|
|
|
Winter Steam Festival - 28 and 29 December 2011
|
|
|
The Minehead Branch in Winter...
The Winter Steam Festival on 28 and 29 December 2011 offers a good alternative to the old films, repeats of classic episodes and the rest of the holiday entertainment. It is planned to have five steam engines in action, hauling and heating the trains. There will be seven trains each way on both days, most with buffet cars selling a variety of Somerset beers and ciders, hot and cold drinks, soup, sandwiches and snacks so it is a perfect way to see the Somerset countryside in winter.
Locomotives...
| · | BR(W) 4-6-0 no 7828 Norton Manor
| | · | GWR 4-6-0 no 6960 Raveningham Hall
| | · | GWR 2-8-0 no 3850
| | · | SDJR 2-8-0 no 88
| | · | WSR 2-6-0 no 9351
| | |
| |
All the above is believed correct as at 22 December 2011 and listed in good faith. The plan is for all engines will be working each day. All engines are, of course, subject to availability.
|
Train Timetables...
Please note other trains - empty coaching stock, light engines - may run.
Working timetables, showing which locomotive is rostered for each train, along with full departure and arrival timings for each train, for the event are published as PDFs.
Catering...
Bar and buffet facilities will be available throughout the Gala on most trains serving a very good range of high quality hot and cold food, tea/coffee and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. At stations refreshements including hot food will be available at principal stations including Bishops Lydeard, Watchet and Minehead. Light refreshments should also be available at Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber and Blue Anchor.
Museums...
The Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard will be open. The Diesel Heritage Centre at Williton will have its doors open. The Taunton Model Railway Group’s base at Bishops Lydeard will also be open (small separate admission charge payable).
Lineside Photography...
A reminder that access to the lineside and other areas away from the public areas is restricted to those with a valid Lineside Photography Permit. More information...
Bus links - Bishops Lydeard and Taunton
The West Somerset Railway will be running a free bus link - using a Ridlers coach - in the morning and the afternoon between Taunton Railway Station (bus top under the railway bridge) and Bishops Lydeard Station. Timings are as follows:
| · |
Depart Taunton Railway Station 9.20am, arriving at Bishops Lydeard in time for passengers to catch 10am departure.
| | · |
Depart Taunton Railway Station 10.20am, arriving at Bishops Lydeard in time for passengers to catch 11am departure.
| | · |
For the return journey: Depart Bishops Lydeard Station at 4.45pm and 5.40pm dropping off at Taunton Station.
|
First Bus Service 28 will also be in operation (contact First on 01823 272033 for information about holiday period services) - please note First Bus Service 28 is not a free service.
Where to stay...
Check out our Where to Stay page for details of local accommodation.
Where to stay...
Available only at Minehead Station, between 10am and 4pm - be a Driver for a Fiver! Within the confines of Minehead Station climb into the cab of Class 14 no D9526* and, under supervision, drive the engine from one end of the platform to the other and back. Booking is not possible just turn up and find the Driver for a Fiver stand on the platform. This is your chance to do something a little different after Christmas. (* subject to availability)
Tickets...
Fares during the Winter Steam Festival are at standard fares rather than Gala rates - book a Rover Ticket at discounted rates and save money.
A Two Day Rover Ticket will cost £25.50 per adult in advance (£29 on the day - and £12.75 per child aged 5 to 15 in advance or £14.50 on the day) and One Day Rovers in advance £13.70 per adult (£15.60 on the day), £12.40 per senior (£14.20 on the day), and £6.85 for a child aged 5 to 15 (£7.80 on the day). A Family One Day Rover which covers two adults and up to four children is £37.80 in advance (£43 on the day). Book with a credit or debit card by phone seven days a week by ringing 01643 704996.
All advance ticket transactions are subject to a £1.60 booking/postage fee (online, postal & telephone bookings).
Advance ticket sales close on Friday 16th December.
How to Book...
You can book Rover Tickets at a discount in advance in the following ways...
| · | Book online - Wednesday 28 December 
| | · | Book online Thursday 29 December
| | · | By telephone, using your Credit Card. Please ring 01643 704996, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
| | · | In person at Minehead Station 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
|
|
|
|
Winter steam in West Somerset
|
22 December 2011
GWR 2-6-2T no 5553 withdrawn from the event.
| 9 December 2011
Diesel hydraulic no D9526 is rostered for the Driver for a Fiver, subject to availability.
| 9 December 2011
The free bus from Taunton will be a Ridlers Coach which will pick up
under the railway bridge bus stop at Taunton Station.
| 28 November 2011
Loco line-up and timetable information released
| 1 November 2011
Lineside Photo Permits
|
|
|
Prompt supply of special event information from the Railway to this website depends on the busy special events team having the time to contact us. For special events, we now pursue a fast-follower process, picking up information here and there, but without regular dialogue with the organisers, we cannot guarantee accuracy. This page may include locomotives and events which may have been dropped from the event. We apologise for any confusion.
|
|
Send this page to your blog
|
|
