SOME GENERAL INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND
The second 10 years

2003
The picture gallery for 2003 can be found here

Much time was spent in continuing the renovation of the Transfer Shed with regular opening during Train Days possible in the summer. 2003 was to see a significant new steam presence at Yeovil in the form of Cathedrals Express (operated by Steam Dreams). Three excursions to Yeovil and three to Exeter were run from London using Mid-Hants based engines 73096 or 60009 'Union of South Africa', all of which involved our services. We also watered 34067 'Tangmere' on a trip to Okehampton on 4 October.

Two excursions were run this year from Yeovil by Pathfinder Railtours. On 3 May a very popular train to Norwich and Norfolk used a pair of Class 37 engines (37047 and 37114) whilst a shopping trip to London on 22 November used Class 33, 33202.

We were very fortunate to be offered the loan of five diesels for a first Diesel Gala between 3-5 May. The engines were 'Western Champion' D1015, Class 59 59002 'Alan J Day', Class 50 50031 'Hood' and the two Class 37s, once they had returned from railtour duties. Our sincere thanks are due to Peter Watts (Pathfinder Railtours), Charles Padget (Riviera Trains), Mendip Rail, EWS, Network Rail, Diesel Traction Group and Class 50 Fund for their assistance in making this Gala happen.

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. D1015 on display during the diesel gala.

EWS asked us to service the Orient Express stock on 21 March (remember the 6.30am start and the frozen water hoses!) and Northern Belle on 11 October when their facilities at Swindon could not be used. An eyeopener for those involved! On 24 September Deltic 9016 arrived for secure accomodation in a visit that lasted a little over one month. This was the first main line diesel inside the engine shed and looked magnificent having just been repainted.

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. Servicing the Orient Express stock.	CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. D9016 arrives.

In June we ran the first Beer & Jazz Festival over two days using the Transfer Shed with a break even result. The building proved to be an excellent venue with great acoustics!

On 21 September, the refurbished Ruston engine purchased in 2002 was named 'Yeo' by Robin Prebble, one of the Ruston Group members in the presence of his family and the other Group members.

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. Naming of Ruston locomotive 'Yeo'.

To celebrate the first 10 years of the Company a celebration was held in the Transfer Shed on 4 October with buffet and warm words including a few memories from Brian Jackson, whose book Yeovil 150 Years of Railways had been published to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first train at Hendford on 1 October 1853.

Santa Specials were notable for the absence of 'Pectin' after the first morning with leaking tubes. Due to be withdrawn immediately after anyway for a 10 year overhaul, the end came slightly sooner than expected. The Ruston Group's engine 'Yeo' manfully came to the rescue with a excellent performance once the crew got to grips with the vacuum brake which had been fitted days beforehand (just in case). At the end of the year, work started to get the second Shed road installed.

2003 can be summed up as an extremely busy year in which the efforts since 1993 started to be rewarded in many different ways.

2004
The picture gallery for 2004 can be found here

Probably the most important achievement of the year was the in-house overhaul of Peckett steam engine ‘Pectin’. Some assistance was given by Gartell & Son of Templecombe but it was a little over 6 months from failing at Santa Specials to being in steam on 21 June, running-in began on 4 July and the engine was back in service on 1 August. Many hundreds of hours were spent by volunteers. During this time, services were run using Ruston diesel ‘Yeo’ which performed faultlessly.

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. Overhaul of 'Pectin' begins.

There were new events this year, including 4 Model Railway Collector’s Swapmeets, a highly successful Model Railway event on 28 March and establishment of a Cuneo Fine Arts exhibition by Carole Cuneo (daughter of Terence Cuneo the famous railway artist) supported by Sue Bowditch and other artists. The Beer & Jazz Festival attracted larger support and made a reasonable surplus and Barwick P.C.C. organised a barn dance in the Transfer Shed during the autumn.

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. Model Railway exhibition.	CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. Great accoustics!!.

As far as the railway was concerned we welcomed 8 steam Cathedral Express and Sunny South Express visits organised by Steam Dreams and hauled by 73096, 34067 ‘Tangmere’ and 34027 ‘Taw Valley’ running as 34046 ‘Ottery St Mary’. On 1 March 33103 and 33202 hauled an excursion from Yeovil to Buxton starting at an unearthly hour of 04.10!! 50050 ‘Fearless’ arrived for refurbishment on 16 October behind 31601.

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. 34027 'Taw Valley' (aka 34046 'Ottery St Mary').	CLICK THE PICTURE FOR MORE PHOTOS. USE YOUR BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON TO RETURN. 31601 and 50050.

Other significant events included the opening of the catering area in the Transfer Shed on 1 June (which is already reaping rewards), the start on the second Shed road at the end of the year and continuing progress on the overhaul of Ronnie Weston’s Fowler. Santa Specials were amongst the most successful ever with a little under 900 visitors over the three days

THESE PAGES WILL BE UPDATED OCCASIONALLY (LAST 31 January 2005)

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1993-2002
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