The Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust (S&DRHT) were very pleased to welcome members of the Sentinel Drivers Club to Midsomer Norton Station for its AGM recently. Local volunteer staff and visitors spent an excellent morning in bright sunshine.

Joyce’s owner, driver, Andy Chapman, said: “Sentinel drivers are mostly steam lorry drivers, so riding behind 7109 Joyce was very favourably received.”

Joyce, manufactured by the Sentinel company, was on display for the first time to her Sentinel peer group members. As testament to her thorough restoration, she performed flawlessly with all round critical approval.

The S&DRHT were particularly pleased at the generosity of the visitors for their kind donations. For heritage railways, donations are particularly valuable and are put towards construction projects, such as track-laying and signalling, which is all done by volunteers.

At the Station’s next event, the Somerset and Dorset Gala weekend on March 4th and 5th, rides behind the Sentinel Steam Locomotive will again be available and later this year on 8/9th July, the station will be holding a Sentinel and Vintage Vehicle weekend, which it is hoped will become an annual event.