Great Western MGM

07/06/2026

Happened to be nearby the West Somerset Railway earlier today, so I paid a visit to Williton and happened to find Class 37 No. 37250 taking part in the railway's Summer Diesel Festival at the station. The loco is from the Wensleydale Railway. Might aswel catch it's spiritual thrashing departure.

19/04/2026

While staying in Crewe, I decided to pay a visit to the Crewe Heritage Centre. The centre has a series of exhibits, from the only surviving APT (Advanced Passenger Train), two Class 43 HST power cars, a Class 87 electric locomotive, a Class 91 electric locomotive and various other rolling stocks. There is a miniature railway to ride on and a couple signal boxes to explore such as Crewe North Junction and Exeter West box (ironically previously located to my home town)
All and all, it was good times there and worthy of a visit for any railway enthusiasts.

09/04/2026

An update on the whole West Coast Railways Mark I coaching stock CDL issue that many of you are familiar with...

Following valuable feedback from our passengers and an evaluation of the operational costs associated with our Mark 2 carriages, West Coast Railways has formally approached the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to reinstate our traditional Mark 1 rolling stock. These traditional carriages have been a hallmark of the Jacobite experience for over 25 years, and we know how much our passengers value their classic charm.

Progress on Safety Upgrades

West Coast Railways is committed to the long-term future of heritage rail and are going to install Central Door Locking (CDL) systems across our entire fleet of Mark 1 carriages used on the mainline.

While this safety upgrade is a significant undertaking, it will take time to complete. To this end, we are currently working in close partnership with the ORR to finalise a timeline that balances the technical requirements of the installation with our goal of commencing the 2026 Jacobite season.

What This Means for You

Delayed Start: We sincerely apologise for the delay in launching this year's service. Our priority is ensuring we can return to the tracks using the traditional rolling stock you know and love.

Official Announcements: As soon as our start dates are confirmed, we will notify all existing customers directly. Please sign up to receive updates https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/register

Stay Informed: Updates will be posted immediately on our official website and social media channels.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work to bring the traditional Jacobite experience back to the Highlands.

https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/news/the-jacobite-2026-season-update

29/03/2026

The West Somerset Railway celebrated the 50th anniversary of its reopening from Minehead to Blue Anchor in March 1976. During anniversary weekend, the railway had one of its guest locomotives, Bagnall 0-6-0ST "Victor" who had the honor of reopening the line 50 years ago doing exactly the same again. The locomotive ran up and down the line reminiscing the time running on the railway from 1976 to 1988.
Other locomotives featured in the video are GWR 6400 No. 6435 masquerading as 6412 wearing the Flockton Flyer nameplates on display at Minehead, reminiscing the original locomotive's role in the Flockton Flyer tv series in the late 1970's (the original 6412 is under overhaul at Buckfastleigh, South Devon Railway) BR Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit recreating running services to and from Stogumber station in the summer of 1978 and Class 35 Hymek D7017 in its BR blue livery with the D&EG logo on it's sides, reenacting it's role in running on the railway during early years of preservation.

A huge big thank you to all those past and present who have helped keep the West Somerset Railway alive the last 50 years.

28/03/2026

At exactly 50 years ago today at 10am, the first train departed Minehead hauled by 2996 Victor. Marking the reopening of the then newly preserved West Somerset Railway. Seen here 50 years later doing the exact same honors.

07/03/2026

60 years ago today saw the closure of the famed Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. To mark the occasion, I thought it would be fitting to include these shots of the two famed SDJR 7Fs No. 53808 & 53809 doubleheading on the West Somerset Railway in March 2016, commemorating the railway's 50th anniversary of it's closure. Filmed at Nethercott (between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield) and the West Somerset Mineral Railway trackbed at Washford.

The S&D has been one of the most mourned and remembered long lost railways around.

16/02/2026

7802 Bradley Manor has had a busy day covering for an unavailable diesel on the first service trains of the SVR season, and this evening back on duty for Boogie Lights (see our previous post for more details(.

A superb photo by Stephen Ron Chandler taken this morning as the loco was prepped at Bewdley. It was great to see the sun shining today.

20/12/2025

A quick token shot of D1015 Western Champion roaring up the Lickey Incline with the Pathfinder Finale running from Salisbury to Manchester Victoria and return. This would mark the final curtain of Pathfinder Railtours after a splendid 52 years of running.

Farewell Pathfinder!

(Apologies for the awful wirring noise coming from the microphone as its sensitive when near overhead electric wires)

06/09/2025

September 6th saw the unusual double heading of GWR Castle Class 7029 Clun Castle and LMS Jubilee Class 45596 Bahamas haul the Mayflower over the Devon Banks from Birmingham to Plymouth and back. This unusual pairing was certainly appealing enough to capture on camera.

The double chimney duo are first seen at speed at Whiteball hauling 11 coaches. A quick shot at Tigley sees the pair emerge out of Totnes following a brief stop off. On the return journey, the pair slog up Hemerdon Bank in fine style, the Castle sounding more louder in tone than the Jubilee unsurprisingly (sorry to the LMS fans!)
The pair are last seen at Woodrow Barton outside Exeter.

This run has certainly been a highlight for this year so far, as it has been a abysmal year for mainline steam in general with what has been happening as many of you lot can guess.

09/08/2025

Paying tribute to my late Uncle Colin "Col" Finnimore, who past away earlier this year at age 84. He was a railway enthusiast and keen photographer who use to photograph steam trains from the spot on the bridge in Exminster overlooking the Exeter to Plymouth mainline. Every time there was a steam train running, I phoned him to inform him the train was on it's way. He would walk to the bridge to photograph them.
I photographed 5029 Nunney Castle earlier today, seen here passing under the bridge while on a railtour to Kingswear on the spot where he photographed steam trains.

Here's to you Col ✝️📸🚂