For a publication celebrating 40 years of the West Somerset Railway operating to Bishops Lydeard, due to be produced later this year, I have been asked to write an article on the Manchester to Minehead train on 16 June 1990.

This was the first through passenger train onto the WSR after the line was closed by British Railways in 1971.

I was involved in making the traffic arrangements for the train and was West Somerset Railway person in charge at Taunton Cider, Norton Fitzwarren.

That does, however, give me a fairly narrow view of events on the day, and I would be pleased to hear from local residents, train crew, passengers on the train, in fact anyone who can add a different perspective.

Do you have memories or photographs of the day? I can be contacted at [email protected]

Robin White, Trustee, West Somerset Railway Association.

** This picture by Dr Peter Thompson below shows the then Taunton Cider siding at Norton Fitzwarren with the two WSRA locomotives, 6412 and 4561, heading towards the train to couple on. Robin is out of sight behind the locos but her briefcase can be seen on the far left!