The Spring Steam Gala on the West Somerset Railway 19-21 March 1999
The first event of the last year of the Millenium was an outstanding success with nine steam locos in action on the "main" line and a Great Western Trains High Speed Train to boot!
The Saturday of the Spring Steam Gala was particularly busy with standing room only on many trains. My wife Jean and daughter Faye took the mid-morning train from Minehead to Watchet hauled by GWR Mogul 2-6-0 no 7325 and enjoyed a comfortable ride on the cushions. After a spot of shopping, then lunch at Seyburn's and an hour of fossil-hunting on the beach, they returned to Minehead aboard the severely overcrowded seven coach 13.55 ex Bishops Lydeard headed by BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160 and GWR 2-6-2T no 5541 and had to stand all the way!
GWR 0-6-0PT no 9466 piloted GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412 on the 09.40 Minehead to Dunster goods and then took two milk tanks and a brake onto Bishops Lydeard, recreating the once common country milk train.
Ivatt 2-6-2T no 41312, visiting from the Mid Hants, was a popular loco with much film used and many pennies exchanged for a ticket to ride behind the loco (dubbed "a nice little toy" by the WSR Loco). A chance meeting with MHR shedmate BR 4-6-0 no 73096 at Bishops Lydeard was very touching. The Class 5 had brought a nine-coach special from Alton and came off at Bishops Lydeard, to be replaced by the Ivatt and BW(W) 4-6-0 "Dinmore Manor" (a most reliable and powerful local loco). The return working, the 16.30 ex Minehead, was entrusted to another visitor GWR 2-6-2T no 5541 and (yes) "Dinmore Manor". The Small Prairie must have wondered what hit it, with some extremely hard work over the twenty miles with heavy trailing loads, when compared to its usual exertions on the Dean Forest Railway!
BR Mogul 2-6-0 no 76079, on loan for the summer season, also proved popular, and made some wonderful noises - bodes well for future rosters.
"Odney Manor", no 7828, also ran with distinction - these Manors really are most suited to the present WSR needs.
The Saturday arrivals and departures at Bishops Lydeard make for interesting reading:
|
0930 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (no 7325) |
|
1010 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (no 4160) |
|
1040 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (no 7820) |
|
1100 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (no 76079) |
|
1128 |
Class 9 goods from Minehead (no 9466) |
|
1134 |
Class 1 passenger from Paddington (HST) |
|
1140 |
Class 1 passenger to Minehead (HST) |
|
1207 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (no 7325) |
|
1225 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (nos 9466/7325) |
|
1309 |
Class 1 passenger from Alton (no 73096) |
|
1319 |
Class 1 passenger to Minehead (nos 41312/7820) |
|
1333 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (no 4160) |
|
1355 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (nos 4160/5541) |
|
1420 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (nos 76079/7828) |
|
1440 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (no 7828) |
|
1510 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (no 7325) |
|
1535 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (no 76079) |
|
1606 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (no 9466) |
|
1657 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (nos 41312/6412) |
|
1734 |
Class 1 passenger from Minehead (nos 5541/7820) |
|
1735 |
Class 2 passenger to Minehead (nos 41312/9466) |
|
1748 |
Class 1 passenger to Alton (Diesel loco) |
|
1800 |
Class 2 passenger from Minehead (no 7828) |
|
1805 |
Class 6 goods to Minehead (no 6412) |
|
1835 |
Class 1 passenger from Minehead (HST) |
|
1837 |
Class 1 passenger to Paddington (HST) |
|
1915 |
Class 1 passenger to Minehead (no 7325) |
|
2135 |
Class 0 light engine from Minehead (no 76079) |
|
2300 |
Class 1 passenger from Minehead (no 7325) |
Quite a day! The Sunday was not quite as ambitious nor quite so busy but a cracking day nevertheless!
Steve Martin, the Railway's Operating Superintendent commented, "It just goes to show that we don't need Kings and Castles to make a great successful Gala".
The Railway are to be congratulated on a well-organised weekend of intensive running with most "paths" taken at most times of the day. The loco turn-round crew at Minehead pulled out all the stops with sub 20 minutes being recorded. Over 800 steam miles were run on the Saturday alone! A mammoth effort and a mammoth thanks to all involved.