am.

ON BOARD: Reporter Amy Cole being shown around the engine 

WELCOME: Minehead mayor Sandra Slade, with Paul Bolton and Martyn Snell

Minehead's mayor, Sandra Slade, and deputy Paul Bolton, were waiting on the platform to welcome people, especially those coming from Taunton.

She said: "I just want to say how wonderful it is to have the first train through from Taunton.

"We really want to welcome everyone who has arrived, and let's hope its the start of something else.

"I thought it might be this busy because a lot of people who want to see a railway link would support it, but there's also a lot of people here who are just on holiday, which is great.

"Let's hope it's not just on the first one, let's hope it stays like this for all of them."

ARRIVED: Getting off the train in Minehead

Next weekend (August 3), the shuttle train will also be stopping at Norton Fitzwarren to link Taunton with the steam rally taking place on Saturday.