A SOMERSET railway station has been nominated for a top award.

The Blue Anchor Railway Station, on the West Somerset Railway (WSR), has been shortlisted for the Heritage Railway Association’s Annual Awards, in the Station Of The Year category.

Originally opened in 1874, when the original West Somerset Railway was extended from Watchet to Minehead, the track through the station was originally laid to the seven feet and quarter inch broad gauge championed by the great Victorian engineer Brunel.

However, it was converted to standard gauge in 1882, a decade before the wider gauge finally disappeared from Britain’s railway map.

The station is architecturally unusual, as the main buildings of stations at Washford, Dunster and Minehead look alike, but Blue Anchor’s structures are very different and brick built, rather than stone.

“These include the signal box which also controls the level crossing gates by means of a large wheel in the box, preserving a sight that was once common but has now almost vanished in Britain,” a WSR spokespersons said.

“The opening of the gates and trains passing over the road as the enter or leave the station has been photographed or filmed countless times.

“What was once the waiting room on the platform for Minehead bound trains now houses a museum which is part of the work of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Association and is open when trains are calling at the station, following refurbishment work on the building and a new interior layout.”

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When the current WSR began to reopen in 1976, trains initially offered round trips between Minehead and Blue Anchor, until the section of line to Williton saw services extended later in that year.

As with other stations on the WSR, Blue Anchor is staffed and maintained by volunteers.

WSR general manager, Kerry Noble, said: “It’s wonderful news that Blue Anchor has been nominated for this national award and recognition of the work of many volunteers both currently and in the last half century.

“All of our ten stations are the ‘gateways’ to the railway and the station teams do so much to make them look attractive and welcoming.

“We look forward to them continuing this vital part of the West Somerset Railway during our 50th Anniversary Year in 2026 and for many more years into the future.”