THE legendary ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ steam locomotive passed through Wellington on Saturday (May 30) pulling the English Riviera Express from Taunton to Kingswear in Devon.

The Express journey began in Wolverhampton diesel-hauled with the steam locomotive undertaking the final section of the journey from Taunton to Kingswear providing a real treat for railway fans.

The LNER A4 Pacific 60007, originally numbered 4498, is set to return to the West Somerset Railway for a special weekend from July 3 to 5.

Sir Nigel Gresley will run services between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead on Friday, July 3, to Sunday, July 5, including a variety of different travel options including travel-only trips.

Friday’s daytime excursion includes a cream tea experience, while the daytime excursions on Saturday, July 4, will West Somerset Railway offering a limited number of pre-booked Fish and Chips on this service. The fish and chips will be served on the 2.15pm service from Bishops Lydeard.

The Saturday evening service includes travel on the Quantock Belle pulled behind ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ joined by private Chef Sam le Roux offering a four-course meal. The evening service is also available as a travel-only evening excursion.

Named after one of Britain’s most famous steam locomotive engineer Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley, the locomotive was the 100th Gresley Pacific built by the Great Northern Railway / London and North Eastern Railway.

The locomotive numbered 60007 set the official post-war speed record for steam loco of 112 mph travelling down at Stoke Bank near Grantham on May 23, 1959.

It was withdrawn from service in 1966 and worked its first preservation rail tour in April 1967 and is currently staying on the West Somerset Railway line where it took part in a special spring steam spectacular event in May.

Find out more at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/sir-nigel-gresley-weekend