Exploring the Railway 200 Inspiration train at Cranmore ESR + 60029 'Ben Nevis' at Merehead Quarry!

While the West Somerset Railway are busy gearing up for the Summer Diesel Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFKTx_mNm9g&t=34s over at the East Somerset, following the delivery of the Inspiration train stock last weekend, today saw the final day of the public viewings during a 3 day long opening at the East Somerset Railway. Stabled at Cranmore, the exhibition train commemorates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, celebrating the past, present and future of rail travel and also aims to inspire the next generation to consider a career in the railway industry.

To tie in with the trains visit, the The Mendip Traction & Rolling Stock Groups immaculate DMU L231 was out offering rides up and down the line, and both GB Railfreight Class 66s 66710 'Karen Harrison' and 66766 'Gail Richardson' used to convey the train to Cranmore were on static display today. The train is set to leave tomorrow heading for Doncaster.

We also took the opportunity to have a quick look at Somerset’s two Mendip Rail served limestone quarries today, Aggregate Industries Merehead Quarry/ Torr Works and Hansons Whatley Quarry. At Whatley Heidelberg Materials newly commissioned Positive Traction Class 08e electric shunting locomotive 08787 could be seen, the new locomotive is the first of its kind to be used at any UK quarry and is part of the companies commitment to reducing scope 3 emissions in delivery transport by 15 per cent by 2030 from their 2019 baseline. We finish at Merehead with DC 60029 'Ben Nevis' arriving with the Willesden stone ready for loading. | 03.06.2026

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