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11th june 2011 (only) West Somerset-Railway Diesel Gala.
An event to celebrate 25 years of the 59's working out of the Mendip-Quarries.
15 Images
To round off the day this pair were recorded approaching Williton regretfully in none to good light but as a shot of D1010 running as D1035 'Western Yeoman' was required it had to be done.Partnered with D832 on the 17:00 of BL seen creeping up to the station to exchange the single-line token.D1010/1035 went no further and was removed to the Sheds here at Williton.Apparantly had suffered a small electrical fire so was deemed a failure.
..11 june 2011..
59103 and 59001 make an uncharacteristic smoky departure from Minehead at 16:00 going to Bishops-Lydeard.Note the amazing Horn-Array clamped to the front lamp iron-bracket of the 'Hanson'.Not sure,but looks like it is off an GM SD40-2 from the USA.The loco type that the 59 series was based on but now in terminal decline there.It certainly was very LOUD! Doubt if you will ever see that on the B&H on '7C77' !!!!!
..11 june 2011..
200mm power-shot to accentuate the odd shape of these 0-6-0 DH shunters. D9526 approaches the foot-crossing about 800yds from Minehead Station with the shuttle from Dunster. D2133 being tagged onto the rear.
..11 june 2011..
Daddy-Ying number-2 looking just a good today as when introduced over 25 years ago! Thanks to top quality Mtce carried out by the boys at Mendip-Rail at Merehead.A perfect example of how to look after a fleet of locomotives if you want the best from them.DBS take very close note! Immaculate 59002 just fits onto the Minehead Turntable for exhibition purposes during this day.Shame about the railings but necessary due to the tightness of the location to public walkways and Health & Safety paranoia
..11 june 2011..
4160,never actually a GWR engine as built in 1948.Was withdrawn in 1965,went to Barry-Scrapyard but rescued quite early in 1974 after just nine years there.Now obviously fully restored, is an operational loco working out of Minehead.Not today though as line was given over to the Diesel-Gala.
..11 june 2011..
Hymek D7017 looking as good as new powers away from Dunster on the last leg to Minehead with the 13:00 from Bishops-Lydeard.These are the engines that oasted steam on the Bristol to Salisbury route when first introduced in 1961.I remember it well (Sadly).
..11 june 2011..
Battleship! D832 comes down the long straight from Minehead preparing to halt at Dunster with the 14:00 off the Coast Terminus.Despite appearances the lovely sky was soon to give way to heavy cloud and low light.
..11 june 2011..
D9526,a member of an ill fated class that was really redundant before it was even constructed! Built in 1964 but sold into Industry almost immediately this one ended up at Westbury-Cement-Works then owned by Blue-Circle. In 1977 a serious engine problem led to withdrawal and in 1980 was passed to preservation and has been on the WS-Rly ever since.Seen nr Dunster aiding D2133 on the Shuttles back and forth from there to Minehead.
..11 june 2011..
D2133 was built in 1960 and after just nine years was deemed surplus and sold into Industry,it being far from life-expired.It worked at British-Cellophane until redundancy there and has been on the WS-Rly ever since. Here carrying D2133 (No TOPS ever issued) viewed approaching Dunster on the shuttle from Minehead.Assisted on the rear by D9526,another BR shunter Folly.
..11 june 2011..
D832 accelerates away from Dunster,the last stop before Minehead with the 12:00 off BL.
..11 june 2011..
The Mendip-Rail pair 59001/59103 seen at Washford about an hour into their journey to Minehead.This being the 10:00 off Bishops-Lydeard.
..11 june 2011..
The 09:00 from Minehead draws away from Crowcombe heading for Bishops-Lydeard.D832 'Onslaught' a Warship in Battleship-Grey in charge.Not an original colour but really shows off the lines on the loco well.Interestingly the original 'Onslaught' was this colour so not that out of place really? To complete the illusion perhaps they should have put the original ships number 'G04' on its flanks!
..11 june 2011..
The 10:00 from BL to Minehead passes Sandhill-Park a few minutes into its journey.59001 and 59103 doing the honours.Note the extra Horn-Set on 59001.These were VERY loud.Possibly off an SD40-2,the US loco that the 59 type was based upon. ..11 june 2011..
9701 a 'DBSO' was 97301's partner on the test-train.Here seen in the bay at Bishops-Lydeard.
..11 june 2011..
Now running as 'Departmental' 97301,this was the former 37100.Rescued and given a major overhaul on behalf of RailTrack by Harry Needle.Seen parked at Bishop-Lydeard with its test-train.Regretfully it took no part in the weekends proceedings.