Completion of Bath & West Railway, March 26, 2008

After just three years of hard work, March 26, 2008 saw the completion of the main line of the Bath & West Railway The final length of track was finished just before midday and, after suitable liquid blessing of their work, a series of trains laden with members made the first ever circuits of the complete railway.

You can see that the members feel justifiably proud of their achievement. The B&WR, together with the club house and other works, has been completed in only three years, well under the anticipated five years. The design and building of the railway with its impressive bridges is a credit to them all.

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Completion of the B&WR, March 2008

1. 'Sara' is made ready to take pride of place in the parade of trains to mark the completion of the B&WR.

2. Members gather for a short speech to mark the occasion, together with staff from the Showground who have given ESSMEE much support.

3. "Floreat ESSMEE! Floreat B&WR!" A toast of champagne in suitably workmanlike mugs.

4. 'Sara' sets off past the soon-to-be-painted diesel, which will head the second train. Looks as if it's raining .. how unusual for Somerset!

5. 'Sara' leads the first train over the crossing. Note the superb crossing gates constructed by a member.

6. The first train awaits the arrival of the following ones, all passengers eagerly awaiting the great moment.

7. The first passenger train crossed the cascade bridge - the B&WR is complete!

8. The diesel brings the second train onto the cascade bridge. A respectable load.

9. Followed by a shorter train, hauled by a member's 'Wren'. The trains then made numerous circuits, eager to try out the line.

10. Some of the chief perpetrators of the designing and building of the B&WR celebrate by the cascade bridge. And it's not cold tea!

The first public trains on the completed B&WR are on the  next page