EAST SOMERSET RAILWAY: Steam Gala starring Large Prairie 4110

Well this was quite an event which proved extremely popular. In fact I have never seen it so busy. The car park was full by Saturday lunchtime but the stewards directed us to the last available place where brambles had recently been cut, on a muddy track leading to the sidings. The site was still busy at Sunday lunchtime but nothing like the previous day although large queues were still present at the the Station Cafe The video is a record of the event on both afternoons (18th/19th March 2023) of the gala. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Collett Ex GWR 5101 Class Large Prairie 4110 which made it's debut at the gala and was partly responsible for drawing such a large number of people to the ESR. The locomotive has undergone a relatively rapid restoration at the ESR and regular visitors have been fortunate to have had access to view the progress made over the last few years in the workshop.