THE latest guest locomotive added to the line-up for the West Somerset Railway’s (WSR) autumn steam gala is no stranger to the heritage line.

The GWR ‘Large Prairie’ tank engine 4110, usually based with the Dartmouth Steam Railway, spent a year on the then-British Railways Minehead branch line 64 years ago.

It will be returning to the WSR for the steam gala weekend running from September 25 to 27.

The line-up will see 4110 working alongside the Ivatt Mickey Mouse tank engine 41313 and a trio of Manor 4-6-0s, Bradley Manor, Erlestoke Manor, and Odney Manor, and Mogul 9351.

More guest locomotives are still being sought to head an increased frequency of trains, with other attractions including museums at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, and an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG), in Williton.

In 1962 and 1963, 4110 was allocated to Taunton loco shed where its duties included working the Minehead line.

It was later bought by the WSR for restoration, but this was completed elsewhere.

The engine was built in Swindon in 1936 and spent the next quarter-century working suburban trains in the West Midlands.

After leaving Taunton, it spent time at Neath, and in 1965 was withdrawn from service and sent to the Barry scrapyard.

It was the 100th locomotive to leave the yard and was initially moved to Southall.

Its new owners, the Great Western Preservation Group, later sent it to Tyseley for contract overhaul but then put 4110 up for sale.

It was bought by the WSR in 2015 and put on display at Minehead Station with an intention to have it back in action by 2022, but in 2018 it was sold to its current owners.

Discounted rover tickets for the steam weekend are currently available from the WSR website or by calling 01643 704996.