DIESELGEN

  • DIESELGEN – HYMEK 50 WEEKEND 30/31 AUG

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was leading D7018 through Stogumber en route to Bishops Lydeard on Thursday 28th August 2025 to take up position for the HYMEK 50 WEEKEND event that takes place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August. Photo by Steve Lewis © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    LATEST UPDATE: The HYMEK 50 WEEKEND is now an all-diesel event with TWO Class 35 ‘HYMEKS’ D7017 and D7018 plus the substitution of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) for the steam loco that was rostered for the 10:15 departure from Bishops Lydeard and the subsequent 80-mile diagram. Here’s a summary of workings (applies to both days):

    • D7017 departs Bishops Lydeard (BL) at 0825 for Minehead (MD)
    • D7017 departs MD for BL at 1000
    • D6566 departs BL for MD at 1015
    • D6566 departs MD for BL at 1220
    • D7017 and D7018 depart BL for MD at 1225
    • D7018 and D7017 depart MD for BL at 1420
    • D6566 departs BL for MD at 1425
    • D6566 departs MD for BL at 1635
    • D7018 departs BL for MD at 1640
    • D7018 departs MD for BL at 1830

     

     

    Timetables are available by clicking this link and tickets for this event are available from the WSR by clicking this link. Standard ticketing applies.

    We look forward to seeing you on board our 50th anniversary diesel-hauled services on Saturday 30th and/or Sunday 31st August !

     

    We will have plenty of our new D7017 booklets available for sale, these are also available from our online store by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below:

     

    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.

     

    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:

    Go to the Diesel Running Dates page

    Go to the About us page

    Go to the Home page

     

  • DIESELGEN – Wed/Thu 27/28-Aug-25

     

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was attached to the head of the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service that was being worked by D6575 (33057) at Williton on Sunday 24th August 2025. The pair worked in multiple (with a single crew) to Bishops Lydeard where D6566 (33048) was required to stand in for a steam loco on the ‘Quantock Belle‘ dining service. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The continued spell of warm and dry weather has resulted in a decision to substitute diesel for steam traction for the last two days of the peak summer YELLOW TIMETABLE.

    On Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th August, the following traction will be employed:

    • Class 33 D6575 (33057) on the 10:00 Minehead service and subsequent 80-mile diagram
    • Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the 10:15 Bishops Lydeard service and subsequent 80-mile diagram
    • Class 115 DMU on the 10:55 Bishops Lydeard service and subsequent 40-mile diagram

     

    Please do try to come along and enjoy a diesel day out on the West Somerset Railway !

     

    And a reminder for this coming weekend:

    After undergoing an extensive bodywork overhaul at the WSR’s Minehead engineering workshop, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has now been ‘outshopped’ and will join her sister D7018 for her RETURN TO SERVICE on SATURDAY 30th AUGUST.

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 returned to Williton on Thursday 15th August 2025 after a 10-month spell at Minehead undergoing a thorough bodywork overhaul and a repaint into the early BR-blue livery that was carried by some ‘Hymeks’ before the rules of standardisation were enforced. Photo by Linda Trott © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    MANY THANKS to all who have donated to and carried out the work on D7017 to restore her to the standard that we see today.

     

    To celebrate the 50th anniversary of D7017 and D7018 entering preservation, both locos will be in use on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 30/31 AUGUST working separately and together on an enhanced timetable that includes early and late services originating at Bishops Lydeard, with 120 miles of ‘Hymek’ haulage available each day, 40 miles of which will be DOUBLE HEADED.

    Timetables and tickets for this event are available from the WSR by clicking this link.

     

    We look forward to seeing you on board our 50th anniversary train on Saturday 30th and/or Sunday 31st August !

     

    We will have plenty of our new D7017 booklets available for sale on the trains, these are also available from our online store by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below:

     

    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.

     

    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:

    Go to the Diesel Running Dates page

    Go to the About us page

    Go to the Home page

     

  • DIESELGEN – HYMEK weekend 30/31 Aug

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was ‘outshopped’ from Minehead Works on Thursday 14th August 2025 upon completion of her bodywork overhaul, wearing the early BR-blue livery with small yellow warning panels and carrying the D+EG logo as she did when she entered preservation in 1975. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    After undergoing an extensive bodywork overhaul at the WSR’s Minehead engineering workshop, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has now been ‘outshopped’ and has returned to Williton where she will undergo preparation and join her sister D7018 for her RETURN TO SERVICE on SATURDAY 30th AUGUST.

     

    MANY THANKS to all who have donated to and carried out the work on D7017 to restore her to the standard that we see today.

     

    To celebrate the 50th anniversary of D7017 and D7018 entering preservation, both locos will be in use on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 30/31 AUGUST working separately and together on an enhanced timetable that includes early and late services originating at Bishops Lydeard, with 120 miles of ‘Hymek’ haulage availble each day, 40 miles of which will be DOUBLE HEADED.

    Here are the detailed timetables (click on the images to download them):

     

     

    Tickets for this event are available from the WSR by clicking this link.

     

    We look forward to seeing you on board our 50th anniversary train on Saturday 30th and/or Sunday 31st August !

     

    We will have plenty of our new D7017 booklets available for sale on the trains, these are also available from our online store by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below:

     

    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.

     

    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:

    Go to the Diesel Running Dates page

    Go to the About us page

    Go to the Home page

     

  • DIESELGEN – 09-Aug-25

    D6566 (33048) was in use on the diagram that started at Bishops Lydeard on the weekend of 5th/6th of July 2025, and was pictured on the Saturday during the Williton Station stop. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The motive power allocation for SATURDAY 9th AUGUST has now been firmed up and will include Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) working alone on the diagram that starts at Minehead at 10:00 and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 working in support of a steam locomotive on the diagram that starts from Bishops Lydeard at 10:15 under the BLUE timetable.

    Although Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is in full working order and is ready for use, we do not have a driver available, so apologies for not being able to offer any ‘Maybach Music’ this weekend.

    During the coming week, diesel power will be in use supporting steam (subject to driver availability) under the YELLOW timetable, which also sees the WSR’s Class 115 DMU in action on a 40-mile diagram starting from Bishops Lydeard at 10:55

     

    Just a reminder, Saturday 16th August is all-steam although diesels may be assisting, depending on the weather conditions. Class 33 D6566 (33048) will work the Minehead diagram on Sunday 17th.

     

    The next scheduled running days for Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 will be Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August to acknowledge 50 YEARS of ‘HYMEK’ PRESERVATION. Details of this event will be announced next week.

     

    The timetable is under constant review due to the ongoing dry weather and will be adjusted as circumstances require. We will try to keep up and issue DIESELGEN bulletins as soon as we can following receipt of the information.

     

    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.

     

    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:

     

  • DIESELGEN – 24-Jul-25

    An unusual shot of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 passing over Leighwood Crossing (between Crowcombe Heathfield and Stogumber) en route to Minehead on Saturday 17th May 2025. Photo by Kiru Cross © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The motive power allocations for Thursday 24th July have had to be revised following the temporary withdrawal of Class 14 D9526 for an investigation into an engine issue and the substitution of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 in the role of assisting the steam loco. The ‘Hymek’ will assist steam loco 9351 on the afternoon workings that depart from Bishops Lydeard at 1425 and return from Minehead at 1635.

    As a positioning move, the Hymek’ will run ‘Light Engine’ (LE) from Williton to Bishops Lydeard, departing Williton at 1340. After completion of the booked duties, the loco will return LE to Williton, arriving at 1835.

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) will be working the diagram that starts from Minehead at 10:00 and will be assisting steam loco 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ on the afternoon workings that depart from Minehead at 1420 and return from Bishops Lydeard at 1640.

     

    The timetable is under constant review and will be adjusted as circumstances require. We will try to keep up and issue DIESELGEN bulletins as soon as we can following receipt of the information.

     

    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.

     

    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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