THE first visiting locomotive has been confirmed for the West Somerset Railway’s (WSR) 2025 spring steam gala weekend.
LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 no.45596 Bahamas, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024, will be loaned by the Bahamas Locomotive Society, which has owned and cared for it since 1967.
The steam spectacular will run from Friday, May 2, to Monday, May 5, and will feature a range of locomotives in operation from different eras and railway companies.
A WSR spokesperson said: “You can expect to experience a feast of steam action, with locomotives and attractions to suit enthusiasts and families alike.
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“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.
“Multiple visiting locomotives will join our own home fleet, all working hard hauling a variety of services through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel.
“The event will show much of the story of steam locomotive development from the Victorian age right up to our own 2004-built no.9351.
“A variety of special trains will be in operation, including local passenger, parcels, demonstration goods, and even some exciting non-stop express journeys.”
The visit of no.45596, which is usually based at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, will be the first opportunity to travel behind Bahamas over the full length of the WSR line and it will also be the first time a Jubilee class has appeared at the festival.
The Bahamas Locomotive Society previously loaned its LNWR Coal Tank locomotive no.1054 for last year’s WSR spring gala.
Visitors to the gala will be able to travel a rarely opened section of WSR line between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren.
The turning triangle at Norton Fitzwarren and turntable at Minehead will also both be in use, ensuring as many trains as possible will be facing smokebox first.
Gala tickets are already on sale through the WSR website.