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During the last weekend of August the West Somerset Railway held their 'Late Summer Gala' using a selection of their own Steam and Diesel locomotives in a mixed traffic weekend. Most of the WSR Steam fleet was in action alongside four of the DEPG heritage diesel fleet. Pictured on the 31st August Class 33 No.D6575 (33057) arrives into Bishops Lydeard piloting Class 42 Warship No.832 'Onslaught'. The 62 headcode on the Class 33 evoking memories of when a Class 33 may have rescued a Class 42 on the Exeter - Waterloo line back in the 1960's! (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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On the 31st August GWR Hall No.6960 'Raveningham Hall' arrives into Crowcombe witht he 12:45 from Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead passing Class 33 No.D6575 (33057) which was operating a service to Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Bob Lathem) |
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Class 33 No.D6575 stands at Minehead on the 31st August ready to depart to Bishops Lydeard with the 15:45 departute from Minehead. The two crew members and passenger making an ideal subject for a 'period' image at Minehead (Photo: Bob Lathem) |
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Statesman Rail operated their luxury dining train to Kingswear on the 30th August using traction from West Coast Railways. Class 47/8 No.47804 operated the southbound leg of the charter, while Class 57/3 No.57314 returned the set from Kingswear to Derby later in the evening. No.47804 is pictured passing Silk Mills on route to Devon. (Photo: Phil Izzard) |
| Class 37's returned to Taunton on Friday 29th August hauling Pathfinder Tours 'Dartmouth Flyer' charter from Crewe to Dartmouth. The annual pigimage to Devon coinsided with the Dartmouth Regatta. Two Class 37's from Direct Rail Services were provided for the trip, No.37601 and No.37603. The pair are seen making a rare non stop run through Taunton heading for Dartmouth (Video: James Thew) |
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The sound of English Electric Class 37's returned to Taunton on Friday 29th August hauling Pathfinder Tours 'Dartmouth Flyer' charter from Crewe to Dartmouth. The annual pigimage to Devon coinsided with the Dartmouth Regatta. Two Class 37's from Direct Rail Services were provided for the trip, No.37601 'Class 37 - Fifty' and No.37603. The pair (with 37603 leading) are seen running 23 minutes early at Cogload Junction. (Photo: Adam Snow) |
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Class 56's continue to provide power for the Devon Log Trains operated by Colas Rail Freight. Class 56 No.56113 operated what should be the final log train from Teigngrace on the 28th August before the train reverts to operating from Exeter Riverside Yard. Operationally the yard offers a much easier method of operation for Network Rail, omitting the run round maneuvers at Newton Abbot Station. On the 28th August No.56113 passes Norton Fitzwarren on route to Briton Ferry. (Photo: Phil Izzard) |
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'The Cathedrals Express' visited Minehead on the 16th August with West Coast Railways providing locomotives and stock for the charter. Class 47/0 No.47237 lead the charter in both directions while Class 37/7 No.37706 was on the rear of the set. The 1Z47 0725 Southend East to Minehead is pictured passing 40 Steps, Taunton. (Photo; Jeff Treece) |
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While on the WSR the charter was piloted by SDRJ 7F No.88 (BR 53808) between Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return. The mainline leg was then formed of a rare Class 37/47 combination for the return to Southend. (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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The ever changing scene around the western end of Taunton railway station, is captured on the 11th August with a clear view of the Construction work happening to the NIDR from the new 40 Steps. Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 66/6 No.66619 'Derek W. Johnson MBE' approaches Fairwater Yard with the 6C73 Westbury-Fairwater Yard (which ran via Bristol) ballast replenishing trip. This image was caught in a sunny spell between the showers. (Photo: Adam Snow) |
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DEPG Hymek No.D7017 was in action on the West Somerset Railway again on the 9th August operating the WSR Diesel Diagram. The Class 35 Hymek is pictured rounding the curve into Watchet with the 14:15 from Williton to Minehead. (Photo: Thomas Courtney) |
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DEPG operated Class 42 Warship No.D832 'Onslaught' was also in action on the West Somerset Railway 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 (Photo: Thomas Courtney) |
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This shot shows the Quantock Belle a little closer to its final destination pictured at Cedar Falls on the final approaches to Bishops Lydeard in the evening light. After disembarking passengers, the locomotive shunted the stock before returning light engine to its base at Williton Diesel Shed. (Photo: Sclub) |
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GWR Castle No.5029 'Nunny Castle' operated The Torbay Express on the 3rd August, transporting passengers from Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear and back. The popular steam locomotive is pictured passing Silk Mills, Taunton hauling the 1Z27 from Bristol after taking its booked watering stop at Taunton Station. (Photo: Stephen Ginn) |
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Direct Rail Services came to the rescue of First Great Western on the 6th August, when the Riviera Sleeper (hauled by 57603) came to grief at Whiteball after the locomotive shut down just short of Whiteball Tunnel. In order to clear the line, a nocturnal rescue took place using a HST stabled at Exeter to tow the stricken service forward to Exeter. Once in Exeter passengers were removed from their berths and transferred onto an HST. In the mean time Direct Rail Services sent Class 57/3 No.57310 'Pride of Cumbria' light engine from Paddington to Exeter in order to tow the train forward, however this loco also later failed at Plymouth with low power! The whole lot then got sent to Laira Depot for attention. Wearing the stunning new DRS livery Class 57/3 No.57310 is pictured passing Athelney speeding towards Exeter on its rescue mission (Photo: Paul Wilkins) |
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The West Somerset Railway summer diesel diagram has been somewhat fragmented this year 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 amount of steam services operating during the summer season meaning 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 which had rumbled its way along the Bristol Channel coastline. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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The evening period on the West Somerset Railway 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. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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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 however, D7017 was rostered to collect classmate Class 33 No.D6575 (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. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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The West Somerset Railway currently hosts a good selection of Great Western Steam, pictured on shed on the 2nd August were GWR Manor No.7828 'Odney Manor', GWR Hall No.6960 'Raveningham Hall' and GWR Hall No.4936 'Kinlet Hall'. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Having stretched its legs on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway just a week earlier, Class 35 Hymek 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. The locomotive is pictured arriving into Williton after a huge downpour which 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. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Also operating on the 1st August was 'The Somerset Coast Express' (although hopes of watching the sun set 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 into Blue Anchor from Norton Fitzwarren. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
2014 WSR Diesel Haulage:
The 2014 season will again see the DEPG Diesel Fleet working Friday and Saturday passenger services during the peak holiday season in July and August. A one Day Rover ticket on the WSR costs £17.00 (which has been frozen at the 2012/2013 price) but if you book in advance you can get this ticket for £15.30. The 2014 Diesel Diagram has been altered by the WSR, which means you must now check the 'Yellow' or 'Green' timetable for your day of travel, and there is no longer two return trips provided 'back to back'. Lengthy breaks in the Diesel service at Minehead means the Diesel's see a vastly reduced daily diagram compared to previous years!!
In addition to the booked 'Diesel Diagram' a new venture this year will be the use D832 'Onslaught' on two rare weekend 'Quantock Belle' services. Advance booking is recommended, it is possible to book on the Quantock Belle dining service by calling the following number: 01823 433856
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