May 4th 2026

4/5/2026

Saturdays Railtours

Many thanks indeed to all who have sent in photographs of Saturdays 3 railtours.

A number of additional photographs have arrived through the day on Sunday.

Rather than confusing matters and adding them to todays 'news' post, they've all been put together in yesterdays article. Either scroll down, or click here to view.

The WSR steam gala
Paul Barlow

A few shots of the WSR steam Gala on Friday, all went well until the A4
was stuck at Blue Anchor for a hour and 20 minutes with a brake problem.

Most trains were then around a hour late for the rest of the day.

3850 1035 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Teddy bears crossing Williton. 01.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

7802 1040 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard Teddy Bears crossing near Williton. 01.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

7828 Castle hill 1148 Williton to Bishops Lydeard goods. 01.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

9351 Roebuck farm crossing on 1400 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard running around 60 mins late. 01.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

60007 1348 Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead approaches Leigh woods crossing. 01.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

Hunslet 1589 works the 0740 Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren goods train seen at Norvis crossing. 01.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul, a lovely selection of photos.

The Britannic Explorer
Fowey - Bruton
Tony Shore, Jon Hird & Clive Smith

Having dropped off its passengers at Lostwithiel following their overnight stop at Fowey docks, 66748 leads the Britannic Explorer back onto the Fowey branch so that the stock can be serviced at Colsons Park, Lostwithiel. 03.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

Shortly after 1300, 66744 leads the train into Lostwithiel up goods loop having collected the passengers from Lostwithiel. 03.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

66748 on the rear in Lostwithiel up goods loop. 03.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

'The Britannic Explorer' crosses Bolitho viaduct, Liskeard on its way to Bruton. 03.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

66744 top and tail with 66748 on the 1C06 10:50 Fowey Docks to Bruton through Ivybridge. 03.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

66748 on the rear at Ivybridge. 03.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Tony and Clive. It's great having this train running regularly this year. A welcome bit of weekend interest for we enthusiasts.

Re: 47813
Alan Peters

West Coast Railways 47813 storms away from Middleway Level Crossing with 1Z47 'The Atlantic Voyager' on route to Newquay top and tail with 47812 on 2nd May 2026 just before the heavens opened for the classic wet bank holiday weekend. 02.05.2026, copyright Alan Peters.

I last worked this locomotive into Cornwall on 25/08/07 under Cotswold Rail with 1Z59 'The Penzance Flyer' pictured shortly after arrival at Penzance, 47813 was then named 'John Peel' and the train was top and tailed with 47810 in glorious sunshine I might add. Copyright Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan. There must be a fair few layers of paint on 47813! Just in the last couple of decades alone - FGW green, Cotswold silver, ROG blue, WCRC maroon... it must be a useful machine.