Tuesday July 1st 2008 - Society evening visit to the Gartell Light Railway, Templecombe. 

In July each year, an evening visit traditionally replaces our indoor meeting. This year we made a return visit to the Gartell Light Railway, a 2 foot gauge line built partly on the trackbed of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway between Templecombe and Henstridge. This is now within the land of the Gartell family, who specialise in the production of agricultural and earth-moving machinery.  The Railway started as a family `hobby` many years ago and has been perpetuated and developed by successive generations of the Gartell family.  It operates both steam and diesel locomotives and is fully signalled with two signal boxes, based largely on old Southern Region practice, with semaphore and colour light signals.  The enclosed passenger carriages have been constructed from new for the railway, which currently has four locos, including one steam. The total length of the line is about 3/4 mile. There is a fantastic attention to detail about everything on this family –run railway, and we always receive a warm welcome.

For our visit fifteen members and friends assembled at Common Lane GLR Station, outside Templecombe at Seven O’clock. After light refreshments in the Gartell’s spacious new “Pines” Function suite- the largest in the area- we set off for the first of two return runs along the railway hauled by steam loco No.6, Mr G (named after the late Mr Gartell, founded the railway), with John Gartell at the regulator. After photos at Park Lane, the terminus of the line, we paused on the return journey at Pinesway Junction for a visit to the extensive signalbox, which formerly served on the LSWR main line. It has now been owned by the GLR for fifteen years, and since installed and extended it boasts a thirty-lever frame. 

For our second run, following further refreshments, a surprise for one of or members celebrating his 50th Birthday that day- with a return footplate ride! As drizzle and light rain gradually closed in this was followed by a visit to the Common Lane signal box and loco depot, housing three diesels, to hear about the construction of the Gartell’s second steam engine now underway both on site and at premises at Fiddleford. We saw the tender, already completed, and heard how Loco No 9, to be called Jean, a 0-4-0- Tender tank engine, should be completed for the 2009 season.

Our thanks to the Gartell family for accommodating our visit, and their customary hospitality- it is always fascinating to chat to John Gartell. Thanks also to Roy Patterson for making the arrangements for the evening.  We look forward to another visit in years to come when we might see No 9, the GLR’s new steam loco, in action.

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