| About Us | Finding Us | Timetables | Events | News | Contact Us | Links | Shop |
| Seats Available |
| Group Travel |
| Railtours |
| Lineside Passes |
| Drive a train |
| wsr.org.uk |
| Association |
Autumn Steam Gala 2009 "GWR 175 - The Prelude" |
||||||||||||||||||
Visting Loco's
Home Loco's
Pictures © Paul Bennett, Tom Clarke, Martin Southwood, Alan Meade, Don Bishop and Peter Vile |
Thursday - Sunday 1 - 4 October 2009 The West Somerset Railway Autumn Steam Gala has established itself as one of the heritage railway events of the year. The 2009 event will be the WSR's prelude to the Great Western Railway 175 anniversary Celebrations and will feature as many Great Western Locomotive types as possible and is an event not to be missed by the GWR enthusiast! The Autumn Steam Gala runs over four days from Thursday 1st October to Sunday 4th October 2009. |
Quick Links |
||||||||||||||||
The following locomotives are expected to be in action at the Gala. More are being sought and details will be advised as soon as we get them:
4953 has its own website which you can access by clicking the link here: www.4953pitchfordhall.com Peckett 0-4-0ST “Kilmersdon” will also be in steam at the Washford Depot. Stanby locomotive at Williton will be S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 No. 88 Other locomotives are being Sought, unfortunatly 6960 will not be finished in time and 4566 is now required on the Severn Valley Railway for their services. 5322 will now not be able to attend due to transport difficulties from Didcot, though it is hoped to hire this locomotive for a future event. We had hoped to operate a World War One vintage Demostartion goods behind 5322 however this has been postponed until we can have the locomotive with us. All locomotives subject to availability and listed in Good faith 24th September 2009. Bar and buffet facilities will be available throughout the Gala on most trains serving a very good range of high quality hot and cold food, tea/coffee and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. At Stations: refreshments including hot food will be available at principal stations including Bishops Lydeard, Williton, Watchet and Minehead. Light refreshments will aslo be available at Blue Anchor and Crowcombe Heathfield. At Minehead the Railways Turntable Kiosk will be open serving a wide range of hot and Cold drinks and food. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
The WSR have been advised by the West Somerset Railway Association as follows: 1 and 2 Oct: Bar and buffet service from the QB throughout 3 Oct: Bar and buffet service from the QB throughout 4 Oct: 0915.12 40 from BL and 1100/1440 from MD bar and buffet service. With respect to the 1625 service from BL, this will be open until Watchet. The Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust museum at Washford and Blue Anchor Railway Museum will all be open. Trackwork display at Crowcombe Heathfield. The Taunton Model Railway Group’s base at Bishops Lydeard will also be open (small separate admission charge payable). MINEHEAD shed will be open from 10am to 5pm on both Saturday & Sunday (admission charge of £1 per person). Come and see engines ‘resting’ on shed in between their duties, and visit the workshop and view work on the overhaul of BR(W) ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 No 7828 Odney Manor. At Minehead you will be able to see steam locomotives turned on our fully restored GWR locomotive turntable. A feature that was common in the days of mainline steam 40 years ago, yet rarely found on today’s Heritage Steam Railways. The bonus at Minehead is that you can stand on the platform and see the locomotives turn. Our new format colour souvenir programme which will include the complete working timetable & locomotive rosters for all four days will be available from mid-September from Minehead and at all stations during the event priced £2.50 per copy. There will be shunting demonstrations during the Gala at Washford with Peckett No 1788 “Kilmersdon” during the four days. This can be observed in safety from station platform. Book Signings During The Autumn Gala Pete Waterman will be signing copies of his new book "Just like the real thing" at Minehead Railway Station between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Friday, 2nd October and 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 3rd October. He is therefore signing Friday PM instead of Saturday PM as previously announced. If you cannot make it in person you can reserve a signed vopy by contacting the shop in the usual way or by ordering online. The book Is published by Ian Allan at a cost of £19.99 Links below are included for lineside pass applications for the Autumn Steam Gala. These passes are for the event only and annual passes can be purchased by clicking here.
A special FREE bus service linking Taunton station, the Park and Ride car park at Silk Mill and Bishops Lydeard station will run at least every 30 minutes on ALL FOUR DAYS. The service will start from 09:30 collecting from under the Taunton Station bridge each day, with the last bus connecting with the final train arrival at Bishops Lydeard. A special DMU will operate on Monday 6th October departing from Minehead at 09.30 calling all station to Bishops Lydeard for a special WSR connecting bus service to Taunton Railway Station. There will be no shuttles to Norton Fitzwarren Junction on Thursday or Friday, however on the other two days of the Gala the following will take place:
Please note that ALL privilege tickets, free passes and voucher facilities will NOT apply at the Spring Steam Gala. Special Event fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased IN ADVANCE - see Booking Form. Rover Tickets for the Autumn Steam Gala are now online, please click on the Rover ticket you require to purchase online:
Rover Tickets allow you the complete freedom of the line and purchasing them is the best way of enjoying the Gala. All Information is listed in good faith and is subject to availability. Back to the Special Events Pages |
||||||||||||||||||
