Last Day of the Minehead Branch

A ride from Taunton to Minehead by DMU on the last day of BR operation in January 1971 of the branch destined to become the West Somerset Railway. Whilst waiting at Norton Fitzwarren for access to the branch, we are passed by Hymek and Western diesel hauled trains.

[@barrysergeant2438]

My grandparents lived in Watchet,can remember spending hols there as a child in the late 50’s /60’s and watching panniers and 2251’s shunting there then going back as a teenager in 1968 when it was a ‘basic railway’stark contrast!

[@paulweeks2006]

Wonderful footage of the branch before full closure by BR. A moment in time captured forever - thanks to John Simmons ....... RIP

[@alanrobertson9790]

I count myself lucky that we had a holiday in Minehead, Summer 1970 and travelled on the train. Following year it was Ilfracombe where the line had closed.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Yes today minehead is now the starting point on the preserved west Somerset railway

[@JintySteam1]

2:09 I think thats actually Blue Anchor. Those look like the camping coaches.

[@iwbarke]

Really good to see a clip of the "Minehead Branch" from before it closed, even though closure was very much in mind here. Apart from the number of people at the stations that's just how I remember childhood journeys for a holiday with my aunt at Minehead. Hopefully managing to sit near the front of the DMU, a good view as we turned off at Norton Fitzwarren, watching the rabbits run and the pheasants fly around Crowcombe, looking to see if there were any boats at Watchet, spotting the camping coaches at Blue Anchor, seeing North Hill in the distance and then Dunster Castle and the clear view along the straight to Minehead as my sister and I became more excited about seeing our cousins. Must try to get down there again before too long!

[@ADMIRALSCORNER]

What a precious record!!

[@SpoonyMcSpoonface]

One of those lines that should never have closed.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

What great footage! I'm a fireman on the West Somerset now and again, so for me it's great to see how it once was. Thanks for sharing. Simon

[@lennylaa1686]

Thanks for this remarkable piece of film, social history for future viewers.

[@davidcrook5511]

Thank you for sharing this!! Even saw the number of one of the dmu cars W51103 a Gloucester cross-country class 119 and good to see some 120s again Good to see the whole video and what a wonderful sunset! Even better that the line reopened as the West Somerset Railway!!

[@JintySteam1]

Why does old film sometimes go red? I'm just curious. Is it something that happens when the film is processed?

[@MsSteve70]

I think it's actually the transfer process to video which in this case was done through a very poor prism mirror set-up which let some extraneous light in. These days most film transfers are digitally scanned frame by frame. I'd love to see this film properly transferred.