On Saturday 23rd July 2022, I visited my local heritage railway- the West Somerset Railway as the first “West Somerset Steam Express” Railtour was due from London Paddington - Minehead and return, it was planned to be LMS 4-6-0 ‘Jubilee’ No.45596 ‘Bahamas’ which was also scheduled to be renamed to 45606 ‘Falkland Islands’ at Bishops Lydeard in memory of the 40th anniversary since the war. However due to the network rail Steam Ban 45596 was unable to haul the Railtour, West Coast Railways Company sent 2x class 47 ‘Duffs’ these being newly painted 47813 and 47772 named after the West Coast Railways base ‘Carnforth TMD’

West Somerset’s resident 4-6-0 ‘Manor’ No.7822 ‘Foxcote Manor’ and rebuilt 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ No.9351(ex GWR 2-6-2 5101 Large Prairie Tank No.5193) took on the 10 coach Railtour to Minehead where they were turned on the turntable and got coal and water before their trip back to Bishops Lydeard where the 2 class 47 ‘Duffs’ Nos.47813 and 47772 ‘Carnforth TMD’ took the train back to the Capital at London Paddington.

Also in action on the West Somerset Railway was fellow 4-6-0 ‘Manor’ No.7828 ‘Odney Manor’ on the steam services and BR Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ Diesel Hydraulic No.D7018 on the diesel diagram.

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