The West Somerset Railways’ Spring Steam Gala begins on 16 March and continues on through 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24 March. They are also running a normal “Red” service timetable on 20 March and two days called “Somerset Branchlines through the Ages” on 18 and 19 March.

GWR Steam Railmotor No 93 on hire from Didcot Railway Centre

As usual there will be guest steam engines in action, especially hired-in for the occasion, but perhaps the most interesting visitor is Great Western Steam Railmotor number 93. This is a self-contained unit which was built at the start of the 20th century with a boiler and power unit contained in a single car together with 50 seats for passengers. It is known to have worked in Somerset on branch lines from Yatton and Taunton but it is believed that it will be the first time it has run on the Minehead line. Because of the limited number of seats it will spend most of its time doing shuttle trips from either Minehead to Dunster (16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th) or from Bishops Lydeard towards Norton Fitzwarren (21st and 22nd). It is running the full length of the route between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th but because of the restricted amount of seats travel on it is strictly by pre-booking.

For more information about the Gala and how to get tickets call in at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.