VARIABLE weather with periodic bursts of wind and rain did not spoil the enjoyment of the thousands of visitors who attended the West Somerset Railway’s (WSR) summer diesel festival, which ended on Sunday (June 7).

The four days saw the sound of steam engines at work and whistling replaced by various diesel engine notes and the sound of horns.

Sunday saw a steam train headed by ‘Mogul’ 9351 make a round trip between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead with ‘guest’ diesel locomotives working the other trains.

The guests were Class 26 26007, Class 37 37250, Class 47 47714, and a late addition to the line-up, Class 50 50049 ‘Defiance’.

They were joined by locomotives maintained by Williton-based Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG), Class 14 D9526, Class 33s D6566 and D6575, and Class 35 D7017.

The WSR’s diesel multiple unit was in action and two of the resident diesel shunters, Class 03 D2133 and Class 08 D4107, had short round trips at the head of passenger trains.

Apart from some late running on the Thursday, the event went well and social media was active with comments from happy visitors.

Engine 37250 stirred memories of the late 1990s when Class 37s were the mainstays for hauling stone trains over the line as part of sea defence works in Minehead.

Class 47s have headed every form of train traffic since first appearing in the 1960s, while Classes 33 and 50 were regular performers between Exeter and London Waterloo.

The WSR thanked the owners of the visiting locomotives and their host railways for making the visits possible.

The sight and distinctive sounds of the quartet was appreciated by the visitors and WSR volunteers and staff alike.

The museums at Bishops Lydeard and Blue Anchor welcomed visitors during the festival and the Taunton Model Railway Group was open at Bishops Lydeard.

The diesel festival was part of the ongoing celebrations of the WSR’s golden jubilee year, with the next special event being A4 express steam locomotive 60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ on July 3 to 5.

For fans of diesel locomotives, ‘Diesels at 65’ places the spotlight on the fleet of the DEPG which has been very much part of the WSR story for the past 50 years.

It will take place from August 29 to 31 and will also mark the 65th ‘birthdays’ of D4107, D6566, D6575, D7017, and D7018, each of which was constructed in 1961, and all will be in action.

The DEPG will welcome visitors to its depot and workshop in Williton where it will be possible to see progress with the major work being carried out on Class 14 D9518 and Class 52 D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’.

Advanced tickets for ‘Diesels at 65’ and the ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ visit are now on sale from the railway’s website, where information about other special events can also be found, or more information can be obtained and bookings made by calling 01643 704996.

Regular WSR services are now operating at weekends and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.