STANDARD TANK No. 80078 JOINS THE MAY 1st – 4th SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR 2026

We are excited to announce the 5th visitor for our Spring Steam Spectacular 2026, Standard Class 4 No. 80078!

Standard 4MT Tanks are seen as ideal traction for the WSR, with No. 80136 having previously been a resident of the line, and No. 80064 being restored at Williton by our partners, the WSRA, for future use on the railway. Therefore, having a working example take part in our 50th Anniversary flagship event felt like a no-brainer!

No.80078 is a first-time visitor to the line. Built at Brighton in 1954, she worked around London before being moved to Wales to work over the Cambrian network alongside Great Western traction we are more familiar with on the WSR. The engine was then sent for scrap in 1966 at the famous Barry Scrapyard after only 12 years of service. Restored in 1999, the engine has proven a popular workhorse across many heritage railways in the UK, now finding home at the Mid Norfolk Railway.

We would like to thank the owner, Stewart Robinson, for the hire of the engine, and look forward to seeing her at work on the Minehead Branch over the gala weekend.

80078 joins an exceptional line up of 10 Steam Locomotives for the event including the world famous A4 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ and our founding locomotive, 2996 ‘Victor’. Keep your eyes peeled for further announcements.

Book now for an advanced discount rate. More information is available via our website: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/view/spring-steam-spectacular-2026