West Somerset Railway increases sales numbers by 10% for their Summer Diesel Festival!

The West Somerset Railway had a successful Summer Diesel Festival from 6^th-8^th June 2024 which saw an increase in sales of 10% in comparison to the previous Festival in 2023.  

The Summer Diesel Festival is a yearly event in the West Somerset Railway calendar. Visiting and home fleet locomotives haul services across an intensive timetable, maximising mileage and providing opportunity for passengers to experience rarely used sections of the track between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren.

The visiting locomotives were 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 GWR HST.

These were supported by the DEPG owned, Class 03 No. D2133, 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, which are members of the railway’s home fleet.

Utilisation of the rarely used stretch of line between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren, the DEPG depot at Williton being open for all three days and a talk by British Rail's former Fleet Manager at Laira Depot, Geoff Hudson were some of the additional attractions available to passengers.

The atmosphere across the railway from volunteers, staff and visitors was fantastic and lots of positive feedback has been received.

Kerry Noble, General Manager of the railway, says “Huge thanks must go to the DEPG and the other owning groups for their support of this event. Also, to our gala planning team for another successful event and the staff from across the railway whom without their support, these events would not be possible.”