West Somerset Railway have announced the final visiting locomotive for its Spring Steam Spectacular 2026, set to take place between 1-4 May. 

16” Hunslet No.1589 Newstead completes the line-up of 11 locomotives celebrating 50 years of the railway, after a series of earlier announcements of the roster for the event.

Built in 1929 by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds for coal mining duties, Newstead worked until 1972, when it was believed to have been scrapped. It had been saved by Malcolm James Saul and stored in a convent garden shed, later obscured by trees and forgotten.

More than 40 years on, Alex Alder rediscovered the engine with help from the resident nuns. Following restoration, it returned to steam in 2025 at the North Norfolk Railway.

At the event, Newstead will operate as an industrial counterpart to ‘Victor’, with a Sunday double-header alongside LNER A4 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’.

Further information on the event can be found on their website.