Bishops Lydeard Station had record numbers in its tiny museum, with over 1,000 people attending the ‘Zummerzet Photography’ exhibition, which took place over the last two weeks. The exhibition entitled: ‘Sam Steams back to the Future’ used traditional black and white photographic techniques. On the first Saturday there was even a working darkroom in operation.
The exhibition was a fitting theme for the West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam gala (2nd-5th Oct), which marked the anniversary of the closure of Taunton locomotive shed. The ten hand printed photographs document England’s current longest steam railway from a Driver’s perspective in 2014. A number of Steam Engine drivers, who worked out of Taunton in the 1950’s and 60’s, took great interest in this project. They shared many of their stories, from the days of working around Taunton on the trains, with visitors who attended the exhibition.
Sam says ‘I was thrilled with almost a hundred encouraging comments left in the visitors book. I am now looking to produce a book, using more of the photos from the project, which has taken almost a year to document.’
For more information about future exhibitions sign up to our e-newsletter or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
(Alan the driver had his photo taken ) 
