Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 worked the 1000 Minehead 80-mile diagram on Saturday 20th May 2023. The loco was pictured departing from Williton in glorious sunshine, heading for Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

What an eventful weekend ! Some of it good, some of it not so good. Saturday went very well with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 preheated and started up at Williton, well in advance of the booked 0855 departure to join her train at Minehead. Driver Paul T was in charge with Matt as secondman, and the day went very well with the loco performing nicely and making a great picture in the brilliant sunshine. Click here or on the image below for a short video clip showing D7017 departing from Williton with the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service:

D7017 departing from Williton for Minehead on Saturday 20th May 2023 – video clip (42 seconds) by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Another triumph on Saturday 20th was the return of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) from her visit to the WSR Restorations paint shop in the Swindon Shed (Williton North Yard) where she had received a paintwork refresh for her 1960s BR deep bronze green livery complete with ‘Swanage sand’ cab window surrounds and bodyside stripe. With all of the details carefully attended to by Harry and team at WSR Restorations, the loco looked absolutely pristine and a real credit to the railway. Here are some photos:

The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was completed by WSR Restorations last week and the loco returned to the DEPG’s South Yard on Saturday 20th May 2023 looking as good as new. Photo by Paul Clark © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Tom (inside the cab) and Ian R fitted new windscreen wipers to Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) on Saturday 20th May 2023 to complete the external makeover that was carried out by WSR Restorations. Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 hides under her covers on number 1 road at Williton and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is just visible beyond. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

In preparation for her return to service, D6566 (33 048) was worked to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday afternoon so that she could be positioned over the pit at Westridge Steam Shed for an underframe inspection and to allow her traction motor gearboxes and suspension tubes to be lubricated. The journey was also used to make sure that everything was functioning as it should be – and it was. Click here or on the image below to watch a short video clip of D6566 (33 048) departing from Williton Station en route to Bishops Lydeard:

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) departing ‘light engine’ from Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023 – video clip (37 seconds) by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Unfortunately, the next day did not bring more joy but quite the opposite, because ‘Hymek’ D7017 developed an electrical fault that prevented her engine from running and the errant loco had to be substituted by Class 33 D6575 (33 057) who happened to be stabled at Minehead as the ‘duty’ loco. Luckily, all of our ‘Hymek’ drivers are also passed ‘Crompton’ drivers so the service departed from Minehead just 15 minutes late, a delay that was easily recovered during the first leg of the diagram.

Although driver Neil and secondman Tom were more than capable of resolving the issue on D7017 given time, the booked diesel-hauled service had to take priority so they switched their attention to the ‘Crompton’ and Martin and Paul T prepared Class 33 D6566 (33 048) for an unplanned ‘Thunderbird’ duty and set off from Williton to Minehead to recover the ‘Hymek’ and return her to Williton for attention.

Disgraced Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 had paused at Blue Anchor while being towed back to Williton by Class 33 D6566 (33 048) on Sunday 21st May 2023 when the pair were passed by Class 33 D6575 (33 057) going in the other direction with the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The issues that affected D7017 are minor and mostly due to lack of use, but we do have access to spares and the loco will be sorted out during this coming weekend. Apologies to supporters who made a visit to the WSR to see the ‘Hymek’ running, but hopefully she will return to her previously reliable form very soon, and put in her characteristic performances during the 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR on Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June. This is going to be an excellent event, so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 50 50008 (D408) ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Hanson and Hall
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 courtesy of the SVR Class 14 Company	Click here for the THURSDAY timetable 8th June Click here for the FRIDAY timetable 9th June Click here for the SATURDAY timetable 10th June Click here for the timetable APPENDIX

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get more details and/or buy a ticket. Special rates apply for 5 to 15 year olds on Saturday 10th June – see the notes on the WSR website booking page or click on one of the images below. Hope to see you at the WSR for what is going to be an excellent event !

     

 

The QUANTOCK BELLE dining set will be in use and will be offering their legendary BREAKFASTS, so make your reservation when you book your advance ticket. Click here or on the image below and select the QUANTOCK BELLE BREAFAST ADD-ON:

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout May and June, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with a Class 33 ‘Crompton’ working on 27/28/29th May, visiting Class 25 D7659 (25 309, 25 909) in use on Sunday 11th June and again on 24/25th June, and a Class 35 ‘Hymek’ working on 17/18th June. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the effort has swung around to preparing this loco for her gala appearance as a static exhibit, with one cab (at ‘A’ end) open to visitors. This means that the various works in progress need to be tidied up and made safe for the public to view. The loco will be displayed outside the loco shed all through the gala, but she may need to be sheeted over if the weather breaks because she has not yet been made watertight (welding repairs at roof level require special safety staging to be in place and this will not be available until a later date). Let’s hope for this current spell of fine weather to continue.

Meanwhile, the ‘transmission team’ have been busy working on the ancillary equipment that will allow the ‘B’ transmission to be considered as completed. The governor was the target last week, and this simple but very important piece of machinery was disassembled for cleaning and to allow the bearings to be replaced. The governor controls the automatic changeover between the three different speed stages, and includes a piston arrangement called the ‘primary influence’ to adjust the changeover point according to the engine speed. This component was found to have a significant amount of water trapped inside it, but showed no signs of distress as a result. Here are some photos:

D1010 – the components of the governor from ‘B’ transmission have been separated and laid out for cleaning and inspection. New bearings will be fitted when the assembly goes back together. Pictured at Williton on 15th May 2023 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the housing of the ‘primary influence’ device that provides engine speed information to the transmission governor was found to contain a significant amount of water when opened up for inspection and cleaning at Williton on 15th May 2023. Photo by by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The work on the ‘B’ transmission will be completed during the coming weeks and the whole assembly will then be moved to a holding area to make way for the ‘A’ transmission which will soon be lifted out of the loco to undergo a similar overhaul to ensure that it is fit for many more years of reliable service.

A delay in proceedings has been caused by our 10-tonne crane developing a fault that requires staging to be constructed around it so that our volunteers can access the mechanism safely. However, while it is out of use, it has been taken over by a family of Jackdaws who seem quite content with its ‘DO NOT USE’ status and are likely to remain in residence for several weeks to come. Nature always wins !

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – as previously reported, the repaint of this loco has been completed by Harry and team at WSR Restorations in the Swindon Shed at Williton, and what a fine job they have done. The loco looks absolutely splendid !

The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was completed by WSR Restorations at Williton on Friday 19th May 2023 and the team gathered around the loco to rightly take credit for the quality of the work that has been done. Liam, Phil, Josh, Harry and Chris shared the task with Matt and John. Photo by WSR plc © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – as previously reported, this loco was unexpectedly in use for the BLUE timetable duties on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May covering for failed Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, but she had also been busy earlier in the week on an engineering train that ran the length of the line from Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren and back. Tom was secondman on that working and was able to take some photos when it was safe to do so. Here’s one showing the working at Norton Fitzwarren:

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was in use on an engineering train on Monday 15th May 2023, pictured while taking a break at the Norton Fitzwarren bay platform. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – after performing well on Saturday 20th, the loco was unable to take up her Sunday duty because the Water Temperature Switch would not stay closed, even though the water was at the right temperature. This resulted in the engine starting but not continuing to run, and repeated attempts at sustained running caused the start contactors to weld closed, so then it was game over !

The loco will receive attention during this coming weekend and will soon be put right, in readiness for the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place from Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June.

D7017 – pictured while approaching her train at Bishops Lydeard after running around, the loco was looking great and performing well on Saturday 20th May 2023. Photo by Geoff Miles © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – with the attention focused back on sister D7017, this loco did not receive the attention that was planned for Sunday 21st May, but she will be receiving attention to her reverser mechanism this coming Saturday 27th May. The work is confined to a single adjustment of a pushrod length because the other possibilities have already been investigated and eliminated. In the worst case, the loco will still operate during the gala, but will require manual intervention when changing direction.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continued in multiple areas, with Colin G starting work within the cab assembly, removing components that will need to be stripped, cleaned and refurbished while the cab structure undergoes a thorough restoration. This will be a complex task and will soak up a lot of volunteer hours. Elsewhere on the loco, John is continuing his work on the rewiring while Tony works on the finer details of the nose end doors. The brake rigging took a big step forward when the brake hangers for the leading and trailing wheelsets were fitted by Terry and Nick, leaving only the centre axle to be done.

D9518 – the driver’s desk is just a shell within the shell of the cab assembly. There is plenty of work to be done in this area, but a start has been made and momentum will quickly build as we move along. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 13th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the brake hanger assembly (not yet fitted with the brake block) has now been installed on the trailing wheelset. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the brake hanger assembly (not yet fitted with the brake block) has also been installed on the leading wheelset, leaving only the centre wheelset to be dealt with. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is fully serviceable and ready for use in the forthcoming SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, during which she will carry a wreath and black ribbons in memory of volunteer Class 14 loco manager, the late Simon Purvis.

 

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco has been suffering from some engine trouble and has been found to have a fractured cylinder head bolt that will need remedial work before the loco can return to service. The team at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are investigating further and the DEPG will be sending spare parts to assist with the repair work. We will provide more details as soon as they become available.

 

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. An attempt to apply her cabside lettering had to be abandoned due to the breeze that was blowing, but the otherwise fine weather did allow the side rods to get treated to a coat of yellow paint !

Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – the side rods acquired a coat of ‘warning yellow’ paint at Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will need to skip this feature again this week due to having so many other items to cover (it’s a nice problem to have).

 

 

ON SHED – a complete change this week as we feature a rare type of 0-6-0 shunter built by Ruston & Hornsby and designated as BR Class 07. Only 14 of these little off-centre-cab diesel-electric machines were built, and all entered service at Southampton Docks in 1962. The relentless march of standardisation rendered them obsolete ten years later, although some soldiered on until 1977 before starting a new life in industry. Now, more than 60 years after their introduction, half of the class have been saved and perform useful functions on heritage railways. Many thanks to Neale Long for bringing this rare beast to our attention.

A beautifully preserved example of the Ruston & Hornsby Class 07 diesel-electric 0-6-0 shunter, this loco D2996 (07 012) worked for almost 15 years at Southampton Docks before moving into industrial use then preservation. Pictured at Barrow Hill on 18th May 2023 by Neale Long © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the next DEPG Board Meeting will be held at Williton on Saturday 27th May. Please let me know if you have any questions that you would like to have placed before the Board.

 

 

The funeral of the late SIMON PURVIS will take place on Friday 2nd June 2023 and is likely to be well attended by the many from far and wide who wish to pay their respects to a much-loved member of the railway preservation movement. Simon’s family have set up a tribute site that includes information about the funeral as well as photographs and messages, with all donations going to Simon’s favourite cause, the D9518 Restoration Fund.

 

 

Last but not least, the erstwhile DEPG infrastructure team have been busy fitting the gates to the new oil store at Williton, and their hard work in all weathers deserves to be recognised. The oil store is now close to being ready for use, with some concrete to be laid in the weeks after the diesel gala to provide the finishing touches. Well done guys !

The steel gates for the new oil storage area were undergoing assembly in the capable hands of (L-R) Graham and Paul T at Williton on Sunday 21st May 2023. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Fully enclosed with wide gates for easy access, the new oil storage area provides a home for both new and used oils and includes bunds to prevent environmental contamination. Paul T and Graham (L-R) pose for the camera at Williton on Sunday 21st May 2023. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

WSRA STEAM RALLY : Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August 2023.

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

   

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

The twin Napier ‘Deltic’ engines of D9009 (55009) ‘ALYCIDON’ roar as she puts her combined 3,300 hp into an assault on Stormy Bank near Bridgend on the South Wales Main Line while hauling ‘THE WELSH CENTRAL LINER’ from Burton-on-Trent to Shrewsbury. Pictured on 17th June 2017 by Kelvin Lumb © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL will take place on the WSR on Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June and the headliner will be ‘DELTIC’ 55 009 ‘ALYCIDON’, one of the legendary East Coast ‘racehorses‘ that revolutionised express passenger services between London, Newcastle and Edinburgh in the early 1960s. With their awesome power and 100 mph top speed, these locomotives led the field right through to the HST 125 mph era in the early 1980s. Of the 22 locomotives that were built, a total of six have been saved, which is in itself a tribute to their well-deserved popularity. In addition, the prototype DP1 ‘DELTIC’ that first ran in 1955 has also been preserved and is part of the National Collection.

 

Being main line registered, ‘ALYCIDON’ will be arriving by rail and will be in the company of English Electric Class 50 50 008 ‘THUNDERER’. Both locos will make their way to Minehead on Wednesday 7th June where they will separate in readiness for their gala duties the following day. Class 50 ‘THUNDERER’ is in the unique livery of owners HANSON and HALL and is still a working loco, often seen out and about on the mainline performing a range of duties, even though she is in her 55th year of service. Unusually for the class, this loco is not fitted with vacuum brake equipment so she is unable to haul the WSR coaching stock without a dual-braked (air and vacuum) ‘translator’ locomotive coupled between her and the train. This introduces some complexities in terms of loco allocation and positioning, so it is keeping the planning team busy !

 

A very welcome late addition to the gala line up is Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551, a loco that has close links with the WSR and DEPG, having started its life in preservation in 1981 by being based at Williton before moving to Minehead and then eventually to the Severn Valley Railway. Together with our own D9526, these two locos will provide a fitting tribute to the late SIMON PURVIS and will carry a wreath and headboard when running at the gala. MANY THANKS to the owning group and to a DEPG member for supporting the financial cost of bringing D9551 to the WSR as a mark of respect for Simon.

 

The above announcements add to the previously-announced visits of Class 33 33 002 (D6501) ‘SEA KING’, courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction and Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909), courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail. The grey livery of ‘Sea King’ will stand out amongst our green home-based ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) and will offer a rare occasion to see three class members working together on one railway. The green ’25’ will be staying at the WSR for a few weeks after the gala and will be in use on Sunday 11th June and Saturday/Sunday 24/25th June when she will be working the 10:00 Minehead diagram under the BLUE timetable.

 

In summary, the WSR’s 2023 ‘SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL’ is now going to be blessed with FIVE visiting locomotives with a combined total of more than 9,000 hp, four of whom will be making their first ever visit to the WSR. This is going to be an AMAZING event so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 50 50008 (D408) ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Hanson and Hall
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 courtesy of the SVR Class 14 Company	TIMETABLE INFO: Click here for the THURSDAY timetable 8th June Click here for the FRIDAY timetable 9th June Click here for the SATURDAY timetable 10th June Click here for the timetable APPENDIX

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get more details and/or buy a ticket. Hope to see you at the WSR for what is shaping up to be an excellent event !

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 working on 20/21st May and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 working on 27/28/29th May and again the following weekend. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the priority being given to getting the ‘Hymeks’ ready for service resulted in some depletion of resources last week and will probably continue to impact for the next week or two, but progress was still made with Ian F busy on the ‘B’ bodyside and Gordon working on the sandbox doors and fittings. The ‘transmission team’ kept up the pace and are now very close to completing their work on the ‘B’ transmission. Here are some photos:

D1010 – the top casing that secures the input shaft and the auxilliary shaft was guided into place by Tim at Williton on Tuesday 9th May 2023. This completed the re-installation of all of the shafts. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the reverser assembly was re-fitted to the main casing at Williton on Wednesday 10th May 2023, leaving only the oil pumps and governors to be re-fitted before the job can be considered as completed. We are getting close ! Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – the repaint of this loco is approaching completion at WSR Restorations in the Swindon Shed at Williton, where Harry has been busy preparing the surfaces and applying many coats of paint to build up a smooth and durable finish. The work has progressed to the bogies and underframe, so the end is in sight and the loco will be rolled out in good time for the gala.

The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) is edging closer to completion at WSR Restorations, with the remaining work confined to detailing and re-fitting of grilles and covers. Pictured at Williton on 10th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Minehead and was in use for the BLUE timetable duties on Saturday and Sunday 13/14th May. The coming weekend will be a ‘Hymek’ duty and one of the ‘Cromptons’ will be back in use for the Bank Holiday weekend.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – the Maybach MD870 engine was run for two hours on Saturday 13th May so that a full inspection and test of the locomotive could take place in advance of her next rostered duties on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

Everything went well, so the loco was also subjected to a thorough clean-up so that she looks the part and is able to stay at Minehead after her weekend of work, to be in position for her diesel gala duties.

D7017 – with the benefit of the fine weather on Saturday 13th May 2023, the loco received detailed attention from a team comprised of Pat, Natalie, Andy R and Bob, the latter obviously enjoying his work as he restored the shine as part of a thorough clean-up, both internal and external. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was hauling the last train of the day towards Minehead on Saturday 13th May 2023 when this picture was taken, showing D7017 ready for her duties on the weekend of 20/21st May, with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and sister ‘Hymek’ D7018 behind. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – with the work completed on sister D7017, this loco is now the number 1 priority task as we prepare for the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th. The reverser trouble will be dealt with during the coming weekend and the loco will be treated to a thorough clean and a polish, to bring back her shine. The air leak under ‘A’ cab has been dealt with, but another has been detected and will receive attention during the coming week. These are not show-stopping issues and we are expecting this loco to be available in time for the gala.

D7018 – the problematic leaking air pipe beneath the cab floor was silenced on Wednesday 10th May 2023, but not before it had presented some difficulty due to the access being extremely limited. Just the kind of job for Natalie, in fact. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continued in multiple areas, with Colin G and John making progress on the electrical control cubicle while Tony completed the re-skinning of both nose-end doors at the ‘B’ end (short end). Meanwhile, Terry and Nick continued their work on the brake rigging.

D9518 – the electrical control cubicle has been transformed by the careful restoration being carried out by Colin G and John at Williton. Pictured with a bit of help from Mike E and Colin G on Saturday 13th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the colour scheme for the electrical control cubicle is grey outside and cream inside, and it looks GOOD ! Pictured at Williton on Saturday 13th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the progress on the electrical control cubicle, viewed from the rear at Williton on Saturday 13th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the nose-end doors at ‘B’ end have been expertly re-skinned by Tony and are now ready for priming and painting. Pictured at Williton on 10th May 2023 by Anthony Austin © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is fully serviceable and ready for use in the forthcoming SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, during which she will carry a headboard and wreath in memory of volunteer Class 14 loco manager, the late Simon Purvis.

 

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well, covering 432 miles in April. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. We hope to apply her cabside lettering during the coming weeks to complete her ‘1972 makeover’.

 

 

If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will need to skip this feature again this week due to having so many other items to cover (it’s a nice problem to have).

 

ON SHED – last week, we covered a number of events that took place on 6th May, but we missed reporting on one other anniversary that further highlighted the scandalous waste of public money that took place FIFTY YEARS AGO. On the 6th May 1973, in addition to the wiping out of half of the remaining ‘Hymek’ fleet, the first two Class 52 ‘Westerns’ were sent for scrap as a result of the policy of eradication of diesel-hydraulic types.

The first to go was D1032 ‘WESTERN MARKSMAN’ a Crewe-built loco that entered service in January 1964 and had the misfortune to require an overhaul nine years later, in January of 1973 – an overhaul for which there was no budget and no spare parts, so the loco was dumped out of use at Laira Depot (Plymouth) and was robbed for spares to keep other classmates going. Formal withdrawal came on the 6th May 1973, a fate that also befell D1019 ‘WESTERN CHALLENGER’. Not only was the writing on the wall, but it was crystal clear. The last of the ‘Westerns’ clung on against all odds for another four years until February 1977, and happily seven of the total of 74 were saved, including our own D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’.

Many thanks to John Kite for bringing this event to our attention.

Class 52 ‘Western’ D1032 ‘WESTERN MARKSMAN’ was certainly still capable of ‘doing her thing’ when pictured departing from Exeter St. Davids station with an express for Penzance. This loco was written off as obsolete due to being non-standard after only nine years in service. Photo by Barry Gay © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April will be shared via a separate email and will be sent out to all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address. Apologies for the delay.

 

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was in use throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, pictured at Nethercott while hauling the 1635 service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on Sunday 7th. Photo by Bernard Bates © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Just before the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023, our yard fell silent for one minute as a mark of respect for our much-loved fellow volunteer SIMON PURVIS who passed away on Friday 28th April at the age of 61. We were privileged to have the company of Simon’s wife, son and daughter at Williton as we gathered around Class 14 D9518 so that DEPG Chairman Martin Howard could address those present. Martin’s comments were heartfelt and echoed those of so many who have responded to our social media post, and Martin gave a committment to ensure that D9518 would be completed in Simon’s memory.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) had arrived from Minehead and was at the platform at Williton waiting to pass the train that was due in from Bishops Lydeard, but an issue with the token release meant a delay was inevitable, so the STOP button was pressed by driver Neil Collyer and the 8-cylinder Sulzer also fell silent at that important moment.

 

Separately, we were also reminded that on this same date 50 years previous, our Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 had been withdrawn from traffic as a step toward the rundown of the ‘Hymek’ fleet. Luckily, she was reprieved because of a misfortune that affected a sister loco. DEPG founder member Clive Burrows provides us with the following information: 

   “As well as the King’s Coronation, the 6th of May 2023 will mark the 50^th anniversary of D7017 being withdrawn from service at Old Oak Common, together with half* the fleet of operational Hymeks that were still in service on that day.  The future for D7017 looked very bleak until D7031 was withdrawn five days later with a transmission defect and D7017 was reinstated on 11th May 1973 to become one of the ten surviving Hymeks.  D7031’s last duty was to tow D7018 back to Old Oak Common from Worcester on 8th May 1973.  D7031’s fate was to be broken up at Swindon Works in September 1975, but the outcome for both D7017 and D7031 could have been very different had it not been for that transmission failure at such a critical time, ironically when D7031 was assisting D7018 home to Old Oak Common!  Fortunately for us, D7017 continued in service from 11th May 1973 until its second and final withdrawal from service on 13th March 1975, five days before D7018 brought the curtain down on main line Hymek operations.”

 

   *D7017, D7023, D7030, D7032, D7044, D7075, D7076, D7089, & D7093 (D7055 had been taken out of service on 16-Apr-73 after failing at Basingstoke on 08-Apr-73 when working the diverted 1O68 10:40 Cardiff-Portsmouth service – D7055 had been scheduled to be the tenth Hymek to be withdrawn at the start of the Summer timetable on 06-May-73. This is when all the Bristol based Portsmouth-Cardiff and Bristol-Weymouth services were handed over to WR DMMU and SR DEMU operation).

 

Many thanks to Clive for reminding us of the history of the ‘Hymeks’ and particularly of D7017.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7093 was also withdrawn from service on 6th May 1973 and also had another lease of life when reinstated in August of that year due to a motive power shortage. This loco was not as lucky as our D7017 and was withdrawn again in November 1974 and sent to the scrapyard. Pictured at work in Bristol during August 1974 by Gary Lemon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Yet another happening on the 6th of May was the 60th birthday of the Western Locomotive Association’s (WLA’s) Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’, and the loco was out and about on the Severn Valley Railway, performing faultlessly on both the Saturday and Sunday, making five round trips in total. Congratulations to D1062 and the WLA for getting the loco ready in time for her birthday celebrations.

Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ was celebrating her 60th birthday in real style on Saturday 6th May by working hard on the Severn Valley Railway ! Both the Saturday and Sunday featured ‘Western’ haulage with both D1062 and D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ in use. Photo taken at Arley on Sunday 7th May 2023 by Peter Bamber © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Back on the WSR, the BLUE timetable runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 working on 13/14th May and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 working on 20/21st May For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

STOP PRESS !!!!

Just before releasing this edition of roundup, we have been advised that the WSR’s ‘SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL’ is now going to be blessed with FOUR visiting locomotives with a combined total of almost 9,000 hp, all of whom will be making their first ever visit to the WSR. This is going to be an AMAZING event so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 (D9009) ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 50 50008 (D408) ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Hanson and Hall

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get the details and/or buy a ticket. Hope to see you at the WSR for what is shaping up to be an excellent event !

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the pace picked up again with work taking place in multiple areas as we try to keep to schedule. So far so good, but challenges are coming and we need to plan carefully to achieve the most at the minimum expense (which is not an easy task!). Gordon and Leroy completed their work on the preparations for the removal of the ‘A’ cooler group and stowed the radiator elements from the ‘B’ end awaiting pressure testing and repair as required.

The transmission team stormed ahead with the re-installation of some major sub-assemblies. Only the peripherals remain to be re-installed after this, so this activity is definitely running to plan. Here are some photos:

D1010 – replacement oil seals were fitted to the ‘B’ transmission casing at Williton on Tuesday 2nd May 2023. These seals are essential to prevent leakage of the hydraulic fluid that is not only used for power transmission, but also for lubrication and control purposes. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the upper section of the ‘B’ transmission casing was lowered onto the centre section at Williton on Wednesday 3rd May 2023, bringing together the major parts that had been separated when work first started, back in 2019. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the upper section of the ‘B’ transmission casing was bolted to the centre section and all of the bolts tightened to the defined torque setting by Geoff at Williton on Wednesday 3rd May 2023. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is getting closer to completion in the Swindon Shed at Williton where she is undergoing a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. Sister loco D6575 (33 057) was used as source of key information to help make sure that the transfers get fitted in the correct positions.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) provided essential measurement information when she called at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023 on her way back to Minehead. Harry took the measurements and Terry recorded them, for subsequent use when applying the transfers to sister loco D6566 (33 048). Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Minehead in between periods of use and will be back at work this coming weekend, performing her BLUE timetable duties on Saturday and Sunday 13/14th May.

 

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is ready for action, her next rostered duties being on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

 

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco has now become the priority task and the efforts of several teams rounded on her during the week as we work towards the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th. The engine started easily and was run for a while on Saturday 6th May. The reverser trouble has been narrowed down to a mechanical adjustment and the work on this will take place during this coming weekend. An unexpected and annoying issue was an air leak that developed on a steel pipe that runs under the cab floor and among a maze of other pipes and conduits. This was an ideal job for the smaller members of our team, so Natalie go the job !

D7018 – on Saturday 6th May 2023, attention had to be given to a leaking air pipe beneath the cab floor where access was extremely limited, so Andy R and Natalie volunteered for the job. And yes, Natalie is in there somewhere ! Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work resumed on the control cubicle and on the cab components that are going to be needed at a later stage. In parallel, Tony continued his work on the re-fabrication of the nose end doors (more on that next week) while Terry and Nick worked on the brake rigging.

D9518 – the electrical control cubicle received a coat of grey gloss from Colin G at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the electrical control cubicle doors also received a coat of grey gloss from Colin G at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – one of the two horn enclosures underwent dent removal and restoration in the careful hands of Andy P at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise. We hope to be able to use this loco on a WSR service train in the near future.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. We hope to apply her cabside lettering during the coming weeks to complete her ‘1972 makeover’.

 

 

If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will need to skip this feature again this week due to having so many other items to cover (it’s a nice problem to have).

 

 

ON SHED – a surprise feature this week, because we were advised that one of our supporters had been sampling haulage from 7017 and 7018 so we couldn’t resist asking more questions. Here’s the reply that we received from Des Langham:

   “I am currently in Oz, and was visiting friends on the Stony Point line.  On arrival I saw 7017 was one of the units for my service, went for a coffee and saw they had attached 7018, so I had 7018 and 7017 for haulage from Frankston to Bittern, sadly Sprinters and not Hymeks.  Photos of the pairing attached:

Diesel-hydraulic ‘Sprinter’ 7017 was waiting in the platform at Frankston, Australia, to form the 1256 Frankston to Stony Point service on Wednesday 26th April 2023. Photo by Des Langham © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Diesel-hydraulic ‘Sprinter’ 7017 is coupled up to 7018 to form the 1256 Frankston to Stony Point service on Wednesday 26th April 2023. Photo by Des Langham © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Some more details:

   The Sprinters were built in New South Wales by Goninan in the mid 1990s for V Line, the Victorian regional rail operator.  22 single car sprinters were built, and numbered 7001-7022.  Today they are used on only one V Line route from Melbourne Southern Cross to Seymour, typically in two to four car formations.  However, two Sprinters are hired by (Melbourne) Metro to operate their diesel-only section, from Frankston to Stony Point (on the Mornington Peninsular), EMU connections running at 10 minute intervals from Melbourne.  Operating with Metro crew and in either one or two car formation depending on demand, 10 services operate Monday to Thursday, 12 services on Friday, 8 on Saturday and 7 on Sunday.  Sprinters are swapped out for routine maintenance twice per week, running ECS from Melbourne to Frankston. 

   On Wednesday 26 April, upon arrival at Frankston from Melbourne, 7017 was observed in the platform for the next Stony Point service.  Never risking the last booked connection (just 2 minutes!), there was time to get a coffee at Frankston, upon returning, it was amusing to find that DEPG’s other Hymek, 7018, had arrived with the 1209 service from Stony Point, and had coupled up with 7017 to form the 1256 Frankston – Stony Point.  If I have calculated correctly, finding 7017 and 7018 working on the Stony Point line is a 1 in 210 times chance!

   Latest rumours are the Sprinters have a further 20 year in service.  V Line currently has a fleet of 25 N class locomotives (similar to Irish Rail Class 071), but usage is gradually reducing with new Velocity DMUs being introduced.  As of April 2023, 16 weekday loco hauled departures leave Melbourne Southern Cross on four routes.  It is envisaged that V Line will replace their loco hauled services in 2024-2025, and new driver training has thus stopped on the N class.”

 

Many thanks to Des for providing this information and for sharing his interesting experience with us all.

Diesel-hydraulic ‘Sprinter’ 7018 leads 7017 out from Bittern, Australia, on the 1256 Frankston to Stony Point service on Wednesday 26th April 2023. Photo by Des Langham © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April is being prepared and will be shared ASAP with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address. Apologies for the delay.

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

From left to right, rebuilt ‘West Country’ class 4-6-2 2C127 (34027) ‘TAW VALLEY’ stands at Platform 1 of Williton Station with the ‘ATLANTIC COAST EXPRESS’ to Minehead. Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was open to visitors in the South Yard along with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1). Pictured on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The WSR’s highly successful SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR event ran from Friday 28th April through to Monday 1st May and pulled in the crowds to ride behind the interesting and varied mix of locomotives that ran to an intensive timetable. Additional interest was provided in the form of ‘local’ passenger trains running between Norton Fitzwarren and Williton, and goods trains featuring brake van rides along the length of the line. All of the locos performed well and the weather also co-operated for three of the four days with the Sunday being wet in the morning, although that didn’t seem to dent the patronage.

 

The DEPG depot was OPEN FOR VISITORS on each day of the gala, allowing close-up viewing of our two major restoration projects D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 along with the four locos in the yard, namely ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018, ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Barclay 578 (ROF 1). Our volunteers were on hand to guide the visitors and spread the word about our efforts to preserve our fleet and operate them on the WSR and further afield.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was pictured in the South Yard at Williton on Saturday 29th April 2023, with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 alongside but on slightly higher ground. Luckily, the weather was good for three of the four days of the ‘Spring Steam Spectacular’ event. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Also in the loco shed on each of the four days of the gala, we hosted ROD’S MODEL RAILWAY SALES stand along with our own DEPG sales stand, and both were happy with their results after the four-plus days of effort, so MANY THANKS to all who visited and all who supported, and most of all, to all of the volunteers of the many groups who gave up significant amounts of their time to make it possible.

Williton Loco Shed was the venue for Rod’s Model Railway Sales stand and for our own DEPG Sales Stand for each day of the Spring Steam Spectacular event. Chris covered the sales stand on the Saturday and again on Sunday. Pictured on 29th April 2023 by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The BLUE timetable returns after the gala and runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, initially with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 and later with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

SIMON PURVIS 1961-2023 RIP

On Friday 28th April we learned of the very sad loss of well-loved DEPG volunteer and Class 14 team leader SIMON PURVIS after a brief period of illness. Having joined the DEPG back in the 1980s, Simon quickly gained his reputation as both a diesel locomotive expert and a great team leader because of his massive breadth of knowledge, his good nature and his famously cheery attitude. We recall his involvement with so many of our locomotives, not just his favourite ‘Teddy Bears’, because he would lend a hand on any task that needed to be done. He would provide advice and guidance to new and experienced volunteers to help them work safely and efficiently, calling upon his mainline railway engineering experience and passing it on to his DEPG colleagues.

He will be sorely missed and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and to all of his friends and colleagues who will no doubt be feeling his loss.

Simon was camera-shy and we have had to search to find some photographs of him, often snapped by calling him and making him look around. Each photo features his legendary ‘tash’ …

The late Simon Purvis was reluctantly pictured while lending a hand on Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 at Williton on Saturday 13th August 2022, with fellow volunteers Leroy and Terry unable to keep a straight face alongside. Photo by Mike Evans © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The late Simon Purvis, thoroughly immersed in his work on Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 at Williton on Saturday 15th October 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The late Simon Purvis, hard at work on the brake frame of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 at Williton on Saturday 26th November 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The late Simon Purvis, caught on film while working on the standstill detector valve of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 at Williton on Saturday 28th January 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Rest in peace, Simon, we will all miss you.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the ‘open depot’ event impacted on weekend activities but some excellent progress was made on the transmission, and Karl even managed to get some more painting done on the battery compartment doors on ‘A’ side while keeping clear of the visiting public. Here are some photos:

D1010 – a milestone achievement – the turbine rail and reverser shaft were re-installed in the ‘B’ transmission casing at Williton on Tuesday 25th April 2023. Congratulations to Colin F, Geoff and Tim (pictured) for making such good and steady progress with this complex task. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the upper section of the ‘B’ transmission casing was inverted to allow the re-installation of the many pipes and seals, these tasks demanding great care and a very careful and systematic approach to the work. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 25th April 2023 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – activities in the main loco shed were restricted over the weekend because of the ‘open depot’ but volunteer and trainee secondman Karl was still able to make progress with one of the battery compartment doors. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is still hiding inside the paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed at Williton where she is undergoing a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. We hope to see the loco emerge resplendent some time during the next week or so.

The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton D6566 (33 048) was progressing well when pictured in the paint tunnel at WSR Restorations Williton on 2nd May 2023. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Minehead in readiness to take up her BLUE timetable duties on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 6/7/8th May.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was stabled at Minehead over the weekend in a line of diesel locomotives that included Barclay 0-4-0DH 579 (ROF 2) just visible on the left and Class 03 D2133 on the right. Pictured on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco has been confirmed as OK to take up duties subject to the usual inspection checks, her next rostered duties being on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – Neil and John made progress on the task list on this loco on Saturday 29th April and more resources will be brought to bear during this coming weekend. This loco is therefore expected to be available in good time for the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the weekend was spent showing the restoration progress to the visiting public, but Tony had been at work during the previous week and had completed one of the four end doors that needed to be re-kinned due to corrosion. He will be continuing with his restoration work on the other three doors during the coming weeks.

D9518 – one of the nose-end doors at ‘B’ end has been completely re-skinned by Tony and is now ready for priming and painting. Another job well done! Pictured at Williton on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise. We hope to be able to use this loco on a WSR service train in the near future.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. We hope to apply her cabside lettering during the coming weeks to complete her ‘1972 makeover’.

 

 

If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will skip this feature this week due to other priorities.

 

ON SHED – the Western Locomotive Association’s (WLA’s) 1963 Crewe-built ‘Thousand’ D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ was exercised in the yard at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway on Monday 1st May and is expected to be ready for service in time for her birthday event this coming Saturday, 6th May and her rostered running on both the Saturday and Sunday. We wish her a very happy 60th birthday !

Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ was pictured while exercising in the yard at Kidderminster on Monday 1st May 2023 in readiness for her rostered turns this coming weekend. This gleaming loco will celebrate her 60th birthday on Saturday 6th May. Photo by Paul Finch © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April, and a synopsis is being prepared and will be shared ASAP with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address.

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was in use on Saturday 22nd April 2023, shunting the South Yard at Williton to re-position a well wagon loaded with carriage axles so that it could be easily attached to an Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) train destined for Minehead. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Last weekend, preparations were being made for the SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR event that starts on Friday 28th April and runs right through to Monday 1st May, featuring an intensive timetable (click here for the timetable) based on the home fleet plus several high-profile visitors including the unique GWR 4-6-0 ‘Saint’ 2999 ‘LADY of LEGEND’ plus GWR 4-6-0 ‘Manor’ 7812 ‘ERLESTOKE MANOR’ and SR 4-6-2 ‘Rebuilt West Country’ 34072 (21C127) ‘TAW VALLEY’. This high-profile collection will be augmented by BR(W) Class 9400 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 9466 which was outshopped from WSR Restorations on Saturday 22nd April and hauled the ECS working from Williton to Minehead. Taken altogether, this has the feel of a great steam gala and we hope for some good weather to help make it the commercial success it deserves to be.

 

The DEPG depot will be OPEN FOR VISITORS on each day of the gala, allowing close-up viewing of our two major restoration projects D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 along with the four locos in the yard, namely ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018, ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Barclay 578 (ROF 1).

In the loco shed on each of the four days of the gala will be ROD’S MODEL RAILWAY SALES stand along with our own DEPG sales stand, so please come along and visit us if you can. You don’t have to buy anything, but it helps us pay our bills if you do.

   

 

The BLUE timetable returns after the gala and runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, initially with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 and later with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, click on the banner below to go to the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the team are marching forward on several fronts as we tackle the work list on this giant locomotive. Some of the work is highly specialised and therefore dependent on some of our experienced volunteers, but most of the work just requires ‘common sense’ and we welcome more volunteers to join this team and get the work done as soon possible. The timeline further below shows how much there is to do and we want to be ahead of the game, not playing catch-up, so please CONTACT US and arrange for a volunteering taster day.

D1010 – the input shaft assembly was the target of the ‘transmission team’ at Williton on Monday 17th April 2023. The length of the input shaft is apparent from this view, showing the overhead crane being used to stabilise the assembly while preparing to press the lower bearing race into position. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the timeline for this restoration project has been published in the DEPG Spring 2023 Newsletter that has been sent to all registered DEPG members. The narrative that goes with this timeline will be published on our website ASAP and covered in a future roundup. DEPG © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is now inside the paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed at Williton for a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. The photos below show the progress that is being made by Harry and the team, and the quality of the work is evident:

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured in the WSR Restorations paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed, Williton on 15th April 2023 as she cast off her old paint in readiness for her new paint. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured in the WSR Restorations paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed, Williton on 24th April 2023, now carrying gloss yellow and cream (‘Swanage Sand’, actually). Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is on standby in case she is needed during the steam gala (hopefully not), and will next be working her BLUE timetable duties on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 6/7/8th May.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stepped in to cover for GWR 2-6-2 ‘Prairie Tank’ 5199 on the 19th April 2023, pictured departing from Williton with the 12:30 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco has been confirmed as OK to take up duties subject to the usual inspection checks, her next rostered duties being on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

D7017 shared her corner of the south yard with a Mark 1 coach that had just come out from maintenance at WSR Restorations and was soon to be moved to Minehead in preparation for the steam gala. Pictured on Saturday 22nd April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the tasks that are lined up on this loco were reviewed at the Board Meeting and confirmed as being minor in nature and easy to deal with in the time remaining before her next duty. This loco is therefore expected to be available in good time for the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – more progress has been made on several fronts, with John working on reinstatement of the electrical system, Terry on the brake rigging, Nick on the engine, while Tony and Andy P worked on the bodywork parts. Colin G covered multiple bases but scored a bonus point by getting the cab assembly brought into the loco shed so that restoration of this major assembly can commence. Here are some photos:

D9518 – the cab assembly is now inside the loco shed so that the restoration of this major item can commence under the guidance of Colin G. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 22nd April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the Paxman V6 diesel engine that once powered sister D9526 is being dismantled for cleaning and inspection prior to rebuilding with new bearings and seals. One bank of three cylinders was pictured at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise. As previously reported, she was used for a yard shunt at Williton on the morning of Saturday 22nd April and remains on standby in case she is needed.

D9526 was sandwiched between the Mark 1 coach and ‘Hymek’ D7018 at Williton on Saturday 22nd April 2023. The coach was moved to Minehead later that day, giving the ‘Teddy Bear’ some free space. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco was moved out of the loco shed on Saturday 22nd April and will remain outdoors throughout the running season. The paintwork detailing will be completed when the weather permits and the cabside transfers will then be applied, hopefully in time for her 1972 look to be perfected before the diesel gala.

Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) has now been moved out of the loco shed and awaits some paintwork detailing and her cabside transfers to be applied before we can call the job complete. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 22nd April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we have now published Neale Long’s book review on DIESEL DAWN – VOLUME 7: WESTERN REGION CLASS 14 DIESEL-HYDRAULICS so click here to read the review or visit our NEW BOOK REVIEWS PAGE on our website. This book is on sale via our website for the benefit of the D9518 restoration fund. PLEASE BUY A COPY to support D9518 !

Many thanks to Neale for providing this book review.

We can also supply any of the previous six volumes of DIESEL DAWN, so please let us know if you would like to purchase any of the volumes in this interesting series. Please also take a look at our webstore for NEW BOOKS and PRE-OWNED BOOKS, the profits from which will go directly towards the upkeep of our loco fleet. Thank you very much for your support !

Just as a reminder, we can also supply PLATFORM 5 publications either from stock or against a special order, the profits from such sales going towards our general loco maintenance funds.

 

 

ON SHED – after a very succesful year of running in the guise of D1040 ‘WESTERN QUEEN’, the Western Locomotive Association’s (WLA’s) 1963 Crewe-built ‘Thousand’ is now back to being D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’, in good time to celebrate her 60th birthday on Saturday 6th May. This hard working loco is rostered to perform on the Severn Valley Railway on both the Saturday and the Sunday, 6/7th May and we wish her all the best for her 60th birthday !.

Three Class 52 ‘Westerns’ alongside each other, 46 years after the Class was withdrawn from mainline service. From left to right, D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’, D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ and D1013 ‘WESTERN RANGER’ filled one end of the diesel shed at Kidderminster in April 2023. Photo by Paul Finch © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April, and a synopsis is being prepared and will be shared ASAP with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address.

 

Top marks to Graham, Tony and Paul T for their efforts on construction of the covered oil store in the yard at Williton, the first half of which was completed on Sunday 23rd April after another full weekend of hard labour. The gates for the other section have been ordered and will be installed during the next few weeks. Well done guys, the heroes of countless unsung infrastructure improvement projects !

The covered oil store in the yard at Williton will be used to store new and used oil and will include bunds to capture any spillage and prevent pollution. Pictured on Sunday 23rd April 2023 by Graham Perry © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR : Friday 28th April through Monday 1st May 2023

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

     

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was pictured as she approached Williton with the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service under the BLUE timetable on Sunday 16th April 2023. Photo by Edward Martin © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

As reported last week, the WSR 2023 running season has got off to an excellent start with all services being delivered as planned and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) working the 10:00 Minehead 80-mile diagram under the BLUE timetable (4 services each way per day) on Monday 10th and Sunday 16th April. The railway changed to the RED timetable (3 services each way per day) from Tuesday 18th which applies for the two weeks up to the SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR, and then the BLUE timetable returns and remains right through to the 25th July when the summer peak YELLOW timetable (5 services each way per day) comes into force. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

Last Saturday 15th April saw the repeat of the WSR’s very succesful ‘VOLUNTEERING TRAIN‘ concept, where one carriage of the 10:00 Minehead service was dedicated to members of the public who were seeking volunteering opportunities within any of the organisations that make up the ‘WSR family’. During the trip to Bishops Lydeard, representatives of the various organisations and departments made their ‘pitch’ and explained what their organisations do and what kind of opportunities they offer. The train reversed at Bishops Lydeard, departing at 12:30 and a second carriage load received the same (or similar!) information on the way to Minehead.

The DEPG were represented by Natalie and Andy, who quickly became involved in discussions with several potential volunteers, some of whom have already completed their applications forms and requested dates for ‘taster’ days where they can come along to Williton and see how and where they could contribute. The event will be repeated again in May and we expect to be just as busy and continue to expand the team. The DEPG currently lists 59 active volunteers, a significant increase over the past few years, and all are welcomed. The depot at Williton still has three days per week where it is not in use, and this shows the untapped potential that needs to be resourced, so please let us know by using our CONTACT FORM if you are interested in volunteering !

WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 prepares to depart from Williton in the directon of Minehead with the 16:35 service from Bishops Lydeard while Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 (with engine running) watch and enjoy the welcome period of fine weather. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

On Wednesday 12th April, we welcomed Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 back to Williton, to the accompaniment of heavy rain and strong winds! The loco was swapped with Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) who returned to Bishops Lydeard where her winter maintenance programme could be completed by a session over the pit at Westridge Shed for traction motor inspection and lubrication. The return of D9526 was captured on a short video clip that can be viewed via our website by clicking this link or clicking on the photo below:

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 returned to Williton on the very wet morning of Wednesday 12th April 2023 after an absence of just over 22 months. Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is on Number 2 road and Class 09 D4107 (09 019) stands ahead of the ’14 on No 1 road’, ready to return to Bishops Lydeard after receiving winter maintenance in the care of the DEPG. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

2023 TIMETABLE NEWS:

The railway is now open mostly five days per week (closed on Mondays and Fridays except for bank holidays and special events) and dates scheduled for diesel locomotive haulage are listed on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page

The next special event will be the SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR which will run from Friday April 28th through to Bank Holiday Monday 1st May, with the planned appearance of GWR 4-6-0 4953 ‘PITCHFORD HALL’ plus three ‘MANORS’ and a ‘SAINT’ plus the rest of the home-based fleet, so an absolute feast for GWR fans ! The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to visitors and will feature ROD’S MODEL RAILWAY sales stand alongside our own DEPG sales stand. For details, click this link to the WSR website.

Keep an eye on the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and mark the days that interest you on your calendar, so that you can make a plan to come along and ride behind your favourite type of locomotive. Click on the banner below to go to the page on our website:

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the team continued their diverse work in multiple areas of the loco, moving their tasks along on a step-by-step basis. The most significant visual progress was again made by Colin F and the ‘transmission team’ as the filling pump assembly and the output shaft assembly were completed and made ready for re-attachment to the casing. The progress in other areas was not so camera-worthy, but useful just the same, with Ian at work on the bodyside finish and Gordon disconnecting the cooler group at ‘A’ end, while Steve continued with the cab wiring at ‘B’ end. Here are some photos:

D1010 – the filling pump assembly (in the foreground) and the output shaft assembly (with the large double-helical gear) were completed by the team at Williton on 11th April 2023. These two assemblies are now ready to be re-attached to the ‘B’ transmission casing. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the large and heavy output shaft assembly was re-attached to the ‘B’ transmission casing at Williton on Wednesday 12th April 2023. The assembly is shown attached to it’s own subsidiary casing before being jacked into position and bolted into place. Photo by Geoff Miles © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the timeline for this restoration project has been published in the DEPG Spring 2023 Newsletter that has been sent to all registered DEPG members. The narrative that goes with this timeline will be published on our website ASAP and covered in a future roundup. DEPG © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is now inside the paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed at Williton for a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. This loco is expected to be out of traffic until late April.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is outstationed at Minehead and has been working her BLUE timetable duties. Her next runs are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday 6/7/8th May.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – Tom checked the engine oil sump drain again on Saturday and found a very small amount of coolant present. This could be a left-over from last week or it could be fresh leakage, so the engine was pre-heated and started again to allow it to run for a longer period. The check will be conducted again next week, and a decision on changing the oil will be taken when more information is available. To rush the decision would increase the risk, so we will use the time that we have and make a careful and informed decision. The loco is expected to be available for return to service in 2023 either way, the decision having more impact on the 2024 running season and the longer-term plans for overhauling the locomotive.

D7017 was started up while stabled on number 2 road at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 while Barclay 578 (ROF 1) was also running and out of the shed under her own power for the first time this year. The weather was perfect for the occasion. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is awaiting attention to a short list of issues that were identified during the loaded test run that took place in December 2022. Work is expected to start on this loco in late April, after completion of sister loco D7017. The issues will be addressed in time for the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – making up for the lack of photos last week, the following selection provides the evidence that proves that this project is constantly moving along:

D9518 – one of the six refurbished brake hangers is held in the vertical position by Terry at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023. Also visible is the lower attachment to one of the three crossbeams that will eventually be re-fitted underneath the frames of the loco. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – one of the six refurbished brake hangers has been attached to one of the brackets on the loco frame and now includes the brake shoe. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – Terry provides some foot power to show how the brake hanger swings over to bring the brake shoe into perfect contact with the tyre of the wheel. The brake actuation is normally done by two powerful air brake cylinders between the frames, the force being transmitted to the hangers via the linkages. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – one of the two refurbished battery boxes has now been re-fitted to the side of the loco and is giving off the characteristic Colin G shine ! Pictured at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – still on the subject of that characteristic Colin G shine, take a look at the gleam around the works plate and the British Transport Commission (BTC) registration plate. The BTC plate was originally fitted to a steam locomotive that was made redundant by D9518, so the plate was transferred to D9518 and the registration records updated. The old ways were so simple. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – as previously reported, this loco returned to Williton on Wednesday 12th April and will now undergo attention to some maintenance items that have become due. The loco is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and we have been receiving reports from our correspondent in the area, Martin Fisher, including the below photograph that showcases the amazing scenery through which this line traverses. Here’s some information that Martin provided about the location:

     “This vantage point is about a mile walk from the lane that goes down to Levisham station – a relatively easy walk from the lane to the ruined Skelton Tower (built around 1830 by Rev Skelton, either as a shooting lodge or as a place to escape to for a quiet drink!). You only get a view of the NYMR northwards from here so the southbound trains are trundling downhill at this point, but the scenery is nice!”

 Many thanks to Martin for keeping us fed with photographs of ‘NORTH STAR‘ and information about his ‘neck of the woods’.

47077 (D1661, 47613 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ heads downhill toward Levisham on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on Sunday 16th April 2023 with a train from Grosmont to Pickering. Pictured from the ruins of Skelton Tower by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco underwent an engine test run and a Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) on Saturday 15th April 2023 and passed with flying colours, so well done to Tony and our supporting volunteers for doing such a great job of looking after her ! The next step is to give the little loco a wash and brush up and apply the cabside lettering that has been waiting for warmer weather – which at last seems to be arriving.

Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) was subjected to an engine test run at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 during which the engine speed was held steady at 1,500 rpm and the governor behaviour was checked and confirmed to be OK. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we have started shipping copies of the latest in the DIESEL DAWN series of booklets that are published by Mortons Media Group, VOLUME 7: WESTERN REGION CLASS 14 DIESEL-HYDRAULICS so order your copy now ! This book is on sale via our website for the benefit of the D9518 restoration fund. PLEASE BUY A COPY to support D9518 ! We have been provided with a Book Review by regular contributor Neale Long and we will be including this in the next edition of Roundup (apologies for the delay).

We can also supply any of the previous six volumes, so please let us know if you would like to purchase any of the volumes in this interesting series. Please also take a look at our webstore for NEW BOOKS and PRE-OWNED BOOKS, the profits from which will go directly towards the upkeep of our loco fleet. Thank you very much for your support !

Just as a reminder, we can also supply PLATFORM 5 publications either from stock or against a special order, the profits from such sales going towards our general loco maintenance funds.

 

 

ON SHED – this week, we have been made aware of a YouTube video that has recently been made available showing our very own D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ but in the guise of D1035 ‘WESTERN YEOMAN’ and wearing ‘Desert Sand’ livery. The video footage was taken by Martin Smith at Didcot Railway Centre in 1990 and also features glimpses of ‘Hymek’ D7018 and the occasional passing ’47’. The relaxed health & safety approach of the time is quite interesting, and the video is well worth watching. Click here or on the image below to go to the YouTube video. Many thanks to Martin for bringing his video to our attention.

1990 Didcot Railway Centre – a YouTube video featuring (among others) D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ in the guise of D1035 ‘WESTERN YEOMAN’. Video by Martin Smith © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting will be held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April. Please let us know by using our CONTACT FORM if you have a question that you would like to have put to the board on your behalf.

 

Please make sure that your membership is up to date so that we can continue to send you a copy of our quarterly newsletter (via email or post at your choice). The Spring newsletter included detailed updates on the plans for our two restoration projects (D1010 and D9518), plus other information that is specific to DEPG members.

If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR : Friday 28th April through Monday 1st May 2023

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

     

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) repositioned from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on Monday 3rd April 2023 in preparation for the start of the BLUE timetable on Friday 7th. The working was also used to move Mk 3 sleeping coach 10542 to Minehead for maintenance and to perform gauging checks for platform and lineside equipment clearances along the route. Pictured from Bishops Lydeard signal box by Robin Havill © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) kicked off the 2023 diesel-haulage programme by working the 10:00 Minehead 80-mile diagram under the BLUE timetable on Friday 7th April, a duty that she then repeated on Sunday 9th and again on Monday 10th. This loco is next in action on Sunday 16th April and the timings will be as follows:

Depart Minehead at 10:00 arrive Bishops Lydeard at 11:30

Depart Bishops Lydeard at 12:30 arrive Minehead at 13:50

Depart Minehead at 14:30 arrive Bishops Lydeard at 15:55

Depart Bishops Lydeard at 16:35 arrive Minehead at 18:00

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was pictured while approaching the coaching stock that will form the 12:30 working from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on Monday 10th April 2023. Photo by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was coupled to her coaching stock at Bishops Lydeard by secondman Matt Brewer on Monday 10th April 2023. Photo by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This coming Saturday 15th April sees the repeat of the very succesful ‘VOLUNTEERING TRAIN‘ that ran last year and resulted in 40 volunteering applications across all organisations within the ‘WSR family’, including the DEPG. The plan is to run two such trains this year to encourage potential new volunteers to step forward and learn more about the opportunities that are available. Here below is the announcement from the WSR, or click on this link or on the image below to go to the WSR website page:

 

 

2023 TIMETABLE NEWS:

The railway is now open five days per week (closed on Mondays and Fridays except for bank holidays and special events) and dates scheduled for diesel locomotive haulage are listed on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page

The next special event will be the SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR which will run from Friday April 28th through to Bank Holiday Monday 1st May, with the planned appearance of GWR 4-6-0 4953 ‘PITCHFORD HALL’ plus three ‘MANORS’ and a ‘SAINT’ plus the rest of the home-based fleet, so an absolute feast for GWR fans ! The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to visitors and will feature ROD’S MODEL RAILWAY sales stand alongside our own DEPG sales stand. For details, click this link to the WSR website.

Keep an eye on the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and mark the days that interest you on your calendar, so that you can make a plan to come along and ride behind your favourite type of locomotive. Click on the banner below to go to the page on our website:

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the last week saw progress being made internally rather than externally, with Steve working his way through the wiring and switchgear under the driver’s desk at ‘B’ end while Gordon disconnected the cooler group at ‘A’ end as the first step towards having the cooler group lifted out for a thorough refurbishment. Andy R and Natalie removed several corroded air pipes from benetah the gangway on the ‘B’ side, cleaning up the area as they went along (this will be a lengthy task!). In parallel, the ‘transmission team’ under the leadership of Colin F made significant steps with the re-assembly of the largest and the smallest shafts, complete with new bearings and seals. Here are some photos:

D1010 – the very large and heavy output gear from ‘B’ transmission was re-fitted to the output shaft with the help of the hydraulic press at the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ on Monday 3rd April 2023. The thin black pipe is for the oil injection equipment that has to be used at the same time as the press to achieve the required fit against the tapered shaft. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the small size of the bevel gear for the filling pump makes the perfect contrast to the massive proportions of the output shaft. This pump keeps the hydraulic fluid moving throughout the transmission and the external heat exchanger circuit. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 4th April 2023 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the timeline for this restoration project has been published in the DEPG Spring 2023 Newsletter that has been sent to all registered DEPG members. The narrative that goes with this timeline will be published on our website ASAP and covered in a future roundup. DEPG © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is now inside the paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed at Williton for a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. This loco is expected to be out of traffic until late April.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is outstationed at Minehead and is available for her BLUE timetable duties, the next run being Sunday 16th April.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is now stabled on number 2 road at Williton in preparation for an oil change. The sump drains were sampled on Saturday 8th April by Tom and Ian R and the engine run for 30 minutes by John so that the drains can be checked again next weekend before an oil change is performed. This is to ensure that there is no significant leakage of coolant taking place within the engine. A coolant leak would quickly result in a very expensive oil change becoming spoiled, so it is important to take samples and check carefully before moving forward. This loco is rostered for service under the BLUE timetable on the weekend of 13/14th May. Click here or on the image below for a short video clip of the engine start-up.

D7017 was started up while on number 2 road at Williton on Saturday 8th April 2023 so that the sump drains can be checked next weekend before an oil change is performed. The clean start (the first this year) shows the benefit of an engine pre-heater. The above image is an extract from a short video clip by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is awaiting attention to a short list of issues that were identified during the loaded test run that took place in December 2022. Work is expected to start on this loco in late April, after completion of sister loco D7017. The issues will be addressed in time for the WSR’s Summer Diesel Festival that takes place between Thursday 8th June and Saturday 10th June 2023.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the team progressed the work on the brake rigging last week, and ran into some snags with some of the brake hangers which were found to be bent, no doubt the result of a derailment when the loco was in use during National Coal Board days at Ashington Colliery in Northumberland. The bent hangers have been sent out to subcontract for straightening, but if this proves unsuccesful, new hangers will have to be made. Meanwhile, Colin and John continued their work re-fitting the battery boxes and preparing for re-wiring. Apologies for the lack of photos this week, but we will compensate for this in the next roundup.

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – as stated in a previous roundup, the haulage turns that were allocated to this loco have had to be cancelled due to the need to haul 6 or 7 coaches on those days. This is the result of the commercial success of the WSR’s ‘Fish and Chip’ and ‘Cream Tea’ specials which require the full length rake of coaches. We are in discussion with the WSR about suitable alternative dates where the Class 14 could be loaded with no more than 5 coaches and we will send out a DIESELGEN bulletin as soon as we have that information.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco underwent repairs to her brake cylinders at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway last week, but we have been advised that she returned to service on Sunday 9th hauling the scheduled diesel diagram. Although the issue only affected one of the brake cylinders, the whole set has been overhauled to ensure that the issue does not crop up later in the season. We look forward to hearing more about this loco soon.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is waiting for an engine test run so that the overspeed setting can be adjusted and verified. This will be followed by a Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT), after which the recent work done on this loco will be considered as complete and the loco will be ready to move outdoors.

 

If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we have started shipping copies of the latest in the DIESEL DAWN series of booklets that are published by Mortons Media Group, VOLUME 7: WESTERN REGION CLASS 14 DIESEL-HYDRAULICS so order your copy now ! This book is on sale via our website for the benefit of the D9518 restoration fund. PLEASE BUY A COPY to support D9518 ! We have been provided with a Book Review by regular contributor Neale Long and we will be including this in the next edition of Roundup.

We can also supply any of the previous six volumes, so please let us know if you would like to purchase any of the volumes in this interesting series. Please also take a look at our webstore for NEW BOOKS and PRE-OWNED BOOKS, the profits from which will go directly towards the upkeep of our loco fleet. Thank you very much for your support !

Just as a reminder, we can also supply PLATFORM 5 publications either from stock or against a special order, the profits from such sales going towards our general loco maintenance funds.

 

 

ON SHED – staying with our recent theme of Bristol Bath Road depot, we have another photo by Mark Bladwell, this time featuring a wide range of locomotives from the humble Class 03 shunter in the background through classes 25, 31 and 37 to the mighty ‘Westerns’, of which three are pictured in this view dated May 1975. The class 25s and 31s have taken up the work of the ‘Hymeks’ that were withdrawn over the previous two years. Many thanks to Mark for sharing his photo with us all.

Quite a collection of locomotives at Bristol Bath Road depot on the bright and sunny day of 20th May 1975. The front row comprise (L-R) Class 52 D1012 ‘WESTERN FIREBRAND’, Class 25 25162, D1001 ‘WESTERN PATHFINDER’ and Class 31 31232 while a Class 37 lurks in the background along with another Class 52 and a Class 03 shunter. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting was held at Williton on Saturday 25th March and a synopsis of the meeting is being prepared and will be emailed to all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address.

The SPRING 2023 DEPG Newsletter (issue #63) has been distributed to all registered DEPG members, both by post and by email, so please let us know if you haven’t yet received your copy.

 

 

Please make sure that your membership is up to date so that we can continue to send you a copy of this quarterly newsletter (via email or post at your choice). The newsletter includes detailed updates on the plans for our two restoration projects (D1010 and D9518), plus other information that is specific to DEPG members.

If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR : Friday 28th April through Monday 1st May 2023

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

     

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post