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Tornado to pay extended visit to West Somerset Railway in September

Britain’s most popular locomotive of the moment by far will run on the Minehead line during the weekends of 4-5 and 11-12 September,

It will also fulfil its pre-planned five day visit between 13-17 September.

Subject to the availability, Tornado will make a headlining appearance at the Late Summer Weekend on 4-5 September, running in company with three other steam locomotives and three vintage diesels on an intensive train service between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

One of the steam locomotives operating alongside Tornado will be another Pacific, No 34046 Braunton of the West Country class which is due to join Tornado on main line excursion train work in 2011.

Normal WSR fares will apply and can even be obtained at a discount if booked by Tuesday 1 September.

The following weekend, Tornado, will be running service trains whilw the 11th annual Campaign for Real Ale (Somerset Branch) Beer Festival takes place at Minehead station. The festival is a celebration of British traditional brewing with over 100 beers in varying styles, many from the award-winning smaller breweries of Somerset but others from further afield.

West Somerset Railway general manager Paul Conibeare was delighted when the phone call from the A1 Locomotive Trust was received. “We were all naturally disappointed with the bad news concerning Tornado last month, but the news concerning the repairs and the likelihood of its appearing for extra days in September has given us all a lift. We hope our visitors will support will support UK tourism this year and enjoy travelling through our glorious Somerset countryside behind this beautiful locomotive.”