Railways of Somerset Remembered
 19-21 March 1999

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The theme of the 1999 Spring Steam Gala is "Railways of Somerset Remembered", which is part of the 125th anniversary of the opening of Minehead Railway which formed an end-on junction with the West Somerset Railway at Watchet in 1874. Gala Report

Events

• Great Western atmosphere in abundance - with a distinct "Somerset" theme
  
• Booked locos:
  • GWR "Mogul" 2-6-0 No 7325 (from Severn Valley Railway)
  • GWR 0-6-0PT No 6412
  • BR(W) 2-6-2T No 4160 in 1948 British Railways livery
  • Ivatt "Mickey Mouse" 2-6-2T no 41312 (from Mid Hants Railway)
  • Hawksworth 0-6-0PT no 9466 (from Quainton, Buckinghamshire)
  • and "possibly" GWR 2-6-2T no 5541(from Dean Forest Railway)
  • and "possibly" BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 no 76076 (from East Lancashire Railway)
• Intensive timetable
  • Friday 19 March: Trains leave Bishops Lydeard for Minehead at: Trains leave Minehead for Bishops Lydeard at:
  • Saturday 20 March and Sunday 21 March:
    Trains leave Bishops Lydeard for Minehead at: Trains leave Minehead for Bishops Lydeard at:
• Two Railtours arrive on Saturday 20 March
  • BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 No 73096 (making a return visit to the line) brings a tour from Alton to Bishops Lydeard
  • Cheshire Railtours bring a High Speed Train from Paddington right through to Minehead via Bicester and Oxford
• Demonstration goods train on Friday along with the "Yeovil Branch" and "Somerset and Dorset Local"
  
• Saturday Evening Train will feature extended stops en route from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead with opportunities for interesting sunset, dusk or nighttime photography.
• Double-heading on certain trains
  
• Sunday lunchtime dining train
  
• Special free vintage bus service linking Dunster Station and Dunster Village
  
• Buffet Car (and Real Ale) facilities on many trains
  
• Day and Weekend rover tickets available - cheaper if in advance
  
• Gift Shops, refreshments, free parking
  
• Bus link between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard
  
• Visitor Centre and Model Railway at Bishops Lydeard
  
• Enquiries and information:
  • Telephone: 01643 704996
  • By letter: West Somerset Railway (Dept M125), The Railway Station, Minehead TA24 5BG (please enclose a stamped addressed envelope)
  • Official Web Site: www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

Note: All events listed are subject to availability

This page is not from the official West Somerset Railway Web Site