‘Beyer Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7017 was ready to be lowered back on to her bogies at WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ by lunchtime on Monday 4th April 2022. The jacks were fully lowered by the end of the day. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
The roundup has been delayed this week because of the need to include an extra day to capture the EXCELLENT NEWS that Beyer Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7017 has been lowered back on to her wheels and will soon be ready to leave the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ and return to the DEPG yard at Williton. This is the result of a FANTASTIC EFFORT by the Williton teams to get the loco lifted, the springs replaced and lowered back onto her wheels within one week !
Here’s a summary of the D7017 Diary:
| Day | Date | Event |
| Saturday | 19-Mar-22 | Loco moved to the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton |
| Saturday | 26-Mar-22 | Preparatory work began |
| Sunday | 27-Mar-22 | Cardan shafts disconnected |
| Monday | 28-Mar-22 | Lifting brackets in place, ready for lifting |
| Tuesday | 29-Mar-22 | LOCO LIFTED and bogies rolled out. |
| Wednesday | 30-Mar-22 | Bogie A disassembled |
| Thursday | 31-Mar-22 | Bogie A repair work in progress |
| Friday | 01-Apr-22 | Bogie A reassembled |
| Saturday | 02-Apr-22 | Bogie B disassembled |
| Sunday | 03-Apr-22 | Bogie B reassembled |
| Monday | 04-Apr-22 | LOCO LOWERED back onto her bogies ! |
The story of this spring replacement activity is being captured on a series of web pages that are being developed on our website. The first few pages are already online and there will be a lot more information posted later this week, as the photos and videos get uploaded. Use this link to visit the D7017 DIARY INDEX page and keep and eye on it because it will be developed further as time permits.
The massive personal effort from project leaders Martin Howard and Paul Tucker needs to be acknowledged along with the efforts of every volunteer who contributed, because this was a team result and such rapid progress on a task of this magnitude could only be made by an organised team. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who helped to get this job done!
The completion of this work involves re-connecting the brake rigging and reconnecting the cardan shafts. This will take place over the next few weeks and will be followed by inspection and testing to prepare the loco for a return to service during her 60th birthday year !
We look forward to seeing both of the DEPG ‘Hymeks’ at work on the WSR as soon as possible.
Another notable event last weekend was the ‘RETURN TO MINEHEAD’ celebration that was organised to commemorate the return of through services to the Minehead terminus after a gap of more than two years, due to the combined effects of Covid and the replacement of the Seaward Way Level Crossing. The first train to originate from Minehead since 2019 was hauled by the WSR’s BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ and the scene on the platform was one of celebration with the Watchet Town Band and crowds of well-wishers on a bright and sunny – but very cold – weekend.
DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) arrived at Minehead on 31st March 2022 with the empty coaching stock (ECS) from Bishops Lydeard in preparation for the ‘blue timetable’ that includes a service that originates at Minehead. The loco then remained at Minehead for the weekend. The WSR’s BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ can be seen on the left. Photo by Steve Lewis © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) remained at Minehead as ‘Thunderbird’ loco and was placed on display on the same road as the restored Southern Region ‘PMV’ Parcels and Miscellanous Van that it would have worked with during its earlier career as a mainline locomotive when based in the South East. Pictured on Saturday 2nd April 2022 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
The DEPG operated a sales stand on the platform on both days, raising funds for D1010 and D9518 restoration appeals, and showing our support for the re-opening of the station. Many thanks to Mark and Chris for braving the very cold weather on both days and for their tireless work on the sales stand.
The DEPG sales stand at Minehead Station with happy customers (and DEPG members) Geoff and Janice Miles pictured with Mark Bladwell on Sunday 3rd April 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
An additional bonus for DEPG followers was the use of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) at the head of the 1430 service from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and return, due to a smokebox fault developing on 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ that resulted in the loco having to miss her last out-and-back service of the weekend. The ‘Crompton’ was ready and only too willing to be able to perform.
DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) stands at Williton with the 1430 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service on Sunday 3rd April 2022, standing-in for BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’. The loco was crewed by Chief Traction Inspection Merv Hebditch and DEPG secondman Tom Courtney. Photo by Geoff Miles © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) approaches Williton Station with the Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) from Minehead that will be needed for the resumption of ‘red timetable’ working the following weekend. The loco is bathed in late afternoon sunshine as she heads for Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER has now built up quite a list of sponsors and we will need to have a major session of engraving and photographing to get everyone’s names on to the loco. Click on the images below for an update of fundraising status:
Work on D1010 was curtailed somewhat by the diversion of manpower to D7017 but some useful progress was made, as evidenced by the following selection of photos:
D1010 – the repairs to the access grille at ‘A’ end on ‘B’ side were completed on Monday 28th March 2022 by welding of the new hinge section while volunteer Geoff performed a fire watch from the inside of the loco. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the access grille on ‘B’ side was re-fitted on Monday 28th March 2022 and is now ready for the attention of the bodyside sanding and painting team. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the bulge at the bottom of the handrail was cut open and peeled back on Sunday 3rd April 2022 to reveal a heap of debris that has fallen through the hollow handrail and accumulated over the years, expanding as it corrodes further. The source of the debris is corrosion at the top of the handrail, caused by water ingress around the cab side window. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – both handrail mountings on the ‘B’ side at ‘A’ end have now been repaired using steel that was reclaimed following the removal of the non-standard front valances that were fitted to the ‘A’ end of the loco at Merehead Quarry in the 1990s. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 3rd April 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.
For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.
See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !
NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now moved back to Bishops Lydeard and is available for duties as required by the WSR.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is the WSR duty loco and is currently based at Bishops Lydeard. Last week, we included a photo of the loco approaching Williton and meeting up with a Ferguson model TE20 diesel tractor, and we now have some additional information about that photo, as kindly provided by Edward Martin:
“Dad (Charlie Martin, a very well known local character) bought two Ferguson TE20 diesel tractors from Williton-based company J. Gliddon & Son in 1950 for £500 each. Dad used them on the farm and also did some sub-contracting work with them. Both are running, although one needs to have a head gasket replacement. Both have had repaints done around 5 years ago from WS Restoration. The tractor was in the field adjacent to the running line because I had found a mains water leak. When investigating it, Wessex Water got their van stuck and I had to tow it out with the 72-year-old tractor.”
The pair of Ferguson model TE20 diesel tractors that were purchased brand new in 1950 by Charlie Martin from local firm J. Gliddon & Son. These machines are still at work in and around Williton. Photo by Edward Martin © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – covered previously, now back on her wheels inside the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – no change this week due to the effort being directed towards her slightly older sister (10 days older, in fact).
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – a similar story of reduced resources on this project this week, but progress was still made, as shown in the photos below:
D9518 – new mountings for the new steel pipework were welded into place at Williton on Monday 27th March 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – new mountings for the fire extinguisher cylinders were fabricated then trial positioned on the loco frames at Williton on Monday 27th March 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the panels and sections from the headcode boxes have been restored and painted in green primer in readiness for undercoat and gloss. Pictured on Friday 25th March 2022 by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the red marker light that was donated by DEPG member Phil Gray has been painted ‘NCB Ashington Blue’, making a contrast with Sentinel 0-4-0 number 10165 ‘JOAN’ in the red livery of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company in the background. Pictured on Friday 25th March 2022 by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. By agreement between the DEPG and the K&ESR, this loco will now be staying at the K&ESR for the rest of this year to cover for sister loco D9504 which is undergoing a heavy overhaul. This is good for D9526 because she will be in regular use and will be stored under cover when not in use.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, awaiting re-opening of the line so that she can move to Grosmont to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks. The loco is expected to be readied for entering service in the summer of this year.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – no change this week, but we have received some photos of the loco from her early days on the WSR after arrival from ROF Bridgwater. These images will help us complete the repaint in the most authentic way, so we are very grateful to Keith Giles for his help in obtaining these photographs. Here’s a photo showing our loco shortly after it arrived on the WSR (thought to be 1994):
Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) was pictured shortly after arrival on the WSR from ROF Bridgwater, thought to be 1994. Please contact us if you have more information about this locomotive. Photo by Glyn Luxton via Keith Giles © CC BY-NC 3.0
If you can help by donating your time, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !
BOOK REVIEW – we have pleased to report that a detailed book review from regular contributor Neale Long covering Part 1 of the new Class 14 study by Anthony P. Sayer is now available on our website by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below. The conclusion of Neale’s review is very positive and it appears that Mr. Sayer has maintained his excellent track record with his most recent work, which is great news. Part 1 of this work is available now and Part 2 will be released at the end of June. Click on the image for more information:
Many thanks to Neale for providing this very detailed review and for his clear enthusiasm on the subject !
ON SHED – we will have to skip this feature again this week due to lack of time, but don’t worry, it will be back next week.
DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 26th March 2022 is being prepared and will be circulated to all those members for whom we hold an email address. Paper copies will be included with the next Newsletter, which is due to be mailed at the end of May.
Have you bought your tickets for the DEPG EASTER DRAW yet ? These tickets are now available from our ONLINE STORE. If you have received paper tickets and wish to purchase them, you can buy online and enter your ticket numbers into the ‘NOTES’ field when checking out. Alternatively, please mail a cheque with your purchased ticket stubs to the address on the ticket (return envelopes were provided but will need stamps).
All profits from the raffle will be split evenly between the D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 D9518 restoration funds, so PLEASE BUY THE TICKETS TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS !
WSR NEWS: after a succesful ‘RETURN TO MINEHEAD’, the next major event will be the ‘SPRING STEAM GALA’ from Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May and the DEPG facility at Williton will be open to the public and will offer close-up views of the work taking place on D1010 and D9518, in addition to opportunities to look inside the locos that will be in the yard (probably ‘Hymeks’ D7017, D7018 and Barclay 578). Please make a plan to come along if you can.
Class 03 shunter D2133 was stabled along with the WSR’s Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) in clear view of the platform at Minehead on Saturday 2nd April 2022. When work has been completed, the DMU will cover some of the diesel diagrams that are shown in the red and blue timetables. We will provide more information as soon as it is available. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:
