ON THE EAST SOMERSET

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2019 :: RMTnews 28 Prior to Beeching’s axe which destroyed thousands of miles of railway in Britain, the East Somerset heritage line was once part of the former Cheddar Valley line that ran from Witham to Yatton, meeting the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway at Wells. But passenger services ceased in 1963 following the infamous Beeching report. However, a few years later the artist David Shepherd, outspoken conservationist and steam enthusiast, purchased Cranmore station and a section of the track to run his two locomotives the Black Prince 92203 and Class 4MT The Green Knight which he had bought from British Railways. The Green Knight was later sold to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to finance Black Prince's overhaul and then in 2015 that was sold to the North Norfolk Railway. Today the East Somerset Railway runs steam and diesel engines along the 2.5-mile line between Cranmore, Cranmore West, Merryfield Lane Halt and Mendip Vale. Between the last two sections, the railway runs through the impressive Doulting Railway Cutting. In 1992, a new station building was constructed at Cranmore which now includes a cafe, booking office, gift shop and toilets. The platform also extends to the old station which is now a museum. The East Somerset may be a small heritage line but it is gaining a reputation for its engineering prowess. Chief engineer Steve Masters oversees an incredible amount of work with volunteers, young and old. He explains that Cranmore Traincare and Maintenance and Services (CTMS) was set up in 1995 and has gained quite a PATHWAY: ESR provides a pathway for young people to learn a trade. Chief engineer Steve Masters (second right) and Ray McNeill (last right) RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2019 :: RMTnews ON THE EAST SOMERSET The East Somerset heritage railway has gained a reputation for engineering excellence Kerry Haines