THE annual ‘Santa Express’ service on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) heritage line starts on Saturday (December 2) with some trains already sold out.

The Bishops Lydeard to Williton round-trips will run right up to Christmas Eve with presents from Santa awaiting passengers on every table.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the railway is again also operating its magical Winterlights trains, with an extra train on Thursday, December 21, and after Christmas on December 27, 28, 29, and 30.

The illuminated Winterlights trains take passengers from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield and back.

Dunster by Candlelight this weekend also offers the last opportunity this year to travel the whole length of the WSR line from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, with a park and ride connection taking visitors from the train to the village and back.

Carol trains will also add to the festive feeling on Sunday and Monday, December 17 and 18, with Weston Brass performing on the Sunday train and Wiveliscombe Town band the following day.

Looking further ahead, the WSR is also preparing for its 2024 spring steam gala weekend on May 3 to 6.

It has announced the first of the visiting locomotives for steam spectacular, the LNWR 'Coal Tank' 0-6-2 no.1054, making its first-ever appearance on the line.

The 'Coal Tank' is the only operational locomotive owned by the National Trust and is cared for by the Bahamas Locomotive Society.

No.1054 is usually based at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, so appearances in the Westcountry are rare occasions.

Being of 1888 vintage, the locomotive should provide an interesting comparison to the WSR’s home fleet of steam engines and other visitors.

During its stay on the WSR line it will work local passenger trains and short-formed parcels trains.