Royal Visit

 

Home
Section home
Volunteers
Spring Steam Gala 2008
Spring Steam Gala 2007
Spring Steam Gala 2006
Spring Steam Gala 2005
Spring Steam Gala 2004
Spring Steam Gala 2003
Spring Steam Gala 2002
Steam Fayre & Rally 2006
Steam Fayre & Rally 2004
Cross Country Weekend
Diesel Days
Thomas weekend
WSR 2008
WSR 2007
WSR 2006
WSR 2005
WSR 2004
WSR 2003
WSR Locos
Royal Visit
Along the Line
Teddy Bear's Picnic
WSR Summer 2002
6024 Arrives
Steam Fayre 2002
Autumn Steam Gala
CAMRA 2002
WSR oddities
1960's Weekend
Diesel and Electric Group
Older WSR photos

47798 and the Royal Train at Bishops LydeardOn Friday 1 November 2002 Prince Phillip visited the West Somerset Railway travelling on the Royal Train.  It actually arrived during the night and spent some time just outside Bishops Lydeard station before moving off punctually at 8.15 for Minehead.

47798 Prince William on the Royal Train at Bishops Lydeard

It was headed by 47798 Prince William which is seen here passing 6566 which was "Thunderbird" for the day and was ready to follow on in  case of need.

 

47798 leaving BL

47798 leaving BL

47798 leaving BL

Three shots of the train leaving Bishops Lydeard through the autumn countryside.

 

Arrival at Minehead

It was damp but the rain was still holding off as the 47798 drew into Minehead right on time.

 

Prince Phillip and Hein Burger

Once he had left the train Prince Phillip was introduced to various members of the West Somerset's team, here he was talking to Hein Burger, the line's Commercial Manager.

 

 

Prince Phillip, Mark Smith and Trackers

Mark Smith, the Managing director, then introduced him to some of the Trackers, the WSR's Youth Section.

 

On Dinmore Manor

On the footplate

After many more introductions Prince Phillip had a short footplate ride on 7820 Dinmore Manor, he seemed very interested in the loco.  After this he left for Lynton and Lynmouth by road.  This visit is the 50th. anniversary of a previous one he made in the aftermath of terrible floods there.

Royal headcode

The Royal passenger meant that Dinmore was carrying the Royal Train headcode of 4 lamps.

 

By appointment to HM The Queen

The Royal Cypher on 47798

Royal nameplate

The various plates on the sides of 47798.

 

 

Running round

Running round

Running round

The next three views are of 47798 running round the Royal Train.

 

Royal drivers

The Royal Train is crewed by EWS, whose driver is on the left, with the WSR conductor driver, Trevor Barnett.

 

 

Departure

Departure

Two photos of the Royal Train leaving as empty stock for Wolverton, the Prince was going on by other means.

 

Wet locos at Minehead

A final view, after all the excitement, the rain started and the loco yard's occupants, 5224, 4160 and 7828 Odney Manor were looking decidedly wet.

There is an e-mail newsletter full of news about the West Somerset Railway, you can use the form below to subscribe or click here to see "back numbers".

Subscribe!
Select which version of West Somerset Express you'd like to receive, then enter your email address below. It's free!

Plain text
HTML (including photos etc)

 

Hosted By Topica

Home | Section home | Volunteers | Spring Steam Gala 2008 | Spring Steam Gala 2007 | Spring Steam Gala 2006 | Spring Steam Gala 2005 | Spring Steam Gala 2004 | Spring Steam Gala 2003 | Spring Steam Gala 2002 | Steam Fayre & Rally 2006 | Steam Fayre & Rally 2004 | Cross Country Weekend | Diesel Days | Thomas weekend | WSR 2008 | WSR 2007 | WSR 2006 | WSR 2005 | WSR 2004 | WSR 2003 | WSR Locos | Royal Visit | Along the Line | Teddy Bear's Picnic | WSR Summer 2002 | 6024 Arrives | Steam Fayre 2002 | Autumn Steam Gala | CAMRA 2002 | WSR oddities | 1960's Weekend | Diesel and Electric Group | Older WSR photos

This site was last updated 27-02-2007

Photos not otherwise credited are ©2001/2002 S G J Huddy.  Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.