The West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala will honor six decades of express steam locomotive history, featuring two distinguished guest engines: the T3 Class No. 563 and the iconic No. 5029 “Nunney Castle.”
As the Railway200 commemorations draw to a close this year, these locomotives represent a fascinating journey through the evolution of express steam power from the 19th to the 20th century. The London and South Western Railway’s T3 Class No. 563, dating back to the 1880s, was designed by William Adams. This locomotive hauled premier express services on the LSWR routes from London Waterloo to Southampton and Exeter, passing through familiar stations such as Gillingham, Yeovil Junction, Crewkerne, and Honiton.
With advancements in railway carriage comfort and the increasing weight of express trains approaching the turn of the century, the T3s gradually moved to secondary passenger duties. No. 563 was preserved and displayed at the now-closed Clapham Transport Museum and the National Railway Museum in York before finding a home at the Swanage Railway. Recently restored to operational condition, it is set to visit Somerset for the first time in nearly 100 years.
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In contrast, the Great Western Railway was developing its own competing express services during this period, initially operating on the broad gauge tracks pioneered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel until their final use in 1892. The early 20th century marked the arrival of a new generation of powerful express locomotives, including the renowned “Castle” class, first introduced in 1923.
Among them, No. 5029 “Nunney Castle,” built in 1934, will also be featured at the gala. Currently part of the Locomotive Services Limited fleet, “Nunney Castle” will take a rare break from its usual mainline excursions to participate in this celebrated event in October.
Together, these two locomotives offer visitors a unique opportunity to witness pivotal chapters in Britain’s express steam locomotive heritage, spanning from the dawn of the 1880s to the golden age of the 1930s.