News Archive for June 2013

Published on 29th June 2013

Early morning risers enjoyed the sound of Napier Deltic engines working hard through Taunton on the 29th June 2013, when No.D9009 took charge of Pathfinder Railtours 'Mazey Day Cornishman'.

The charter had originally hoped to use D1015 'Western Champion' however No.D9009 was a more than suitable replacement. Despite some late running from Tame Bridge Parkway the loco made good time and passed Taunton slightly ahead of schedule.

Published on 22nd June 2013

West Coast Railways provided a rare double-headed pairing for The Cornish Riviera Statesmen on Saturday 22nd June 2013.

The 1Z30 05:00 Shrewsbury - Penzance passed Taunton at 10:10 with Class 47 No.47786 'Roy Castle' leading with No.47760 tucked inside. West Coast Class 47 locomotives rarely see much cosmetic attention, although silver paint had been applied to the buffers on this occasion.

Following shortly behind The Mazey Day Cornishman on the 29th June 2013 was 'The Cornish Riviera Statesman', this premier dining charter was operated by Statesman Rail and hauled by two locomotives from West Coast Railways. Former South West stalwart Class 57/6 No. 57601 'Windsor Castle' lead the 1Z49 04:45 Derby - Penzance with Class 47/7 No.47760 tucked inside. With both locos being driven independently the pair are seen passing Beambridge on the climb to Whiteball Tunnel.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 21st June 2013

Another item of rolling stock departed the West Somerset Railway on the 21st June 2013.

Class 117 DMU Centre Car No.59515 moved by rail from Bishops Lydeard. The move was carried out by BR Green Class 31 No.31190 from the Nemesis Rail fleet and departed Taunton some 45 minutes ahead of schedule operating as 5Z32 16:25 Bishops Lydeard - Yeovil Junction. The move also changed it's booked route, reversing at Frome instead of Westbury. The Class 117 coach has been in store at Minehead for some time, and the sale follows a gradual disposal of unwanted DMU items currently stored in sidings at Minehead. The coach is seen at Yeovil Railway centre being shunted by industrial shunter DS1174 'River Yeo'.

Published on 21st June 2013

Friday 21st June 2013 saw Class 33 No.33057 (D6575) take charge of its only booked 'normal' passenger diagram of the 2013 on the West Somerset Railway.

The loco will mainly be used on WSRA Quantock Belle services for the rest of the season. No.33057 operated two round trips to Minehead from Bishops Lydeard. On Saturday 22nd June 'Warship' No.D832 will be in charge of the diesel diagram.

Published on 6th June 2013

The 6th, 7th and 8th June 2013 saw the West Somerset Railway gave the diesels their turn in the limelight with a superb collection of Ex BR Locomotives in attendance.

Two visiting locos from the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway also bolstered the home fleet. Friday 7th featured an 'all diesel' timetable while Saturday and Sunday featured a steam service for those passengers less educated or less appreciating of heritage diesels. The weekend of Diesel Traction continued on the 8th and 9th June featuring 8 different period BR diesels with 6 locos from the WSR home fleet. The addition of a Class 24 and 37 from the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway provided some superb English Electric and Sulzer sounds for passengers to enjoy. The weekend was a complete success with D1010 finally managing a full gala timetable without a failure and all other locomotives operating without incident. It's hoped that the WSR will continue to build the event for bigger and better things in 2014. The DEPG's own Diesel Fleet will feature running days on Fridays and Saturdays over the coming months..

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 1st June 2013

Preparations for following weekends 'Mixed Traffic Gala' at the West Somerset Railway were well underway at Williton works on the 1st June 2013.

All locomotives were receiving attention from the DEPG members. No.D832 had been washed, polished and painted, No. 47840 'North Star' has also received a bodyside wash and bogie paint. No. D1010 'Western Campaigner' has been started on both engines and has received some cosmetic attention the bogies.

Former BR Western No. D1010 'Western Campaigner' is pictured at Williton having been started on both engines on the 1st June 2013.The loco has received some cosmetic paint application, but it's main body side is now clearly showing the signs of its age. We hope that 2013 might be the lucky year that D1010 'Western Campaigner' manages to complete a season of booked passenger diagrams.