As a volunteer on the West Somerset Railway I would like to give my thoughts on the suggestion that trains run from Minehead to Taunton.

To go back to the creation of the West Somerset Railway in 1976 and extended to Bishops Lydeard in 1979, an agreement was made with the bus drivers union that trains would not run to Taunton and trains would only be used for tourism purposes.

I would like to know, who would Minehead Town Council suggest manned the trains to Taunton? Would the trains be steam hauled? It is, after all a heritage railway.

Network rail would not allow it as the WSR rolling stock is not up to the standard required to run on the main line.

A two-car diesel, you say. Crewed by who? If you suggest volunteers, what time do you suggest the first train departs Minehead? You will need station staff, a guard, a driver and someone on board to sell tickets. Now you need to find staff to arrive at Minehead Station an hour before the train departs to prepare the train.

Now find the passengers. Who wants to go to Taunton Station which is not near any schools, shops, factories, or offices. All you are left with are people wishing to travel further afield by using mainline train services.

I do not think there would be sufficient travellers to sustain your proposed train service. British Rail couldn’t do it in 1970.

David Cox, By email