News Archive for August 2014

Published on 31st August 2014

During the last weekend of August 2014 the West Somerset Railway held their 'Late Summer Gala' using a selection of their own Steam and Diesel locomotives.

Most of the WSR Steam fleet was in action alongside four of the DEPG heritage diesel fleet. Pictured on the 31st August 2014, BR Green liveried pairing formed of Class 33 D6575 (No.33057) arrives into Bishops Lydeard piloting Class 42 Warship No.832 while operating the 11:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service.

Class 33 D6575 (No.33057) stands at Minehead on the 31st August 2014 ready to depart to Bishops Lydeard with the 15:45 departure from Minehead. The two crew members and passengers making an ideal subject for a 'period' image at Minehead.

On the 31st August 2014 GWR Hall No. 6960 'Raveningham Hall' arrives into Crowcombe with the 12:45 from Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead passing Class 33 D6575 (No.33057) which was operating a service to Bishops Lydeard.

Published on 16th August 2014

West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47237 takes the relief line at 40 Steps operating in top and tail formation with No.37706 on the 16th August 2004.

The pair were operating 1Z47 07:25 Southend East - Minehead 'The Cathedrals Express' charter. The tour was hauled by SDJR 7F (BR 53808) between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

West Coast Class 47 No.47237 and Class 37 No.37706 double head on the approach to 40 Steps on the 16th August 2014. The pair hauled 'The Cathedrals Express' charter as 1Z48 17:10 Minehead - Southend East, with WSR steam locomotive SDJR 88 (BR 53808) covering the Minehead - Bishops Lydeard leg.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 9th August 2014

DEPG Hymek No.D7017 was in action on the West Somerset Railway again on the 9th August 2014 operating the WSR Diesel Diagram.

The popular Hymek is pictured rounding the curve into Watchet with the 14:15 from Williton to Minehead.

DEPG operated Class 42 Warship No.D832 was also in action on the West Somerset Railway on the 9th August 2014 making a rare appearance on The Quantock Belle dining train. The locomotive is pictured at Castle Hill returning from Minehead. Also noted within the consist are the latest additions to the set Generator Coach BSK No.35408 'Jupiter' and on the rear of the set the Hawksworth Taunton Engineers Saloon No.80976

Published on 2nd August 2014

The West Somerset Railway summer diesel diagram has been somewhat fragmented in 2014 by an inconsistent timetable which breaks the diesel operation by up to two hours, the train has also only been formed of three coaches owing to the large number of steam services operating during the summer season meaning rolling stock is at a premium.

On the 2nd August Class 35 Hymek No.D7017 arrives into Minehead hauling the 11:45 from Bishops Lydeard. The arrives under darkened skies having just passed through a large electrical storm that had rumbled its way along the Bristol Channel coastline.

The evening period on the West Somerset Railway on the 2nd August 2014 proved to be somewhat of an Indian Summer compared to the rain and localised storms encountered during the morning. After a two-hour break in Minehead, No.D7017 passes Castle Hill hauling the 17:10 from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard.

Having arrived back at Bishops Lydeard with the final service train of the day, the DEPG locomotive normally returns to Williton light engine, on the 2nd August 2014 however, D7017 was rostered to collect classmate Class 33 D6575 (No.33057) which was also destined for the home depot. D7017 and D6575 are pictured passing Nornvis Bridge near Crowcombe Heathfield with the 0B81 18:40 Bishops Lydeard to Williton. The West Somerset Railway currently hosts a good selection of Great Western Steam, pictured on the shed on the 2nd August 2014 were GWR Manor No. 7828 'Odney Manor', GWR Hall No. 6960 'Raveningham Hall' and GWR Hall No. 4936 'Kinlet Hall'.

Published on 1st August 2014

Having stretched its legs on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway just a week earlier, former British Rail Hymek D7017 was back on the West Somerset Railway operating at a much more leisurely pace winding its way through the Somerset Countryside on the 1st August 2014.

The locomotive is pictured arriving into Williton after a huge downpour that saw local roads flooded and visibility reduced. D7017 was operating the 17:10 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service having had a two-hour layover in Minehead.

Operating on the 1st August 2014 was 'The Somerset Coast Express' (although hopes of watching the sunset over Blue Anchor were perhaps a little optimistic given the weather). GWR Manor No. 7828 'Odney Manor' was used for the service, which operated from Norton Fitzwarren with a packed train of passengers to Minehead and return. The train is pictured arriving at Blue Anchor.