Same loco, same place, same date – but 40 years apart.

Our thanks to Robin White for sending us these two pictures relating to the 40th anniversary of the re-opening of the West Somerset Railway.

The earlier photograph was taken by Stephen Edge on June 9 1979 and shows the re-opening day train for the Stogumber to Bishops Lydeard section of the railway, hauled by Hymek diesel D7017, entering Bishops Lydeard Station.

Move forward 40 years to Sunday - June 9 2019 – and Robin took this picture of the same loco in the same place carrying the same livery and head code.

The loco is operated by the Diesel and Electric Group from their Williton base of operations and was taking part in the WSR’s 40th Anniversary Gala at the weekend.