50 Years ago today Sunday 6th March, 1966 the very last trains ran on the Somerset & Dorset. These were two railtours.
Rob Lindley photographs 92214 taken from Bishops Lydeard outer home signal this morning during the West Somerset Spring Gala which last another 4 days over next weekend
Many Thanks Rob
Rob Lindley photographs 92214 taken from Bishops Lydeard outer home signal this morning during the West Somerset Spring Gala which last another 4 days over next weekend
Many Thanks Rob
160306a Standard Class 9 92214 Taken from Bishops Lydeard outer home signal 50 years to the day Sunday 6th March, 1966 when the final train ran on the Somerset & Dorset Railway. The Gala carries on into 4 days of next weekend. Copyright Rob Lindley
The 50th Anniversary of the S & D
Remembered on the West Somerset
Remembered on the West Somerset
On Saturday 5th March, 2016 The West Somerset Steam Railway Spring Steam Gala commemorated the 50 years since the closure of the Somerset & Dorset.
Special features of this Gala being classes of engines which worked on the line together with stations being renamed of those on the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. By Roger Winnen and David Tozer
Special features of this Gala being classes of engines which worked on the line together with stations being renamed of those on the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. By Roger Winnen and David Tozer
160305a 80072 Masquerading as 80043 arrives at Watchet with the 10.45 Minehead to Williton service. Copyright Roger Winnen
160305c 53809 and 44422 awaits departure from Washford masquerading as Midford on the 12.15 Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead. Copyright Roger Winnen
160305d 34053 Sir Keith Park arrives at Bailey Gate Station (Blue Anchor) with the 12.30 Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren. The Bailey Gate sign was still wrapped up in the waiting shelter at Blue Anchor Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
160305e One of the stars of this Gala was the 2-10-0 92214 from the Great Central Railway, a reminder of 92220 Evening Star which worked over the Somerset & Dorset. 92214 is seen leaving Shepton Mallet, (Crowcombe) unfortunately the engine went way passed the platform end on arrival at the station. Copyright Roger Winnen
David Tozer views the West Somerset Gala at Crowcombe Heathfield
160305r 34053 Sir Keith Park departs Crowcombe Heathfield on the 09.05 service from Bishops Lydeard. Copyright David Tozer
160305s 44422 and 53808 arrive at Shepton Mallet (Crowcombe Heathfield) on the 08.25 service from Minehead. Copyright David Tozer
160305t The pair once again arriving back at Crowcombe Heathfield forming the 10.30 from Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead. Copyright David Tozer
160305u 53809 seen on arrival at Crowcombe Heathfield with the 09.50 from Minehead. Copyright David Tozer
More in the features Page on this Gala
Closures
March 1966
March 1966
6th March 1966.
There was no Sunday service on the S & D and therefore the last service trains ran on the Saturday, however the line was still officially open on the Sunday and therefore two railtours could run. These were the R.C.T.S. Somerset & Dorset Farewell Rail Tour and the Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area) railtour. Overnight the signalbox at Evercreech mysteriously burnt down and trains had to be hand signalled.
Not only did all the S & D stations close but also several relatively close by :- Pinhoe (happily re-opened), Broadclyst (now Cranbrook is close by), Sidmouth Junction stayed open another year (Since reopened as Feniton) but the branch to Tipton St Johns and the branches to Sidmouth & Exmouth closed thus eliminating the stations at Ottery St Mary, Tipton St Johns, Newton Poppleford, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Littleham, and Sidmouth. Also closed was Seaton Junction and the Seaton branch thus eliminating Colyford and Colyton, and Seaton from the network. In addition Milbourne Port, Semely, Dinton and Wilton South were closed.
There was no Sunday service on the S & D and therefore the last service trains ran on the Saturday, however the line was still officially open on the Sunday and therefore two railtours could run. These were the R.C.T.S. Somerset & Dorset Farewell Rail Tour and the Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area) railtour. Overnight the signalbox at Evercreech mysteriously burnt down and trains had to be hand signalled.
Not only did all the S & D stations close but also several relatively close by :- Pinhoe (happily re-opened), Broadclyst (now Cranbrook is close by), Sidmouth Junction stayed open another year (Since reopened as Feniton) but the branch to Tipton St Johns and the branches to Sidmouth & Exmouth closed thus eliminating the stations at Ottery St Mary, Tipton St Johns, Newton Poppleford, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Littleham, and Sidmouth. Also closed was Seaton Junction and the Seaton branch thus eliminating Colyford and Colyton, and Seaton from the network. In addition Milbourne Port, Semely, Dinton and Wilton South were closed.
1983 with
Nick Gaskell
Nick Gaskell
Fortunately for us Nick Gaskell was busy with his camera in '83 and took scenes now just memories. Many thanks.
47282 rolls in from the west with a motorail train. August 83 Copyright Nick Gaskell
50 048 Dauntless sets off for the west, no doubt heading for Paignton. August 1983 Copyright Nick Gaskell
A right motley collection runs into platform 2 at Exeter. August 1983 Copyright Nick Gaskell.
Peak power here as 45112 comes in from the north. August 83 Copyright Nick Gaskell
The usual crowd of spectators at Paignton as 45034 rolls in under semaphore control. August 83 Copyright Nick Gaskell
Taken at Kingswear - a golden summer glow. August 1983 Copyright Nick Gaskell
Woolworth Kit Loco
at Okehampton Mike Morant
at Okehampton Mike Morant
South East and Chatham Railway Maunsell designed "Woolworth" mogul No, 1828 in lined green SR livery at Okehampton. No. 1828 was built at Ashford in 1924 from a kit of parts made by Woolwich Arsenal. This loco worked on until withdrawal from Redhill Motive Poer Depot in 1964 as BR No. 31828. Courtesy Mike Morant collection.