The Big Weekend of Diesel Locomotives... The event is sponsored by Mendip Rail. The sponsorship will help positively mark the 25th Anniversary of the introduction of their Class 59 diesel electric locomotives into service on British Rail. On the first day, Friday 10 June 2011 it is planned that two Class 59s with a rake of the latest stone wagons will arrive from Merehead to work this modern day freight to Minehead. Later that morning a Class 59 hauled passenger train from Bishops Lydeard will convey invited guests who were involved with the launch of the Class 59s to a ceremony to be held at Minehead before an informal reception off the Railway. Two more 59s will arrive together with the two mentioned above on the Friday - a quartet of the big General Motors machines, a first on a heritage railway. Locomotives... ·  Class 59 no 59001 Yeoman Endeavour in Aggegates Industries livery ·  Class 59 no 59002 Alan J Day in Mendip Rail livery ·  Class 59 no 59103 Village of Mells in Hansons livery ·  Class 59 no 59206 John Yeoman - Rail Pioneer in DB Schenker livery ·  Class 42 Warship no D832 Onslaught ·  Class 52 Western no D1010 Western Campaigner ·  Class 35 Hymek no D7017 ·  Class 14 no D9526 ·  Class 47no D1661 North Star ·  Class 33 no D6566 ·  SDJR 2-8-0 no 88   All the above is believed correct as at 31 May 2011 and listed in good faith. Not all locomotives will be working each day. All motive power is, of course, subject to availability. Events and Highlights... ·  Ballast train on Friday 10 June ·  Shunting at Dunster ·  Shuttle service between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard on the Saturday and Sunday provided by First Great Western, hopefully using a refurbished Class 150/1 ·  Shuttle service between Minehead and Dunster on all three days ·  Intensive timetable ·  Refreshments including hot food outlets at principal stations ·  Diesel & Electric Preservation Group Heritage Diesel Visitor Centre, Depot and Yard open for inspection ·  Special souvenir programme available (£3 each). Available online. ·  Lots of photographic opportunities ·  All the above highlights, and the information below, are believed correct as at 20 May 2011, detailed in good faith and subject to availability. Train Timetables... »  Friday 10 June 2011 »  Saturday 11 June 2011 »  Sunday 12 June 2011 Class 59 haulage... The departures scheduled for Class 59 haulage during the Mixed Traction Weekend have been released. Although the following list falls short of actual loco allocation as shown in the Souvenir Programme, the Special Events Planning Team appreciate folks may like to plan their visit so have announced the following departures will be Class 59 hauled. On Friday 10 June from Bishops Lydeard at 8am (goods), 11am, 7pm (light engine only) and from Minehead at 5pm; then on Saturday 11 June from Bishops Lydeard at 10am and 2pm and from Minehead at 12pm and 4pm; and finally on Sunday 12 June from Bishops Lydeard at 12pm and from Minehead 10am and 2pm. As always subject to availability and possible change. Planned use of the home fleet of diesels... The home-based diesel locomotives are scheduled for use during the event as follows: Friday 10 June D9526, D832, D7017, D7523, D1035, D1661, D6566 Saturday 11 June D832, D7017, D1661, D9526, D7523, D1035 Sunday 12 June D832, D7017, D1661, D7523, D1035 As always subject to availability and possible change. Shuttles... »  In partnership with First Great Western, a diesel shuttle service will operate between Taunton Station and Bishops Lydeard Station as follows: Saturday 11 June 2011 Provisional times - please check before travelling Bristol Temple Meads dep 08.48 Taunton dep 09.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 15.30 16.30 17.30 Bishops Lydeard arr 09.50 10.50 11.50 12.56 15.50 16.50 17.50 Bishops Lydeard dep 10.03 11.03 12.03 15.03 16.03 17.03 17.58 Taunton arr 10.23 11.27 12.23 15.23 16.23 17.23 18.23 Bristol Temple Meads arr 19.12 Sunday 12 June 2011 Provisional times - please check before travelling Bristol Temple Meads dep 08.24 Taunton dep 09.25 10.30 11.30 12.30 15.30 16.30 17.30 Bishops Lydeard arr 09.45 10.50 11.50 12.50 15.50 16.54 17.50 Bishops Lydeard dep 10.03 11.03 12.03 15.03 16.03 17.03 17.58 Taunton arr 10.23 11.27 12.27 15.28 16.24 17.28 18.25 Bristol Temple Meads arr 19.31 »  The Minehead to Dunster shuttle will depart Minehead at 40 minutes past the hour from 1.40pm to 4.40pm on Friday using the DMU. On Saturday and Sunday, Class 14 no D9526 will haul the Minehead to Dunster shuttle service departing Minehead at 40 minutes past the hour from 10.40am to 13:40pm. Souvenir Programme... »  Special souvenir programme available online at £3 each. Tickets... Rover Tickets allow you the complete freedom of the line and purchasing them is the best way of enjoying the Gala. Rover Tickets for this event are now online: ·  Day Rover Tickets for Friday 10 June 2011 ·  Day Rover Tickets for Saturday 11 June 2011 ·  Day Rover Tickets for Sunday 12 June 2011 ·  Two Day and Three Day Rover Tickets Please note that no privilege ticket, free pass and voucher facilities are valid at this event. Special event fares apply to all passengers. Discounts are available on Rover Tickets purchased in advance.

11 Jun 2011 More runs for the Rat

6 Jun 2011 Home diesel fleet daily running details

3 Jun 2011 Minehead-Dunster shuttle train times

23 May 2011 List of trains scheduled for Class 59 haulage

19 May 2011 Provisional Taunton-Bishops Lydeard shuttle train times

28 Apr 2011 Souvenir programme available online

20 Apr 2011 Timetables now available

19 Apr 2011 Identities of the four guest Class 59 locos revealed

7 Mar 2011 Lineside Photo Permits

Get the leaflet for the Mixed Traction 2011 event! Download here.

Here is the link to the official WSR Rule Book Maps which show locations, grid references, mile posts, gradient posts. The maps will useful for photographers, travellers interested in locomotive performance and of general interest to all.