Photo links click below:-
Graham Perry
Simon Purvis
Andy Royle
Jon Tooke
Martin Howard
Thanks to all that supported our recent mixed traction event (11th/12th June).
The event was a real success with visiting engines complimenting our home fleet.
We are very pleased Foster Yeoman were able to sponsor the event kindly providing four class 59’s along with a rake of stone wagons. DBS crews from Westbury kindly volunteered to operate these locos over the weekend. Network Rail provided their Class 37 test train for display at Bishops Lydeard. First Great Western provided shuttle services Taunton-Bishops Lydeard on both days with through workings to/from Bristol Temple Meads. These were a great success and provided the first Class 150/1 onto the WSR.
On the Friday we had an all diesel timetable operated by the home fleet.
On the Saturday we had a special ceremony at Minehead showing D1010 disguised as D1035 Western Yeoman. We showcased our traditional wagon which had been painted specially for the event into foster yeoman livery.
The Sunday went reasonably well though very wet indeed!
D832 was showcased in its all over grey undercoat with small yellow warning panels! It will be painted into green before too long.
From the home fleet point of view we have suffered some problems with D1010. Regret that the locomotive will be out of traffic for a while to attend to these. The loco has suffered a transmission fault at one end which needs further inspection. During the gala the loco also suffered a cracked turbo base. All of these meant we had to pull its workings on the Saturday night and Sunday covering with our standby.
D7523 was brought in to the rescue and worked 1010’s last Saturday night service with D6566 working on Sunday.
Other than that a most successful gala!
I have had a lot of photos sent in, hoping to upload these later in the week.