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Through trains in 2010 and 2009
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The Quantock Hills Express
Eastleigh - Weymouth - Castle Cary - Minehead
23 October 2010
This Railway Touring Company excursion now features LMS 4-6-0 no 44932 and GWR 4-6-0 no 6024. No 44932 hauls the Eastleigh-Bournemouth-Weymouth (and return) leg, then a diesel (with No 44932 at rear) hauls the train from Weymouth to Castle Cary (and the return leg); At Castle Cary, with the diesel idling at the back, No 44932 takes the train to Minehead and back to Castle Cary. The train then retraces its steps via Weymouth to Eastleigh. No 6024 will assist from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back. [This tour postponed from 5 June 2010 due to non-availability of locomotives.]
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The Somerset Explorer
Birmingham International to Minehead
9 October 2010
Take a journey of discovery, relive your childhood, or simply sit back and relax as you travel along one of Britain's best and longest Heritage Railways. The journey starts at Birmingham International calling at Coventry, Rugby, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Watford. [This train postponed from July due to pathing difficulties on the main line]
Amethyst Experience
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The Cotswold-Quantock Express
Worcester-Evesham-Oxford to Minehead
18 September 2010
The Cotswold Line Promotion Group announce "In association with First Great Western and the West Somerset Railway, the CLPG is planning an excursion train from
WORCESTER Shrub Hill, PERSHORE, EVESHAM, MORETON-in-MARSH,
KINGHAM, SHIPTON, CHARLBURY, HANBOROUGH and OXFORD to TAUNTON,
then BISHOPS LYDEARD, WATCHET, DUNSTER and MINEHEAD, on the West Somerset Railway,
on Saturday 18th September 2010."
Cotswold Line Promotion Group
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The Somerset Explorer
Three excursions for summer 2010
Take a journey of discovery, relive your childhood, or simply sit back and relax as you travel along one of Britain's best and longest Heritage Railways.
1 Birmingham International to Minehead on 17 July 2010 Update This train postponed due to pathing difficulties on the main line - now reported running on 9 October 2010.
Journey starts at Birmingham International calling at Coventry, Rugby, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Watford.
2 Ipswich to Minehead on 7 August 2010
Journey starts at Ipswich calling at Colchester, Chelmsford, Shenfield, Romford and Stratford. Update This train has been cancelled.
3 Ashford to Minehead on 21 August 2010
Journey starts at Ashford calling at Headcorn, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Orpington, Bromley South and Kensington Olympia.
Amethyst Experience
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The West Somerset Limited
Hastings - Minehead - Hastings
19 June 2010
Hastings Diesels say "A Day Excursion to Minehead and The West Somerset Railway on Saturday 19th June 2010. Our summer excursion is to Minehead in Somerset, with our train travelling along the entire length of The West Somerset Railway. This will give the opportunity of through travel from the National Rail network to the preserved line which has been restored as a true country branch line of the old Great Western Railway, and gives constantly changing scenic views of the Quantock Hills, Exmoor National Park and the Bristol Channel throughout its ten (sic) mile length. At Minehead there should be a break of well over two hours to enjoy a walk along the esplanade or to explore this pleasant seaside town"
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Great Western 175
London Paddington - Minehead - London Paddington
19 June 2010
UK Railtours say "Two generations of top link GWR motive power - none other than D1015 Western Champion and King Edward I - come together for our exciting tour celebrating the railway's 175th anniversary! With D1015 at the head from Paddington we travel to Bishops Lydeard. Here the King will be waiting and the two historic locos double-head our heavy train over the gradients through the scenic Quantock Hills on the West Somerset Railway to Minehead. We take a seaside break of three hours. You will have the chance to travel on scheduled WSR trains at reduced price. We leave Minehead at 16.00, and once past Norton Fitzwarren King Edward I will be on 'home ground' in sole charge, storming up the winding Berks & Hants Line via Somerton all the way to Paddington."
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The Quantock Hills Express
Eastleigh - Weymouth - Castle Cary - Minehead
5 June 2010
This Railway Touring Company excursion features SR 4-6-2 no 34067 Tangmere and SR 4-6-0 no 30777 Sir Lamiel. No 34067 hauls the Eastleigh-Bournemouth-Weymouth (and return) leg, then No 30777 (with No 34067 at rear) hauls the train from Weymouth to Castle Cary (and the return leg); At Castle Cary, No 30777 is detached and No 34067 takes the train to Minehead and back to Castle Cary. The train then retraces its steps via Weymouth to Eastleigh. Update This tour postponed until 23 October 2010 due to non-availability of Tangmere.
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The Pines
Stockport-Minehead-Stockport
22 August 2009
Budgie Transport offer "The Pines" a railtour from Stockport, Manchester, Bolton, Lancaster, Preston, Crewe, Shrewsbury to Minehead. 2 x Class 47 locomotives - DRS 47790/47841.
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Sunny South Special
London-Minehead-London
18 June 2009
Steam Dreams are advertising the Sunny South Special - a diesel-hauled trip from London to Minehead and steam-hauled by A1 4-6-2 no 60163 Tornado on the return leg.
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The Severn Coast Express
Gloucester-Bristol-Minehead-Bristol-Gloucester
30 May 2009
Diesel hauled from Gloucester to Bristol Temple Meads, where Tornado takes over for the onward excursion across the Somerset Levels to Taunton and onto the winding and undulating West Somerset Railway to journey's end at Minehead. Enjoy a short evening stroll before heading back diesel hauled.
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The Capitals Express CANCELLED
Minehead-London Paddington-Minehead
30 May 2009
Past Time Rail Limited have announced this excursion from Minehead to London Paddington on 30 May 2009. GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 King Edward I will head the train. Diesel hauled on return leg. Bookings are being taken now and further details will be available soon.
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The WSR Gala
Cambridge-Minehead-Cambridge
28 March 2009
UK Railtours say "Today is WSR's Spring Steam Gala, with an intensive service of steam trains in operation and much to see and do. Our departure is from Cambridge at 05.50 (back 23.05), Royston 06.10 (back 22.40), Stevenage 06.30 (back 22.20), Potters Bar 06.50 (back 22.00), London Finsbury Park 07.05 (back 21.40) Ealing Broadway 07.45 (back 20.55) and Slough 08.05 (back 20.35). We travel to Norton Fitzwarren, west of Taunton, where we veer right on to the little-used connection to Bishops Lydeard. In a break with past practice our train is expected to be steam-hauled from here to Minehead and back, hopefully by newly restored West Country Pacific 34046 Braunton, and you will have over three hours beside the sea. Stroll down to the 17th century harbour and you might be pleasantly surprised by Minehead!"
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Connected to the National Network
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