Development: Cardiff to Minehead rail service?

[TheObserver]

An intriguing story was posted to the Railfuture website on 14 December 2015, involving a new 'pressure group' set up by the Minehead Chamber of Commerce" with the aim of introducing through running of trains between Minehead and Taunton.

• It is suggested that the Cardiff to Taunton service could become the Cardiff to Minehead service.

To read the complete article link to: http://www.railfuture.org.uk/article163 ... -rail-link

[Rhobat Bryn]

Why not extend the Sprinter service from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard and terminate there; the WSR can then take passengers onto Minehead as now.

[Mike87f]

The WSR's own vision does include through services from Taunton to Bishop's Lydiard terminating in a bay capable of taking 2x2 Class 158s. They have advanced plans in place. These connections link with the heritage line's timetable of course, not a full time service. What proportion of through travellers, having got to BL, would then want to continue in a TOCs DMU rather than a steam or heritage diesel hauled train? Rather few I think. That's why WSR are planning a major development at BL, they don't really want visitors to by pass BL and only visit Minehead, which doesn't have a big visitor's centre for example.