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Answer: The East Somerset Railway is based in the village of Cranmore, 3 miles from Shepton Mallet in Somerset, post code BA4 4QP. Click on Getting to the ESR for directions and maps.

Steam trains run from the middle of March until October on Saturdays and Sundays. From June onwards we also run on Wednesdays and during August ONLY we run on Thursdays as well. We run on all Bank Holidays. See the Timetable for full details.

Yes, we happily welcome well behaved dogs at the East Somerset Railway. They ride FREE and we just ask that they be kept on leads, do not sit on the carriage seats and have a treat from our dog treat jar in the station shop. We are sorry but dogs cannot ride on all Dining Trains and Santa Specials and due to large numbers of excitable children being present which some dogs find stressful, The Gruffalo, PJ Masks and Paw Patrol Events. Assistance dogs are welcome at all times.

Yes, we have a large free car park with no height restrictions. There are several Disabled Parking spaces at the front of the car park and if you need flat access to the platform please take the lane to the right of our main entrance (signed no entry but please ignore this). Follow the lane to the old station buildings and there are a couple of Disabled Parking spaces and a drop off area with flat access onto the platform.

Our line is 2.5 miles long and meanders through the Mendip countryside. The standard train journey is a round trip from Cranmore Station which takes approximately 40 minutes. The train leaves Cranmore and heads towards Shepton Mallet to the Mendip Vale platform. There is no station or things to visit here but you are welcome to get out on the platform, enjoy the scenery, watch the engine run around the carriages and chat to the crew, before the return trip. The train stops at Cranmore West on the way back and you are welcome to get off here to look around our Engine Shed and Workshop, with a short walk back to Cranmore Station. Alternatively you can ride the train the whole way and walk up and back to the Engine Shed and Workshop. We have a small Museum on the platform, our shop and café are open and the Signal Box and Miniature Railway are open on specific days only.

We run many great events throughout our season including a Steam Gala, Dining Trains, many Children's Events and pop Events too. See our Events page for details.

The limit of operation for the East Somerset Railway is Cranmore Station but the track continues on to the mainline between Frome and Castle Cary, near the village of Witham. This line is used for heavy quarry traffic from the Merehead Quarry and the last mile or so before Cranmore Station is very rarely used for excursion traffic to the ESR.

Yes of course, we would love to help you celebrate your special event.  Email us on [email protected] with details  or contact our office on 01749 880417(Monday-Friday 9.30-3.30)

The Engine Roster is subject to change but if you would like know which engine is due to run on a particular date please either email us or call the office on 01749 880417 (Monday-Friday 9.30am-3.30pm).