WSR Spring Steam Gala Fri 28th April to Mon 1st May

We are delighted to be able to confirm our Spring Steam Gala dates for this year. Join us between Friday 28th April and Bank Holiday Monday 1st May for what is shaping up to be a fantastic event.

We are expecting up to 4 visiting engines* to join our 4 home engines along with the usual attractions of our Galas. Plenty of information and announcements to follow. It won't be long until we reveal our first visitor.

*Subject to confirmation

Best wishes,
Seb Welsh (WSR Steam Gala Planning Team Chair)

 

Sure beats the hell out of the Mid Hants.
I'll try to go, but all depends on strike action, their and back.

 

Do you actually think before you post? I’m sure both will be cracking galas but no need to belittle the mid hants gala

good luck with the gala Seb

all the best
Matt

 

You don’t even know the final list of visitors yet. I could do the WSRLy Gala by train and bus and I am certain to go to the MHR as it’s only 30 miles away. Will go to both of I can

 

Most of the time, yes.
We all have off days.

Let's look at the facts:
8 engines running compared to 4 + 1 shunter.

[Hopefully] 4 visitors compared to 1.

Double-heading, local trains, goods train compared to single heading, goods train, some shunting.

20 miles from beautiful countryside to sandy beaches compared to 10 miles of.... nothing.

Is this any clearer as to my decision?

 

Where as anyone said 8 engines running?

Both events will have their positives and negatives. I of course would rather not have to clash with any other railways. We had to move forward or back a week for the Coronation of King Charles III. This was deemed a better option than clashing with the ever popular Cotswold Festival of Steam in mid May.

We of course will appreciate your support if you attend.

Stay tuned all for further updates.

 

OK, my mistake.
Up to 8 engines in service.
Once again, I am sure those who attend MHR will have a wonderful time, however, you guys are better for location, length and experience.

 

Hotel booked & I very much intend to show my support as really enjoyed my first visit to the line/spring gala last year.

Will keep an eye on updates here etc, but is there a possibility (however small) that brake van rides could be offered for a supplement? If so, hopefully it would help bring in a bit more ££ for the event.

I did the above at the GWR gala last year & it seemed very popular, so I hope you won’t mind my asking on here.

Many thanks

Ben

 

Some more than others..

 

There is a possibility of Brake Van Rides on the Goods yes. No further info or confirmation yet so please don't take this as a certainty.

 

Hello Seb

I completely understand, and will of course monitor updates on here from either yourself or on the official social media feeds, regarding the event etc.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Ben

 

7812 is running at the SVR gala, then holidaying at the West Somerset for the summer season - will it arrive in time for this event?

 

That is the intention.

 

And had now been officially confirmed by WSR Facebook page

 

We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm our first visiting locomotive for our Spring Steam Spectacular event between Friday 28th April and Monday 1st May. If you have not seen already elsewhere 7812 Erlestoke Manor will be joining the WSR fleet for 2023, and we are happy to announce that her first runs on the WSR will be at the event! The engine has just been outshopped from overhaul and this will be it's first visit away from it's home at the SVR following this recent overhaul.

Why not join us for a feast of steam, including not one, not two, but three 78XX Manors!! Expect to see plenty of double-headed Manor pairings throughout the event.

Stay tuned for further visiting loco announcements!

Our thanks go to the Erlestoke Manor Fund and the Severn Valley Railway for the loan of their engine.

https://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.u...emporary-move-from-the-severn-valley-railway/

Image - Kenny Felstead

 

Sounds promising. Accommodation is booked and ready to go.

Shame it has to clash with the Mid Hants although I haven't seen any formal dates for that.

 

The official website earlier leaked the second guest locomotive on the newly created event page, it's now been removed for official announcement. Those that read between the lines will know what is due. Excited for it.

 

2999 "Lady of Legend" joins the line up

 

We intend to go to both, WSR by train and bus (RMT permitting) and MHR by car as it’s local to us

 

Was going to ask if anyone noticed the accidental website leak! Never mind! Very excited to announce our next visiting locomotive for our Spring Steam Spectacular event, between Friday 28th April and Bank Holiday Monday 1st May.

We are pleased to confirm that 2999 'Lady of Legend' will be joining our line-up for the event, joining previously confirmed visitor 7812 'Erlestoke Manor'!

Having been completed in early 2019, 'Lady of Legend' became the 78th member of the GWR Saint Class, having been back converted from 4942 'Maindy Hall'.

This will be the first ever visit of a GWR Saint to the Minehead branch, and a rare opportunity to see this locomotive in a traditional GWR branch line setting.

We are really excited to see this loco in action on our line, and we hope that you are excited too. Tickets are available to pre-book at a discounted rate now. Further information on visiting engines and other attractions will be revealed soon!

2999 appears courtesy of the Great Western Society and Didcot Railway Centre, our thanks go out to them for the hire of their engine.

Image - Seb Welsh

Tickets at advanced discount rates here -https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/spring-steam-spectacular-2