Spring Steam Gala 2007

 

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This years West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala is being held on Saturday and Sunday 17-18 March and Thursday to Sunday 22-25 March.  This year's theme is "Summer Saturdays in the West".

Saturday_17_March  Saturday_24_March

Saturday 17 March

4160 and 5051 wait to leave Bishops Lydeard

An early departure from Bishops Lydeard was double headed by large prairie 4160 and "Castle" 5051 Earl Bathurst.  Photo by Rodders Greenway.

 

4160 and 5051 leaving Williton for Minehead

I caught up with them at Williton as they were leaving en route to Minehead.

 

88 at Bishops Lydeard

Meanwhile SDJR 2-8-0 88 was at Bishops Lydeard, she has been away from the line and since her return is facing the opposite way.  Photo by Rodders Greenway.

 

Progress with 34046 Braunton

Not yet running but making excellent progress, 34046 Braunton is now rapidly taking shape at Williton - boiler, wheels and motion on, cab progressing.

 

 

3850 stands by at Williton

As is now usual there is a standby loco at Williton during Galas, today it was GW 2-8-0 3850.

 

Roanoake steam wagon at Williton

On display at Williton was this modern steam wagon, a Roanoake.

 

 

Small prairie 4561 at Williton

Also on display was small prairie 4561 which is waiting her turn for overhaul in Williton works.  There are some non steam photos of Williton taken on the same visit on WSR 2007

 

7802 arriving at Williton

Back on to Williton station and 7802 Bradley Manor arriving with a down train.

 

 

5521 arriving at Williton

7802 was crossing with 5521 which is seen here arriving with her up train.

 

80136 and 34007 approaching Bishops Lydeard

The next up train was hauled by Std 4 tank 80136 and WC pacific 34007 Wadebridge, the pair are seen nearing Bishops Lydeard.  Photo by Rodders Greenway

 

5521 and 5553 running round at Bishops Lydeard

5521 had joined up with classmate 5553 at Bishops Lydeard, the pair are seen coming on to the back of the above train to return it to Minehead.  Photo by Rodders Greenway

 

34007 at Bishops Lydeard

34007 Wadebridge seen by the water tower at Bishops Lydeard with 6412 and the auto trailer waiting to leave for Norton Fitzwarren alongside.  Photo by Rodders Greenway

 

6412 and the auto trailer in the QB bay

Later in the day I caught 6412 and auto trailer 178 resting between Norton shuttles in the Quantock Belle's bay at Bishops Lydeard.

 

5051 Earl Bathurst by the water tower

This time it was 5051 Earl Bathurst by the water tower.

 

 

7802 and 7822 going on to Bishops Lydeard loco

Having brought in an up train the two Manors, 7822 Foxcote Manor and 7802 Bradley Manor, made their way to the loco compound.

 

Virgin Voyager arriving at Bishops Lydeard

Just after the Manors got on shed a complete contrast in the form of a Virgin Voyager arrived with a shuttle working from Taunton.

 

Voyager passes pannier at Lydeard

Perhaps an even bigger contrast, the Voyager passing 6412 and the auto trailer.

 

5051 and the Voyager at Bishops Lydeard

5051 leaving Bishops Lydeard for Minehead

5051 en route for Minehead At the other end of the station the Voyager stopped besides 5051 Earl Bathurst before the "Castle" left for Minehead.

Voyager in Platform 1

The 4 Car Voyager (Sheffield Voyager) was a perfect fit for Platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard as this photo shows.

 

7822 and 7802 running round at Bishops Lydeard

7822 and 7802 backing on to their train at Bishops Lydeard

The Voyager left for Taunton after the next up train had arrived, the two Manors, 7822 Foxcote Manor and 7802 Bradley Manor, then came on to the back of it to work back to Minehead.

 

 

Saturday_17_March  Saturday_24_March

Saturday 24 March

850 Lord Nelson nears Crowcombe Bridge

The second Saturday started for me with 850 Lord Nelson approaching Crowcombe Heathfield with an up train.

 

3850 at Crowcombe Heathfield 3850 leaving Crowcombe Heathfield

The next down train was worked by resident 2-8-0 3850 also seen from Crowcombe Bridge.

 

Prairies 4160 and 5521 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield

5521 and 4160 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield

3850 was followed down by large prairie 4160 and small prairie 5521.  It's nice to see 4160 back after her recent overhaul off the West Somerset.

 

5051 running as 5027 at Crowcombe

5051 running as 5027 at Crowcombe

The prairies were crossed by 5051 Earl Bathurst - which was running as 5027 Farleigh Castle for the day.

 

47839 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield

47805 at Crowcombe Heathfield

The next down train train was a Railtour from Sheffield to Minehead which was "topped" by 47839 Pegasus (left) and "tailed" by 47805 Talisman.  The stock was a mixture of ex Virgin and ex Anglia Mk2s with a very smart chocolate & cream buffet.

47805 and 88 at Crowcombe

The 47s crossed with S&D 88 - different generations of blue locos.

 

88 leaving Crowcombe

88 then departed for Bishops Lydeard, the signal couldn't be cleared due to the "tailing" 47 having been stood on the track circuit when the token was withdrawn.

 

5051 and 7802 at Crowcombe Heathfield

5051 and 7802 at Crowocmbe Heathfield

7802 Bradley Manor and 5051 Earl Bathurst (running as 5027 Farleigh Castle leaving Crowcombe for Minehead.

 

88 at Bishops Lydeard

Down the hill at Bishops Lydeard and S&D 2-8-0 88 was waiting with a couple of extra coaches to add to the next train in.

 

4247 arriving at Bishops Lydeard

GW 2-8-0T 4274, visiting from the Bodmin & Wenford, then arrived with the train 88 was going to take out.

 

4247 taking water at Bishops Lydeard

4247 went on to the water tower ready for her next working.

 

6412 and 34007 at Bishops Lydeard

34007 on Bishops Lydeard loco 6412 watching 34007 Wadebridge being prepared for her next duty.

 

 

Somerset Voyager arriving at Bishops Lydeard

Somerset Voyager

The shuttles from Taunton were being worked by Virgin Trains, today they turned out 220 001 Somerset Voyager which was named at Minehead in May 2003 and is seen here passing autotrailer 178 with 6412.

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

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

  Click here to go to the unofficial West Somerset Railway site

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

 

 

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This site was last updated 15-07-2012

Photos not otherwise credited are ©2001-2007 S G J Huddy.  Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.