Alan Sewell’s visit to Merehead…
In the latest of Alan’s occasional series he shares a visit report from 1981 when he visited the Torr Works, Merehead, operated by Foster Yeoman. The switcher shown here was relatively new, having been built by EMD in 1980. Powered by the reliable 645 series prime mover with its 1000hp it could handle the 2500 ton stone trains at their Torr Works, Merehead, single handed. It’s reliability and performance the fore-runner to the company sourcing the Class 59 a few years later…
WESTERN YEOMAN II the EMD SW1001 was working a train of around thirty 4w 51-tonne air braked wagons into the reception sidings from the quarry before returning with a shorter train of empties. Even with the loco’s 1000hp the train still only moved at walking pace but was most impressive.
The loco was operated by a crew of three one of whom rode the front footsteps in US style as the loco propelled four empty wagons back to the loader. This in what seems to be a worked out quarry, the train going under the road to reach this.
This is the latest in a series of largely industrial flavoured site reports by regular blog reader, Alan Sewell. I’m proud Alan has trusted me to share these with you here, and I hope their content continues to interest. If you’d like to take a look at others from his notebook, then use the Alan Sewell label. In the meantime, more soon…
The SW1001 was a curiosity. It combined the frames and cab from the earlier series of Switchers that started with the SW1 and ran through to the SW1200, with the long hood of the second generation SW1000 and SW1500. I read somewhere this was in response to industrial customers who found the high frames and tall cab, great for switching in spacious yards, less conducive to passing through tight spots in their industrial complexes that had been build around the profile of the earlier units! Anyhow, over to Alan…
 |
| SW1001 ‘Western Yeoman II’ at Merehead, 13th June 1981. Alan Sewell photo. |
FOSTER YEOMAN Ltd
Torr Works
Merehead Quarry
Somerset
Gauge: Standard
Torr Works
Merehead Quarry
Somerset
Gauge: Standard
Date of Visit: 13 June 1981
WESTERN YEOMAN II the EMD SW1001 was working a train of around thirty 4w 51-tonne air braked wagons into the reception sidings from the quarry before returning with a shorter train of empties. Even with the loco’s 1000hp the train still only moved at walking pace but was most impressive.
The loco was operated by a crew of three one of whom rode the front footsteps in US style as the loco propelled four empty wagons back to the loader. This in what seems to be a worked out quarry, the train going under the road to reach this.
 |
| Long trains of 2 axles hoppers being shunted (or should that be switched!) by ‘Western Yeoman II’, 13th June 1981. Alan Sewell photo. |
This is the latest in a series of largely industrial flavoured site reports by regular blog reader, Alan Sewell. I’m proud Alan has trusted me to share these with you here, and I hope their content continues to interest. If you’d like to take a look at others from his notebook, then use the Alan Sewell label. In the meantime, more soon…
My own (mirrored!) view of it at work. It made quite an impression https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbofin/15266362925/in/album-72157647692384962/
ReplyDeleteWhen did you visit James?
DeleteGood question. I'm trying to think what else we did this day. we made a couple of trips to the area from Southampton Uni. I'm going to say around 1982, but it could have been a year later or earlier. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbofin/15263314121/in/album-72157647692384962/
DeleteHi James
ReplyDeleteHappy you found the photos interesting and it was nice to remember that American in the Mendips back when US made locos in the UK were rare. I have never found the time to go back and see what I could photograph at Merehead or indeed Whateley. I visited the latter back in the days of "Roads Reconstruction" when they were using 100hp Sentinel steam. Maybe I need to head the car west in 2024
Thanks also for captioning my photos. However when I look again and refer to my notes the ".. long train of 2 axles hoppers.." is actual two trains. In the background is the long thirty car loaded train. The SW1001 is hauling a shorter train of empties which got split for loading as I noted
Best regards
Alan
Hi James
ReplyDeleteJust to add to your comments about SW1001 etc. The SW1001 was low cab version of the 1,000hp SW1000 both aimed at the industrial switcher market . With its lower cab the SW1200 sold better than the SW1000. Both models were identical to the SW1500 and in both models the frame was higher above the track than on the earlier SW1200 ( its predecessors ) that the SW1500 replaced. I think than was to make crossing from SW1500 to say a GP9 easier and safer. I have a couple of photos which show this
Best regards
Alan
Alan that isn't quite right, if you look at the photos of the SW1000 and the SW1001 you'll see the frame difference too, the SW1001 was the earlier SW1200 style cab and frame. The taller hood from the 1000/1500 was required because the 645 was a taller engine block. Fascinating how demand created this unusual prototype.
DeleteHi James
ReplyDeleteI always h get confused with the SW1500/1001/1000 switchers. I am certain that the SW1000 and SW1500 are basically the same externally but SW1000 had only one stack. I also knew the SW1001 was the response to industrial customers requiring a lower height model but had assumed that meant just the lower profile cab on a SW1500 frame. Having seen your post I realise that EMD built the SW1001 on fames similar to the SW7-SW1200 models from the 1950's/60's . As you suggested I looked up some photos and can see that to be the case.
Must remember to check sources before hitting the keyboard!!!!
Best regards
Alan