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Spring Steam Gala 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 March 2009
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Celebrating the Big Four...
The West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala has established itself as one of the heritage railway events of the year, visited by several thousand people each year. The 2009 event promises to live up to the very high quality successful Steam Galas held over recent years, and this year will be staged over two long weekends – six days in total. If you have never sampled a WSR Spring Steam Gala you just don’t know what you’re missing!
This year’s event is themed "The Big Four" and will celebrate the Companies of the Grouping - LMS, GWR, LNER and SR.
The Spring Steam Gala will run over two weekends – Saturday, Sunday 21-22 March and Thursday to Sunday 26-29 March 2009.
Engines...
| · | LMS 4-6-0 no 46100 Royal Scot
| | · | LNER 4-6-2 no 60019 Bittern
| | · | SR 4-6-2 no 34028 Eddystone
| | · | SR 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton
| | · | LMS 4-6-0 no 45231
| | · | GWR 4-6-0 no 4936 Kinlet Hall
| | · | GWR 0-6-2T no 6695
| | · | SDJR 2-8-0 no 88
| | · | GWR 2-6-2T no 5553
| | · | WSR 2-6-0 no 9351
| | · | GWR 2-8-0 no 3850
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All the above is believed correct as at 13 March 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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As at 13 March 2009, the rostered locos expected for each day:
| Date | Facing Minehead | | Facing Bishops Lydeard |
| 21 March | 6100, 60019, 45231, 34028, 5553 | | 6695, 4936, 34046, 88 |
| 22 March | 6100, 60019, 34046, 5553, 88 | | 6695, 4936, 34028, 3850, 45231 |
| 26 March | 6100, 60019, 6695, 4936, 45231, 88 | | 34046, 34028 |
| 27 March | 6100, 60019, 5553, 88 | | 34046, 34028, 3850, 6695, 4936, 45231 |
| 28 March | 6100, 60019, 34046, 34028, 45231 | | 88, 6695, 4936, 5553, 3850 |
| 29 March | 6100, 60019, 34046, 45231, 4936 | | 88, 6695, 5553, 3850 |
Events and Highlights...
| · | Up to twelve locomotives in action
| | · | Debut of two loco types on the Minehead Branch
| | · | Several guest engines – including Nos 46100, 60019, 6695, 45231, 4936 (all subject to availability)
| | · | Intensive timetable
| | · | Restaurant car service on selected trains every day
| | · | Local train in service
| | · | Steam service to/from Norton
| | · | New former GWR turntable in operation at Minehead
| | · | Sheds and workshops at Williton and Minehead open for inspection on Saturday and Sunday
| | · | Standby steam locomotive for close inspection at Williton Yard
| | · | Wide range of Rover tickets available - cheaper if booked in advance - book now
| | · | Museums, model railways, gift shops, refreshments
| | · | Frequent free bus service linking Taunton Railway Station, Silk Mill Park and Ride, and Bishops Lydeard Railway Station (car parking at WSR stations will be very limited). Other operators may run buses between Taunton and the WSR, these will not be free.
| | · | Special new colour souvenir programme available
| | · | Lots of photographic opportunities
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All the above highlights, and the information below, are believed correct as at 12 March 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...
The Quantock Belle restaurant car service of the popular breakfast and other hot meals together with a bar and buffet service on every day of the Gala on the following services:
Saturday 21 March
from Bishops Lydeard at 8.25am and 12.30pm
from Minehead at 10.15am and 2.05pm
Sunday 22 March and Sunday 29 March
from Bishops Lydeard at 9.30am and 1.10pm
from Minehead at 11.10am and 3.00pm
Thursday 26 March and Friday 27 March
from Bishops Lydeard at 10.25am and 2.10pm
from Minehead at 12.20am and 4.05pm
Saturday 28 March
from Bishops Lydeard at 9.15am and 1.05pm
from Minehead at 10.50am and 3.05pm
Breakfast - served until 12.30pm
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| | · | The QB Big Breakfast
orange or grapefruit juice; egg, bacon, sausages, tomatoes and baked beans; toast and marmalade; tea or coffee | £6.50
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Lunchtime/Afternoon - served daily from 12.45pm
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| | · | West Somerset Brunch
egg, bacon, sausages, baked beans or tomatoes, new potatoes or hash browns | £5.00
| | · | Traditional Cornish Pasty
served with baked beans and new potatoes | £4.00
| | · | Steak & Kidney Pie
served with baked beans and new potatoes | £3.50
| | · | Baked Potato
served with cheese or baked beans | £3.50
| | · | Country Apple Pie
served with custard or cream | £2.50
| | · | Spotted Dick
served with custard or cream | £2.50
| | · | Somerset Cream Tea
scones, strawberry jam, clotted cream and tea | £3.00
| | · | Tea or Coffee | £1.00
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A table service of real ale, lager, cider, wines, spirits and soft drinks is available from the steward.
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...
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 shed will be open between 10am and 5pm on both Saturdays and both Sundays. (admission charge of £1 per person). Come and see engines resting on shed in between their duties, and visit the workshop and view work on the overhaul of BR(W) Manor Class 4-6-0 no 7828 Odney Manor. Williton Works - the Swindon Shed - will be open (admission by donation) on both Saturdays and both Sundays,10am to 5pm - see the Heritage Carriages Project work in progress. The Visitor Centre and Yard of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group will also be open (admission by donation) with several heritage diesel locomotives on display.
The Turntable...
Following successful trials last year, you will be able to see steam locomotives turned on our fully restored former GWR locomotive turntable. A feature that was common in the days of mainline steam 40 years ago, yet rarely found on today’s heritage steam railways. The bonus at Minehead is that you can stand on the platform or viewing area, or have a cuppa at the Station Kiosk, and watch or photograph the locomotives turn from almost every possible angle.
The turning times for each day:
| 21 March | 9.43am 45231; 11.42am 34028; 2.10pm 88; 3.05pm 34046 |
| 22 March | 11.50am 34046; 2.10pm 45231; 6.23pm 6695 |
| 26 March | 11.35am 4936; 3.05pm 45231; 5.30pm 6695 |
| 27 March | 10.44am 5553; 10.44am 88; 11.40am 4936; 2.10pm 34028; 6.23pm 34046; 6.55pm 45231 |
| 28 March | 1.20pm 34046*; 2.10pm 3850*; 3.10pm 88*; 4.10pm 34028; 5.20pm 45231; 5.47pm 4936 |
| 29 March | 11.42am 4936; 12.51pm 45231; 12.51pm 34046; 2.38pm 88 |
Note: All turns are 180 degrees except * 360 degrees
Nos 60019 and 6100 are currently above the permitted load for the turntable at Minehead and will therefore not be turned during this event.
The above information is provided in good faith and believed correct as at 13 March 2009. However, operational requirements may result in unforeseen changes.
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-March 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 Rail Station, the Park and Ride car park at Silk Mill and Bishops Lydeard Station will run at least every thirty minutes on all six days. The service will stop for WSR passengers under the Taunton Station Bridge each day (those coming off Taunton Rail Station, there is no need to cross the road, simply leave the station and follow the pavement round to the overbridge) with the last bus connecting with the final train arrival at Bishops Lydeard.
Here are the times for the two weekends...
| 21 March | Morning service - buses from Taunton Rail Station |
| Starting at 8.30am then every twenty minutes until 1.50pm |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Afternoon service - buses from Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Starting at 2pm then every twenty minutes until 7.20pm |
| The bus then calls, fifteen minutes later, at Taunton Rail Station |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
| 22 March | Morning service - buses from Taunton Rail Station |
| Starting at 8.30am then every thirty minutes until 1.00pm, then 1.35pm and 2.05pm |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Afternoon service - buses from Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Starting at 2.30pm then 3.05pm and 3.30pm then every thirty minutes until 6.30pm, then 7.10pm and 7.30pm |
| The bus then calls, fifteen minutes later, at Taunton Rail Station |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
| 28 March | Morning service - buses from Taunton Rail Station |
| Starting at 8.30am then every twenty minutes until 1.50pm |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Afternoon service - buses from Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Starting at 2pm then every twenty minutes until 7.20pm |
| The bus then calls, fifteen minutes later, at Taunton Rail Station |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
| 29 March | Morning service - buses from Taunton Rail Station |
| Starting at 8.30am then every twenty minutes until 1.50pm |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Afternoon service - buses from Bishops Lydeard Station |
| Starting at 2pm then every twenty minutes until 7.20pm |
| The bus then calls, fifteen minutes later, at Taunton Rail Station |
| The bus then calls, ten minutes later, at Silk Mill Park and Ride |
The Silk Mills Park and Ride is on the west side of Taunton. Leave the M5 at Junction 26 (Wellington), follow the A38 towards Taunton and after you have passed the Stone Gallows Inn on your left, you will reach a roundabout at which you turn left. This takes you down to the Park and Ride.
Service 300. This Sundays-only service is operated by Quantock Motor Services. The easy access, low floor open top double deck bus departs Taunton Castle Way at 8.45am, calling at Taunton Railway Station at 8.50am, and WSR's Bishops Lydeard Railway Station at 9.05am. The return bus calls at Bishops Lydeard Railway Station at 6.40pm, Taunton Railway Station at 6.55pm and Taunton Castle Way at 7pm. If planning to use this service, please check with Quantock Motor Services before you travel.
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 Spring Steam Gala. Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased in advance- use the Booking Form.
Rover Tickets allow you the complete freedom of the line and purchasing them is the best way of enjoying the Gala. One, Two, Four and Six Day Rover Tickets will be available. Rover Tickets for the Spring Steam Gala are now online at TicketWeb. The following types of Rover Tickets are on offer - One Day Rovers; Two Day Rovers (21-22 March, 26-27 March, 28-29 March), Four Day Rovers (covers 26 to 29 March); Four Day Rovers (both weekends); and Six Day Rovers.
How to Book...
You can book Rover Tickets at a discount in advance in the following ways...
| · | Via the TicketWeb website
| | · | 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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