The West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Gala has over the last few years established itself as one of The West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala has established itself as one of THE heritage railway events of the year. The 2003 event promises to live up to the high quality successful Spring Galas over recent years……………a three day feast of West Country steam!
The theme of the Railway’s 2003 Spring Steam Gala will, appropriately, be ‘West Country Branch Line Steam’.
We are aiming to have TEN engines in steam and working trains at the Gala – all of which will be typical of ‘the West Country branch line’ in times gone by.
The ‘home fleet’ is expected to be represented by:-
Five ‘guest’ engines are currently being sourced for the event, all of which will ‘fit’ the theme and some will be ‘new’ to the WSR.
It is also hoped that the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust’s Peckett 0-4-0ST No 1788 Kilmersdon will be in steam and giving shunting demonstrations at Washford on all three days of the Gala.
N.B. All the above highlights, and the information below, are believed correct as at mid-December 2002, detailed in good faith and subject to availability.
A comprehensive timetable will be in operation on all three days of the Gala; for full details click here. A complete working timetable – which will include full details of all train workings and the locomotive and coaching set diagrams – will be printed in the special souvenir programme (see below).
Please note that ALL privilege ticket, free pass and voucher facilities will NOT apply at the Spring Steam Gala. Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased IN ADVANCE (see below).
Buffet and bar facilities will be available on MOST train services during the weekend, serving a range of hot and cold food, tea & coffee and a range of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
SHED VISITS: The sheds at both MINEHEAD and WILLITON will be open during the Gala – a unique opportunity, as access is normally very restricted to the public on safety grounds.
MINEHEAD sheds will be open between 10am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday only [admission charge of £1 per person]. Come and see engines ‘resting’ on shed in between their duties, and visit the workshop and view work on several engines that will be seen in action on the WSR in the near future – including Somerset & Dorset 7F 2-8-0 No 53808, GWR 2-8-0 No 3850 and GWR No 5193, which is being rebuilt as a 2-6-0 tender engine (and will be back in steam in 2003).
At WILLITON you will have the chance to see the engineering base of the WSRA – where Bulleid ‘Pacific’ No 34046 Braunton is being restored – and the workshops of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group, together with the new Diesel Heritage Centre, will also be open, with many heritage diesel locomotives on display. The chance to view at first hand the painstaking restoration of a unique GWR sleeping car, built in 1897, should also not be missed! The sheds and yard area will be open on all three days, 10am to 5pm.
MUSEUMS: At Bishops Lydeard, come and see the many exhibits and displays of railway interest – including many new ones – inside The Gauge Museum on platform 1. Engine No 4561 will be on display, and there will be lots to see and do to maintain your interest while you wait for your train! Blue Anchor Railway Museum will also be open, as will the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust’s museum and site at Washford.
MODEL RAILWAYS: The Taunton Model Railway Group’s layouts at Bishops Lydeard – including the excellent new Bath Green Park exhibit – will be open throughout the Gala (separate, small admission charge). There is also a large model railway inside The Gauge Museum, also at Bishops Lydeard.
BOOK SIGNINGS: Local author Richard Derry will be signing copies of his various books at Williton, whilst Alan Hammond will be in the shop at Minehead signing copies of his books on the Somerset & Dorset Railway. Signed copies of Richard Jones’ various books on the WSR will be on sale in Bishops Lydeard Station Shop.
RETAIL OUTLETS: The Railway’s principal shops at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard will both be open throughout the Gala – offering a wide range of gifts, souvenirs, books, videos etc – and shops at several of the intermediate stations will also be open. A small number of sales and information stands will also be present.
HERITAGE BUS LINK: There will be a heritage bus linking DUNSTER station with the village on the Saturday and Sunday………recreating another long gone image of the West Country branch line……
MAIN LINE CHARTER: Hertfordshire Railtours are running a diesel-hauled “Merrymaker” charter from the Home Counties area to Minehead on Saturday 28 March, giving people the opportunity to enjoy the WSR’s Spring Steam Gala. For details of this charter click here.
On all three days, there is a frequent First Southern National bus service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard Station [Service 28A, Friday & Saturday; Service 928, Sunday] with extra services over the Gala weekend. WSR tickets are NOT valid on these services, except return tickets to Taunton issued by Booking Offices at Minehead, Dunster, Blue Anchor, Watchet and Williton. Full timetable details available direct from First Southern National – 01823 272033.
A special souvenir programme – which will include a full working timetable and the engine roster for all three days – will be available in advance (from 10 days before the event) from Minehead Station, and from stations over the weekend itself, priced £2.50.
You can book Rover Tickets at a discount in advance in the following ways:-
Updated: 28 December 2002