The West Somerset Railway on the Web

Silver Jubilee Steam Gala    30-31 March, 1 April 2001

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Celebrate the Railway's 25th Silver Anniversary and relive the days of holiday trains to the West Country in the days of steam on Friday 30 March, Saturday 31 March and Sunday 1 April 2001.

• Lots of West Country railway atmosphere
• At least EIGHT engines in steam
• All train services will be steam hauled
• At least FIVE, maybe SIX, visiting engines including a "King" and "Castle"
• Intensive timetable, recreating the era of a "Summer Saturday in the West"
• Steam services to Norton Fitzwarren
• Double-heading on certain trains
• Saturday evening special trains
• Newly-refurbished visitor centre at Bishops Lydeard re-opens
• Sheds and workshops at both Williton and Minehead open for inspection
• Bar and buffet car facilities on all trains (some with All-Day Breakfasts)
• Day and weekend Rover Tickets available
• Fleet of heritage buses on display adjacent to Bishops Lydeard station
• Giftshops, refreshments, free parking
• Bus service between Taunton and the West Somerset Railway
• Special souvenir programme available
• Lots of photographic opportunities

Please note: all events are subject to availability

Steam engines

It is anticipated there will be at least FIVE maybe SIX "guest" engines:

• GWR "King" 4-6-0 no 6024 "King Edward I"
• GWR "Castle" 4-6-0 no 5029 "Nunney Castle"
• GWR "Hall" 4-6-0 no 4936 "Kinlet Hall"
• GWR 94XX 0-6-0PT no 9466
• LNER B1 4-6-0 no 61264
• BR Standard 80XXX 2-6-4T no 80136(first appearance of this class on WSR)

These will be supported by several home based Great Western engines, including "Manor" 4-6-0 no 7820 "Dinmore Manor", 2-6-2T no 4160 and 0-6-0PT no 6412.

Please note that all engines are subject to availability

Train departures from principal stations

• Friday 30 March 2001
  • From Bishops Lydeard at 9.50am, 10.25am, 11.20am, 11.55am (to Williton), 12.45pm, 2.05pm, 3.25pm, 4.55pm, 5.45pm
  • From Minehead at 9.40am, 10.25am, 11.15am, 12.45pm, 1.57pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm (to Williton), 4.15pm, 5.10pm, 5.50pm
• Saturday 31 March 2001
  • From Bishops Lydeard at 9.25am, 10.10am, 10.55am, 12.15pm, 12.55pm, 1.45pm, 2.40pm, 3.30pm, 4.15pm, 5.22pm, 6.20pm, 8.05pm
  • From Minehead at 9.20am, 10.10am, 10.55am, 12.13pm, 1.00pm, 1.55pm, 2.45pm, 3.35pm, 4.20pm, 5.30pm, 6.20pm, 8.00pm (to Williton), 10.00pm
• Sunday 1 April 2001
  • From Bishops Lydeard at 9.25am, 10.10am, 10.55am, 12.15pm, 12.55pm, 1.45pm, 2.40pm, 3.30pm, 4.15pm, 5.22pm,6.20pm
  • From Minehead at 9.20am, 10.10am, 10.55am, 12.13pm, 1.00pm, 1.55pm, 2.45pm, 3.35pm, 4.20pm, 5.30pm

For full timetable, click here

Norton Fitzwarren

Another limited chance during the Gala to travel over the little-used three mile section of the WSR between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren (where the WSR meets the main line). Trains leave Bishops Lydeard at 12.20pm and 4.50pm on the Saturday, and at 11.45am and 12.20pm on the Sunday. Passengers cannot join or leave the train at Norton Fitzwarren. The round trip takes about 25 minutes.

Shed Visits

The sheds at both Minehead and Williton will be open during the Gala - a unique opportunity as access is normally restricted to the public on safety grounds.

Minehead sheds will be open between 11am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday only. Come and see engines "resting" on shed between duties, and visit the workshop and view work on several engines that will be seen in action on the WSR in the future - including the Somerset and Dorset 7F 2-8-0 no 53808 and GWR 2-8-0 no 3850.

At Williton you will have the chance to see the engineering base of the WSRA - where Bulleid "Pacific" 4-6-2 no 34046 "Braunton" is being restored - and the workshops of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group will also be open, with many heritage diesel locomotives on display. The chance to view at first hand the painstaking restoration of the unique GWR sleeping car, built in 1897, should also not be missed. The site at Willition will be open between 10am and 5.30pm on all three days.

Steam at Washford

Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 "Mike Palmer" (formerly "Kilmersdon") will be in steam and pottering around sidings at Washford all weekend. The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust will have their site and museum open during the Gala - why not stop off and have a look around...

Catering

Buffet and bar facilities will be available on ALL train services over the Gala, serving a range of hot and cold food, tea, coffee and a range of other drinks.

Other attractions

• The Taunton Model Railway Group's base - situated on Platform One at Bishops Lydeard - will be open throughout the weekend.
• Blue Anchor Railway Museum will be open
• Heritage buses - there will be a superb range of immaculately restored heritage buses in the premises of Rexquote, next to Bishops Lydeard station (courtesy of Mr Steve Morris). Why not come and have a look at the many buses on display - admission is free). Some of these buses will also be providing a regular FREE connecting service from the overspill car park to the station at Bishops Lydeard, to save your legs...
• Whilst at Bishops Lydeard, come and see the many exhibits and displays of railway interest inside the Visitor Centre ay Bishops Lydeard - which is re-opening this weekend after considerable refurbishment by WSRA volunteers over the winter. Engine no 4561 will be on display and there will be lots to see and do to maintain your interest while you wait for your train.

Other information

• All-day breakfasts - together with a range of hot and cold buffet snacks and full bar facilities, including real ale - will be served by volunteer staff from the WSRA's dining train on the the following trains:
  • Friday 30 March 2001
    • 10.25am ex-Minehead
    • 11.20am ex-Bishops Lydeard
    • 1.57pm ex-Minehead
    • 3.25pm ex-Bishops Lydeard
    • 5.50pm ex-Minehead
  • Saturday 31 March 2001
    • 9.25am ex-Bishops Lydeard
    • 10.55am ex-Minehead
    • 12.35pm ex-Norton Fitzwarren
    • 2.45pm ex-Minehead
    • 4.15pm ex-Bishops Lydeard
    • 5.25pm ex-Williton
    • 6.20pm ex-Minehead
  • Sunday 1 April 2001
    • 10.10am ex-Bishops Lydeard
    • 12.13pm ex-Minehead
    • 1.45pm ex-Bishops Lydeard
    • 3.35pm ex-Minehead
• a Special Souvenir programme - which will include a full working timetable and the engine roster for all three days - will be available in advance (from 10 days before the event) from Minehead Station, and from stations over the weekend itself, priced £2.50.
• Car parking - plenty of FREE car parking will be available at Bishops Lydeard, but please arrive at least thirty minutes before the departure of your chosen train.
• Rover Tickets - the best way to experience the Gala to the full is to purchase one of our range of Rover Tickets.
• Connecting bus services - on all three days there is a frequent First Southern National bus service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard Station. WSR tickets are NOT valid on these bus services, except return tickets to Taunton issued by Booking Offices at Minehead, Dunster, Blue Anchor, Watchet and Williton. Full timetable details are available direct from First Southern National on 01823 272033.

Please note that all privilege ticket, free pass and voucher facilities will NOT apply at the Gala. Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased in advance.

Information given above has been gleaned from the official Gala leaflet. For more information, telephone the Railway on 01643 704996.

This page is not from the official WSR web site