Paul Atterbury will be at Midsomer Norton Station at midday on Saturday, 9th July to officially launch the station’s very own steam locomotive ‘Joyce’ or Sentinel 7109. Paul, an expert on the Antiques Roadshow and railway author, will be at the launch ceremony at 2 p.m., when he will join the trial steam run. Afterwards, he will be happy to sign books and then tour the station to include the shop, museum and gardens.
Visitors will again be able to ride up the line behind the Diesel, where they can see progress and view wild orchids. Refreshments will again be available in the buffet car.
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, none 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 ready for the official launch.
Joint Owner and fireman, Nigel Dickinson, has already worked up a sweat on previous trial runs of the locomotive and said: “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 has come to give it the official steam launch.
Sentinel 7109 was the prototype for Sentinels 47190 and 47191, which were allocated to the Radstock shed and which worked the nearby collieries and therefore entirely appropriate for the area. Owners Andy Chapman and Nigel Dickinson have spent many hours in all weathers in her restoration and July 9th sees 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.