Name: Yeovil Railway Centre
Rating: 5.0

Yeovil Railway Centre

Yeovil Junction Station, Stoford, Yeovil, Somerset and Bristol, BA22 9UU, England

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Yeovil Railway Centre is a historic railway attraction located at Yeovil Junction Station in Somerset, United Kingdom. It offers a mix of railway heritage, hands-on exhibits, and train rides in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. The centre is ideal for families, railway enthusiasts, and visitors interested in Britain’s rail history.

The site features a Grade II listed 1864 Great Western Railway Transfer Shed, showcasing the history of broad and standard gauge railways. Visitors can explore the railway museum, interactive signalling exhibits including the Chard Junction signal panel, a large model railway layout, and a miniature railway with unlimited rides on open days. Other attractions include railwayana displays, historic artefacts, and Driver Experience / Train Crew events for adults aged 18+.

Admission with a steam train ride costs £13.00 for adults, £6.50 for children, with children under 5 free, and one child aged 5–15 admitted free with a full-paying adult. Unlimited miniature railway rides are included in the admission price.

Yeovil Railway Centre offers an enjoyable and educational day out with a strong focus on railway heritage. The combination of museums, train rides, and interactive displays makes it engaging for both children and adults. With free parking, a volunteer-run café, and easy access by train, it is a great choice for a relaxed family visit or railway-themed day out in Somerset.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Museum: Built in 1864 by Great Western Railway (GWR), this building is historic and Grade 2 listed. With GWR being broad gauge (7ft - actually 7ft.01/4 in) and London & South Western Railway (LSWR) standard or narrow gauge (4ft 81/2 in), their wagons could not run on each others lines and therefore it was necessary to manually transfer the loads. Situated at the end of the Clifton Maybank branch (which diverged from Yeovil Pen Mill to Weymouth line), the Shed opened on 13 June 1864. The set up comprised a covered, but open ended, Transfer Shed and Shed Masters office and outside loading dock.
Signalling: Chard Junction signal panel, including the crossing at Axminster, and Axminster Station was brought into use on 27th November 2009 after the doubling of the line through Axminster Station. Chard Junction Signalbox finally closed at 0115hrs on 10th March 2012. The panel was removed and taken to Yeovil Railway Centre. During 2023, operational limitations of the current housing was discovered, leading to a new a new electronics cabinet being collected and installed. The Chard Junction signal panel is progressing well thanks to the help of Ian who is able to help program the Axminster section of the panel using JMRI. There is plenty more to be done with the museum space to gain many more interactive signalling related exhibits as time and funds allow.
Driver Experience: For our Driver Experience/Train Crew events you will need to be a minimum of 18 years old, medically able and reasonably fit as some climbing onto engines will be involved. Please provide overalls or clothes (including shirts with long sleeves) that you don't mind getting dirty, gloves and stout footwear. We can often adjust our solo events to suit a person's condition.
Railwayana: Located on our Mezzanine floor is our dedicated museum space, this is full of local and general railwayana. You will find the rest of our site is decorated up with original signs, various platform equipment and local historical artifacts.
Miniature Railway: The miniature railway is run by our friends at the Westland and Yeovil District Model Engineering Society. It runs on most our open days and unlimited rides are included within the YRC admission.
Model Railway: YRC is home to a substantial approx 40ft long DCC model railway built by our volunteers, with a OO9 section as well for the narrow gauge enthusiast. When you visit keep eye out to find all the emergency services vehicles. Many of our Wessex Wagons will also be on show going around they layout.

Facilities

Parking: Free parking available.
Food & Drinks: Our volunteer run Cafe is based in our Transfer shed. We have you covered with our popular full English breakfasts though to a range of light lunch options. With hot and cold drinks though to cake and snacks at most of our events you wont go hungry.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Admission (Steam Train ride)

Adult: £13
Children: £6.50
Children under 5: Free
One Child (aged (5-15)) is admitted FREE with a full paying adult

Pricing URL: https://www.yeovilrailwaycentre.co.uk/events/event1

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open every Sunday from 10am to noon

Address: Yeovil Junction Station, Stoford, Yeovil, Somerset and Bristol, BA22 9UU, England

Post Code: BA22 9UU

Council: Somerset

County: Somerset

Our site is part of Yeovil Junction station which is served by South Western Railway on the route London Waterloo-Salisbury-Yeovil Junction-Exeter. By road simply follow the signs to Yeovil Junction station, BA22 9UU from Yeovil Town centre or from A37 Dorchester-Yeovil road.
As you approach the main station half way up the Yeovil Junction station approach road turn right under a bridge into our site. We have free carparking subject to availability. Please check first if traveling to us by exceptionally large vehicles (large motorhome or coach) there is a height limit entering our site.