THE MENDIPS COME TO THE ‘ALPS’
With steam roaring from its safety valves, BR black 7F No. 53808 pulls away from the terminus and swings over the points with a mixed rake of Southern Region green Mk.1, Bulleid and BR maroon coaches in tow. Passing the green-and-cream painted signalbox, the fireman picks up the single-line token, and then another deafening roar erupts from the chimney as the engine starts digging into the steep gradient.
The rails are wet after a morning’s rain but the 7F strides confidently up the bank as the gradient steepens, never showing the slightest hint of losing its feet. It’s doing just what it was designed for, hill-climbing, and it’s loving it.
Over the summit and it continues on its way, passing a West Country Pacific heading the other way with a set of ‘blood and custard’ and green stock. Further down the line, we meet a BR 4MT 2-6-0 on
