Kilmersdon entertains the crowds

THE Mid-Hants Railway has completed the contract overhaul of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust’s Peckett ‘R3’ 0-4-0ST Kilmersdon (1788/1929).

Members of the team at Ropley pulled out all the stops to ensure the loco entered service on August 6 – the first day of the Watercress Line’s Thomas week. Kilmersdon entertained visitors as part of the yard shows at Ropley.

As part of the overhaul, the loco has lost the pseudo-Somerset & Dorset Railway Prussian Blue livery it has carried for much of the past decade in favour of a new green livery, which is akin to that it carried during its days at Kilmersdon, near Radstock.

Kilmersdon will be based on the Watercress Line but will be available to other railways when not required by the Mid-Hants.

BOTH: RICHARD BENTLEY Note the ‘coal rail’ on the rear of the cab.

Kilmersdon is ready for action at the Mid-Hants Railway’s Thomas event on August 6, with Class 11 No. 12082 at Ropley.