Services are provided on Sprinter diesel multiple unit trains built during the late 1980s and 1990s, typically of 2 or 3 coach Class 150, with some Class 158 trains. South Western Railway services are operated by Class 159s. As part of the ongoing 21st-century modernisation of the Great Western Main Line, which will see Thames Valley commuter lines electrified, Class 150 trains in Wessex are scheduled to be displaced by Class 166 trains released from the Thames Valley. Past rolling stock has included locomotive-hauled trains, including British Railways Mark 2 coaches hauled by Class 67 used to strengthen high-demand summer Saturday services in 2008–2010 between Bristol and the seaside resort of Weymouth.
Community rail
A Bristol to Weymouth Rail Partnership was created in 1998 so that local authorities could support the line. In 2003 this was rebranded as the Heart of Wessex partnership and line. It is designated a Community rail Line.
Accidents and incidents
On 18 March 1849, A passenger train became divided approaching. The rear portion then ran into the front portion when the latter stopped at the station. One person was injured.
On 20 January 1853 a luggage train was derailed near Keynsham due to an axle failure on one of the carriages.
On 7 June 1865, a passenger train ran into the rear of another near Keynsham. An empty stock train ran into the wreckage. At least three people were injured.
On 4 August 1868, a passenger train collided with the buffer stops at due to poor rail conditions and driver error. Six people were injured.
On 28 October 1873, a mail train passed a signal at danger and collided with a luggage train at.
On 11 June 1875,a passenger train was derailed at Bathampton Junction. One person was killed and six were injured, three seriously.
On 2 July 1876, a freight train was derailed at Bathampton Junction.
On 15 August 1876 a freight train was derailed at Hampton Row after a bale of cotton fell off a wagon and derailed the one behind it.
On 24 October 1882, a passenger train was derailed near when a bridge collapsed under it due to a storm. One person was severely injured, several others were also injured.
On 8 August 1913, a passenger train ran into the rear of another at due to passing a signal at danger. Two people were killed and ten were injured, two seriously.
On 11 January 1966, an express passenger train ran into the rear of another at due to a signalman's error. A locomotive was then in a sidelong collision with the wreckage. Nineteen passengers were injured. Diesel-hydraulic locomotive D 1071 Western Druid was severely damaged; D 864 Zambesi was slightly damaged.
On 25 August 1974, a passenger train was derailed at after passing a signal at danger. Eighteen people were injured.
On 24 March 1987, a passenger train and a freight train were in a head-on collision at due to the freight train passing a signal at danger. Locomotives 33 032 and 47 202 were severely damaged. Fifteen people were injured, some seriously.
On 10 November 2008, a freight train was derailed at East Somerset Junction due to a signalman's error.
On 12 November 2008, a passenger train collided with a van on a level crossing at. There were no injuries.
