The abandoned Somerset railway is now being celebrated as one of UK’s most beautiful lost lines.
This railway was important for the South West, linking places like Bath and Bournemouth. People said it was quite slow going, though, especially when it had to go over the Mendip Hills.
The article described it critically, noting that it wasn’t one grand plan from the start. Actually, two lines joined to become one. The new line wasn’t always better, at least according to what they wrote.
The line did serve a good chunk of the South West, going to Bath, Burnham-on-Sea, and Bournemouth. However, passengers frequently complained about the speed, thinking it was slow.
The trains struggled in the Mendip Hills, and people even nicknamed it “Slow & Dirty.” It was also called “Slow & Doubtful.” The railway struggled before its final closure, with some parts closing in the fifties. People protested when it finally shut down.
Some heritage projects keep its memory alive. The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust runs a track at Midsomer Norton South station. Another group, Gartell Light Railway, does similar work, while the North Dorset Railway hopes to run trains again soon and is restoring track at Shillingstone.
Even though the line closed ages ago, parts are still around. The Bath Green Park station is now a market hall, housing local businesses and restaurants. The Green Park Brasserie is a well known eatery located there.