Published on 30th May 2009
Who would have thought that the UK's first new-build steam locomotive first visited Taunton and the West Somerset Railway 11 years ago? The 30th May 2009 provided another unique event in Taunton's railway calendar.
Each year seems to bring even more variety. The 30th was the turn of LNER A1 Pacific No. 60163 'Tornado' to work its first charter south of Bristol through to Minehead. The 'Severn Coast Express' drew huge crowds to see the newly built steam locomotive pass through Somerset and The Quantock's heading to the seaside town of Minehead. The pioneer new build locomotive had proved incredibly popular and worked a one-way charter to the West Somerset Railway where it stayed as a visiting locomotive for a period of time. The charter was returned to Bristol by way of EWS Class 67 No.67002 which was attached to the rear of the train. However, between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard the Class 67 was also piloted by DEPG Class 47 D1661 (No. 47840 'North Star') before handing back to the Class 67 for the mainline run back to Bristol.
