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This years West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala was held on 17,18 & 22-25 March - this page has photos from Saturday 17, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 March.

Saturday 17 March 2012

This days photos were all taken at Williton.

BR Std 7MT 4-6-2 70000 Britannia arriving with a down train.

Britannia waits to cross with an up train.

Front end detail and nameplate of 70000 Britannia.

7828 Norton Manor arrives with an up train as 70000 Britannia waits.

70000 is ready to depart for Minehead.

Std 4MT 2-6-4T 80072 waiting to cross with a down train.

The instantly recognisable driver of 80072 looking back to see where the token was - tea mug in in hand of course, tea fuels the railway not coal!

Resident 2-8-0 3850 was on the next down train.

Another resident mogul 9351 then arrived with the up train.

Another resident 2-8-0 was on the following down train, SDJR No. 88, the crews refreshments are being delivered by the TTI.

Britannia then returned having been turned at Minehead.

7828, recently renamed Norton Manor 40 Commando, and 6960 Raveningham Hall waiting with a down train.

Name and number plates of 7828 Norton Manor.

6960 Raveningham Hall.

The up train was hauled by 80072.

WSR Steam Galas aren't totally about steam - there's often old road vehicles such as the split screen Morris Minor seen in company with a more modern three wheeler.

Saturday 24 March 2012

7828 Norton Manor - 40 Commando arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield.  I've included this tender first view as with progress on the Norton Triangle this might be the last gala with tender first working.

70000 Britannia leaving Crowcombe Heathfield with a down train.

Britannia again at Williton with a later BR Standard type - D1661 North Star a Brush Type 4/Class 47.

70000 leaving Williton for Minehead.  David Smith tells me that "when King George VI died at Sandringham in February 1952  his body was transported back to London by Royal Train hauled by 70000.  The cab roof was painted white and I believe this is what is being replicated now on Britannia in the Diamond Jubilee year".

Another BR Standard, 4MT 2-6-4T 80072 stands in Williton with a down train.

As the previous week there were some old(er) cars outside the Swindon Shed - the split screen Morris Minor was joined by a Triumph Herald and a SAAB convertible.

The previous week was decidedly chilly, this week was beautiful sunshine as seen from the people sat out enjoying it between trains.

7828 Norton Manor (formerly named Odney Manor) waiting to depart from Bishops Lydeard for Minehead.

0-4-2T 1450 and Auto 178 were working the Norton shuttles from Bishops Lydeard, they are seen here on Platform 1 with the crew taking a breather.

6024 King Edward I and 6960 Raveningham Hall swathing Bishop Lydeard loco compound in smoke while being prepared for their next working which was together double heading.

1450 and Auto 178 still waiting in Platform 1.

Auto 178 basking in the sunshine, a very similar autotrailer Auto 169 is being restored at Williton.

6024 and 6960 coupled together ready to take over the next train which can just be seen approaching behind 3850.

The King and the Hall waiting to leave for Minehead.

1450 waiting while 2-8-0 3850 passes by light engine.

70000 Britannia arriving at Bishops Lydeard and passing her support coach stabled in the down siding.

The auto train returning from Norton Fitzwarren.

70000 heading off chimney first towards Norton Fitzwarren.

She reappeared 45 minutes later having been turned via the triangle, the second time this had been done, allied with the turntable at Minehead tender first running at Galas could be a thing of the past soon.

70000 alongside the autotrain.

A last one of the day, 70000 Britannia taking water at Bishops Lydeard.

Sunday 25 March 2012

6024 King Edward I on the turntable at Minehead.

6024 had gone across to the shed leaving a seemingly fairly empty station - in fact there were lots of people clear of the canopy enjoying the sunshine.

Another view of 6024 on shed, next to the King is its support coach and a Class 03 diesel shunter D2133.

Visiting BR Std tank 80072 then arrived with a train from Bishops Lydeard.

80072 then went across to shed for coal and water.

6024 leaving Minehead with the 2pm to Bishops Lydeard - the headcode 542 was apparently once the 2pm Minehead to Paddington!

The reason trains were using the bay platform was that 9351 was doing "Driver for a Fiver" trips along  the main platform.

There were plenty of people enjoying the sun while 9351 went up and down.

SDJR 2-8-0 88 just in from Bishops Lydeard.

Turning locos, such as 88 seen here, is a great attraction to visitors to the station.

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

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