25th July 2021

Bahamas
at Norton Fitzwarren
Derek Buttivant

Hello again Roger. Hello Roger Having seen the photos of Saturday's special train headed by Bahamas I thought you might be interested in the attached picture, taken in overcast conditions, as the train took the curve around the east side of the Norton Fitzwarren triangle, past the WSR "exchange" platform (without stopping) and headed for Bishops Lydeard. It was a very busy train and crowds alighted at Bishops Lydeard where Bahamas came off and was replaced by WSR motive power. As a result of access to Minehead being prevented by the reconstruction of the level crossing there, this and all WSR services terminated at Dunster. WSR trains are shunted by a stand-by diesel loco, using the siding at Dunster to release the train engine, there being no run-round. The special train, though, was top-and-tailed and ran back to Bishops Lydeard before returning to Dunster in the late afternoon to form the return special back to Bishops Lydeard (where Bahamas was reattached) and then on to Taunton and Paddington. Vintage open-top buses are among the fleet providing a "rail replacement" service between Dunster and Minehead. Kind regards, Derek

BAHAMAS at Frome
Guy Vincent

LMS 45596 'Bahamas'  cruising up the Frome Avoiding line at Styles Hill at 1940hrs with the return 1Z54 1726 Minehead (starting at Watchet) - Bishops Lydeard - Paddington Railway Touring Company's  'The West Somerset Steam Express'.  Luckily this was between two bouts of heavy showers.   The train was reportedly hauled over the WSR by 'Manors' 7822 and 7828.    Again the loco was performing admirably with 11 coaches in tow and no assisting diesel.

Regards, Guy Vincent

LMS 45596 'Bahamas' cruising up the Frome Avoiding line at Styles Hill. Copyright Guy Vincent.

LMS 45596 'Bahamas' stops at Frome for a short 15 minute water tank top-up whilst en route to Bishops Lydeard with the Railway Touring Company's  1Z52 0759 ex Paddington 'West Somerset Steam Express'.   The loco stopped beyond the end of the station car park so preventing any front-on photo.  Departure time saw an age-old railway tradition enacted when a green 'Bardic' lamp was shown to the driver, giving the 'ready to start' signal.  No buzzer or bell communication provided on 'proper', traditional trains!   One could almost be forgiven for thinking that these scenes were recorded on a heritage railway and not on the soon-to-be 'Great British Railways' network.

Best Regards.  Guy Vincent.

Frome 45596 1Z52 24th July 2021 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Frome water stop, 45596 1Z52 24th July 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent

Frome water stop, 45596 1Z52 24th July 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy
​

BAHAMAS  at PEWSEY
Ken Mumford

[1]    A London bound IET approaches the station very slowly.
[2] 45596 ‘Bahamas’  passing non-stop through the station in a determined fashion to make up for lost time and to attack the climb up to Savernake.
[3]  A going away shot of the steam train.
Kind regards, Ken Mumford

A London bound IET approaches the station very slowly. 25th July 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

45596 ‘Bahamas’ passing non-stop through the station in a determined fashion to make up for lost time and to attack the climb up to Savernake. 25th July 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Bahamas hammers on towards Savernake and London. 24th July 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

 Many thanks Ken.

To see all of our coverage of the Bahamas visit please click here and look for item 2115F.

Exeter Central '78
Paul Barlow

47056 has just arrived at Exeter central with presflow cement working from Westbury. 3rd March 1978.

Many thanks Paul
​