DIESELGEN

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was pictured leading visiting 4-6-0 ‘Saint’ 2999 ‘Lady of Legend’ and the Class 115 DMU out of Minehead during the Mixed Traction Day, Sunday 8th June 2025. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The motive power allocations for the BLUE TIMETABLE services that are planned for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week have now been defined, the objective of the change being to mitigate the risk of lineside fires by using diesel assistance. This reduces the chances of hot cinders being emitted from the chimney of the steam loco by reducing the need for it to work so hard.

As the steam locomotives are the prime attractions for the majority of visitors to the line, the WSR has scaled back the level of service for 22-24 July from the Yellow to the Blue Timetable, but keeping one steam locomotive in service with a diesel loco assisting.

The steam and diesel combination will work the diagram that starts at Bishops Lydeard at 10:15 with WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 in charge of the train and with Class 14 D9526 coupled at the rear to assist. The ’14’ will remain at the Taunton end, so the return leg will have steam leading and diesel coupled behind.

The 10:00 departure from Minehead and the subsequent diagram will be worked by the DMU on Tuesday and Thursday and by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) on Thursday.

The timetable is under constant review and will be adjusted as circumstances require, but as at the time of writing (Monday 21st July at 1700), the plan is as follows:

Day and Date	Timetable	Locomotives allocated
Tuesday 22nd July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram.
Wednesday 23rd July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the MD diagram
Thursday 24th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram.
Friday 25th July	No public services

Where BL = Bishops Lydeard   MD = Minehead   DMU = Diesel Multiple Unit

 

This pattern may be continued through the following week if the hot weather persists. 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:

---

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield on Tuesday 15th July 2025 while supporting WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 on the midweek BLUE timetable services. Photo by Jo Ward © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The motive power allocations for the BLUE TIMETABLE services that are planned for Saturday through Thursday of the coming week have now been defined. Diesels will be predominant this weekend, but given that the steam locomotives are the prime attractions for the majority of visitors to the line, the WSR plans to operate an all-steam service midweek, based on the forecast wet weather reducing the fire risk.

Steam loco 9351 and Class 14 D9526 will both work the diagram that starts at Bishops Lydeard at 10:15 on Saturday 19th July and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) will be working the diagram that starts from Minehead at 10:00.

On Sunday 20th July, the service is entirely diesel-hauled. Class 14 D9526 will work the Bishops Lydeard diagram and Class 33 D6566 (33048) will work the Minehead diagram.

The timetable is under constant review and will be adjusted as circumstances require, but as at the time of writing (Friday 18th July at 1600, updated at 1730), the plan is as follows:

Day and Date	Timetable	Locomotives allocated
Saturday 19th July	BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram. Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the MD diagram. Incoming main line charter with ‘Black Five’ 45212 leading and Class 47 47812 (D1916, 47239, 47657) at the rear (due to arrive MD at 1245, departing at 1525).
Sunday 20th July	BLUE timetable	Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram. Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the MD diagram.
Monday 21st July	No public services
Tuesday 15th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	All steam
Wednesday 16th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	All steam
Thursday 17th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	All steam
Friday 18th July	No public services

Where BL = Bishops Lydeard   MD = Minehead   DMU = Diesel Multiple Unit

 

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:

---

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was pictured leading WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 and the Class 115 DMU at Woolston Moor on Sunday 8th June 2025. Photo by Glyn Warren © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The motive power allocations for the BLUE TIMETABLE services that are planned for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week have now been defined, the objective of the change being to mitigate the risk of lineside fires by using diesel assistance. This reduces the chances of hot cinders being emitted from the chimney of the steam loco by reducing the need for it to work so hard.

As the steam locomotives are the prime attractions for the majority of visitors to the line, the WSR has scaled back the level of service for 15-17 July from the Yellow to the Blue Timetable, but keeping one steam locomotive in service with a diesel loco assisting (coupled between the steam loco and the coaches).

The steam and diesel combination will work the diagram that starts at Bishops Lydeard at 10:15 except on Tuesday 15th ONLY when Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) will be hauling, with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 on the rear (for positioning), as far as Minehead where WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 will take charge of the train for the remainder of the diagram, with Class 14 D9526 coupled behind and assisting.

The 10:00 departure from Minehead and the subsequent diagram will be worked by the DMU on Tuesday and Wednesday and by the Class 33 on Thursday.

The timetable is under constant review and will be adjusted as circumstances require, but as at the time of writing (Monday 14th July at 1900), the plan is as follows:

Day and Date	Timetable	Locomotives allocated
Tuesday 15th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the 1015 BL-MD with Class 14 D9526 on the rear. Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the remainder of the BL diagram. DMU on the 10:00 MD departure and subsequent diagram.
Wednesday 16th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram
Thursday 17th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the BL diagram, Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the MD diagram
Friday 18th July	No public services

Where BL = Bishops Lydeard   MD = Minehead   DMU = Diesel Multiple Unit

 

This pattern may be continued through the following week if the hot weather persists. Keep and 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:

---

 

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	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 33 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram
Wednesday 16th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	Steam plus Class 33 on the BL diagram, DMU on the MD diagram
Thursday 17th July	Yellow BLUE timetable	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:

Dates that are planned for Class 35 ‘Hymek’ haulage (D7017 or D7018) are

Date	Timetable	Notes
Saturday 9th August	Blue timetable	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	Enhanced Blue timetable	50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION celebration with both D7017 and D7018 in use
Sunday 31st August	Enhanced Blue timetable	50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION celebration with both D7017 and D7018 in use
Saturday 27th September	Blue timetable	D7017 allocated
Sunday 28th September	Blue timetable	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.

Social media channels:

---

 

D7017 – the loco is nearing the end of a bodywork overhaul and is currently being repainted. Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 17th May 2025 by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Although a combined team of DEPG volunteers and WSR staff have been working hard with the objective of getting D7017 back in service in time for the WSR’s Summer Diesel Festival (5-7th June), it has not been possible to get the work completed in the time remaining, so this loco will not be available for service at the gala. Although the welding work has now been completed, we still need to repaint the loco and then she needs to undergo various inspections and have a test run, so we now expect the loco to be completed and passed as fit to run in July.

Although disappointing in respect of the missed gala attendance, the loco will be all the better because of the work that has been done, and will be resplendent for the 50th Anniversary Event that will be taking place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August this year.

 

SISTER LOCO D7018 will be stepping in to take up D7017’s gala duties with the following amendments:

• On Friday 6th June: services previously rostered for D7017 will be covered by D7018
• On Saturday 7th June: the 0945 Bishops Lydeard service will be hauled by 50015 ‘Valiant’, otherwise all services previously rostered for D7017 will be covered by D7018
• On Sunday 8th June: services previously rostered for D7017 will be covered by D7018

 

Other dates that are planned for Class 35 ‘Hymek’ haulage (D7017 or D7018) are

Date	Timetable	Notes
Saturday 9th August	Blue timetable	D7017 allocated NOTE – this running day may be changed for a full weekend of running on 16th/17th August. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page when making travel plans.
Saturday 30th August	Enhanced Blue timetable	50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION celebration with both D7017 and D7018 in use
Sunday 31st August	Enhanced Blue timetable	50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION celebration with both D7017 and D7018 in use
Saturday 27th September	Blue timetable	D7017 allocated
Sunday 28th September	Blue timetable	D7017 allocated

Note that Sunday 10th August has changed to Class 33 haulage for operational reasons.

 

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, Crowcombe Heathfield, 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:

---