Place Blue Anchor Grid reference ST021434 1874 Opened Phone +44 1643 704996 | Area West Somerset Operated by West Somerset Railway 1971 Closed Platforms in use 2 | |
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Address Blue Anchor, Minehead TA24 6LG, UK Hours Closed today SundayClosedMondayClosedTuesdayClosedWednesday8AM–6PMThursdayClosedFridayClosedSaturdayClosed Original company Bristol and Exeter Railway Similar West Somerset Railway, Bishops Lydeard railway st, Crowcombe Heathfield railway st, Minehead railway station, Doniford Halt railway st | ||
Blue Anchor railway station is situated in the seaside village of Blue Anchor, Somerset, England and close to the larger village of Carhampton. It is on the West Somerset Railway, a heritage railway and houses the museum of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust.
Contents
The station was first opened on 16 July 1874 by the Minehead Railway as Blue Anchor. Suggestions that it was called 'Blue Anchor Excursion Platform' or 'Bradley Gate' have been shown to be incorrect. In 1874 it had only one platform which faced the beach, but the second track and platform were built by the Great Western Railway in 1904 which had taken over the railway in 1897. At the same time the signal box was opened to control new gates on the level crossing which carries the Carhampton road across the line at the west end of the platforms. A goods yard was finally opened west of the level crossing in 1913.
In 1934, as part of general upgrading of the Minehead branch, the platforms and passing loop were extended. A camp coach was stabled here from the summer of 1934 and the present railway company still maintains three camp coaches for its volunteers today.
Goods traffic was withdrawn in 1963 and passenger services ceased from 4 January 1971. The line from Minehead was reopened by the West Somerset Railway on 28 March 1976 and on to Williton on 28 August in the same year. Camp coaches once again grace the goods yard where they provide overnight accommodation for volunteers working on the railway.
Museum
The station buildings have been restored and the waiting room on the westbound platform was converted to a railway museum in 1985. It opened in 1986 under the auspices of the West Somerset Railway Steam Trust. Staffing is provided by the Friends of Blue Anchor Railway Museum, who also undertake fundraising activities. The museum now contains around 550 items, mainly related to the Great Western Railway or other West Country lines.
Description
The station is situated on a passing loop on the single track line and has two platforms. The one on the north side of the line and nearest the beach dates from 1874; this is where the signal box and ticket office can be found. The second platform, added in 1904, has a small museum situated in its waiting room.
Services
Trains run between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard at weekends and on some other days from March to October, daily during the late spring and summer, and on certain days during the winter.