16th June 1990

Stanier 8F Society
The Quantock Explorer

Locos Used (3) 47457, 47585 & steam: 4561 & 6412
Stock Used 7 coach 'Pilkington K' set

Route :

Loco(s) Route
47457 (3) Manchester Piccadilly - Stockport - Wilmslow - Sandbach - Crewe - Madeley - Norton Bridge - Stafford - Bushbury Jn - Portobello Jn - Bescot Stadium - Perry Barr North Jn - Perry Barr West Jn - Soho North Jn - Galton Jn - Stourbridge Junction - Kidderminster - Droitwich Spa - Worcester Shrub Hill - Abbotswood Jn - Cheltenham Spa - Standish Jn - Westerleigh Jn - Bristol Parkway - Filton Jn - Stapleton Road - Bristol Temple Meads - Worle Jn - Uphill Jn - Bridgwater - Taunton - Taunton Cider Co. sidings
6412 + 4561 Taunton Cider Co. sidings - Bishops Lydeard - Williton - Minehead
6412 + 4561 Minehead - (reverse of outward route) - Taunton Cider Co. sidings
47585 (3) Taunton Cider Co. sidings - (reverse of outward route) - Manchester Piccadilly

Notes :
(1) This rail tour from Manchester was the first passenger train to travel over the connection from BR to the WSR metals since the Minehead Branch closed to passenger services in January 1971. John Harrup comments: On the return journey, the special took the path of a DMU service train which was retimed from 15.45 to 16.30. Despite a station announcement that the 15.45 was for Manchester with the first stop being Bristol Temple Meads, a passenger for Dunster with a wheelchair got on the train thinking it was the service train. A special set down stop was made at Dunster and the young lady walked to the exit amid loud cheers!!
(2) Route confirmation required north of Bristol - above is taken from booked timings.
(3) Page originally uploaded with 47457 haling both legs between Manchester and Taunton however footage on YouTube confirms the return traction from Taunton as 47585 and it is also suggested 47585 was involved with the outward leg too. Were the 47's swapped somewhere en-route?

Sources : John Harrup (joined/left the train at Bristol Temple Meads) & Richard Maund/Stuart Smith

Timings (Booked Only)
(from John Harrup)

Location Booked (out) Booked (rtn)
Manchester Piccadilly 06.53d 22.21a
Stockport ??.??a ~ 07.02d 22.11a ~ ??.??d
Wilmslow ??.??a ~ 07.10d 22.00a ~ ??.??d
Sandbach 07/22 21/43
Crewe ??.??a ~ 07.32d 21.35a ~ ??.??d
Madeley 07/42 21/23
Stafford ??.??a ~ 08.01d 21.08a ~ ??.??d
Bushbury Jn 08/14 20/56
Bescot Stadium ??.??a ~ 08.30d 20.46a ~ ??.??d
Perry Barr West Jn 08/37 20/39
Soho North Jn 08/44 20/34
Galton Jn 08/46 20/32
Stourbridge Junction ??.??a ~ 09.00d 20.10a ~ ??.??d
Kidderminster ??.??a ~ 09.09d 19.59a ~ ??.??d
Droitwich Spa ??.??a ~ 09.22d 19.50a ~ ??.??d
Worcester Shrub Hill ??.??a ~ 09.32d 19.40a ~ ??.??d
Abbotswood Jn 09/38 19/34
Cheltenham Spa ??.??a ~ 09.57d 19.18a ~ ??.??d
Standish Jn 10/10 19/04
Westerleigh Jn 10/29 18/47
Bristol Parkway 10/34 18/42
Stapleton Road 10/40 18/37
Bristol Temple Meads 10.43a ~ 10.46d 18.30a ~ 18.34d
Worle Jn 11/03 18/14
Uphill Jn 11/05 18/12
Bridgwater 11/13 18/00
Cogload Jn 11/17 17/56
Taunton 11.21a ~ 11.23d ??.??a ~ 17.50d
Silk Mill 11/28 ?
Taunton Cider Co. 11L33 ~ 11L43 17L28 ~ 17L38
Bishops Lydeard 11.58a ~ 12.10d 17.00a ~ 17.10d
Crowcombe 12p25a ~ 12p45d ?
Williton 13/04 16w19a ~ 16w29d
Blue Anchor 13/24 15/59
Minehead 13.35a 15.45d


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