Voyager naming

 

 

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The West Somerset held a Cross Country Weekend on 10 & 11 May 2003, the centrepiece was the naming of Virgin Cross Country's Voyager 220 001 Somerset Voyager at Minehead on the Saturday.

Fireworks for Voyager

The arrival of 220001 at Minehead was greeted by fireworks, just about visible in the photo by Rodney Greenway - not sure about fireworks in daylight but it was a suitably grand entrance for 220 001.

 

 

Voyager arriving at Minehead

It is seen here running into a crowded platform 1 at Minehead.

 

Voyager at Minehead

The view from the other side of the Voyager arriving, taken by Jon Tooke.

 

Robin Bush ready to unveil the nameplate

Another from Jon, Robin Bush; historian, Time team TV regular and Somerset County Council chairman; preparing to unveil the nameplate. Jon Tooke

 

Robin Bush, Chris Austin and Chris Green on the podium

Robin Bush, Chris Austin and Chris Green - Chief executive of Virgin Trains.  Ian Cudworth

 

Messrs Bush, Austin and Green A broader view of proceedings, showing the crowd that had gathered.  Jon Tooke

 

The curtains are parted by Robin Bush

Robin Bush pulls the curtains to reveal Somerset Voyager's nameplate to the assembled crowds.  Ian Cudworth

 

Robin Bush and Chris Austin

Robin Green and Chris Austin, newly appointed Chairman of the West Somerset Railway plc, with an "extra" nameplate - a memento of the occasion.  Jon Tooke

 

The nameplate

The nameplate on the offside. Jon Tooke

 

 

Destination Minehead

The hi-tech Voyager had Minehead showing as its destination. Jon Tooke

 

 

220001 stands in Minehead station

Somerset Voyager stands in Minehead Station. Jon Tooke

 

 

Collecting the token

Even modern hi-tech trains need to have the token or staff before entering a single line section, here one of the crew collects the token from the Minehead signalman. Jon Tooke

 

The Voyager departs for Norton Fitzwarren

The Voyager then worked a WSR service to Norton Fitzwarren and back, Jon caught it here leaving Minehead.

 

5051 awaits

Castle Class 5051 Earl Bathurst worked the next WSR service to Bishops Lydeard with part of the Quantock Belle dining train added for the VIPs to have lunch. Jon Tooke

 

There are other photos of the West Somerset Railway in 2003 on WSR 2003

  Click here to go to the West Somerset Railway's site

  Click here to go to the West Somerset Railway Association's site

  Click here to go to the unofficial West Somerset Railway site

 

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This site was last updated 29-04-2013

Photos not otherwise credited are ©2003 S G J Huddy.  Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.