The West Somerset held a Cross Country Weekend on 10 & 11 May 2003, the centrepiece was the naming of Virgin Cross Country's Voyager 220 001 Somerset Voyager at Minehead on the Saturday.

The arrival of 220001 at Minehead was greeted by fireworks, just about visible in the photo by Rodney Greenway - not sure about fireworks in daylight but it was a suitably grand entrance for 220 001.

It is seen here running into a crowded platform 1 at Minehead.

The view from the other side of the Voyager arriving, taken by Jon Tooke.

Another from Jon, Robin Bush; historian, Time team TV regular and Somerset County Council chairman; preparing to unveil the nameplate. Jon Tooke

Robin Bush, Chris Austin and Chris Green - Chief executive of Virgin Trains.  Ian Cudworth

A broader view of proceedings, showing the crowd that had gathered.  Jon Tooke

Robin Bush pulls the curtains to reveal Somerset Voyager's nameplate to the assembled crowds.  Ian Cudworth

Robin Green and Chris Austin, newly appointed Chairman of the West Somerset Railway plc, with an "extra" nameplate - a memento of the occasion.  Jon Tooke

The nameplate on the offside. Jon Tooke

The hi-tech Voyager had Minehead showing as its destination. Jon Tooke

Somerset Voyager stands in Minehead Station. Jon Tooke

Even modern hi-tech trains need to have the token or staff before entering a single line section, here one of the crew collects the token from the Minehead signalman. Jon Tooke

The Voyager then worked a WSR service to Norton Fitzwarren and back, Jon caught it here leaving Minehead.

Castle Class 5051 Earl Bathurst worked the next WSR service to Bishops Lydeard with part of the Quantock Belle dining train added for the VIPs to have lunch. Jon Tooke

There are other photos of the West Somerset Railway in 2003 on WSR 2003

  Click here to go to the West Somerset Railway's site

  Click here to go to the West Somerset Railway Association's site

  Click here to go to the unofficial West Somerset Railway site