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‘Standards’ revive S&D 1966 memories
AS DOUBLE-HEADED BR ‘4MT’ 2-6-4Ts Nos. 80041 and 80043 emerged from Devonshire Tunnel on the night of March 5 1966, whistles screaming all the way down the bank into Bath Green Park station in a final salute to the Somerset & Dorset, they were an hour behind schedule - if the assembled crowds, mourning the loss of this most revered railway, cared any longer about timekeeping. That last northbound service train over the S&D, the 6.46pm Bournemouth-Bath, also marked the end for No. 80041, which was withdrawn on arrival at Green Park shed - No. 80043 following it into the scrap line at the end of the next day. But over two weekends in September, both locomotives were seen again on S&D metals after 50 years - albeit, just as in 1966, a little later than planned. To bring a Standard 2-6-4T back to its restored station at Midsomer Norton has long been the dream of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, and for the 50th anniversary of the closure on March 5/6 this year, it had No. 80104 booked to visit from Swanage - but a shortage of locomotives at the ‘Purbeck Line’ meant that Great Central-based ‘Jinty’ No. 47406 had to stand in. Even the road movement of No. 80072, for the second tribute on September 10/11 and 17/18, was delayed - by a puncture on the low-loader just a few miles from the locomotive’s Llangollen Railway base. The Riddles tank finally arrived at Midsomer Norton at 11am on September 8, allowing it to operate a Timeline Events photographic charter the following day. No. 80072 masqueraded as both of its long-lost sisters - complete with No. 80041’s original smokebox numberplate and an original Bath Green Park (82F) shedplate - to operate passenger shuttles over the half-mile running line towards Chilcompton. These were the first outings for cosmetically-restored Mk 1 BSK No. M34527, for which funds are being raised to complete the interior - giving the project a two-coach train for the first time. Trust Vice-Chairman John Baxter said: “Both weekends were a major success, with large numbers of families and enthusiasts alike contributing to over £8,000 in ticket sales. We estimate that we had around 1,800 visitors, which just shows what support there is for the S&D after all these years. “While steaming fees and transport costs meant a bill of almost £12,000, we will have covered our costs due to the generosity of Midsomer Norton Town Council, who, recognising the value to the local economy of our operation, gave us a grant of £3,000 towards both this and the March weekends. “Mayor Paul Myers had the honour of flagging off the final train on Sunday September 18, the time of which practically mirrored the final afternoon train 50 years ago hauled by No. 80043. We are particularly grateful
to Graham Elwood, Head of Engineering at the Llangollen Railway, and the owners of No. 80072 for making such an event possible.” Sadly, the wreath on the front of the Standard tank held more meaning than simply replicating No. 80043’s appearance of five decades ago. It was also a mark of respect for former Bath fireman Ian Bunnett, who had been rostered on the original No. 80041, his favourite locomotive, on March 4 1966. A keen supporter of the Midsomer Norton project since its inception in the 1990s, he had planned to attend the event - but died on September 8 at the age of 70. His last wish was for his ashes to be scattered on the S&D, which will be carried out on resident Sentinel No. 7109.