2000:
Early in 2000 urgent action was necessary to reinforce the cliffs at Doniford which were eroding and threatening the railway line itself. A project to stabilise this was proposed and this also involved bringing more material to site to do this. In March 2000, 7 trains ran bringing 131 wagon loads of material. Whilst not the same scale of operation of the original Minehead Stone contract, it did keep a further batch of lorries off the roads of Somerset. Unloading took place on the curve close to Doniford Halt station situated next to the cliffs and backing onto the Bristol Channel.
The traction was again provided by EWS. However, by now the traction scene had changed and this time the WSR would play host to a handful of General Motors Class 59s (owned and operated by Mendip Rail) and the new much hated (by some!) Class 66s. The first trainload arrived behind 59001 on 6 th March 2000, and the final train departing behind 59203 on the 17 th March 2000. Wagons used for the service were a conversion from an older wagon type, to form the versatile 'MEA' open box wagon. The contract was completed on time and once again the WSR had proved its worth. The whole rail delivery project was completed in two weeks!
The traction was again provided by EWS. However, by now the traction scene had changed and this time the WSR would play host to a handful of General Motors Class 59s (owned and operated by Mendip Rail) and the new much hated (by some!) Class 66s. The first trainload arrived behind 59001 on 6 th March 2000, and the final train departing behind 59203 on the 17 th March 2000. Wagons used for the service were a conversion from an older wagon type, to form the versatile 'MEA' open box wagon. The contract was completed on time and once again the WSR had proved its worth. The whole rail delivery project was completed in two weeks!