West Somerset Railway - Diesels and 65

The West Somerset Railway ‘Diesels at 65’ event was held over three days between Saturday 29th August and Monday 31st August. The event celebrated the 65th anniversary of some of the railway's diesel locomotives, and marked 65 years since two Western Region ‘Hymeks’ entered service with British Railways. The home fleet gala saw both Class 35 Hymeks (No.D7017, and No.D7018) back in action together, along with both Class 33 locomotives (No.33048 and No.33057), bringing the unmistakable sounds of Sulzer and Maybach engines to the Quantock Hills. The Bishops Lydeard-based Class 09 Shunter No.09019 (D4107) was also a star attraction, operating rare passenger services between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. A supporting steam service was hauled by one of the line's current three Manor Class locomotives, No.7812. | After weeks with no rain and excessive heat, the wet weather passed through in waves over the course of the weekend, with over an inch or rain recorded on Saturday alone. As with most galas, there are always challenges to overcome, and volunteers had to deal with a points failure on Saturday morning; a coaching stock fault also delayed the double-headed Hymek service on Saturday, and there was even a dog on the line near Stogumber. The three-day event was enjoyed by everyone who visited, and provided many more visitors than a standard operating weekend. The rain did not dampen the spirits of those attending, and trains were busy throughout the weekend, the single-coach Class 09 service becoming very full for those wishing to travel behind such a rare passenger movement.

30th August 2026 The use of the WSR Class 09 was a dig draw at the Diesels at 65 event, with long queues forming for the single coach it was hauling. Class 09 No.09019 (D4107) is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 30th August 2026, ready to depart with the 12:35 Bishops Lydeard - Williton service. (Photo: Rober Latham)

29th August 2026 The Three Manors are pictured at Minehead on 29th August 2026. BR 4-6-0 Manors have become an ideal locomotive for West Somerset Railway passenger services. No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' is pictured having arrived with the 10:15 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the Diesels at 25 event. The loco is pictured passing shedmate No. 7828 'Odney Manor' and visiting locomotive No. 7802 'Bradley Manor'. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 BR 4-6-0 Manor No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' is pictured at Crowcombe on Saturday 29th August 2026. The loco was operating the steam service during the Diesels at 65 event, pictured here having arrived at Crowcombe with the 10:15 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

29th August 2026 The afternoon departure of the much-anticipated double-headed Hymeks was heavily delayed at Bishops Lydeard due to a coaching stock fault which prevented the train from continuing. No.D7018 and No.D7017 are pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield on Saturday 29th August 2026, having arrived two hours late, taking the steam service coaching stock and operating slot. Originally timed as the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead but operating in the 14:35 slot. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

29th August 2026 Former British Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 stands in the rain on Saturday 29th August 2026. The loco was preparing to depart with the first service train of the WSR Diesels at 65 Event. D7017 operated the 08:20 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. Alongside the 65-year-old locomotives No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' and No. 66764 'Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman', waiting to depart with the Belmond Britannic Explorer luxury train. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Former Biritsh Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 is picutred at Williton on Saturday 29th August 2026 between the heavy showers. The loco had arrived operating the 10:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. In the background, shedmate No.D7018 can also be seen, this loco would later pair up with D7017 for a double-headed run. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Former British Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 is pictured at Williton on Saturday 29th August 2026 between the heavy showers. The loco had arrived operating the 10:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. In the background, shedmate No.D7018 can also be seen; this loco would later pair up with D7017 for a double-headed run. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Former British Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 stands in the rain on Saturday 29th August 2026. The loco was preparing to depart with the first service train of the WSR Diesels at 65 Event. D7017 operated the 08:20 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 DEPG Hymek No.D7017 prepares to depart from Blue Anchor on the 29th August 2026. The loco was operating the 08:20 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the 2026 Diesels at 65 event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 The twin Maybach engines from the two double-headed Hymeks could be heard for several miles ahead of their arrival into Crowcombe on Saturday 29th August 2026. No.D7017 and No.D7018 arrived into Crowcombe with the late-running 14:30 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service (running in the slot of the 16:30 from Minehead); an earlier coaching stock fault on the outward journey had forced the train to return to Bishops Lydeard, and the pair eventually took an alternative coaching stock rake through to Minehead and back. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Standing falorn without its bogies at Williton on Saturday 29th August 2026. Former British Rail Western locomotive No. D1010 'Western Campaigner' awaits its turn to return to operational status at the West Somerset Railway during the WSR Diesels at 65 event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 DEPG Class 33 No.33057 (D6575) and No.33048 (D6566) arrive at Minehead on the 29th August 2026. The pair were operating in top and tail formation on the 10:55 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. Adjacent No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' prepares to depart to Bishops Lydeard with the 12:20 from Minehead. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 BR Green Class 33 No.33048 (D6566) waits for its classmate No.33057 (D6575) to shunt onto the front to form a double-headed service from Minehead on Saturday 29th August 2026. The pair operated the 15:25 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Class 33 locomotives No.33048 (D6566) and No.33057 (D6575) arrive into Williton in top and tail formation on the 29th August 2026. No.33048 was leading the 13:15 Minehead - Williton service before the train terminated to head back to Minehead, with No.33057 leading. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 A matching pair at Minehead. Class 33 locomotives No.33048 (D6566) and No.33057 (D6575) are pictured alongside one another on Saturday 29th August 2026. No.33057 was running around its train to form a double-headed passenger service departing as the 15:25 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard during the 'Diesels at 65 ' event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 British Railways Green Class 33 No.33048 (D6566) departs from Crowcombe Heathfield on Saturday 29th August 2026. The loco was operating the last diesel service at the 65 event as the 17:35 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 In the pouring rain BR Green Class 09 No.09019 (D4107) makes a rare appearance at Crowcombe Heathfield on Saturday 29th August 2026. The shunting locomotive rarley leaves Bishops Lydeard and was a big draw for passengers to ride behind during the Diesels at 65 event. The loco is pictured operating the 11:35 Bishops Lydeard - Williton service. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

Back to Gallery Home