East Somerset Railway
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The East Somerset Railway operates a 2.5 mile preserved railway on standard gauge. The line was built in 1855 as a broad gauge line. The line was originally between Witham and Shepton Mallet and this line opened on 9th November 1858. It was later extended to Wells, this part of the line was opened on 1st March 1862. The East Somerset Railway was bought by the Great Western Railway in 1874. It remained in use with the GWR and later BR until passenger service finally ceased in 1963. Today it plays host to a variety of preserved diesel and steam locomotives.
The East Somerset Railway only operates the line between Cranmore and Mendip Vale, the section between Cranmore and the mainline is used for heavy quarry traffic to the nearby Merehead Quarry.