East Somerset Railway

Great day out Saturday for my Dad’s birthday, a big thank you to all those involved. To those who have not been, give the East Somerset Gala a go next year, great value for money. Lots of work going on, renewing the track, track side clearance and the new platform. Any chance of a repeat show in the Autumn?

 

5239 should be appearing at sometime in the autumn hopefully and 4555 should also be with us for the start of next season (2020) too so there's plenty on in the next 12 month's especially for the Western enthusiast. The format of these events has not been finalised as far as I am aware.

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Just a reminder that in the early days Network Rail trains reached the sidings just short of Cranmore station with bitumen tankers

 

East Somerset Railway Diesel Day last Wednesday 22/05/19 Class 108 British Rail 54271 & 51909 & Mendip Vale Station Great Day Thanks to All

 

The crane is privately owned and since it has limited revenue earning potential any overhaul is down to the owner, who sadly is not a wealthy person.

This crane was never at Newton Abbot, that was long scrapped sister No 3. No 2 spent its entire working life based at Swindon. It is, incidentally, the only steam crane ordered by GWR to have survived, as well as being one of the three oldest surviving steam breakdown in the UK (all three are from 1907/8 and it isn't possible to sequence them accurately).

Maybe crowd funding is the way ahead.

 

Some more good news for the ESR as the lottery application for the completion of the down platform has been granted:

https://eastsomersetrailway.com/news/view/east-somerset-railway-wins-national-lottery-support

 

Have yet to visit the ESR, even though I'm only down the road in Taunton. That said, the opportunity to ride behind 5239 after missing her the last couple of years is an opportunity too good to miss. Cant wait to see the results of all the team's hard work.

 

Now that bitumen trains no longer run to Cranore, is there any reason why the ESR could not extend to just short of Merehead - assuming they can find space for a run-round and platform? Maybe the quarry could help out a bit with the land and a visitor centre to promote what goes on at the quarry, and how the products are used.

 

See post 52.

 

Where’s the Mendip Distribution Centre too in Shepton.

 

This took 30 secs to look up on Google. It's good, you aught to try it one day.

Off Fosse Lane, Frampton Rd, Shepton Mallet BA4 4NH
aka Framptons road haulage depot. <BJ>

 

Video from this summer, it's been another successful season for the ESR with the usual 3 coach set bolstered to 4 during August due to high passenger numbers. Hopefully there's more of the same to come in 2020! (Note lineside shots taken with permission and pts etc)

 

In the first clip, the van doors appear to be pinned open. Are they open and why would they be?

 

There's a generator located in that van to provide power for the kitchen/dining coaches, the doors are open to provide ventilation and keep the generator cool.

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Thanks.

 

An update on the reconstruction of Cranmore's down platform taken from the ESR website:


"The construction side of the second phase our lottery funded project finally got underway on the 14th of October when local builders Trotmans returned to start work on extending the platform wall to its full length.

The first phase construction was blessed with a spell of warm dry weather in mid 2018, but we did not expect to be so lucky restarting the work this autumn. However, despite somewhat variable weather and the need to suspend construction during our key civil week in November good progress has been made in tackling the extension. As on the last phase, getting materials to the platform involves use of some of our flat wagons and various coordinated deliveries from builders merchants directly onto wagons shunted in and out of the tanker sidings.

We are trying to complete the wall and platform ramps at either end by year end, backfill and provide a level surface foundation, and then move onto laying a permanent tarmac surface during March 2020. The installation of platform lamps and fencing can then follow thereafter and we now have a new Cranmore station sign to install to restore the paltform to its pre 1960s format."

 

It is good to see the East Somerset Rly doing so well. About 20 years ago, they seemed to be struggling and I recall a sale of second hand books in the station to raise funds for survival. Their co-operation with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to restore Ivatt 2MT locos did much to raise their profile, in my eyes.

 

4555 has safely arrived at the ESR ready for when services resume. It's seen here at Cranmore following a gauging and test run. Having the three western tanks on site also lead to a lineup earlier in the day. 4555, 5239 and 5637 are seen outside Cranmore shed on Friday morning.

 

Great photos of 4555.

Such a shame the gala had to be pulled, but will look forward to a future visit again after making my first last summer.

 

Good to see two old favourites in this photo - even if they are away from home.