The West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Spectacular 2026 is set to be one of the biggest highlights of the year, celebrating 50 years of steam on the revived West Somerset Railway.
Taking place over four fantastic days, this special steam gala will bring together an impressive line-up of locomotives, showcasing the rich variety of engines that have run along the railway over the past half century.
Whether you’re a lifelong railway enthusiast or simply visiting the area, this promises to be a memorable event.
The Line-Up of Visiting Locomotives
This year’s event will feature a fantastic collection of visiting locomotives, offering something for every steam fan.
- GWR 78XX No.7802 Bradley Manor
- Bagnall 0-6-0ST No.2996 Victor
- GWR 2884 Class No.3850
- LNER A4 No.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
- Standard Tank No.80078
- Hunslet No.1589 Newstead
From classic Great Western locomotives to iconic engines from further afield, the variety on display will make this a real treat for visitors.
The Home Fleet
Joining the visiting locomotives will be members of the West Somerset Railway’s home fleet, helping to create a packed and exciting event programme.
- GWR 78XX No.7812 Erlestoke Manor
- BR(WR) 78XX No.7828 Odney Manor
- WSR Mogul No.9351
- NCB Hudswell Clark No.1857
- Andrew Barclay Fireless Boots No.1
Together, these locomotives will help celebrate the railway’s remarkable preservation story and give visitors the chance to enjoy a true steam railway experience.
Tickets and Important Information
Visitors can choose from 1-day tickets at an advance rate or multi-day tickets, which offer better value for those planning to attend more than one day of the event.
Advance tickets are available to purchase up until 24 hours before the day of travel. This allows the railway to prepare wristbands and make sure ticket details are ready for collection. After this point, tickets can still be bought on the day from the booking office, although rover tickets will be charged at the on-the-day fare.
For rover tickets, wristbands will be issued on your first day of travel from either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead stations. Under 5s do not need to wear a wristband.
Kids for a Quid Returns
The popular Kids for a Quid offer is back for Bank Holiday Monday only. These special tickets can only be purchased through the West Somerset Railway website up to 10am on Sunday 3rd May 2026. After that, children’s tickets will be available at the standard on-the-day fare from the booking office.
Why Visit the Spring Steam Spectacular?
The Spring Steam Spectacular is more than just a railway event. It is a celebration of heritage, engineering and the enduring appeal of steam travel on one of Britain’s best-loved heritage railways.
With a wide range of locomotives in action and the beautiful scenery of Somerset all around, it’s a fantastic day out for families, enthusiasts and visitors exploring the area.
Plan Your Visit
If you are staying in Dunster, Minehead or nearby, the West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Spectacular 2026 is a wonderful event to add to your plans. Be sure to book in advance if you can, especially for the busiest days.
Timetables
Please click on the links below to view and download PDF versions of the events timetables.
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