• Weekly Roundup – 20-Mar-26

    The DEPG’s Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ are undergoing preparation for their forthcoming duties. Both D7017 and D7018 are fully serviceable and ready to perform. D7018 was pictured at Loughborough while having her engine started in readiness for her Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) on Wednesday 18th March 2026. She passed with flying colours. Image from a video by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

    Click here or on the image below to watch the video of the start-up:

    D7018 was started up at Loughborough in readiness for her Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) on Wednesday 18th March 2026. Video by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    All DEPG efforts are being directed toward preparing our locos for their service commitments in the coming weeks, with D7018 in action on the GCR next week and D7017 in action on the WSR next weekend.

    The WSR Infrastructure teams (both full-time and volunteer teams) have also been working flat-out to prepare the line for re-opening and the results will be clearly visible when the line reopens next weekend. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to both teams for their hard work – as evidenced by the photos below:

    The WSR’s Class 03 shunter D2133 was put to good use on this special working from Minehead to Blue Anchor on Monday 16th March 2026 with the ‘Atlas’ crane, in connection with the refurbishment of the down inner home signal at Blue Anchor Station. Photo by Robin Wichard © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    A concrete retaining wall has been constructed to protect the line, following a minor landslip that occurred during the very wet weather in February. Pictured at Blue Anchor on Thursday 19th March 2026 by Robin Wichard © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Evidence of a very neat and tidy lineside with spring flowers in abundance, the result of very hard work by the full-time and volunteer infrastructure teams. Pictured at Washford on Thursday 19th March 2026 by Jake Genge © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

     

    After D7017 spent a week basking in the limelight of the HRA awards, this coming weekend will see her undergo an engine start and take some gentle exercise in the yard at Williton, as final preparation for her appearance in the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in ONE WEEK from now.

    Sister loco D7018 is also being prepared for a Diesel Driver Experience Course at the GCR next week and will participate at THREE diesel galas on other railways before returning to her home territory in August, in time to feature in the WSR’s DIESELS AT 65 event over August Bank Holiday weekend.

    Great Central Railway (GCR)

    24-26 April 2026

    Severn Valley Railway (SVR)

    14-17 May 2026

    Gloucestershire-Warwickshire

    24-26 July 2026

     

     

    The much-travelled loco will then head back to the WSR in time for the DIESELS AT 65 EVENT that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where all five of our 65-year-olds (Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019), Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018) will participate in a special birthday event featuring some very interesting combinations. Details will be announced nearer the time, but meanwhile GO AHEAD AND BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION to make the most of the long weekend !

     

     

    To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago. The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available. Click here or on the image below for more details of this anniversary weekend.

     

     

    The DIESELS at 65 event adds to the WSR 50 EVENTS FOR 2026, all of which covered in the graphic below. The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details on some of these events, and will be expanding soon to include the recently-announced events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

     

    SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL

    The WSR have announced another visitor from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery. This loco was built by Brush Traction at Loughborough and was one of later deliveries, entering service as D1955 in November 1966 and allocated to the ‘Western Lines’ pool of the London Midland Region (LMR). The loco became 47511 after conversion to Electric Train Heating (ETH) in March 1974 and was selected for conversion to push-pull operation, becoming 47714 in March 1985. While our own Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ is away at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it will be great to have a ‘47‘ back at work on the WSR and this loco will no doubt be very popular.

    Previously-announced Class 37 37250 (D6950) is another crowd-pleaser and will definitely help swell the crowds and make the event even more enjoyable than usual.

    DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

    The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS.

    DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

    Click here or on the image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

     

     

    Our popular DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

     

     

    LOCO NEWS:

     

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the pace is quickening as the weather improves and allows for longer working hours in far more pleasant working conditions. The underside of the loco has now been painted and is looking very smart indeed. There has been more progress on the ‘B’ bogie and we are planning to get the equalising beams installed during the first week of April, then the primary springs can go back in. All in all, it feels like we are making progress !

    D1010 – the fresh paint on the underframe at the ‘B’ end of the loco is evidence of the increasing pace of restoration work on this loco. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – more progress on the NDT work on the ‘B’ bogie with volunteer Thomas A pictured while preparing another area for the dye penetrant inspection process. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – on the other side of the ‘B’ bogie, volunteer Ian F surveys the next area to receive the attention of the Dye Penetrant. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – one of the equalising beams from the primary suspension of the ‘B’ bogie was undergoing refurbishment at the workshops of subcontractor MATT HIGHAM on Saturday 14th March 2026. We expect to get these beams and the refurbished pedestal mounts back in the bogie during the first week of April. Photo by Matt Higham © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco is stabled on No. 2 road n the South Yard at Williton and will be in use on Saturday 21st March to shunt the yard and re-position various locos for maintenance and for return to service. Work continues in preparing this loco for her conversion to dual braking, with an equipment cabinet being installed earlier this week to house the control gear for the exhausters.

    08401 (D3516) – the equipment cabinet that houses the exhauster control gear was installed onto the loco at Williton on Tuesday 17th March 2026. Photo by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is still a few weeks away from a return to duty at Bishops Lydeard, but the number of outstanding tasks has reduced to just a handful and the loco will then be ready for her annual Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT). This weekend should see the cab flooring being completed (thank you JT) and the repaired coolant pump refitted (thank you Colin F and Reece), leaving Ian R and Tom with the oil leak to sort out and the compressor governor to adjust. All in a day’s work !

    Just to make life interesting, this loco will have to vacate the loco shed on Saturday 21st March to make way for Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048), but the outstanding tasks can be carried out in the nice weather that we are currently enjoying, so it will all work out well.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is due to move indoors on Saturday 21st March by swapping places with Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019). This will allow her roof to be removed for repair and will also allow her repaired exhauster to be lowered-in via the designated route, rather than manhandled along the narrow walkway alongside the engine!

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain ‘on duty’ and available for use if required.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

    Please do try and go along to one or more of these events to show your support for D7018 and help ensure that her visits are a big success !

    Here are the running dates for D7018 on the GCR:

     

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the need for pre-season training depleted the team on this loco this week, but the training has now been done and the team will be back on the case during this coming week.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019).

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but has been ‘stopped’ because of an issue with her ‘triple pump’ – which is an electrical machine that is a combined water pump, oil pump and fuel pump, all driven from one big DC electric motor. The spare has been taken from stock at Williton and the motor has been sent to a specialist subcontractor for reconditioning. It will then be sent to the NYMR for installation into 47077. This work is taking longer than planned because it required the complete rewinding of the armature, so it is likely to take another week or so and will cost around £4,000.

    The loco will then need to go out for tyre turning, which will be a convoy move over the main line from Grosmont with other NYMR diesels, when the line re-opens.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was moved from Number 1 road to Number 2 road at Williton last Saturday so that she could receive some attention to her fuel filters. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

    Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – the coarse fuel strainer has become coated with gummy residue and this is resulting in fuel starvation. The fuel tank and fuel system will need to be cleaned and purged (again) to resolve this problem and make this loco reliable again. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 17th March 2026 by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    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 Saturdays and Tuesdays 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 !

     

     

    NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

    Still feeling the cold in the evenings and mornings ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

    So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

    The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

    The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

    Garment type Price
    T shirt £22
    Polo shirt £25
    Sweatshirt £35
    Hoodie £37
    Fleece £40
    Other ? Tell us what you want ! Use our CONTACT FORM

    These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

    We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

     

     

    ON SHED – this week, we have some more photos from DAVID HINGSTON, being scans from old slides dating back to the 1960s that did not carry any identification, so a bit of detective work has been required. Starting with the easy ones (easy for me, anyway), here are two images taken from the end of platform 3 at Cardiff General Station (renamed as Cardiff Central from May 1973 onward).

    NOTE: corrections have been applied, as advised by DEPG member Gareth Jones – thank you Gareth !

    The first image is looking across to platforms 1 and 2 which are the ‘up’ platforms (heading East), and a 6-car Swindon-built Class 120 ‘Cross-Country’ DMU can be seen at Platform 2, most likely destined for Birmingham Snow Hill. Taking the up main line through the station is Class 47 D1673 (47087, 47624) ‘CYCLOPS’ running light engine. This sets the date as AFTER June 1966 because ‘CYCLOPS‘ was named in that month and her nameplate is visible in this image.

     Here are some of the notes that David sent with his photos:

         “Cardiff General – that pic was almost certainly taken while waiting for the Plymouth Argyle special to return to Devon after probably an early exit from the FA cup at the hands of Cardiff City.

         Although … through the wonderful resources of the internet, I find that the only three dates that Argyle played Cardiff away in the second half of the 1960s was 1 Jan 1966, 15 Oct 1966 and 19 August 1967.

         The first two of those matches resulted in 5-1 and 7-1 trounces and after the third match Argyle were relegated !

         I know it was the second half of the 1960s because I had started as an apprentice in Devonport Dockyard in 1965 and made a friend who was a serious Argle fan and railway enthusiast, so that was when I started occasionally going to away matches by train.”

     

    Also in the collection of ‘mystery slides’ was another image taken at Cardiff, most likely on the same day as the other photo, this time at the far end of platform 3 looking west, with a Cardiff-based Class 37 approaching with a train of loose coupled 21-t mineral wagons. From close inspection of the image, the loco is is either D6875 (37175) or D6975 (37275). Both were green with small yellow panel at that time and both were vacuum braked and steam heat, so it is difficult to choose between them. Interestingly, both ’37s’ are still in service today, but the ’47’ and the DMU went for scrap a long time ago.

    Many thanks to David for sharing his memories and photos with us all.

    Class 47 D1673 (47087, 47624) ‘CYCLOPS’ takes the up main through Cardiff General Station while a 6-car Swindon-built Class 120 ‘Cross-Country’ DMU waits at Platform 2 before heading east then north toward Birmingham Snow Hill. The date – either 15th October 1966 or 19th August 1967. Photo by David Hingston © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    A Cardiff Canton-based Class 37, either D6875 (37175) or D6975 (37275) approaches Cardiff General Station from the west with a trainload of 21-t mineral wagons. The date – either 15th October 1966 or 19th August 1967. Photo by David Hingston © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Today’s plan view of Cardiff Central Station differs only in the addition of Platforms 0 and 8, but has changed beyond all recognition in terms of surroundings, as the city has grown up around it and low-level dwellings have been swept away and replaced by hi-rise hotels. All through roads are now electrified. Image by OpenSteetMaps © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

     

     

    NEW BOOKS ON SALE

    This week, we are pleased to announce a NEW BOOK compiled by ROGER GEACH based on the photographs of the late STEPHEN MARSHALL entitled ‘The Demise of the Diesel Hydraulics’ and published by Transport Treasury with a release date of Sunday 22nd March 2026. This new book will be flying off the shelves, so CLICK HERE to place your order NOW. This is a hardback book that is close to A4 in size and has 176 pages with 230 images, so the price of £29.95 is well justified.

    Here are the notes that have been provided by the publisher:

         “This book is based on the Diesel Hydraulic photographs taken by the late Stephen C Marshall from Devon and supplemented by some of his friends. While they are mostly of ‘Westerns’ other Hydraulics are also depicted. This was very much the Rail Blue period. It was Stephen’s wish to start from late 1969 in date order up to the final day of the ‘Westerns’ terminating with the Western Tribute Railtour February 1977.

         He also wished to include some preserved pictures as well and we have done this with what we hope are some more unusual preserved scenes. The majority of the pictures have not been published before. Stephen was well known as the former owner of Globe Videos and he produced a number of DVD on the Hydraulics but had not published many of his photographs.

         He was also well known as a keen follower of locomotive hauled trains and loved to travel the country. As he lived in Devon for many years there is a strong bias on pictures taken in his own County. Many of the locations such as his favourite Newton Abbot have changed beyond recognition in the 50 years or so that many of the pictures were taken.

         Along with the station changes the rolling stock and Infrastructure has also changed as the years have past. For those that followed the Hydraulics and the Railways of the Western Region should find much to interest them in this publication. Railway modellers should also find much to interest them from that period.”

     
    Well done to all involved in the creation of this new book !
     
     
     
    We also have another new title to add to our ONLINE STORE with the release of the THIRD volume of the ‘Railways of the North East 1975-1995‘ trilogy by Michael Rhodes. This very successful series has raised the awareness of the variety of workings in that region and highlighted the plethora of rolling stock types and classes of locomotive that were involved in day-to-day operations during that 20-year period. Well done Michael !

     

    We have added VOLUME 3 to our online bookstore along with the two new books that were released earlier in the month, and all of these books are in stock so PLACE YOUR ORDERS via our online store NOW ! Click here or on the images below to go to the relevant pages on our online store.

     

     

     

    DEPG NEWS: our recently-restored ‘NiftyLift’ Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP or ‘Cherry Picker’ in common parlance) gained it’s LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) certificate earlier this week and was immediately put to use by our insurance assessor to inspect the 2 tonne gantry crane in the loco shed. The restoration of this 2001-vintage machine is the result of many hours of patient work by Tony, Gwyn, JT and several others, who have together managed to bring this machine back from near-total dilapidation to the fully working and certificated machine that we see today. WELL DONE TEAM!

    The fully-restored and certificated ‘NiftyLift’ MEWP was put to use by Allianz Insurance Assessor Steve at Williton on Tuesday 17th March 2026 for the purpose of inspecting the 2 tonne gantry crane. Pictured alongside Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

     

    JOIN US using whichever membership class is appropriate for your situation and means. CLICK HERE or on the image below or use the QR code to get the details.

         

     

    If you would like to go one step further and come along to help with the work on the locos in our fleet, then please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know that you would like to volunteer and we will respond with more details.

    We look forward to hearing from you !

     

    Go to the previous Roundup post

    Go to Join Us page

    Go to Welcome page

    Go to Home page

     

  • Weekly Roundup – 13-Mar-26

    At the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) annual awards event on Saturday 7th March 2026, the DEPG were presented with the ‘RAIL EXPRESS MODERN TRACTION AWARD‘ by Editor Chris Milner (third from left) in recognition of 50 years of preservation of ‘Hymek’ D7017. The award was also presented to the Hastings Diesel Group (on the left) for their 30 years of mainline running. Centre stage, key fundraiser John Crane is holding the award for the DEPG with Martin Howard, Paul Tucker and Clive Burrows representing the multitude of dedicated volunteers who have looked after D7017 since acquisition in May of 1975. Photo by the HRA © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    The HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION is the trade body for the heritage railways of the UK and currently has around 300 members including the DEPG. The HRA holds award contests annually to encourage achievement and reward excellence across a wide range of headings from locomotive restoration through to infrastructure projects and visitor experiences. At this year’s event, the DEPG were presented with the ‘RAIL EXPRESS MODERN TRACTION AWARD‘ by well-known magazine editor Chris Milner in recognition of the 50-year-plus preservation of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 on the West Somerset Railway !

     

    From left to right: Clive Burrows, John Crane, Paul Tucker and Martin Howard, pictured at the HRA Annual Awards Event held in Llandudno on Saturday 7th March 2026. Photo provided by the HRA

     

    Also in the running for two of the most strongly contested HRA awards and achieving highly commended status were two entries from the West Somerset Railway, notably the restoration of Andrew Barclay ‘fireless’ locomotive No. 1984 of 1930, ‘Boots No. 1’ in the Steam Locomotive Award category and the very popular BLUE ANCHOR STATION in the Station of the Year Award. WELL DONE TO ALL INVOLVED !

     

    Andrew Barclay ‘fireless’ locomotive No. 1984 of 1930, ‘Boots No. 1’ was highly commended in the Steam Locomotive Awards category. Photo by Colin Barratt © CC BY-NC 4.0 The delightful Blue Anchor Station on the WSR was highly commended in the Station of the Year category. Photo by the WSR © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured at Blue Anchor while on a positioning move from Williton to Minehead on Tuesday 23rd September 2025. Photo by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    While D7017 basks in the limelight of the HRA awards, she is also undergoing preparation for her appearance in the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in TWO WEEKS from now, and her sister loco D7018 is also being prepared to participate at THREE diesel galas on other railways before returning to her home territory in August, in time to feature in the WSR’s DIESELS AT 65 event over August Bank Holiday weekend.

    Great Central Railway (GCR)

    24-26 April 2026

    Severn Valley Railway (SVR)

    14-17 May 2026

    Gloucestershire-Warwickshire

    24-26 July 2026

     

     

    The much-travelled loco will then head back to the WSR in time for the DIESELS AT 65 EVENT that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where all five of our 65-year-olds (Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019), Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018) will participate in a special birthday event featuring some very interesting combinations. Details will be announced nearer the time, but meanwhile GO AHEAD AND BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION to make the most of the long weekend !

     

     

    To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago. The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available. Click here or on the image below for more details of this anniversary weekend.

     

     

     

    The DIESELS at 65 event adds to the WSR 50 EVENTS FOR 2026, all of which covered in the graphic below. The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details on some of these events, and will be expanding soon to include the recently-announced events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

     

    SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL

    The WSR have announced another visitor from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery. This loco was built by Brush Traction at Loughborough and was one of later deliveries, entering service as D1955 in November 1966 and allocated to the ‘Western Lines’ pool of the London Midland Region (LMR). The loco became 47511 after conversion to Electric Train Heating (ETH) in March 1974 and was selected for conversion to push-pull operation, becoming 47714 in March 1985. While our own Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ is away at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it will be great to have a ‘47‘ back at work on the WSR and this loco will no doubt be very popular.

    Previously-announced Class 37 37250 (D6950) is another crowd-pleaser and will definitely help swell the crowds and make the event even more enjoyable than usual.

    DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

    The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS.

    DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

    Click here or on the image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

     

     

    Our popular DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

     

     

    08401 (D3516) Dual Braking Conversion Project – UPDATE

    Pictured at work in her vacuum-braked days, Class 08 shunter D3516 (08401) was working a coal train past Radstock West on the former Somerset & Dorset line, back in June 1967. Photo obtained from RAIL ONLINE with our thanks for granting permission for the DEPG to use it on our website. © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    £10,868 RAISED – A TOTAL SUCCESS !!!!!

    The appeal for donations toward the estimated £5,200 cost of converting recently-acquired Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) from air brake to dual brake has reached it’s target and has been MATCH-FUNDED by our mysterious and generous benefactor, so we now have £10,868 that will be used to accelerate this loco on her path to dual-brake capability.

    We would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have supported this request for help. The ability to go out and buy the parts that we need will allow us to speed up the job of converting this loco to dual braking.

    The balances of the four fundraising channels have been totalled up and are as follows:

    Donations via Donation amount Gift Aid
    Gofundme £1,595 £242
    DEPG online store £310 £65
    Membermojo £350 £87
    Direct to bank £2,228 £557
    TOTALS £4,483 £951
    COMBINED TOTAL

    £5,434 plus MATCH FUNDING

    to achieve £10,868

    Donations to the 08401 Dual Braking Conversion Project, as at 6th March 2026

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have donated to this cause !

     

    This is EXCELLENT NEWS for 08401 and will help us get the work done in the shortest possible time and help to get this loco into service on the WSR. This loco has never been used for passenger haulage, so 2026 is going to be a big year for 08401 !

     

    Click here to visit the 08401 (D3516) dual-braking project page

    As the DEPG is a registered charity, any donations made to a defined cause are applied only to that cause, so your donation will make a difference to the project of your choice. Thank you very much !

     

     

    LOCO NEWS:

     

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the need to carry out pre-season training impacted the availability of volunteers at Williton last weekend, but we still had enough hands to put to the task of painting the underframe of the loco out in the yard. After a full day of spray painting with red oxide primer, Gordon had a very unusual pink tint to his normally-white hair ! Luckily, he did make sure that there was more paint on the loco than on himself.

    D1010 – the red and grey paint on the underframe at the ‘B’ end of the loco shows continual progress toward completing this long and tedious clean-up task. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – and at the ‘A’ end, thanks to more effort from Gordon and Phil, the red and grey painted areas are becoming predominant. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Then on Tuesday, the ‘Transmission Team’ tackled the changing of the other two sets of torque reaction bushes on the ‘B’ bogie, and found that these were in much better condition compared to those of the inboard axle (the 50-year-old rubber bushes were changed anyway). The photos below show the different arrangement of the centre axle, which did cause our team to modify their approach to take account of the space restrictions in this area.

    D1010 – the torque reaction rubbers of the centre axle of the ‘B’ bogie were replaced with new by the ‘Transmission Team’ at Williton on Tuesday 10th March 2026. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – the torque reaction rubbers of the outer axle of the ‘B’ bogie were also replaced with new by the ‘Transmission Team’ at Williton on Tuesday 10th March 2026. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – one of the cardan shafts from ‘B’ bogie was also undergoing clean-up at Williton on Tuesday 10th March 2026. Photo by Jeffrey Curd © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco is stabled in the South Yard at Williton and is available for use (in air brake mode) for any shunting duties that might be required. Meanwhile, design work is taking place to draw up the new pipework that is needed to reinstate the vacuum brake system, and the additional electrical control equipment is being assembled and installed where possible.

    08401 (D3516) – one of the side compartment doors was undergoing priming before being painted by Roy at Williton on 7th March 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is close to being ready to return to duty at Bishops Lydeard, just in time for the start of the 2026 running season (late March). The coolant leak was traced to the coolant pump seal, so this will need to be replaced before the loco goes back into service. The temporary replacement cab floor was made by ‘JT’ at Williton on Saturday 7th March, involving quite a bit of patience to get the plywood sheet cut to the correct profile, after which it dropped into place and only needs to be fixed down and sealed. Well done ‘JT’ !

    D4107 (09019) – the temporary plywood flooring was cut to size and shape by ‘JT’ at Williton on 7th March 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D4107 (09019) – the temporary plywood flooring was then installed in the cab, again by ‘JT’ at Williton on 7th March 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is outdoors on No 1 road and is next in line to enter the loco shed so that her leaking engine room roof can be removed and repaired. Meanwhile, her No. 1 vacuum exhauster has received a new centre oil seal and has been reassembled by Ian and Ethan W. This heavy and bulky machine will now wait until the loco is in the shed with her roof off, before being hoisted back into the engine room.

    D6566 (33048) – the No. 1 vacuum exhauster has now received a new centre oil seal and is ready to be hoisted back into the loco. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th March 2026 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain ‘on duty’ and available for use if required.

     

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

    Please do try and go along to one or more of these events to show your support for D7018 and help ensure that her visits are a big success !

    Here are the running dates for D7018 on the GCR:

     

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the two teams (Saturday and Tuesday) continue to push ahead with the work on this loco, with the Tuesday team concentrating on the engine and ancillary equipment, and the Saturday team concentrating on the bodywork. Some patient and diligent preparation was carried out by Andy P on one of the bodyside doors that was first retrieved from outdoor storage, and this door then received a coat of primer before home time. This door will be rubbed down again before getting several more coats of paint, to make sure that the finish is in-keeping with the rest of the loco. Well done Andy P !

    D9518 – one of the side doors from the ‘B’ end of the loco was undergoing restoration in the hands of Andy P at Williton on Saturday 7th March 2026. Photo by Andy Royal© CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019).

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but has been ‘stopped’ because of an issue with her ‘triple pump’ – which is an electrical machine that is a combined water pump, oil pump and fuel pump, all driven from one big DC electric motor. The spare has been taken from stock at Williton and the motor has been sent to a specialist subcontractor for reconditioning. It will then be sent to the NYMR for installation into 47077. This work is taking longer than planned because it required the complete rewinding of the armature, so it is likely to take another week or so and will cost around £4,000.

    The loco will then need to go out for tyre turning, which will be a convoy move over the main line from Grosmont with other NYMR diesels, when the line re-opens.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was moved from Number 1 road to Number 2 road at Williton last Saturday so that she can receive some attention to her fuel filters. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

     

    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 Saturdays and Tuesdays 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 !

     

     

    NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

    Feeling the cold ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

    So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store – we are adding more options on a weekly basis. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

    The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

    The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

    Garment type Price
    T shirt £22
    Polo shirt £25
    Sweatshirt £35
    Hoodie £37
    Fleece £40
    Other ? Tell us what you want ! Use our CONTACT FORM

    These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

    We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

     

     

    ON SHED – this week, we have some more photos from DAVE GRAY featuring Hartlepool Stabling Point and some of the movements that could be observed from nearby. Look back at the previous roundup for Dave’s notes about the location. Here are the rest of the notes that Dave sent with his photos:

         “40103 (D303) is captured in the summer of 1978 on the daily lunchtime empty vans train from Newcastle to York. This up train collected from the major Durham coast stations all the unloaded vans from that same early morning’s down parcels train.  At Hartlepool, apart from the daily procession of 37s and Class 101 DMUs, this was the most interesting train of the day. The motive power could be absolutely anything, and could range from a Class 25 to a Class 55 that Gateshead depot were trying to get rid of. When a ’55’ was sighted it was always operating on one engine only because it was on it’s way to Doncaster Works for rectification.

         Most usually it was a Class 40 on this duty. In the summer of 1979, 47207 (D1857) was also captured while on this working.

         Back to the summer of 1978 and 37200 (D6900, 37377) was caught hauling the weed killing train past the stabling point. I remember thinking, why couldn’t we have been sent some unusual traction for this unusual train!”

     

    Many thanks to Dave for sharing his memories and photos with us all.

    English Electric Type 4 Class 40 40103 (D303) was pictured while working the Newcastle to York empty vans train past a rake of MGR wagons and Hartlepool SP in the summer of 1978. This loco started her life at Crewe in 1960 and roamed the London Midland Region for 14 years before heading north to Edinburgh Haymarket for the last eight year of her working life. Ironically, she returned to Crewe to be reduced to scrap. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    One year later and BR-Brush Type 4 Class 47 47207 (D1857) was pictured on the same Newcastle to York empty vans train working. An unidentified Class 08 shunter is visible ‘on shed’ at Hartlepool Stabling Point. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Left to Right, English Electric Type 3 Class 37 37097 (D6797) was stabled amongst the weeds at Hartlepool SP in the summer of 1978 while her younger sister 37200 (D6900, 37377) worked a weedkilling train toward York. Ironically, the elder sister survives in preservation at the Caledonian Railway, but the younger machine was withdrawn in 2001 after providing 38 years of service. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

     

    Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

     

     

    NEW BOOKS ON SALE

    In addition to the two recent releases from Bernard Mills, namely Parts 2 and 3 of the ‘PADDINGTON TO PENZANCE during the Diesel Era‘ trilogy, we are also offering two new books that will be of particular interest to like-minded members and supporters as they both feature diesel-hydraulic locos and are therefore guaranteed to have a good market, such is the strength of the following for the types.

    Above: A very interesting new book about the early days of the diesel hydraulic preservation movement. Well worth a read and reasonably priced at £15.99 – click here or on the image above to go to our online store page.

     

     

     

     

    DEPG NEWS: the pre-season training efforts continue with the second of the WSR’s full-day training  sessions on Saturday and a Diesel Secondman training session taking place on Sunday. Although the line remains closed and under an engineering possession, some infrastructure trains will run between Minehead and Blue Anchor, but not involving DEPG locomotives. The following week, there should be some loco and empty coaching stock positioning moves mixed in with footplate crew refreshers. Busy times indeed ! 

     

    The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

     

    JOIN US using whichever membership class is appropriate for your situation and means. CLICK HERE or on the image below or use the QR code to get the details.

         

     

    If you would like to go one step further and come along to help with the work on the locos in our fleet, then please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know that you would like to volunteer and we will respond with more details.

    We look forward to hearing from you !

     

    Go to the previous Roundup post

    Go to Join Us page

    Go to Welcome page

    Go to Home page

     

  • Weekly Roundup – 06-Mar-26

    Not an everyday sight on the West Somerset Railway, but these are unusual times ! GWR Class 800 ‘Flying Cucumber’ 800036 had turned on the triangle at Norton Fitzwarren and was pictured while at Norton Platform before departing towards Taunton on Friday 27th February 2026. Photo by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Cross-Country Trains Class 220 ‘Voyager’ was heading for Taunton on the Exeter to Bristol main line while Class 57 ‘Body Snatcher’ 57604 (D1859, 47209) ‘PENDENNIS CASTLE’ hauled GWR’s ‘Night Riviera’ Sleeper train away from the camera and toward Barnstaple Junction and Allerford, for turning on the West Somerset Railway’s Norton triangle. Pictured on 27th February 2026 by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Main-line locos and trains of various classes have been using the triangle at Norton Fitzwarren to turn around to get their first class accommodation back at the London end, where it is supposed to be. Why ? Two reasons, one is that the first class accommodation sometimes ends up at the ‘country end’, particularly when working in and around Gloucester, and the other reason is that an engineering blockade of the line at Plymouth has prevented the use of the triangle in that area. Some sets still need to be turned to re-orientate them, so the triangle at Norton became the logical solution !

    The sets are turned by first running west toward Allerford (on the former Barnstaple branch) then reversing northwards via the West Chord towards Allerford Junction, then heading southeast on the Norton platform line to rejoin Network Rail metals at Barnstaple Junction (refer to the map below).

    This extract from the WSR Rule Book, Map 10 shows that the Allerford spur is all that remains of the Barnstaple branch. To see the Rule Book maps and many more, go to the wsr.org.uk website by clicking this link. Image courtesy of WSR plc © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Last Saturday night, we had to send out a DIESELGEN bulletin to advise that Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was not going to be able to perform on the Sunday of the Great Central Railway’s Spring Weekend as was originally planned. The reason that we gave was ‘lack of train crew’, which was based on the information available to us at the time. We subsequently learned that the loco had been involved in a ‘heavy shunt’ and had been stood down pending an engineering inspection. We apologise for the incomplete information contained in the DIESELGEN and we appreciate the level and number of concerns raised, but Beyer Peacock ‘Hymeks’ are tough and we expect to hear good news from the inspectors soon.

     

    In fact, D7018 continues to make the news, this time with the announcement that she will be one of the stars at the SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY’s Spring Diesel Festival that takes place from Thursday 14th through Sunday 17th May. The loco will depart from the GCR on Friday 1st May and will travel by road to Kidderminster where she will undergo some maintenance checks before becoming available for use by the SVR from early May through to mid-July, no doubt to the delight of ‘hydraulic’ fans from far and wide.

     

    Then, in mid-July, the loco will hitch another ride on a low-loader for the short trip to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway to take part in their ‘COTSWOLD DIESEL GALA‘ that will run from Friday 24th through Sunday 26th July. This is a very popular event and the sight and sound of a ‘Hymek’ will be a great addition to their planned lineup. We very much appreciate the invitation. 

    The much-travelled loco will then head back to the WSR in time for the DIESELS AT 65 EVENT that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where all five of our 65-year-olds (Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019), Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018) will participate in a special birthday event featuring some very interesting combinations. Details will be announced nearer the time, but meanwhile GO AHEAD AND BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION to make the most of the long weekend !

     

    Here’s a reminder that Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is going to feature in a special program of running on the weekend of 28/29 March to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening of the Minehead branch. After closure of the branch by BR in January 1971, the first public services under the auspices of the WSR ran on Saturday 28th March 1976, initially from Minehead to Blue Anchor, then extending to Williton in the summer and then to Stogumber, finally reaching Bishops Lydeard in 1979.

    Click here to go to wsr.org.uk to browse the photos from that first year.

    To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago. The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available. Click here or on the image below for more details of this anniversary weekend.

     

     

     

    The DIESELS at 65 event adds to the KEY DATES FOR 2026, some of which covered in the graphic below. The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details on some of these events, and will be expanding soon to include the recently-announced events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

    t

     

    SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL

    The WSR have announced another visitor from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery. This loco was built by Brush Traction at Loughborough and was one of later deliveries, entering service as D1955 in November 1966 and allocated to the ‘Western Lines’ pool of the London Midland Region (LMR). The loco became 47511 after conversion to Electric Train Heating (ETH) in March 1974 and was selected for conversion to push-pull operation, becoming 47714 in March 1985. While our own Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ is away at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it will be great to have a ‘47‘ back at work on the WSR and this loco will no doubt be very popular.

    Previously-announced Class 37 37250 (D6950) is another crowd-pleaser and will definitely help swell the crowds and make the event even more enjoyable than usual.

    DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

    The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS.

    DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

    Click here or on the image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

     

     

    Our popular DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

     

     

    08401 (D3516) Dual Braking Conversion Project – UPDATE

    Pictured at work in her vacuum-braked days, Class 08 shunter D3516 (08401) was working a coal train past Radstock West on the former Somerset & Dorset line back in June 1967. Photo obtained from RAIL ONLINE with our thanks for granting permission for the DEPG to use it on our website. © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    £10,868 RAISED – A TOTAL SUCCESS !!!!!

    The appeal for donations toward the estimated £5,200 cost of converting recently-acquired Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) from air brake to dual brake has reached it’s target and has been MATCH-FUNDED by our mysterious and generous benefactor, so we now have £10,868 that will be used to accelerate this loco on her path to dual-brake capability.

    We would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have supported this request for help. The ability to go out and buy the parts that we need will allow us to speed up the job of converting this loco to dual braking.

    The balances of the four fundraising channels have been totalled up and are as follows:

    Donations via Donation amount Gift Aid
    Gofundme £1,595 £242
    DEPG online store £310 £65
    Membermojo £350 £87
    Direct to bank £2,228 £557
    TOTALS £4,483 £951
    COMBINED TOTAL

    £5,434 plus MATCH FUNDING

    to achieve £10,868

    Donations to the 08401 Dual Braking Conversion Project, as at 6th March 2026

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have donated to this cause !

     

    This is EXCELLENT NEWS for 08401 and will help us get the work done in the shortest possible time and help to get this loco into service on the WSR. This loco has never been used for passenger haulage, so 2026 is going to be a big year for 08401 !

     

    Click here to visit the 08401 (D3516) dual-braking project page

    As the DEPG is a registered charity, any donations made to a defined cause are applied only to that cause, so your donation will make a difference to the project of your choice. Thank you very much !

     

     

    LOCO NEWS:

     

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – more Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) work took place on the ‘B’ bogie frames last weekend, this time with Ian F applying the dye penetrant and Andy R doing the assessing, with no issues requiring further investigation (in other words, a good outcome !).

    D1010 – the red paint on the ‘B’ bogie depicts areas that have been tested and have passed. The white areas were undergoing test at Williton on Saturday 28th February 2026. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Meanwhile, Gordon was assisted by Phil (taking time out from his Lead Station Master duties) as they progressed the painting of the underframe of the loco, out in the yard, making the most of the decent weather.

    D1010 – a change of scenery for Lead Station Master Phil who took advantage of the weather to get outside and underneath the loco body to get a coat of primer onto the underframe. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 28th February 2026 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Then on Tuesday, the ‘Transmission Team’ tackled the changing of the first set of torque reaction bushes on the ‘B’ bogie, starting with the inboard axle, the BR-era rubbers of which had perished and looked a very sorry sight. These metal-cored rubber bushings provide a resilient coupling that transfers the acceleration and braking torques between the final drive gearboxes and the bogie frame, so they have a hard life. The photos below show the ‘before and after’ views:

    D1010 – the torque reaction rubbers of the inboard axle of the ‘B’ bogie were in the worst condition of all, so were the first to be tackled by the ‘Transmission Team’ at Williton on Tuesday 3rd March 2026. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – the torque reaction arm was released then dropped to allow the uppermost rubber to be removed and to allow cleaning and inspection to take place. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – the two new torque reaction rubbers were then fitted and the cage re-assembled around them. One of the temporary jacking studs is still in place in this view at Williton on Tuesday 3rd March 2026. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco is stabled in the South Yard at Williton and is available for use (in air brake mode) for any shunting duties that might be required. Meanwhile, design work is taking place to draw up the new pipework that is needed to reinstate the vacuum brake system, and the additional electrical control equipment is being assembled and installed where possible.

     

    Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is close to being ready to return to duty at Bishops Lydeard, just in time for the start of the 2026 running season (late March). The loco was test run last weekend and the source of some oil and coolant leaks were established, with attention to be given this weekend to (hopefully) resolve them. The cab floor is also due to receive attention this weekend.

    D4107 (09019) – the engine bay doors were opened up to allow access for Ian R and his team, while in search of the mysterious oil leak. The source of the leak was traced to the No. 1 rocker cover seal, which will receive attention this weekend. Pictured at Williton on 28th February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D4107 (09019) – the large compressor for the air braking system takes up almost the entire space in the side compartment just ahead of the fuel tank and cab. Pictured at Williton on 28th February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is outdoors on No 1 road and is next in line to enter the loco shed so that her leaking engine room roof can be removed and repaired. The reasonable weather last Saturday allowed the loco to be moved to No. 3 road for a short while, so that the fork lift truck could be brought alongside to help remove the No. 1 vacuum exhauster. The delinquent machine was then moved into the loco shed so that it could be stripped down for an oil seal to be replaced.

    D6566 (33048) – the No. 1 vacuum exhauster was removed from the loco and taken into the loco shed so that it could be stripped down for an oil seal to be replaced. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 28th February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D6566 (33048) – the following day – the exhauster has been separated from the motor so the seal can now be accessed and replaced. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 1st March 2026 by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain ‘on duty’ and available for use if required.

    Diesels galore ! From L-R, the WSR’s Class 115 DMU, DEPG Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) were pictured at Westridge Shelter, Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 1st March 2026. Photo by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

    Please do try and go along to one or more of these events to show your support for D7018 and help ensure that her visits are a big success !

    Here are the running dates for D7018 on the GCR:

     

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the two teams (Saturday and Tuesday) continue to push ahead with the work on this loco, aided by several new volunteers who have joined recently, which probably explains the smile on Colin G’s face when he was eventually persuaded to look up for the (very patient) cameraman while painting the inside of the cab !

    D9518 – volunteer Colin G was hard at work painting the inside of the cab at Williton on Saturday 28th February 2026. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019). This loco underwent an engine run last weekend and everything was found to be in good working order.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but has been ‘stopped’ because of an issue with her ‘triple pump’ – which is an electrical machine that is a combined water pump, oil pump and fuel pump, all driven from one big DC electric motor. The spare has been taken from stock at Williton and sent to a specialist subcontractor for reconditioning before sending it to the NYMR for installation into 47077. This work is taking longer than planned because it required the complete rewinding of the armature, so it is likely to take another two weeks and cost around £4,000.

    The loco will then need to go out for tyre turning, which will be a convoy move over the main line from Grosmont with other NYMR diesels, when the line re-opens.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was moved from Number 1 road to Number 2 road at Williton last Saturday so that she can receive some attention to her fuel filters. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

     

    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 Saturdays and Tuesdays 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 !

     

     

    NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

    Feeling the cold ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

    So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store – we are adding more options on a weekly basis. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

    The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

    The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

    Garment type Price
    T shirt £22
    Polo shirt £25
    Sweatshirt £35
    Hoodie £37
    Fleece £40
    Other ? Tell us what you want ! Use our CONTACT FORM

    These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

    We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

     

     

    ON SHED – this week, the first of several photos from new contributor DAVE GRAY, with a Northeastern feel as we start in Hartlepool, back in the mid 1970s. Here are the notes that Dave sent with his photos:

         “Hartlepool stabling point was built on the site of the old West Hartlepool twin roundhouses (51C) after the old facility was demolished shortly after September 1967 when all the remaining steam allocation was sent for scrap. The whole site was always somewhat barren, having just been covered in old ballast and hardcore after the demolition and the area has recently been cleared to make way for new housing, with the remains of two turntables and ash pits etc uncovered.

    View:  Railway turntables uncovered 60 years after West Hartlepool (51C shed) demolished. – YouTube

         The stabling point was in use until the mid 1980s when with the demise of the coal mining industry, and the closure of the Durham coastal collieries, there was no requirement for its locos. Certainly, in the diesel era, apart from some local shunting requirements, the moving of coal was its reason for being. It was highly unusual for anything other than a Thornaby allocated loco to be present, but strangers did appear, most usually from Gateshead’s allocation.

         If you visited the site during the 1970s as I did on many occasions, during the week there may be an odd class 37 and a class 03 and 08 shunter in the yard. On a Sunday it was a different story, there could be seven or eight class 37s and four or five shunters of classes 03 and 08. In those days I saw no other class of loco there. In the 1980s there may still be one or two class 37s but the exotica of class 31s and 47/3s could be seen! By then the remaining collieries despatched their coal by way of MGR train to the Yorkshire power station,s hence the class 47s.

         37002 is shown in July 1976 on the stabling point. This was a standard fare loco for the area at that time. Most 37s at the stabling point had a guards van attached, and it wasn’t unusual to see the van being propelled up the main line to and from the collieries. 

         37025 is also pictured on the stabling point in July of that long hot summer of 1976. I took this pic because at the time I thought it was a very unusual 37 for our area, however its only now that I’ve learned that it had been a Thornaby loco since Feb 1974 and would remain so until  Feb 1977. It went back to March depot from whence it had come!”

    We will share more from Dave next week.

    Many thanks to Dave for sharing his memories and photos with us all.

    English Electric Type 3 Class 37 37002 (D6702) was pictured on-shed at Hartlepool in July of 1976. This loco was one of the first deliveries of the Class back in December 1960 and was initially allocated to Stratford, but gradually made her way northward until eventually cut up in Stockton-on-Tees after doing 40 years of hard labour. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    English Electric Type 3 Class 37 37025 (D6725) was also on-shed at Hartlepool in July of 1976. This loco was also one of the early deliveries and was allocated to Stratford in August 1961, but has since roamed far and wide and is still in use today. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

     

     

    NEW BOOKS ON SALE

    In addition to the two recent releases from Bernard Mills, namely Parts 2 and 3 of the ‘PADDINGTON TO PENZANCE during the Diesel Era‘ trilogy, we are also offering two new books that will be of particular interest to like-minded members and supporters as they both feature diesel-hydraulic locos and are therefore guaranteed to have a good market, such is the strength of the following for the types.

    Above: A very interesting new book about the early days of the diesel hydraulic preservation movement. Well worth a read and reasonably priced at £15.99 – click here or on the image above to go to our online store page.

     

     

     

    DEPG NEWS: the pre-season training efforts continue with SIXTEEN DEPG VOLUNTEERS passed out from Personal Track Safety training during the last two weeks, thanks to the efforts of WSR volunteers Rob Carter and Terry Viner. We thank them for giving up so much of their time to help get our volunteers ‘up to scratch’. Well done all !

     

    The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

     

    JOIN US using whichever membership class is appropriate for your situation and means. CLICK HERE or on the image below or use the QR code to get the details.

         

     

    If you would like to go one step further and come along to help with the work on the locos in our fleet, then please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know that you would like to volunteer and we will respond with more details.

    We look forward to hearing from you !

     

    Go to the previous Roundup post

    Go to Join Us page

    Go to Welcome page

    Go to Home page

     

  • DIESELGEN : 01-Mar-26

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was pictured at Loughborough on 28th October 2025 after working a photo charter special on the Great Central Railway. Photo by Cameron Walker © CC BY-NC 4.0 

     

    Unfortunately, ‘Hymek’ D7018‘s appearances at the Great Central Railway this weekend have had to be curtailed due to an unexpected shortage of train crew. The loco worked the first part of her planned diagram on Saturday 28th February but was then stood down, and we understand that the loco will not be able to run tomorrow Sunday 1st March for the same reason. We can confirm that the loco is fully serviceable.

    We apologise for any disappointment that this might cause. We will provide more information regarding future workings for this loco as soon as we can. 

     

    Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

     

  • Weekly Roundup – 27-Feb-26

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is in use this weekend on the Great Central Railway – click here for details. This loco has been visiting the GCR since last September and will stay until the end of April. The loco made a fine picture as she accelerated her train of vans out of Quorn & Woodhouse Station on 28th October 2025. Photo by Cameron Walker © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 has been hitting the headlines again, this time with the announcement that she will be one of the stars at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s ‘COTSWOLD DIESEL GALA‘ that will take place from Friday 24th through Sunday 26th July. This is a very popular event and the sight and sound of a ‘Hymek’ will be a great addition to their planned lineup. We very much appreciate the invitation. 

    This loco is currently at the Great Central Railway (GCR) and is in use this weekend, so do try and go along to see her if you can. D7018 will be staying at the GCR until the end of April, and will then move to another well-known railway for a few months before moving to the GWSR, and will be back home with us on the WSR in time for the ‘DIESELS at 65‘ event that takes place over August Bank Holiday weekend.

    Both of our ‘Hymeks’ were built 65 years ago at Beyer Peacock‘s famous locomotive works in Gorton, Manchester (a place that was very much in the news because of a by-election earlier this week) and these two locos will join their Class 09 and Class 33 stablemates for a combined celebration for our 65-year-olds at the end of August.

     

    FORTY-NINE YEARS AGO YESTERDAY …

    The 26th of February 1977 is a day that is permanently etched in the memories of all ‘hydraulic’ fans because it signifies the end of the charismatic ‘Westerns‘ on BR and the end of an era – the end of the great experiment that started with the D600 ‘Warships’ back in 1957, an era that witnessed the rise and fall of the diesel-hydraulic locos of Classes 14, 22, 35, 41, 42, 43 and 52.

    The grand finale of the ‘hydraulic’ age was the ‘WESTERN TRIBUTE‘ railtour, a 627-mile triangle trip starting from Paddington then heading to Swansea (191 miles) then to Plymouth (211 miles) then back to Paddington (225 miles) with D1023 ‘WESTERN FUSILIER’ and D1013 ‘WESTERN RANGER’ working in tandem throughout. This sell-out railtour sported one of the largest headboards ever carried by a locomotive, and this enormous headboard still exists today in the safe hands of the WESTERN LOCOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION.

    D1013 ‘WESTERN RANGER’ was leading D1023 ‘WESTERN FUSILIER’ as they hauled the 12-coach 1Z52 Paddington-Swansea-Plymouth -Paddington ‘WESTERN TRIBUTE’ railtour over Red Cow level crossing and into Exeter St Davids Station on the last day of the diesel-hydraulic era, Saturday 26th February 1977. Photo by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Also running on that day were the only other serviceable ‘Westerns’, our own D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and the WLA’s D1048 ‘WESTERN LADY’, coupled together and shadowing the main railtour, although they dodged out of part of it by relaxing at Bristol Bath Road shed while the railtour went to Swansea and back. Luckily, photo contributor Trevor remained at Exeter to get the following shot of these two backup locos as they crossed the ‘Red Cow’. Many thanks to Trevor for sharing his photos with us all !

    D1048 ‘WESTERN LADY’ was leading D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ as the work-weary backup pair passed over Red Cow level crossing and through the centre road at Exeter St Davids Station while shadowing the Bristol to Plymouth leg of the ‘WESTERN TRIBUTE’ railtour on the last day of the diesel-hydraulic era, Saturday 26th February 1977. Photo by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

     

    Now back to 2026, and another reminder that Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is going to feature in a special program of running on the weekend of 28/29 March to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening of the Minehead branch. After closure of the branch by BR in January 1971, the first public services under the auspices of the WSR ran on Saturday 28th March 1976, initially from Minehead to Blue Anchor, then extending to Williton in the summer and then to Stogumber, finally reaching Bishops Lydeard in 1977.

    Click here to go to wsr.org.uk to browse the photos from that first year.

    To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago. The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available. Click here or on the image below for more details of this anniversary weekend.

     

    Five of our diesels celebrate their 65th anniversaries this year, so the WSR have arranged a DIESELS AT 65 event that will take place on the three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend, where an enhanced timetable will provide interesting haulage opportunities featuring Classes 09, 33 and 35. The details are being worked out now, but meanwhile, KEEP THESE DATES FREE in your diaries and make a plan to attend to enjoy a great weekend of 65-year-old ‘modern traction’ !

     

     

    The DIESELS at 65 event adds to the KEY DATES FOR 2026, some of which covered in the graphic below. The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details on some of these events, and will be expanding soon to include the recently-announced events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

    t

     

    SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL

    The WSR have announced another visitor from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery. This loco was built by Brush Traction at Loughborough and was one of later deliveries, entering service as D1955 in November 1966 and allocated to the ‘Western Lines’ pool of the London Midland Region (LMR). The loco became 47511 after conversion to Electric Train Heating (ETH) in March 1974 and was selected for conversion to push-pull operation, becoming 47714 in March 1985. While our own Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ is away at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it will be great to have a ‘47‘ back at work on the WSR and this loco will no doubt be very popular.

    Previously-announced Class 37 37250 (D6950) is another crowd-pleaser and will definitely help swell the crowds and make the event even more enjoyable than usual.

    DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

    The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed and depot tours. NOT TO BE MISSED !

    Click here or on the image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

     

     

    Our popular DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

     

     

    08401 (D3516) Dual Braking Conversion Project – UPDATE

    L-R: Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF1) stands in front of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) in front of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 on No. 1 road at Williton while Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) stands on No 2 road on a very damp but mild Saturday, 21st February 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    The appeal for donations toward the estimated £5,200 cost of converting recently-acquired Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) from air brake to dual brake has been very successful and is now almost at the 80% mark and on the home straight to achieve the full target during the coming weeks. We would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have supported this request for help. The ability to go out and buy the parts that we need will allow us to speed up the job of converting this loco to dual braking.

    In addition to funds being raised via the popular fundraising site Gofundme, donations have also been received via our online store, via our membership app ‘Membermojo’ and directly into the DEPG bank account. The balances of these four fundraising channels have been totalled up and are as follows:

    Donations via Donation amount Gift Aid
    Gofundme £1,595 £242
    DEPG online store £310 £65
    Membermojo £250 £62
    Direct to bank £1228 £307
    TOTALS £3,383 £676
    COMBINED TOTAL

    £4,059

    Donations to the 08401 Dual Braking Conversion Project, as at 27th February 2026

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have donated to this cause !

     

    This is EXCELLENT NEWS for 08401 and will help us get the work done in the shortest possible time and help to get this loco into service on the WSR. This loco has never been used for passenger haulage, so 2026 is going to be a big year for 08401 !

    As stated previously, we have a ‘mystery benefactor’ waiting in the wings with a pledge for match-funding that will double the value of all donations towards this cause, but we need to CLOSE THIS APPEAL at the end of this month (meaning tomorrow, Saturday 28th), so donate NOW if you can to help double the effective value of your donation.

    As a charity, the DEPG is also able to claim Gift Aid that will add another 25% to the value of donations, where the donor is a taxpayer and agrees to allow the DEPG to claim Gift Aid. It all adds up, so please help if you can and click here or on the image below or further below, thank you very much !

    For those who prefer to donate directly, rather than via Gofundme, we have set up several donation ‘products’ on our online store. Click here or on the image below to go to the 08401 donations page:

    If you prefer to use online banking, the DEPG bank details are as follows (note – please email contact@depg.org after making Gift Aid donations via online banking, so that we can properly identify your donations):

    Sort Code: 09-01-54    Account Number: 79983488
    Account name: THE DIESEL AND ELECTRIC PRESERVATION GROUP LIMITED

     

    Click here to visit the 08401 (D3516) dual-braking project page

    As the DEPG is a registered charity, any donations made to a defined cause are applied only to that cause, so your donation will make a difference to the project of your choice. Thank you very much !

     

     

    LOCO NEWS:

     

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – more Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) work took place on the ‘B’ bogie frames last weekend, with Dr. Allgeier assessing the results and investigating the anomalies. So far, nothing major has been discovered, but a few small areas will need to be checked again before a decision can be made. In the worst case, some localised repair work will need to be carried out by a ‘coded’ welder, but we will only arrange this when the full extent of any repairs have been established. We already know that the ‘A’ bogie will require repairs, so we will get all of the welding work done in one session to minimise costs.

    Meanwhile, Gordon, Jeff and Leroy took advantage of the milder weather to get out in the yard and underneath the body of D1010, to start applying some paint to the underframe. They seemed to be enjoying themselves while getting covered in paint, but probably had sore arms and stiff shoulders the next morning !

    D1010 – the ‘B’ bogie is undergoing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) using the Dye Penetrant Inspection method. The areas that have been processed (depicted by the white powder coating) were undergoing inspection when pictured along with Thomas at Williton on Saturday 21st February 2026. Class 14 D9518 provided the background and Class 09 D4107 (09019) just made it into the frame on the right. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – the warmer weather provided an opportunity for the team to get underneath the loco body and get a coat of primer applied to the underframe. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D1010 – the underframe is in very good condition but deserving of a coat of paint before the loco body gets re-united with her bogies – which will hopefully take place later this year. Pictured with Gordon at Williton on Saturday 21st February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco is stabled in the South Yard at Williton and is available for use (in air brake mode) for any shunting duties that might be required. Meanwhile, design work is taking place to draw up the new pipework that is needed to reinstate the vacuum brake system, and the additional electrical control equipment is being assembled and installed where possible. Various missing parts are being gathered, such as the vacuum pipework as shown in the photo below:

    08401 (D3516) – a section of vacuum pipework has been obtained, cleaned, inspected and painted and is now ready to be fitted to the loco. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    08401 (D3516) – the control gear and wiring for the exhausters is being installed in the loco now, to get ahead of the curve and be ready for when it is needed. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 15th February 2026 by Ian Robins © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is close to being ready to return to duty at Bishops Lydeard, just in time for the start of the 2026 running season (late March). The cab floor has been stripped back to the metal and will be painted then covered with plywood as a temporary measure (the cab will undergo a heavy repair when Class 08 08401 (D3516) is available to stand in for the ’09’). The loco will be test run this coming weekend and the source of some oil and coolant leaks established, and hopefully remedied.

     

    D4107 (09019) – the cab floor has been stripped back to the (not so bare) metal and coated with ‘Ferricon’ which will need time to react with the rust and turn black before receiving a coat of paint and a layer of plywood. Pictured at Williton on 21st February 2026 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is outdoors on No 1 road and is next in line to enter the loco shed so that her leaking engine room roof can be removed and repaired. While in the shed, several other maintenance tasks will be carried out, including the removal and replacement of one of her two vacuum exhausters.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain ‘on duty’ and available for use if required. 

    D7017 – this loco is being prepared to participate in the 50th Anniversary celebrations that will take place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March, just four weeks from now. Pictured at Williton on 21st February 2026 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will be IN USE on the Great Central Railway this weekend as a special guest for their SPRING STEAM WEEKEND. This loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot and then to the GWSR before returning to the WSR in August.

    Please do try and go along to one or more of these events to show your support for D7018 and help ensure that her visit is a big success !

    Here are the running dates for D7018 on the GCR:

     

    We have been made aware that an ADDITIONAL DATE of 29th April has been announced for DRIVER EXPERIENCE opportunities on the GCR – click here or on the image below to go to the GCR website. The initial batch of places were sold very quickly, but if you are interested, get in touch right away to grab this new opportunity.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the two teams (Saturday and Tuesday) are pushing ahead with work on the engine (mostly on Tuesdays) and on the cab (mostly on Saturdays), with the new team members getting involved and the additional hands helping to move the project along. This week, the photos show the progress with the engine ancillaries such as the oil pumps, oil transfer pipes and the counterbalance gearing. New volunteer Rob joined us last Tuesday and we look forward to seeing him at Williton again in the very near future.

    D9518 – displaying No. 7 in her headcode boxes as a precursor to being outshopped eventually as NCB Ashington No. 7, this loco is receiving a very thorough and careful rebuild at Williton. Pictured in the shed with Class 09 D4107 (09019) for company on Saturday 21st February 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D9518 – Nick and Linda carefully transport the oil pump drive assembly toward the engine, ready for re-attachment. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 24th February 2026 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D9518 – the oil pump assembly has now been re-installed on the engine, which has been rotated on its side in the special turnover frame to make this task a whole lot easier. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 24th February 2026 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D9518 – viewed from the other direction, the oil pump assembly can be seen at the far end of the engine, which has been rotated in the special turnover frame to be on its side. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 24th February 2026 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    D9518 – John attaches the oil strainers and oil transfer pipe to the newly-installed oil pump assembly while Nick keeps an eye on proceedings. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 24th February 2026 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019). To keep her in good condition, this loco will undergo an engine run tomorrow and will be warmed through and have all of her systems checked over.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but has been ‘stopped’ because of an issue with her ‘triple pump’ – which is an electrical machine that is a combined water pump, oil pump and fuel pump, all driven from one big DC electric motor. The spare has been taken from stock at Williton and sent to a specialist subcontractor for reconditioning before sending it to the NYMR for installation into 47077. This work is taking place now and involves the complete rewinding of the armature, so it is likely to cost around £4,000 in total. The loco will then need to go out for tyre turning, which will be a convoy move over the main line from Grosmont with other NYMR diesels, when the line re-opens.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was moved from Number 4 road to Number 1 road at Williton last Saturday so that her batteries could be re-charged. However, after start-up, the loco refused to run smoothly and is thought to need some attention to her fuel filters. Attention will be given when the resources are available and the weather permits. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

     

    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 Saturdays and Tuesdays 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 !

     

     

    NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

    Feeling the cold ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

    So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store – we are adding more options on a weekly basis. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

    The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

    The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

    Garment type Price
    T shirt £22
    Polo shirt £25
    Sweatshirt £35
    Hoodie £37
    Fleece £40
    Other ? Tell us what you want ! Use our CONTACT FORM

    These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

    We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

     

     

    ON SHED – this week, another photo from MARK BLADWELL but this time to the south-west and the spiritual resting place of the ‘Westerns’, an appropriate choice as we remember the 49th anniversary of their demise on mainline services. Although the ‘Westerns’ were distributed between all of the main sheds of the WR initially, the decision to phase out the ‘hydraulics’ resulted in the whole fleet being re-allocated to Plymouth’s Laira depot from 1971 onward, as a logical step toward concentrating expertise and equipment in one location for the planned run-down of the Class.

    The staff at Laira looked after the ‘Westerns’ with affection and went to great lengths to keep as many of the fleet in operational condition as they possibly could, in the face of severe parts shortages and corporate instructions for minimising expenditure on the outgoing locos. Fans of the Class owe a debt of gratitude to the staff at Laira, aided as they were by sympathisers from Swindon and other covertly-supporting depots, as they managed to keep some of these locos going for six full years !

    Mark’s photo shows a typical scene in 1975, when the ‘Westerns’ still held sway but were the last of the hydraulics to remain in service (the ‘Hymeks’ having been withdrawn in March of this same year).

    Many thanks to Mark for sharing his memories and photos with us all.

     

     

    Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

     

     

    NEW BOOKS ON SALE

    In addition to the two recent releases from Bernard Mills, namely Parts 2 and 3 of the ‘PADDINGTON TO PENZANCE during the Diesel Era‘ trilogy, we are also offering two new books that will be of particular interest to like-minded members and supporters as they both feature diesel-hydraulic locos and are therefore guaranteed to have a good market, such is the strength of the following for the types.

    Above: A very interesting new book about the early days of the diesel hydraulic preservation movement. Well worth a read and reasonably priced at £15.99 – click here or on the image above to go to our online store page.

     

     

     

    DEPG NEWS: the restoration of the Niftylift ‘cherry picker’ is reaching the final stages and the machine will soon be ready for inspection by our insurance assessor, and then we can start training our volunteers in the safe use of this versatile machine. Well done to Tony, Gwyn and JT for their work in restoring this machine and bringing it back into useful work.

    The Niftylift ‘Mobile Elevated Work Platform’ – more typically known as a ‘cherry picker’ – has now been fully restored and is ready for testing and certification. Well done to volunteers (L-R) Tony and Gwyn, plus ‘JT’ and the others who have all played a part in bringing this machine back to life from the dilapidated condition in which we acquired it. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 24th February 2026 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 4.0

     

     

    The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

     

    JOIN US using whichever membership class is appropriate for your situation and means. CLICK HERE or on the image below or use the QR code to get the details.

         

     

    If you would like to go one step further and come along to help with the work on the locos in our fleet, then please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know that you would like to volunteer and we will respond with more details.

    We look forward to hearing from you !

     

    Go to the previous Roundup post

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