Somerset Railway’s Summer Diesel Festival Declared a Resounding Success Somerset Railway, a heritage railway in England, has hailed its annual Summer Diesel Festival a resounding success. The event, held over four days in mid-August, attracted thousands of visitors eager to witness the nostalgia and spectacle of classic diesel locomotives. The festival featured a diverse range of locomotives, including the iconic Class 33, Class 37, and Class 47s. These powerful machines hauled passenger trains along the historic branch line, offering attendees a firsthand experience of the Golden Age of Diesel. In addition to the train rides, the festival included a variety of activities for all ages. There were heritage displays, model railways, and live music. Visitors could also explore the railway’s workshops and meet friendly volunteers who shared their passion for railway history. “We’re absolutely thrilled with the response to this year’s Summer Diesel Festival,” said Richard Thornton, Chairman of Somerset Railway. “The crowds were fantastic, and the atmosphere was electric. It’s clear that there’s a huge appetite for this kind of event.” The festival also generated significant revenue for the railway, which is an important source of funding for its preservation and restoration work. The proceeds will be used to support ongoing projects, including the restoration of a vintage Class 25 diesel locomotive. “The success of this festival is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and supporters,” said Thornton. “They worked tirelessly to make this event a memorable experience for everyone who attended.” Somerset Railway plans to make the Summer Diesel Festival an annual event. The railway is already looking ahead to next year’s festival, which promises to be even bigger and better. “We’re constantly striving to enhance the visitor experience,” said Thornton. “We’re excited to see what the future holds for the Summer Diesel Festival and for Somerset Railway as a whole.”West Somerset Railway’s Summer Diesel Festival Celebrates Success
West Somerset Railway’s Summer Diesel Festival Celebrates Success This year’s Summer Diesel Festival at the West Somerset Railway has been declared a resounding success, with a 10% increase in sales compared to last year’s festival. Held from June 6-8, the festival featured an intensive timetable that utilized rarely used sections of the line between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren to maximize locomotive mileage. The increase in sales follows a 50% increase in attendance at the recent Spring Steam Spectacular. Visiting locomotives included Class 20 No. 20142 ‘Sir John Betjeman’, Class 20 No. 20189, Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’, Class 46 ‘Peak’ No. D182 (46045), Class 50 ‘Hoover’ No. 50033 ‘Glorious’, and a Great Western Railway HST. Locomotives from the railway’s home fleet included Class 09 No. D4107, Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ No. D9526, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ No. D6566, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ No. D6575, and Class 35′ ‘Hymek’ No. D7017, as well as Class 03 No. D2133, owned by the Diesel-Electric Preservation Group (DEPG). Additional attractions included a talk by British Rail’s former fleet manager at Laira Depot, Geoff Hudson, and the opportunity to travel along the rarely used line between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren. Visitors praised the atmosphere created by the festival, with the railway receiving positive feedback from volunteers, staff, and visitors. Upcoming Service Changes Visitors planning to visit the railway in the coming weeks should note the following service changes: * June 25-26: Services between Minehead and Williton only * July 2-3: Services between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet only Upcoming Major Event: 150th Anniversary Celebration The next major event on the railway is a week-long celebration from July 16-21 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the line from Watchet to Minehead. The event will feature Furness Railway No. 20, the oldest operational locomotive in Britain, built in 1863, and Britain’s newest steam locomotive, the newly built Great Western Railway Grange Class 4-6-0 No. 6880 ‘Betton Grange’.
Somerset Railway hails its Summer Diesel Festival a resounding success. The festival, which took place over the weekend, attracted thousands of visitors to the railway, who enjoyed a variety of diesel-powered trains and locomotives in action. Highlights of the festival included the return of the Class 25 locomotive D7642, which was used on the Cambrian Coast Express in the 1970s and 1980s. The locomotive hauled a train of vintage carriages on a number of trips throughout the weekend. Other attractions included a demonstration of the railway’s new Class 31 locomotive, which is currently undergoing testing. The locomotive hauled a train of coal wagons on a number of trips throughout the weekend. The festival also featured a number of visiting locomotives, including a Class 47 locomotive from the National Railway Museum. The locomotive hauled a train of passenger coaches on a number of trips throughout the weekend. Somerset Railway Chairman Richard Lacey said: “We are delighted with the success of our Summer Diesel Festival. The weather was perfect and we had a great turnout of visitors. We are particularly pleased to have been able to welcome back D7642 to the railway. This locomotive is a firm favourite with our visitors and it was great to see it in action again.” The Somerset Railway is a volunteer-run heritage railway which operates a 7-mile line between Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea. The railway is home to a number of diesel-powered trains and locomotives, which are used to operate a variety of services throughout the year.
