1. A full day and evening event at the former SDJR Midsomer Norton site using visiting BR black 3F No.47406, Friday 23rd March 2018
Midsomer Norton

A full day and evening event at the former SDJR Midsomer Norton site using visiting BR black 3F No.47406, Friday 23rd March 2018

Daytime and evening photography at the historic Midsomer Norton Station using BR-liveried 'Jinty' No.47406 at the head of various consists such as a single maroon coach and goods wagons. Many different cameos will be set during our visit.
£65.00

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About this event

We are delighted to have been offered the opportunity of paying a return visit to the evocative location of Midsomer Norton on the route of the legendary former Somerset & Dorset Railway. The Railway is receiving a short working visit from British Railways black-liveried '3F' Class 'Jinty' No.47406 from the Great Central Railway. We will run the locomotive paired with a single maroon Mark I coach (more than one if available) and also have the use of a short goods rake of appropriate wagons.

Built in 1926 as LMS 16489 and first allocated to Warrington and then Crewe, No.47406 was principally a Carnforth-based engine, being based at this depot for over thirty years from 1928 onwards. A series of moves saw 47406 transferred between several sheds in the North of England towards the end of British Railways main line steam, its final shed being Liverpool Edge Hill from where the '3F' was withdrawn in December 1967. The loco was one of seven members of the class to find their way to Woodham Brothers' Scrapyard at Barry in South Wales and was the last of the seven to be secured for preservation, moving initially to Peak Rail, in June 1983. Consequently, the loco had 'donated' many parts to other members of the class and required much restoration and many brand new components. What was left of the loco was subsequently purchased privately by Roger Hibbert and painstakingly restored over many years at the Great Central Railway; 47406 finally returned to steam in January 2010 and has been a useful and popular performer at the GCR ever since. 

The original Somerset & Dorset had seven Jinty’s, built by Bagnall in 1929, so the class is not inappropriate for the location - and fear not, the loco isn't painted in Prussian Blue! 

The Midsomer Norton site is now operated by the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust. The Trust has been gradually extending its running line towards Chilcompton. In addition to the restored station, the site also boasts a restored signal box, goods shed and the former stables which now house the Heritage Trust's Museum. This is a developing heritage railway location and we are delighted to be supporting the visit of 47406 in connection with the opening of the next stage of the running line, only the third ex-main line locomotive to have run at the Railway in preservation.

Our event will run from 08.30 through until approximately 21.00 hours including a night shoot. At a modest additional charge, the Railway's volunteers have kindly agreed to provide us with an on site barbecue between the daytime portion of the charter and the evening shoot under lights. 

We expect this, our second visit to the line, to be very popular and we look forward to seeing a number of you at Midsomer Norton in March as we rekindle memories of just a little of the fondly-remembered Somerset & Dorset route. 

This shoot will be limited to 25 photographers only so to avoid disappointment please book early.

Event cost £65.00 per person. 

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