ENGLISH Electric 0-6-0DH No. D1120 David J Cook hauled a passenger service at the Somerset &Dorset Railway Heritage Trust at Midsomer Norton on October 29, one of its first workings since being fitted with vacuum brakes.
The shunter was withdrawn in March 2020 so it could be sent to Darley Dale, near Matlock, for fitting with vacuum brakes. This would allow it to work passenger trains at the S&DRHT should there be an issue with the line’s resident Class 08 No. D4095 (08881).
Delayed return
However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed its departure until August 2020, and it did not return to Midsomer Norton until January this year.
The loco was built in 1966 and spent its working life at the NCB Lea Hall Colliery in Staffordshire until withdrawal in 1991. It moved to Midsomer Norton in 2003 after years of being in store at the Yeovil Railway Centre, but was subsequently only used to power permanent way trains.