WSR Spring Steam Gala, Thu 26-Sun 29 March 2015

9351 on 8 non-stop after 6024 failed didn't potter either. Second best trip I've had there, after getting to fire 7822 on the DH with 7812 at the Cambrian Gala.

 

I do remember back in 2007 when Will Nailor drove 7822 when it double-headed with 4160. You could hear them leaving Blue Anchor from Washford or at least it seemed so. About 10 times I thought they were about to come round the corner. They shut off just before they came into view.

 

After several failed attempts at visiting the WSR I think I might be making it to this gala, despite the fact it has the largest gathering of locos I've seen before on a line I've never been too! No matter, visiting the railway itself should be very enjoyable, I've been keen to do the whole railway properly during a gala. So far, other than the terminus stations, I'm thinking of getting off at Williton for the workshops as I understand they will be open for viewing (nice to see the competition's facilities!) and Washford for the S&D museum. Is there anything I'd be missing out on at any of the other stations please? Looking forward to (hopefully) finally visiting, will be watching further developments with interest. I note on Steve's site it says on the news item about 4270 one other visiting loco was a possibility - any ideas!? Collett goods would be nice, and seems to be doing the rounds at the moment as well, bit different from the GWR tanks and 4-6-0s

 

She certainly doesn't! Had some cracking trips over the WSR with her. Quickly became one of my favourite locomotives in preservation after paying regular visits to the WSR.

 

I first visited the WSR for the Spring Gala in 2011 and was hooked instantly. I've been back (400+ mile round trip) for the last 4 Spring Galas and I'm planning to come down for the 2015 one too.

I think you've picked out the main railway-related things already, but there is also a GWR museum at Blue Anchor and the model railway display at Bishops Lydeard is also worth a mention, the model of Bath Green Park is fabulous, practically a work of art.

If you're into beautiful countryside then there's plenty of that too, wonderful Medieval Churches, plenty of good Pubs and Ale, (assuming you're legal to drink of course!) and Spring arrives in Somerset two weeks before it arrives in my neck of the woods.

What's not to love!

 

Thanks for that, beginning at BL so plenty of time to do stuff there, will have look at what's at blur anchor and see if it fits in with a timetable closer to the time (I haven't found one yet anyway). Unfortunately not legal to drink, and as it's a long journey I think is like to spend as much time as possible on the trains rather than the countryside, beautiful as it may be. If I was making a weekend of it definitely something to consider though, will bear in mind, especially if with the dog.

 

The West Somerset Railway has added Ivatt 2MT Mogul no 46521 to the line-up of guest engines for the 2015 Spring Steam Gala between 26 and 29 March. Normally based on the Great Central Railway the 'Mickey Mouse' will be the first of its class to run on the WSR although no 78019 of the BR Standard Class development of the type has made one previous appearance in a WSR Gala. The 46xxx Class 'Moguls' were not generally associated with South Wales (the theme of the four days is "Steam in South Wales") but they were regular performers on the former Mid-Wales Railway route between Brecon and Moat Lane Junction in its final years. Full details of the Spring Steam Gala.

Steve

 

If I remember correctly, 78019 did one round trip over the two weekends of the 2010 Spring Gala.
1700 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead on Sunday 21st March.
1600 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard paired with 80104 on Sunday 28th March.

Will a Class 2 loco be allowed to do full line trips?

 

45xx and 4575 locos usually do full line trips at the WSR dont they?

 

There's no reason why it shouldn't do full line trips on its own, except that it would be limited to 5 coaches. I presume the tender holds more water than the tank engines mentioned.

 

That 1700 BL-MD trip was 4 coaches I think, it was a reduced load whatever as the set had been running with QB vehicles earlier in the day which had been unhooked at BL... back in the day when the WSR valued their QB breakfast

 

Looking at the website the timetables are already up. Thursday looks interesting with some unusual workings, although I'm unsure of the need for 3 full length trains from MD arriving into BL by noon. Crowcombe shuttles are down again so I assume they will be auto trains. Friday features a 1745 off BL and 1925 from Minehead. Auto train working Dunster shuttles again on the Saturday and Sunday. Times for Goods trains are not up which they were for the ASG, assuming there will be any again.

Thursday's timetable
Friday's timetable
Saturday's timetable
Sunday's timetable

 

Looks like a brilliant gala. South Wales opens up a lot of choice for locos but the wsr have ensured this will be a great gala. 5542 can really put on a a good display and 6695 really does suit the them perfectly.

 

Intrigued by that Thursday timetable, looks like an interesting bit of variety there. The hourly routine is pretty bulletproof and has functioned well, but I've really enjoyed the 'extra' midweek days put on leading up to the March gala weekends over the last couple of years as they've been a little different in format. The 2013 one with freight/Railmotor/auto train/one branch set full-line all day and the 2014 Wednesday with some limited-stop workings and a Williton run-round for the 7F were some of my favourite WSR gala-ish days.

 

Yes. They do but they're class 4s, believe it or not. Having said that, Ivatt and Standard 2s are meaty engines for class 2s. They carry plenty of water and I've seen one take 8 coaches at the SVR once.

 

The first of the family of British Railway Standard steam locomotives, Class 7P 4-6-2 70000 Britannia has been added to the line-up of guest engines for the West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala between 26 and 29 March 2015.

Steve
on behalf of WSR Special Events Planning Team
Follow WSR Special Events on Facebook and @WSRSpecialEvent on Twitter

 

How boring, I've only just seen that. Excellent news, can't wait really!

 

Good guest, with no Castle available I was hoping to see one of the Brits at the gala to represent express passenger locomotives. Just need a pannier now.

 

If only! But I think that's all the visitors now; the budget won't stretch any further.

 

Yeah probably! Pitty, but other than that looking good.