The Yeovil Railway Centre is a small railway museum at Yeovil Junction railway station, Yeovil Junction on the London and South Western Railway, L&SWR West of England Main Line between Salisbury railway station, Salisbury and Exeter Central railway station, Exeter in the U.K. It was created in 1993, in response to British Rail's decision to remove the Turntable (rail), turntable from Yeovil Junction. Approximately ¼ mile of track along the Clifton Maybank spur is used for demonstration trains.

Description

The site contains a Great Western Railway, G.W.R. Goods shed, transfer shed built in the 1860s, which was erected to facilitate the transfer of goods from broad gauge to standard gauge freight wagons. This is the last remaining shed of its type on its original site and has been converted to a visitor centre. The site also has an Southern Railway (Great Britain), S.R. turntable (rail), turntable and a 15,000 gallon water tower. These have been restored to working order for the servicing of steam locomotives. An Motive power depot, engine shed was built and opened in 1999.

Events

The centre holds regular events including Train Days where steam train rides are operated, using a brake van down the Clifton Maybank spur, and the turntable is demonstrated. Often there are additional attractions on site such as a miniature railway, shed tours, model railway and art gallery. Other events include the Train & Tractor Day and Santa Specials. Mainline steam excursions to Exeter or Weymouth, Dorset, Weymouth often call here for the locomotive to be turned and serviced.

Stock List

Steam locomotives

* Peckett and Sons, Peckett ''Pectin''. Operational, returned to service March 2022. *Andrew Barclay Sons & Co., Andrew Barclay ''Lord Fisher''. Operational.

Diesel Locomotives

* British Rail Class 50 50050 ''Fearless'' (''Privately Owned''). Left 2015 * Ruston (engine builder), Ruston & Hornsby Shunting engine * John Fowler & Co., Fowler "Cockney Rebel" * Fowler "Sam"

External links

Official site

References

{{authority control Heritage railways in Somerset Buildings and structures in Yeovil Museums in Somerset Railway museums in England