MEMORIES of rock armour being brought into Minehead by rail three decades ago for major new sea defences will come back to life when the types of diesel engines which then hauled more than 100,000 tons of stone return to the West Somerset Railway (WSR) to star in its summer diesel festival from June 4 to 7.

The majority of the trains, which off-loaded at a specially-constructed siding, were worked by class 37 diesel locomotives, whose distinctive roar when working hard became a familiar note in the early evenings when the majority of the stone trains ran.

The sound will be heard again when number 37250 arrives on the WSR line, this time to head passenger trains.

Class 47 diesel locos also hauled the stone trains and another guest will be 47714.

The class 47s were one of the most successful types of diesel locomotives to work for British Rail from the early 1960s into the 21st century and headed all classes of train from express to heavy freight.

The third festival visitor will be class 26 26007, a locomotive which carries the livery once worn by engines mainly used to haul coal trains, a tradition going back 200 years.

A WSR spokesperson thanked the owners of the locomotives and their host railways for making them available to hire.

The guest engines will be joined by others from Williton-based Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, whose depot and workshops will be open to the public.

The first locomotive it acquired was class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, which will be in action along with the class 33 pairing of D6566 and D6575 and class 14 D9526.

Also seeing action will be class 08 D4107 and class 03 D2133, an engine which has spent all its working life in Somerset including a long spell as the shunter at the now-closed British Celanese works, in Bridgwater.

The WSR’s diesel multiple unit will also be running during the event.

All trains will be part of an intensive timetable of services worked by diesel traction, with the final day also featuring some steam operations.

The WSR spokesperson said: “The extra trains will give passengers a great opportunity to get out and about and visit some of the attractions along the 20-mile route between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

“On Sunday, June 7 only, the WSR offers a ‘kids for a quid’ concession, allowing children accompanied by a fare-paying adult to travel at the reduced rate.

The museums at Bishops Lydeard and Blue Anchor will welcome visitors and the Taunton Model Railway Group will be operating at Bishops Lydeard on June 5, 6, and 7.

Advanced rover tickets, giving the freedom of the line for a day or more, allowing visitors to make full use of the long hours of daylight, can be purchased at discounted prices from the railway’s website up to 24 hours before the day of travel.

Those who prefer, can also book in advance on 01643 704996 Mondays to Fridays.