WSR Autumn Steam Gala: 25th - 27th September 2026

Couldn’t see an existing thread but 41313 has been announced as the first guest.

 

Latest news from the WSR. <BJ>

FIRST GUEST IS MICKEY MOUSE TANK FOR AUTUMN STEAM WEEKEND

''We are delighted to announce the first visiting engine for the 25th – 27th September Autumn Steam Weekend 2026.
Making her first ever visit to the WSR as part of her 2026 UK tour, Ivatt Class 2MT Tank No. 41313 courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Further announcements will be revealed in the coming weeks. Look forward to three days of autumnal steam in our 50th anniversary year — don’t miss it!''

 

4110 announced as guest 2

 

When the WSR sold 4110 to the DSR the arrangement was that 4110 be available at the WSR for an unspecified time. Has this already happened? Or is this a fulfillment of the deal.

 

4110 has not yet ran on the WSR in preservation, presumably this weekend covers the sale agreement and no better timing in my opinion!

 

LNWR Coal Tank No. 1054 has been announced as the third visitor. Returning after its first visit in 2024

 

Less than 2 weeks from day one and no announcements as to guest number 4. Gonna give it a miss this year and visit another railway as the loco line up is lacking any reason to visit.

 

In terms of securing a final visitor, the Gloucester Warwick were in the same situation in May for their steam gala. By the skin of their teeth the railway managed to secure Black '5' 45110. The gala was superb.

If I were you I would wait until the final visitor is announced. Patience often pays off . <BJ>

 

The WSR is the WSR though. The gala will be great fun, as it is every time down there.

 

Think I might give it a miss planning the thing next year with the unfortunate expectations people have. Engines are few and far between at the moment, we have tried to secure some cost effective visiting locos sharing transport with other railways but some people are unfortunately never happy.
We will still have an array of attractions and have done the best we can under the circumstances.

 

I wouldn't take any comments on here as being indicative of the opinion of the general enthusiast community. Planning a gala is not an easy job. It's always easy to throw stones.

 

If you consider the comments made regarding WSR galas since you started with the planning team, may I suggest that you ignore the 1% of negative comments and think of the 99% of positive comments. Over the years, WSR galas have been among the best in the country. With your help they will continue as such. [BJ]

 

Seb, like MANY other things in life
DON`T LET THE BxxxxxxS GRIND YOU DOWN!!!
Keep your head up son

 

How fickle are you? Will you be back in a year moaning that the WSR is no longer doing galas. I remember when galas were everything a home railway had to offer and some different workings. Visiting engines have spoiled enthusiasts - Tanfield ran a great gala in May, 6 engines in steam and no visitors. No complaints from me. Use it or lose it.

 

I'm sure they will miss you in a big way LOL !

 

The original post was definitely clumsy and unfair, but I agree with Sidmouth's sentiment that 'gala season' creates tough competition.

My ideal diary for the next 8 weeks includes the SVR steam gala, NYMR steam gala, Blaenavon steam gala, WSR steam gala, Bodmin diesel gala + photographing the Royal Duchy, SVR diesel gala, Paignton 37 charter, Mid-Hants steam gala, Bluebell GoS, Spa Valley beer festival, Romney gala, ELR steam gala, Gartell's final day, Dean Forest steam gala, Chinnor steam gala and South Devon diesel gala, plus a couple of WSR normal running days to coincide with the cl.14 being out and main line tours visiting, and if the mooted 50026 running day at the Mid-Hants happens I'd hate to miss that.

I save up money and time off for spring and autumn with railway adventures in mind, but that dream schedule I've planned is a very provisional one that relies heavily on both my wife and I being well ahead with work and the kids not picking up too many autumn term bugs. I usually manage about a quarter of my dream gala season itinerary and am very glad of that.

With all that in mind, the WSR gala is part vulnerable to being ditched because it's a local line so I see a lot of the home fleet regularly anyway, have had 1054 there before, 4110 is a local engine to me too and I'll see 41313 elsewhere so as it stands the guest line-up isn't a can't-miss for me personally, and also part very likely to be one I DO get to because it's only 40 minutes away and it's not rover-only gala fares so squeezing in a quick trip in a busy time is usually pretty achievable whatever else is going on in life.

Very glad we have so many bold and hard-working event organisers coming up with so many appealing events to create these dilemmas. Excited to see the WSR timetable when it's released and suspect it'll somehow become a must-do.

 

Hi, Seb. Don’t do that!!! You are doing a great job. WSR galas are always fun no matter what is pulling the trains. Brake van rides and breakfasts are my favourite, closely followed by a Stoggy Cream Tea and a ride in the GWR coach.

 

I agree the point could have been made better but it is a valid point, that may become worse in future years if lines fear losing a gala to fire risk and compress them together even more.
It is also not always about visiting locos, sometimes it is just that the gala offers the opportunity for something different, maybe freight trains or stock that is not usually used.
Costs are rising for the railway and costs rise for the visitors just attending the thing, before you get to the ticket prices, ergo a gala is being squeezed at both ends (sides?)
Plus as you mention the pool of possible locos is finite and probably shrinking as most lines have less locos in operational condition than they did in say the early 2000's.

 

Wise words there.

Gala organisers must work within a range of constraints - budget limits and availability of staff, locos and coaches, line capacity, etc. Different customers will want different things from galas, so it will be difficult for organisers to satisfy everybody. Indeed, if they make the gala too attractive to too many, the result may be over-crowded trains and excessive pressure on car parks, toilets and refreshment facilities. A balance has to be sought.