The West Somerset Railway (WSR) has announced that Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has been rostered for use on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May on the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard covering over eighty-miles during the day. This follows progress made with maintenance and engine oil checks at Williton last weekend,

This is a change from the previously published running dates of 13 and 14 May, which will instead see Class 33 hauled. The Railway has made the change because of crew rostering constraints.

The BLUE timetable will apply and the booked times are as follows (Saturday 20 may differ slightly but details are not yet available):

• Depart Minehead 10:00 arrive Bishops Lydeard 11:30
• Depart Bishops Lydeard 12:30 arrive Minehead 13:50
• Depart Minehead 14:30 arrive Bishops Lydeard 15:55
• Depart Bishops Lydeard 16:35 arrive Minehead 18:00

Other public services are also scheduled, which are detailed on the WSR timetable web page.

Sister loco D7018 is now receiving attention to minor tasks, all of which will be completed in time for her to return to service for the 2023 Summer Diesel Festival which will take place on the WSR from Thursday 8 June through to Saturday 10 June.