West Somerset Railway - 2012 Diesel Gala

The 15th, 16th & 17th of June 2012 saw the Somerset countryside reverberating to the sounds of Sulzer, Napier, and Hydraulic engines operating at the annual WSR Mixed Traffic Gala. The 2012 event was again blighted by poor weather, with only the Sunday producing any reasonable periods of sunlight to help enhance the event; however, this didn't put enthusiasts off attending the railway gala or traveling on the line. The event featured three days of heritage and modern diesel haulage over the twenty-mile branch to Minehead. Brake Van rides were also available at Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren, along with a special, pre-booked option to travel the entire length of the line in a brake van. 'Driver for a Fiver' was also in operation at Minehead using one of the former Bridgwater ROF shunters and the rare Williton Depot Sentinel No.DH16. First Great Western also provided a Class 150 shuttle line to Taunton mainline station on Saturday and Sunday, giving travel connections to mainline services. | Friday 15th was the only day of the event not to see a steam train in service on the line. Saturday and Sunday saw home fleet and visiting diesels sharing the tracks with differing steam locomotives. Williton Depot flung open its doors to the public to show the ongoing work on Class 35 Hymek No.D7018, which will hopefully return to WSR metals in 2013, after nearly twenty years out of service. Sadly, there were two locomotive failures during the event. D1010 ‘Western Campaigner' had recurring issues with its transmission, and after only one day in service, it was sidelined at Williton Depot. D7017 was removed from its booked diagrams on Sunday with an unknown fault. There was also a brake fault at Bishops Lydeard on Sunday afternoon, which resulted in the 15:45 departure to Minehead leaving 20 minutes late. Minimal delays occurred because of the failures. GBRf were unable to supply a Class 66 for the Mixed Traffic Weekend due to their mainline work commitments; however, they did manage to produce two Class 73 locomotives. 73119 ‘Borough of Eastleigh' had recently been returned to mainline with GBRf, and retains its BR Blue livery with subtle GBRf Europorte branding, while 73207 in BR Large Logo was a former Gatwick Express loco, and more recently the Whitemoor Yard shunter. These 600-horsepower locos only featured on the Saturday evening and Sunday of the event, with only 73119 working brake van specials to and from Norton Fitzwarren, while 73207 was on static display at Bishops Lydeard. The DEPG's latest overhaul project Class 33 No.D6575 (33057) also looked superb and now outshines sister locomotive No.D6566 (33048).| It was pleasing to see that catering, on the service trains, has been much improved than previous years and this is a positive sign that the railway has clearly taken into consideration, including the addition of external catering at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead to help boost the variety of what can be consumed. The marketing of local produce and Real Ale/ Cider was another addition that was pleasing to see had been included. The three-day event has been a superb example of what can be achieved and leaves plenty more scope for development over future events. We would like to thank all those who've submitted images to Taunton Trains. Images taken of the 2012 Diesel Gala Weekend. 15th 16th 17th June 2021. Home Fleet: D6566 (33048), D5675 (33057), D832 'Onslaught', D1661 (47840) 'North Star', D7017, D1010 'Western Campaigner'. Visitors: 55022 'Royal Scots Grey', 73207, 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh'.

17th June 2012 BR Green 'Warship' No.D832 arrives into Williton on the 17th June 2012 operating a Minehead - Bishops Lydeard passenger service during the 2012 Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

17th June 2012 Visiting GBRF Class 73 locomotives No.73207 and No.73119 are pictured reversing onto their train at Minehead on 17th June 2012. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

17th June 2012 Visiting from GBRf for the West Somerset Railway 2012 Diesel Gala event. No.73119 and No.73207 are pictured at Mienhead on the 17th June 2012, having arrived from Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

17th June 2012 BR Blue 'Deltic' No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' arrives at Minehead on the 17th June 2012, operating a Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the 2012 Diesel Gala Event. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

17th June 2012 BR Blue Deltic No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' is pictured in the sun at Bishops Lydeard on the 17th June 2012 during the West Somerset Railway Diesel event. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

17th June 2012 Visiting Class 55 'Deltic' No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' and Williton-based Class 33 No.33057 (D6575) are pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 17th June 2012 during he last day of the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

17th June 2012 Visiting Class 55 'Deltic' No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' arrives at Bishops Lydeard on the 17th June 2012. The Deltic Preservation Society locomotives was operating a Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service on the final day of the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

17th June 2012 BR Green Class 47 No. 47840 'North Star' (D1661) arrives into Williton on the 17th June 2012, operating a Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service on the 17th June 2012. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

17th June 2012 BR Green Class 47 No. 47840 'North Star' (D1661) is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 17th June 2012, preparing to form the 15:45 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. In the background, visiting GBRf Class 73 locomotives No.73119 and No.73207 can be seen having cut off the front of the inbound service from Minehead. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

17th June 2012 British Rail green Class 33 No.33057 (D6575) and visiting Class 55 'Deltic' No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' are pictured stabled in the bay platform at Bishops Lydeard station on the 17th June 2012. The locos were stabled on the final day of the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

17th June 2012 Double headed hydraulics arrive into Williton on the 17th June 2012 during the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala weekend. With 'The Penzance Flyer' headboard attached the pair are pictured while operating the 13:45 Norton Fitzwarren - Minehead service. (Photo: Alexander Martin Brown)

17th June 2012 Visiting British Rail Deltic No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' arrives into Bishops Lydeard on the 17th June 2012 operating the 10:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service during the WSR Diesel Gala Weekend. (Photo: Alexander Martin Brown)

17th June 2012 This unique view shows warship No.D832 waiting at Williton on the 17th June 2012 passing DEPG Class 47/8 D1661 (No. 47840 'North Star'). The Class 47 was arriving while working the 15:45 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service, while the warship was paused waiting to continue with the 15:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Alexander Martin Brown)

16th June 2012 Visiting Class 73 No.73119 arrives at Crowcombe on the 16th June 2012 hauling the 08:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard freight train during the 2012 Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

16th June 2012 DEPG Class 47 No. 47840 'North Star' (D1661) departs from Crowcombe on the 16th June 2012, hauling a mixed freight bound for Minehead. The loco was operating the 18:40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead during the 2012 Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

16th June 2012 DEPG Class 47 No. 47840 'North Star' (D1661) arrives at Crowcombe Heathfield on 16th June 2012. The Class 47 was operating the 18:40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead freight, passing Class 33 No.33057 (D6575) waiting to head down to Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

16th June 2012 Arriving into Blue Anchor in the pouring rain, DEPG locomotives No.33057 (D6575) and No. 47840 'North Star' (D1661) are pictured on 16th June 2012. The pair working the 10:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

16th June 2012 British Rail green Class 33/0 No.33048 (D6566) is picutred upon arrival at Minehead on the 16th Juine 2012. The loco having arrived with the 13:45 from Bishops Lydeard during the 2012 Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

16th June 2012 British Railways green Class 33/0 No.33048 (D6566) is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 16th June 2012 during the WSR Diesel Gala event. The loco was preparing to depart with the 13:45 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

16th June 2012 Industrial Sentinel DH16 was providing 'driver for a fiver' experiences within the station confines at Minehead Station. On the 16th June 2012, DH16 is pictured passing two-car WSR Class 115 DMU. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

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