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
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.
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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.
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:
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:
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: