Good turn-out for West Somerset’s GW ‘Routes & Branches’ gala

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AS THIS issue of The RM went to press, the West Somerset Railway (WSR) was in post-gala wrap-up mode following its March 22-25 Great Western Routes & Branches event.

From the Severn Valley Railway came ‘57XX’ 0-6-0PT No. 7714 and Mike Little’s ‘14XX’ 0-4-2T No. 1450, the latter being joined by its auto-coach No. 178.

On the Thursday, the ‘auto’ could be found working between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren, as well as making longer sojourns to Williton, and even the full line in the evening.

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A picture of Western charm as No. 1450 and auto-trailer prepare to depart Bishops Lydeard with the 10.45 for Norton Fitzwarren on March 22. GARY BOYD-HOPE

This final run of the day took longer than expected after visiting ‘S160’ 2-8-0 No. 6046 suffered drain cock issues and had to be failed. No. 1450 and its passengers had to sit at Crowcombe Heathfield for more than an hour owing to the subsequent delays.

The Churnet Valley Railway 2-8-0 was repaired overnight and back in action on the Friday.

Dennis Howells’ Hawksworth ‘94XX’ 0-6-0PT No. 9466 completed a trio of tank engines in action, joined by the Great Central Railway’s ‘Modified Hall’ No. 6990 Witherslack Hall and resident classmate No. 6960 Raveningham Hall.

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