DIESELGEN | The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group

DIESELGEN – 19-20-21 April 24

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stands outside the ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton while Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 forms the rear of the departing ‘Watchet Shuttle’ on 29th May 2021. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

On Friday 19th April, Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 will be in use on an infrastructure working between Williton and Kentsford (between Watchet and Washford). There are no booked timings for this working, but the signalbox at Williton will be open between 0845 and 1645 so all movements are likely to be taking place within this window.

On Saturday 20th April, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) will be undergoing a test run from Williton to the Norton Fitzwarren section, picking up sister D6566 (33048) at Bishops Lydeard to both act as a load and provide insurance. If the tests are successful, the locos will swap roles and D6575 (33057) will then remain at Bishops Lydeard on standby duty, allowing D6566 (33048) to head for Williton for maintenance. The booked timings are:

0950 D6575 departs Williton (WN) arriving Bishops Lydeard (BL) at 1043

1110 D6575 and D6566 depart BL arriving Norton Fitzwarren (NF) at 1120

Test runs will be performed in the setion between NF and BL

1430 D6575 and D6566 depart NF arriving BL at 1440

1510 the loco requiring attention departs BL arriving WN at 1600

The above two workings are not public services and are being run for operational and engineering purposes. Any change in requirements may result in change or cancellation. Actual running may vary from the booked timings.

On Sunday 21st April, one of the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ will be in use on the 1230 departure from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back under the RED timetable. The booked timing for this public service working is as follows:

1230 depart BL arrive MD 1350

1430 depart MD arrive BL 1550

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2024. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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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DIESELGEN – 13 and 16 April 2024

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was bathed in late afternoon sunshine at Westridge Loco Shelter, Bishops Lydeard, on Wednesday 10th January 2024. Photo by Liam Hebditch © CC BY-NC 3.0

On Saturday 13th April, Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 will be in use to move a Mk 3 coach from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. The loco will then return to our Williton depot with a brake van in tow, and will remain at Williton until next called into use, which is expected to be on Friday 19th April on an as-yet-unconfirmed infrastructure working from Williton to Kentsford and back.

The booked timings for the Saturday working are as follows:

D9526 – Saturday 13th April 2024

1100 depart BL arrive MD 1215

1315 depart MD arrive WN 1400

On Tuesday 16th April, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) will be in use to move a rake of Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard in connection with the start of the RED timetable. The loco will then remain at Bishops Lydeard on standby duty.

The booked timing for this working is as follows:

D6566 – Tuesday 16th April 2024

1000 depart MD arrive BL 1130

These workings are not public services and are being run for operational and engineering purposes. Any change in requirements may result in change or cancellation. Actual running may vary from the booked timings.

NOTE: On Sunday 14th April, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) will be in use on the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and associated 80-mile diagram. This is a planned public working under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details of planned public services.

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2024. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

Social media channels:

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Locomotive Status page
DIESELGEN 9-10-11 April 2024

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ pair D7018 (L) and D7017 (R) were caught basking in the sunshine at Williton on Saturday 6th April 2024 with Barclay 578 (ROF 1) visible on the right. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

On Tuesday 9th April, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will commence a three-day programme of loaded test running between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard, starting from and stopping at Williton each day. The ‘Hymek’ will be accompanied by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) to provide backup in the event of any issues arising with the ‘Hymek’. The objective of this running is to evaluate the reliability of the ‘Hymek’, so if any issues do arise, the running may be curtailed or adjusted as necessary to achieve the objective. The booked timings for these workings are as follows:

Tuesday 9th April 2024

1100 D6566 departs Minehead (MD) for Williton (WN) with Coach Set ‘C’

1141 D7017 attaches at WN

1156 depart WN arrive Bishops Lydeard (BL) 1224

1310 depart BL arrive MD 1424

1525 depart MD arrive BL 1703

1720 depart BL arrive WN 1753

Wednesday 10th April 2024

0945 depart WN arrive MD 1030

1100 depart MD arrive BL 1211

1310 Depart BL arrive MD 1424

1525 depart MD arrive BL 1703

1720 depart BL arrive WN 1753

Thursday 11th April 2024

0945 depart WN arrive MD 1030

1100 depart MD arrive BL 1211

1310 Depart BL arrive MD 1423

1525 D7017 departs MD light engine arrive WN 1610 (D6566 remains at MD)

These workings are not public services and are being run solely for the purposes of test and evaluation. Any unexpected issues may result in change or cancellation. Actual running may vary from the booked timings.

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2024. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

Social media channels:

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Locomotive Status page
DIESELGEN REVISED 24-Mar-24

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield on 25th October 2023 en route from Williton to Bishops Lydeard, waiting for the ‘down’ service to pass. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

Apologies for this revision to the previous Dieselgen bulletin, which is due to operational issues.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) will be in use on Sunday 24th March 2024 on a service train, standing in for a steam locomotive. The booked timings (BLUE timetable) are as follows:

Depart Bishops Lydeard at 1015 arrive at Minehead 1135

Depart Minehead at 1220 arrive at Bishops Lydeard 1340

Depart Bishops Lydeard at 1440 arrive at Minehead 1600

Depart Minehead at 1630 arrive at Bishops Lydeard 1750

Total diesel haulage : 80 miles

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2024. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

Social media channels:

Back to home page

Locomotive Status page
Dieselgen – 24-Mar-24

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield on 25th October 2023 en route from Williton to Bishops Lydeard, waiting for the ‘down’ service to pass. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) will be in use on Sunday 24th March 2024 on a service train, standing in for a steam locomotive. The booked timings (BLUE timetable) are as follows:

Depart Bishops Lydeard at 1230 arrive at Minehead 1350

Depart Minehead at 1430 arrive at Bishops Lydeard 1550

Depart Bishops Lydeard at 1635 arrive at Minehead 1800

Total diesel haulage : 60 miles

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2024. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

Social media channels:

Back to home page

Locomotive Status page
Dieselgen – 22-Mar-24

Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09 019) prepares to depart from Bishops Lydeard with one of the 17 shuttle services that ran to the Norton Fitzwarren platform over the weekend of 5/6th August 2023. Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) stood alongside with the arrival from Minehead. Pictured on Saturday 5th August 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) will be in use on Friday 22nd March 2024 on a ‘Tidy Train’ working from Williton to Norton Fitzwarren, returning to Williton in the afternoon with Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09 019) so that the ’09’ can undergo repairs to a failed window mechanism. The booked timings for these workings are as follows:

Depart Williton (WN) at 09:30 arrive Norton Fitzwarren (NF) at 10:17

Depart NF at 14:00 arrive at Bishops Lydeard (BL) at 14:15 (Loco and brake van)

Depart BL at 15:05 arrive WN at 15:42 (two Locos)

The actual timings of these workings will depend on the activities that are taking place and may vary from the booked timings.

In preparation for the re-opening of the WSR this coming Saturday, there will also be Empty Coaching Stock moves taking place on Friday between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard using WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351.

Please note that the WSR does not re-open until Saturday, so the stations will remain closed until then.

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2024. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

Social media channels:

Back to home page

Locomotive Status page
DIESELGEN – Loco testing 21-Oct-23

Birmingham RC&W Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) and Beyer-Peacock ‘Hymek’ Class 35 D7017 were stabled together on Number 1 road at Williton on Saturday 14th October 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 are both booked for a test run on Saturday 21st October during which they will run from Williton to Bishops Lydeard in the company of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048). The ’14’ and the ‘Hymek’ have both been undergoing maintenance at Williton so they are in need of a test run and they also both need to position over the pit at Westridge steam shed for underframe checks. The booked timings for this run are as follows:

Depart Williton at 11:00 arrive Bishops Lydeard at 11:35 (D7017 leading)

Depart Bishops Lydeard at 13:50 arrive at Williton at 14:22 (D9526 leading)

The return consist will include Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) in place of sister D6566 (33 048).

This working depends on the locos being ready for testing and may be cancelled without notice. The departure times could be slightly earlier if the locos are ready and the signals are clear.

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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

We are in need of additional engineering help to look after 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.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

Social media channels:

Back to home page

Locomotive Status page

DIESELGEN – HST and Class 33 running

GWR ‘Castle’ class 4-car HST led by 43042 ‘Tregenna Castle’ and tailed by 43162 ‘Caerhays Castle’ was pictured at Blue Anchor on 11th September 2023 en route to Minehead. Photo by Robin Wichard © CC BY-NC 3.0

THIS IS A CHANGE TO INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED FOR THE WEEKEND OF 23/24 SEPTEMBER 2023.

The WSR is hosting two GWR ‘Castle’ class High Speed Trains (HSTs) for several weeks, to free up space at Laira depot (Plymouth) while that depot is being tasked with the withdrawal of ‘HSTs’ from frontline services.

By agreement between the WSR and GWR, the weekend of 23rd/24th September has been upgraded from Blue to Yellow timetable and will now include the opportunity for the public to travel the length of the wonderful WSR in air-conditioned comfort and style !

Click here for a link to the Yellow HST timetable

The ‘HST’ running opportunity does impact the previous plans that were announced via DIESELGEN and ROUNDUP in relation to our Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ because the timetable for the weekend of 23rd/24th September has now been upgraded from Blue to YELLOW (5 trains each way per day). Here’s an updated table showing the revised workings:

September 2023 dates	Loco rostered	Timetable
Saturday 16th	D6575 (33 057)	MODIFIED BLUE timetable
Sunday 17th	D6575 (33 057)	BLUE timetable
Saturday 23rd	HST plus D6566 (33 048)	YELLOW HST timetable
Sunday 24th	HST plus D6566 (33 048)	YELLOW HST timetable

Apologies to all those who were hoping for a double-headed Class 33 ‘Crompton’ hauled service on Saturday 23rd, but the diesel running that weekend is now set to be attractive to a wider and hopefully new range of visitors, all of whom will be welcomed on the WSR.

Here’s the revised plan for Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September:

10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard worked by GWR ‘Castle’ Class HST

11:00 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead worked by D6566 (33 048)

12:30 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead worked by GWR ‘Castle’ Class HST

14:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard worked by GWR ‘Castle’ Class HST

15:25 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard worked by D6566 (33 048)

16:35 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead worked by GWR ‘Castle’ Class HST

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2023. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

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.

Social media channels:

Back to home page

Locomotive Status page

DIESELGEN – September running

Birmingham RC&W Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6575 (33 057, leading) and D6566 (33 048) were pictured on 8th June 2013 as they tackled the gradient at Nornvis Bridge during the 2013 diesel gala. Photo by Graham Perry © CC BY-NC 3.0

As a result of the suspension of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ operations as announced in the previous DIESELGEN and ROUNDUP, our Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) will be covering the diesel loco-hauled workings during the month of September.

The resulting and disappointing postponement of the ‘DEPG at 50’ event was explained in the roundup last week, but please be aware that our ‘Cromptons’ will be working on the following Saturdays and Sundays in September as per the WSR’s BLUE timetable. Note that Saturday 16th has a slightly modified timetable, available via the link in the table below:

September 2023 dates	Loco rostered	Timetable
Saturday 2nd	D6575 (33 057)	BLUE timetable
Sunday 3rd	D6575 (33 057)	BLUE timetable
Saturday 16th	D6575 (33 057)	MODIFIED BLUE timetable
Sunday 17th	D6575 (33 057)	BLUE timetable
Saturday 23rd	D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) DOUBLE HEADING	BLUE timetable
Sunday 24th	D6566 (33 048)	BLUE timetable

We will be running a double-headed Class 33 ‘Crompton’ hauled service on Saturday 23rd and the WSR may also be announcing another special working for that day, so keep this date available in your diary!

Here’s the plan for Saturday 23rd September:

10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard worked by D6575 (33 057)

12:30 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead worked by D6566 (33 048) AND D6575 (33 057)

14:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard worked by D6566 (33 048) AND D6575 (33 057)

16:35 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead worked by D6566 (33 048)