A GOLDEN anniversary celebration weekend will mark the opening of the 2026 season for the West Somerset Railway (WSR) next week.

The railway’s 50th anniversary will see visiting locomotive Bagnall 0-6-0ST No.2996 ‘Victor’ join its home fleet for the season’s first journeys on Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29.

The weekend is dedicated to commemorating the momentous occasion in 1976 when the WSR reopened with services running between Minehead and Blue Anchor.

Visitors on the Saturday will be able to re-live the magic of the 1976 reopening and enjoy recreations of key moments from 1978, 1979, and 1980.

On the Sunday, visitors can experience the early 2000s with themed services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead in the morning.

Home fleet engines which will be running over the weekend include WSR Mogul 2-6-0 no.9351, GWR Manor 4-6-0 no.7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’, Class 35 Hymek D7017, and Class 115 DMU.

The railway will also be selling its souvenir book ‘50 Years to Minehead’, by Ian Coleby.

The anniversary volume takes a celebratory journey through the milestones, achievements, and characters which shaped the WSR revival, a tribute to everything accomplished and to the spirit that keeps it going.

The WSR’s 20-mile line from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, extending as far as Norton Fitzwarren, is the longest heritage railway in the country.

► The railway is also expanding its volunteer working party and is seeking enthusiastic individuals, particularly those with skills in painting, woodwork, upholstering, metalwork, or general maintenance.

A spokesperson said: “We always welcome new volunteers and are particularly looking for people who would be interested in carriage restoration and maintenance.

“No experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and contribute.

“Join our friendly team and help preserve our historic carriages.

“To get involved, please email [email protected], [email protected] or see our website.”

► More volunteers are also needed on the line’s historic Dunster Station with its grade two listed building to help restore past glories and bring back memories.

Volunteers can do as much or as little as they prefer, whenever they can, with all help ‘so greatly appreciated as we have so much to do’.

► The Gauge Museum on Bishops Lydeard Station is also opening for 2026 on Saturday, March 28, and will be open every day when trains are running until the end of the season.

There are new displays and recent additions to its interactive television and changes to the Gauge Junction model railway layout, as well as a children’s activity zone and the Station House garden and picnic area.

Less mobile visitors can take a ‘virtual walk’ through a Victorian sleeping carriage and watch the model railway.

► The West Somerset Railway Heritage Association together with the WSR will also be holding two young engineers days with Chris Vine, author of the Peter’s Railway books, on April 15 and 16.

The events are designed for children aged five to 15 years with an interest in railways and engineering, and offer a hands-on and behind-the-scenes experience, exploring how a working heritage railway operates.