Join us at our headline event this year, our not-to-be missed Spring Steam Spectacular, which this year runs between Friday 2nd May and Bank Holiday Monday 5th May. You can expect to experience a feast of steam action, with locomotives and attractions to suit enthusiasts and families alike. This year, the event is particularly special, with it being a major part of the Railway 200 celebrations, a nationwide event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. We will be hosting a wide range of different locomotives of different ages and from different railway companies to celebrate this big anniversary. Multiple visiting locomotives will join our own home fleet, all working hard hauling a variety of services through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel.
Our Railway really comes to life during our Gala events, with a busy timetable in operation from early morning to late evening. This will allow you to get off at as many stations as you wish, and to travel behind all of our operating locomotives. A variety of special trains will be in operation, including local passenger, parcels, demonstration goods and even some exciting non-stop express journeys. You'll also be able to travel down our rarely opened section of line between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren. The turning triangle at Norton Fitzwarren and turntable at Minehead will both be in use, ensuring as many trains as possible will be facing smokebox first. Don't forget your camera! Various heritage displays, model railways and museums will also be open along the line.
Confirmed locomotives for the Spring Steam Spectacular event:
- LMS 'Jubilee' Class 4-6-0 no.45596 'Bahamas'
- London Brighton and South Coast Railway A1 Class 'Terrier' no.72 'Fenchurch'
- GWR 28XX No.2807
- 2-6-0 9351 Class (WSR Mogul) No. 9351
- GWR Manor Class 4-6-0 7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’
- BR(W) Manor Class 4-6-0 7828 'Odney Manor'
Further visiting locomotives are in discussion and will be announced soon. These guest engines will be joined by our faithful home fleet plus some longer term hired locos for 2025.
Other locomotives will be added to the lineup once agreed.
All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability and may be changed at short notice.
West Somerset Railway
West Somerset Railway,
The Railway Station,
Minehead Somerset,
TA24 5BG