West Somerset Railway - Spring Steam Spectacular 2023 - 29/04/2023

28th April - 1st May 2023 saw the West Somerset Railway host their annual Spring Steam Gala, featuring no less than seven locomotive in steam over the event. The star's of the show included GWR Saint Class 4-6-0, No.2999 'Lady of Legend' (Courtesy of the Great Western Society Didcot), as well as rebuilt SR West Country Class 4-6-2, No.21C127 'Taw Valley' - sporting Southern Railways wartime black with sunshine lettering (Visiting from the Severn Valley Railway).
Filmed on a mild Saturday 29th April, we see an intensive timetable of passenger, goods and non-stop services, between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.
Loco List;
Ex GWR 9400 Class 'Pannier Tank' 0-6-0PT, No. 9466
GWR 5101 'Large Prairie' 2-6-2T, No.5199 (Not featured in video)
GWR/WSR 9351 Class 2-6-0, No.9351
Ex GWR Manor Class 4-6-0, No.7812 'Erlestoke Manor' (Courtesy of the Erlestoke Manor Fund)
Ex GWR Manor Class 4-6-0, No.7828 'Odney Manor'
GWR Saint Class 4-6-0, No.2999 'Lady of Legend' (Courtesy of the Great Western Society Didcot)
SR West Country Class 4-6-2, No.21C127 'Taw Valley' (Visiting from the Severn Valley Railway)
Hope you enjoy!

[@peterfindlay2756]

Good video, many different sites for the filming and good pictures of various railway artefacts. Very enjoyable.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks Peter. Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnlunnun9769]

Wonderful, as glorious as roast beef and Yorkshire pud! ❤❤

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

Some super shots of the event. Nice to see footage of the locomotives. Had to miss it due to car trouble. Thanks for showing Regards Paul.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Paul. Glad you enjoyed the coverage. Shame you couldn't make it this time. Hopefully the next one

[@l0ner1der]

Great video, thank you. I've just come back from a few nights nr Bishops St. Lydeard and had the honour of watching these trains pull out of the station on two occasions. I plan to ride on them next time i go there but in the meantime your video is a great way to experience them 👍

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@trainsontuesday]

You really do a marvelous job of composing your videos Callum. The vignettes as you wait for the train are superb. The sharpness and clarity of your videos is amazing. Who but you could video a rusty fishplate and make it an item of great interest. I love your work. It would appear that the day was perfect weather wise and you captured a great variety of GWR locos in action. Regards, David.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks David. Always look out for interesting lineside items or scenery to try and feature as those 'B roll' clips. Fishplates are always interesting ;) Glad you enjoyed it

[@spadiuA321]

Nice mate, it was a pleasure meeting you at Watchet as well!

[@SDJR7F88]

Likewise mate. Glad you enjoyed it

[@RobA500]

Another great video, loved the double header.

[@SDJR7F88]

Really was a sight and sound that run.

[@UKxGREENY]

Love vid Callum especially the donkey interlude 🙂

[@SDJR7F88]

Oh yes, ran over to us when we arrived in the field too!

[@Jimyjames73]

Hiya Callum - @ 2:28 You filming them - them filming you!!! 😉🤔 @ 3:38 - Now that is how it should be done - Steam Loco at both ends - Thanks for sharing 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@severnvalleysteamer]

Fantastic video mate! 👍👍

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed it

[@Mattslade6024]

very nice mate. its been a long time since iv been to a gala at the WSR

[@SDJR7F88]

Likewise, I last visited in 2019.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Marvellous sound from the two Manors climbing out from Watchet.

[@SDJR7F88]

Certainly was worth the wait. The noise was phenomenal

[@robertbate5790]

Very enjoyable, thanks. Some great sights and sounds 👍👍👍👍

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks Robert!

[@richardsymonds5159]

What happened to all Chimney first Gala running?

[@SDJR7F88]

Believe the Manors weren't turned on their first runs to save time, so they were both facing the correct way for the double header run later in the day