DIESELGEN

  • DIESELGEN – ‘Crompton’ changeover

    The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was completed by WSR Restorations last week and the loco returned to the DEPG’s South Yard on Saturday 20th May 2023 looking as good as new. Photo by Paul Clark © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Following the completion of her re-paint in the hands of WSR Restorations at the Swindon Shed, Williton, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) is scheduled to take over the role of duty locomotive from her hard-working sister D6575 (33 057) during the late afternoon of Saturday 27th May 2023. The details of the planned changeover are as follows:

     

    D6566 (33 048) : Depart WN at 1540, arrive BL at 1603, attach at the head of the 1635 BL-MD service.

    D6575 (33 057) : Depart MD at 1430, arrive BL at 1555, remain attached to the rear of the 1635 BL-MD as far as WN, then detach and run to the DEPG yard.

     

    Where BL=Bishops Lydeard, MD=Minehead, WN=Williton

    The BLUE timetable will apply for Saturday, Sunday and Monday 27-29th May, and the booked diesel-hauled times are as follows:

         Depart MD 10:00 arrive BL   11:30

         Depart BL   12:30 arrive MD 13:50

         Depart MD 14:30 arrive BL   15:55

         Depart BL   16:35 arrive MD 1800

     

    Other public services are also scheduled – see the WSR timetable page for the latest details.

    Please come along if you can and enjoy the 80-mile ride behind one of our Class 33 ‘Cromptons’!

     

    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:

    Click here or on the banner above to obtain timetables for the 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR from Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June.

     

    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.

     

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  • DIESELGEN – ‘Hymek’ running dates

    D7017 was started up at Williton on Saturday 8th April 2023 for her return to service checks. The clean start (the first of this year) shows the benefit of an engine pre-heater. The above image is an extract from a short video clip  – click here or on the photo to launch the video. Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    After progress made with maintenance and engine oil checks at Williton last weekend, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has been rostered for use on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May on the 10:00 Minehead (MD) to Bishops Lydeard (BL) 80-mile diagram.

    NOTE: this is a CHANGE from the previously published running dates of 13/14 May (those dates will be Class 33 hauled instead). The change has become necessary because of crew rostering constraints and we apologise for any inconvenience this change may have caused.

     

    The BLUE timetable will apply and booked times are as follows (Saturday 20th may differ slightly but details are not available as yet):

         Depart MD 10:00 arrive BL   11:30

         Depart BL   12:30 arrive MD 13:50

         Depart MD 14:30 arrive BL   15:55

         Depart BL   16:35 arrive MD 1800

    Other public services are also scheduled – see the WSR timetable page for the latest details.

    Please come along if you can and enjoy the 80-mile ride behind D7017 !

     

    Sister loco D7018 is now receiving attention to minor tasks, all of which will be completed in time for her to return to service for the 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR from Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June.

     

    Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries the list of the 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.

     

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  • DIESELGEN – D9526 driver training

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526was pictured at Bishops Lydeard on 22nd May 2021 by Paul Fleet © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 will be in use on Saturday 18th March for the purpose of driver refresher training, the objective being to widen the pool of ‘passed’ drivers to allow more frequent use of this very popular locomotive. This will be the first time that she will have been in use on WSR metals since June of 2021, just before she went out on a very successful 18-month hire to the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

    The training will take place in the Norton Fitzwarren section, which is mostly out of the public view and we ask that trespassing rules are recognised and respected. The loco is expected to depart from Bishops Lydeard at 09:35 and is scheduled to return at 15:15, although these times are flexible.

     

    This activity heralds the re-opening of the WSR on SATURDAY 18th March with an all-steam public service running under the RED ALL STEAM timetable on the Saturday and the introduction of the Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) under the RED timetable on the Sunday, which will also see the return of the QUANTOCK BELLE dining service with a Mother’s Day special.

     

    Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries the list of the 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.

     

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  • DIESELGEN – Class 33 workings

    Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) were pictured at Williton on Saturday 25th February 2023 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    This is the first DIESELGEN bulletin of 2023 and covers the movements of both Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ as the railway prepares for re-opening on SATURDAY 18th March. The following movements are planned:

     

    Tuesday 14th March 2023 – Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will shunt the North Yard at Williton (WN) and attach to Mk. 1 coach W43508 that has been undergoing repairs and a repaint in the hands of of WSR RESTORATIONS. The coach will be moved to Bishops Lydeard (BL) to rejoin the ‘QUANTOCK BELLE‘ dining set. The loco will then remain at BL and become the duty loco to support the re-opening. The booked time for this movement is as follows:

       Depart WN 15:00 arrive BL 15:33

     

    Friday 17th March 2023 – Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) will return from Minehead (MD) to WN and enter the Swindon Shed for a repaint. The railway will be moving other locos and coaches from MD to BL from 1200 onwards on this day, so the ’33’ may hitch a ride on the back of one of those services. If the loco moves as a ‘Light Engine’, the booked time for this movement will be:

       Depart MD 13:15 arrive WN 14:01

     

    Both of the above workings are special workings and as such, they are subject to variation according to operational requirements, so the actual timings may differ from those given.

     

    Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries the list of the 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.

     

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  • DIESELGEN – D6575 Driver Experience 29 Oct

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was pictured at Williton on a DIESEL DRIVER EXPERIENCE COURSE on 15th June 2013 by Ian Robins© CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    UPDATE 28-Oct-22 at 15:00 hrs : the DDEC course that is planned for SATURDAY 29th is still expected to take place. Timings are shown below.

     

       Depart WN 09:30 arrive MD 10:06

       Depart MD 10:55 arrive NF 12:32

       Depart NF 12:57 arrive MD 15:06

       Depart MD 15:25 arrive WN 16:09

     

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will be in action again on Saturday 29th October, on a DIESEL DRIVER EXPERIENCE COURSE (DDEC) that starts at Williton (WN) with a brake van in tow and travels first to Minehead (MD) where the goods train is collected before travelling the full length of the line to Norton Fitzwarren (NF) and back. Upon return to MD, the goods train is returned to the siding and the loco returns to WN with the brake van.

    The four DDEC participants will share the roles of driver and secondman interspersed with sessions riding in the brake van, so a highly enjoyable and interesting day is on the cards, regardless of the weather.

    This is a special train, subject to variation according to operational requirements, so timings may differ from those given. The steam-hauled public service trains that will be operating under the RED timetable will have priority.

     

    Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries both the detail and a summary of the 2022 diesel-hauled public services. 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.

     

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  • DIESELGEN – D6575 on freight 30-SEP-22

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stabled in the headshunt at Minehead on Saturday 24th September 2022. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will be in action tomorrow, Friday 30th September, on a freight working from Minehead through to Bishops Lydeard and return. This is an engineering train, subject to variation according to operational requirements, so timings may differ significantly from those given below. The planned times are as follows (approx):

     

         Depart MD 09:00 arrive BL 10:40

         Depart BL 14:00 arrive MD 15:25

     

    D6575 (33 057) will also be in operation on public services on Saturday and Sunday 8-9th and 15-16th October. Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page carries the latest information on diesel-hauled public services:

     

    D6575 (33 057) is rostered to work three DIESEL DRIVER EXPERIENCE COURSES in late October, as follows (timings not yet available):

         Saturday 22nd October

         Friday 28th October

         Saturday 29th October

     

    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.

     

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  • Diesel Running Dates Page

    Our website includes a dedicated page that provides information on planned diesel running days. This page is under the DIESELGEN menu heading and shortcuts are also included on many of the most popular pages. Click on the icon for details:

  • DIESELGEN – FOUR CROMPTONS !

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was pictured on 8th August 2022 while preparing to shunt delinquent sister loco D6566 (33 048) to the DEPG yard at Williton for attention to an oil leak that she had developed in her Serck system (radiator fan drive). Photo by Geoff Miles © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Following the temporary suspension of steam haulage from 08th August due to the prolonged dry weather, the WSR turned to our two ‘Cromptons’ to handle the running under the BLUE timetable, only for D6566 to fail on the first morning of the new arrangement with an oil leak from the Serck tank (the hydraulic system that powers the radiator fan). The DMU stepped in valiantly to keep services running on the Monday afternoon through to Wednesday, and D6566 returned to service on the morning of Thursday 11th August and is now fully operational. Apologies to all for the inconvenience caused to those affected by this technical issue.

     

    All public services on Saturday through Monday 13-15 August will be hauled by the two ‘Cromptons’ although a steam special will run with the Quantock Belle Dining Train on Sunday 14th.

     

    IMPORTANT NOTE FOR SATURDAY 13th AUGUST 2022: (TIMINGS UPDATED 12AUG22 at 11:40)

    The WEST SOMERSET STEAM EXPRESS railtour from Paddington being operated by the Railway Touring Company is due to arrive on the WSR on Saturday. This special was to be steam hauled but is now going to be hauled by WEST COAST RAILWAYS Class 33s 33025 and 33029 throughout from Paddington to Minehead and back.

    The planned arrival times are as follows (approx):

    1Z50 : Depart BL 11:05 arrive MD 12:15 (these are updated timings)

    1Z51 : Depart MD 15:45 arrive BL 17:00

     

    This means that there will be FOUR ‘CROMPTONS’ RUNNING ON THE WSR ON SATURDAY 13-AUG-22 !

    West Coast Railways 33025 was pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on 28th July 2019 by Geoff Sheppard © CC BY-SA 4.0

     

    A decision regarding a possible resumption of steam services from Tuesday 16th August onwards will be taken after a review of the situation nearer the date. The WSR timetable page and WSR news pages are being updated accordingly.

     

    Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page carries the latest information on diesel-hauled public services:

     

    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.

     

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  • DIESELGEN – D6566 and D6575 running

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is at the tail end of the 1230 service to Dunster on Saturday 18th September 2021 as sister loco D6566 (33 048) prepares to depart with the 1225 service to Norton Fitzwarren. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT affecting services on the WSR for Monday 8th through Thursday 11th August 2022:

    Due to the increased risk of lineside fires arising from the prolonged dry weather, the planned steam-hauled services running under the blue and yellow timetables will be will be replaced with diesel-hauled services running under the BLUE timetable for the dates defined above.

     

    • The 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and subsequent diagram will be hauled by D6566 (33 048)
    • The 10:15 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and subsequent diagram will be hauled by D6575 (33 057)

     

    A decision regarding services from Saturday 13th August onwards will be taken after a review of the situation nearer the date. The WSR timetable page has been updated accordingly.

     

    Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page carries the latest information on diesel-hauled public services:

     

    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.

     

    Social media channels:

     

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    Locomotive Status page


     

  • DIESELGEN – D7018 and D6575 running

    BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was pictured during the Williton station stop while tagging along at the rear of a steam-hauled service to Dunster during the Mixed Traffic weekend on 18th September 2021 while Beyer Peacock Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 waited alongside with a service to Norton Fitzwarren. Photo by Brenden Hill © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The 10:00 MD diagram (two MD-BL-MD trips totalling 80 miles) will be hauled by Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 on Sat/Sun 23rd/24th July.

    The Sunday morning services (10:00 MD and 12:30 BL) offer a volunteering presentation where prospective volunteers can meet and talk with representatives of the DEPG alongside the WSR, WSRA and WSRHT. There is no need to purchase a ticket on these services. Return travel is free of charge in return for providing your contact details and engaging in discussion about how you could help and what is involved in joining up. Click here for more information.

    If you are interested in offering your time, regardless of background or skillset, we will have tasks to suit everyone, so COME ALONG AND JOIN THIS ‘HYMEK’ HAULED SERVICE on Sunday !

     

    AN IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT FOR THE YELLOW TIMETABLE that starts next week, the 11:00 BL-MD and the 15:25 MD-BL will now be hauled by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) on all YELLOW TIMETABLE days throughout July and August.

    The basics of the timetabled workings are as follows:

         Depart BL 1100 arrive MD 1215

         Depart MD 1525 arrive BL 1705 (total 40 miles)

     

    Other public services are also scheduled – see the WSR timetable page for details.

     

    See our new DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for the latest information on public services:

     

    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.

     

    Social media channels:

     

    Back to home page

    Locomotive Status page


     

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