The S&D Remembered on the West Somerset Railway - The 2016 Spring Steam Gala

Commemorating 50 years since the closure of the famous and much loved Somerset & Dorset Railway between Bath Green Park and Bournemouth West, was the West Somerset Railway's 2016 Spring Steam Gala. Held over the 5th, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of March, this long awaited event would bring together many of the locomotive classes who regularly worked over the S&D right up until closure on Sunday the 6th of March 1966; with classic combinations and workings recreated such as a 7F piloting a Bulleid Light Pacific, a 9F on the Pines Express and, rarest of all, double headed 7Fs.
The full line up included:
Home Fleet:
- S&DJR 7F Class 2-8-0 no.53808 *
- LMS 4F Class 0-6-0 no.44422 *
Visiting:
- SR Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class 4-6-2 no.34053 'Sir Keith Park' (Running as 34098 'Templecombe' on the second weekend)
- SR Un-Rebuilt 'West Country' Class 4-6-2 no.34070 'Manston'
- LMS 8F Class 2-8-0 no.48624 (The first 8F to appear on the WSR for 20 years)
- BR Standard Class 4MT 2-6-4T no.80072 (Running as 80043)
- BR Standard Class 2-10-0 no.92214
- S&DJR 7F Class 2-8-0 no.53809 *
* Returning to service in time for the event after overhaul at Minehead (53808), Crewe (44422) and Swanwick (53809) respectively.
This video covers the 6th, 12th and 13th. Shots included are:
34053/34098: Norvis Bridge and Bye Farm.
34070: Cleeve Hill.
53808 & 34070: Roebuck Gate.
48624 & 34070: Washford Playing Fields.
48624: Cottiford Bridge and Cleeve Hill.
92214: Cedar Falls, Roebuck Gate and Lower Washford.
80043: Churchlands Bridge, Bye Farm, Washford Playing Fields, Old Cleeve, Old Cleeve Bridge and Trenance Farm.
44422 & 53809: Cleeve Hill and Lower Washford.
53809: Cottiford, Old Cleeve and Williton.
53809 & 53808: Washford Playing Fields.
53808: Trenance Farm, Heddon Wood, Cottiford and Lower Washford (Goods).
53809 & 48624: Bicknoller.
An absolutely brilliant event. Thanks to all involved for making it happen.
Filmed on a Panasonic HS900 with a Pro Sound L92AA microphone.
Enjoy.

[@Bruno.Trains]

Very pleasing shots, nice video.

[@benlahrman926]

if only i lived in the uk. then i could go to these historic events.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Very good sound quality, catching the birds tweeting in the background. Very pleasing shots in the evening sun.

[@mikeytrains1]

Its good they did this.

[@Mckorkins]

Simply superb!

[@TheMendipman]

Great nostalgia!
I was at school almost opposite he station at Midsomer Norton.
Noel

[@southwalestrainspotting5090]

Brilliant video i was there on the second weekend

[@GRAHAM1514]

excellent well thought out video, may i ask what camera do you use ? i have a panasonic hc -v500 my films dont seem as clear as yours !

[@WestCountrySteamVideos]

great video! excellent footage! could I ask what expensive camcorder you use

[@SpeedToTheWest]

+somerset train spotting Thanks. I use a Panasonic HS900, although after over fours years of use, it might soon be time for an upgrade.

[@WestCountrySteamVideos]

+Speed to the West PS it's says manston is a rebuilt pacific in the description

[@SpeedToTheWest]

+somerset train spotting Duly noted and corrected.