2026 marks 50 years since the West Somerset Railway reopened as a heritage railway. In this article, we highlight all the ways you can enjoy England's longest heritage line with Dovetail Games. The History It was over 160 years ago, 27th March 1862, that the first train left Taunton for Watchet along the West Somerset Railway. This train was a Director's Special and it was not until a few days later on 31st March 1862 that passengers were able to use this line for the first time. Later in 1874, the line was extended to the seaside town of Minehead, cementing the full length of the railway, despite initial plans to go futher to Porlock. The line grew in popularity and changed along with the railways nationally, switching to Standard Gauge (from Broad Gauge) in 1892 and going through B&ER, GWR and finally BR ownership. After a period of closure in the early 1970s, volunteers and locals worked to reopen the line, station by station until finally completing the line as far as Bishops Lydeard, having started their efforts at the Minehead end. The track continues as far as the main line at Taunton, though heritage trains seldom run between the two. March 1976 saw the first preservation train run from Minehead to Blue Anchor station, followed a few years later in 1979 by a diesel-hauled train running from Minehead all the way to Bishops Lydeard. You can find out more about how the real-world railway is celebrating 50 years of preservation on the West Somerset Railway website. Train Sim World: WSR Remastered After releasing as one of the first UK route Add-ons for Train Sim World, Game Designer Liam Hynes decided to learn his craft remastering the West Somerset Railway for Train Sim World 4 players. This included a new Steam Gala timetable unlocked by purchasing the Peak Forest Railway Add-on, and included layers for Flying Scotsman, Festive trains, Gala freight movements, GWR shuttles and main line AI traffic layers. The remaster also improved the scenery, TOD4 lighting, audio and locomotives, setting the scene for future remaster work done for other Train Sim World routes, such as Great Western Express. Train Sim World Compatible: West Somerset Railway: Remastered route Add-on is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for £19.99/€24.99/$24.99. The remastered version is available for players of Train Sim World 4, 5 and 6 only. Diesel Action! The original timetable allows players to dive deep into Diesel Gala action, recreating the summer diesel events that take place each year. This timetable makes healthy use of layers and substitutions from a selection of Add-ons. These include: WSR Class 33 WSR Class 52 Northern Trans-Pennine (Class 101 / 47 / 45) BR Heavy Freight Pack (Class 40 / 08) Tees Valley Line (Class 37 / 101) DSN Class 20 BR Class 31 Steam Action! Adding the Peak Forest Railway route Add-on to your collection unlocks the Steam Gala timetable, with 8F and Jubilee locomotives. Further content can be added representing Winterlights services, gala freight traffic and main line shuttles with the Riviera Line GWR Class 150. The full list of playable layers include: Flying Scotsman Peak Forest Railway (8F, 4F, Jubilee) Riviera Line (GWR Class 150) West Cornwall Steam Railtour Train Sim World Compatible: Peak Forest Railway route Add-on is available for £29.99/$39.99/€35.99 Thomas & Friends™ Visit the WSR Play TSW6: Thomas & Friends™ Edition for Free on Xbox 26th - 29th March 2026 For a totally different Train Sim World experience, players can introduce Thomas & Friends to the railway, as has been the case in real-world events in the past. Naturally, the star of the show is Thomas the Tank Engine, with his friends Annie and Clarabel joining him. Adding an element of mischief is Diesel and the Troublesome Trucks. Unlike previous Add-ons, the gameplay here is entirely story-driven, with a fun narrative that follows the adventures of Thomas and his friends during their visit to the West Somerset Railway. The adventures take place across 8 Scenarios on the West Somerset Railway. Be careful! Some of the Scenarios have two different outcomes, depending on whether players can successfully complete the tasks. The Scenarios are narrated by Mark Moraghan (narrator of television series 17 – 21) with subtitles available and simple cutscenes help tell the story between tasks completed by the player. You can also continue the story of Thomas’ visit to the West Somerset Railway with the Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary Expansion. Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway is out now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for $24.99/£19.99/€24.99 Play for Free this weekend on Xbox with Xbox Free Play Days! Train Simulator Classic The West Somerset Railway is also a route available for Train Simulator Classic. Like the TSW version, gameplay can vary between steam and diesel traction, with the latter made available through the separate WSR Diesels Loco Pack. Train Simulator Classic: West Somerset Railway route Add-on is available on Steam for £14.99
Now the TSW Version only needs some GWR Steam and it would be perfect. Maybe 2026 can be the year for that, as follow up to the Steam Improvements that will be made by TSG.
Second the above, we need a Hall and/or Pannier with some authentic GWR coaches - even if the steam simulation remains at the same level as present time.
The first (historic) picture shows a broad gauge (7 ft ¼ in) line, it was regauged twenty years later. You can still see broad gauge steam running at Didcot.
A Prairie and a Manor class for the West Somerset. Odney Manor 7828 and Erlestone Manor 7812 are regulars on the route as are the Class 51xx Prairie Tank Engines.
Do they still have the ex S&D 2-8-0? That would be nice along later with Bath Green Park to Bournemouth West to run it on!
Broad gauge steam hasn't run at Didcot for many years now unfortunately, although plans are underway to get Firefly back into working service.
Yes the 53808 is still on their stock list at the WSR. https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/53808-sdjr-88-lms-9678-lms-13808-br-53808/
53808 has moved to the Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line) where it is awaiting overhaul. https://watercressline.co.uk/our-trains/steam-locomotives/53808-sdjr-no-88-7f/
