While several locomotives with Somerset & Dorset links have survived into preservation, two of the line’s biggest survivors, ‘7Fs’ Nos. 53808 and 53809 will be missing this anniversary due to overhauls.

Overhauls, restorations and running notes

Sixty years ago this month, on March 6 1966, the Western Region achieved two major goals with the end of both steam power and the Somerset & Dorset route – bringing a mighty era to a rather grubby end.

The long-awaited passenger-carrying debut of battery-powered 230001 on the Greenford branch finally occurred on January 31, the set forming 2G02, the 05.30 West Ealing-Greenford, before working throug

Railwayana gems to pique any collector’s interest – David scours the classifieds so you don’t have to...

In the first 15 years of its life as a heritage line, steam on the West Somerset Railway underwent a remarkable transformation, from humble industrials to stars from the National Collection.