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| Click on the thumbnail to see the full size photo in a new browser window. Special events have their own pages, starting with Spring Steam Gala followed by Mixed Traction 2012, this page records the everyday variety on the West Somerset Railway. March_2012 April_2012 July_2012 August_2012 September_2012 October_2012
WSRA owned small prairie 4561 is in the early stages of an overhaul, the boiler and tanks are seen outside the Swindon Shed workshops at Williton on 17 March during the Spring Steam Gala
Auto trailer 169 is being restored at Williton, the underframe and part of the body are in the Swindon Shed at Williton, also seen during the Gala.
The cab end of 169 was in a nearby industrial unit and is seen here filling the doorway.
Another GWR carriage being restored at Williton is the Heritage Carriage Project's toplight 6705 which was in the early stages of painting in this view taken on 17 March.
Sidelined during the Steam Gala the DEPG's diesels were on shed at Williton, in this line are Hymek D7017, Warship D832 Onslaught, Class 14 D9526 and Brush type 4 D1661 North Star.
Warship D832 Onslaught was looking very smart after its repaint in green livery.
"Western" D1010 Western Campaigner was largely sheeted over on 17 March but was carrying the nameplate of D1035 Western Yeoman.
In the DEPG's workshops Class 33 D6575 was looking very smart and will hopefully soon be back in traffic after restoration.
A recent addition to the DEPG's fleet is Class 14 D9518 which is awaiting much needed attention!
On Sunday 25 March clear sidings allowed a view of the new Friends of Minehead Station workshop building, part of a general tidy up of this part of the station site.
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Large prairie 4160 basking in the sunshine on 15 April with no clue that the sea front is just behind the vans.
SDJR 2-8-0 No. 88 having the "Quantock Belle" headboard fitted ready for the return run from Minehead.
No. 88 waiting in the sun with the "Quantock Belle" on 15 April with North Hill in the background.
Small prairie 5553 (stopped for overhaul) and recently out shopped "Manor" 7828 Norton Manor - 40 Commando outside the shed at Minehead on 15 April.
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On 21 July 34067 Tangmere worked Paddington - Minehead to Bishops Lydeard where she is seen waiting to go to Norton Fitzwarren to turn on the triangle.
34067 is a Bulleid Southern Railway "Battle of Britain" class pacific named after the WWII fighter base in Kent whose crest she carries under her nameplate.
Tangmere setting off for the triangle passing a Southern diesel, Class 33 "Crompton" D6566 stood in up sidings with Tangmere's support coach.
Resident GW 2-8-0 3850 took over the special for the run on to Minehead.
Plenty of steam from her drain cocks as 3850 gets her 10 coach load smoothly away.
3850 accelerating up the bank away from Bishops Lydeard station.
The whole train on the bank and still accelerating comfortably.
The special crossed at Crowcombe Heathfield with a service from Minehead which is seen here arriving at Bishops Lydeard behind large prairie 4160.
4160 coming through platform 1 in the course of running round its train.
4160 coming back into its train in platform 2.
Ready to leave for Minehead.
A floral tribute for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on platform 2 at Bishops Lydeard.
34067 then returned from the triangle where she had been coaled from a lorry as well as turning. She then took water - filling her tender to overflowing.
Tangmere then shunted across en route to the loco compound.
At the other end of the station Quantock Heritage's ex Stockport Leyland Titan PD2/40 HJA965E was outside their depot.
The diesel diagram was being worked by Warship D832 Onslaught which was the next arrival from Minehead.
D832 passing her stock as she runs round.
After the Warship passed me Quantock's Leyland Titan went past on the approach road.
Onslaught then came back under the bridge towards her train.
Coupled up and ready to return to Minehead.
Before departure though, a chance to see inside the headcode doors.
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On to August 19 and large prairie 4160 receiving attention on Minehead shed.
7828 Norton Manor passing 4160 whilst running round her train at Minehead.
In the other platform modified hall 6960 Raveningham Hall was working a two coach charter.
All too soon its September, 8 September started misty, SDJR 88 was wreathed in steam as she stood by the water tower at Bishops Lydeard.
SDJR 2-8-0 88 running round at Bishops Lydeard. This was the 50th anniversary of the last "Pines Express" via the Somerset & Dorset, she was carrying the "Pines Express" headboard to mark this.
88 coming back on to her train ready to work back to Minehead.
Coupled up and with "Pines Express" headboard on her tender 88 awaits departure time.
Hardly had the "Pines" departed when GBRF Class 66 66737 Lesia arrived with saloon 6320 forming 2Z02 10.45 Bristol Parkway to Bishops Lydeard.
6320 is the former LMS General Managers saloon much modified including buckeyes, dual heat and dual brakes.
The special working was carrying a number of senior railwaymen some of whom can seen along side 6320.
A closer view of the end of 6320.
The body side number of 66737 is unusual in the last two digits being much larger than the others. It is named Lesia which is a girls name but which one the loco is named after I'm not sure.
The 66 set back to up sidings after the guests had disembarked.
On 29 September there was a through special from Paddington to Minehead, SDJR 2-8-0 88 was piloting from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. Here she is heading off to attach at the down home signal where the special was stood.
BR Standard 9f 2-10-0 92203 Black Prince in Bishops Lydeard loco compound, the 9f was here ready for the following weekend's Autumn Steam Gala.
88 with 34067 approaching the station as large prairie 4160 waits in the Loco Compound with a Steam Engineman's Course.
88 and Battle of Britain pacific 34067 Tangmere, 88 is carrying a "Somerset Coast Express" headboard.
Their train stopped for 34067 to take water - she was early on to the WSR due to missing the booked water stop at Taunton so needed a good fill.
Tangmere was carrying a Western style train reporting number with the correct headcode for the working.
A shot of the pair waiting in the autumn sunshine.
The next weekend is the WSR's Autumn Steam Gala with a Somerset & Dorset theme, this pairing is a very good prelude.
Large prairie 4160 was working a Steam Engineman's Course in the Bishops Lydeard - Norton Fitzwarren section and was waiting to get going again after the special had cleared the line.
The crew of the SEC in discussion with the signalman outside Bishops Lydeard Signal Box.
Another early arrival for the Gala was Black Five 4-6-0 45379 which was working one of the regular steam turns, she's seen here arriving at Bishops Lydeard with a train from Minehead.
A glimpse in to the Black Five's cab.
The fireman bringing coal forward in the Black 5's tender.
45379 leaving for Minehead - the light through the trees makes her appear blue in this one!
March_2012 April_2012 July_2012 August_2012 September_2012 October_2012 The next weekend was the Autumn Steam Gala, I visited Williton on Saturday 6 Oct.
Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 43106 and Black Five 45379 swathed in steam double heading a down train at Williton.
7828 Norton Manor 40 Commando then arrived with an up train.
SDJR 2-8-0 88 with the next down train.
As noted above this year is the 50th anniversary of the last Pines Express via the S&D, to mark this Br Std. 9f 2-10-0 92203 Black Prince worked the Pines Express non-stop from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and return complete with the Quantock Belle dining train.
The next up train was worked by 6960 Raveningham Hall.
The crossing up train was worked by "small mogul" 9351.
After 9351 had departed a view through the station with Raveningham Hall about to leave under the recently completed footbridge and Class 33 diesel D6566 on standby in case of need.
A closer view of the footbridge.
43106 then returned from Minehead with an up train.
As usual during a Gala there were some non railway heritage vehicles on display, first a Triumph Herald and a Morris Minor 1000 Traveller.
Next to them was this three wheeler V27VTU, a BRA CX3 which uses a Honda CX500 motorcycle engine - different!
Nearby was an MG sports car and two "little grey Fergie" tractors - beyond them a 1920s Elddis caravan complete with an oak chassis.
Also on display outside the Swindon Shed was Toplight 6705, part of the Heritage Carriage Project, which looked really good.
Inside the Swindon Shed great progress has been made with Autotrailer 169, there's more of my photos of 169 on www.auto169.co.uk
In front of 169 Barclay 0-4-0ST saddle tank is in course of a major overhaul.
Behind 169 was the bogie for new build 6880 Betton Grange, I'm looking forward to her completion and visiting the WSR.
At the north end of the shed a WSRA owned Mk1 TSO is undergoing a major overhaul.
Also at that end was Inspection Saloon W80796W which has recently been acquired by the WSRA.
West Somerset Restoration have a range of large machine tools in the Swindon Shed.
Visit our Travel Centre for train, tunnel and ferry times and tickets.
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This site was last updated 07-10-2012
Photos not otherwise credited are ©2001-2012 S G J Huddy. Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.
