News Archive for March 1991

Published on 24th March 1991

The 24th March 2021 marks 30 years since the first through train from London Paddington to Minehead since the late 1960s.

Hertfordshire Railtours 'Quantock Explorer' used SLOW Bounds Green Pullman charter set to haul passengers from the Capital to the West Somerset Railway where steam locomotives took over for the run to Minehead and back. Intercity Class 47/8 No.47817 operated 1Z10 08:05 London Paddington - Taunton Cider (in reality the Class 47 proceeded through to just outside Bishops Lydeard where the locomotive swap took place. WSR Locomotives 0-6-0 Collet No.3205 and BR 7F No.53808 then took the tour through to Minehead operating tender to tender. The Class 47 left the line light engine (it's assumed it return to Bristol Bath Road for the day), and later returned to collect the charter in time to operate 1Z10 17:10 Taunton Cider - London Paddington (routing via Weston-super-Mare).

Published on 16th March 1991

The first weekend West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala was held on the 16th and 17th March 1991 and featured resident Class 14 locomotives No.D9526 and No.9551 running alongside Western No. D1010 'Western Campaigner' (Operating as D1035 'Western Yeoman in desert sand livery), and Hymek No.D7017.

The Western also made its first passenger working in preservation at the event having previously been delivered to Norton Fitzwarren by Foster Yeoman Class 59/0 No. 59001 'Yeoman Endeavour' on the 11th January 1991.

We have included these images as a record of the locomotives arrival on the line.

A previous one day gala had been held on the 24th March 1990 using just two locomotives (D7017 and D9526), although a previous gala which had been due to operate in November 1989 had been cancelled.

D1010 'Western Campaigner' had first arrived at Merehead on the 7th July 1977 after withdrawal by BR. It was later moved by No. 59001 'Yeoman Endeavour' to Didcot Railway Centre on 17th May 1986 for mechanical restoration to both engines as well as external work. ‘A’ engine was overhauled, but ‘B’ was in poor condition and replaced but the loco was working and used as part of the centre galas around the time. After tyre turning at Cardiff Canton the loco was returned to Merehead where a planned move from Merehead to West Somerset Railway took place on 11th January 1991 hauled by 59001 'Yeoman Endeavour' again. Loco was left at Norton Fitzwarren and was able to run to Bishop’s Lydeard light-engine under own power. The DEPG later purchased the Western from Foster Yeoman in 1993.

To view the gallery, please click here.