Spring Steam Gala 2005

 

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This years West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala is being held on Thursday 17 March to Sunday 20 March with the theme "Pride of the Great Western".  This page has photos of the event, being added to as it happens, you can use the links on the left to see photos of the previous three years, visit www.wsr.org.uk for timetables, details of associated events and everything else you need to know about this great event!

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Thursday 17-3-05

4612 and 9466 at Bishops Lydeard

For the Thursday I've got some photos from fellow volunteer Rodney Greenway starting with this one of panniers 4612 and 9466 waiting to leave Bishops Lydeard for Minehead.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

4612 and 9466 climb away from Lydeard

Another shot of the pair, this time climbing through the hills.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

 

4612 and 9466 at Donniford

Having given chase Rodders caught the pair again at Donniford.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

 

4612 and 9466 at Donniford

A going away shot shows that their train included the Quantock Belle dining train which serves a very good all day breakfast during the Spring Steam Galas.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

5542 with an up goods

5542 on a demonstration goodsSmall prairie 5542 is seen here working a demonstration goods up from Williton.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

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Friday 18-3-05

1450 and auto trailer 178 at Bishops Lydeard

Again for the Friday I've had to rely on Rodney Greenway, along with John Newberry, for these photos, starting with 0-4-2T 1450 with auto trailer 178 at Bishops Lydeard.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

1450 approaching Bishops Lydeard with the auto trailer

Another view of 1450 and the auto, this time among the trees approaching Bishop Lydeard.  Photo by John Newberry

 

4612 at Donniford Halt on a goods

Further down the line 8750 Class 0-6-0PT 4612 is seen working a down goods through the edge of the Quantock Hills.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

4612 on a down goods

A different angle of 4612 and her goods train passing under the bridge the above photo was taken from.  Photo by John Newberry

 

9351 and  4936 double heading through the hills

Still in the hills, resident small mogul 9351 double heads visiting 4936 Kinlet Hall on an up train.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

4936 and 9351

Another view of the pair further up the line, a view that will soon change as the trees come into leaf - the scenery is constantly changing!  Photo by John Newberry

 

5051 crossing 9466 at Williton

Moving on down to Williton and Castle 5051 Earl Bathurst brings in an up train as 0-6-0PT 9466 waits with a down train.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

3440 City of Truro at Donniford

Down by the sea veteran 4-4-0 no. 3440 City of Truro, the first loco to reach 100 mph eases an up train into the 15 mph restriction through Doniford Halt.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

City of Truro at Donniford

Another view of City of Truro at Doniford.  Photo by John Newberry

 

 

4936 Kinlet Hall at Donniford

Hall Class 4-6-0 4936 Kinlet Hall then came through the Halt with a Minehead bound train.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

9351 and 5051 double heading

It was day for piloting for 9351, seen again, this time double headed with 5051 Earl Bathurst.  Photo by Rodney Greenway

 

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Saturday 19-3-05

7822 and 5542 in the mist at Lydeard

The Saturday started very misty as this view of 7822 and 5542 being prepared at Bishops Lydeard shows.

 

5542 being polished in the morning mist

A closer view of the crew preparing small prairie 5542 at the platform nick named Cotford St. Luke Parkway after the housing development that can be seen from here - weather permitting!  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

 

6024 entering bishops Lydeard station

Shortly after 6024 King Edward I came in from the sidings with the stock for the 9.15 to Minehead, it was a bit of a struggle for grip on the wet rails, a warning of events to come.

 

6024 King Edward I at Williton

The King got to Williton without problems, however City of Truro was having serious problems getting up Washford bank due to the wet rails and there was quite a wait here.

 

The crew of 6024 relax while waiting

The King's crew looked pretty laid back about the delay!

 

 

6024 and 3440 cross at Williton

Eventually 3440 City of Truro appeared out of the mist, this shot gives a better idea of just how bad visibility was there.

 

3440 arriving at Williton

3440 City of TruroCloser to her superb external condition could be seen, a venerable old lady she was built in 1903!  Due to the rail conditions it was decided to give her assistance in the form of the Class 25 diesel for the climb up to Crowcombe Heathfield.

 

City of Truro aided by a Class 25 at Crowcombe

When they reached Crowcombe Heathfield it was a beautiful spring day as this photo of the pair arriving there by David Chappell shows, at least the diesel was inside City of Truro.

 

In the shadow of a Castle

At the other end of the line it was clear enough for shadows to be seen as this view from 5051's train shows.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

Lunch time on the move for a crew

Another of Jon's rather different photos, a crew travelling "on the cushions" found the brake van a handy spot for lunch.   Photo by Jon Tooke

 

5553 at Bishops Lydeard

Back at Bishops Lydeard the fog had also cleared and it was beautiful spring weather as small prairie 5553 ran through the station ready to come on the back of the next train to return to Minehead.

 

6412 on the auto and 5553

Once 5553 was in position 6412 ran in with the auto trailer ready for the next shuttle to Norton Fitzwarren.

 

D7523 piloting 9466 in to Bishops Lydeard

Class 25 diesel D7523 was required to perform pilot duty again, pannier 9466 had run low on water due to being delayed behind City of Truro.  The pair are seen running in to Bishops Lydeard.

 

9466 at Bishops Lydeard

After 5553 had taken her train out 9466, suitably replenished with water, ran through ready to come on the back of the next train.

 

4612 waiting to come on to to her train

After 9466 had come on the back of the next train 4612, which had brought it in, ran round and is seen here on her way out under the bridge before coming back in.

 

4612 and 9466 leave Lydeard

4612 and 9466 leave for MineheadThe pair then set off together for Minehead.

 

 

Ribble White Lady coach at Bishops Lydeard

As always during the Gala Quantock Heritage buses were running a connecting service, this example is an ex Ribble "White Lady", a double deck coach on a Leyland Titan chassis.

 

Thursday_17-3-05 Friday_18-3-05 Saturday_19-3-05 Sunday_20-3-05

Sunday 20-3-05

I was doing a guards turn, despite having my camera with me I didn't manage any photos of my own as I was simply to busy, however other photographers have let me have these of the trains I was working, mostly involving pannier tanks:-

Panniers 6412 and 9466 at Water Bridge

The first pair were resident 6412 and visiting 9466 which are seen here at Water Bridge with the 10.50 from Minehead.  Photo by Trevor Page

 

Panniers 6412 and 9466 near Yarde Farm

Another view of 6412 and 9466, this time near Yarde Farm.  Photo by Peter Darke

 

 

4612 and 9466 near Alcombe Crossing

The second pairing of panniers was 4612 and 9466, seen here near Alcombe Crossing outside Minehead with the 12.20 from Bishops Lydeard.  Photo by Steve Edge

 

Triple headed pannier tanks

 The highlight of the turn was the 15.05 from Minehead which was triple headed by all three of the 0-6-0PT's at the Gala, from the front 6412, 4612 and 9466.  Photo by Steve Edge

 

Panniers 6412, 4612 and 9466 at Bicknoller Bridge

Another view of them earlier in their journey at Bicknoller Bridge, it was fascinating looking out from the train and watching their rods going up and down!  Photo by Peter Darke

Thursday_17-3-05 Friday_18-3-05 Saturday_19-3-05 Sunday_20-3-05

You too can be part of the action - new volunteers are always welcome, you can find out more on Volunteers, there's a big perk in exchange for your efforts - free travel!

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

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Visit our Travel Centre for train and ferry times and tickets.

 

 

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This site was last updated 13-08-2012

Photos not otherwise credited are ©2001-2005 S G J Huddy.  Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.