In a perfect example of teamwork, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was being shunted over the pit by resident Class 03 D2133 under the control of the Minehead Engineering team when pictured at Minehead on 28th August 2024. This very helpful positioning move allowed the DEPG volunteers to quickly gain access to the loco for an underframe inspection and a brake adjustment the following morning, after which the loco returned ‘light engine’ to Williton. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
On Saturday 31st August, the opportunity arose for Beyer Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7017 to go over the pit at Minehead for an underframe inspection and a routine brake slack adjustment before the loco departed ‘light engine’ for Williton. Next in use on Saturday and Sunday 21/22 September, the ‘Hymek’ would have been ahead of her time if she remained stabled at Minehead during the forthcoming ‘Forties Event‘ that the WSR will be staging next weekend (14/15th September), besides which we have a list of small but important maintenance tasks to carry out on the loco, for which she needed to be back at Wiliiton.
On Saturday 31st August, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was in use on the diesel turn on Saturday, changing over to sister D6575 (33057) at Williton on the last leg of the journey back to Minehead. This loco swap was carried out to allow D6566 to undergo some maintenance work at Williton and to share the workload, which is a major step towards ensuring that both locos retain their excellent record for reliability.
Wednesday 28th August saw the last of the current set of four running opportunities for the GWR ‘Castle’ class HST that has been covering the peak-season 40-mile diesel turn on each Wednesday of August. The regular running proved very popular, with a significant uptick in the number of passengers on Wednesdays, with many travellers coming from far and wide to enjoy the WSR from the quiet and comfortable HST. As this running has been in addition to the scheduled DEPG loco running, it has showcased the wider appeal of mixed traction on the WSR and we look forward to more such running opportunities in the future. MANY THANKS to the volunteer GWR crew members who have worked alongside their WSR counterparts to deliver these services.
Visiting GWR ‘Castle’ Class HST (43154 leading, 43155 trailing) provided an interesting comparison with an earlier generation of diesel traction when calling at Williton with the 1100 service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on Wednesday 28th August 2024. Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was stabled between the HST and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 in this photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
PAUL BRITTON RIP
Some sad news has reached us regarding the loss of a former DEPG volunteer and WSR secondman who had played a significant role in the restoration of Class 33 D6575 (33057) in the mid-2000s. Although Paul had not been a member for a while, the fond memories of his DEPG colleagues were clearly evident at Williton last weekend and the headcodes of the Class 33s were set to ‘GK’ as a mark of respect. To find out why ‘GK’, it is necessary to ready the obituary below.
The late Paul Britton at work, coupling Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ on the left to Class 42 ‘Warship’ D832 ‘ONSLAUGHT’ at Williton on 16th June 2007. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
The obituary that follows has been kindly provided by fellow DEPG volunteer Jon Tooke:
PAUL BRITTON – A truly highly skilled, thoughtful and genuinely funny guy. An avid Bristol Rovers fan, he was a true ‘Gas’. He loved the BR Blue and Grey era and enjoyed seeing and travelling behind the BRCW class 33s so much so he became part owner of one based on the Swanage Railway, but he was never a fan of any any diesels from the ‘Evil Empire’ (EE) !
Back in his younger days he would go spotting near his parent’s house in Keynsham (Bristol) and he especially enjoyed seeing all the 33 workings. Other Gricers and BR staff got very used to seeing him there and they gave him the nickname of ‘Gooner-Keynsham’. The ‘GK’ initials stuck and many knew and referred to him by these.
As a mark of respect following his sudden passing, the DEPG ran their 33s over the weekend of 31st Aug/1st Sept with ’GK’ displayed in the route indicator boxes.
Farewell Paul. Friend, colleague and fellow diesel preservation enthusiast. You will be remembered and sadly missed.
R.I.P. GK.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was pictured at the Stogumber station stop on Sunday 1st September 2024, displaying the ‘GK’ headcode in memory of the late Paul Britton. Photo by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0
DIESEL RUNNING DATES
Our locos will next be in use this coming weekend 7th and 8th September with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) working the 10:00 departures and subsequent 80-mile diagrams from Minehead on both days.
We have added another date for Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 to haul the BLUE timetable diesel turn and this loco will now work on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September with 80 miles of haulage available each day.
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details of diesel-hauled public services and sign up to our DIESELGEN email bulletin service to get advance notice of non-public service running.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS on the WSR (click on the links below for more details):
Saturday and Sunday 14th and 15th September – The Forties event
Click here to go to our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page
Click here to go to our ONLINE SHOP
Thank you very much for your support !
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – it was time to consolidate the recent progress and start work on the cleaning and inspection of the many components that had been removed from the ‘B’ bogie during the past few weeks. The various parts were labelled then stacked on pallets, giving us plenty of work for the weeks ahead.
The next step for the bogie is the cleaning out of the mass of dirt and grease that has accumulated in the spring pockets and the inside of the bogie frame, before attempting the removal of the equalising beams and pedestals. The general scheme of work is as follows, with status information added:
- Remove the cardan shafts – completed on 10th August
- Remove the brake rigging – completed on 24th August
- Remove the primary springs – completed on 24th August
- Remove the equalising beams and pedestals – planned for the weekend of 14th September.
- Remove the secondary springs
- Inspect the bogie frames, wheel bearings and gearboxes
- Replace the torque reaction rubbers
- Re-assemble using repaired or replacement parts as required.
The repairs to the first of the two cooler groups have made very good progress, and photos from a few weeks back have been included in this roundup. Well done Tony ! As always, there is plenty to do so please CONTACT US if you are a DEPG member and would like to come along to help.
D1010 – the two leaf springs that provide the primary suspension for the inboard axle of the ‘B’ bogie were pictured along with their bearings at Williton on Saturday 31st August 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the bearing fits inside the pocket at the bottom of the spring buckle and is free to rotate as the bogie negotiates curves in the track. The curved load bearing surface engages with a corresponding recess in the axle box and is faced with manganese steel for long life – and five of the six are in remarkably good condition. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 31st August 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – which means that the sixth is not in good condition at all. This component – and the associated axle box – will require remedial work to restore the correct functionality. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 31st August 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – curiously, this spring shows the date of manufacture as 8-75 which is proof that the loco either had a bogie change or a bogie repair at Laira some time after July 1975. Can you help us expand the detail in our loco timeline ? Pictured at Williton on Saturday 24th August 2024 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – corrosion repairs to the first of the two cooler groups are progressing. Cutting open one of the weak sections revealed the extent of the damage. Pictured at Williton on Monday 16th August 2024 by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the corroded steel has been cut out and replaced by new steel. This cooler group is now ready to turn over to allow repairs to take place on the other side. Pictured at Williton on Monday 16th August 2024 by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 3.0
Please help us with this very important work by making a donation to the D1010 Restoration Fund and support the repair work that is taking place right now. Thank you in advance for your help.
We are still offering the SPONSOR A PATCH scheme where your name or message will be engraved into the metal of the loco body as acknowledgement of your donations to the D1010 RESTORATION FUND. We are a bit behind with the engraving but now that the loco body has been determined as safe to work on, we can resume the engraving and catch up. There is plenty more metal yet to be engraved, so GET YOUR SPONSORED PATCH BY CLICKING THIS LINK !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard and is in regular use in support of WSR activities.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – This loco is now back at Williton where she will undergo maintenance and attention to minor faults that have been reported by the loco crews. The loco remains serviceable and could be called upon at short notice.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is now outstationed at Minehead and will be in use on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September on the 10:00 service from Minehead and the associated 80-mile diagram on both days.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – as covered previously, this loco received brake adjustment and an underframe inspection while over the pit at Minehead last Saturday, 31st August. The loco then returned to Williton to be made ready for her next booked duties, which will be on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was positioned over the pit at Minehead on Saturday 30th August 2024, ready for an underframe inspection and brake adjustment the following morning. Photo by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – our ‘transmission team’ took a well-earned break last week, so our coverage of work on this loco will be paused until next week.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the engine work continues, with further dismantling of the engine block taking place while the preparation of the six replacement cylinder heads goes on in parallel. Meanwhile, John and Colin G continued their work on the cab restoration, with the re-fitting of the driver’s controller and reverser assemblies, one on each side of the desk in the cab.
D9518 – Colin G at work installing one of the two refurbished controller/reverser units into the driver’s desk at Williton on Saturday 30th August 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – Colin G demonstrated the smooth and free motion of the fully refurbished power controller handle at Williton on Saturday 30th August 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – and similarly on the other side of the cab. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th August 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Click here or on the image below to make a donation towards the restoration of D9518. Thank you very much for your support !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is stabled at Williton, but a recent inspection revealed some issues that will cause the loco to be taken out of service for a month or two while remedial work takes place. The loco will need to go into the loco shed so that the engine bonnet can be removed to allow access to the turbocharger inlet bellows, which has split open. While the loco is in the shed, the opportunity will be taken to remove and replace the cylinder head seals and gaskets to try to resolve the persistent oil leaks that are making a nuisance of themselves. The loco will first be worked to Minehead to go over the pit for an underframe inspection, currently being planned for Saturday 21st September, entering the loco shed upon its return to Williton later that same day.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but is currently out of service because of a coolant leak from the liner of cylinder B3. Only one of the 12 cylinders appears to be affected, but further investigations will be carried out as part of the repair work. A subcontractor has been engaged to allow the work to proceed quickly, and the completion date is scheduled for early October.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is currently inside the loco shed on No. 2 road and remains fully serviceable and available for yard pilot duties.
BOOK REVIEW: with the closedown news from PROJECT 22 that we reported last week, it is quite opportune that we have both volumes of Anthony Sayer’s detailed analysis of the Class 22s in stock and ready for those who want to learn more about these extinct machines. Even though they were often far from the top of the loco spotter’s list of favourites, they still have a right to exist and it is sad that not a single example of Classes 16, 21, 22, 29, 41 or 43 remain, a total of 164 main line locomotives that were built in Glasgow for BR by the North British Locomotive Company.
To find out more, consider purchasing VOLUMES 1 and 2 of THE NORTH BRITISH CLASS 22 by Anthony P. Sayer.
VOLUME 1 – Setting the Scene VOLUME 2 – Detailed Insights
Volume 1 tells the story of the origins and development of the NBL Class 22 locos, and covers each member of the class in some detail, in the usual style of the author. Volume 2 delves into their service record and extensive modifications list, ending with details on their final disposal. None were saved.
Highly recommended and offered at £26 per copy via the DEPG online store. Click here or on the image above to get your copy and in doing so, support the DEPG !
DEPG CALENDAR 2025
The DEPG 2025 CALENDAR is now available for mailing, comprising 14 printed pages of A3 (twice A4 size) glossy paper on a spiral wire binder. This calendar features the DEPG’s locomotives, both in service and in preservation, with all of the photos being provided by members and supporters. Click here or on the image above to GET YOUR COPY – WHILE STOCKS LAST – for £14 plus p&p.
ON SHED: staying with the Class 22 theme, we are delighted to report that regular contributor BARRY GAY has provided us with five more studies of the Class at work in Devon during their final years. The first photograph, below, was taken almost exactly 53 years ago and shows the very rare sight of a Class 22 passing one of the Class 25s that had been drafted in from the Midland Region to replace it. Here are Barry’s words on the subject:
“On Saturday, September 11, D6334 comes down the yard at Exeter on the morning parcels from Barnstaple with 7 vans. On the left is Class 25 D7657 which had just arrived from D16 Nottingham Division for crew training at Exeter. The 25s took over the milk and parcels workings from the Class 22s in January 1972. “
Many thanks to Barry for sharing his photos with us all.
BR Type 2 diesel-electric Class 25 D7657 (25307, 25908), built under subcontract by Beyer Peacock in 1966, heads east while North British Locomotive Company Type 2 diesel-hydraulic Class 22 number D6334 heads west past Exeter St Davids station on a dismal Saturday 11th September 1971. The Class 25 was in use for crew training with the aim of replacing the Class 22s on the milk and parcels workings. The ’22’ was withdrawn just three weeks later and was cut up in April 1972. Photo by Barry Gay © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS: the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) of the DEPG will take place at Williton on Saturday 7th September, starting at 1400. Formal AGM notices have been sent to all members according to their communication preferences (paper, paperless except newsletter or fully paperless). If you are a member, please do come along to help, support and guide the DEPG for the long-term benefit of our heritage locos and associated artefact collection.
Only fully paid-up members will be able to vote, so please make sure that you keep your membership account up to date. Thanks !
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 Weekly Roundup post