West Somerset Railway | 8th, 9th August 2026

A sunny Saturday and Sunday in the South West of England on the West Somerset Railway as we see diesel railtours and steam and diesel passenger trains. We start off in the countryside at Bishops Lydeard Station where two Class 66 diesel locomotives depart with the Britannic Explorer railtour to Penzance, we also see A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' and it's support coach at Bishops Lydeard shed, as the steam locomotive was originally going to haul the "English Riviera Express" from Taunton to Kingswear for Dartmouth, but it was diesel hauled by two Class 47's from Ely to Taunton and Kingswear due to the temporary steam ban with the UK heatwave. We then take a train from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber, Williton, Doniford Halt, Watchet, Washford, Blue Anchor, Dunster and to the coast of Minehead hauled by the West Somerset Railway's Mogul Class no. 9351 At Minehead Station, we see lots of steam locomotives including three Manor Class locomotives and a Pannier Tank on display near the turntable café, which apparently is on sale. We also see a railtour "The West Somerset Express" by Railway Touring Company hauled by two Class 33 Crompton diesel locomotives from London Paddington, originally the railtour was going to be hauled by West Country Class 34028 'Eddystone', but with the tempoary steam ban it was diesel hauled, we then take a train from Minehead to Watchet hauled by Class 35 Hymek D7017. At Watchet Station, we see "The West Somerset Express" with the two Class 33's and Class 47 diesel locomotives pass by with the Mk2 coaches back to London Paddington, we then look around the harbour and market town of Watchet, and then we see 7828 'Odney Manor' on it's passenger train with Mk1 coaches. We then take the Class 35 Hymek's train from Watchet back to Minehead with countryside and costal views of West Somerset. The next day, we visit Minehead Station, then we take a train hauled by 7828 'Odney Manor' from Minehead to Blue Anchor, for some nice sunny views of the beach and the trains. At Blue Anchor Station, we see views of Blue Anchor Beach, and we see some trains hauled by Class 35 Hymek D7017, then 7828 'Odney Manor' takes us back from Blue Anchor to Minehead. Lastly, we will see the steam departure of 7828 'Odney Manor' at Minehead Station. LOCOMOTIVES AND TRAINS INCLUDED: Great Western Railway Mogul Class 9351 Great Western Railway Manor Class 7802 'Bradley Manor' Great Western Railway Manor Class 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' Great Western Railway Manor Class 7828 'Odney Manor' Great Western Railway Pannier Tank 6435 LNER A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' West Coast Railways Class 33 Crompton 33025 West Coast Railways Class 33 Crompton 33207 'Jim Martin' British Railways Class 33 Crompton D6566 British Railways Class 33 Crompton D6575 British Railways Class 35 Hymek D7017 West Coast Railways Class 47 47848 Britannic Explorer Class 66 66748 'St Michaels Mount' GBRf Class 66 66744 'Heart of Wales' British Railways Class 108 DMU Enjoy.