FESTIVAL announcements have been coming thick and fast as the West Somerset Railway (WSR) plans its annual spring steam gala in May followed by a four-day diesel extravaganza in June.

GWR 28XX Class 2-8-0 No.2807 has been announced as the third visiting locomotive for the steam weekend from Friday to Monday, May 2 to 5.

A WSR spokesperson said: “This year, the event is particularly special with it being a major part of the Railway 200 celebrations, a nationwide event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.

“We will be hosting a wide range of different locomotives of different ages and from different railway companies to celebrate this big anniversary.

“Our railway really comes to life during our gala events, with a busy timetable in operation from early morning to late evening.

“This will allow you to get off at as many stations as you wish, and to travel behind all of our operating locomotives.”

The visit of locomotive No.2807 was rearranged for 2025 with Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd and Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) after it was unable to attend last year.

It is the oldest working GWR locomotive in the UK, having been built in 1905, and will be in action on all four days of the steam spectacular.

The last visit to West Somerset by No.2807 was in 2011 when it sported GWR green livery, and this time it will be in GWR wartime black.

The locomotive will haul the WSR’s ever-growing 1940s wartime period goods train as well as passenger services.

It is due to arrive next month and will work regular services before taking part in the gala and then returning home to the GWSR.

Other gala visiting locomotives already announced are LMS Jubilee No.45596 Bahamas and LBSC A1 Terrier No.72 Fenchurch.

The variety of trains in operation will include passenger, parcels, demonstration goods, and some non-stop express.

Tickets for the steam spectacular van be booked online.

The diesel festival will be held from Thursday to Sunday, June 5 to 8, with a wide variety of visiting locomotives and those from the WSR’s home fleet, which are looked after by the Williton-based Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG).

WSR will operate an intensive timetable across the four days allowing passengers to hop from train to train and travel behind some of the best heritage diesel traction available.

Some trains will continue past Bishops Lydeard and run right to the end of the line in Norton Fitzwarren, utilising a stretch of track which is rarely used for passenger trains.

The Sunday will see a mixed traction day with both steam and diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains, for which the WSR will be offering its ‘Kids for a Quid’ fares if they are pre-booked.

The DEPG’s Williton depot centre will be open during the festival with admission by donations which will help the group maintain and restore the vintage machines.

The roster of visiting diesel locomotives is still to be announced.

Diesel festival tickets can be booked online.