THE first guest locomotive for the West Somerset Railway’s (WSR) spring steam spectacular in May has been announced - GWR 78xx Manor Class No. 7802 ‘Bradley Manor’.

The engine will be returning to the WSR line where it first worked in 1994.

Manor class locomotives are considered the most important class in the history of the heritage railway with seven of the nine examples having worked on the line in preservation, the first of which was ‘Bradley Manor’.

A WSR spokesperson said: “In fact, the class were banned from the Minehead Branch in the steam era, therefore the locomotive was the first of its class to make it to the seaside resort.

“It is fair to say, therefore, that Bradley holds an important part in WSR history and is a perfect engine to visit for our 50th birthday celebrations, setting the standard for what would become the regular ideal motive power for the modern preserved line.”

The visit of ‘Bradley Manor’ has been approved by the Erlestoke Manor Fund and the Severn Valley Railway, which has made the engine available not just for the gala, but also for the summer season on the WSR.

The spokesperson said: “She will then return to the SVR in time for their winter services.”

Bradley will be joining her two sisters for the steam weekend, 7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’ and 7828 ‘Odney Manor’, alongside the WSR’s wider home fleet.

The final manor on the WSR, No. 7822 ‘Foxcote Manor’ is also in Williton under overhaul, while the West Somerset Railway Association-owned no.7821 ‘Ditcheat Manor’ takes pride of place on display at its birthplace, Swindon Works.

The WSR steam festival runs from Friday to Monday, May 1 to 4.

The spokesperson said: “Further guest announcements will follow in the coming weeks.

“Tickets will be available shortly.”