West Somerset Railway - 50th Anniversary Weekend

The West Somerset Railway (WSR) celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2026, marking a half-century since the legendary "reopening" in 1976. This milestone was marked on the 28th/ 29th March 2026 with an Anniversary Weekend Gala and events. The milestone honours the vision of founding members and the dedicated volunteers of the West Somerset Railway Association, who refused to let the former GWR branch line fade into history after its 1971 closure.|

28th March 2026 Repainted over the winter closed season into British Railways lined black livery, WSR 2-6-0 Mogal No.9351 powers through Leigh Woods on the 28th March 2026. The loco was operating the 12:25 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service during the 50th Anniversary gala weekend. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 Newly repainted WSR Mogal No.9351 is pictured arriving at Washford on the 28th March 2026. The loco was operating the 10:15 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service as part of the 50th Anniversary Gala weekend. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

28th March 2026 BR 4-6-0 Manor No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' runs through the downgrade passing Leigh Woods on Saturday 28th March 2026, operating during the WSR 50th Anniversary gala weekend. No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' was operating the 13:20 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service with Collet brake coach 6705 marshaled behind the locomotive. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 Having arrived at Blue Anchor on the 28th March 2026, 0-6-0 Bagnall No. 2996 'Victor' runs around its train before returning to Minehead with the 10:35 service back to Minehead during the 50th Anniversary Celebrations. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 'Victor' No. 2996 'Victor' 0-6-0 Bagnall (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 0-6-0 Bagnall No. 2996 'Victor' is pictured at Blue Anchor on the 28th March 2026, decorated as it was on the first day of passenger services 50 years previously. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 0-6-0T Bagnall No. 2996 'Victor' arrives at Watchet on the 28th March 2026, operating the 11:38 Minehead - Williton service to connect with a DMU service from Bishops Lydeard as operated during the first years of the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 Visiting 0-6-0T Bagnall No. 2996 'Victor' arrives at Blue Anchor on the 28th March 2026 during the WSR 50th Anniversary Weekend celebrations. The loco was operating the 11:38 Minehead - Williton service, where it would connect with a DMU service to recreate the early service trains when the line first opened to passengers. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

28th March 2026 Recreating the first passenger service which operated on the West Somerset Railway 50 years ago. 0-6-0 Bagnall No. 2996 'Victor' passes Dunster on the 28th March 2026, hauling the 10:00 Minehead - Blue Anchor service for special ticket holders and guests. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 0-6-0T No. 2996 'Victor' is pictured departing Minehead with a recreation of the first passenger service 50 years previously. No. 2996 'Victor' formed the 10:00 Minehead - Blue Anchor service on the 28th March 2026 for special ticket holders and guests, adorned with bunting and flags, in a similar fashion to the first-ever passenger departure from Minehead. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

28th March 2026 0-6-0T No. 2996 'Victor' is pictured at Minehead preparing stock for the recreation of the first passenger service 50 years previously. No. 2996 'Victor' formed the 10:00 Minehead - Blue Anchor service on the 28th March 2026 for special ticket holders and guests, adorned with bunting and flags, in a similar fashion to the first-ever passenger departure from Minehead. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

28th March 2026 DEPG 'Hymek' No.D7017 is pictured at Crowcombe while operating the 17:30 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service on the 28th March 2026. The loco was making its first outing of the 2026 during the WSR 50th Anniversary Weekend event as the pioneer preserved diesel locomotive from 1976. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

28th March 2026 Running in a hybrid formation of Class 117 trailer 51354 leading Class 115 trailer 51558, the two-car BR Green Diesel Multiple Unit passes Leigh Woods, operating the 12:45 Williton - Bishops Lydeard service on the 28th March 2026 during the 50th Anniversary Gala. The unit re-creating services that first operated on the line 50 years ago. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th March 2026 Running in a hybrid formation of Class 117 trailer 51354 leading Class 115 trailer 51558, the two-car BR Green Diesel Multiple Unit passes Dunster, operating the 09:25 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service on the 28th March 2026 during the 50th Anniversary Gala. The unit re-creating the Class 100 and 103 DMUs, which first operated on the West Somerset Railway 50 years ago. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

25th March 2026 0-6-0T No. 2996 'Victor' is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 25th March 2026, having been devliered to the West Somerset Railway by road from the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway to star in the West Somerset Railway 50th Anniversary event. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

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