An unofficial website featuring the West Somerset Railway
Watchet 1862
A map redrawn from a rather poor quality photostat copy of a map drafted way back in 1862. The copy was acquired by the late Chris van den Arend, a great and long serving volunteer and officer of the current West Somerset Railway.
The original map may have been produced by the Bristol & Exeter Railway who operated the West Somerset Railway in the latter's early years. It certainly has the look and feel of a railway map of that era.
As expected, the map correctly shows the rails to Brunel's favoured broad gauge (7 ft 0ΒΌ in).
Perhaps it was customary in those days to omit pointwork here and there as the line from the engine shed to the turntable crosses a couple of tracks but connects with neither.
Near the goods shed is the fabled traverser which allowed wagons to move to and from the harbour lines. More likely the rectangular shape is a cattle pen.
In 1862, and for another twelve years, Watchet Station was the terminus of the line from 'Watchet Junction' (long renamed as 'Norton Fitzwarren Junction') on the main Bristol & Exeter Railway.
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence © Steve Edge
Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.