The East Somerset Railway has announced that it will be welcoming GWR Railcar No. W22 for their gala.

The gala takes place on the 14th and 15th March, with Cranmore being a popular area for the GWR Railcars in their operational time with GWR and BR.

However, no GWR Railcar has operated outside of the Didcot Railway Centre (W22’s home) in the 21st Century, so this visit will recreate the Strawberry Line services that took place in the Mid-20th Century.

W22 will visit to operate alongside GWR Pannier 7754, Large Prairie No. 4110 and GWR 45XX No. 4555.

The railcar will visit thanks to Great Western Preservationists Ltd and is subject to availability.