Antiques Roadshow expert and railway author, Paul Atterbury, was at Midsomer Norton Station last Saturday, 9th July, to officially launch its very own steam locomotive, ‘Joyce’, or Sentinel 7109.

Mr Atterbury unveiled the name plate and broke a bottle of cider against the loco. Afterwards, he signed books and then toured the station to include the shop, museum and gardens.

Joint Owner and fireman, Nigel Dickinson, has already worked up a sweat on previous trial runs of the locomotive and says: “This is an exciting time for Andy and I. We have been through many trials and tribulations to get this wonderful old loco going again, and we are very proud that Paul came to give it the official steam launch.”

Sentinel 7109 steamed for the first time in about fifty years in February this year. Initial runs were achieved for the 50th anniversary of the S&D line closure as owner, Andy Chapman, had promised to meet that deadline – with a bit of luck. However, although operational, there were many outstanding jobs, not the least its paintwork! Since these first runs, the 7109 identity is now coming together and most of the various steam and water leaks, plus extreme hotspots have been attended to.

Sentinel 7109 was the prototype for Sentinels 47190 and 47191, which were allocated to the Radstock shed and which worked the nearby collieries. Owners, Andy Chapman and Nigel Dickinson, have spent many hours in all weathers on her restoration and July 9th saw the culmination of thousands of hours of work. Whilst the Sentinel 7109 is the same type as the Radstock locos which were used because of the low bridge in the shunting yard, its original design was as ‘Joyce’ when it worked at the Croydon gas works.