50 years of steaming to the seaside! West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala 2026

Over the May bank holiday weekend, the West Somerset Railway held their annual spring steam gala featuring an array of visiting steam locomotives. Focused primarily on former visiting and resident locos on the railway from times gone by. However, the star guest for the gala - a loco which has never worked the railway - famous LNER A4 Class 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley heading over the former GWR Branchline. Another major highlight for the gala would see triple headed manors on the Saturday evening, along with many other weird and wonderful double headers across the duration of the gala. Most notably, 1589 Newstead and 60007 - a real opportunity for the loco to show its potential against a world famous locomotive. Other star visitors include a pair of ex WSR stalwarts, GWR class 2884 3850 and Bagnall 2996 Victor which had returned to the WSR for its 50 year anniversary celebrations when it last run over the railway four decades ago. Last but not least, BR Standard 4MT tank 80078 replicating ex homefleet member 80136 now based at NYMR.

The gala promised, and ended up being a premier event, boasting no less than 11 engines in steam, plenty of double headed running, goods trains and local shuttles. Thanks for watching.