Minehead Somerset - Visiting locomotives for West Somerset Railway's (WSR) 1-4 Oct 2015 Autumn Steam Gala will be GWR 2-8-0 number 2857 and number 7812 "Erlestoke Manor".
 
Owned by the 2857 Society and Erlestoke Manor Fund respectively, both are based at Severn Valley Railway.
 
This will be number 2867's first appearance on the Minehead branch while Erlestoke Manor has previously visited and further guest locomotives are anticipated.
 
WSR based motive power expected to be in action for the gala comprise "Large Prairie" number 4160 (making its final gala appearance before withdrawal for heavy overhaul), number 4936 "Kinlet Hall", number 6960 "Raveningham Hall", and number 7828 "Odney Manor".
 
In addition, Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust's Peckett 0-4-0ST "Kilmersdon" is expected to provide shunting displays at the trust's Washford station HQ.
 
Gala Marks 40 Years of WSR
 
Public passenger trains started operating over the revived WSR on Good Friday 1976 (when the inaugural train from Minehead to Blue Anchor was flagged away by Lord Montague of Beaulieu) but the first train movements on the line began the previous autumn, hence WSR is making the 2015 Autumn Steam Gala a commemoration of four decades of WSR operations.
 
The Severn Valley Railway celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this summer.
 
Additional attractions include model railways at Bishops Lydeard, and on the Saturday and Sunday, a model railway exhibition in the Beach Hotel opposite Minehead station.
 
The museums at Bishops Lydeard, Washford, and Minehead will be open, as will the headquarters of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group at Williton.
 
An hourly train service will run from both ends of the railway with licensed buffet cars on most gala trains.
 
West Somerset Railway Association's "Hawksworth" Inspection Saloon will be included in some selected trains and available for travel on payment of a supplementary fare on the day of travel.
 
How Much and How?
 
Discounted Rover Tickets can be purchased in advance from westSomersetRailway.vTicket.co.uk or by telephone from 01643 704996 (seven days a week).
 
One Day Rover:  £21.60 Adult, £19.35 (60+), £10.80 (5 to 15), £60.00 (family of two adults and up to two children).
 
Two Day Rover:  £32.40 (adult/senior), £16.20 (5 to 15).
 
Three and Four Day Rover:  £43.20 (adult/senior), £21.60 (5 to 15) £2.00 for 5 to 15 year olds on Sunday 4th only.
 
Younger visitors:  (age 5 to 15) will only have to pay a £2 flat fare for any journey, including Rovers, on Sunday, 4 Oct 2015 when accompanied by a full fare paying adult or senior.
 
The nearest national network station is in Taunton, transfer to Bishops Lydeard then being required by regular bus or taxi.
 
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