One of the most notable West Somerset Railway operations during the 11½-month closure in 2020, occurred on November 2. Class 33s No. D6575 and D6566 working in multiple for the first time in preservation, headed the ‘Quantock Belle’dining train stock as e.c.s. from Williton to Bishops Lydeard, wherethe stock is stabled in the Up bayplatform. Thehead codes of both locos were set to‘BE’ as a mark of respect for well-known Class 33 enthusiast Barry Evans, who sadly died of motor neurone disease on October 10, at theearly age of 51. This wasthe first run of the four coaches following repaintatWilliton, from pseudoPullman umber and cream into BR maroon. Lining out of the long-standing Pullman livery had never been completed due to its complexity. The carriage names are not currently carried.The train is seen at Castle Hill during a brief break in the rain clouds,comprising(from the front) Mk1s BSK Nos.W35408 (Jupiter); RUB W1909 (Orion); FO W3108 (Meteor); and RMB W1804 (Aries). On the rear are four ‘Dogfish’and ‘Catfish’ballast hoppers.
PETER NICHOLSON
THEWest Somerset Railway (WSR) operatedfestivetrains from on December 12, running between Bishops Lydeard andWilliton. These have been steam-hauled, but the first train each day, the 11.00 from Bishops Lydeard, had Class 33 assistance on the rear to avoid adhesion problems on wet or slipperyrails.