Copyright © 2004-2016

Paul Gregory  

North Somerset Light Railway Company

• In the 1950s there was an attempt to reopen part of the WC&PR as a narrow gauge railway for tourists. The prime movers were Mr S Jones-Frank and Major WDI Gunn, Bristol railway enthusiasts.

• In March 1955, the British Transport Commission approved the foundation of the North Somerset Light Railway Company, the first private railway company to be floated since nationalisation.

• The company planned to run 12 trains a day on a 6.5 mile stretch of 2’ 8” gauge track between Clevedon and the outskirts of Weston at Worle. The original trackbed was to be followed to a point a little short of the Clevedon station, departing from the route and curving towards Salthouse Fields where it would terminate.

• In 1956 they purchased a loco, Septimus, a Peckett 0-4-2ST No 1808 built in 1930, from the Furzebrook Railway. Unfortunately the plans foundered and the railway was never built. It is believed that Septimus went to Peckett's works at Bristol in 1956 and was scrapped in 1962.

• See also Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum.

This subject is still being researched. More details to follow - watch this space.

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