As a result of a change of ownership of Class 25 No D7523 "John F. Kennedy" the locomotive will be leaving the West Somerset Railway in early September 2011 for a new home at North Weald on the Epping and Ongar Heritage Railway. The Class 25 has been based at Williton Diesel Depot in the care of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group for the last 15 years and she has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors and staff over the years. Those of us who know this Type 2 former British Railways mainline diesel-electric locomotive are sad to see her go as she has proved a useful and reliable member of the West Somerset Railway diesel locomotive fleet. However we wish her well at her new home where we know her new carers will find her a very useful assest for their developing Heritage Railway.
As a way of syaing a fond farewell to D7523 from the West Somerset Railway the locomotive rosters for Sunday 4th September (Late Summer Weekend) have been amended as follows:-
0900 Minehead/Bishops Lydeard 1028 - D7523 will work this service as a positioning move.
•1400 Bishops Lydeard/Minehead 1534
•1700 Minehead/Bishops Lydeard 1828 - D7523 will work this round trip as her last passenger workings on the West Somerset Railway before she leaves the railway for pastures new the next week.
The train will be formed of Set C (6 MK1 coaches) which is the maximum permitted load for D6523 over the hills in our Theatre of Dreams.
If you want to join with us in saying goodbye to D7523 for now whilst enjoying one last trip behind this lovely little lady be sure to visity the Railway on Sunday 4th September 2011 for a round trip at standard fares.
We look forward to seeing you on the day.
John Cronin