Great Western Steam Railmotor number 93 is to make its debut on the West Somerset Railway during the
This takes place 16th to 19th and 21st to 24th March 2013.
Great Western Steam Railmotor and United States locomotive to feature in West Somerset Spring Steam Gala
(05/03/2013 @ 10:45:00)
The West Somerset Railway^s Annual Spring Steam Gala is now in its 17th year and the 2013 event will take place on March 16th to 19th and March 21st to 24th.
As always there will be a wide variety of steam locomotives in action on the 20 miles of line between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead with some machines being hired-in especially for the Gala. The two WSR "debutants^ are of particular interest. Great Western steam railmotor number 93 is an Edwardian machine which has not worked in Somerset since the 1930^s when it is known to have operated between Yatton and Clevedon and is thought to have worked on the branch line between Taunton and Chard and on the main-line stopping trains which once linked the county town with Langport, Somerton, Castle Cary and Yeovil. Essentially a railmotor is a
GWR▸ carriage which has been fitted with an internal boiler and a power unit, obviating the need for it to be hauled by a separate locomotive. Number 93 appears courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre.
S160 Class number 6096 is a complete contrast in looks and purpose. It is an American built heavy freight locomotive which was constructed for use in World War 2. S160^s did operate in Britain and pictures show them hauling trains at Taunton but their main use was in Europe and when the conflict was over many stayed there to help with the recovery from the ravages of the conflict. 6096 ran for many years in Hungary but has been repatriated to Britain and restored at the Churnet Vally Railway in Staffordshire from where it has been hired.
Southern Railway "King Arthur^ express locomotive "Sir Lamiel^ (the only surviving member of the class) makes a welcome return for the Gala together with Great Western "Small Prairie^ 5542 to augment thehome-based fleet including Great Western locomotive "Raveningham Hall^ and "Norton Manor^.
Apart from the regular hourly service of trains over the whole of the West Somerset there will be plenty of other things to see and do. At Bishops Lydeard the station shop has various book signings, the Gauge Museum will be open and on selected dates visitors will be able to see the handiwork of the Taunton Model Railway Group in the Club Room. Midway along the line the Diesel and Electric Group plan to welcome visitors to their Depot and the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust will be showing the work to date on the restoration of Great Western coach 6705, the first part of the Heritage Carriages Project. There will information and sales stands on site also.
Another vintage coach restoration project, Somerset and Dorset number 4, will be at Washford station, headquarters of and Museum of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, together with the recently overhauled Peckett saddle tank locomotive "Kilsmerdon^.
Minehead is hosting a model railway show on the 16th and 17th and between the 22nd and 24th the second Railway Literature Festival features a large number of specialist authors and publishers displaying and selling their range of titles. Platform stands include an exhibition and sale by the well-known photographer Don Bishop which will feature his transport and landscape work.
The stations will have on sale various items with food available at many and there will be licensed buffet cars on most trains.
Commenting on the Gala WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare said "The Spring Steam Gala is always a very important event both for the Railway and local businesses and accommodation providers. Advanced bookings have been very good to date and we hope that the weather will relent and we will see many visitors, both enthusiasts and the wider public on our line during the eight day event^
More information about the Gala including online ticket booking can be seen at
www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or a leaflet can be obtained by ringing 01643 704996.
