MEREHEAD
QUARRY

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Torr Works quarry, is a limestone quarry at East Cranmore, near Shepton Mallet on the Medip Hills, Somerset.  The quarry was formerly known as Merehead, a name which has been retained for its rail depot on the opposite side of the A362 road.
The site covers an area of some 205 hectares, including 62 hectares which have been landscaped to blend with the surrounding countryside. It has been operated by Aggregate Industries since their take over by Foster Yeoman  in 2006. The site employs over 250 people and produces 7.5 million tonnes of limestone annually which is carried directly from the quarry by Mendip Rail.

Map of Cranmore Quarry Courtesy Google Maps.  Zoom and Pan to discover recent track plan track plan.  Torr Quarry is beyond the A361. Cranmore locomotive depot is located within the triangle served by the short spurs heading south. Zoom and Pan to discover more.

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The above view courtesy Google Earth shows Torr Quarry and below the A361 the triangle, the arrival sidings are on the left, east side.  Cranmore locomotive depot, with some locos on shed is clearly visible within the triangle.  Zoom and Pan to observe.

The CRS  visited the locomotive depot at Merehead on one occasion however as this was unplanned and we couldn't find the foreman to ask permission we merely took pictures from where we parked and then went on to visit the East Somerset Railway, our planned venue. Pictures taken on other occasions were taken by Sid Sponheimer with the permission of the foreman.  Many thanks to Sid for his collection of pictures.

Roger has arrived, almost on cue it seems, as the two resident 08's push the loaded wagons under the wash to give the loads a good damping down and hence reduce the dust during transit. In the background stands a class 47 with a train of empties. 4th November 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen. N.B. A smashing action shot.

The 08's are still pushing hard as they pass under the jets of the washer. 4th November 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The 47, uncoupled from the empties comes forward seemingly pushing its way through the point. It will now reverse back on the loop and once there the 08's will bring the full train towards the phtographer and then push it back onto the waiting 47. Copyright Roger Winnen 4th November 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

59002 Yeoman Enterprise rests on shed . 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59003 Yeoman Highlander. 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59003. Yeoman Highlander and Class 08 Seen on the 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59003 Yeoman Highlander awaits duty on the 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59003 Yeoman Highlander plus Class 08 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Class 59s Kenneth J Painter nearest and Yeoman Challanger beyond plus an 08 Outside the shed at Merehead. 3rd July 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen

59103 Village of Mells and 59005 Kenneth J Painter 22nd June 1996 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Here we see 59102 Village of Chantry in a nice clean and tidy depot. 22nd June 1996 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59003 Yeoman Highlander. 22nd June 1996 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59002. Alan J Day. Previously Yeoman Challenger 22nd June 1996 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59002 Alan J Day. Previously Yeoman Challenger 22nd June 1996 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

59004 Paul A Hammond and shedmates 22nd June 1996 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

                    Merehead  
​      Foster Yeoman  75th Anniversary
On the 27th June 1998 Foster Yeoman celebrated its 75th Anniversary with an open day at the quarry.  A rail shuttle service to Cranmore was provided from Westbury via Witham. From Cranmore a fleet of vintage buses provided a service to the quarry.  A number of steam and diesel locomotives were on display and in action.  The following pictures are courtesy of the Mike Morant Collection - many thanks Mike.
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Looking immaculate here is D821 Greyhound. Merehead 27th June 1998 Mike morant Collection

Not exactly railway but seen at a rail event! Seen at the Merehead 75th Anniversary of Foster Yeoman on the 26th June 1998 a Foden steam tractor of 1923 vintage. It has compound cylinders and has 2 gears. The registration is PC9928. Picture courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

​Class 9Fs 92212 and 92203 "Black Prince" with owner David Shepherd in the cab, flat out - accelerating a 1700 ton stone train through the sidings towards the junction with the branch.                                                                           For a video of this click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uDf7cmnn4E

9F's 92212 & 92203 on the demonstartion train at Merehead Quarry on the 28th June 1998 Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

The far side of the demonstration train. 9F's 92212 & 92203 on the demonstration train at Merehead Quarry on the 28th June 1998 Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

GWR 57XX 7760 at Merehead Quarry on the 28th June 1998. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection This loco is currently at Tysley on staic display awaiting overhaul.

GWR 7760 at Merehead Quarry on the 28th June 1998. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection Into traffic 31st December 1930, withdrawn 30th December 1961

To and From Merehead quarry.

56042 departs Merehead with a loaded stone train 22nd June 1984. Copyright Ron Kosys

Cranmore arrival
East Somerset Railway
​Guy Vincent

Recently arrived at Cranmore for restoration to working order is GWR 2-6-2 'Large Prarie' tank engine no 4110, a member of the '5101' class and built at Swindon in October1936.  The loco spent a short period (July 1962-May 1963) based at Taunton and was withdrawn from Severn Tunnel Junction shed  in June 1965.  The same month it was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry, South Wales from where it was purchased for preservation, becoming the 100th loco to leave the yard in 1979.  Since then it has had several owners and has been based at Southall, Tyseley, Minehead and latterly Kingswear.   The loco recently arrived at Cranmore where it is to be fully restored and will then spend 3 years working on the East Somerset Railway.  Attached are two photos of 4110, the first taken at Kingswear in October 2019 and the second at Cranmore.    There is no doubt that once restored the loco will be in virtually 'as new' condition as the team at Cranmore have a proven track record in producing high quality work.   Currently undergoing repairs there for the Dartmouth Steam Railway is '5205' Class  Collett 2-8-0T  no 5239 'Goliath'  and prior to that the ESR rebuilt LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T no 41313 from scrap condition to ex-works in just two years.

               Regards,  Guy Vincent.  Many thanks Guy for your pictures and of course detailed notes..