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The West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Gala, one of the major events in the heritage railway calendar, will take place over the weekend of 28-30 March and will have a "West Country Branch Line" theme. Full TIMETABLE is now available.
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Up to five appropriate "guest" engines are being lined-up to join the WSR resident locomotives plus Pete Waterman’s "heavy goods" GWR 2-8-0T no 5224.
Resident locomotives expected to appear:
· GWR Manor Class 4-6-0 no 7820 Dinmore Manor
· GWR 4575 Class 2-6-2T no 5542
· BR(W) 5101 Class 2-6-2T no 4160
· GWR 64xx Class 0-6-0PT no 6412
· GWR 5205 Class 2-8-0T no 5224
And visiting locomotives from this list:
· LSWR M7 0-4-4T no 30053 from Swanage
· GWR 57xx 0-6-0PT no 5764 from the Severn Valley
· GWR Small Prairie no 5553 from Cheddleton
· Ivatt 2-6-2T no 41312 from the Mid-Hants*
· GWR 2-6-2T no 4141 from Llangollen*
* confirmation awaited
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An intensive three day TIMETABLE is planned to give passengers plenty of chances to travel over the WSR’s banks behind "Prairies" (Large and Small), "Panniers" and other engines evoking memories of the West Country in the days of steam. On Saturday 29 March a dramatic contrast will be offered by the arrival of a thirteen coach Hertfordshire Railtours excursion behind a modern class 67 diesel.
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All day breakfast will be available on the following services:
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Saturday 29 March
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9.15 from Bishops Lydeard
10.50 from Minehead
12.40 from Norton Fitzwarren
3.05 from Minehead
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Sunday 30 March
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10.00 from Bishops Lydeard
12.15 from Minehead
2.05 from Bishops Lydeard
4.00 from Minehead
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No seats will be reserved - just walk on and enjoy!
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The sheds at both Minehead and Williton will be open during the Gala – a unique opportunity, as access is normally very restricted to the public on safety grounds.
Minehead sheds will be open between 10am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday only - admission charge of £1 per person. Come and see engines on shed in between duties, and visit the workshop and view work on several engines that will be seen in action on the WSR in the near future – including Somerset & Dorset 7F 2-8-0 no 53808, GWR 2-8-0 no 3850 and GWR no 5193, which is being rebuilt as a 2-6-0 tender engine (and will be back in steam in 2003).
At Williton, a chance to see the engineering base of the WSRA – where Bulleid ‘Pacific’ no 34046 Braunton is being restored – and the workshops of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group, together with the new Diesel Heritage Centre, will also be open, with many heritage diesel locomotives on display. The chance to view at first hand the painstaking restoration of a unique GWR sleeping car, built in 1897, should also not be missed! The sheds and yard area will be open on all three days, 10am to 5pm.
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Author Richard Derry will be selling copies of his Irwell Press books at Williton on all three days and the museums will be open at Bishops Lydeard, Washford and Blue Anchor. Meanwhile "Somerset and Dorset Railway" author Alan Hammond will be in his usual position at Minehead station shop.
For those whose interests also include modern traction the Diesel and Electric Group will open the new Williton Visitor Centre.
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On Saturday and Sunday there will be a vintage bus service running between Dunster Station and the village. Other attractions are being planned.
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On all three days, there is a frequent First Southern National bus service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard Station [Service 28A, Friday & Saturday; Service 928, Sunday] with extra services over the Gala weekend. WSR tickets are NOT valid on these services, except return tickets to Taunton issued by Booking Offices at Minehead, Dunster, Blue Anchor, Watchet and Williton. Full timetable details available direct from First Southern National – 01823 272033.
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Rover tickets will be cheaper if booked in advance and fuller details of the Gala can be obtained from West Somerset Railway, The Station, Minehead, TA24 5BG - telephone 01643 704996 - or click here. Lineside photographic passes will be available for the Gala but will have to be purchased in advance.
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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.
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Full timetables are now available.
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List of accommodation available here.
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There will be two special workings on 27 March 2003 - the day before the main Spring Steam Gala. A Down train - steam hauled - will leave Bishops Lydeard at 3.30pm, which will connect with First Southern National buses from Taunton Railway Station (Station Road) at 2.10pm (service 28) or 2.39pm (service 28A). For those already in possession of a two or three day Gala Rover ticket, travel on the 3.30pm steam train will be free, else, normal fares apply. There is also one Up train leaving Minehead at 4.50pm. Both trains call at all stations en route.
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