TWO visiting steam locomotives will be making their final appearances on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) on Saturday and Sunday (July 27 and 28) in a mini-gala.

They will be part of an enhanced timetable as the heritage railway hosts an extra weekend event for enthusiasts with four steam engines taking part.

Engine no.6990 Witherslack Hall took part in the railway’s spring gala in May, while no.6880 Betton Grange, a newly-built locomotive which only went into service in April after more than 25 years of work arrived earlier this month from the Llangollen Railway, Denbighshire, Wales, after missing the festival.

Witherslack Hall, built in 1948 and owned by the David Clarke Railway Trust and Great Central Railway, was making its third visit to West Somerset.

Both locomotives will be part of a WSR Grange, Manor, and Hall weekend to see out the month and provide an opportunity for enthusiasts to see four different GWR 4-6-0 locomotives in action hauling a variety of services.

The other steam engines taking part are the WSR’s own GWR 7800 no.7812 Erlestoke Manor and BR(W) 7800 no.7828 Odney Manor.

The weekend will feature a demonstration GWR goods train in action, double-heading, the WSR’s turntable and triangle in use, and an evening 10-coach service on the Saturday with a different double-header each way, with most trains having the smokebox first both ways.

Tickets for the weekend can be booked online here.

The WSR also has a 1940s weekend coming up on September 14 and 15.