WSRA 150th Anniversary

[CaptainK]

The West Somerset Railway (steam heritage line) is celebrating their 150th anniversary. As part of it they had the oldest running steam loco in the UK down for a visit (Furness 20). So I had to see it, and went along on Saturday. Went to Watchet first (well obviously you went to "watch it" ) where a small ceremony happened in the morning and VIPs got onboard and had their own special train to Minehead being pulled by Furness 20 and tailed by "No 3 Marston Thompson and Evershed Ltd", which is another guest loco.

Then we went to Minehead and saw a special charter train from London was down (hauled by the Stannier (I think) in the background, and tailed by a heritage diesel loco that I forgot to look at. The Furness 20 and No 3 train combo were then running free (for donations) special trips out over crossing onto the main line and back again trips. So I managed to have a go on that train. Got a fab video (not included here, but there is a photo) leaning out the window of the carriage right behind Furness 20 as we headed back into Minehead.

Witherslack Hall and Erlestroke Manor were also working the lines that day. But I didn't get any photos (got tons of them already ). Apparently turntable demonstrations were supposed to happen, but I didn't see any. Furness 20 is on the turntable in one photo, but that was because it had to move there to allow Witherslack Hall space to run around its train when it came in, so it could get to the other end of its train to head back out later.

 

[Roscobbc]

Wonderful that these engines, preserved rail networks, stations and structures are still with us when so much has been lost over the years. Now in what is rapidly becoming much of a 'cash-cow', anti-car culture I find it ironic that many of the smaller branch lines that were closed down due to lack of use are really needed to 'feed' newer communities............but far too late!

 

[CaptainK]

I must say that I am very happy to have the WSR on my doorstep, and its great to see the locos and the visiting ones. The newly built "Betton Grange" (only 3 months old I think?) was supposed to be running at the 150th event too, but sadly it encountered an issue on its first few days running. So its in the workshop being fixed. I think its some gasket or something in the smoke box that is a pain to fix. Chuffer will know way more than me - I just know its broke, and will be broke for a while. They are hoping to have it fixed for their next event - the "Grange, Manor, and Hall" weekend - which I believe is this weekend coming. I'll have to pop up to see it, as it'd be lovely to see a new build loco.