Midsomer Norton Diesel Gala

This weekend (7th & 8th March) saw the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust's Spring Diesel Gala at Midsomer Norton.

They had arranged for D5343, from the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, to visit and, thereby, become the first Class 26 to travel along S&D metals. But, unfortunately, she sustained an engine fault and could not appear.

Obviously this was a shame but they still had their own diesel shunters in attendance, namely: 

Class 08 'D4095' and English Electric (ex-NCB) D1120 - although this latter loco also failed on the Sunday. 

Plus they had a visiting Class 03 shunter 'D2128'.

The photographs below were all taken on the Saturday, a cloudy but, thankfully, dry day.

A general view of the station, taken from Charlton Road.

A closer view of the main station building

The first train of the day (10:00 am) is waiting to depart.

The stable block, currently a museum but, one day perhaps, accommodation.

The resident Class 08 at the rear of the train at Platform 1.

Inside the recently acquired (from Swanage Railway) buffet coach.

Outside the same coach and looking along Platform 2.

D1120 and D2128 standing side by side.

The Class 03 is ready to depart.

She departs Platform 1 and commences her journey ...

... up the 1 in 53 ...

... ably assisted by the Class 08.

A view from the train.

The end of the line - for now!

And viewed from the other side of the train.

D1120 and D2128 double-head a departure ...

... with the Class 08 at the rear once more.

A short goods train, a milk tanker and buffet car stand at Platform 2.

Finally, here is a photograph that I took of the station in 1989.

Just goes to show what big difference 30 years and a lot of hard work can make!