WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Gala events in 2008


Gala events in 2008


• Issued by WSR's Special Events Planning Team...

THE West Somerset Railway is delighted to confirm details of its programme of principal gala events for 2008:-

Spring Steam Gala	Sat-Sun 8-9 & Thu-Sun 13-16 March 08
Mixed Traffic Weekend	Fri-Sun 13-15 June 08
Autumn Steam Gala	Thu-Sun 2-5 October 08
Somerset in Autumn	Sat-Sun 25-26 October 08
Winter Steam Festival	Sun-Mon 28-29 December 08

The 2008 programme kicks-off with the traditional and extremely popular Spring Steam Gala which will again be a six-day event, but next year will be held a little earlier than usual due to Easter also falling in March. The theme has already been confirmed as “British Railways Steam 1948-68” and will seek to tell the story of how the newly nationalised railways eliminated steam in the space of just twenty years, enabling a good variety of engines and train types from across all the former regions of BR to feature.

At least twelve steam locomotives, including many visitors, are expected to be in action at the Spring Steam Gala and, subject to final confirmation, the return of two very popular engines has already been agreed – SR ‘West Country’ 4-6-2 No 34007 Wadebridge and GWR ‘4575’ Class 2-6-2T No 5542.

The Mixed Traffic Weekend, introduced for the first time in 2007, will largely feature heritage diesel traction – again with a number of ‘guest’ locomotives – and it is hoped will see the welcome return of two former British Railways Western Region diesel hydraulics from the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group’s impressive fleet – ‘Western’ No D1010 Western Campaigner and ‘Hymek’ No D7017 – following engine repairs.

The month of October will see the welcome return of two popular gala events – the very popular Autumn Steam Gala in its traditional ‘slot’ over the first full weekend in October, which will again feature an impressive line-up of engines, and Somerset in Autumn, a ‘mixed traction’ event which is deliberately timed to coincide with the school half term and promises an excellent opportunity to ride behind our wonderful fleet of steam and heritage diesel locomotives.

The programme concludes with the Winter Steam Festival which, for the first time, has been extended to two days. A varied collection of steam locomotives will work a full timetable of trains, recreating the West Country railway scene of a bygone era.

Comprehensive information about each gala above will be published at least six weeks in advance of the date of each event, both in a colour leaflet and on www.West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk.

A special timetable and special fares will be in operation at the Spring Steam Gala, Mixed Traffic Weekend, Autumn Steam Gala, Somerset in Autumn and Winter Steam Festival events. Undoubtedly the best way to enjoy all these galas is to purchase a Rover Ticket, which gives complete freedom to travel on the line for the duration of the ticket, and can often be purchased at a discounted price in advance.

Looking even further ahead, the 2009 Spring Steam Gala is, subject to final confirmation, expected to return to its traditional slot at the end of March and will be held on 21-22 and 26-29 March 2009.

“We have a very impressive programme of gala events planned for next year,” comments Richard Jones, Chairman of the WSR Special Events Planning Team, “which – together with our other popular events such as the WSRA Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally and the CAMRA Real Ale Festival at Minehead – will we hope will prove very popular, with plenty on offer to suit all tastes and interests. We very much look forward to welcoming people to the West Somerset Railway in 2008.”

SEPT
16 November 2007