ABOUT Welcome to the Gartell Light Railway.
Travel behind Steam & Diesel hauled trains on the old Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway through the heart of the wonderful Blackmore Vale
About us
John and Christine Gartell, their family and friends look forward to welcoming you to the narrow gauge Gartell Light Railway. Step back in time to a more leisurely age and ride through the beautiful Blackmore Vale countryside along the route of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway.
Our delightful half-size trains are operated in exactly the same way as their full-size counterparts, with every train movement governed by an array of semaphore and colour-light signals controlled by the signalman in two signal boxes. It is therefore no exaggeration to say that the Gartell Light Railway is a working museum of traditional railway practice.
Visitors often tell us: "We live locally but we had no idea that the railway was here. We shall certainly come again. Everyone is so friendly and it's such good value for money."
So come along and see for yourself.
Open Days Open days 2012
Open Days 2012
Saturday 11 February (Model Railway Exhibition)
Sunday 12 February (Model Railway Exhibition)
Bank Holiday Monday 9th April
Bank Holiday Monday 7th May
Jubilee Holiday Monday 4th June
Sunday 24th June
Saturday 28th July (Steam & Vintage Show)
Sunday 29st July (Steam & Vintage Show)
Sunday 5th August
Sunday 12th August
Sunday 19st August
Sunday 26th August
Bank Holiday Monday 27th August
Sunday 30th September
Sunday 28th October
Locomotives Locomotives
- No 1 - Amanda
- No 2 - Andrew
- No 5 - Alison
- No 6 - Mr G
- No 9 - Jean
- Old Locos
No 5 - Alison No. 5 - Alison
A 75hp Alan Keef diesel hydraulic, was built in 1983. A donor engine was installed into No 5 as when it arrived it didn't have one. The donor engine being of a
4-cylinder Deutz Air-Cooled type. After some ten years of front-line service, she has now become the standby locomotive and station pilot at Common Lane.
No 6 - Mr G No 6 - Mr G
No.6, Mr G, is the railways first steam locomotive. An 0-4-2T, built specially for the line by the North Dorset Loco Works at Motcombe, near Shaftesbury, it entered service in June 1998. It is named after John Gartell’s late father, who was affectionately known by the railway’s volunteer workforce as “Mr G”,
No 9 - Jean No. 9 - Jean
No.9 - Jean, named after the engine builders wife. Jean is an 0-4-0 tender tank engine, is the railways second steam locomotive. Build at the builders home and at the Railways onsite workshops.
Jean was brought into service 2009
Special Events Special Events
- DCVA Auctions
- Model Railway Ex
- Steam Show
- The Pines Suite
- Talisman Railwayana
DCVA Auctions 
Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions was launched in 2006 by Brian R. Chant M.I.M.I
and is in addition to his other business Unicorn Motor Company, which carries out high class Body Repairs to modern and classic vehicles.
2011
Winter: Thursday 8th December
2012
Spring: Thursday 22 March
Summer: Thursday 14 June
Autumn: Thursday 20 September
Winter: Thursday 6 December
Viewing the day before the Sale from 10.00 am until 7.00 pm, and on Sale Day from 10.00 am. (VIEWING IS BY CATALOGUE ONLY)
Sale Starts 11.00 am.
Catalogue Price £10 (Admits two) By Post £13
For more information please visit their website at :-
DVCA Auctions Model Railway Ex 11th/12th February 2012
Sat 10.00 – 17.00
Sun 10.00 – 16.00
Adults - £4.00
Concessions - £3.00
10+ layouts expected (Nn3, N, OO)
Trade Stands
Historical railway display,
Demonstrations
Refreshments
Steam Train service (2ft) on the Gartell Light Railway (for a small addition charge)
Contact - roddrail_gmail.com
Website – www.glr-online.co.uk
Exhibition only – 07970 113270
The Pines Suite The Pines Suite
A unique venue for any occasion..
The Pines is a well established family fun function suite at the Gartell Light Railway in Yenston, Somerset.
Situated in the heart of the Blackmore Vale, The Pines provides a peaceful setting with picturesque views and a feel of tranquility whilst being close to surrounding towns and villages and good transport links.
The Pines can cater for up to 200 guests and hold a full bar and entertainment license. The ideal location for any function, be it a wedding reception, corporate seminar or party.
Catering can be provided by us or can be sourced by yourselves.
We hold a full entertainment license so can accommodate a disco or live music.
Train rides can be included as part of your function – price on application.
Please visit our Pines website for more information and contact details.
Click Below
Pines Suite Talisman Railwayana Talisman Railwayana Auctions
Their next auction at the Railway is
Saturday 5th May 2012
Each auction carries an extensive, varied range of very high quality lots.
Our bidding policy ensures that a TALISMAN AUCTION is a fair and enjoyable event.
Talisman are pleased to announce that we are now sending out FREE catalogues.
Please visit their website for more information and contact details.
Click Below
Talisman Railwayana Auctions 
Find Us We're here
Remember. Access is only on opendays or special parties/events. The Gartell Light Railway is operated on private land.
Directions
By Road -
Traveling from the A303 . Leave at Wincanton, left at first roundabout, straight over the roundabout to nowhere, over the hill to the next. First exit onto the A357 for Templecombe. Stay on this road, at Templecombe you'll start to pickup temporary
brown Tourist Information signs to the Railway.
Traveling on the A30 . Follow the A30 to Henstridge, turn onto the A357 for Templecombe also signed up for Station.
You'll start to pickup temporary brown Tourist Information Signs.
By Rail :-
Arrive at Templecombe. Either taxi or walk from station, there are a couple of hills and its about 15 - 20 min walk.
©Gartell Light Railway 1999-2010 - GLR-online is a privatly run website for the Gartell Light Railway. Events/Facilities/Dates are subject to change without prior nofication
