YEOVIL Railway Centre opened its 2022 season in style on March 20, with a rare opportunity to see two locomotives in steam on the 1⁄3-mile line.
Star or the show was Peckett ‘M5’ 0-4-0ST Pectin (1579/1921), which was making its operational debut following overhaul (The RM, March). The former British Aluminium Company loco had last run in 2014, and had subsequently been the subject of a 10-yearly overhaul by South West Main Line Steam Company volunteers.
The gleaming Peckett performed a special ribbonbreaking ceremony prior to the first train departing Yeovil Junction at 11.00. This, like all trains throughout the day, was top-and-tailed with Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Lord Fisher (1398/1915). However, owing to Pectin being on the Yeovil Town end of the Class 117 DMU centre trailer, the inaugural service of the year was actually hauled by Lord Fisher. Later in the day, a commemorative cake was cut to mark the Peckett’s return.
Newly overhauled Peckett 0-4-0ST Pectin (with Barclay 0-4-0ST Lord Fisher on the rear) returns to Yeovil Junction station on the 13.50 departure, each trip being two out-and-back runs on the 1/3-mile line.
PETER NICHOLSON