2019 is a celebratory year for the West Somerset Railway. The railway is celebrating its 40th anniversary since trains began to run along the whole line from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard following the completion of the final phase of the route from Stogumber to Bishops Lydeard. The first trains to run on the railway in preservation was from Minehead to Blue Anchor on 28th March 1976 with the first trains to Williton started on the 28th of August that year. The first trains arrived at Stogumber on 7th of May 1979 before the final stretch to Bishops Lydeard on the 9th of June that year. The railway has grown significantly, from a small railway to being the longest heritage railway line in Britain. The West Somerset Railway has become one of the best heritage railways in the UK and with a huge advantage of a main line connection, railtours have added extra value to the line. The local councils have also bought in great help to the line by giving the railway extra boost it needs and the importance of the community to the region of Somerset is bigger than ever. Let’s hope the railway keeps going well into the future.

The 40th Anniversary Weekend was to run a series of steam and diesel workings from the 8th to the 9th of June. By far the highlight of the weekend was the evening 14 coach special featuring two Manors no. 7828 Odney Manor (A long term resident of the Line) and 7802 Bradley Manor (On loan from the Severn Valley Railway) tackling the stiff gradients and twisting bends. The weather was expected to be gorgeous so I was excited to see the two workhorses in full cry. The evening train left Bishops Lydeard departed at 19:15 bang on time and arrived just before 20:25.

My shots of the run started at Nornvis Bridge on the last stretch of the long climb from Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe Heathfield. As expected a decent crowd were there to see this special occasion. The clouds gathered when I arrived however the sun finally came out with no cloud anywhere near as the engines are seen pounding up the steep bank towards the station. The noise was simply stunning and even a celebratory whistle from the happy crew as the Manors sounded spectacular with their heavy load. After a run back to the car, I made it to Washford to see the Manors roaring up Washford Bank just before the sun was about to come down. The engines were once again bringing some Great Western magic to the countryside as they pounded the last stretch to the summit at Washford Station and yet another whistle show from the crew capped off a memorable day.

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