East Somerset Railway

East Somerset Railway Heritage Steam Railway - visitor attraction with train rides, museum, shop and cafe. Freight traffic was also reduced and the line cutback.
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The Station Cafe Open Wednesday - Sunday
Steaming Days:Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Check Website
www.eastsomersetrailway.com The East Somerset Railway was inaugarated in 1855 and opened as a broad-gauge line from Witham on the Westbury to Weymouth line to Shepton Mallet in 1858, extending to Wells in 1862. Unfortunately, the line was not commercially successful and it was sold to the G

reat Western Railway in 1874. The railway continued on GWR and then BR hands, essentially unchanged, until 1963 when passenger services were withdrawn. Bitumen trains continued to Cranmore until 1985 and stone trains still use the branch as far as Merehead Quarry. In 1967, the artist David Shepherd bought two steam engines, BR standard class 9F No.92203 and standard class 4MT No.75029, and was looking for somewhere to base them. After starting out at Longmoor in Hampshire, he looked at 31 sites in the south of England until arriving at Cranmore on a rainy day in 1971. Whilst a site of dereliction, he could see the potential and so he and some friends purchased the site, and the Cranmore Railway Company was born. The site was cleared, a new engine shed and sidings built, and then in August 1974, the East Somerset Railway was opened. As Cranmore station was still used for Bitumen traffic, initially operations were from a small platform next to the engine shed (now Cranmore West), but with the end of the freight traffic, the ESR returned to Cranmore station in 1985. The line was also extended westwards towards Shepton Mallet and a new halt built at Mendip Vale.

09/06/2026

Our restored class 108 Derby lightweight diesel multiple unit is running every Thursday during June and July at East Somerset Railway.

๐Ÿš‚ What's On This Week ๐Ÿš‚Wednesday: Steam Service RunningThursday: Diesel Service Running + Whistlestop Cream Teas ๐ŸฐWeeken...
09/06/2026

๐Ÿš‚ What's On This Week ๐Ÿš‚

Wednesday: Steam Service Running
Thursday: Diesel Service Running + Whistlestop Cream Teas ๐Ÿฐ
Weekend: Steam Service + Whistlestop Cream Teas ๐Ÿฐ on Saturday

Have you tried our Whistlestop cream teas?

Enjoy a delicious take-away cream tea which can be enjoyed inside the Station Cafe or boxed up for you to enjoy in one of our picnic areas or on a train journey.

This wonderful experience includes:

A takeaway cream tea for two from The Station Cafรฉ
Unlimited train rides for the day of your visit

๐ŸŽซ BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW
www.eastsomersetrailway.com

๐Ÿ“ž 01749 880417
๐Ÿ“ Cranmore, Somerset

DIESEL DAY IS HERE! Calling all diesel enthusiasts! Join us THIS THURSDAY for a day of pure diesel magic! Our beautifull...
08/06/2026

DIESEL DAY IS HERE!

Calling all diesel enthusiasts! Join us THIS THURSDAY for a day of pure diesel magic!

Our beautifully restored Class 108 Derby Lightweight Diesel Multiple Unit is running all day with FOUR return journeys:
โฐ 11:00am | 12:30pm | 2:00pm | 3:30pm

โœจ What makes it special:
๐ŸชŸ Panoramic windows with incredible all-round views
๐Ÿ‘€ Front seats with a driver's eye view of the track ahead
๐ŸŽซ Day Rover tickets = unlimited rides all day
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Explore our Museum & Discovery Centre
๐Ÿ”ง Watch our volunteers in the engine shed
โ˜• Station Cafรฉ open 9:30amโ€“3:30pm
๐Ÿฐ Whistlestop Cream Tea available โ€“ book online for delicious takeaway cream tea to enjoy on the train or in our picnic areas!

Whether you're a lifelong diesel fan or just fancy a brilliant day out with a proper cream tea, this is one not to miss! Book your Day Rover tickets and Cream Tea online now and experience the golden age of railways.

๐Ÿ“ East Somerset Railway, Cranmore, Somerset
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Book online at eastsomersetrailway.com

We canโ€™t wait ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„
08/06/2026

We canโ€™t wait ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„

All aboard for a rockinโ€™ good time with Thomas the Tank Engine!๐ŸŽฉ ๐Ÿฉต

Day Out With Thomasโ„ข: Letโ€™s Rock, Letโ€™s Roll tour is coming to East Somerset Railway on 27th, 28th, 29th October. Join in for a day of family adventure:

๐Ÿš‚Take a train ride with Thomas, a REAL steam engine
โœจWatch exciting live shows with Sodor Station
๐Ÿ‘‹Meet Sir Topham Hatt
๐ŸŽถEnjoy music inspired activities
๐Ÿ”ŽJoin in the Thomas & Friendsโ„ข character hunt
๐ŸŒทHave fun with the garden games
๐Ÿ›ค๏ธRide on the miniature railway
๐Ÿ“–Listen to the Thomas & Friends storytelling session
๐ŸŽShop for merchandise in the gift shop

Plus lots more! Find out more and get your tickets before they sell out at https://www.quaytickets.com/dayoutwiththomas/en-GB/shows/day%20out%20with%20thomas%20at%20east%20somerset%20railway/events/2

๐Ÿš‚ WHISTLESTOP CREAM TEA AT EAST SOMERSET RAILWAY ๐ŸฐThis weekend, treat yourself to unlimited train rides AND a delicious ...
04/06/2026

๐Ÿš‚ WHISTLESTOP CREAM TEA AT EAST SOMERSET RAILWAY ๐Ÿฐ

This weekend, treat yourself to unlimited train rides AND a delicious takeaway cream tea for just ยฃ20 per person!

Served 12:30pmโ€“3pm
Enjoy in The Station Cafรฉ or on the train ๐Ÿš‚

Includes:
โœ“ Unlimited day travel
โœ“ Cream tea from The Station Cafรฉ
โœ“ Heritage attractions access

Book now: www.eastsomersetrailway.com/whistlestop-cream-tea

๐Ÿ“ Cranmore, Somerset

๐Ÿš‚ We're running steam trains TOMORROW! ๐Ÿš‚Join us Thursday 4th June for a magical journey through the Somerset countryside...
03/06/2026

๐Ÿš‚ We're running steam trains TOMORROW! ๐Ÿš‚
Join us Thursday 4th June for a magical journey through the Somerset countryside.
Departures: โฐ 11:00 โฐ 12:30 โฐ 14:00 โฐ 15:30
Book your tickets now and make it a day to remember! ๐ŸŽซ
๐Ÿ“ East Somerset Railway,Cranmore Station, ๐ŸŒ www.eastsomersetrailway.com ๐Ÿ“ž 01749 880417

Join us for a day perfect for Diesel enthusiasts! 3rd JuneAt least 4 return journeys will run using our restored Class 1...
02/06/2026

Join us for a day perfect for Diesel enthusiasts! 3rd June

At least 4 return journeys will run using our restored Class 108 Derby Lightweight Diesel Multiple Unit.

The DMU has great all round views from its wide and deep windows and you can even see the drivers view from the front seats.

The DMU will run at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pm.

Pay Once, Ride All Day - Our Day Rover Tickets include unlimited train rides for the day of your visit.

Explore the platform at Cranmore Station, including the Museum and the Discovery Centre, then make your way down to our engine shed where you can see the locomotives and what our volunteers have been getting up to.

Don't forget that The Station Cafe will be open 9.30 am - 3.30 pm serving delicious snacks, meals and beverages.

01/06/2026

We have a special guest for the next three days. Railway 200 inspiration train is here at East Somerset Railway until the 3rd June. Book your free tickets via www.eastsomersetrailway.com

01/06/2026

๐Ÿš‚ SHE'S HERE! ๐Ÿš‚

The Railway 200 Inspiration Train has arrived at Cranmore!

Last night, Karen Harrison 66710 led the spectacular journey from Westbury, bringing this incredible high-tech train to East Somerset Railway for a 3-day visit (1-3 June). The Michael Portillo loco is currently in Westbury yard, but what a sight to see the Inspiration Train rolling into our station!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience hands-on railway history and see how the railways have evolved over 200 years. The Inspiration Train is packed with interactive exhibits celebrating the incredible heritage of British railways.

๐Ÿ“ Open today, tomorrow and Wednesday
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Book your visit: www.eastsomersetrailway.com
๐Ÿ“ž 01749 880417

Don't miss out โ€“ this is Railway 200 history in motion!

#66710

01/06/2026

SHE'S HERE!

The Railway 200 Inspiration Train has arrived at Cranmore!

Last night, Karen Harrison 66710 led the spectacular journey from Westbury, bringing this incredible high-tech train to East Somerset Railway for a 3-day visit (1-3 June). The Michael Portillo loco is currently in Westbury yard, but what a sight to see the Inspiration Train rolling into our station!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience hands-on railway history and see how the railways have evolved over 200 years. The Inspiration Train is packed with interactive exhibits celebrating the incredible heritage of British railways.

๐Ÿ“ Open today, tomorrow and Wednesday
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Book your visit: www.eastsomersetrailway.com
๐Ÿ“ž 01749 880417

Don't miss out โ€“ this is Railway 200 history in motion!

#66710

Address

Cranmore Railway Station
Cranmore
BA44QP

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 9am - 3:30pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01749880417

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