29th May 2006

Just west of Crewkerne station, and 5 miles east of Chard Junction, is Hewish Gates. A signal box was opened here in 1900, and railway cottages were built. A siding was also placed here at the same time. During the war a loop was added, and the siding was used to take coal trains as a coal dump was established for emergencies. Knowing this place now it is incredible to think that this quiet and out-of-the-way rural location would see up to 30-wagon trains of Welsh coal arriving for unloading! The siding closed eventually in 1963 and the loop and signal box closed in 1967, when the line was singled.

Anyway, back to the 21st century and under a threatening sky at 16.48 the South West Trains 14.20 London Waterloo to Paignton service shoots by with Class 159 DMUs nos. 159003 and 159016. The ex-SR permanent way hut is a nice reminder of the line's heritage.