Taken from the barrow crossing, we have a good comparison to show the difference in size between narrow and standard gauge. On the left we have an ex Metropolitan Waterboard Kerr Stewart. On the right an ex GWR Pannier tank in the form of Templecombe’s 4691 on an afternoon pick up goods returning to Highbridge Wharf. The Kerr Stewart is a recent acquisition by the ‘Somerset Levels Narrow Gauge Railway Association’, the fledgling group that at the time of this photograph (1964) was in the process of preserving part of the of the local peat works narrow gauge railway. The line has been upgraded as required to allow the use of these bigger engines, for a railway like this would normally be the preserve of a petrol Lister or similar lightweight engines. 4691 on the right has by prior agreement been stopped to allow this unusual pose of ‘little and large’ for the photographer.

The right hand fiddle yard, there are 2 of these, one for each end. The plate that can hold 4 complete trains with engines can rotate 360 degrees. This means that there is no need to lift the engine from one end to the other. This design of fiddle yard was made famous by the great Peter Denny of ‘Buckingham’ fame – not surprisingly this design of yard is often referred to a ‘Denny Type Fiddle Yard’.

The left hand fiddle yard, there are 2 of these, one for each end. The plate that can hold 4 complete trains with engines can rotate 360 degrees. This means that there is no need to lift the engine from one end to the other. This design of fiddle yard was made famous by the great Peter Denny of ‘Buckingham’ fame – not surprisingly this design of yard is often referred to a ‘Denny Type Fiddle Yard’.

It didn’t take long for the modern BR 16 ton mineral wagons to succumb to the dreaded tin worm, this wagon here being a prime example of how bad rust proofing was in the 1950’s. Cars were often not a lot better, with rust taking hold often within only 2 or 3 years. The AEC Monarch Lorry proudly displaying 'Starkeys' (Starkey Knight & Ford Ltd) used to be a well known brewery from the Bridgwater and Tiverton areas. Quite what it was doing in the yard at Catcott I guess we’ll never know, maybe a little job on the side? Notice the hap-hazard coal in the foreground. As has been shown in prototype articles in Hornby Magazine, the familiar neat ‘coal staithe’ right up against a siding often seen on model railways is very much a figment of manufacturers’ imagination.

An AEC Monarch Lorry proudly displaying Starkey Knight & Ford Ltd the well known brewery from the Bridgwater and Tiverton areas; on what appears to be a moonlight job for the driver of his vehicle is captured slowly reversing across the barrow crossing towards the peat works. The narrow gauge locomotive was probably too heavy for the line crossing the bog, so was probably only used on the heavier gauge lines around the transfer shed. The locomotive is an ex military locomotive of German origin, and may have come over to England as a spoil of war. Note the Mendip Hills a few miles to the north towering above the levels to a height of almost 1000 feet above.

A BR Class 4 4-6-2 tank slows for the short platform at Catcott with the 09:55am Evercreech Junction to Highbridge service during the late summer of 1963. It was more usual to see these large standard tanks on the Bath to Bournemouth service, but on this occasion passengers were to enjoy some ‘super power’ on the mainly flat branch. Note the photographer’s Austin A30 estate car parked up next to the goods shed.

It’s a sunny Sunday; this in itself is nothing new because the sun always shone at Catcott Burtle! Like the present day, back in the halcyon of steam, ever so often passengers would have to endure the joy of the ‘rail replacement bus service’ from time to time due to engineering works. Today is one of those days with the line is shut between Highbridge and Evercreech Junction. The more usual two carriage train is in the hands of a delightful Bedford OB coach which has just paused at the little halt to pick up nobody! I wouldn’t like to guess how long the entire trip would have taken end to end, but probably long enough to force a change of plans for even the keenest of bus enthusiasts!

Ivatt Class 2 tank 41248 slows for Catcott Burtle, the brisk south-westerly breeze blowing the locomotive’s exhaust across the moor towards the Mendip as the telegraph wires hum an un recognisable melody. This perishables train, consisting of a few vans would have been used to pick up churned milk, cheese and cider – produce all very much specific to the area. The single what looks like an ex Southern Railway van in unfitted freight grey is waiting to be loaded with bagged peat.

Midland Class 2P 4-4-0s were regular visitors to the branch with 40564 in unlined black in charge of the 09:50am Highbridge to Evercreech Junction service seen here passing the peat works transfer shed with the little narrow gauge line just visible. The rusty Austin Devon is only a few years old, but already the dreaded rot has started to take hold. With the MOT test still being a few years away, often vehicles unfit for the roads were frequently seen in everyday use, but life was slower in those days so maybe not the hazard we might tend to think of in today’s high speed world.

There must have be a shortage of motive power, for it was unusual for one of Radstock’s ‘Bagnalls’ to work the branch, though being in the height of the holiday season it’s likely that the more regular Colletts and Midland 3F ‘Bulldogs’ had been requisitioned to help doublehead the seasonal expresses on the ‘mainline’ between Bath and Bournemouth. This powerful little locomotive which was more used to banking goods trains over the Mendip Hills or shunting coal wagons around Writhlington Colliery or Midsomer Norton, is captured here propelling an old LNER unfitted wagon into the short siding at Catcott. The wagon will probably be filled with bagged peat for cosy Surrey gardens!

Catcott Crossing Keeper’s Cottage was one of many on the Highbridge Branch. Due to the remoteness of the line many were without running water and electricity. With much time between passing trains and little in the way of money, it was quite normal to grow vegetables for the table with railway land being allocated for such matters. I recall seeing trackside allotments as late as the 1980’s, though sadly in this health and safety and bean-counter dominated world this has become a thing of the past. Note the outside privy to the right of the kitchen, then try to imagine the experience at 3am on a cold wet night with a westerly in January, maybe not?

In the early 1950’s Bath (Green Park) acquired 3 of the very American inspired Ivatt Class 4MT 2-6-0's numbers 43012, 43017 and 43036. Often referred to as ‘Flying Pigs’ due to their functional look which at the time struck a chord with more traditional enthusiast who was used to prettier looking pre-war and pre-grouping designs. Their use was usually limited to the ‘mainline’ passenger services between Bath and Bournemouth, however on this occasion 43017 was snapped passing the concrete pre-fabricated at Catcott with a Highbridge Wharf to Evercreech goods train of covered vans. The water in the foreground is the remains of the Glastonbury Canal which became redundant with the opening of the railway which followed much of its length.

Back in the summer of ‘62, well known Bath based photographer Ivan Locksmith captured this unusual view of 'Micky Mouse' No. 41248, paused at Catcott Crossing picking up an empty milk churn. Few crossing keepers’ cottages on ‘the branch’ had running water, so the churns were used to carry vital water supplies, these being delivered by the crews of passing trains.

In an area rich in agriculture, it’s no surprise that milk features quite prominently, and from our point of view in glass lined tanks destined for Templecombe and beyond from the nearly creamery at Bason Bridge. With increasing influence from British Railways Western Region former Great Western Pannier tanks started to make an appearance across the whole of the ‘S&D’. These little engines, whilst they maybe looked out of place on ‘The Dorset’ were ideal for branchline work like this. 4691 was allocated to Templecombe shed in 1961 and was a popular choice for both passenger and perishable workings in the final few years.

From around about 1961, ex GWR 2251xx Class Collett 0-6-0 locomotives started to replace the former Midland Railway Bulldog class 3F 0-6-0 tender locomotives. One of the features of the former S&D was the mix of rolling stock and engines from 3 different regions. Here we have 3206 slowing for Catcott Burtle hauling a couple of LMS suburban carriages and an ex Southern Railway van with the 1.15pm Evercreech Junction to Highbridge service. Note the tiny narrow gauge trucks in the background used on the peat tramway.

Highbridge’s sole surviving Midland Johnson 1P 0-4-4 propels a single wooden wagon under the loading gauge along to the wooden goods shed. Rumour has it that this wooden structure was second hand from another part of the network. As usual there is not a soul to be seen!

It’s a Sunday morning in late summer 1957 as Highbridge’s sole surviving Midland Johnson 1P 0-4-4 tank chugs through Catcott with an engineering train for some track maintenance near West Pennard. The red carriage would appear to be an ancient Midland Railway low roofed panelled suburban stock which is now in departmental ownership. More curious is the ancient sailing barge – for by this time the old Glastonbury Canal was only used by the odd rowing boat, not anything bigger! Rumour has it that there was an Ealing Comedy being shot at nearby Burtle which required this historic hulk for some Victorian boat scenes! Still, whatever the reason, it makes a nice picture!

Bath Shed’s Ivatt Class 4MT ‘Mucky Duck’ 2-6-0 is spotted unusually away from it’s more normal Bath to Bournemouth route with the 12.05 pm Evercreech Junction to Highbridge service. 43017 is captured here making light work of just 2 carriages as it romps past the SR pre cast concrete platform at Catcott Burtle on 21 August 1953.