The Anonymous Widower

Paddington And Minehead By Train

Two projects announced in the last six months may make this a possibility.

• FirstGroup’s Paddington and Paignton Service
• The West Somerset Tidal Lagoon

Neither project has the full permissions it needs, but if Lumo do stop at Taunnton and the West Somerset Tidal Lagoon is built, if could open up an interesting possibility.

In Thoughts On Lumo’s Proposed Paddington And Paignton Service, I stated that a train could take two hours between  Paddington and Taunton, if it went for a fast non-stop run to Bath Spar station.

In MP Pushes For Tidal Lagoon In Bristol Channel, I said this.

I believe that for the lagoon project to be complete, the West Somerset Railway needs to be turned into a fully-operational branch line between Minehead and Taunton to improve access for residents, visitors and workers to Minehead and other places in West Somerset.

Surely, with a quick change of train, passengers could be in Minehead thirty minutes after arriving at Taunton.

In recent years several new branch lines have open in the UK and been given time to attract new passengers.

• The Borders Railway to Tweedbank
• Merseyrail to Headbolt Lane
• The Northumberland Line to Ashington
• ScotRail to Leven.
• The Dartmouth Line to Okehampton

None appear to be in any danger of being closed.

I very much feel, that if the West Somerset Railway, ran a full service between Minehead and Taunton, it would follow the same pattern.

February 3, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Bath Spa Station, Lumo, Lumo Paddington And Paignton, Taunton Station, West Somerset Railway, West Somerset Tidal Lagoon