I have skipped Martock Station for now, as I’m waiting on permission to film on the site. Instead, we’re going to cover the halt at Thorney & Kingsbury.
The halt opened much later than the line, in November 1927.
The halt was just north of Thorney. The green line shows the old trackbed, as it draws parallel to the River Parrett.
Photos of Thorney & Kingsbury
Original opened on the 28th November 1927, but there were dew dwellings in the vicinity. It was more than a mile north of Kingsbury Episcopi. There was a small office at the end of the building, which was photographed here in 1962. Image by C. L. Caddy.
Large prairie 61xx 2-6-2T 6146 leaves Thorney Halt on 25th January 1962 with the 9:50 Taunton to Yeovil. The class was very much a fireman’s engine, with a free steaming boiler and plenty of room to swing a shovel. This was unlike the usual smaller prairie tanks that were used on the line.
The 61xx class was designed by C. B. Collett for suburban traffic in the London area and this engine was previously based in Slough (81B), before being relocated to Taunton (83B). Image by J. Cornelius.
57xxx 0-6-0 pannier tank no 5798 drifts past the the milk siding at Thorney. It was heading to her home shed at Taunton with a lightweight fright, just an empty coal wagon and a ‘toad’ brakevan. Taken on 26th February 1962. Image by J. Cornelius.
With steam blowing from the clack valve on the fireman’s inject, ex-GWR prairie tank 4591 calls at Thorney with the 4:00pm from Yeovil Pen Mill to Taunton. Taken 29th Mat 1964. Image by J. Cornelius.
Got Milk?
Standing on the road bridge, and looking north, towards Langport. The siding was provided on 21st November 1932 for the Nestle and Anglo Swiss Condensed Milk Company. A single oil lamp was thoughtfully provided for nocturnal shunting. Taken 1964. Image by J. H. Day.
Here we see class 3MT 2-6-2T 82008 pauses just past the halt with the 12:00pm Taunton to Yeovil on 8th February 1962. Nestles dairy can be seen on the right. The private siding agreement between the GWR and Nestles and Anglo Swiss Condensed Milk Co. dates from 21st November 1932. Image by J. Cornelius.
Thorney & Kingsbury Today – The Southern Side
I have been to the site today, but sadly, there isn’t much to see. It’s impossible to get down to the north side of the bridge, but here is what I could see.
This is what the halt looks like today. We are looking north with the main road, Thorney Road, crossing from left to right. You can clearly see where the old track was, but under the bridge, the entire halt has been filled in.
Standing on the same bridge, and looking south, there are the remains of the old Nestle buildings. There is nothing of the track left, but you can just about make out where it was.
I was given permission to film on the southern side of the bridge. Oddly, there is a tunnel under the bridge, for the local wildlife.
Just to the left there are remains of the milk dock and buildings. They have, as you can see, fallen into disrepair.
This image is with the bridge behind you, again, looking at the old Nestle building. The track and siding are completely in the undergrowth, with nothing to see now.
Thorney Today – The Northern Side
This time, stood on the bridge, looking north. A little of the platform remains, but I’ve had to highlight it in the red circle. The iron road has vanished, but you can clearly see it heading off towards Langport.
If you stop and look in the bushes, there is still signs of the gate at the top of the stairs on the northern side. It is very difficult to find these days, though.
Then and Now
As will all of the Then & Now images I create, Thorney was just as difficult. Sadly, I could only get on the southern side of the bridge, but here we do.
Standing on the bridge, looking south, one shows a pristine tracks, a well used siding, and a busy milk dock. The now image shows it as a storage area for a local business.
I think this is correct; with the siding coming off to the left. The then image has a cute little halt, with a loco thunder through. The now image has nothing left to see, but just where the bridge used to be.
Up Next
I will get to Martock, hopefully over the next week or so. Sadly, I don’t have many images of Martock, but I will do the best I can.
Thank you to Derek Philips, South Somerset Historical Collection, and Middleton Press, for the use of their images from their books and collection.
And a quick reminder, if you have any movie footage of the line, photos or memories, please get in touch with me. I would love to hear from you.
