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West Somerset Railway - 2012 Spring Steam Gala

March 17th – 18th and March 22nd - 25th, 2012, provided a two-part Spring Steam Gala event on the West Somerset Railway. The second weekend provided much better weather than the first weekend and was reminiscent of the glorious conditions from the Autumn Steam Gala in 2011. The lineside presentation was impeccable, with over-winter vegetation maintenance presenting the railway at its best. The final weekend also provided most steam locomotives running boiler first (where possible). Visiting BR Standard Class 7 No.70000 was also able to be turned on the Norton Triangle. The use of a GWR Manor, Hall, and King was also very popular with enthusiasts, providing the last chance to ride and photograph King Class No.6024 before its overhaul. The Spring Gala event was also complemented on Saturday 24th, with a night shoot at Crowcombe Heathfield after the last train for a paid 'Night Shoot' organised by WSR Journal Editor, David Williams. The unique event involved visiting 14XX No.1450 complete with its Autocoach No.178. The loco was posed in several positions within Crowcombe Heathfield station and provided a fitting end to a good days photography.

17th March 2026
Star attraction at the West Somerset Spring Gala was Britannia Class 7, No. 70000 'Britannia'. The locomotive had been painted in BR Black when it last visited the line, but now carries BR Green. After a recent stint on mainline passenger specials, the loco settled down to a slightly slower pace of life for the first weekend of the Spring Gala. 70000 'Britannia' is seen at Bishops Lydeard on the 17th March 2012 between duties.
(Photo: Darrem Jones)

24th March 2012
WSR 2-6-0 Mogul No.9351 climbs through Watersmeet on the 24th March 2012, being banked by Standard 4MT No.80072. The pair were operating the 09:05 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the Spring Steam Gala event.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
WSR 2-6-0 Mogul No.9351 climbs through Watersmeet on the 24th March 2012, being banked by Standard 4MT 80072 (No.80043). The pair were operating the 09:05 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the Spring Steam Gala event.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
WSR 2-6-0 Mogal No.9351 climbs Washford Bank at Old Cleeve on the 24th March 2012. The loco was operating the 09:05 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead during the Spring Steam Gala.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
WSR 2-6-0 Mogal No.9351 climbs away from Williton on the 24th March 2012 during the Spring Steam Gala. The loco was operating the 09:05 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
Standard 4MT No.80043 (80072) banks WSR 2-6-0 Mogul No.9351 climbs through Watersmeet on the 24th March 2012. The pair were operating the 09:05 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the Spring Steam Gala event.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
British Rail black 4MT No.80072 passes over Kerr Moor on the 24th March 2012 while operating the 14:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR 4MT 80072 (No.80043) climbs Washford Bank through Old Cleeve on the 24th March 2012 during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala event. The loco was operating the 11:00 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR 4-6-0 Manor No. 7828 'Odney Manor' and GWR King 4-6-0 No. 6024 'King Edward I' catch the evening light at Castle Hill on the 23rd March 2012 during the WSR Srping Steam Gala. The pair were operating the 17:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR 4-6-0 Manor No. 7828 'Odney Manor' departs from Blue Anchor crossing Kerr Moor on the 24th March 2012, operating the 13:00 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead. The service was operating during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR 2-6-0 'Manor' No. 7828 'Odney Manor' pulls away from Doniford Halt on the 24th March 2012 during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala Weekend. The loco was operating the 09:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR 4-6-0 Manor No. 7828 'Odney Manor' and GWR King 4-6-0 No. 6024 'King Edward I' catch the evening light at Castle Hill on the 23rd March 2012 during the WSR Spring Steam Gala. The pair were operating the 17:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR 2-6-0 'Manor' No. 7828 'Odney Manor' pulls away from Doniford Halt on the 24th March 2012 during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala Weekend. The loco was operating the 09:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
In the late-afternoon sunlight, BR Standard 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' crosses Woolsten Moor on the 24th March 2012. The loco was operating during the WSR Spring Steam Gala with the 16:00 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR Standard 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' arrives at Blue Anchor on the 24th March 2012. The loco was operating the 13:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala Weekend.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR standard Class 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' climbs through Old Cleeve on the 24th March 2012. The loco was hauling the 10:00 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the Spring Steam Gala weekend.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
BR Standard 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' arrives into Blue Anchor on the 24th March 2012. The loco was operating the 13:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard during the 2012 Spring Steam Gala Weekend.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
GWR 4-6-0 'Castle' No. 6960 'Raveningham Hall' and 'King' No. 6024 'King Edward I' double head away from Blue Anchor crossing Kerr Moor on the 24th March 2012. The locos were staring at the West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala operating the 14:00 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
GWR 4-6-0 'King' No. 6024 'King Edward I' coasts down Washford Bank on the 24th March 2012 during the WSR Spring Steam Gala Weekend, operating a Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

24th March 2012
SDJR 7F No.88 (BR No.53808) passes over Kerr Moor on the 24th March 2012 during the Spring Steam Gala Weekend. The loco was operating the 15:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

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