WSR SSG 2024 May 3rd to 6th

As a Gala Team we are extremely pleased with the results. 50% up on ticket revenue with all fares held at 2023 prices is better than we could have ever expected. A big THANK YOU from us to everyone who came along to support the event, and we hope to see you all next year. Likely dates for the next one are Friday 2nd May to Monday 5th May 2025. I think my team and I will have a couple of weeks of hibernation before we start planning the next one!

Feedback, positive or negative, is very welcome, and we are very open to sensible suggestions for locos too.

Best wishes, Seb Welsh WSR Steam Gala Team Chairman

 

If you visited us I'd like to hear what attractions/locos drew you in the most. We may look at doing a survey to gather info so we can shape the event how the most people like it in future.

 

Thanks, Seb and team. That was an excellent gala, a return to the good old days. I have been to most steam galas since 1996 and this one compares very well.
It was much busier than it has been for quite a few years. Good choice of locos, mostly smokebox first, excellent goods trains, sprightly loco performance, generally good timekeeping with some nice dwell times to get off and wander, the one loco problem neatly sorted, nice pasties and thick cut sandwiches, some late night running, and some lovely sun.
No criticisms.
Suggestions. More of the same, including an ASG. Thanks again.
And nice to finally catch up with you.

 

Friday, day one of the Missus's and my odyssey to the depths of Somerset saw us on the train out to Watchet for some photography, then onto Blue Anchor for the afternoon before returning to Minehead. Some shots of the very good varied motive power in use.

 

Saturday, day 2 and we caught the train down to Crowcombe for the day, sunny and warm for the best part, and a return to Minehead.

 

Sunday, day 3 and we got the most out of the ticket going Minehead to Norton and back twice!! Good shout as it rained for part of the day. Fewer shots as we were on the train mostly.

 

Monday, 4th day and we needed to depart mid-afternoon, the Missus has classes Tuesday, so we stayed at Minehead station before heading back North, we needed tanking up at the cafe on the station before leaving, Tuna Jacket spud and salad!

 

Genuinely no suggestions from me Seb, beyond keep doing what you're doing, because it's excellent. Superb loco line-up (being a GWR-heavy line helps in terms of my preferences), but not thinking 'theme' [at least on this occasion] and just going with a varied group of visitors that all offered different kinds of appeal was spot on. The timetable was really creative and varied. I ended up spending large chunks of both Friday and Monday there - not enough to justify two rovers but the chance to buy normal returns too meant it was worth me making an extra visit I wouldn't otherwise have.

Performances were certainly spirited, timekeeping was great all the time I was there (that definitely hasn't always been the case at WSR galas in the past). A really creative event with a great atmosphere and a lot of obvious enthusiasm from those making it happen.

The closest thing I'd have to a suggestion is regarding Jessie's water stop outside Williton on the last train on Monday, which caused a bit of confusion on the train as well. Although the timetable did allow it with the long section time between Doniford and Williton, and if you were looking out of the window on the right side at the right time, you could see what was going on, there were a lot of people around me on the train expressing concern there was a problem. And as that was the final train to Lydeard and many had onward travel plans, there was a bit of consternation from a couple of groups that we'd had a failure. Worth a message over the PA if it's operational or the guard walking down the train to explain if that stop's ever required again? Can't imagine it's going to be a regular one though!

Overall, though, brilliant event. Jessie was an inspired choice of guest. As was Mayflower. And I really appreciate the spirit shown in the decision to pair them up for a run as well. Not remotely authentic but it looked like a lot of fun - and that's what this is all actually supposed to be in the end.

Really looking forward to the diesel gala now, as well as seeing 6880 there (hopefully) in July.

 

Photos from across three brilliant days….
https://www.flickr.com/gp/alts1985/08GSo33m1a

 

Hopefully I can make it to that one.
This one, well, so gutted and really really angry I missed it, would have loved travelling behind all engines to Minehead, especially Saturday.

Fish, chips and cider on the see front, double-headered tank engines/GWR engines, a trip behind the Bongo (61306) on the dining set, how I hate living in the South East!

 

The West Somerset Railway during their Spring Steam Gala, featuring 61306, 6990, 6695, 1054, 9351, 9466, 7828 and 1873.

Video Available Here

 

Take a well deserved break Seb & colleagues after your efforts, an incredible effort from you and those on duty over the course of the event.

Would ‘Bahamas’ be an achievable/realistic visitor for next year’s gala? (Not sure if the loco would be too heavy for the line etc)

Thank you

Ben

 

45596 would be a treat.