WSR Spring Steam Gala 1-4 May 2026

Not exactly a guest locomotive announcement, but 7802 will stay at the West Somerset between the end of April until November 2026.

So (hopefully) there will be three Manors at the Spring Steam Gala: 7802, 7812 and 7828.

 

Whoopee doo! Three identical engines plus Mk1 coaches.

 

You must have missed the last few Galas then where we've had locos from the LNWR, LBSCR, LSWR, LNER, PTR, L&Y, SR, Caley, LMS, Furness, Hudswell Clark, Hunslet, Andrew Barclay, Hawthorn Leslie and of course GWR?

If that's not variety I don't know what is??!

Edit - Whoops, forgot the Furness Rly!! Hope the FRT can forgive me there..!

 

No complaints here, three Manors together is basically the closest we can get to heaven on Earth anyway

 

The only reason my wife drags me down to the Glos Warwicks is for 'Make More Noise Manor' Sadly quite for a short spell.

 

BAGNALL no.2996 'VICTOR' TO RETURN TO WSR IN MARCH 2026!

2996 will be visiting for the 50th anniversary weekend 28-29 March and then also the SSS in May!

 

Interesting news from the WSR. Apparently, Vulcan is awaiting repairs and so is unavailable to join the anniversary. <BJ>

 

Yes, despite the best efforts of the owners it is unlikely 'Vulcan' will be available in time to join her sister. We feel however that one Bagnall returning is huge news for us. First time she's been in steam at the WSR since 1987.

 

Hoping to experience the QB hauled by Victor. Heard many stories about such journeys from early-days QP/QB volunteers but never experienced it. Nearest I've got was the Brighton Belle in April 1972. Similar I gather, just a tad slower. Both a right challenge for stewards.

 

My first ever steam haulage was Victor the full length of the WSR. Can't make the April event but really looking forward to the May one.

 

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY FAVOURITE No.3850 RETURNS FOR THE SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR 2026

We are delighted to announce our next visiting locomotive for the Spring Steam Spectacular (Friday 1st May to Monday 4th May) is the popular former resident locomotive GWR 2884 Class 2-8-0 no.3850.

The locomotive operated on the WSR for the duration of her first ten year boiler ticket between 2006 and 2015. This powerful locomotive was a regular sight on the Minehead Branch during that time and was very popular with both visitors and volunteers alike.

Coming due for a heavy overhaul, the loco was moved to her new home at Toddington for an extensive overhaul. She benefited from a new cylinder block and set of extension frames amongst other work, and returned to steam in August 2024.

She will be making a very welcome return to WSR metals as part of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations and we are very grateful to our friends at Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd. and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for making the visit possible. She will look perfect hauling our ever-growing 1940s Goods train with the engine appearing in her wartime black condition.

No. 3850 joins previously announced visitors Bagnall 0-6-0ST no.2996 'Victor' and Manor 4-6-0 no.7802 'Bradley Manor' with more visiting locomotive announcements still to come!

Keep your eyes peeled to our website and social media for further announcements about the event over the coming weeks.

Tickets are available to book now at a discounted advance rate via our website: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/view/spring-steam-spectacular-2026

 

Sir Nigel Gresley announced as a visitor

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SIR NIGEL GRESLEY TO HEADLINE THE WSR SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR 2026

We are thrilled to announce another visiting locomotive for our WSR 50 Spring Steam Spectacular from the 1st – 4th May - LNER A4 No.60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’! This legendary locomotive joins us to represent the pinnacle of British Engineering and show that anything is possible after 50 years of preserving the WSR.

Those who saw the railway back in 1976 would have barely dreamed that a sister to the fastest steam locomotive in history, ‘Mallard’, would pull a train to Minehead five decades later.

2026 also marks 150 years since the birth of Sir Nigel Gresley, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London North Eastern Railway.

60007 is a first-time visitor to the Minehead Branch having only used Bishops Lydeard as a base for mainline operations in the past. The engine will pull services throughout the weekend alongside a host of other visiting and resident steam locomotives at what is set to be the highlight of our 50th anniversary year.

‘Sir Nigel’ joins us courtesy of the SNGLT and Locomotive Services Limited and we thank them for their support.

60007 joins an already busy line up, with further announcements to make!

Tickets are available to book now at a discounted advance rate via our website.
https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/view/spring-steam-spectacular-2026

 

Exciting news.

I was fully expecting this to happen, if the last two years were anything to go by often LSL let WSR have the loco they've had at Bishops Lydeard for the season run during a Gala, like with Mayflower in 2024 and Nunney in 2025.

 

A very nice headboard created to celebrate 50 years of the WSR. <BJ>



Image thanks to Aaron Manley / wsr.org

 

According to the WSR gala planning Facebook page there is a loco announcement tomorrow. Clue is the locomotive is new to the line but the class isn't.

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80078 announced

 

A considerable amount of investment is going into this event, so please do book your tickets to join the party! It will most certainly be our biggest event post Covid.

Well done on securing this particular loco to Bailey, Gala Planning Team Vice Chair, this is his first loco hire. Planning Gala events is relentless sometimes, and having the support available is greatly appreciated.

Seb Welsh
WSR Gala Team Chair

 

Got my ticket!