Sat/Sun 5-6 October 2002
MIXED
TRAFFIC WEEKEND
The ESR had a mixed traffic weekend to recreate the country branch line atmosphere
associated with rural railways such as our own Strawberry Line.
This event featured 4 engines in steam including GWR 0-6-2T 5637 specially repainted in BR
unlined black for the event.
Passenger
and Freight Trains
A special timetable applied offering both photographers and visitors plenty of opportunities to
travel on a mixed passenger/freight train typical to the period. For the
adventurous there was a chance to travel in the brake van of a train between
Cranmore and Mendip Vale.
In addition both
Cranmore Station and the Engine shed was a hive of activity as both the yard
pilot and the station pilot marshal the trains for the next departure.
Photographer's
Special Trains with Runpasts
As well as the Mixed
Traffic train, they also be ran
a loose coupled freight train between
Cranmore and Mendip Vale with an opportunity for lineside photography in the
highly photogenic Doulting Cutting. Stopping off at Merryfield Lane station at
the summit of the 1:56 gradient from Mendip Vale, photographers had
the
opportunity to pick a perfect location in the stone sided Cutting to take
photographs. Repeat run pasts were staged to ensure that the perfect shot was obtained. These movements were repeated in the afternoon so that there was opportunities to obtain shots from different locations. This part of the day
was fully guided by members of staff to ensure safety.
Four
Locos in steam
With 5637 specially
repainted for the occasion in BR unlined black, it joined the loco roster
with Great Western liveried 0-6-0ST 813, BR unlined black Swansea Dock Tank 705
and Barclay 0-4-0ST 1398 “Lord Fisher.” This was a 100% steam event!