Watercress Line takes Somerset & Dorset 7F on loan
SOMERSET& Dorset JointRailway 7F 2- 8- 0No. 53808 is tomovetothe MidHantsRailway on loanfor twoyears.
Owner the Washford- based Somerset& Dorset Railway Trust ( SDRT) and the West Somerset Railway plc ( WSR) have reached agreement for the move.
The agreement sees the locomotive’s current operating agreement with WSR plc being suspended for the remaining period of its boiler certificate, which is due to end in autumn 2022. At present, the West Somerset Railway is not running trains due toamajor track upgrade in process, and suspension of the agreement will allow the locomotive, one of two survivors of the class, to be hired externally during this period to earn additional hire fees towards its next major overhaul.
WSR plc has indicated to the SDRT that it wishes to discuss the return of the locomotive to its line and to look at funding options which would enable the overhaul, due in 2023, to be carried out as planned. In return, the SDRT has agreed that “a timely discussion would be appropriate.”
No. 53808 will have spent more than 40 years on the Minehead branch since relocating from its initial base at Radstock in the late 1970s. It was restored from Barry scrapyard condition by members of the SDRT at Washford and finally at the WSR workshops at Minehead, where it steamed for the first time in 1987. The locomotive has since been in regular service on the WSR and proved to be one of its most useful and popular performers.
No. 53808 visited the Watercress Line in 2010 when it was still in its Somerset& Dorset Prussian Blue livery.
A joint statement from the WSR and SDRT said: “The plc recognises the need for the trust to generate income from using the locomotive as soon as is practically possible in order to contribute towards the costs of overhaul after 2022. The company is therefore working collaboratively with the trust to complete the winter maintenance programme which was halted by the impact of Covid- 19 restrictions in preparation for departure.
“No. 53808 will depart from Minehead by road haulage as soon as its winter maintenance has been completed during August and within the contractual agreement with the WSR.
“The trust is looking forward to seeing the locomotive climbing‘ the Alps’on the Mid- Hants line which should be a sight to enjoy for our manymembers, other enthusiasts and visitors.”
The WSR and SDRT are still in talks over the latter’s future at Washford, after it was given notice to quit its home of 44 years, as previously reported.
The WSR’s www.west- somersetrailway.co.uk/ donations emergency appeal had raised £ 216,606.96 towards its £ 500,000appeal aswe closed for press.