Somerset and Dorset Railway - 'The Changeover Years Gala'
The Somerset and Dorset Railway is based at Midsomer Norton on part of the former Somerset and Dorset Railway. The charitable trust has over 1000 members. The Midsomer Norton site is located partway up the 1 in 50 gradient from Radstock to Masbury. The line held a small gala weekend 'The Changeover Years Gala' on the 23rd and 24th April using a mix of steam and diesel traction. The gala event featured Vertical Boiler Sentinel No.7109 'Joyce', 0-6-0T No.5459 'Austin1', Class 03 No.D2128, Class 08 No.D4095 and recent arrival from the Avon Valley Railway - Class 107 DMU (52006 & 52025).
Sentinel Steam Locomotive No.7109 'Joyce' and Class 03 No.D2128 double head away from Midsomer Norton (South) Station on the 23rd April 2022 with the 10:00 freight service.
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0-6-0T 5459 'Austin 1'shunts at Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 during the Somerset and Dorset Railway 'The Changeover Years' Gala.
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0-6-0T 5459 'Austin 1' powers west on the 23rd April 2022 during the Somerset and Dorset Railway 'The Changeover Years' Gala in top and tail formation with Class 08 No.4095 operating the 10:30 from Midsomer Norton.
BR Green Class 08 No.D4095 (08881) heads back to Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 during 'The Changeover Years' Gala event at the Somerset and Dorset Railway.
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Recently arrived from the Avon Valley Railway Class 107 DMU (52006 & 52025) near the end of the line from Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 operating the 11:00 service during 'The Changeover Years Gala'
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Recently arrived from the Avon Valley Railway Class 107 DMU (52006 & 52025) near the end of the line from Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 operating the 11:00 service during 'The Changeover Years Gala'
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LMS Steam Sentinel No.7109 'Joyce' and 0-6-0T No.5459 'Austin 1' depart Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 operating the 11:30 departure during the 'The Changeover Years' Gala.
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Class 107 DMU (52006 52025) is pictured at Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 during 'The Changeover Years' Gala weekend. The Unit had recently arrived from the Avon Valley Railway.
Bristol L5G LHT911 is pictured at Midsomer Norton on the23rd April 2022. The bus was providing free circular bus trips around the down during 'The Changeover Years Gala' at Midsomer Norton Station.
BR Green Class 03 No.D2128 is pictured at Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 during 'The Changeover Years' Gala. Alongside is Class 107 DMU (52006 52025).
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A general view of Midsomer Norton Station on the 23rd April 2022 during 'The Changeover Years' Gala weekend. 0-6-0T No.5459, Sentinel Steam Loco No.7109 and Class 03 No.2128
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Visiting Locomotive No.5459 'Austin I' is pictured at Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022 during 'The Changeover Years' Gala weekend. Historical notes - this locomotive was built by Kitsons of Leeds as works number 5459 in 1932. It was delivered new to the Austin Motor Company at their Longbridge works in the West Midlands where it was known as Austin 1. The locomotive was purchased by Burtonwood Brewery in November 1973 on behalf of the Flint and Deeside Railway Society, and was stored behind the Nant Hotel in Prestatyn until the Society moved to Llangollen in 1975. The locomotive was named Burtonwood Brewer in honour of the brewery, who paid for restoration and fitting of vacuum brake gear required for working passenger trains.
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Built at British Railways’ Horwich Works and completed in August in 1961, D4095 is a representative of the largest fleet of diesel locomotives ever constructed in this country, with a total of 1,193 built between October 1952 and August 1962. It’s fitted with an English Electric 350 horsepower engine.
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The driver of Class 107 (52006 52025) DMU approaches Midsomer Norton on the 23rd April 2022.