A THREE-day summer diesel festival on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) has been described as a ‘truly phenomenal weekend’.

Train enthusiasts from across the Westcountry flocked to the festival on the country’s longest heritage railway line, which ran from June 6 to 8.

And no sooner did it end, then planning began for next year’s event, which the WSR hopes to make even better.

A spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the Class 50 Alliance, the Peak Locomotive Company Ltd, the East Lancashire Railway, 20189 Ltd, and Great Western Railway for the use of their locomotives, all of which performed fantastically over the event.

The Class 24 diesel locomotive No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ loaned to the West Somerset Railway for its summer diesel festival.
The Class 24 diesel locomotive No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ loaned to the West Somerset Railway for its summer diesel festival. ( )

“Special thanks to home-based DEPG for their locomotives which completed the show.

“To our staff and volunteers, thank you for coming together to make the event a success, pulling together where needed to keep the show on the road.”

The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group’s (DEPG) depot in Williton was opened to visitors during the festival, and the railway’s Gauge Museum and Model Railway was open at Bishops Lydeard Station.

The DEPG also hosted a talk on the Saturday by former British Rail fleet manager Geoff Hudson on the history and operation of class 50 locomotives.

Visiting locomotives came from all over the country, including the Severn Valley Railway and the East Lancashire Railway, while a Great Western Railway ‘Castle class’ set also made two round-trips during the festival.

Some of the trains ran past Bishops Lydeard and to Norton Fitzwarren on a stretch of line which was rarely used for passenger trains.

For anybody who wants to follow through on their enjoyment of the festival the WSR is offering a diesel engineman course later this month, and again on two dates in September.

Enthusiasts will be able to drive under instruction for about 10 miles on the WSR line, and travel in a restored goods brake to see the railway from a different perspective.

The WSR plans to use a class 33 heritage locomotive for the course, or a suitable alternative if it became unavailable.

Tickets for the courses can be purchased online here.