John Rees Photographic Archive

The John Rees Archive Gallery

John Rees has been involved with the ESR since the very beginning. Always having a camera in his hand, he has created a great photographic record of the ESR through several decades. John is also keeper of the late Dick Weisham's archive.

David Shepherd, Black Prince and Green Knight

Celebrities at Cranmore

Ian Ogilvey ESR

Johnny Morris, Avril Shepherd, Mrs Johnny Morris

1974 Radio Times publicity shoot with actress Jennifer Wilson and David Shepherd

The making of 'Young Winston' 1971. Actor Simon Ward posing for a publicity photograph. In the cab is the late Ron Druce (BR) Wellingborough driver who was part of the Liss group of volunteers. The loco is 9F 92203 Black Prince

Tuesday 24th October 1972. Here`s a picture taken at the Eastleigh MPD during a break between filming for a Southern Television Childrens series called

Sun 5th October 1986. Green Knight 75029 returns to steam after a long overhaul in the workshop. Guest of honour for the re dedication was actor Frank Thornton - pictured with David Shepherd

Me (John Rees) getting an autograph from charming actress , the late Dinah Sheridan when she visited Cranmore. Also featured is David Shepherd.

A sunny Sunday Evening in June 1974 - a radio times cover shoot with actreees Jennifer Wilson (The Brothers) and her husband actor Brian Peck (Rising Damp)

taken on the set of the feature film .....

HTV filming during Moday 28th April. One of the actors was the late Graham Stark from Inspector Clouseau films with Peter Sellers.

Green Knight arriving at Cranmore for the first time. Nov 18th 1973

Lady Nan under steam test after general overhaul Sat 6th October 1984

92203 reverses up the head shunt at Mendip Vale Sunday 26th Sept 1983

Cranmore West Halt. 705 shunting S1000 up to the head shunt Sunday 26th Sept 1993

On a sunny october afternoon, Green Knight 75029 was re dedicated back into the railway after a long general overhaul. at Cranmore. Actor Frank Thornton joined David Shepherd tp perform the ceremony.

1971. Black Prince on the film set of Young Winston. Lto R Ron Druce (BR Wellingborough driver) Richard Attenborough, Arthur Young (ex BR driver) Barry Buckfield and David Shepherd.

Monday 28th April 1986 HTV filming with Graham Stark and Alan Eadle

Prince Michael on the footplate with George Shields and Pat goodfellow

David Shepherd / John Rees

Cranmore Station had a special visitor back in 1984 in the shape of the BBC Mastermind Champion for 1983 Christopher Hughes pictured on the right is the ESR Alan (where`s me pipe) French. Picture taken Saturday 26th May 1984

Locos at Cranmore

Both the Ivatts in action 24th June 2017

Ex works overhaul Ivatt 2-6-2 No 413131 June 24 2017

June 24 2017 The Ivatts

Sept 2017 Ivatt 41312

92203 Black Prince

A double headed train having just departed from Mendip Vale with 92203 Black Prince and 34105 Swanage approaching Maesdown Road on route to Cranmore.

Pictured at Mendip Vale Station awaiting the next train up from Cranmore is ex SR 34105 Swanage. Visiting the ESR for the summer of 1994

Sunday 22nd JUne 1986. Jinty 47493 powers up having just left Mendip Vale and starts to approach Maesdown Road bridge and the cutting towards Merryfield Lane Halt

Sat 8th Oct 1994 Seen arriving at Cranmore with a Steam Special from Paddington is ex GWR Nunney Castle.

Sunday 2nd October 1994. Pictured between duties at Mendip Vale Station is an E1 class loco no 110. This engine can now be seen on the IOW steam Railway at Haven St.

June 22nd 1986 Pictured coasting down through the cutting bunker first towards Maesdown Road Bridge is Jinty with the late Dave Massey at the controls. He was and ex SD driver for many years.

Oct 2nd 1994. 34105 Swanage seen approaching Maesdown Rd with a train on route to Cranmore.

Sunday 3rd June 1990 Joem 69023 passing the engine shed prior to running into Cranmore West Halt

J 94 No 68005 with a peway train of volunteers ready to get stuck into a spot of track laying.

Cranmore J94 Line Extention Saturday 23rd April 1983Our ballasting train seen at work on the line at Merryfield

8 th Oct 1994. Ex GWR Nunney Castle arrives at Cranmore and runs down to Merehead Quarry to turn. Returns bunker first to Cranmore.

Shed yard crane tank 4101 shunting 75029 s tender 1985

Lord Fisher steams out of the shed yard with a pway train 1985

No 20 Eastleigh MPD Southern TV Get This Tuesday 24th October 1972

JOEM 69023 Seen working hard having just left Mendip Vale for Cranmore ....... Sunday 16th September 1990.

75029 running into the station - not built at the time. Mon 31st Aug 1987

47493 climbing the cutting Sun June 22 1986

Jinty 47493 shunting a dead J 94 No 68005 during some regular maintenance. On the footplate of the 47493 is Dick Bellchambers with Dean Knight on the running board

Sun 31st March 1985. Mendip Vale track laying

1987. Black Prince departure from Mendip Vale to Cranmore with Dave Massey

J94 68005 does some shunting with a PWay train

31st March 1985 Mendip Vale ballast train

Sunday 31st March. 47493 PWay train at Mendip Vale

Double headed PW train 5th April 1985

47493 doing some shunting at Mendip Vale Sun 31st March 1985

Lady Nan under steam test after general overhaul Sat 6th October 1984

Cranmore Station Class 35 D7022 delivers some more bitumen 1973

Cranmore West Halt. 705 shunting S1000 up to the head shunt Sunday 26th Sept 1993

^th October 1984 Enthusiasts Weekend. Featured - Black Prince 92203, Lady Nan 1719 and 4101 Dubs Crane tank.

Two 0-6-0s double head past the engine shed before running into Cranmore West Halt to pick up more passengers. Sunday 7th July 1985

Installing one of two points at Mendip Vale Weds 27th July 1983

Cranmore West ground frame stone train departs Mon 7th May 1984

A big event was held at Merehead in 1989thet featured a selection of BR motive power of the day. Class 56s, 37s 47s, Foster Yeoman Class 59s etc and 2 steam locos from the ESR 0-4-0 Lady Nan and 4-6-0- Green Knight. Driver Dave Massey can be seen on the s

March 24th 2019. Lady Nan 1719 takes a break.

Saturday June 24th 2017. Ivatt Class loco 41313 returns to steam after a general overhaul at Cranmore. The loco was returned to Haven St, IOW.

12th April 1974. One of the first locos to be given a general overhaul was ex Barry scrapyard 0-6-0 Jinty 47493 -owned by Barry Buckfield. Driver Wilf Wilds with Jeff Bown looking out of the cab.

12th April 1974. Jinty 47493 - one of the first locos to be given a general overhaul. Belonging to Barry Buckfield it was brough back to pristine condition by the ESR volunteers.

1973. Lord Fisher shunting in the yard.

1978. Glenfield / Lady Nan during the strip down process prior to the first general overhaul.

Green Knight under general overhaul 1985

Sunday 22 June 1986. 47493 approaches Merryfield Lane up a steep gradient.

24th June 2017. The 41313 seen after it's overhaul and before returning to Haven St IOW

Sunday 22nd June 1986 Jinty 47493 passing under Maesdown Road Bridge.

BHMonday May 6th 1985. Engine shed. Note the closed gates shut accross the main line.

Sunday 16th September 1990.Joem 69023 approaching Maesdown Road Bridge

Saturday 26th June 2010. GWR 56 class 5637

21st Sept 2009. Cattewater Sentinel at Cranmore West Halt.

Saturday June 26th 2010. Sentinel Cattewater in the doorway of the workshop.

1985.Replica of the Iron Duke on loan for the season from the National Railway Museum

Sun 7th July 1985. BR suburban coach under overhaul at CTMS

Sat 14th Sept 1985. 68005 takes on water

Lord Fisher Sept 19th 1987

Accident with 47493 and coaling stage 25th Sept 1983

23 july 1985

23 july 1985 civil week

Captured at speed approaching the engine shed at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway with driver Ann West on the footplate of Lord Fisher and Dick Bellchambers just visible on Lady Nan. Picture taken Saturday 30th May 1987

23 july 1985 Peter Chandler

A view of the Cranmore shed yard ( Cranmore End ) with 5637 in steam just visible in the shed doorway and 705 parked up on the workshop road but take a look at the state of the shed roof not long before it was replaced. Picture taken Sunday 1st June 2003

How many of you saw this at Clink Road Junction Frome way back in 1985 featuring 92203 Black Prince being towed from Cranmore on The East Somerset Railway to Westbury for an Open Day on Sunday 5th May. Picture taken Saturday 4th may 1985

Seen running into Cranmore West Halt from Mendip Vale is Thomas ( Jinty ) that was hired in from another railway for the summer season. Picture taken Saturday 30th April 2005.

Cranmore Station and an unidentified USA tank locomotive is seen running into the station having just left the engine shed. PS Information on this locomotive would be most welcome ? Picture taken Saturday 30th April 2005.

Cranmore shed yard on a lovely sunny day in 2003 we see 5637 on this occasion painted in a rather drab black running down towards the buffer stop . The locomotive today in 2020 is fully lined and painted in green much better than black in my opinion. Pict

Mendip Vale Station on the East Somerset Railway with 5637 seen running round it`s train prior to departing for the return trip to Cranmore.

Just another day at Cranmore when Lord Fisher makes a bid for freedom as she passes the locomotive shed at speed. Picture taken Saturday 30th April 2005.

Workshop, Engine Shed , PWay and CTMS

1972. The old wagon works building that would be rebuilt into the engine shed and workshop at ESR

16th Sept 1972. Inside the old wagon works at ESR before it blew down some weeks later.

2017. Class 27 D5410 loco in it's undercoat having had a heavy body overhaul by CTMS.

Sat 21st June 1986. Green Knight 75029 inside the workshop being made ready for its first top coat of paint by the much missed Pat Goodfellow who could turn his skills to most aspects of railway preservation.

Sunday 13th December 1987. Picture taken from the scaffolding of the then under construction new carriage repair shed looking south towards Shepton.

Sat 26th Sept 1986. Pictured from the top of the water tower in the shed yard - Green Knight 75029 being made ready for another busy day on the line.

Up at the shed on Monday 6th May 1985 - the public invasion!

Saturday 27th August 1983 Cranmore shed yard - Shepton end.

Cranmore Workshop 12th April 1974

Cranmore Shed yard. 20th January 1974

The reailway's PWay dept at work Saturday July 23rd 1983

Cranmore shed yard - Shepton end. Monday 6th May 1985

Cranmore Shed with 92203 and a loaded freight train. Mon 6th May 1985

Ballasting track at Mendip Vale with J94 no 68005 Sat 23rd April 1983

April 16th 1983. Mendip Vale Halt. The building of the platform

Merryfield Lane point removal. Tues 23rd July 1985

Sunday 29th July 1984. Cranmore shed yard looking towards Shepton

Sunday 31st March 1985. Unloading ballast at Mendip Vale

Enthusiast weekend Sat 6th October 1984. John Penny giving a demonstration to the large crowd of onlookers the workings of the steam crane DUBS 4101

Installing one of two points at Mendip Vale Weds 27th July 1983

October 4th 1986. J94 68005 departs Mendip Vale for Cranmore West with a pway train. Driver - Dick Bellchambers

14th Sept 1985. Dub steam crane 4101 shunting in the shed yard.

Friday 15th March 1985. Lady Nan during overhaul with Pat Goodfellow doing some de greasing.

Monday 21st Sept 2009. This is the funeral coach that carried the body of Sir Winston Churchill 1965., undergoing repair at Cranmore. The lighter area is where the dais stood with the coffin.

Monday 21st Sept 2009. ex works 0-4-0 Sentinel Cattewater with Pway train of some new sleepers. Pat Goodfellow and Phil Hamerton

Ralph Lemon giving some practical advice to some of the railways PW workforce on the art of how to dig a hole! During construction of the new water tower Monday 21st Sept 2009.

Nov 1978 - the accident - boiler 75029

Barry Buckfield

27th March 2019. Inside the workshop of CTMS. 108 coach 54271 receiving a general overhaul.

Sunday 24th March 2019. About to enter CTMS worksop for a general overhaul. BSK E21096

27th March 2019. Inside the CTMS workshop class 108 coach 54271 receiving an overhaul.

Saturday December 13th 1987. CTMS workshop under construction.

23rd July 1985.The end of an era - the old water tank that served the railway since 1973 is being dismantled and replaced by one of fully welded construction. A number of the old panels were later reused for another water tank.

23rd July 1985. Ex MOD diesel crane being utilised for track maintenance.

26th October 1985. The Pway gang attend to some burnt out sleepers.

Green Knight under general overhaul 1985

8th March 2015. CTMS workshop. Class 33 048 Body work overhaul

8th March 2015. CTMS workshop. Class 33 048 Body work overhaul

8th March 2015. CTMS workshop. Class 33 048 Body work overhaul

1978. Glenfield / Lady Nan during the strip down process prior to the first general overhaul.

1974. Jinty 47493 outside the engine shed during restoration.

2015. Ivatt 41313 undergoing restoration in the workshop.

2015. Ivatt 41313 undergoin restoration in the workshop.

26th June 2010. Cattewater in the door of the workshop.

26th June 2010. Sentinel no 39 undergoing overhaul in the workshop.

21st Sept 2009. Sentinel PBA 42 awaiting restoration.

26th June 2010 Sentinel PBA 39 undergoing general overhaul.

21st Sept 2009. Cattewater Sentinel at Cranmore West Halt.

Saturday June 26th 2010. Sentinel Cattewater in the doorway of the workshop.

2009. Winston Churchill's burial coach undergoing restoration at CTMS

Sun 7th July 1985. BR suburban coach under overhaul at CTMS

13th April 1986 J94 Austerity 68005 receiving some intermediate repairs

A trip up the line with the PWay train - April 23 1983

Sat 14th Sept 1985. 68005 takes on water

Worksop September 8th 1985 75029 tender top overhaul

23 july 1985

23 july 1985 civil week

A view of the Cranmore shed yard ( Cranmore End ) with 5637 in steam just visible in the shed doorway and 705 parked up on the workshop road but take a look at the state of the shed roof not long before it was replaced. Picture taken Sunday 1st June 2003

23 july 1985 Peter Chandler

It`s ballasting time again on the East Somerset Railway line extension at Maesdown Road with Colin Saunders and Steve Marks. Picture taken Saturday 23rd April 1983.

Civil Week 1983 ....... track work finally arrives at the site of what would become Mendip Vale Station but it would be some months yet before the track became operational. Picture taken Wednesday 27th July 1983

A Very rare picture is this ....... caught hard at work again at Cranmore and keeping the railway running 24x7 and that`s just before breakfast ????? i did`nt have time to catch his name but what a worker...... he just never stopped ...... from dawn to du

Cranmore Station before the start of the railways

Another sunny day at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway that can only mean one thing ? .. yep ... time for another cup of tea ( Yorkshire I Hope ) we see from left to right George Shields - Jeff Bown - Arthur Young and Dean knight during a break on the

Lord Fisher under steam test at the Yeovil Steam Centre during it`s general overhaul in 2013 PS this is a colour picture converted to B/W Picture taken 19th April 2013

Cranmore Shed looking towards Shepton Mallet on the left is the E1 having been withdrawn from service at the time pending some serious boiler repairs and on the right over the pit can be seen Lord Fisher. PS The E1 locomotive can now be seen at the Haven

Volunteers through the years

Sat 21st June 1986. Green Knight 75029 inside the workshop being made ready for its first top coat of paint by the much missed Pat Goodfellow who could turn his skills to most aspects of railway preservation.

ESR Civil week 1986.The pway dept at work on track drainage up at the shed.

ESR civil week 1986. The pway dept at work on a new upgraded footpath.

ESR civil week 1986. The pway dept at work on a new upgraded footpath.

Sunday 4th March . Just before another tea break we had the services of the mobile green house (crane!) to help sort out the pile of sleepers that arrived the previous day. With Pat Good fellow, Steve marks and Dean Knights?

Sat 30th April 2005. As with all preserved railways you do come accross the odd rotten sleeper - then you call the A team , or in this case the ESR pway gang - and as quick as lightening they're at it as can be seen in this picture. Terry, Ralph and Pat.

Sunday 3rd March. Up at the shed on a very misty morning . With Jerry West,Pat Goodfellow, Steve Marks and Dean Knights?

22nd June 1974. Black Prince 92203 receiving some attention from Harry Frith and friend on a lovely summers day at Cranmore. Also in the picture are George Davies and Colin Saunders

29th June 1974. Driver Arthur Young can be seen hard at work cleaning out the ash from the smoke box after another busy day.

Carriage Shed Track Laying Sunday 3 rd April 1988.JPG

DXCD 047 Merryfield Lane Station Platform Construction Saturday 16 th April 1983

Jinty 47493 seen taking on some more unleaded fuel (water) at Cranmore West Halt, with fireman Pat Goodfellow inspecting the water

Sat 7th Sept 1985 Denise about to climb the ladder for a spot of roof painting on one of the then railway's suburban MK1 coaches

Mendip Vale Extension July 1984

Merryfield Lane 1983

Mendip Vales Extension July 1984

A very early view from April 1980 of Merryfield Lane Halt with the late Steve Marks having just got the token to adjust the points from the driver of Jinty 47493

1985 'sunrise over cranmore'!! civil week 1985

Merryfield Lane Halt 1983

HTV fiming during Monday 28th April 1986 with Jinty 47493. Fireman is Chris Harris

HTV fiming during Monday 28th April 1986 with Jinty 47493. Fireman is Chris Harris

Civil Week 1985 - Nick Waton and Grafton Crane

47493 climbing the cutting Sun June 22 1986

Saturday 27th Sept 1986. Green Knight with a great bunch of ESR Volunteers

Sat 14th June 1986. Bridge drainage repair at Maesdown Road / Mendip Vale

The late Doug Ellis doing some window glazing - Mendip Vale Saturday March 2nd 1985

14th June 1986. Bridge drainage repair Mendip Vale / Maesdown Road

14th June 1986. Bridge drainage repairs at Maesdown Road / Mendip Vale

Sun 31st March 1985. Mendip Vale track laying

Merryfield Lane Halt - Platform resurfacing 16th April 1983

J94 68005 does some shunting with a PWay train

Merryfield Lane Halt - PWay train 1983

31st March 1985 Mendip Vale ballast train

Sunday 31st March. 47493 PWay train at Mendip Vale

Mendip Vale ballast train Sunday 31st March 1985

PWay track packing 7th April 1984

The reailway's PWay dept at work Saturday July 23rd 1983

Sat 30th April 1983. Inside the buffet coach after dinner

Enthusiast weekend Sat 6th October 1984. John Penny giving a demonstration to the large crowd of onlookers the workings of the steam crane DUBS 4101

Cranmore engine shed and workshop 20th January 1974

Friday 15th March 1985. Lady Nan during overhaul with Pat Goodfellow doing some de greasing.

Sunday 24th March 1985. Kath Chard and Caroline in the buffet coach.

Ralph Lemon giving some practical advice to some of the railways PW workforce on the art of how to dig a hole! During construction of the new water tower Monday 21st Sept 2009.

24th March 2019 - guard for the day, Alan Jeffries

Saturday 27th August 1988. How to get a coach back on the rails. Problem sorted, thanks to Alan Eadle and some fellow volunteers

Sunday 7th July 1985. The late Ben Goodman and a couple of volunteers offering up a section of the running board belonging to 75029 Green Knight to check the fit during it's overhaul.

Denise Mogg at work on the roof of Mk 1 coach. 7th Sept 1985.

1971. Black Prince on the film set of Young Winston. Lto R Ron Druce (BR Wellingborough driver) Richard Attenborough, Arthur Young (ex BR driver) Barry Buckfield and David Shepherd.

Sunday 8th Sept 1985. Dean Knight needle gunning the side of Green Knight

8th March 2015. Degreasing one of 41313 wheel sets as part of the overhaul before it returned to Havenstreet IOW

23rd June 1985. Another great bunch of volunteers. Denise, Brian, Chris, Keith and Kevin

27th Sept 1986. A bunch of ESR volunteers celebrating the return of Green Knight to steam.

Cranmore Village Hall and an evening of songs and laughter with Kath Chard ........... what a trooper. Picture taken Saturday 30th October 1987.

It`s ballasting time again on the East Somerset Railway line extension at Maesdown Road with Colin Saunders and Steve Marks. Picture taken Saturday 23rd April 1983.

Cranmore Shed Yard / this is not a posed picture seen in action painting the roof of one of the railways suburban coaches is Tim Dartch (hope i`ve spelt your name correctly Tim) only another 60ft to then you can go and have a cup of tea ?. Picture taken S

Civil Week 1983 ....... track work finally arrives at the site of what would become Mendip Vale Station but it would be some months yet before the track became operational. Picture taken Wednesday 27th July 1983

A Very rare picture is this ....... caught hard at work again at Cranmore and keeping the railway running 24x7 and that`s just before breakfast ????? i did`nt have time to catch his name but what a worker...... he just never stopped ...... from dawn to du

Cranmore Shed ...... This is a picture of Ann West at the time as far as i recall Ann was one of the first female fireman on any locomotive footplate in the UK ..... the story even made the national press. PS The footplate she`s pictured on is that of Jin

Cranmore Station before the start of the railways

Another sunny day at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway that can only mean one thing ? .. yep ... time for another cup of tea ( Yorkshire I Hope ) we see from left to right George Shields - Jeff Bown - Arthur Young and Dean knight during a break on the

Lord Fisher under steam test at the Yeovil Steam Centre during it`s general overhaul in 2013 PS this is a colour picture converted to B/W Picture taken 19th April 2013

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