The West Somerset Railway has announced some last-minute changes to the locomotives it had lined up to appear at next week's Spring Steam Spectacular from Friday, 28th April to Monday, 1st May.
Unfortunately, repairs to Manor Class No.7822 Foxcote Manor will not be complete in time for the locomotive to operate during the event despite the best efforts of the railway's engineering staff at Minehead.
Although that means there will no longer be three Manors operating at the event, an Evening Photographic Shoot will still go ahead with 7822 Foxcote Manor lined up. with 7812 Erlestoke Manor and 7828 Odney Manor.
There have also been problems with another visiting locomotive, as the Epping Ongar Railway has had to cancel the visit of Hall Class No.4953 Pitchford Hall, as that railway needs to hold on to it to ensure they have cover for their own services.
Although the West Somerset Railway realises that the above may be disappointing, it's not all bad news, as the Severn Valley Railway has stepped in to supply an alternative locomotive.
Instead of 4953 Pitchford Hall, West Country Pacific No. 34027 Taw Valley will take its place. Taw Valley has not been seen on the West Somerset Railway since the early 2000s, and will make a striking sight in its new Southern Railway wartime black livery running as No. 21C127. This will be the first time Taw Valley has left the Severn Valley since its overhaul in 2015.
There is also further good news as the railway's Mechanical Engineering Department has completed work to repair 94XX Pannier Tank No. 9466, and it will be in service during the Spring Steam Spectacular working goods and local passenger trains.
This will be the first time in over 18 months event that 9466 has steamed in public.
