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• The Crewe to Minehead Special
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The weekend started with a short wait at Doniford Bridge waiting for the Crewe to Minehead special headed by no 56119 - the first class 56 to traverse the branch. We had earlier seen the train from the A38 as it, and we, approached Bridgwater. Before too long the 56 blew up for Williton and we knew the first sight of a 56 on the Minehead line was imminent. Another major clue was the arrival of about half-a-dozen photographers. But I'd already bagged my spot...
Despite failing light the loco and twelve looked very smart indeed as the train took the Doniford curve. We moved on to Blue Anchor and watched the token exchange between the young signalman and Richard Jones, the conductor driver. I always wonder what the waiting motorists think of such trains. The photographers who had also made it to BA seemed happy with the afternoons work.
Off for a cuppa at the Driftwood, and then back for a lone viewing of the WSR's Class 33 running light engine through to Minehead. and a little later, up came BR class 4MT no 80136 and "Odney Manor" with a double headed ECS for Lydeard.
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• Dunster by Candlelight - the first evening
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Later that evening, we checked out the Dunster by Candlelight event and then proceeded to Minehead Station for some time-exposure shots of the Class 33 now standing at the head of the waiting special. The Crompton was attached ahead of the 56 for pilot duties as far as Bishops Lydeard. The photographers were back in force. Soon, "Odney Manor" ran in with the first of the two steam specials from Lydeard, followed smartly by 80136. With the special in the main platform, the other specials used the bay and were shunt released by the Class 03 shunter.
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• Santa Specials on the Saturday
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The next day was spent photographing the four Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe "Santa Specials" headed by "Odney Manor". The area around Nethercott was bathed in clear bright sunshine all day, whilst a thick fog enveloped the Vale of Taunton Deane all day.
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• Dunster by Candlelight - the second evening
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With the Saturday Dunster by Candlelight trains all arriving after dark, we decided to, again, use Minehead Station as a base, and waited for the first of four arrivals, all due within one hour, and all in the dark of a December evening.
The high intensity headlight of the High Speed Train from Bristol was spotted along the long straight to Dunster, and soon the train, freshly painted in the new First Great Western livery, ran into the bay platform, the pink and purple colours somewhat unkindly referred to as the "Barbie" scheme. But it did look extremely impresssive.
Next came no 7828 "Odney Manor" into the main platform, the stock removed by the Class 03 and shunted to the loco sidings. Whilst this activity was taking place, the next special, headed by BR 2-6-2T no 4160, arrived outside the station and waited at the home signal, then moved up to wait at the crossing signal. By which time, the fourth special - the "Quantock Belle" hauled by no 80136 - could be seen at the home signal. Minehead Station has probably never been busier... I am told around 1000 passengers travelled on those four trains, some using Dunster Station and walking up to the candlelit village, others continuing to Minehead, and transferring to a fleet of double-decker buses for the short road trip to Dunster.
Of course, getting the trains there is one story but they all had to worked back too. At 9.15pm the first, the HST, departed Minehead. The third and fourth trains were joined as one and double headed by the Class 33 and "Odney Manor".
Later, back at the guest house, trains were still heard about on the line as midnight approached.
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• Santa Specials on the Sunday
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The Sunday was dedicated to three things. First, the Class 4MT on the Minehead to Blue Anchor "Santa Specials". A sea mist hung around Minehead and Ker Moor, but thankfully Blue Anchor saw some hazy winter sunshine. Secondly, a Christmas tree was purchased at Minehead Garden Centre, and thirdly, an excellent Sunday Lunch at the Washford Inn, before the long trek home to Peterborough.
The whole thing is repeated again next year. If you want to witness a heritage railway running to peak capacity, give it a visit in 2002.
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No 56119
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No 33048
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No 7828
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HST
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No 80136
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Dunster by Candlelight and Santa Specials 2001