08:30 Shunt sister Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) to the DEPG yard. Depart Williton (WN) with loaded ballast hoppers and deliver ballast to Doniford (and/or other locations as determined by the Infrastructure Engineering Department).
Other workings may take place. The railway is to be considered as LIVE at all times.
Please note that the stations are closed to the public and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcam at WN.
Some movements have been planned by the WSR Infrastructure Engineering Department for Wednesday 10th through Friday 12th March and again on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th March as follows (timings are approximate):
08:30 Depart Williton (WN) with loaded ballast hoppers and deliver ballast to several locations, as determined by the Infrastructure Engineering Department.
Other workings may take place. The railway is to be considered as LIVE at all times.
Please note that the stations are closed to the public and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcam at WN.
Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) on the left and D6575 (33 057) on the right after inspection over the pit at Westridge Shed, Bishops Lydeard, on 2nd November 2020. Photo by Martin Howard. (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
As a result of Somerset going into Tier 3 on 26th December, the WSR had no choice but to sadly cancel the “Winter Steam Journey’ specials that were booked to run on 29th and 30th December and also cancel the staff specials that were booked for the 31st.
This disappointing situation shows the importance of the ongoing fight against Covid-19. We all need to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of spreading the disease.
Some movements have been planned by the WSR Operations Department for Thursday 31st December, as follows (timings are approximate):
Between these two light diesel engine movements, there will be an Empty Coaching Stock move from BL to MD, hauled by ex-BR(W) 4-6-0 No. 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ and a light engine move of visiting ex-GWR ‘Large Prairie’ No. 5199, also from BL to MD.
Please note that the stations are closed to the public and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) is ready to depart from Williton with the return leg of the first SANTA EXPRESS of the 2020 season on 12DEC20. Webcam image (c) by Railcam UK and the WSR
Following the success of last weekend, our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is going to be in action again on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December and again on 22nd – 24th December in support of the WSR’s “Santa Express” workings between Bishops Lydeard (BL) and Williton (WN).
The “Santa Express” is steam-hauled but the Covid-19 precautions have introduced a strict requirement for all services to run to time, to ensure that the guests from one service are clear of the station before the guests for the next service arrive.
D6575 will be coupled up to the rear of the train on departure from BL to provide assistance on the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield. This will be a risk mitigation measure to ensure good timekeeping on the first service of the day, when railhead conditions could be at their worst. The diesel will come off when the train returns to BL and will spend the rest of the day on shed at BL, on standby.
These services have been well patronised and it is great to see the results of so much work coming to fruition. Only a small number of seats remain available to book – follow this link :
Well done to the volunteers and staff of the WSR family for making this return to service a reality. Have a happy Christmas !
The booked movements (steam and diesel) are:
1100 BL arriving WN 1135 (dep. BL 1000 on 24-Dec)
1150 WN arriving BL 1222
Note that services may leave BL early if all of the pre-booked guests are on board.
The remaining steam-hauled (unassisted) services are:
1345 BL arriving WN 1420 (dep. BL 1225 on 24 Dec)
1440 WN arriving BL 1512
and
1630 BL arriving WN 1705 (dep. BL 1450 on 24 Dec)
1725 WN arriving BL 1757
Please note that the stations are closed to the public (except where pre-booked) and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stands in the snow at Williton yard on 18th March 2018. Photo by Graham Perry (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is going to be in action on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December in support of the WSR’s “Santa Express” workings between Bishops Lydeard (BL) and Williton (WN).
The “Santa Express” is steam-hauled but the Covid-19 precautions have introduced a strict requirement for all services to run to time, to ensure that the guests from one service are clear of the station before the guests for the next service arrive.
D6575 will be coupled up to the rear of the train on departure from BL to provide assistance on the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield. This will be a risk mitigation measure to ensure good timekeeping on the first service of the day, when railhead conditions could be at their worst. The diesel will come off when the train returns to BL and will spend the rest of the day on shed at BL, on standby.
It is great to see revenue-earning services re-commence on the WSR and we all hope that they will be a great success and provide plenty of seasonal enjoyment to the many guests that have pre-booked. Many thanks to all of the volunteers from so many organisations in the WSR family and all of the WSR staff who have been involved in making this return to service a reality. Have a happy Christmas !
The booked movements (steam and diesel) are:
1100 BL arriving WN 1135
1150 WN arriving BL 1222
Note that services may leave BL early if all of the pre-booked guests are on board.
The remaining steam-hauled (unassisted) services are:
1345 BL arriving WN 1420
1440 WN arriving BL 1512
and
1630 BL arriving WN 1705
1725 WN arriving BL 1757
Please note that the stations are closed to the public (except where pre-booked) and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
