7802 Bradley Manor to visit 7812 Erlestoke Manor on West Somerset Railway
PRESS RELEASE – issued on 6 January 2026
Following productive discussions with Severn Valley Railway and West Somerset Railway, The Erlestoke Manor Fund announces that ex GWR no 7802 Bradley Manor will visit the West Somerset Railway from end April to early November 2026.
The Fund’s Trustees are keen to stress that 7802 is only moving on a short- term hire arrangement and will return to the SVR in time for the 2026 Festive Season trains in November and December, including the Winter Gala.
With the agreed arrangements, the EMF are able to use all the steaming days offered by the SVR for 2026, including the Spring Gala before travelling south.
7802 will be joining EMF loco ex-GWR no 7812 Erlestoke Manor at WSR for the very first time. Erlestoke Manor’s hire agreement with WSR commenced in April 2025 and runs until the end of December 2027.
7812 has recently re-entered service on WSR after resolution of a piston issue.
Having both locomotives at WSR gives opportunities for EMF Shareholders and supporters, for example, a planned “Friends Reunited” event on Saturday 4 July and the EMF AGM on Sunday 5 July at Minehead, details of both will follow to shareholders in due course. With the availability of both locomotives for service trains, the success of the 7802/7812 double header at the SVR Spring Gala 2025 could be replicated by the same locos at WSR in July.
EMF wishes to record its thanks to the SVR for condensing the agreed 2026 days into the start and end of the year to allow the hire of 7802 to take place.
The Fund is also grateful to the 2857 Society for their agreement to allow the hire of their ex -GWR tender no 2355, which is normally based on the SVR and currently behind 7802 Bradley Manor, to travel to WSR for the period above.
Jane Preece, Chair of the EMF, expressed the Trustees’ enthusiasm regarding the forthcoming return of 7802 Bradley Manor to the WSR. “While 7802 Bradley Manor previously visited WSR in 2019, this occasion marks the first time it will operate alongside its stable companion, 7812 Erlestoke Manor, on WSR tracks. This unique event is anticipated to be of significant interest to EMF shareholders and supporters, who will welcome the opportunity to witness both our locomotives in action together.”
“This announcement illustrates the positive relationship that the EMF has with its host railway, the Severn Valley Railway, as well as other fully operational heritage railways such as WSR. This hire is to the mutual benefit of not only of the EMF, the WSR and the SVR but also shareholders and supporters who can attend to see the two steam locomotives running in different surroundings.”
