37798 Watchet 21st July 1997
Back in 1997 the boulder train was a daily runner from the Mendips quarries to Minehead for a sea defence scheme at the seaside town. A shot I was after meant waiting for the longest day of the year so as to get the sun into the bottom of the field at Kensford farm, Watchet. Luckily 21st July 1997 was a sunny day and I was on a early turn so drove to the Quantock Hills with fingers crossed. Luck was on my side not only with the sun but with a Mainline Blue 37798 being turned out. Here the former 37006 passes with 8C25, the 13:15 from Merehead Quarry. These jobs were maned by Westbury drivers with a West Somerset Railway pilot man. The popular 37 was cut at Booths, Rotherham in July 2009.
In the background the Wansbrough Paper Mill chimney can be seen which shut in 2015. For many years it was rumoured that the large mill was going to have it connection to the network re-instated for paper traffic but like many schemes sadly came to nothing.
Pentax 6 x 7 Slide Scan
37798 Watchet 21st July 1997
Back in 1997 the boulder train was a daily runner from the Mendips quarries to Minehead for a sea defence scheme at the seaside town. A shot I was after meant waiting for the longest day of the year so as to get the sun into the bottom of the field at Kensford farm, Watchet. Luckily 21st July 1997 was a sunny day and I was on a early turn so drove to the Quantock Hills with fingers crossed. Luck was on my side not only with the sun but with a Mainline Blue 37798 being turned out. Here the former 37006 passes with 8C25, the 13:15 from Merehead Quarry. These jobs were maned by Westbury drivers with a West Somerset Railway pilot man. The popular 37 was cut at Booths, Rotherham in July 2009.
In the background the Wansbrough Paper Mill chimney can be seen which shut in 2015. For many years it was rumoured that the large mill was going to have it connection to the network re-instated for paper traffic but like many schemes sadly came to nothing.
Pentax 6 x 7 Slide Scan