This year we are pleased to announce the return of our Autumn Steam Weekend, celebrating 200 years of railway history as part of the Rail200 celebrations, and one of the biggest events of the heritage railway calendar. We will be welcoming a number of visiting engines from both heritage railways and mainline operators.
An intensive timetable will be operating on all three days allowing you to explore our historic stations, travel behind iconic locomotives, and enjoy the autumn colours on England’s longest heritage railway at its very best. From the Quantock Hills to the Somerset Coast, we’ll be running from early morning into the evening, with express trains, local passenger trains, and our popular heritage goods train. Some trains will also continue past Bishops Lydeard and run to the very end of our line at Norton Fitzwarren, utilising a stretch of the line that is rarely used for passenger trains.
Our railway really comes to life on this weekend, with our museums, heritage displays, and model railways open for you to enjoy. Don’t forget your camera!
Confirmed Locomotives:
- GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 no.5029 'Nunney Castle'
- LSWR T3 Class 4-4-0 no.563
- PTR 0-6-0ST no.813 as NCB no.11
- Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST no.1219 'Caledonia Works'
- BR(W) 78XX Manor 4-6-0 no.7828 'Odney Manor'
- WSR Mogul 2-6-0 no.9351
- Class 33 Diesel no.D6575
DATES & TIMES
Dates & Times |
|---|
Prices | |
|---|---|
| Adult Autumn Steam Weekend 1 Day Rover | £40.00 |
| Child (aged 5-15) Autumn Steam Weekend 1 Day Rover | £20.00 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Registered Carer | Free |
Timetables
Please click on the links below to see the timetable for each day.
LSWR T3 4-4-0 No. 563
Our first visiting engine has been announced as London and South Western Railway T3 Class 4-4-0 no.563, which will be appearing at the WSR for the first time courtesy of the Swanage Railway Trust.
This engine first returned to steam in 2023 following overhaul. Prior to this, the last time the engine had steamed was in 1948! No.563 will certainly make for a rare sight on the WSR in its striking LSWR Green livery.
GWR Castle Class No.5029 ‘Nunney Castle’
The second visitor for the Autumn Steam Weekend is GWR Castle Class No.5029 ‘Nunney Castle’, courtesy of Locomotive Services Limited. This will be the engine’s first visit to a preserved railway since returning to traffic earlier in 2025.
Built in 1934 at Swindon Works, Nunney Castle is an example of the hugely successful Castle Class, built to haul the Great Western Railway’s premier express trains from London to the South West, Midlands and Wales.
The locomotive was a staple of mainline operations until early 2015 when the engine was withdrawn for a comprehensive overhaul.
GWR 0-6-0 Saddle Tank No.813
Our third visitor for our Autumn Steam Weekend on 17th-19th October will be GWR 0-6-0 Saddle Tank No.813, courtesy of the GWR 813 Preservation Fund and the Severn Valley Railway.
This locomotive has carried many identities during her 125 year life: built by Hudswell Clarke & Co. of Leeds for the Port Talbot Railway & Docks Company, her first number was no.26, before the company was absorbed into the Great Western Railway and she gained her most familiar number 813 in 1924.
However, by 1934 she was replaced by newer pannier tanks and was eventually sold to work at Backworth colliery near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where she became number no.12. But when the National Coal Board was created in 1947 she became number no.11, and we’re excited that this is how she will appear at our gala complete with newly applied NCB livery. This will be her first visit away from her home at the Severn Valley in this condition following a recent overhaul.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST no.1219 'Caledonia Works'
The final addition to the locomotive lineup is Andrew Barclay 12" 0-4-0ST no.1219 'Caledonia Works'.
This plucky little tank engine is visiting the WSR courtesy of her owner Ryan Pope, and we are grateful for the appearance. The loco is sure to create an interesting contrast with the bigger engines at the event. Affectionately known as 'Little Grey', she is now approaching the end of her ten year boiler ticket, and we are able to confirm that the Gala will be her last three days in traffic before overhaul at WSR Restorations at Williton.
No.1219 will be predominately used for shunting demonstrations at Minehead station, however on her final day, Sunday 19th, she will venture out for three shuttle trips from Minehead to Blue Anchor and return.
Shunting demonstrations will take place at Minehead station between the approximate hours of 09:15 to 17:30 on Friday and Saturday and between 12:45 to 16:00 on Sunday.
Prices on the Day and In Advance
|
Ticket Type |
In advance Price |
On the day |
|
Adult 1 Day Rover |
£40.00 |
£45.00 |
|
Child 1 day Rover* |
£20.00* |
£22.50 |
|
Under 5 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
Adult 2 Day Rover |
£70.00 |
£75.00 |
|
Child 2 Day Rover |
£35.00 |
£37.50 |
|
Adult 3 Day Rover |
£95.00 |
£100.00 |
|
Child 3 Day Rover |
£47.50 |
£50.00 |
Purchasing multiday Tickets
Tickets for multiple days travel can be purchased once selecting the book now button. You have the option of a 2 day, or 3 day ticket.
These tickets are sold in bundles, once selecting which bundle you would like, for example a 3 day ticket, you will be required to select each day you wish to travel, in this case all 3 days. You must add each day individually to your ticket, one day will automatically be added when adding to the basket please make sure you check that you have not accidentally selected the same day twice and have booked for the correct days otherwise your wristbands upon collection will be incorrect.
If you have any issues booking your tickets please feel free to contact us either by email [email protected] or by phone on 01643 704996 adn we will be more than happy to help you.
Wristbands
Wristbands will be issued for each day you travel. These will need to be collected on your first days travel from either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead station only.
Due to difficulty sending wristbands to other locations across the railway, we will be unable to have your wristbands for collection from any other station.
You can indicate whether you wish to collect from Minehead or Bishops Lydeard at the check out stage of making your booking.
Ticket Options
Adult Autumn Steam Weekend 1 Day Rover
£40.00
Child (aged 5-15) Autumn Steam Weekend 1 Day Rover
£20.00
Under 5
Free
DATES & TIMES
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