A VISIT by the world’s most iconic steam train will herald this year’s West Somerset Railway (WSR) autumn steam gala.

The Flying Scotsman visited the WSR last summer as part of a nationwide tour celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Britain’s modern railway.

It ran services on the 20-mile heritage line between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard and was also on static display during June and July, 2025.

Now, the legendary engine, the first steam locomotive to break the 100 mph speed barrier in 1934, will be back for one day only in what is the WSR’s 50th anniversary year.

The Scotsman’s return will be on Saturday, September 19, a week ahead of the WSR’s three-day autumn gala, which runs from September 25 to 27.

The excursion will start from Bristol Temple Meads and join the WSR line at Bishops Lydeard with a diesel engine powering it for part of the way to Minehead.

It is being organised by Derbyshire heritage trains events firm Fox and Edwards, which is selling tickets at up to £129.

The WSR has also announced its first guest locomotive for the autumn gala, one of a pair of Ivatt Class 2MT Tank engines, No. 41313.

It is nicknamed ‘Mickey Mouse’ because of its two white route indicator discs on either side of the smokebox which give the appearance of the Disney cartoon character’s ears.

The locomotive will be brought from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to make its first ever appearance on the West Somerset line.

It was built in 1952 in Crewe and spent all its working life on the southern region, including spells at Exmouth Junction and Barnstaple, before being withdrawn in 1965 and later rescued from Barry scrapyard to be returned to steam in 2017.

Gala tickets can be booked on the WSR website or by calling 01643 704996.