KEITH & DUFFTOWN RAILWAY REOPENS: The UK’s most northerly standard gauge heritage railway, the Keith & Dufftown Railway, in Morayshire, restarted services on July 2. Passengers are seen alighting at Keith Town station, having arrived from Dufftown on the 10.30 departure. This is Class 108 Derby Lightweight DMCL No. 51568 and DMCL No. 52053. The KDR operates a DMU service along this highly scenic 11-mile line. Trains run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from July to September. Visit https://keith-dufftownrailway.co.uk for details.
TREVOR GREGG
DIESEL operations on the West Somerset Railway are the subject of constant change, but the situation in mid-July was as follows – and could change again.
The Seaward Way level crossing replacement project has run late due to issues beyond the WSR’s control.
Rail access to Minehead station is not possible until at least late September. Trains will terminate at Dunster with a dedicated bus connection betwee n there and Minehead. As there is no passing loop at Dunster to allow loco run-round, a ‘shunt release’ manoeuvre will be used to allow the loco to reposition at the other end of the train. This involves the use of another loco, either the WSR’s Class 03 No. D2133 or one of the DEPG Class 33s, to move the coaching stock forward while the train loco waits in Dunster West siding alongside.