DIESELGEN

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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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.

 

Social media channels:

 

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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):

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:

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.

 

Social media channels:

 

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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

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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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BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured during the Williton station stop while working the afternoon leg of the 80-mile Minehead diagram on Sunday 10th July 2022. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) will be handing over to sister D6575 (33 057) upon arrival at Bishops Lydeard (BL) from Minehead (MD) on Saturday 16th July 2022. The loco will remain attached to the Taunton end of the train upon arrival at BL and will ‘hitch a ride’ back to Williton on the back of the 1230 BL-MD service and will be uncoupled at Williton.

This will allow D6566 (33 048) to enter the South Yard at Williton so that an ‘A’ exam can be performed (required after every 50 hours of operation).

 

The basics of the timetabled workings are as follows:

     Depart MD 1000 arrive BL 1130

     Depart BL 1230 arrive MD 1350

     Depart MD 1430 arrive BL 1555

     Depart BL 1635 arrive MD 1800

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

 

ADVANCE INFORMATION – the 1000 MD diagram (two MD-BL-MD trips totalling 80 miles) will be hauled by Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 on Sat/Sun 23rd/24th July. 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

---

 

A new page has been set up on our website to provide information on planned diesel running days. This new page is under the DIESELGEN menu heading and shortcuts will be placed on the most popular pages ASAP. Click on the icon for details:

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BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured while running around its train at Minehead on the Saturday of the Diesel Gala, 11th June 2022. Also in the picture is Barclay 0-4-0DH 579 (ROF 2) on the far left and the tender of BR(W) 4-6-0 7822 ‘FOXCOTE MANOR’ on the right. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) will be hauling freight wagons on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 5/6/7th July in connection with driver training courses being run by WSR Diesel Traction Inspector John Leach. The three drivers involved are currently steam loco drivers and they are adding the Class 33 diesel to their ‘tickets’.

These special workings start at Minehead and run to Norton Fitzwarren and back in the morning, then run to Bishops Lydeard and back in the afternoon. The timings below are approximate and may be varied on the day to suit operating conditions:

 

     Depart MD 0915 arrive NF 1056

     Depart NF 1130 arrive MD 1253

     Depart MD 1317 arrive BL 1510

     Depart BL 1526 arrive MD 1703

 

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

 

ADVANCE INFORMATION – the 1000 MD diagram (two MD-BL-MD trips totalling 80 miles) will be hauled by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) on Sat/Sun 9/10th July and by one of our two ‘Cromptons’ on Sat/Sun 16/17th July. See our new DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for the latest information on public services.

 

We have just introduced a new DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and we will be maintaining this in parallel to DIESELGEN bulletins. This new page is a ‘one-stop-shop’ approach to PUBLIC SERVICE diesel running on the WSR.