West Somerset diesel gala convoy arrives! + LORAM 37418 'An Comunn Gaidhealach' + 'CAROLINE'!

An interesting couple of days of diesel action as the West Somerset Railway gear up for their forthcoming Summer Diesel Festival this weekend, and we saw more heritage diesel action as 37418 'An Comunn Gaidhealach' + departmental inspection saloon 975025 'Caroline' were also out on their jollies!

We begin at Bridgwater on Monday where 37418 'An Comunn Gaidhealach' + departmental inspection saloon 975025 'Caroline' are seen passing the station while working an ECS to Penzance from Derby RTC. Later in the day the first of this years WSR diesel gala guests, Severn Valley Railway based Class 50 50049 'Defiance' is seen trundling along the Somerset Levels bound for Bishops Lydeard.

On Tuesday, 37418 An Comunn Gaidhealach' returned from Cornwall, this time propelling ‘Caroline’ with passengers on a private excursion heading from Penzance to Bourenmouth via Castle Cary. We see the 37 laying down the power as it’s cleared through Taunton station, before heading down to the West Somerset Railway.

Here Rail Adventure Power Cars 43423 & 43480 bring in visiting EWS liveried Class 37 37250 and RES liveried Class 47 47714 from the Wensleydale Railway, as well as Barrow Hill Class 26 26007. The convoy shunted back towards Westridge, as the original plan was for the Rail Adventure Power Cars to head up the line to Williton where they would have be on static display for the gala, but these were required for work and left running early on Tuesday, but we see the full 5 loco/power car lash up briefly in Westridge.

A further treat came for diesel enthusiasts as the Class 50 which had arrived from the Severn Valley Railway on Monday was pressed into service today! Owing to the failure of a GWR Manor the steam service needed to be substituted by a diesel, and as 50049 ‘Defiance’ was already on route light engine to Minehead, the vac was bestowed the honour of hauling the 14.35 off Minehead all stations to Bishops Lydeard! We see the 50 arriving after the convoy had shunted away, before running around and shunting the empty stock back towards Westridge and finishing with a final shot of the 50 heading to Minehead light engine ready to participate in this weekends diesel festivities!

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