9. WSR-??.08.76

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1976 > 9. WSR-??.08.76

During the peak of the great 'Summer of '76' I went on scout camp. We camped just outside of Porlock in Devon. The photos that I have of the site show that everything was a shade of brown due to the total lack of rain. We were also banned from having open fires so instead we cooked on gas stoves, something very much frowned upon in the world of scouting! One of our days out was to Minehead. Whilst most of the troop ate ice creams on the beach, myself and some mates went to the West Somerset Railway station.

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2294, taking water, Minehead Station
I belive that this is one of the WSR's Bagnall tanks 2294 'Vulcan'. It is seen from the platform at Minehead taking water. I am not sure why it was in-steam as the fire risk was extraordinary give that it was the middle of August in 1976. Three of these Bagnall tanks were built in Stafford in the 1950s for use in the South Wales steel works. After use, two made it into preservation and are still in-service today.
Keywords: 2294 Minehead Station

7017, stabled, Minehead station
I remember being excited to see this Hymek at Minehead! Wearing its DEG headboard D7017 sits with its nose on the shade sheltering from the intense sun. It had been out of BR service for less than a year when this picture was taken and it was soon to be put into use on the preserved line where it has remained ever since.
Keywords: 7017 Minehead station

P200, stabled
With a parched field in the background, one of the WSR's resident class 103 Park Royal DMUs sits in the baking sun at Minehead. This one is painted in the WSR livery of the time and was in-service. The railway had opened to passengers earlier in 1976 with the 103s providing the backbone of their workings. Unfortunately, despite extensive research, I cannot find out the number of this car. Set P200 was a two-car unit that the WSR bought from BR when it was retired from use on the Kingswear branch following closure in 1972.

Book bought in the shop at Minehead WSR station
I bought this book in the shop at Minehead station for the grand total of 50p! While a little weather-beaten now, it is still in my collection. It's funny the things that you remember, but I distinctly recall reading it by torchlight with great excitement in my tent back at scout camp later this evening!

Images 1-4 of 4 displayed.