Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – our ‘celebrity’ remains at Bishops Lydeard because of delays in obtaining permission for her oversize road haulage move from Bishops Lydeard to Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Last week, we prepared the loco for a possible rail move, but we have now been advised that the loco will probably be moving by road. We do not have the date or route information yet, but when we do, it will be shared via a DIESELGEN bulletin.

47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ stabled in the bay platform at Bishops Lydeard on 31st July 2021 in the company of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057). Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – many thanks to all who have contributed to the appeal for funds to support the £100,000 restoration of D1010 – we are very appreciative of your support. We have had a great start, but we have a long way to go, so please keep the funds rolling in !

In parallel with the work on the bodysides, our volunteers have started assessing the amount of work required to repair the loco cabs as this is the area that has suffered the worst of the corrosion. The route indicator boxes and sandbox filler trims were removed last week and the side access panels have been removed this weekend, allowing a closer inspection to take place.

Headcode boxes removed from D1010 for restoration at Williton on 25th July 2021. Photo by Leroy Ford © CC BY-NC 3.0

Gordon removing the hinges of one of the cab underfloor access panels on D1010 on 25th July 2021. Photo by Leroy Ford © CC BY-NC 3.0

Multiple layers of different coloured paint on D1010 tell a 59-year story at Williton on 31st July 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

Perforation corrosion around the sandbox filler port of D1010 at Williton on 31st July 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

Corrosion of the internal cab frame is visible through the access panel at ‘B’ end of D1010 at Williton on 31st July 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

We intend to raise £100,000 for the whole restoration project so please help us by using one of the below links to make a donation:

After selecting a donation link, you will be able to use the quantity buttons to select the precise value that you are able to donate. Please remember to add the GiftAid option if you are eligible because this will give us a 20% boost via a contribution from HM Government. Thank you very much for supporting the D1010 Restoration Appeal !

In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Westerns’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D1010 to full operational condition.

While on the subject of ‘Westerns’, take a look at these pictures of a new product release by MASTERPIECE MODELS. These highly detailed ‘O’ gauge models were brought to our attention by Bob Meanley, whom we would normally associate with his preservation work on Tyseley’s ‘Halls’ and ‘Castles’ …. could it be that he has a soft spot for ‘Westerns’ ?

Fantastic models, well done to Masterpiece Models and thanks to Bob for bringing them to our attention.

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is stabled at Williton and is fully operational and available for standby duty. DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – our two ‘Cromptons’ will be working an ‘excursion’ special on Saturday 21st August in top-and-tail mode to celebrate their 60th birthdays !

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – no change – this loco is outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations and will be working with D6566 (33 048) on the special on 21st August.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is waiting for its turn to go into the Swindon Shed for bogie disconnection and lifting to replace the weak leaf spring. The opportunity was taken to start her up on 31st July 2021 and give her some ‘exercise’ in the confines of the South Yard at Williton. The passengers on the ‘Hymek’-hauled ‘excursion’ had the additional treat of two helpings of ‘Maybach Music’ as the locos passed at Williton.

Two ‘Hymek’ sisters D7017 and D7018 pass at Williton on 31st July 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – we are very happy to report that donations to our D9518 restoration fund have had a great start and that we are now able to fund the re-installation of the springs, hornguides and wheels. This specialised riveting and alignment work will be performed by WSR Restorations at the Swindon Shed, Williton.

We intend to raise £10,000 for the whole restoration project so please help us by using one of the below links to make a donation:

After selecting a donation link, you will be able to use the quantity buttons to select the precise value that you are able to donate. Please remember to add the GiftAid option if you are eligible because this will give us a 20% boost via a contribution from HM Government. Thank you very much for supporting the D9518 Restoration Appeal !

Here’s some photos of last week’s progress on this loco:

Colin F hard at work on battery box components at Williton on 31st July 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

The rebuilt battery box for D9518 takes shape at Williton on 31st July 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to operational condition – and see her haul passenger coaches for the first time in her life!

Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – this loco is undergoing bodywork repairs prior to priming and painting. The livery chosen for this loco will be the Government-standard (in 1972) deep bronze green that the loco carried during her days in service at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) in Puriton, near Bridgwater, Somerset.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who are hard at work cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

BOOK REVIEW – we deviate from the usual style of book review to say CONGRATULATIONSto well-known railway author BERNARD MILLS on the occasion of his retirement from railway service at Newton Abbot station after more than 56 years ! What a fantastic achievement !

Bernard was unable to attend his retirement party because of having to isolate at home in advance of carpal tunnel surgery, but his cake was delivered to him and it appears to be quite appropriately decorated !

We have several of Bernard’s titles waiting to be added to our PRE-OWNED BOOKS category on our online store. All such books have been donated by members and supporters and ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of pre-owned books goes directly to the D1010 restoration fund. Please reply to this email or use our contact form if you have books that you would like to donate. We welcome your donations!

ON SHED: picking up on photos of Didcot Railway Centre that we featured a few weeks ago, we have now received several photos from readers who captured our ‘Hymek’ D7018 on film while she was undergoing restoration at Didcot in the 1980s. Here are the pictures:

D7018 at Didcot in early blue livery with small yellow warning panels. The loco only carried this livery in preservation between 1978 and 1985. Photo by Alistair Allen © CC BY-NC 3.0

D7018 at Didcot in April 1986 in a reprise of the original livery that she carried for the first few weeks of 1962 before acquiring the small yellow warning panel. Photo by Neil Carr © CC BY-NC 3.0

D7018 undergoing radiator grille repairs while at Didcot, with D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ in green livery standing behind. The headcode 3B22 was probably set by members of the GWR 2-8-0 number 3822 preservation group to advertise their presence nearby! Photo taken on 5th June 1986 by Neil Carr © CC BY-NC 3.0

Many thanks to Alistair and Neil for sharing their photos with us all. We welcome all contributions of photos or stories and we will try to include them when we can.

DEPG NEWS: Following the success of the first two runs of ‘Hymek’ D7018, we can now focus on selling tickets for the third run, which takes place this coming Saturday 7th August.

A reminder of the running days follows (all are Saturdays):

• 07 August        – ‘Hymek’ D7018, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren
• 21 August        – Crompton pair, top and tail, celebrating their 60th birthdays!
• 25 September  – ‘Hymek’ D7018, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren

The ticketing links for these services are as below (these are links to the WSR website):

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, we have been advised that our diesels will be in use for the MIXED TRAFFIC WEEKEND on 17-18 September, the timetable for which has not yet been released. This new running opportunity will feature an extension to Norton Fitzwarren to provide both additional mileage and additional interest from this little-used section of the line. We will send out a DIESELGEN bulletin as soon as we have timetable details. Mark the date in you diary !

OTHER DEPG NEWS: August is approaching and all members need to have their memberships up to date in order to be eligible to vote at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). Please renew your membership online by clicking this link.

As a REMINDER – the date for the next AGM is set for the afternoon of Saturday 4th September. Formal notices will be sent to all registered paid-up members during the coming week.

DEPG WEBSITE: Our ONLINE SHOP IS NOW LIVE so go ahead and visit our store!

WSR NEWS: The WSR are now operating public services to Minehead via a connecting bus service between Dunster and Minehead, so please support these services by buying tickets to ride!

The trespass notice positioned just beyond Dunster station dates back to the times of the ‘Railway Executive’ of the British Transport Commission that took control of the railways following the Transport Act of 1947. Minehead can be seen in the distance as the ‘shunt release’ takes place for the return journey to Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Derek Thompson © CC BY-NC 3.0

Don’t forget to read about the WSR appeal by clicking this link – this appeal also needs our support because we need a thriving railway to run on !

All members of the WSR family have to do what we can to help and one easy way is to make a donation via the WSR website. Another way is to ensure that all of the timetabled services are a commercial success, so please buy a ticket if you can.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – on Saturday 17th July, volunteer Class 14 loco manager Simon, along with Colin G and Terry went to visit their ‘baby’ to see how she had settled into her new surroundings while on hire to the KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY. Ironically, the loco did not run on the day that they attended, but she did run on the very next day, when she was called into action to cover for the BR(WR) 0-6-0PT steam loco number 1638 that was rostered but had developed a fault. We have since learned that D9526 has already put in 50 hours of work at the K&ESR and is now undergoing an ‘A’ check to prepare her for regular running on the August timetable. Well done D9526 !

Williton-based Class 14 D9526 shown receiving some TLC from Simon during a visit to the K&ESR maintenance facility at Rolvenden, Kent on 17th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

Rolvenden-based Class 14 D9504 awaits her turn for an overhaul that will involve the replacement of the coupling rod bearings and bushings after many thousands of miles of running on the K&ESR. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – our ‘celebrity’ remains at Bishops Lydeard because of delays in obtaining permission for her oversize road haulage move from Bishops Lydeard to Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Last week, the loco successfully underwent Ultrasonic Axle Testing (UAT) in preparation for a possible rail move, but we have now been advised that it is likely that the loco will be moving move by road later this week. We do not have the date or route information yet, but when we do, it will be shared via a DIESELGEN bulletin.

Here’s some photos of the UAT process that took place under cover at Westridge Steam Shed, Bishops Lydeard, on Wednesday last week:

47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ undergoing Ultrasonic Axle Testing (UAT) at Westridge Steam Shed, Bishps Lydeard, on 21st July 2021 in the company of (left to right) Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019), BR(WR) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ and GWR 2-6-2T number 5199. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ centre axle end with the cover removed, showing the speedometer drive. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ axle end after removing the end cap, revealing the works markings and inspection stamps, in this case dated 1965 (these won’t be the original axles as the loco has had many bogie changes during her 42 years of mainline service, but this one clearly dates from the same year as the loco herself). Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

Dave Parker from Applied Inspection performs a UAT on 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ at Westridge Steam Shed, Bishops Lydeard, on 21st July 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

The loco was started up yesterday afternoon and checked over to ensure that everything was OK for her journey northwards, regardless of the mode of transport. Let’s hope that she does move this week so that we can start to report on her appearances at the NYMR – we already have a local correspondent lined up to feed us news and photos!

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – many thanks to all who have contributed to the appeal for funds to support the £100,000 restoration of D1010 – we are very appreciative of your support, which will allow quick progress on the bodyside repairs, which comprise the bulk of the first phase of the restoration work. We have had a great start but we have a long way to go, so please keep the funds rolling in !

Work continues on the removal of the ‘Prestolith’ filler on the bodyside of the loco – which means plenty of hot and dusty work. The underlying metalwork will then be inspected and any corroded metal will be treated or replaced. This work is being progressed on a section-by-section basis so that we can repaint the loco in sections and prevent further deterioration. It will also help us keep the loco shed tidy !

We intend to raise £100,000 for the whole restoration project, which if put into context, is probably only £10 contribution from each person who has enjoyed watching this locomotive over her years in preservation. Our objectives are achievable with a little help from all ‘Western’ fans, wherever you are and whichever group you belong to. We are fully inclusive !

Our Treasurer has confirmed that funds donated to D1010 are ‘ring-fenced’ and are not used for any other purpose. In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Westerns’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D1010 to full operational condition.

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco worked the ‘shunt release’ duties last week and has now returned to Williton for an ‘A’ exam after clocking up 50 hours of use, after which she will return to operational standby duty.

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – no change – this loco is outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – no change this week – this loco is waiting for its turn to go into the Swindon Shed for bogie disconnection and lifting.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continues as we push towards getting the loco back together as a rolling chassis. We are very happy to report that donations to our D9518 restoration fund have had a great start and that we are now able to fund the re-installation of the springs, hornguides and wheels. This specialised riveting and alignment work will be performed by WSR Restorations at the Swindon Shed, Williton.

Our Treasurer has confirmed that funds donated to D9518 are ‘ring-fenced’ and are not used for any other purpose. Here’s a link to the D9518 donations ‘product page’ where, by using combinations of products and quantities, a donation of any value that you want can be created easily. Many thanks for supporting D9518 !

Here’s some photos of last week’s progress on this loco:

Nick applies a coat of primer to D9518‘s repaired air intake duct at Williton on 20th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

Both sets of cab steps for D9518 take on a coat of gloss black, courtesy of Chris at Williton on 20th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

One of D9518‘s battery boxes being welded by Colin F at Williton on 20th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

One of D9518‘s battery boxes with the new base plate welded into place by Colin F at Williton on 20th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to operational condition – and see her haul passenger coaches for the first time in her life!

Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – this loco is undergoing bodywork repairs prior to priming and painting. The livery chosen for this loco will be the Government-standard (in 1972) deep bronze green that the loco carried during her days in service at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) in Puriton, near Bridgwater, Somerset.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who are hard at work cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

BOOK REVIEW – we have reorganised our books into two categories on our online store, introducing a separate category for PRE-OWNED BOOKS. All such books have been donated by members and supporters and ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of pre-owned books goes directly to the D1010 restoration fund.

The first group of books from the huge pile that were donated last week by Geoff Miles is being posted on our website during the coming days. These books form part of a vast and popular series known as ‘The Power of’ series, published by Oxford Publishing in the late seventies/early eighties. Here’s a glimpse of what is coming – keep an eye on the PRE-OWNED BOOKS section of our webstore to grab that one that you want:

Remember, ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of these books goes directly to the D1010 restoration fund.

Many thanks to Geoff and to everyone who has donated books to help D1010. Please reply to this email or use our contact form if you have books that you would like to donate. We welcome your donations!

ON SHED: Staying with Jon Tooke’s collection of photographs, this week we feature a 2016 view of our Class 47 ‘NORTH STAR’ in her earlier guise as D1661, passing Westridge Steam Shed, Bishops Lydeard, on a training run for GWR. On shed at Westridge is Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) and Class 09 D4107 (09 019) and further inside the shed, there appears to be a steam loco, probably the 4F or one of the 7Fs that were based on the WSR at that time.

A visit to this same location today would show the same two DEPG locos – but carrying fresh coats of paint! Many thanks to Jon Tooke for sharing this photo with us all.

Class 47 D1661 ‘NORTH STAR’ (47077 47613 47840) powers past Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) on 4th June 2016 while working a training special between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren for GWR staff. Photo provided by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

DEPG NEWS: Following the success of the first run of ‘Hymek’ D7018 we can now focus on selling tickets for the next run, which takes place this coming Saturday 31st July.

A reminder of the running days follows (all are Saturdays):

• 31 July              – ‘Hymek’ D7018
• 07 August        – ‘Hymek’ D7018, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren
• 21 August         – Crompton pair, top and tail, celebrating their 60th birthdays!
• 25 September  – ‘Hymek’ D7018, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren

The ticketing links for these services are as below (these are links to the WSR website):

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, we have been advised that our diesels will be in use for the MIXED TRAFFIC WEEKEND on 17-18 September, the timetable for which has not yet been released. This new running opportunity will feature an extension to Norton Fitzwarren to provide both additional mileage and additional interest from this little-used section of the line. We will send out a DIESELGEN bulletin as soon as we have firm details. Mark the date in you diary !

OTHER DEPG NEWS: August is approaching and all members need to have their memberships up to date in order to be eligible to vote at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). Please renew your membership online by clicking this link.

As a REMINDER – the date for the next AGM is set for the afternoon of Saturday 4th September. Formal notices will be sent to all registered paid-up members during August.

DEPG WEBSITE: Our ONLINE SHOP IS NOW LIVE so go ahead and visit our store!

Our website now carries details of the appeal for the RESTORATION OF D1010 and we are working on the additional pages need for the appeal for D9518, with special donation ‘products’ already added to support fundraising. The shop has been reorganised to introduce product categories and now includes a new category for PRE-OWNED BOOKS, the proceeds from which go directly to the fund for D1010. More pages and products will be added to the website as soon as time allows.

WSR NEWS: The WSR are now operating public services to Minehead via a connecting bus service between Dunster and Minehead, so please support these services by buying tickets to ride!

The second vintage open-top bus from Dunster, a Bristol VRT/ECW, is seen arriving at Minehead Station on 16th July 2021. The bus service is included in the excursion ticket and an accessible bus is also operating. Photo by Alan Grieve © CC BY-NC 3.0

Don’t forget to read about the WSR appeal by clicking this link – this appeal also needs our support because we need a thriving railway to run on !

All members of the WSR family have to do what we can to help and one easy way is to make a donation via the WSR website. Another way is to ensure that all of the timetabled services are a commercial success, so please buy a ticket if you can.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – also on Saturday 17th July, volunteer Class 14 loco manager Simon, along with Colin G and Terry went to visit their ‘baby’ to see how she had settled into her new surroundings while on hire to the KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY. The loco was in action on Sunday 18th July while covering for the BR(WR) 0-6-0PT steam loco number 1638 that was rostered but had developed a fault, so we hope to include photos in the next roundup.

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – our ‘celebrity’ is still marooned at Bishops Lydeard because of delays in obtaining permission for her oversize road haulage move from Bishops Lydeard to Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. To overcome this delay, the NYMR are investigating the possibilities of a rail move, which would see our loco being towed from the WSR to the NYMR by another locomotive, possibly one of her sisters or a close relative. Prior to such a move, our loco would need to undergo ultrasonic axle testing and several other inspections (as well as removal of our banners). We will send out a DIESELGEN bulletin as soon as we know the date, time, mode and route for the move.

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – many thanks to all who have contributed to the appeal for funds to support the £100,000 restoration of D1010 – we are very appreciative of your support, which will allow quick progress on the bodyside repairs, which comprise the bulk of the first phase of the restoration work. We have had a great start but we have a long way to go, so please keep the funds rolling in !

In preparation for the cab end repairs, we are removing ancillary components and fittings to allow a full inspection to take place, so that the scope of the repair work can be established. It will be necessary to cut into the good metal to fully assess the work, so be prepared for the loco to look a lot worse before she looks better.

On the 17th July 2021, the headcode boxes were removed from the cab ends of D1010 and will be restored at Williton so that they are ready to be re-united with the loco at some point in the future. Photo by Leroy Ford © CC BY-NC 3.0

We intend to raise £100,000 for the whole restoration project, which is only £10 contribution from each person who has enjoyed watching this locomotive over her years in preservation. Our objectives are achievable with a little help from all ‘Western’ fans, wherever you are and whichever group you belong to. We are fully inclusive !

In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Westerns’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D1010 to full operational condition.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – no change this week – this loco is waiting for its turn to go into the Swindon Shed for bogie disconnection and lifting.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the photos that we shared last week showed the extent of corrosion on the battery boxes and the amount of new metal required for the repair. A significant step forward was taken last Tuesday when volunteer Colin F arrived at Williton Yard in his vintage Commer Karrier Bantam 3t truck, pictured below alongside ‘Hymek’ D7018, to deliver a quantity of steel plate that he was donating for use on the repairs. MANY THANKS to Colin for not only donating the plate but for also doing the repair work !

Commer Karrier Bantam dropside tipper truck pictured alongside ‘Hymek’ D7018 in the South Yard at Williton on 13th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon. © CC BY-NC 3.0

Commer Karrier Bantam dropside tipper truck stands in front of the Swindon Shed at Williton, preparing to offload the donated steel plate on 13th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon. © CC BY-NC 3.0

Colin built this authentic vintage dropside tipper vehicle from two rusting hulks that he acquired from a scrapyard near Exeter in 1989. Both donor vehicles had been owned from new by Exeter City Council and had been worked hard, but all of the original parts were restorable including the Perkins 4203 diesel engines, and he also has a large collection of spare parts.

This actual vehicle featured in Series 1, 2 and 3 of the Netflix series ‘The Crown’, as the airport baggage truck, with Colin himself as the baggage truck driver. This explains the ‘MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION’ graphics on the cab doors. Well done Colin on a number of counts there !

Other work carried out on D9518 last Saturday 10th July was in preparation for the frames to be re-mounted on the wheelsets. Simon and Terry worked on the brake cylinders that fit between the frames and Colin G continued his painstaking work on the wheelsets. Well done to all !

One of D9518’s brake cylinders is cleaned and inspected before being refitting between the frames of the loco at Williton 10th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon. © CC BY-NC 3.0

The wheelsets of D9518 undergoing very careful preparation by Colin G at Williton on 10th July 2021 before painting. Photo by Terry Deacon. © CC BY-NC 3.0

This loco is also the subject of an appeal that is shortly to be posted to our website along with restricted donation ‘products’ that will allow donors to select the precise value of their donations and be safe in the knowledge that their funds are only to be used for the specific purpose of restoring D9518. This online facility should be ready by next weekend.

If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to operational condition – and see her haul passenger coaches for the first time in her life!

Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – this loco is undergoing bodywork repairs prior to priming and painting. The livery chosen for this loco will be the Government-standard (in 1972) deep bronze green that the loco carried during her days in service at the Royal Ordanace Factory (ROF) in Puriton, near Bridgwater, Somerset.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who are hard at work cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

BOOK REVIEW – we have reorganised our books into two categories on our online store, introducing a separate category for PRE-OWNED BOOKS. All such books have been donated by members and suporters and ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of pre-owned books goes directly to the D1010 restoration fund.

We are delighted to report that Geoff Miles, a long-time DEPG member and volunteer on the original restoration of both D7018 and D1010, has donated a whole load of excellent and pristine-condition books worth approximately £1,000 for the benefit of D1010. These include some rare titles that are likely to fly off our shelves, so keep an eye on our pre-owned books section of our online store later this week. Remember, ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of these books goes directly to the D1010 restoration fund.

Many thanks to Geoff and to everyone who has donated books to help D1010. Please reply to this email or use our contact form if you have books that you would like to donate.

ON SHED: Continuing with photos of our ‘Hymek’ D7018 when based at Didcot Railway Centre we see the loco in the mid ’80s, carrying her original livery before the addition of the yellow warning panel. The loco was only in service for three weeks in 1962 before having to go to Swindon for attention, during which time the yellow warning panel was applied. Many thanks to Jon Tooke for sharing this photo with us all.

D+EG Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 at Didcot Railway Centre in the mid 1980s carrying her original livery without the yellow warning panel. Photo provided by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

DEPG NEWS: Following the success of the first run of ‘Hymek’ D7018 we can now focus on selling tickets for the next run, which takes place on Saturday 31st July.

A reminder of the running days follows (all are Saturdays):

• 31 July              – ‘Hymek’ D7018
• 07 August        – ‘Hymek’ D7018, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren
• 21 August        – Crompton pair, top and tail, celebrating their 60th birthdays!
• 25 September  – ‘Hymek’ D7018, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren

The ticketing links for these services are as below (these are links to the WSR website):

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, we have been advised that our diesels will be in use for the MIXED TRAFFIC WEEKEND on 17-18 September, the timetable for which has not yet been released. This new running opportunity will feature an extension to Norton Fitzwarren to provide both additional mileage and additional interest from this little-used section of the line. We will send out a DIESELGEN bulletin as soon as we have firm details. Mark the date in you diary !

OTHER DEPG NEWS: The DEPG Board Meeting 03JUL21 synopsis is now available in PDF format as part of the initiative to share information as soon as possible after the meetings.

As a REMINDER – the date for the next Annual General Meeting is set for the afternoon of Saturday 4th September. Formal notices will be sent to all registered paid-up members during August.

DEPG WEBSITE: Our ONLINE SHOP IS NOW LIVE so go ahead and visit our store!

Our website now carries details of the appeal for the RESTORATION OF D1010 and we are working on the additional pages need for the appeal for D9518, with special donation ‘products’ already added to support fundraising. The shop has been reorganised to introduce product categories and now includes a new category for PRE-OWNED BOOKS, the proceeds from which go directly to the fund for D1010.

WSR NEWS: The WSR are now operating public services to Minehead via a connecting bus service between Dunster and Minehead, so please support these services by buying tickets to ride!

The first vintage open-top bus from Dunster, an AEC ‘Regent’ is seen arriving at Minehead Station on 16th July 2021. The bus service is included in the excursion ticket and an accessible bus is also operating. Photo by Alan Grieve © CC BY-NC 3.0

Don’t forget to read about the WSR appeal by clicking this link – this appeal also needs our support because we need a thriving railway to run on !

All members of the WSR family have to do what we can to help and one easy way is to make a donation via the WSR website. Another way is to ensure that all of the timetabled services are a commercial success, so please buy a ticket if you can.

OTHER LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – we are pleased to announce that the appeal for funds to support the £100,000 restoration of D1010 has opened to a great start because of the funds already generated by sales of our D1010 booklet and by sales of books by Roger Geach and sales of pre-owned books. We also have multiple pledges of help from DEPG members that will amount to significant sums and quickly take us past the 10% mark.

Although we intend to raise £100,000 for the whole restoration project, we don’t expect to raise this in one year. In fact, we only need to raise the amount needed for a specific phase of work and we will be devising a graphical means of showing how the funds are being allocated and applied as the restoration proceeds, but we do need fundraising to run in advance of restoration work so that we take the right decisions and progress as quickly as we can. Our objectives are achievable with a little help from all ‘Western’ fans, wherever you are and whichever group you belong to. We are fully inclusive !

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 DH number 578 alongside Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ in the main shed at Williton on 10th July 2021. Gordon is removing the sandbox filler trims as a precursor to bodyside repairs on this loco. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Westerns’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D1010 to full operational condition.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – no change this week.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – This loco emerged from the shed yesterday and was started up so that she could take some ‘exercise’ in the confines of our yard at Williton. All went well except for some problems with low battery voltage, probably caused by one or two failed cells in the 48-cell battery. This is being investigated and a temporary expedient will be to borrow some cells from another loco because D7018 is slated for front-line service starting next Saturday, 17th July 2021.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is caught on camera while taking exercise in the South Yard at Williton on Saturday 10th July 2021. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – having completed the radiator fan guard and retaining rings (see picture below), the ‘Tuesday team’ turned their attention to the battery boxes, one of which was retrieved from storage on the ‘LOWMAC’ wagon and taken to the shed for metalwork repairs. The extent of the corrosion, caused not only by weather but also by careless battery acid spillage when in service, is self-evident.

D9518 radiator fan guard and retaining rings ready to into store after corrosion removal and repaint at WN on 6th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon. © CC BY-NC 3.0

One of D9518‘s heavily corroded battery boxes being moved to the shed by Nick and Chris at Williton on 6th July 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon. © CC BY-NC 3.0

D9518 battery box inverted, showing the extent of corrosion and the resulting wafer thin metal. Photo by Terry Deacon. © CC BY-NC 3.0

More excellent work by Colin F has allowed the air intake filter housing to be patched and the repaired component now awaits needle-gunning to remove the light corrosion in other areas before priming and painting. We can safely predict that Colin is not going to run short of work any time soon !

This loco is also the subject of an appeal that is shortly to be posted to our website along with restricted donation ‘products’ that will allow donors to select the precise value of their donations and be safe in the knowledge that their funds are only to be used for the specific purpose of restoring D9518. This online facility should be ready by next weekend.

If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please consider joining so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to operational condition – and see her haul passenger coaches for the first time in her life!

Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – this loco has now moved into the space in the loco shed that was vacated by D7018, so bodywork repairs can continue without exposing the loco to the glorious British summer weather. The next steps involve removing some of the worst-affected body panels so that they can be patched and repaired as necessary before priming and painting. The livery chosen for this loco will be the Government-standard (in 1972) deep bronze green that the loco carried during her days in service at the Royal Ordanace Factory (ROF) in Puriton, near Bridgwater, Somerset.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who are hard at work cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

BOOK REVIEW – we have reorganised our books into two categories on our online store, introducing a separate category for PRE-OWNED BOOKS. All such books have been donated by members and suporters and ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of pre-owned books goes directly to the D1010 restoration fund.

Here are three more of the well-known books from Bradford Barton publishers, dated 1974 and 1975. All three are first editions with hardback covers and are packed full of high-resolution black and white images. Two of these books are highly sought-after and the price reflects that status. All three have suffered from spending many years on a shelf, but that is to be expected of these 46-year old books. Remember, ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of these books goes directly to the D1010 restoration fund.