DEPG’s Class 33 No. D6575 approaches Williton on May 1 with the 13.35 crew-refresher working from Bishops Lydeard. It is about to pull into the up platform, from where the return to Bishops Lydeard departed behind No. D6566 at 14.20.
PETER NICHOLSON
THE West Somerset Railway reopened on May 22 with trains running between Bishops Lydeard and Williton.
Prior to then, many non-public trains were run, steam and diesel. It has been busy time for the two Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG)‘Cromptons’, Nos. D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057). They have been used on crew training specials and moving empty coaching stock (ECS) so the newly-painted coaches were at Bishops Lydeard in readiness for the restart of public services.
The DEPG will remain busy supporting the WSR’s gradual reopening from Bishops Lydeard through to Minehead. A diesel will be kept on standby during the steam-hauled services, first to Williton, then to Watchet from May 29, to Blue Anchor from June 8, and finally, right through to Minehead from July 1.