The West Somerset Steam Express

2025sat19jul07:1521:30The West Somerset Steam ExpressLondon Paddington - MineheadTimings?YesTractionSteamLoco45212

Event Details

This tour boards at London Paddington, Slough, Reading, and Newbury, on its way to Minehead.

Tour Promoter – Railway Touring Company

Operator – West Coast Railway

Locomotive –

  • 45212

    • London Paddington – Bishops Lydeard

  • West Somerset Railway fleet

    • Bishops Lydeard – Minehead

  • West Somerset Railway fleet

    • Minehead – Bishops Lydeard

  • 45212

    • Bishops Lydeard – London Paddington

Route and Times –

Click the links below for timings

Fares – From £115, visit the tour operator’s website for more information.

Other Information

WARNING – Information displayed on this page was correct at the time of writing, information can change quickly. Please visit the tour operator’s website to check if any changes have been made.

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Location

London Paddington Railway Station

Other Events

Responses

  1. I rather get the impression that the UK Railtours operation may have lost its way since John Farrow sadly died back in 2020.

    For example, under John Farrow, a trip never ran on a Sunday unless it was completely impossible for a trip to run other than on a Sunday. Could that possibly be why this Tenby excursion has not sold out?

    Also, I have for some time suspected that UKR excursions have tended to become overpriced. Some UKR diesel-hauled excursions are more expensive than other operators’ steam excursions. I now notice that Railway Touring Company is charging £115 for a standard class seat on a steam excursion to the West Somerset Railway from London, while UKR is cha ring £139 for a diesel excursion to the WSR. This does seem to confirm the theory that UKR excursions are now overpriced.

    It hurts me to make this criticism as I have had some lovely days out with UzKR over the years, but I am convinced that all is not well.

    What do other readers think?