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• A four day feast of steam...
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The West Somerset Railway Autumn Steam Gala has established itself as one of THE heritage railway events of the year, visited by several thousand people each year. The 2007 event promises to live up to the very high quality successful Steam Galas held over recent years, and this year will again be staged over four days. If you have never sampled a WSR Autumn Steam Gala before you just dont know what youre missing!
The following locomotives are expected to be in steam and working trains at the Gala...
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| GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro note 5
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| GWR 2-8-0 no 3802 note 6
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| GWR 2-8-0 no 3850
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| LMS Stanier Mogul 2-6-0 no 42968 note 1
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| GWR 0-6-2T no 6619 note 2
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| GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 note 3
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| LBSCR Terrier 0-6-0T no 662 Martello note 4
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| SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 88
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| LMS 4F 0-6-0 no 44422
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| BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160
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| GWR 2-6-2T no 5553
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| WSR 2-6-0 no 9351
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| Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 "Kilmersdon" will also be in steam and giving shunting demonstrations at Washford Station.
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Facing Taunton
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Facing Minehead
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Courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway
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From the North York Moors Railway
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Courtesy of Mr Mike Little
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Courtesy of Bressingham Steam Museum
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Courtesy of National Railway Museum
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Courtesy of Llangollen Railway and GW 3802 Ltd
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| Please note: not all engines will be working every day. All engines are subject to availability
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| Special note: the Railway announced on 13 September that the expected appearance of SR West Country 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton has been cancelled due to problems with a driving axle which requires extensive and lengthy repair. See Press Release...
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• Events and highlights ...
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Twelve engines are expected to be in steam and working trains at the Gala several of which are being brought in especially for the event.
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| At least ten locomotives in action
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| Several guest engines - including GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro; GWR 2-8-0 no 3802; LMS 2-6-0 no 42968, GWR 0-6-2T no 6619, GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 and LBSCR 0-6-0T no 662 Martello. Please note: not all engines will be working every day. All engines are subject to availability
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| Very intensive timetable featuring express, local, auto and goods
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| Steam services to Norton Fitzwarren
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| Great Western auto train - featuring two trailers
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| Southern branch passenger train auled by Martello
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| Bar/buffet car facilities on most trains
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| Shunting demonstrations at Dunster and Washford
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| Sheds and workshops at Minehead and Williton open for inspection
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| Many additional attractions and events
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| Museums, model railways, gift shops, refreshments
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| Rail shuttle service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard, courtesy of Virgin Trains
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| Day and Weekend Rover tickets available cheaper if booked in advance
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| Free connecting bus link between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard
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| Special souvenir programme
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| Day and Weekend Rover Tickets - cheaper if booked in advance
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| Special souvenir programme available
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| Please note all events listed are subject to availability
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A comprehensive timetable will be in operation on throughout the Gala. 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). Full details of train services on the Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren section will be available shortly.
Our popular Great Western auto train which this time will feature GWR 0-4-2T no 1450 and two trailers, nos 178 & 225 (the latter courtesy of the South Devon Railway) will be in action on all four days of the Gala, including a number of services on the section between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren. Please note there is limited accommodation and no buffet & toilet facilities on the auto train.
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• The Southern Local Passenger Train...
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On Thursday 4 October and Friday 5 October, LBSCR Terrier 0-6-0T no 662 Martello will be working a number of shuttle trains - marked SLP in the timetable - between Minehead and Blue Anchor
The best way to enjoy the Gala is to purchase a Rover ticket - which gives complete freedom of travel on the line for the validity of the ticket.
"Four for the price of Three" - a real bargain - purchase a Four Day Rover ticket in advance for the price of a Three Day Rover ticket! Please note this particular offer is only available for tickets purchased in advance.
Please note that all privilege ticket, free pass and voucher facilities will not apply at the Autumn Steam Gala. Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased in advance (see above). Buying your tickets in advance will also mean you wont have to queue up on the day!
Buffet and bar facilities will be available on most train services during the weekend, serving a range of high quality locally-produced hot and cold food, tea and coffee, and a range of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The popular service of all day breakfasts and hot meals together with a bar and buffet service will be available over the weekend on these trains...
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| 10.10am Bishops Lydeard-Minehead (Fri, Sat, Sun)
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| 12.45pm Minehead-Bishops Lydeard (Fri only)
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| 2.30pm Bishops Lydeard-Minehead (Fri only)
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| 4.15pm Minehead-Bishops Lydeard (Fri only)
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| 12.30pm Minehead-Bishops Lydeard (Sat, Sun)
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| 2.25pm Bishops Lydeard-Minehead (Sat, Sun)
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| 4.10pm Minehead-Bishops Lydeard (Sat, Sun)
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• More information about the Gala...
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| Shed visits
| Minehead Shed will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 6 October and Sunday 7 October - admission charge of £1 per person. Come and see engines resting on shed netween duties and visit the workshop and view work on the overhaul of BR(W) Manor 4-6-0 no 7828 Odney Manor.
At Williton, see the engineering base of the WSR Association, where the complete rebuild of Braunton was undertaken. The workshops of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, together with the Diesel Heritage Centre, wil also be open, with several heritage diesel locomotives on display. The chance too to see work proceeding on a number of Great Western coaches should also not be missed. The sheds and yard area at Williton will be open on Saturday 6 October and Sunday 7 October between 10am and 5pm. Dates and times subject to confirmation.
| | Museums
| The Gauge Museum on Platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust museum at Washford and the Blue Anchor Railway Museum will all be open throughout the Gala. At Washford, a separate admission charge is payable, but this includes access to the shed and sidings, where shunting demonstrations will be taking place with Kilmersdon
| | Model Railway
| The base of the Taunton Model Railway Group, adjacent to The Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard, will also be open (small separate admission charge payable).
| | Shunting
| There will be shunting demonstrations over the Gala at Dunster Yard on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 3.30pm with Martello, and at Washford Yard on Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm with Kilmersdon. These can be observed in safety from the station platform.
| | Dunster shuttle bus
| There will be a regular free bus service running between the Dunster Station and Dunster Village on the Saturday and Sunday. This will run to/from the station forecourt and connect with train services.
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A special souvenir programme which will include complete working timetables (including the main line charters and demonstration goods trains) and the engine rosters for all four days will be available in advance (from 28 September) and from stations during the Gala itself, priced £2.50.
Washford station, the base of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, will be a focal point of activity throughout the event. Shunting demonstrations will feature on several days, and many items of historic rolling stock will be on display including a genuine S&D wooden-bodied coach undergoing restoration. The excellent station museum will be open, as will the replica Midford signalbox whilst the example of the peat works narrow gauge railway is well worth a look! The Gauge Museum on platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard will be open come and see the many exhibits and displays of railway interest. The unique 1897-built Great Western Railway sleeping car 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.
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• Taunton-Bishops Lydeard Train Shuttles...
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On the Saturday and Sunday, Virgin Trains will be operating a special shuttle service directly between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard, using one of their Class 220 Voyager units. A separate fare is payable for travel on this service. Confirmed train times now available, see below...
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| | Saturday 6 October 2007
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| Bristol TM | d
| 7.46 | | | | |
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| Taunton | d
| 8.50 | 9.35 | 10.30 | 12.57 | 2.57 | 4.32
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| Bishops Lydeard | a
| 9.07 | 9.53 | 10.48 | 1.14 | 3.17 | 4.50
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| Bishops Lydeard | d
| 9.12 | 10.00 | 12.28 | 2.25 | 4.05 | 4.55
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| Taunton | a
| 9.30 | 10.18 | 12.46 | 2.43 | 4.27 | 5d18
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| Bristol TM | a
| | | | | | 6.18
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| | Sunday 7 October 2007
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| Bristol TM | d
| 9.45 | | | | |
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| Taunton | d
| 10.29 | 11.32 | 1.30 | 2.55 | 4.34 | 5.30
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| Bishops Lydeard | a
| 10.47 | 11.50 | 1.48 | 3.13 | 4.52 | 5.48
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| Bishops Lydeard | d
| 11.05 | 12.40 | 2.25 | 4.05 | 5.00 | 6.40
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| Taunton | a
| 11.23 | 12.58 | 2.43 | 4.27 | 5.19 | 7d03
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| Bristol TM | a
| | | | | | 7.52
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Notes:
a=arrival time
d=departure time
Fares between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard as above:
The single fare is £2.50 per person
The return fare is £5.00 per person
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• Free bus service to and from Taunton...
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Car parking at Bishops Lydeard will be severely strained during the Gala. A special free bus service - operated by Cooks Coaches - will operate linking Taunton Railway Station (the bus stop is under the Railway Bridge), the Park and Ride car park at Silk Mill where plenty of car parking is available and Bishops Lydeard Station on all four days. This half-hourly service will start at 9.30am from Taunton Station each day, with the last bus connecting with the final train arrival at Bishops Lydeard. There will be plenty of seats available. Please note there will be very limited car parking available at all WSR stations over the weekend.
Free car parking will be available at Bishops Lydeard, but please arrive at least thirty minutes before the departure of the train on which you initially wish to travel. Please note that car parking will be very limited at all WSR stations over the weekend if you are coming through Taunton you are advised to use our free connecting bus service (see paragraph above) between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard.
A special dmu service will operate pon Monday 8 October, departing from Minehead at 9.30am and calling at all stations, which will connect at Bishops Lydeard with a special WSR connecting bus service to Taunton (Silk Mill Park & Ride car park and Railway Station).
This will enable you to enjoy the whole weekend to the full...
You can book Rover Tickets at a discount in advance in the following ways...
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| | · | By telephone, using your Credit Card. Please ring 01643 704996, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
| | · | By completing the Booking Form
| | · | In person at Minehead Station 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
| | · | On the internet at www.ticketweb.co.uk
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All the above information is believed correct as at 20 August 2007, detailed in good faith and subject to availability
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• Latest News...
GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 now fit to run at the Gala.
Added 25 September 2007
| City of Truro and Heavy Goods no 3802 are surprise Gala guests.
Added 23 September 2007
| Confirmed times of the Virgin Taunton - Bishops Lydeard Shuttles.
Added 21 September 2007
| Braunton will NOT appear at the Gala due to unforeseen problems with a driving axle.
Added 13 September 2007
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• Advance Bookings...
| Full details on how to book Rover Tickets in advance please click here . Or contact the Railway by phone on 01643 704996 or by email for further information.
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Autumn Steam Gala 4-7 October 2007
