Join us for our much-loved annual celebration of all things Diesel, our Summer Diesel Festival, which this year runs between Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th of June. If you love Diesels, this is the place to be!
You can expect to experience a feast of Diesel action, which will include multiple visiting locomotives and our faithful home locomotives, all working hard hauling a variety of services through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel.
This year, the event is particularly special, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of the railway. At the event, we will have a selection of Diesel types that have had a connection with the WSR over the years.
We will be operating an intensive timetable on all three days, allowing you to hop from train to train to travel behind all of your favourite locomotives and enjoy a truly thrashtastic day behind some of the best heritage Diesel traction available. Some trains will continue past Bishops Lydeard and run to the very southern end of our line at Norton Fitzwarren, utilising a stretch of line that is very rarely used for passenger trains! Please note that there is platform access only here. There are no public footpaths nearby and therefore, you must take the train back towards Bishops Lydeard.
On Sunday 7th of June, we will hold a Mixed Traction Day. This will be an extention to our Summer Diesel Festival, with a mixture of steam and Diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains.
The Williton Depot Centre of the DEPG will be open over the event. Admission is by donation, which helps the Group to maintain and restore the fleet of vintage machines.
Visiting Locomotives
- Class 26 No. 26007 courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz
- Class 37 No. 37250 courtesy of Vince Minto and Wensleydale Railway
- Class 47 No. 47714 courtesy of Wensleydale Railway
Home Fleet
- Class 03 No. D2133
- Class 09 No. D4107
- Class 14 No. D9526
- Class 33 'Crompton' Nos. D6566 & D6575
- Class 35 ' Hymek' No. D7017
- DMU
All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability and may be changed at short notice.
Key Highlights:
- An intensive four-day ‘high mileage’ timetable operating over the entire 23-mile route, including a special Friday trip to the WSR boundary at Norton Fitzwarren. Please note that there is platform access only here. There are no public footpaths nearby and therefore, you must take the train back towards Bishops Lydeard.
- First WSR visits for all guest locomotives (26007, 37250, 47714), which offers a variety of traction not normally seen on the WSR.
- High mileage diagrams across the event for our guest locomotives:
47714 – 338 miles
- Our home fleet in action (D2133, D9526, D6566, D6575 & D7017)
- Chance to ride in a heritage brake van, right behind the engine, in our restored heritage goods train.
- Williton Diesel depot open for visitors with Rods Model Railway stand, Irie 7 refreshment wagon and locomotives in various states on display. D1010 and Rail Adventures Class 43 powercars will be open to visitors for cab visits (Subject to availability).
- A mixed traction day on Sunday 8th June.
Important information
We have 1-day tickets at an advance rate or multiple day tickets which offer a discount on the bundle available through our website.
Advance tickets are available to purchase up until 24 hours before the day of travel. This enables us to prepare your wristbands and to ensure all ticket information can be downloaded to our ticket machines. After the 24-hour period, tickets can still be purchased on the day from the booking office. Rover tickets will be at the on the day fare listed below.
If you would like guidance on how to book your tickets, please see the instructions below under the title 'How to Book Multiday Tickets'. Please ensure you check your multiday tickets are for the right day before proceeding to checkout.
Wristbands will be issued on your first day of travel from either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead stations for Rover tickets only. You will be asked to identify your preference for collection at the check-out of your order. Under 5's do not need to wear a wristband.
Our special offer 'Kids for a Quid' is back for Sunday 7th June only, These tickets can only be purchased through our website up to 10am on Saturday 6th June 2026. Otherwise, tickets for the full on the day child fare can be purchased from the booking office.
Downloadable Timetables for Summer Diesel Festival
Please click on the date you wish to travel to open the downloadable timetable for your days travel.
West Somerset Railway Public Limited Company
West Somerset Railway,
The Railway Station,
Minehead Somerset,
TA24 5BG