REALLY SideTracked - Wellington (Somerset)
You are standing right by the now disused station in Wellington. You can see the platform remains if you look over the foot bridge to the track. Little remains now but when the Summer growth isn't there you can still see the platform remaining for trains to the South West. The other side of the line remains a goods shed from when the station was here. While you are here also admire the new graffiti commissioned by the council to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
History of Wellington Station
The station was opened when the line reached the town in 1843. The line used to terminate at Beam Bridge until the route to Exeter was completed in 1844. It was always known as Wellington (Somerset) to distinguish it from Wellington Station in Shropshire. The lines were altered in 1932 to accommodate two loop lines. It also is the start of a steep incline, banking locomotives were kept here to assist trains up to Whiteball Tunnel.
It was shut in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts. Below is an old OS map showing the layout of the station.
Passengers on the old platform. The footbridge is long gone.
Future of the Station
Wellington has been selected to have a station reopened possibly by even 2026. It cannot reopen on the old site because a factory now uses the site including several large gas storage tanks which cannot be moved.
As you look across the road bridge to the Relyon factory the proposed new station is on farm land just beyond this.
The Cache
Its a busy GZ as this footbridge is well used - I have given a specific hint so its a QEF. Please do use stealth and replace the cache as hidden so it can't be seen as passing.
About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breath taking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website