MORE than 700 vehicles and exhibits will be on display this weekend in the annual West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) steam and vintage rally.

The event, a major fund-raising opportunity for the association, is being held on the 33-acre Rally Fields site, in Norton Fitzwarren, on Saturday and Sunday (August 5 and 6), from 10 am to 5 pm on both days.

It is run by a team of volunteers, with a number of new faces involved this year after some long-serving helpers stepped down, who will be keeping a close watch on the weather.

The WSRA, which in turn supports the West Somerset Railway (WSR), the longest heritage line in the country, also uses the rally to promote and cultivate interest in steam and vintage transport while at the same time providing a fun day for the community and all of the railway’s supporters.

To help visitors reach the rally, the WSR is running a free shuttle service from Bishops Lydeard Station, and a dedicated free bus service will run from the Silk Mills park and ride site, in Taunton.

The rally attracts more than 8,000 visitors annually and among the attractions this year will be working traction engines, tractors, and road rollers, vintage cars, motorcycles, fire engines, buses, military, and commercial vehicles, vintage agricultural vehicles and tractors, and stationary engines.