Saturday 16th August 2025

Today we take the fabulous ‘Hastings DEMU’ to the West Country as we visit the charming West Somerset Railway (WSR) and travel to the Somerset seaside resort of Minehead – the home of one of the country’s three remaining Butlins resorts – and line’s end of the WSR.  

The Hastings DEMUs are from a class of 23 diesel-electric trains built in the late 1950’s to replace steam-hauled stock operating between London and Hastings via Tunbridge Wells. The six-coach units, incorporating diesel generators at each end, were unique in having especially narrow bodies which enabled them to pass through the unusually narrow tunnels on the Hastings line. They were finally withdrawn in 1986.

Our train starts in Tonbridge with additional pick ups at Orpington, Bromley South and, after unusually traversing the Lindford Street flyover, London Waterloo.

Our departure from London Waterloo sees us skirt the southern banks of the River Thames as we gather pace for what hopefully will prove to be a spirited run down the South Western Main Line to Basingstoke and thence Salisbury. Here we deviate to the north joining the Wessex main line and, after passing through the military town of Warminster, we arrive at Westbury where we are booked to reverse.

We now resume our journey west towards Castle Cary and then the county town of Taunton. It is here – or more precisely at Norton Fitzwarren – that the West Somerset Railway connects with the national network.

The West Somerset Railway is the longest operating heritage railway line in the country – although the normal operating limits are between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. We will have the opportunity to enjoy the full length of the line – some 22.75 miles as our train meanders towards the coast at Minehead.

You will have the opportunity to alight at Bishops Lydeard or remain on the train to Minehead. Here you will have about three hours to enjoy the attractions of the town (the station is very centrally located)  or simply take in the ambience of the former GWR station – originally opened in 1874 and boasting its own turntable brought into use in 2008.

Off Train Option – The West Somerset Railway

Alternatively, we can offer you a supplementary option to join a West Somerset Railway service train for the 20 mile journey back to Bishops Lydeard. Here you will have time to explore the museum before rejoining our charter train for the journey home. This one way journey is expected to be hauled by one of the WSR’s steam locomotives, though please remember warm weather or just bad luck can affect locomotive allocations on the day. The cost of this supplementary option is £22.

Our journey home offers yet more variety as we are routed via the ‘Berks & Hants line’ avoiding Westbury and passing through Newbury. We regain more traditional southern region metals at Reading, albeit this is the ‘North Downs line’ and significant sections remain unelectrified – quite unusual for the Southern region.

We reverse at Guildford and by doing so we shortly rejoin the South Western mainline at Woking from where we retrace our route back to London Waterloo (reverse) and Tonbridge where we expect to arrive at a quite sociable time.

Timings now confirmed

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There is no First Class Dining on this train. There is a well stocked buffet onboard offering plenty to eat and drink.

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