The Railway Touring Company
The Dorset Coast Express
Steam day trip from London to Weymouth via Bournemouth and Dorset coast
1 dayfrom $161
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The Railway Touring Company · Steam train day trip
The West Somerset Steam Express - 8 August 2026
One-day steam train from London Paddington to Minehead seaside.
The Railway Touring Company's West Somerset Steam Express is a one-day excursion departing London Paddington on 8 August 2026, carrying passengers to the Devon seaside resort of Minehead. The journey showcases two steam locomotives in a single day: the preserved No. 34028 Eddystone hauls the main line portion from London through the Berks and Hants line, climbing to Savernake Summit and crossing the Vale of Pewsey with views of a Wiltshire White Horse. After stops at Slough, Reading, Newbury and Taunton, passengers transfer to the West Somerset Railway, the country's longest heritage railway, for steam-hauled travel through the edge of the Quantock Hills via Watchet, Washford and Blue Anchor to Minehead. About two hours ashore allows exploration of the seaside town and beach before the return journey. Three service tiers are available: Standard Class with a reserved seat; First Class with morning and afternoon refreshments; and Premier Dining, which includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner freshly prepared on board.
What to know before you look closer
- This is a single departure on 8 August 2026; no other dates are listed for this itinerary.
- Standard Class passengers share a reserved seat at a table for four; Premier Dining and First Class incur substantial additional cost.
Day by day
- Day 1rail
London Paddington to Minehead via the West Somerset Railway
Main line steam from London Paddington via Slough, Reading and Newbury to Norton Fitzwarren, transferring to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard for WSR steam haulage to Minehead via Watchet, Washford and Blue Anchor, with about two hours to explore Minehead before the return journey.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Depart London Paddington steam hauled by No. 34028 Eddystone, climbing to Savernake Summit and crossing the Vale of Pewsey with views of a Wiltshire White Horse.
- Day 1Transfer to West Somerset Railway steam locomotive at Bishops Lydeard for the run to Minehead via Watchet, Washford and Blue Anchor, passing near Dunster Castle.
- Day 1Two hours to explore Minehead, the seaside resort and station terminus close to the beach, before the return journey.
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included in the price?
- Yes. The Railway Touring Company includes all rail travel from London Paddington to Minehead and return. The from-price of GBP 120 (approximately USD 160) is for Standard Class with a reserved seat. First Class begins at GBP 225 and includes morning and afternoon refreshments; Premier Dining at GBP 335 includes full English breakfast and a four-course dinner prepared on board.
- Which trains operate this journey?
- Locomotive No. 34028 Eddystone hauls the train from London Paddington to Norton Fitzwarren on the main line. At Bishops Lydeard, passengers transfer to a West Somerset Railway steam locomotive for the journey to Minehead via Watchet, Washford and Blue Anchor, then return the same way.
- What is included with Standard Class?
- A reserved seat at a table for four. Refreshments and meals are not included at this tier.
- How much time is there at Minehead?
- About two hours to explore the seaside resort before boarding the return journey. The station is close to the beach.
- What stops does the train make on the outbound journey?
- London Paddington, Slough, Reading, Newbury, Taunton, Norton Fitzwarren, Bishops Lydeard, Watchet, Washford, Blue Anchor and Dunster before reaching Minehead.
