East Somerset Railway | 50th Anniversary Steam Gala | 16/03/2024

16th - 17th March 2024 saw the East Somerset Railway kick-start a year of celebrations marking its 50th Anniversary with a 'Saintsational' Spring Steam Gala.
Founded by renowned Wildlife Artist, the late David Shepherd, the line officially re-opened to passengers as a heritage railway on the 1st August 1974; offering short brake van rides around the new constructed sheds at Cranmore West. Since then the East Somerset Railway has come on in leaps and bounds; reinstating the former Great Western track bed between Cranmore and Mendip Vale - located on the outskirt of Shepton Mallet, in addition to restoring numerous locomotives to operational condition for future generations.
To celebrate this momentous milestone, the railway welcomed visiting GWR Saint Class 4-6-0, No.2999 'Lady of Legend' (Courtesy of the Great Western Society Didcot) - joining GWR 5101 Class 'Large Prairie' 2-6-2T, No.4110 and Ex LMS Ivatt 2MT Class 2-6-0, No.46447 for an intensive weekend of steam hauled services. Visitors were also able to try their hand at driving a steam locomotives, with Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST, No.1719 'Lady Nan' providing 'Driver for a tenner' footplate experience at Cranmore West.
Filmed on Saturday 16th March, we see all locomotive in action from various locations along the route between Cranmore and Mendip Vale - providing a steam spectacle against the backdrop of the Mendip Hills.
Loco List;
GWR Saint Class 4-6-0, No.2999 'Lady of Legend' (Courtesy of the Great Western Society Didcot)
GWR 5101 Class 'Large Prairie' 2-6-2T, No.4110
Ex LMS Ivatt 2MT Class 2-6-0, No.46447
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST, No.1719 'Lady Nan' (Driver for a tenner)
Hope you enjoy!

[@frankkie3849]

Nicely done,,thanks for sharing..😊

[@SDJR7F88]

Cheers Frank

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I love steam galas. Yes!! I used to volunteer at a heritage railway somewhat closer to home. We had the two annual steam galas and had both our own and visiting steam locomotives running on the Epping Ongar Railway.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

What a wonderful sight - not to mention the beautiful sound of Great Western steam locomotives running on a heritage railway!! I love it!!

[@SDJR7F88]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it

[@elijahglasser1421]

Wonderful train

[@brianbs7348]

really good loved the filming top notch. that signal could do with a clean 😁

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed! Believe they are slowly being reinstated for operation, so might get a clean then

[@gs425]

That saint really has some bark. I shall have to track it down sometime. Thanks callum

[@SDJR7F88]

I really does! Believe it is running Easter Weekend at the ESR. Not sure where she is off too after that

[@zacharyspinks6207]

This is such a great Video at That.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks. Glad you enjoyed it

[@natepicker436]

Really loved your stills interspersed with the video. And the angles at which you shot the train moving. "Not to be moved" and the huffing and puffing of that little steamer. Really really enjoyed it!

[@SDJR7F88]

Cheers! Helps add a bit more ambience to the videos. The sign was just the perfect subject for such a clip. Glad you enjoyed it

[@spadiuA321]

Nice was lovely to see you there

[@SDJR7F88]

Likewise

[@AndreiTupolev]

Saint still creating a mobile cloud of steam wherever it goes 💨, but sounding amazing

[@SDJR7F88]

Indeed, certainly sounded superb on the climb!

[@dcb_trains]

Great footage 👍

[@SDJR7F88]

Cheers!

[@Jimyjames73]

Hiya Callum - @ 4.00 Surely not they were selling a Real Life Loco just for £10??? 🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@SDJR7F88]

Ha, if only