Published on 2nd October 2004
As we were welcoming the New Year in January 2020 no one could have predicted the events of 2020 keeping tourist attractions closed and the mass cancellation of planned events throughout the year on the West Somerset Railway.
October is the traditional time for the Autumn Steam Gala to be held on the WSR and we thought it would be a good time to look back 16 years to October the 2nd and 3rd 2004.
The event featured visiting steam locomotives 0-6-0 'Terrier' 32678, 0-6-0 Hawksworth Pannier Tank 9466, Large Prairie Tank 5199, GWR Hall No. 4936 'Kinlet Hall', and BR 2-10-0 9F 92214. Also making its operational debut was WSR new-build steam locomotive 9351. The locomotive had been converted on the West Somerset Railway workshops using the remains from 2-6-2 GWR Prairie Tank 5193 to a 2-6-0 mogul tender loco – 9351 – this was designed to resemble a small boilered version of the GWR 4300 Class. It was something that was suggested may have been built by the GWR. The loco made is first passenger trips over the weekend and was outshopped in unlined GWR green.
Be sure to take a look at the gallery link below to enjoy even more images from the 2004 event.
To view the gallery, please click here.
