SWANAGE'S EX-GWR COLLETT TANK No. 6695 MAKES PRESERVATION HISTORY IN DEEPEST SOMERSET
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News Item and Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 6th May 2007
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright.
To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

Swanage-based ex-GWR Collett 5600 class 0-6-2 tank locomotive No. 6695 has taken part in a special piece of railway history - in deepest Somerset.

Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied over 160 superb photos of Swanage-based ex-GWR Collett 5600 class 0-6-2 tank locomotive No. 6695 visiting the East Somerset Railway.

We have split the photos over several pages. Please follow the links at the foot of this page for more photos.

On its first outing from Swanage since its entry into traffic in March, 2006, after a lengthy restoration, No. 6695 was the star of the East Somerset Railway's 'Spring into Steam Gala' over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 28th and 29th April, 2007.

While running on the two and a half mile line between Cranmore and Mendip Vale, No. 6695 ran with its black liveried fellow class member No. 5637 which is resident on the East Somerset Railway - the first time ever in preservation that two ex-GWR 5600 class locomotives have run together.

For No. 5637, it was her last Gala appearance before withdrawal for its heavy ten year overhaul.

Accompanying No. 6695 during its visit to Somerset on the Saturday was Swanage Railway fireman Graham Froud of Corfe Castle with Swanage Railway fireman Oliver Furnell from Swanage taking over on the Sunday.

Members of the 6695 Locomotive Group travelled up to the East Somerset Railway to watch their locomotive in action - and they were made very welcome by the volunteers of the East Somerset Railway.

As well as hauling passenger trains, No. 6695 also hauled freight workings and No. 6695 could be enjoyed double-heading trains with No. 5637 as well as the pair top and tailing trains over the weekend.

Also taking part in the East Somerset Railway's 'Spring into Steam Gala' - which attracted eleven per cent more passengers than the previous year - was the Second World War American-designed Yankee Tank No. 30075 which used to be based at Swanage.

Taking a map with him, Andrew P.M. ('Purbeck Man') Wright wrenched himself away from the Swanage Railway and travelled up to the East Somerset Railway on Sunday, 29th April, 2007, with his beloved camera to record 6695's part in a piece of railway preservation history.

Thanks to East Somerset Railway director and engineering manager Roger Cooke, the railway's operations co-ordinator Gavin Moore on the Sunday and everyone else on the railway that made the contingent from Swanage and the 6695 Locomotive Group so welcome.

No. 6695 arrived at Swanage station as a rusting hulk from the Barry scrapyard in South Wales in August, 1979, and returned to service at Swanage in February 2006. For further information and links to numerous photo items on 6695 under restoration and in service, please click here to vist the dedicated 6695 Group homepage.

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To visit the other pages featuring Andrew P.M. Wright's photos of Swanage-based ex-GWR Collett 5600 class 0-6-2 tank locomotive No. 6695 at the East Somerset Railway, please follow these links.
- To visit the second page of photos please click here.
- To visit the third page of photos please click here.
- To visit the fourth page of photos please click here.
- To visit the fifth page of photos please click here.
- To visit the sixth page of photos please click here.