Phil Sutters' photos with the keyword: somersetanddorset

Built back in the 1960s, using a K's tender drive chassis, with one pair of wheels removed. It is over-long at the front, because I didn't dare cut off the worm gear that end, in case I decided on a better use for the tender drive - like powering an Airfix City of Truro! The axle boxes, springs etc. were from an old wagon chassis, acquired with a wooden body with printed paper planking, PO livery & metal details. The bodywork was card over balsa. Still it is recognisable as 101! I am not sure whether this was a 0-4-0 or a 0-2-2-0. The model was a 2-2-0! Only the rear wheels were driven. This was not included in the booklet - it was added later in response to seeing a photo of a similar Sentinel under restoration. I am amazed how this extremely basic model seems to attract attention. It had masses of 'views' over on Flickr and is picking up interest here. There is a very nice 4mm scale kit available for it now. To see what is should look like go to cspmodels.com/abante/index.php?rt=product/product&path=65&product_id=129

I have guessed that this was taken, either after the 1896 re-build or at a later overhaul at Highbridge Works, where they had photographic facilities. My attempt at recreating this loco in our 'Highbridge Works' circa 1970, can be seen at www.ipernity.com/doc/philsutters/26452769

One location, at which this could have been taken, with five tracks parallel is just east of Radstock loco. shed.

It is hard to date this photograph accurately as no.15 was reboilered in 1905 & 1910, no. 46 in 1903 & no. 51 in 1903. No1 was converted back into a saddle tank in 1908. (46 is ahead of 15 and 51 is beyond no.1 which is the nearest loco. This is what I have gleaned from using a magnifying glass on the original photo., but of course I could be mistaken. The cast brass numerals are viewed along the cabsides.) 14/8/2015 - I now notice that Colin Maggs, in 'Highbridge in its heyday' dates this as being pre-1895

Although when rebuilt as a tender engine in 1888 no.1 it had a straight chimney with a polished cap and a tall round-topped polished brass dome, it was fitted with this chimney and dome just before 1900. The earlier 0-6-0 appearance can be seen in Bradley & Milton's Somerset & Dorset Locomotive History, on page 189.