Over the weekend of 31 May and 1 June 2014, Yeovil Railway Centre celebrated its first 20 years. Here are some photos of this successful event and our thanks go to all the visitors, volunteers and exhibitors as well as the small Committee that arranged the festivities.

Some more photos can be found HERE taken by Peter Skuce, a passenger on the U K Railtours excusion.

Visiting Excursions

Saturday 31 May - U K Railtours ran a pair of South West Train 159 units (159004 and 159020) from London Waterloo to Templecombe and Yeovil Junction. Half the passengers went to Gartell Light Railway and the remainder came through to Yeovil. The groups were swapped over by coach. The Special is seen at Platform 3 and (unless someone can advise otherwise!) this is the first time 159s have arrived or departed with passengers from the Heritage Platform. They are, of course, the staple rolling stock for the route.
(Photo courtesy Antony Christie)

The units leave Yeovil Junction on the return journey.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

Sunday 1 June - Steam Dreams operated a dining train from London Victoria to Yeovil Junction via Winchester, Southampton and Salisbury. Originally booked for 34046 'Braunton', the train was powered by Black 5 44932 with Crompton 33207 'Jim Martin' providing any assistance.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh)

(Photo courtesy Paul Godfrey)

(Photo courtesy Roland Groom)

Running onto the turntable.
(Photo courtesy John Penny)

Quite a crowd to watch the action.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

(Photo courtesy Roland Groom)

(Photo courtesy Roland Groom)

(Photo courtesy Roland Groom)

Whilst 44932 was serviced and turned, 33207 took the support coach and re-attached it to the leading end of the train. The diesel then ran round and pulled the stock back into the headshunt. 44932 runs out of the site at the east end. 44932 with Ivo watching.
(Photo courtesy John Penny)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

Now re-attached to the train and immediately on arrival of the 'down' Exeter service, 44932 departs.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh)

(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh)

Our engines and trains

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

Kit with Yeovil Railway Centre's new logo.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 'Lord Fisher' (owned by Barry Buckfield) top and tailed the shuttles with....
(Photo courtesy Antony Christie)

....Fowler diesel 'Cockney Rebel' (Owned by Ron Weston).
(Photo courtesy Antony Christie)

56303 (kindly lent by DCR for the weekend), 50050 'Fearless' and a South West Trains service.
(Photo courtesy Antony Christie)

'Lord Fisher' at the main platform.
(Photo courtesy Antony Christie)

Friday 30 May - 56303 arrives light engine from Eastleigh....

....and reverses in the Centre.

Test run on Friday 30 May.

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Antony Christie)

(Photo courtesy Roland Groom)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Roland Groom)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

50050 'Fearless with Gail and Carli.
(Photo courtesy Richard Thompson)

Westland & Yeovil District Model Engineering Society.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Roland Groom)

On Monday 2 June, 56303 departed via Yeovil Pen Mill to Eastleigh taking coach 21268 for overhaul. Seen near Sparkford.
(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh)

The attractions

Andy was operating Westland & Yeovil District Model Engineering Society's live steam 16mm layout (16mm to foot on 'O' gauge track) - Out of service Peckett 'Pectin' in background.

(Photo courtesy Paul Godfrey)

(Photo courtesy Paul Godfrey)

Hornby 3 Rail.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

John was running his 'O' Gauge Hornby layout.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

We were delighted to welcome back Salisbury and Stonehenge Group's Gauge 1 railway.

Ray Heard and his Model Railways for sale.
The Centre's resident layout was also in operation.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

WWII Re Enactors.
(Photo courtesy Paul Godfrey)

(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

Kevin.

Bugfest - Reptiles and creepy crawlies of different varieties!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

Kelvin looks quite at home....
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

....not so sure about Sue!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

(Photo courtesy Paul Godfrey)

Birds of Prey were present on Saturday and gave a fantastic display.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

Steam wagons owned by Jerry Darch and Bob Garnett were loaned for the event.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh)

(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh)

(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh)

A Heritage shuttle bus ran from Yeovil Town Centre (not Newton Abbot!) on Sunday.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)

(Photo courtesy Paul Godfrey)

(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

Looks just like the real thing!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)

Thanks to Steve Harvey and others a good display of railwayana was on show.

The Great Gathering board was carried by 4464 'Bittern' at National Railway Museum York during the recent exhibition of the six remaining Class A4 Pacific steam locomotives.