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Bridgwater

Blake

Museum

Bridgwater’s Heritage

From Stone Age to Modern Age, there’s something for everyone.
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Copyright © Bridgwater Blake Museum 2024
Bristol & Exeter Railway and Great Western Railway The start of the line was in August 1835 when the Parliamentary Act was passed. Construction reached Bridgwater in May 1841, and the first passenger train from Bristol to the town ran on 14 June 1841. From then on, until the line was finished, passengers were transported onwards by coach. The section to Taunton was completed in July 1842, and the Exeter section in May 1844.
The company leased the line to the Great Western Railway for five years once the line had reached Bridgwater. The lease reverted and the line was run by the Bristol and Exeter Company until August 1876 when the GWR and B&E companies amalgamated. The line was managed by the GWR until nationalisation and thereafter by British Rail.
Image of Fire Fly class locomontive
Fire Fly class locomotive.
Fire Ball (1840–1866) Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase, Fire Ball hauled the first train from Temple Meads to Bath on 31 August 1840, and from Temple Meads to Bridgwater on 14 June 1841. It was rebuilt c.1849 as a saddle tank locomotive. This was one of six Fire Fly class locomotives named with a fire theme - the term fire ball refers to an explosion of fire.
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Bristol & Exeter Railway and Great Western Railway The start of the line was in August 1835 when the Parliamentary Act was passed. Construction reached Bridgwater in May 1841, and the first passenger train from Bristol to the town ran on 14 June 1841. From then on, until the line was finished, passengers were transported onwards by coach. The section to Taunton was completed in July 1842, and the Exeter section in May 1844.
The company leased the line to the Great Western Railway for five years once the line had reached Bridgwater. The lease reverted and the line was run by the Bristol and Exeter Company until August 1876 when the GWR and B&E companies amalgamated. The line was managed by the GWR until nationalisation and thereafter by British Rail.
Image of Fire Fly class locomontive
Fire Fly class locomotive.
Fire Ball (1840–1866) Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4- inch (4.06 m) wheelbase, Fire Ball hauled the first train from Temple Meads to Bath on 31 August 1840, and from Temple Meads to Bridgwater on 14 June 1841. It was rebuilt c.1849 as a saddle tank locomotive. This was one of six Fire Fly class locomotives named with a fire theme - the term fire ball refers to an explosion of fire.
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Copyright © Bridgwater Blake Museum 2024
Contact: Tel:01278456127. Email here Please check your junk mail folder after three days.

Bridgwater

Blake

Museum

Bridgwater’s Heritage