West Somerset Railway - Spring Steam Gala 2016
'50th Anniversary of the Somerset and Dorset closure'
The first weekend of the West Somerset Railway 2016 Spring Steam Gala took place on the 5th and 6th March coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Somerset and Dorset route. The S&D theme for the gala rejuvenated the memories of the line by using locomotive types which once operated over the route. No less than six visiting locomotives were bought in to boost the variety of traction on offer. The lineup will featured the return of the Somerset and Dorset 7F No.53808 fresh from overhaul which will joined with sister locomotive No.53809. Also visiting the line will be BR Standard 4MT Tank No. 80072 (which operated as 80043), SR West Country No. 34070 'Manston', SR Rebuilt West Country No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' & British Railways 9F No. 92214 and LMS 4F No.44422 (which is now part of the WSR home fleet). The first two days of the event also featured a much improved timetable which allowed for a more interesting operating pattern. The use of terminating trains, through trains and goods trains in the middle of the day offered some much missed operational diversity. The special working of Class 35 Hymek on Sunday 6th March operating a demolition train was also well received and thought through. The S&D memories continue next week starting on Wednesday 9th March through to Sunday 12th March.
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