Rare fireless locomotive at West Somerset Railway event

West Somerset Railway's Autumn Steam Weekend from Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19 will see three locomotives with significant industrial history in action.

Among them is Boots Number 1, the only working fireless locomotive in Britain, which will be performing demonstration movements in the yard at Minehead.

Fireless locomotives were used in places where a live fire or spark could be dangerous.

Instead of a boiler, they were powered by a tank charged with high-pressure steam, created far from flammable materials.

Joining Boots Number 1 will be Caledonia Works 1219, a shunting engine built by Andrew Barclay Ltd in Kilmarnock.

This engine spent many years at a Stewarts and Lloyds works in Motherwell and was restored to working life in 2016.

The October event will mark its last public appearance before its next overhaul.

The third locomotive is Great Western Railway 813, originally built for the Port Talbot Railway.

It was the only surviving Port Talbot Railway locomotive and was saved from being scrapped by the GWR 813 Trust.

GWR 813 has not visited the West Somerset Railway since 2001 and will work demonstration freight wagons on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, and some passenger trains on Sunday, October 19.

Other steam locomotives featuring in the October event include London and South Western Railway T3 engine number 563, and a trio of Great Western-designed engines, 5029 Nunney Castle, 7828 Odney Manor, and Mogul 9351.

All will operate a frequent service of passenger trains between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the West Somerset Railway's website or by calling 01643 704996.

They can also be purchased on the day of travel from station booking offices or on the trains.