After five days of Furness Railway No. 20 operating trains at the West Somerset Railway, the party is over and members of Team FR 20 are now back home.
The locomotive was hired by the WSR, along with Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST No. 3581 of 1924, Marston Thompson and Evershed No. 3, from the Foxfield Railway, to haul two VIP trains from Watchet to Minehead to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the opening of that stretch of railway on the 16th July 1874. The first special ran on Tuesday, 16th, the exact date of the anniversary, with a re-run on Saturday, 20th.
On each occasion, the 0-4-0ST led the empty train from Minehead to Williton where it spent an hour in the yard before heading back to Watchet for the ribbon cutting ceremonies with FR 20 in the lead. The two locomotives worked well together, tackling the east bound Washford bank and the westbound climb out of Watchet with aplomb.
Both specials arrived back at Minehead a minute or two ahead of schedule, which on the Saturday was especially important as a main line special from Paddington, hauled by ‘Black 5’ 4-6-0 44871,was scheduled to arrive at Minehead at 1 pm. Over the five days, the two locomotives also worked many shuttle trains out of Minehead and over Seaward Crossing, passengers only being asked to give a donation for the ride. These were extremely popular and drew much interest from those visiting the railway over the five days of operation.
There was a large degree of input from FRT members during the visit, which made sure that FR 20 was looking at its very best and therefore attracted many favourable comments from the public and also on social media.
It wasn’t all plain sailing, for the initial steaming, turning the locomotive on the turntable and fitness to run exam took place on Monday, 21st July in pouring rain (photo Mike Lanning) which soaked those involved to the skin. However, the weather then perked up and was generally good for the rest of the stay.
There was a day off from operations on the Friday which allowed a FRT party of nine to visit the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway in beautiful sunshine,
followed by a trip to Woody Bay to see the rolling stock on the revived section of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, with a guided tour and steam cab rides on 2-4-2T Lyn in the platform, arranged courtesy of General Manager Stuart Nellams.
Mention must be made of the efforts of Alison Pinch who sold many souvenirs during the week. The new card reader worked a treat and certainly helped sales.
No date yet for the arrival of FR 20 back at Preston, however, it is due back in service at the RSR on Saturday, 10th August. Thanks go to the people at the West Somerset Railway for their friendly welcome to all the FRT members. It is a lovely railway and definitely worth a visit for those who have not already ventured there.
The latest issue of The Iron Horse magazine is being proof read and should be with members shortly along with an invitation to the Annual General Meeting, which will take place at 7.30 pm in the FRT shed at Preston on Wednesday evening, 18th September.
Finally, FRT member and RSR driver Ben Valentine, who spent the week helping out at Minehead, was offered a cab ride and a turn on the shovel on GWR ‘Hall class 4-6-0 No. 6990 Witherslack Hall last Thursday. FRT member Jimmy Dutton appeared and thought that we had TV star Piglet of the NYMR on board when he looked down the platform. There was a call for Jimmy to get a new pair of spectacles – but then two more people made the same error!
No blog next week due to more holidays!!