WSR Autumn Steam Gala 1 - 4 October 2015

The WSR say "It has been decided to make the 2015 Autumn Steam Gala a commemoration of four decades of WSR operations and to bring back to the line locomotives that have worked on it during that period. This will of course depend on availability of potential 'guest' locos from their home railways and their current serviceability (so sadly there will be no Evening Star to bring back memories of 1989 and early 1990). However given the very long line of guests that have appeared in WSR history, plus some former members of the 'home fleet' which have gone to new homes, there is potential for an interesting line-up of locos."

For a list of past steam loco visitors, please see www.wsr.org.uk/locomotives.htm - I wonder how many of these will be operational in the autumn of this year?

Steve

 

I like the sound of that theme a lot, and with the variety the WSR's had at its galas in recent years, the scope is pretty huge in terms of repeat visitors, as the Wizard's list shows. Personally while catching up with some of the visitors I missed first time around is pretty tempting (second chance for Royal Scot, maybe?), I would like to see some of the former residents back. 3205 having another crack at Washford bank would be lovely, and I was very fond of Vulcan and Victor in the 1980s - if you're marking the WSR's history, you can't get more appropriate than the locos that were the crux of its steam operations for such a significant period. I've totally lost track of those two and their condition, though, so I've got no idea if either is serviceable at the moment or even where they are.

And if this wasn't a purely steam gala, I'd love to see 50049 back there for a bit.

 

I think Victors just returned to traffic or just about to return to traffic at Lakeside and Haverthwaite.

 

The thing that makes galas like this special and not just an event with a load of visitors that have been before, thereby limiting yourself needlessly and not allowing anything new that would be more of a novelty is the inclusion of locomotives that are of particular significance to the line, especially if they are not the sort of locomotives you would normally see on one of the "big" preserved railways like the WSR. The ELR got it spot on in 2007 with the recreation of the reopening special of 1987. What's the saddle tank in that famous picture taken in the 80s. Sorry I can't be more specific but it's a picture you see quite often. It would be nice to recreate that.

 

I think you must mean either Vulcan or Victor 7822 they were the mainstays of the WSR when it 1st reopened, as I said in my previous post Victor has just returned to Steam so could be a possible guest.

 

That would be great - very iconic of the 'hungry years'. Although a time of trials and tribulations, the early years of the West Somerset were an important part of preservation history. Let's rejoice that it had a happy ending, but we can still remember the past and respect those who initially saved this line.

John

 

They should also recreate the DMU centre car trains if they can.

 

Another nostalgia item - on summer Saturdays in the 1980s, the WSR ran quite a frequent dmu service, which seemed to be aimed at the suitcase market.

John

 

Any news yet on this event and what engines have been booked for this event.
and if any have when could we expect news breaking info about it.
many thanks
Yrm

 

Jennifer should be back in traffic soon after repair at Llangollen seem to recall that being a long time resident at Minehead

 

The WSR will post when they know I am sure, they won't let it wait until 30th September don't worry....

 

I've not spotted any posts elsewhere about this event...

7812 "Erlestoke Manor" (courtesy of the EMF and SVR) and our own 2857 (courtesy of the 2857 Society and SVR) have been confirmed as visitors. (see http://westsomersetrailway.vticket.co.uk/product.php/105/autumn-steam-gala-2015 ).
The gala is 2857's first visit to the WSR in preservation, and will be her first trip off the valley in her current ticket. Something of an SVR on tour weekend in Somerset at the start of October!

 

Those nice people in Somerset are in for a treat! 2857's a bit of a beast as far as Im concerned, nice to see the relationship between the SVR and WSR's still as strong as ever. Trying to think of a loco from eithers home fleet that hasnt guested at the others.

 

Edgcumbe, 46100 Royal Scot, Lord Nelson

 

3850 has never visited the SVR though all the other current WSR locos have done.

The other way round I think 4930, 7819, 7714, 47383, 600 at least have yet to visit.

 

Still not a bad swapsie list is it? Has 1501 paid a visit? Looking to th future I could see 4930 on the Turntable at Minehead in a few years time. And as for 600 apart from a visit across the Midlands to Loughborough, I dont think thats visited anywhere else.

 

I'm yet to be impressed by the line up so far.
Hoping this is only cause of the s and d gala next year.

 

1501 definitely visited in 2002, I can't remember without doing further research if it has been back at other times.

 

I'd like to see 6430.

 

It's visited the MHR.