Weston-super-Mare - of Railways, Ferries and Coaches

In Alexandra Parade, at the site of Weston's first railway station, is a replica of Stephenson’s “North Star”.  In the 21^st. century this delightful floral display stands next to the Floral Clock.

Just up the road is the “new” railway station built in 1884.  Much the same now as it was back then apart from the very bland name plate.  If you need to Spend a Penny here then you can, but you will need to have a train ticket to get onto the platform.  The toilets are on Platform 2 just under the bridge.

In a yard next to the railway station, the once proud Bristol Queen sits forlornly in “dry dock”.  

Bristol Queen

She was built to the order of the London Midland & Scottish Railway Company at the Leven Shipyard in Dunbarton and was to be used for special passenger excursions on the River Clyde at the time of the Empire Exhibition.  She was launched in May 1938 and originally named “Leven”.  During the Second World War she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and went down in history as the boat which landed the first German Prisoners of War.

After the war she went back into service on the Clyde and in the mid 1960s found herself on holiday excursion duties in Torbay – by this time named Pride of the Bay.  In the 80s and 90s she was operating in Jersey before being sold to MW Marine of Weston.  In the year 2000 she was refitted in Bristol, renamed the Bristol Queen and became the Steep Holm ferry.  She is now out of service awaiting another refit.  I do hope that happens sooner rather than later because the rust increases with every passing month.

For those who prefer to travel by road the coach stop is opposite the railway station in the Locking Road carpark.  Refurbished public toilets operated by Weston Town Council can be found here.  

Get that 20p ready for the door!