Somerset and Dorset
Burnham to Evercreech Jct.
Burnham to Evercreech Jct.
NOTE In early March 2016 the West Somerset Railway celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the Somerset & Dorset by having a special Gala Week. Stations were re-named and locos re-numbered. Please look in our features section January to July 2016 for coverage of this event.
Burnham on Sea Approx one and three quarter miles from Highbridge
From Wilkipedia :- The station, situated behind Abingdon Street, was a terminus although a through platform allowed services to travel on to a 900 ft pier on the river. For a few years the railway operated steamers across the Bristol Channel to Wales Railway operations onto the pier ceased in 1888 although the pier continued in use for vessels until the 1950s. Perhaps the strangest use of the railway along the pier was by lifeboat, which was pushed on rails from the old lifeboat station (behind the current Morrisons store) and onto the "main line", across the esplanade, and down the pier where the lifeboat could be launched if the tide was right.
Burnham-on-Sea station partially closed when regular passenger services were curtailed at Highbridge with effect from 28th October 1951. Excursion traffic continued until 1962, and the goods depot remained open until 1963.
Burnham-on-Sea station partially closed when regular passenger services were curtailed at Highbridge with effect from 28th October 1951. Excursion traffic continued until 1962, and the goods depot remained open until 1963.
Whoever was responsible is to be congratulated on this display to commemorate the long gone station.
The latest addition to the display which remembers the railway presence at
Burnham on Sea
Burnham on Sea
We spent last week on a visit to Burnham on Sea, and took a few snaps of a fairly recent addition of a "spoof" signal box taken against the sun with the two plaques attached to it. It is currently acting as some sort of information office but was closed at the time of my two visits to it. I could not find any other photos on the website, so here they are. All The Best, Alan and Sue Harris.
Many thanks Alan.
The original Burnham on Sea Signal Box at Washford Station
Highbridge (for Burnham on Sea)
3210 Class 2251 Designer Collett 0-6-0 Built 31st December 1947 at Swindon Works. Shedded first at 81E Didcot, last Shed 71H Templecombe. Withdrawn 30th Aptil 1964, Sold to Cashmores at Newport, Cut up 20th February 1965
3218 Class 2251 Designer Collett 0-6-0 Built 30th January 1948 at Swindon Works. Last Shed 71H Templecombe. Withdrawn 31st May 1965, Sold to Birds, Brynea. Cut up 31st August 1965

The Somerset and Dorset route across the Great Western Taunton to Bristol line at Highbridge is clearly illustrated in this view courtesy of the Mike Morant collection. N.B. The building on the right, obviously at one time a signalbox was Highbridge 'A' box which controlled the rail crossing. This closed in 1914 when the GW main line box seen just beyond the footbridge took control of the crossing. In the distance can be seen Highbridge 'B' Box. A short distance north beyond ;B' Box lay 'C' Box which controlled a level crossing over the A 38 and access to the docks.
Bason Bridge One and quarter miles from Highbridge

Here is a delighful view of Bason Bridge, the first station out from Highbridge on the journey towards Evercreech Junction. It closed to passengers along with other stations on the S & D with effect from 7th March 1966. It had lost its goods services w.e.f. 10th June 1964. However the metals from Highbridge stayed in use to serve a milk depot at this location until 2nd October 1972. From the Mike Morant Collection.
Edinington Burtle Five miles from Highbridge
Change for Bridgwater
Change for Bridgwater
There was a branch from Edington to Bridgwater. This line had a short life from 1890 to 1st December 1952 when it closed to passengers. See our few pictures of this line in the Branches to Bridgwater and Wells section.
Scenes along the bank at Edington
Shapwick Seven and quarter miles from Highbridge
Shapwick station was a block post with passing place equipped with a very long loop. The 17 lever signalbox was situated on the down side just beyond the level crossing which lay between it and the end of the down platform. The signalbox overlooked the railway on one side and South Drain on the other. Opposite the signabox was a short siding serving cattle pens and a coal store.
Alexander's Siding Situated between Ashcott and Shapwick. Alaxander's siding served the Eclipe Peat Company's works. The 2' gauge Eclipse Peat Railway crossed the S & D line on the level at this point and was the location of a serious accident. On 19 August 1949, a passenger train from Highbridge collided with an Eclipse narrow gauge diesel locomotive crossing on the level and left the track, ending up in the Glastonbury Canal.
Eclipse Peat Railway. This interesting 2' gauge line was visited by a party from the Cornwall Railway Society on the 8th September 1989 - stock from this line eventually ended up on the Gartell Light Railway which operates over a part of the S & D near Templecombe.
Eclipse Peat Railway. This interesting 2' gauge line was visited by a party from the Cornwall Railway Society on the 8th September 1989 - stock from this line eventually ended up on the Gartell Light Railway which operates over a part of the S & D near Templecombe.
Filmed by Michael Clemens on 19th March 1977 - click on this link to watch a fascinating short video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBcoE--i6Gw
Ashcott Seven and quarter miles from Highbridge
Ashcott and Meare 2021. A visit by Clive Smith.
A visit to the RSPB Ham And Wall Nature Reserve didn't result in any photos of bitterns or marsh harriers but I did manage these of the site of Ashcott station which closed in March 1966 along with the Somerset & Dorset Railway and line from Evercreech Junction to Burnham. The building which Roger Winnen photographed in 1979 (in the CRS archives) no longer exists and the site now has a bungalow but the owner has clearly paid tribute to the old station and the S&D. The tracked now forms part of the trails around the bird reserve and about 400 yards along what was the line to Glastonbury is a viewing area which is the recommended spot to see the famous autumn and winter starling murmurations on the Somerset Levels.
Regards
Clive Smith
Regards
Clive Smith
Many thanks Clive.
Links to old photos for sale
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12a_kingmoor_klickr/6893548873
https://www.railwaystationphotographs.co.uk/ashcott--meare-railway-station-photo-glastonbury---shapwick-sdjr-18-1561-p.asp
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12a_kingmoor_klickr/6893548873
https://www.railwaystationphotographs.co.uk/ashcott--meare-railway-station-photo-glastonbury---shapwick-sdjr-18-1561-p.asp
Near Glastonbury
Glastonbury and Street Twelve miles from Highbridge

Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway 'C' class 0-4-4T No. 1202 was built by Avonside Engine Co. In 1877 and is depicted here at Glastonbury whilst in charge of a passenger turn form Highbridge to Evercreech Junction and possibly even through to Templecombe. The van at the rear looks interesting and if anyone should wish to comment upon the rolling stock then please do so. This undated negative was taken in 1931 or earlier as that was the year when 1202 was withdrawn from service. Thank you to Chris Osment for being the first to point out which working this is.
Chris Knowles-Thomas has written these notes regarding the two coaches: "This is S&DJR stock built at Highbridge - a 46ft lavatory compo and a brake third. These coaches exhibited a mixture of LSWR and MR features. The S&DJR stock was shared out betwen the SR and LMS in 1930."
Russ Garner: "The cleanliness of the locomotive livery (compared to that taken by Casserley on 5 July 1930) hints at a late July or early August 1930 view. The Highbridge-built carriages are still in blue livery but the pale blemish at the bottom right of the body hints at it being designated to the LMS. Leading gas-lit vehicle is a lavatory composite with coupe end. The brake third is one of the latter built with additional torpedo roof vents over the luggage end whilst The horsebox ringing up the rear has the correct appearance to be of S&DJR ownership, displaying the necessary characteristics for the 18ft design. The dark aperture suggests that the upper sliding door is partially open, which hints that no animal is being conveyed – also its appearance at the back of a train lends itself to being empty as general practice was to attach a loaded horsebox at the last minute, usually next to the engine (circumstances might dictate otherwise). It is not known where these vehicles were stored; if based at Highbridge the train in question would therefore be conveying it to a station for future use."
[Mike Morant collection]
[Mike Morant collection]
For the few pictures we have of the branch to Wells please see our 'Branches to Bridgwater and Wells section'.
West Pennard Halt Seventeen and quarter miles from Highbridge
Pylle Halt Twenty and half miles from Highbridge
Evercreech Junction
For more of Evercreech Junction please see the page
'Bath Green Park to Evercreech'
'Bath Green Park to Evercreech'