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'.

16th June 2012 WSR three-car Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit arrives at Crowcombe on the 16th June 2012. The unit was operating the 18:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service during the 2012 Diesel Gala. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

16th June 2012 A friendly wave from the driver as the WSR Class 117 DMU arrives into Williton on the 17th June 2012 while working the 18:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard passenger service. (Photo: Alexander Martin Brown)

16th June 2012 DEPG Class 33 D6575 (No.33057) stands at Bishops Lydeard on the 17th June 2012 ready to depart with the 15:45 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service. Alongside No.150248 waits to depart with the mainline connection to Taunton Station. (Photo: Alexander Martin Brown)

16th June 2012 First Great Western 'local lines' Class 150 No.150248 provided a shuttle service between Bishops Lydeard and Taunton to connect with the mainline network. The unit is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 17th June 2012 ready to depart with the 15:55 Bishops Lydeard to Taunton. (Photo: Alexander Martin Brown)

15th June 2012 The most recent restoration project to arrive at Williton is former NCB liveried Class 14 No.D9518 pictured at Williton Depot on the 15th June 2012. The Class 14 will receive a full overhaul and restoration. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 The most recent restoration project to arrive at Williton is former NCB liveried Class 14 No.D9518 pictured at Williton Depot on the 15th June 2012. The Class 14 will receive a full overhaul and restoration. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 BR Green Hymek No.D7018 was on display inside Williton Shed, allowing visitors to the Diesel Gala to see the progress that has been made on returning the locomotive to service. The loco is pictured on 15th June 2012. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 DEPG 'Hymek' No.D7017 cuts off the front of the 16:45 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service at Williton on the 15th June 2012. The Western was then joined by 'Warship' No.D832 through to Minehead. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 Visiting Class 73 No.73207 from GBRf painted in British Railways Large Loco livery is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 15th June 2012. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 Visiting British Railways Deltic No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 15th June 2012, waiting to depart with the first train of the 2012 WSR Diesel Gala weekend to Minehead. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 BR Blue 'Deltic' No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' departs from Williton Station on the 15th June 2012 during the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala event. No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' was operating the 15:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 BR Blue 'Deltic' No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' arrives into Blue Anchor on the 15th June 2012 during the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala. The loco was operating the 11:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 Visiting BR Blue Deltic No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' is pictured at Williton on the 15th June 2012 while operating the 09:45 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the first day of the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 DEPG Class 33 No.33057 (D5675) and visiting Class 73 locomotives from GBRf No.73207 and No.73119 are pictured at Bishops Lydeard on Friday 15th June 2012 at the start of the 2012 Diesel Gala Weekend. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 BR Green Class 33 No.33057 arrives at Blue Anchor on the 15th June 2012 during the West Somerset Railway Diesel Gala. No.33057 (D6575) was operating the 11:45 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 Williton-based Class 33/0 No.33048 (D6566) arrives at Blue Anchor on the 15th June 2012 during the West Somerset Railway diesel gala event, operating the 12:45 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2012 DEPG Class 33 No.33048 (D6566) arrives at Crowcombe Heathfield on 15th June 2012 while operating the 10:45 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the 2012 Diesel Gala event on the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

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