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East Somerset Spring Gala 2026

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by pwsw5054, Dec 26, 2025.

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  1. pwsw5054

    pwsw5054 Member

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    7754 announced as first visitor as per Facebook:

    We are delighted to announce the visit of GWR Pannier Tank 7754 as our first visitor for the Spring Gala over the weekend of 14/15 March 2026.

    The ubiquitous Pannier tanks were common on the ESR in GWR and early BR days, and 7754 will be sure to make a grand sight tackling the Mendips at Cranmore alongside Prairies 4110 and 4555.

    This particular example is believed to be making the first visit away from it's Llangollen Railway Base since returning to service in 2023.

    This will be the first visit of a BR livery Pannier to the ESR since the 1990s following L92s visit in 2022.

    7754 appears with thanks to the Llangollen Railway Trust

    BOOK NOW:- https://eastsomersetrailway.com/events/view/steam-gala-2026

    Iain Ross

    [​IMG]

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    pwsw5054, Dec 26, 2025
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  2. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    Railcar no. 22 from Didcot has been announced as visiting

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    Paul.Uni, Jan 12, 2026
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  3. Kingscross

    Kingscross Member

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    That is very unexpected. I thought it could no longer leave Didcot, but maybe the GWS just don't want it going on a lowloader and it's arriving by rail? Mega, anyway.
     
    Kingscross, Jan 12, 2026
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  4. Charles Parry

    Charles Parry Member

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    Yes, a real boon that. I'm sure rail connected lines like the Severn Valley have tried to get 22 in the past and failed so I wonder what has changed? With 20 apparently nearing completion at KESR the thought of both visiting somewhere for a diesel/rail car gala would be quite special.
     
    Charles Parry, Jan 12, 2026
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  5. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    If you mean for the “Railcar 50” event the reason wasn’t due to any technical issue with bringing it in by rail and was purely for financial reasons.

    What happened was during the event planning the visitor list was drawn up which included 22. At the same time a quotation for the movement was obtained, this being over a year before the event took place.

    By the time the event came around the railway went to book the movement and discovered that during the intervening period that the cost had almost doubled. As the event was expensive to put on, (The National Lottery Fund even awarded nearly £50k towards the cost of staging the event), it wasn’t viable to bring 22 in and the visit was cancelled.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Jan 13, 2026
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  6. brennan

    brennan Member

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    It would not be beyond the realms of possibility that, having gone through the process of moving it out of Didcot , it will now visit a number of heritage railways. I heard a rumour last week that due to change of policy by DB Rail transfers from GWS Didcot to the rail/road exchange siding will be more difficult in the future. Hopefully it is only a rumour.
     
    brennan, Jan 13, 2026
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  7. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    As Pete has shared 22 is an expensive vehicle to move . Recovering those costs can be challenging with the capacity of 56 passengers . Before anyone suggests that did haul passenger coaches in service days , the railcars are 85 years old so deserve a little respect rather than dragging 30+ tonnes of carriage and passengers along

    I know there is much excitement about potential visits elsewhere now but the expense of movement and operation make the economics challenging . Make the most of it at Cranmore is my guidance
     
    Sidmouth, Jan 13, 2026
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  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    I seem to remember that they wanted to put a trailing load behind it at Railcar 50, but it was against the terms of the hire and which forbid it pulling anything. It’s reasonable to assume the same applies now.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Jan 13, 2026
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  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    If anyone is interested I have photocharters with both 7754 and W22 . Drop me a PM and happy to send on details
     
    Sidmouth, Jan 13, 2026
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  10. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    Bus time are on the ESR Facebook page

    Saturday 14th March
    Frome Station 09:05, 11:15, 15:55, 17:00

    Cranmore 09:30, 11:40, 15:30, 16:35

    Sunday 15th March
    Frome Station 10:30, 12:00, 15:20, 16:30

    Cranmore 10:55, 12:25, 14:55, 16:05
     
    Paul.Uni, Feb 10, 2026
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  11. pwsw5054

    pwsw5054 Member

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    Timetable is now live[​IMG]

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    pwsw5054, Feb 21, 2026
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  12. pwsw5054

    pwsw5054 Member

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    7754 now arrived. Photo c/o Tom Bailey[​IMG]

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    pwsw5054, Mar 5, 2026
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  13. pwsw5054

    pwsw5054 Member

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    22 arrived today, and successfully completed gauging runs![​IMG][​IMG]

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    pwsw5054, Mar 6, 2026
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  14. cymroglan

    cymroglan Member

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    Fabulous photos! It honestly hasn’t crossed my mind that this would ever happen: 22 on the East Somerset! I have the happiest memories of many family visits to Cranmore when the kids were tiddlers and the 9F ruled the line.
     
    cymroglan, Mar 7, 2026
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  15. black5

    black5 Well-Known Member

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    The Railcar in pre gala photo charter action
     
    black5, Mar 7, 2026
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  16. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

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    Hampshire Unit, Mar 7, 2026
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  17. black5

    black5 Well-Known Member

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    7754 on the milk tanks on pre gala photo charter action
     
    black5, Mar 9, 2026
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  18. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    An excellent two days in Somerset even allowing for the Mendip Mizzle

    Thanks to everyone who supported the events and especially the volunteers at the railway who could not have made us more welcome





    Footage from my eldest



    and youngest
     
    Sidmouth, Mar 9, 2026
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  19. OldSchoolTrains2

    OldSchoolTrains2 New Member

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    Very excited for this - my first time at an East Somerset gala and first visit to the line at all since 2018, not to mention the first time I'll have been on a GWR railcar for anywhere other than the Didcot branch demo line.

    Question for anyone more familiar with the line: am I right in remembering that there's a footpath up from Mendip Vale to the road bridge that crosses the line further up the hill and it gives some decent lineside views?
     
    OldSchoolTrains2, Mar 13, 2026
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  20. pwsw5054

    pwsw5054 Member

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    Yes there is still the footpath.

    Note that it is looking to be very very busy on Saturday, would recommend coming Sunday to people not sure on which day to come!

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    pwsw5054, Mar 13, 2026
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