The direction of the exhaust shows that Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was pushing from the rear to mitigate the fire risk for this steam-hauled service on Tuesday 8th July 2025. Pictured at Watersmeet by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 3.0
The hot weather has raised the risk of lineside fires to the point where the WSR has had to curtail the use of steam locomotives and introduce diesel assistance to reduce the risk of hot cinders being emitted from the chimneys when the steam locos are working hard. As the steam locomotives are still the prime attractions for the majority of visitors to the line, the WSR has scaled back the level of service for MID NEXT WEEK (15-17 July) from Yellow to Blue Timetable, and limited the number of steam locomotives in service to one with a diesel loco assisting (coupled between the steam loco and the coaches).
The timetable is under constant review and will be adjusted as circumstances require, but as at the time of writing (Thursday 10th July at 1700), the plan for the next week is as follows:
| Day and Date | Timetable | Locomotives allocated |
| Saturday 12th July | Flying Scotsman services (sold out) | Return leg services handled by a Class 33 |
| Sunday 13th July | BLUE timetable | Steam plus Class 33 on the BL diagram, Class 33 on the MD diagram |
| Monday 14th July | No public services | Flying Scotsman static at BL (sold out) |
| Tuesday 15th July | Steam plus Class 33 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram | |
| Wednesday 16th July | Steam plus Class 33 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram | |
| Thursday 17th July | Steam plus Class 33 on the BL diagram, Class 33 on the MD diagram | |
| Friday 18th July | No public services |
Where BL = Bishops Lydeard MD = Minehead DMU = Diesel Multiple Unit
In the event of non-availability of both Class 33s, assistance may be provided by Class 14 D9526 or the DMU may be substituted.
This pattern may be continued through the following week if the hot weather persists.
A quick word about HYMEK operations in 2025:
| Date | Timetable | Notes |
| Saturday 9th August | This running day has been changed to Class 33 haulage due to non-availability of Class 35 drivers. The following weekend 16th/17th August will also remain as Class 33 haulage for the same reason. We apologise for the loss of this ‘Hymek’ running day and the inability to switch to the following weekend. | |
| Saturday 30th August | 50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION celebration with both D7017 and D7018 in use | |
| Sunday 31st August | 50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION celebration with both D7017 and D7018 in use | |
| Saturday 27th September | D7017 allocated | |
| Sunday 28th September | D7017 allocated |
Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page 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.
Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.
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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