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Autumn Steam Gala 1 to 4 October 2009
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GWR 175 - The Prelude
Note: We feel it is important to warn potential Gala visitors that the attractions in the Souvenir Programme may differ from that mentioned on this page (posted 27 September 2009).
Next year, 2010, is the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway. This year's Autumn Steam Gala will be a prelude to the many GWR-themed activities planned for 2010. So, during the first four days of October 2009, the rails of the Minehead Branch - itself a classic Great Western seaside branch line - will host up to twelve GWR-designed steam locomotives, ranging from the humble branch line tank locomotive to the mixed traffic types to the mighty King and Castle express engines...
Engines...
| · | GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 King Edward I
| | · | GWR 4-6-0 no 5029 Nunney Castle
| | · | GWR 4-6-0 no 4953 Pitchford Hall
| | · | GWR 4-6-0 no 7802 Bradley Manor
| | · | GWR 0-6-2T no 6695
| | · | GWR 2-8-0T no 5224
| | · | GWR 2-6-2T no 5542
| | · | BR(W) 0-6-0PT no 9466
| | · | GWR 2-6-2T no 5553
| | · | GWR 2-8-0 no 3850
| | · | BR(W) 2-6-2T no 4160
| | · | WSR 2-6-0 no 9351
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All the above is believed correct as at 16 September 2009 and listed in good faith. Not all engines will be working each day. Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 Kilmersdon will be in steam giving shunting demonstrations at Washford. All engines are, of course, subject to availability.
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Events and Highlights...
| · | Up to eleven locomotives in action over the four days
| | · | Several guest engines - nos 6024, 5029, 4953, 7802, 5224, 5542, 6695 and 9466 (all subject to availability)
| | · | Intensive timetable
| | · | Minehead turntable in operation
| | · | Shunting demonstrations at Washford
| | · | Sheds and workshops at Minehead and Williton open for inspection, together with standby locomotive at Williton
| | · | Many additional attractions and events
| | · | Museums, model railways, gift shops
| | · | Refreshments including hot food outlets at principal stations
| | · | Free connecting bus service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard
| | · | Special colour souvenir programme
| | · | Rover tickets - cheaper if booked in advance thereby avoiding ticket office queues on the day
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All the above highlights, and the information below, are believed correct as at 16 July 2009, detailed in good faith and subject to availability.
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Train Timetables...
Please note other trains - empty coaching stock, goods trains, light engines, charter trains - may run. Details will be found in the Working Timetables published with the Souvenir Programme.
The Quantock Belle...
A bar/buffet will operate in Set D serving real ale, wines, hot and cold drinks, sausage rolls and pasties. Anyone with a valid travel ticket is welcome. Seating with tables is available for bar/buffet customers although we understand there is no "at-table" service.
Set D is diagrammed to start at Bishops Lydeard at:
| » | 10.25am on Thursday 1 October 2009
| | » | 10.25am on Friday 2 October 2009
| | » | 9.15am on Saturday 3 October 2009
| | » | 9.15am on Sunday 4 October 2009
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The subsequent runs of Set D will be shown in the Souvenir Timetable.
Catering...
Bar and buffet facilities will be available throughout the Gala on most trains serving a very good range of high quality hot and cold food, tea/coffee and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
At Bishops Lydeard, light refreshments will be on offer at the Wheeltappers Buffet in the Station Shop. The Station Kiosk at Minehead selling a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks.
Museums...
The Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust museum at Washford, and Blue Anchor Railway Museum will all be open. Trackwork display at Crowcombe Heathfield. The Taunton Model Railway Group’s base at Bishops Lydeard will also be open (small separate admission charge payable).
Shed Visits...
Minehead shed will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday (admission charge of £1 per person). Come and see engines resting on shed in between their duties; and visit the workshop and view work in progress.
Williton. The DEPG Diesel Depot and Heritage Diesel Visitor Centre will also be open (admission by donation) where several diesel lcoomotives will be on display. The Gala standby "thunderbird" steam locomotive will be stabled in the South Yard on display.
Norton Shuttles...
On Saturday and Sunday, a steam shuttle will operate on the Bishops Lydeard to Norton section.
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| | · | Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October
| | Depart Bishops Lydeard | 12.30pm, 1.20pm, 2.05pm, 3.00pm, 4.07pm
| | Arrive Bishops Lydeard | 1.05pm, 1.45pm, 2.27pm, 3.25pm, 4.32pm
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Please note:
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| | · | It is not possible to join or leave the train at Norton Fitzwarren.
| | · | The Shuttle does not operate on 1 or 2 October due to a HOBC ballast train visiting the Norton Fitzwarren worksite.
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Lineside Photography...
A reminder that access to the lineside and other areas away from the public areas is restricted to those with a valid Lineside Photography Permit. More information...
Souvenir Programme and Working Timetable...
Our new format colour souvenir programme which will include the complete working timetable and locomotive rosters for all four days will be available from mid-September before the event from Minehead and at all stations during the event and priced at £2.50 per copy.
Bus service - Bishops Lydeard and Taunton
A special free bus service linking Taunton station, the Park and Ride car park at Silk Mill and Bishops Lydeard station will run at least every 30 minutes on all four days. The service will start from 9.30am collecting from under the Taunton Station bridge each day, with the last bus connecting with the final train arrival at Bishops Lydeard. This service is free.
First Bus no 28 runs a service from the down side of Taunton Station (14 and 44 minutes past the hour) all days except Sunday, with a journey time of around 35 minutes. This service is not free.
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. The excellent Reader’s Halt bookstall, situated on the platform at Minehead, will also be open. A small number of sales and information stands will also be present.
Tickets...
Please note that no privilege ticket, free pass and voucher facilities are valid at the Autumn Steam Gala. Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased in advance - use the Booking Form or online forms (see below).
Online Tickets...
Rover Tickets allow you the complete freedom of the line and purchasing them is the best way of enjoying the Gala. Rover Tickets for the Autumn Steam Gala are now online:
How to Book...
You can book Rover Tickets at a discount in advance in the following ways...
| · | Via the TicketWeb website (or use the links above)
| | · | 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
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29 September 2009
No Shuttles on Friday due to HOBC delivery at Norton
| 23 September 2009
Norton Shuttle times
| 23 September 2009
Nos 6695 and 5542 have arrived on the Railway
| 17 September 2009
No 5224 confirmed for Gala.
| 16 September 2009
Nos 4953 and 7802 confirmed for Gala.
| 16 September 2009
No 7802 swapped for 7812 confirmed for Gala.
| 10 September 2009
The Quantock Belle bar/buffet will work in Set D.
| 1 September 2009
No 5322 has been withdrawn due to transport difficulties.
| 1 September 2009
The wartime goods train will not run.
| 23 August 2009
The Quantock Belle bar/buffet will operate on some trains during the Gala
| 23 August 2009
The Quantock Belle restaurant service of breakfast, luncheon and afternoon teas will not operate during the Gala
| 10 August 2009
The information on this page about the Quantock Belle service has been removed at the request of the Quantock Belle folks
| 17 August 2009
No 4566 is required by home railway and will not attend this Gala
| 10 August 2009
No 6960 will not be completed in time and is withdrawn
| 10 August 2009
The information on this page about the Quantock Belle service has been removed at the request of the Quantock Belle folks
| 17 July 2009
Quantock Belle Breakfast, Luncheon and Afternoon menus
| 17 Jul 2009
Buy Rover Tickets on the Internet...
| 16 July 2009
The Where to Stay page
| 16 July 2009
Quantock Belle workings
| 16 July 2009
No 6695 confirmed as attending
| 15 Jul 2009
Booking Form now online.
| 15 July 2009
Timetables now available
| 15 July 2009
Details released
| 15 Jul 2009
Lineside Photo Permits
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