WSR ‘Teddy Bear’ returns to service

CLASS 14 No. D9526 is now back in traffic following the completion of a 250-hour service that was started in late 2019, having been delayed by the impact of Covid-19.

The loco’s owners, the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) ran the 0-6-0DH light engine from Williton to Bishops Lydeard on May 22. This was to enable the pit facilities at Westridge shed to be used to complete the underframe exam, so the loco could be signed-off as fit for service on the West Somerset Railway (WSR).

The loco was pressed into service on May 29, albeit still ‘running-in’, when it assisted with the WSR’s return-to-steam ‘excursions’. This was the first day of trains running through to Watchet, but with no run-round facilities there, a diesel was required to top-and tail the train between Williton and Watchet.

Operation

Normally, this would have been one of the two Class 33s, but with No. D6575 unavailable and No. D6566 engaged on a crew-training, route-refresher special between Williton and Dunster, the Class 14 was used for one day only.

The operation was unusual. The train departed Bishops Lydeard at 12.00 and the diesel attached to the rear at Williton. On arrival at Watchet, all passengers had to alight.

The ‘Teddy Bear’ then hauled the stock and steam locomotive the 1¾ miles back to Williton where the two locos changed ends. No. D9526 then returned the train to Watchet.

The steam loco then headed the train to Bishops Lydeard, dropping off the diesel at Williton. This then waited for the train to make its second, and final journey of the day from Bishops Lydeard at 15.30, to Watchet.

The reason for the double empty coaching stock journey each time was to avoid passengers having a diesel on the front in place of steam for the short section between Watchet and Williton.

An alternative would have been for the two locomotives to have been swapped around at Williton on the return journey.

No. D9526 is now visiting the Kent & East Sussex Railway until October.

PETER NICHOLSON Newly returned to service on the West Somerset Railway following withdrawal for attention in 2019, Class 14 No. D9526 heads past Splash Point on the approach to Watchet on May 29. This was the ECS with 4-6-0 No. 7828 Odney Manor on the rear, going back to Watchet having swapped the locos around at Williton so the 13.45 Watchet to Bishops Lydeard would be steamhauled throughout. This was just one of two trains run each day over weekend, ‘Crompton’ No. D6566 performing the diesel duty on the Sunday.