Daily Archives: Monday, July 21, 2025

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was pictured leading visiting 4-6-0 ‘Saint’ 2999 ‘Lady of Legend’ and the Class 115 DMU out of Minehead during the Mixed Traction Day, Sunday 8th June 2025. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The motive power allocations for the BLUE TIMETABLE services that are planned for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week have now been defined, the objective of the change being to mitigate the risk of lineside fires by using diesel assistance. This reduces the chances of hot cinders being emitted from the chimney of the steam loco by reducing the need for it to work so hard.

As the steam locomotives are the prime attractions for the majority of visitors to the line, the WSR has scaled back the level of service for 22-24 July from the Yellow to the Blue Timetable, but keeping one steam locomotive in service with a diesel loco assisting.

The steam and diesel combination will work the diagram that starts at Bishops Lydeard at 10:15 with WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 in charge of the train and with Class 14 D9526 coupled at the rear to assist. The ’14’ will remain at the Taunton end, so the return leg will have steam leading and diesel coupled behind.

The 10:00 departure from Minehead and the subsequent diagram will be worked by the DMU on Tuesday and Thursday and by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) on Thursday.

The timetable is under constant review and will be adjusted as circumstances require, but as at the time of writing (Monday 21st July at 1700), the plan is as follows:

Day and Date	Timetable	Locomotives allocated
Tuesday 22nd July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram.
Wednesday 23rd July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the MD diagram
Thursday 24th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram.
Friday 25th July	No public services

Where BL = Bishops Lydeard   MD = Minehead   DMU = Diesel Multiple Unit

 

This pattern may be continued through the following week if the hot weather persists. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page which is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2025. This page is used in conjunction with DIESELGEN to provide a complete picture of diesel locomotive activities on the WSR:

 

The webcams provide a very good way of watching the action from afar. Click this link: http://www.wsr.org.uk/cams.htm or click on the image below to go to the webcams via wsr.org.uk:

Webcams are available at Bishops Lydeard, Williton (there are now TWO cameras at Williton), Watchet (x2), Blue Anchor, Minehead Seaward Way and Minehead Station. Select the appropriate webcam by clicking on the blue button on the webcam page. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

 

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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES: We are looking for additional engineering help to maintain our fleet of elderly locomotives, so if you have such skills and would like to join the DEPG and come along to Williton for a ‘taster day’, then please use our CONTACT FORM so that we can get in touch with you.

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