Taunton to Yeovil

Taunton to Yeovil via Durston

Most of the following pictures were taken on the last day of the line which closed with effect from 15th June 1964, the last passenger trains running on Saturday 13th June. However there was a CRS minibus trip over the route many years later to see what we could find and these are included. The last passenger timetable is shown below.

Taunton

82040 waits to depart Taunton with the 12.58pm to Yeovil Pen Mill, which departed 20 minutes late. The loco worked its way up to 65mph before the first stop at Athelney. Mike had arrived at Taunton on the 10.30am from Plymouth to Paddington behind a Western Class diesel loco and 15 coaches. A proper train. Every locomotive seen on the line that day was from a different class. 13th June 1964. Copyright Mike Roach

4593 was a regular on the line, including the last day. A few years earlier 4593 had been shedded at Truro Shed. Copyright Mike Roach

Creech St Micheal Halt Two and three quarter miles from Taunton
Closed passengers 6th October 64 along with most small stations towards Weston S Mare

Durston Five and three quarter miles from Taunton
Closed to passengers 5th October 1964, and to freight on 6th July 1964

Durston is seen on the 9th September 1964. The branch to Lyng Halt, Athelney and Yeovil went off to the right just beyond the signal box in the background. It can be seen from the timetable that some trains took a shorter and quicker route up the main line to Athelney avoiding Durston and Lyng Halt and saving 8 minutes. Copyright Mike Roach

Durston again, this time giving a clearer view of what appears to be almost a square signal box. It was however, in fact, 'L' shaped. The generous station roof provided good cover both to the main platform and the branch platform on the right hand side. Copyright Mike Roach.

Site of Durston Station on the 31st March 1979- Copyright Roger Winnen The former Railway Hotel is now a private dwelling.

A Cornwall Railway Society minibus party visits the site of Durston station on the 6th June 1981. We are looking East the station in the foreground with the course of the line to Lyng and Athelney diverging gently away to the right. 6th June 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen

A Peak heads towards Durston from Cogload Junction. The divergence of the down line from Bristol on the left to climb over the line from Westbury at Coglaod Flyover can clearly be seen. 6th June 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen

Lyng Halt Seven and half miles from Taunton

Lyng Halt (site of) 2016. Courtesy Roger Cornfoot. Image from Creative Commons.

Athelney Eight miles from Taunton
Closed passengers 5th October 64 & goods 6th July 64

Athelney station on the Great Western Paddington-Taunton-Penzance main line. It was opened prior to the main line route Cogload to Castle Cary and thus when opened was only on the Durston-Yeovil branch line. 15th June 1963 Copyright Mike Roach. - - Note - Barbara.Elsmore informs us that the station was once a major shipping point for withies used in basket making.

Just to the west of Athelney station lay a level crossing together with its associated signalbox which also provided and received the tokens from trains coming through via Durston. Here we see the signalman collecting the electric train staff from the driver of 4593 on a train bound for Yeovil. This tells us that the train has arrived here via Durston and not the main line. Note in the double track junction for the Durston line, and in the distance Lyng Church tower. 15th June 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

4593 passes the signal box and heads for Taunton with the 12.36 (SO) train from Yeovil Pen Mill on the last day of passenger services, running late. The loco will return from Taunton immediately with the 2.10 (SO) to Yeovil Pen Mill. The bridge ahead carries the line over a significant waterway which subsequently empties into the River Parrett. Note the field crossing just yards beyond the brideg. The main crossing, now a barrier crossing was the subject of a fatal accident in 2012. 13th June 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

A very interesting ticket - bought on the last day. The point of particular interest is that the holder is routed via Durston whereas the shorter route would have been on trains that went direct from Athelney via Cogload to Taunton. Mike Roach Collection.

Athelney Signal Box pictured from an up train on the 28th July 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

Athelney Signalbox. Picture taken in September 1984 while on a CRS minibus outing. More about this box, and what happened to it, can be seen at www.sdrsignalling.com Copyright Mike Roach

The HST has just passed Athelney down outer home (behind the train) and inner home (above the roof of the train) at about 100mph. September 1984. Copyright Mike Roach

Curry Rivel Junction - where the Yeovil branch leaves the main Taunton to Westbury line.

3733 takes to the branch and leaves Curry Rivel Junction behind heading for Yeovil. 6th June1960 Copyright John Cornelius

'Your water Sir'! 5554 brings a toad brakevan off the branch at Curry Rivel pausing en-route to deliver a can of water for the signalman. This can be seen perched on the buffer beam just before the brake van. 6th June 1960 Copyright John Cornelius

A rough sketch of Curry Rivel Junction with the main line Taunton to the left and Westbury to the right. The double track (to Langport West) turning off the main line.

Other pictures of Curry Rivel Junction can be found on the section Taunton - Westbury.

Langport West Thirteen miles from Taunton
Closed passengers 13th June 1964 and to freight 6th July 1964

Mike Roach collection

What a delightful station building there was at Langport West. The three bicycles, probably left safely unlocked add to the scene. Dwarfed by the high trees this could almost be a picture from a model railway. The area is now an industrial estate. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

A rough sketch plan of Langport West - do not scale. Curry Rivel Junction to the left and Yeovil right.

9712 at Langport West Langport & District History Society Ref SM (31) Care of Janet Seaton. A nice summers day as 9712 waits for the signal to clear, from the passengers sitting on the platform it looks as if we are waiting for a Yeovil to Taunton service to arrive and clear the single line.

82044 Arriving at Langport West - it is just completing the run from Curry Rivel Junction - there being double track between these two locations. 12th May1964 Copyright John Corneliusght John Cornelius

4593 has just arrived at Langport West at 4.41pm with the 4.00pm from Pen MIll to Taunton. The train comprised 3 coaches with a horsebox tacked onto the rear. Langport East Station was on the other side of town on the Paddington-Penzance main line. 13th June 64 Copyright Mike Roach

31802 runs in to Langport West with the 4.25pm Taunton-Yeovil Pen Mill. 13th June 64 Copyright Mike Roach

N Class 31802 waits at Langport West 13th June 64 31802 Copyright Mike Roach

31802 leaves Langport for Yeovil. Some goods traffic in evidence 13th June 64 Copyright Mike Roach

82040 arrives at Langport West with the 5.45pm Pen MIll-Taunton, the penultimate train ever in this direction. 13th June 64 Copyright Mike Roach

82040 pauses at Langport West. Every steam engine seen on the line that day was from a different class of locomotive. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

4131 arrives at Langport West with the 5.55pm Taunton-Yeovil Pen Mill. The photographer caught this train as far as Yeovil Town. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

A typical branch train arriving at Langport West from Yeovil behind 4591 on the 12th May 1964. Behind the train the roof of the signalbox can be seen, to extreme left lies the goods shed. Copyright John Cornelius

4591 stands at Langport West with a service from Yeovil on the 12th May 1964 Copyright John Cornelius Note:- The 12th May 1964 was a Tuesday. Looking in front of the locomotive one can see three people, one already on the crossing despite the signal being 'off'. Being double track north of here there could have been another train approaching. The people look young, probably school children and probably used the board crossing every day to avoid the climb over the footbridge, the station exit was via the main buildings on this platform. In five weeks time these passengers would be seeking alternative means of transport - the line would be closed on the 14th June.

Floods at Langport West

We have to be extremely grateful to john Cornelius for allowing us to use his pictures of the flooding at Langport West. One wonders if that if this was in modern times whether modern stock and signalling could 'weather' the conditions and keep the service going?

5554 perhaps on a 'test run' makes its way slowly through Langport West Station on the 29th October 1960. Copyright John Cornelius. One wonders if the lamp is still lit in the ground signal as it struggles to keep its 'head above water'. Copyright John Cornelius

5525 making waves as it comes to a stand at Langport West. 29th October 1960. Copyright John Cornelius

5525 continues on its way towards Yeovil. Is that the head of the signalman in his box working the levers? Is that the 'pilotman' having seen the 'ship' safely out of harbour cautiously making his way back to the box? It looks as if the lamp will still be lit on the ground signal in the foreground! John Cornelius keeps his feet dry on the platform. Copyright

5525 returns from Yeovil, having successfully passed through the station earlier it sets up quite a bow wave running in. 29th October 1960. Copyright John Cornelius.

9764 comes steadily into the platform at Langport West (Marine!!) 29th October 1960. Copyright John Cornelius.

Proof that the pictures above of the flooding of Langport West by John Cornelius were not the first time the station was flooded.This picture reference RW 96 was kindly provided by the Langport & District History Society Ref care of Janet Seaton Copyright

The day after closure to public services Sunday 16th February 1964

LCGB: The Quantock Flyer Rail Tour 16/2/64.
Collett 4575 class 2-6-2T no. 4593 at Langport West station on the Yeovil Town branch which had closed to passenger traffic the previous day. Enveloped in 4593's exhaust is 5700 class pannier tank no. 9663 which shared the haulage duties on the GWR portions of this tour.
[Mike Morant collection]

Westover Bridge - located south of Langport West

Hi Keith, Here are a couple of pics I took of Westover railway bridge piers near Langport which were left in place after the Taunton-Yeovil branch closed. It only had a 7ft headroom, so only small vehicles could pass under. Bigger vehicles had to had to go up a trackway adjacent to the bridge to cross the line which had gates controlled by a crossing keeper who lived in the cottage beside the line. Today this is a private residence. After the serious flooding on the moors in the winter of 2013/2014, when the village of Muchelney was marooned,the council took the decision to raise the road by 1 metre from Muchelney to the Westover piers,so in the event of future flooding there would be access to and from Muchelney.The second pic was taken after the road works were completed on 26-2-2015. My only regret is that I never to took a pic of a train passing when the bridge was in situ. But that's life. cheers JOHN C Many thanks John

Thorney & Kingsbury Halt Fifteen and a quarter miles from Taunton

82008 calls at Thorney & Kingsbury Halt with a Yeovil train on the 8th February 1962 Copyright John Cornelius.

John Cornelius writes - The waiting shelter at Thorney Halt was actually under the bridge.
Access to the platform was down a flight of steps from the road, I well remember carrying my cycle down the steps to the platform,then later on my return having to lug it up the steps to the road.

82008 calls at Thorney & Kingsbury Halt with a Yeovil train on the 8th February 1962 Copyright John Cornelius. Note the milk factory siding to the right and Thorney North Ground Frame just to the rear of the locomotive. A rather attractive lamp overlooks the ground frame. The loop served the Milk factory in the foreground. At the far end of the loop lay the 'South Ground Frame' which operated points giving access to the running line and also controlled a point leading to a short 'head shunt' to the south. The buffer at the end of the head shunt is just visible as are the metals leading off the loop onto the main running line.

82044 pulls away from Thorney & Kingsbury Halt on the 20th May 1964 The location is just to the south of the Milk Factory looking south, the 'Thorney South Ground Frame' lies in the distance. Copyright John Cornelius

A note on nameplates at Thorney from Chris Osment
Keith
Just to be pedantic...:-)
According to Dunn’s book on GWR SB nameplates, the order for those GFs specified “Thorney Halt North Ground Frame” and the ‘...Halt South....’ equivalent. A GWR WTT Appendix has various references to ‘Thorney Halt Siding’.
regards .Chris. With the best will in the world I try to get it right but it is very handy to have an expert in the wings to prompt me. Many thanks Chris.

Operation of the Milk Factory and siding. A note from John Cornelius.
There were two ground frames at Thorney to give access to the loop serving the milk factory
siding, the one nearest the road overbridge and halt was named 'Thorney North', and the one at the distant end named 'Thorney South'. As far as I know the milk was sent in churns in
siphon'G' vans, I don't think milk tanks were ever used there. The daily milk train came down from Yeovil and returned there. If the loco needed water it would run light engine to
Langport West to fill up. I remember seeing siphon'G's stabled in the head shunt and also stabled in Martock goods yard. Because of the milk traffic, the weekly financial income credited to Thorney,was greater than that at Martock, so I was told.
Out on cycle ride with friends on a Sunday in 1956 we happened to get to Thorney
just as the milk train arrived from Yeovil,headed by 4507, the only time I saw the train.
When I worked on the modernisation of the milk factory in 1962, rail traffic had ceased by then,with milk going by road. I think possibly the last vehicle to be shunted into the milk factory platform,was a box van with equipment for the modernisation in Feb or March 1962,which was shunted in, off the Yeovil goods train by 5798. Then a week or so later the empty van was taken away on the Yeovil goods. Many thanks for the info john - it's all valuable history.

82008 leaves Thorney for Yeovil on the 7th February 1962 Copyright John Cornelius. N.B. The halt with its shelter can clearly be seen beyond the bridge. By the rodding the Milk Factory siding point was clearly operated from the North Ground frame. Steam heating of the train was necessary at this time of the year as is evidenced by the 'emissions' along the train.

A wintery scene as 6113 arrives at Thorney Halt with a Taunton bound train on the 23rd January 1962 Copyright John Cornelius

6146 heads away for Yeovil on the same day. Copyright John Cornelius

Goods at Thorney

A very light goods heads for Langport and Taunton on the 21st March 1962 headed by 5798. A chilly day to be out with a camera! Copyright John Cornelius

It is Thursday the 21st May 1964 as 9670 passes the Milk Factory at Thorney hauling the Yeovil Goods. Copyright John Cornelius

4569 towing withdrawn 3210 to Taunton passing Thorney Halt on the 28th May 1964. 3210 was at one time going to named 'Earl Cairns' but never carried the name. Copyright John Cornelius.

Thorney after track removal looking towards Langport. Note the 'bare bones' of the platform structure 9th November 1966 Copyright John Cornelius

Many thanks to John Cornelius for his collection of no less than ten pictures taken at this previously un-recorded (On this site) country by-way.

Martock Eighteen miles from Taunton
Closed goods 6th July 1964

Mike Roach collection

Martock station, a simplified sketch. The line from Curry Rivel and Langport coming in on the left and that towards Yeovil out over the level crossing. For a much more detailed history with maps try this link www.martockhistory.co.uk/research/railway.php

4593 has just arrived at Martock which had staggered platforms. 28th December 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Martock - a quick dash over the footbridge reveals more of the goods siding. 28th December 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

82044 leaving Martock over the crossing for Yeovil on Saturday 16th May 1964. The branch closed w.e.f. the 15th June, just four weeks to go. Copyright John Cornelius

820244 about to gain the single track towards Yeovil on 16th May 1964. Next stop will be Montacute some two and three quarters of a mile away. Copyright John Cornelius.

Having taken a service to Yeovil 820244 returns with a train bound for Taunton. 16th May 1964. One wonders who the gentleman walking the track is, is he the signalman? Copyright John Cornelius

Signalman Tom Howell exchanges single line staffs at Martock. 16th May 1964. Copyright John Cornelius Presumably the crossing gates will have remained closed to road traffic until the relevant token is returned to the box.

John Cornelius writes :- Not sure of the situation of when the gates were reopened to road traffic at Martock. I thought they were opened once the train was in clear at the platform.
I do know that in 1961, Tom Howell opened the gates before a train was in clear and one gate got caught on a van at the rear of the train and jammed into it.
The van had to be uncoupled and left there for the train to proceed. I assume the breakdown train was sent for to clear the mess. I actually saw the scene of the gate and van jammed upon the crossing when I passed the by in a bus about three quarters of an hour after the incident.
One can see that in the picture next but one above the gates are still closed to road traffic so Tom is taking no chances!!

P.P.S. KJ queried whether it was right and proper to mention Tom Howell's mistake. Here is John Cornelius's reply.
Morning Keith, Sadly Tom Howell passed away over 30 years ago, so I don't think he would object to
the story about the crossing gates now. Martock station was a busy place years ago with lots of freight
traffic coming and going. I well remember going there on a tractor and a trailer loaded with sugar beet and
riding on the loaded trailer from our village to Martock which was about 5 miles distant.
to be loaded in to railway wagons,as did many other farmers in the area during the autumn.
With an old standard fordson tractor our farmer managed to take take two trailer loads to Martock each day,
one in the morning and one in the afternoon until he had cleared the crop. Great days. cheers JOHN C
Many thanks John for your memories.

Martock revisited - Mike Roach writes
Martock on the former Taunton to Yeovil line, closed 50 years ago this month (June 2014). I went to see if anything remained of the railway station. Martock is a delightful small town with most of the buildings of local Ham Stone. Nothing remained of the railway, with an industrial estate built on the trackbed. There were two clues. The industrial estate road was called Great Western Road.
Alongside the site of the station was the former Railway Hotel. This was recently painted, but appeared to be empty and out of use. Its quite unusual to be able to take a picture of such a building without a car in sight. For anyone not in the know the hotel is the only major clue that there was ever a railway in the area. Does anyone in Martock know what the building is used for.

Montacute Twenty and three quarter miles from Taunton
Closed goods 30th September 1963

Thought to be a train from Taunton heading for Yeovil Town/Pen Mill. July 1962. This location is near the site of Henford Halt. The cutting is now used as the route for the A3088. Copyright Mike Roach. Please see the note below.

A further up date on the photo above listed as “Hendford Halt” is actually taken further west. The train is in the cutting between “Montacute Bridge” near Lufton, and “Odcombe Bridge” near Brympton d’Evercy.
The bridges were named for the roads they are on, heading west from Houndstone.
Montacute bridge is the one in the background, the photo has been taken from Odcombe bridge. The distinctive trees in the right background following the road identify the location.
Hope this helps
Jon Stagg. Many thanks to you Jon.

Hendford Halt was Twenty four and a half miles from Taunton

A train from Yeovil Pen Mill/Town on its way towards Taunton - it is seen here passing the Westland Grass Airfield. July 1962 Copyright Mike Roach.

The Taunton to Yeovil Town line closed to passengers on the 2nd October 1966. Copyright John Cornelius

Yeovil Town Twenty five and half miles from Taunton
Closed passengers 2nd October 1966

4593 has arrived at Yeovil Town Station at 3.18pm on the last day of passenger services with the 2.10 (SO) Taunton - Yeovil Pen Mill. Copyright Mike Roach

4131 leaves Yeovil Town for Pen Mill at 6.57pm with the penultimate train in that direction. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

5410 runs into Yeovil Town with an auto-train from Yeovil Junction. 10th Sept 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

4131 at Yeovil Town, about to depart for Pen Mill. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

4593 at Yeovil Town on the 4.00pm Pen Mill to Taunton train. 3th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

The driver is aboard, his fireman stands waiting, in the background is Wyndham Hill. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

5410 stands at Yeovil Town on an auto-train service to Yeovil Junction 10th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

The same train from the other end. For the record the auto coaches are numbered 233 and 240. 10th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Hey, what's this? - a Beattie Well tank at Yeovil Town - the date 11th August 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Another view of the same loco at Yeovil Town - this loco is frequently seen Bodmin General. 11th August 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer. It of course worked the Wenford Branch.

An amazing panorama of Yeovil Town Shed, the station lies just behind. Since then it has been demolished, made into a car park, then this in turn has become the site of a supermarket - such is progress. Copyright John Cornelius

Another Gem from John Cornelius

Looking from the other side of the road bridge at Yeovil Town.

5410 heads off to Yeovil Junction with the shuttle. The single line to the left heads to Yeovil Pen Mill. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

An interesting comparison with the picture above. The view from the bridge over the former tracks to Yeovil Pen Mille (Left) and Yeovil Junction (Right) on 24th April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

From the site of Yeovil Town station 24th April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

Yeovil Town closed to passengers on 2nd October 1966 and entirely from 9th October 1967. Copyright John Cornelius

Between Yeovil Town and Pen Mill

760424f Following the line from Pen Mill to Yeovil Town Station 24th April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

Lines approaching Yeovil Pen Mill. in the foreground was the Yeovil Town line, the line to Yeovil Junction continues to the right - 1st April 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen 780401e

Metals presumably formerly within the shed area at Yeovil 1st April 1978 Copyight Roger Winnen

Yeovil Pen Mill Twenty six miles from Taunton

Exterior of Yeovil Pen Mill Station 1st April 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

A nice general view of Yeovil Pen Mill from the road overbridge. The fireman climbs on the loco to put the lamp on for the very last direct train to Taunton ever. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

Yeovil Pen Mill on the last day of trains to Taunton. On the right hand side of the bunker chalk marks tell us that 'Steam is Supreme' and on the water tank is scrolled 'Gone but not forgotten'. The loco is 4131 and the loco will head the 7.50pm Pen Mill to Taunton the last train in that direction. 4103 had arrived from Taunton with 3 coaches but would return with 4 coaches. The extra coach was a returning private party to Montacute. Their coach had been hauled up from Weymouth on the back of a dmu. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

The enthusiasts gather round the locomotive for that last picture. The train would cross the last train from Taunton to Yeovil hauled by 4593 at Athelney. 13th June 1964 Copyright Mike Roach.

Yeovil Pen Mill 82008 at the end of the platfrom while 4593 brings in a train from Taunton running into the rare double sided platform line. 10th Sept 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

A very long van train rolls into Yeovil Pen Mill from the Weymouth line. It could be carrying tomatoes imported from the Channel Islands. 12th September 1963 - Copyright Mike Roach

82044 rolls into Pen Mill with a service from Taunton. 12th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

8F 48728 rolls past Yeovil Pen Mill signalbox 12th September 1964. Copyright Mike Roach.

Yeovil Pen Mill Signal Box still with a nice collection of cast signs. 24th April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

How plain Yeovil Pen Mill signalbox looks in this April 1986 view by Roger Winnen - the 'Stop. look and listen' board has gone, as has the 'Passengers must use the footbridge' and also the board walk on the right hand side has been removed, The sidings would appear to be the same. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Another April 1986 picture - this time of Chipmans weed killer train being propelled towards the station. Not only is the train of interest but also the view. The line to Yeovil Town curved sharply away to the right heading for the low ground to the right of the distant hill. Yeovil shed lay in the fork between the current line and that to Yeovil Town. In the middle distance in front of the tree covered hillside can be seen a low embankment which carried the line from Yeovil Town towards Yeovil Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

Two more views taken in April 1986 - looking through the bridge towards the current line to Weymouth, off which there is a frequently used connection to Yeovil Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

Turning about we look into the rather spartan platform arrangement,. Quite why, if an extra platform face was necessary, they didn't chose to place the island platform further to the right and include another running line is unknown. Before the days of central locking the guard of a train departing from the line to the left would have had a job to ensure that the movement was safe and nobody was boarding from either side! Copyright Roger Winnen