THE West Somerset Railway (WSR) has quickly turned the clock forward after a weekend of celebrating the 1940s and is now looking at gala events it is planning for 2025.

The heritage railway has announced dates for three festivals to be held in May and June next year as well as taking part in the national Railway 200 celebrations of the bicentenary of railways which will also feature further special events locally.

The recent Forties weekend saw themed events taking place along the line at the WSR’s stations in Minehead, Watchet, Blue Anchor, Washford, Williton, Stogumber, and Crowcombe Heathfield.

Thousands of local residents and visitors enjoyed everything from jitter-bug dancing and 1940s cookery to an unexploded bomb display and recreations of air-raid alerts and precautions.

For 2025, the WSR is planning its annual spring steam spectacular across the early May Bank Holiday weekend from May 2 to 5, a summer diesel festival between June 5 and 7, and a mixed traction day on June 8.

A WSR spokesperson said: “We have already begun negotiations to host some exciting visiting locomotives, and these will be announced in the next few months.

“We are hoping to see a wide variety of different types from all over the country.”