West Somerset Railway - PCV Training

During a four-week period in August 1996 Rail Express Systems/EWS carried out a series of test runs using newly converted PCV (Propelling Control Vehicles) on the West Somerset Railway. The express parcels Class 47/7 loco arrived on the preserved line with several other mail vans, which would also be used as part of the trials. The consist was as follows: No.47733 94193 94195 94218 and PCV 94315. The majority of the testing took place between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren with some training taking place over the full length of the line to Minehead.

15th August 1996 BR 2-6-2 Large Prairie Tank No.4160 arrives into Blue Anchor on the 15th August 1996 working a Bishops Lydeard - Minehead passenger service. In the opposite platform is Rail Express Systems Class 47/7 No.47733 and PCV 94315 operating the 13:05 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard training run. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 Rail Express Systems PVC 94315 leads No.47733 towards Minehead out of Washford Station on the 15th August 1996. The PCV training run was operating as the 11:10 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead. (Photo: Colin J Mardesn)

15th August 1996 RES Class 47/7 No.47733 is pictured just outside Bishops Lydeard Station on the 15th August 1996 ready to depart to Norton Fitzwarren. RES PCV (94315 is coupled with the locomotive). (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 Rail Express Systems Class 47/7 No.47733 rounds the curve between Watchet and Helwell Bay on the 15th August 1996 returning from a PCV training run to Minehead. The loco was operating as the 13:05 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard with PCV 94315 in tow. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 RES Class 47/7 No.47733 and PCV 94315 at captured passing Crowcombe Heathfield on the 15th August 1996 operating the 13:05 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard driver training run. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 Rail Express Systems Class 47/7 No.47733 and PCV trailer 94315 wait at Crowcombe on the 15th August 1996 to proceed forward to Minehead on a training run as the 11:10 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 RES liveried Class 47/7 No.47733 arrives into Crowcombe Heathfield on the 15th August 1996 operating the 13:10 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard PCV training run. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 With PCV control vehicle 94315 providing instructions from the front No.47733 pushes out of Blue Anchor Station on the 15th August 1996. The Rail Express Systems training run operating as the 11:05 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 Rail Express Systems liveried Class 47 No.47733 and PVC 94315 are pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 15th August 1996. The PVC preparing to leave the 11:10 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead training run. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 Rail Express Systems Class 47/7 No.47733 arrives back into Blue Anchor Station on the 15th August 1996 with RES PCV 94315 in tow. The loco was operating the 13:05 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard training run. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 Having completed the 20 miles from Bishops Lydeard. Rail Express Systems Class 47 No.47733 draws attention at Minehead Station with the ex 11:10 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead training run. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

15th August 1996 Rail Express Systems Class 47/7 No.47733 and PCV trailer 94315 wait at Crowcombe on the 15th August 1996 to proceed forward to Minehead on a training run as the 11:10 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead. The booked steam passenger service is pictured arriving behind BR Black Large Prairie Tank No.4160. (Photo: Colin J Marsden)

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