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WSR
West Somerset Steam Express
London Paddington to Minehead and return
21 July, 18 August and 22 September 2012
The Railway Touring Company have announced a series of summertime steam hauled excursion from London to Minehead. The West Somerset Steam Express will run on 21 July (behind Tangmere), 18 August (behind Bittern) and 22 September 2012 (behind Braunton) Leaving London Paddington at 8.30am for Bishops Lydeard where one of the WSR's own steam locomotives will take over for the twenty mile run to Minehead. At 4.55pm the excursion leaves Minehead again hauled by a WSR steamer to Bishops Lydeard. The main line steam engine, now turned (on the Norton Triangle), watered and coaled, then takes over for the run back to London.
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WSR
The Cathedrals Express
London Victoria to Minehead and return
21 June 2012
Steam Dreams are advertising a steam hauled Cathedrals Express from London Victoria via Staines, Reading and Newbury to Minehead and return on Thursday 21 June 2012. LNER 4-6-2 no 4492 Dominion of New Zealand is rostered. No details yet whether the mainline loco will come off for servicing at Bishops Lydeard or run through to Minehead. For details see www.steamdreams.co.uk and click on Dates
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Portsmouth © Pathfinder Tours
The Pompey Pacific
Bishops Lydeard-Bristol-Portsmouth
10 September 2011
Pathfinder Tours say "Starting at Taunton we pick up at local stations across north to Bristol, then head for the south coast via Wiltshire, passing through mill towns like Trowbridge before ascending Upton Scudamore bank to Warminster...we roll up to the bufferstops at our destination of Portsmouth Harbour at around 12:30. With a departure time of around 17:00 that’s a good three hours to explore this famous port, with shops and attractions close by." (this trip was originally planned for 30 May 2011)
Nenta © Nenta
A West Countryman Festival
Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to Minehead
6 August 2011
Nenta Train Tours say "Day Trip by Special InterCity Train to BATH, BRISTOL, TAUNTON & MINEHEAD (includes direct access via our special train over the West Somerset Railway from Taunton to Norton Fitzwarren & Minehead - plus the spectacle of the 2011 WSR Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally)." The train calls at Norwich, Diss, Stowmarket, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester, Witham, Chelmsford and Stratford before heading for the West Country.
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Rail-Blue © Rail-Blue Charters
The West Somerset Explorer
Watford Junction-Nuneaton-Birmingham to Minehead
9 July 2011
Rail-Blue Charters say "Join us as we head from stations along the West Coast Main Line to the Midlands and then through Bristol to Bishop's Lydeard and finally along the West Somerset railway for a day out in Minehead on this summer excursion. The train picks up at stations from Watford Junction through to Nuneaton before crossing Birmingham to gain the Birmingham - Bristol line through Cheltenham Spa. After passing through Bristol, the train makes it's way through Taunton and then to Bishop's Lydeard where the West Somerset Railway begins. We then meander through picture postcard stations to the seaside town of Minehead where you will have ample time to take time out and relax."
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Steam Dreams© Steam Dreams
The Cathedrals Express
London-Slough-Reading-Newbury to Minehead
2 July 2011 CANCELLED
Steam Dreams say "For the first time in modern history our steam special, hauled by the magnificent A1 60163, will split into two sections at Taunton. Passengers who wish to can remain with Tornado and will be taken on to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard. Here, The Cathedrals Express portion will be taken on to Minehead by one of the West Somerset's resident engines while Tornado is turned and serviced ready for the return to London. Passengers booking Pullman and Premier Dining to Minehead will need to change coaches at Taunton as the train splits here. "
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No 70000 © Railway Touring Company
The West Somerset Explorer
London-Slough-Reading to Minehead
18 June 2011
The Railway Touring Company say "Join us on this very special outing featuring travel by steam train for over 340 miles in one day. The magnificent Britannia class Pacific steam locomotive No. 70000 Britannia will haul our train from London to Minehead and back.This will be a really interesting day out so don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a memorable experience."
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Portsmouth © Pathfinder Tours
Cancelled: The Pompey Pacific
Bishops Lydeard-Bristol-Portsmouth
30 May 2011
Pathfinder Tours say "Starting on the West Somerset Railway we pick up at local stations across north to Bristol, then head for the south coast via Wiltshire...Romsey, Eastleigh and Fareham, before our destination of Portsmouth Harbour at around 13:45. With a departure time of around 17:00 that’s a good three hours to explore this famous port, with shops and attractions close by."

FGW
The 40th Anniversary of Closure Special
2 January 2011
First Great Western say "As part of the 40th anniversary commemorations of the closure of the West Somerset Railway, a special train will be run from Exeter to Minehead and return. The train marks the anniversary of the last daytime run of a passenger service from the line. The train will depart from Exeter at 09:57 and Taunton at 10:40. The train is being hired between Taunton and Minehead by the West Somerset Railway and will be formed of a Class 150/2 DMU consisting of 116 seats. The train will be operating in passenger service between Exeter to Taunton and return. Normal tickets will be valid on this additional service. "
Quantocks
The Quantock Hills Express
Eastleigh - Weymouth - Castle Cary - Minehead
23 October 2010
This Railway Touring Company excursion now features LMS 4-6-0 no 44932 and GWR 4-6-0 no 6024. No 44932 hauls the Eastleigh-Bournemouth-Weymouth (and return) leg, then a diesel (with No 44932 at rear) hauls the train from Weymouth to Castle Cary (and the return leg); At Castle Cary, with the diesel idling at the back, No 44932 takes the train to Minehead and back to Castle Cary. The train then retraces its steps via Weymouth to Eastleigh. No 6024 will assist from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back. [This tour postponed from 5 June 2010 due to non-availability of locomotives.]
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