DEPG trustee and driver Neil McCannon was evidently enjoying his day at the desk of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) when pictured at Blue Anchor on Sunday 13th October 2024. The loco was working an extended turn to cover for a steam loco. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
A very unusual but highly enjoyable day was bestowed upon Class 33 ‘Crompton D6575 (33057) and her crew last Sunday 13th October 2024, when the loco found herself promoted from the 12:30 out and back 40-mile diagram to the 10:15 twice out and back diagram, with an extension to Norton Fitwarren on the first return leg to run around her train because the run around loop at Bishops Lydeard was occupied.
The DEPG crew comprising driver Neil McCannon and secondman Mark Bladwell responded to the request to book on duty earlier and finish later to accomodate a timetable change that was made necessary by a temporary shortage of steam locomotives at Bishops Lydeard. The solution to the shortage was to combine the 12:30 service with a planned ‘QUANTOCK BELLE‘ lunchtime dining service that comprised a ‘public’ section and a ‘dining’ section. An efficient solution that ensured that all timetabled services were covered and the public had the benefit of a mixed traction day, also as timetabled.
The loco took the train to Norton Fitzwarren platform then uncoupled to move to Barnstaple Junction at the south-eastern extent of the line, adjacent to the Bristol to Exeter main line, where the loco reversed to take the east chord to Allerford Junction, then reversed again to re-couple with her train.
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 3.0
This additional activity came after a week where the loco had deputised for the booked steam loco on several days of RED TIMETABLE running, showing the versatility of the ‘Cromptons’ and underscoring their deserved reputation as the workhorses of the line.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was pictured at Barnstaple Junction alongside the Bristol to Exeter main line while preparing to run around her train at Norton Fitzwarren on Sunday 13th October 2024. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
DIESEL RUNNING DATES
This coming weekend sees the LAST of the booked diesel running dates for 2024, so try and come along to the WSR on Sunday 20th to take the 12:30 service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back.
NOTE: An additional unpublished goods train working will take place on Saturday 19th when the ‘Crompton’ will work a freight from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back. The booked departure time from Bishops Lydeard is 10:45 but this could be varied to suit operational reqirements.
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details of the remaining diesel-hauled public services and sign up to our DIESELGEN email bulletin service to get advance notice of non-public service running.
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’ – further progress was made on the ‘B’ bogie last weekend, the details of which will be shared in a future edition of roundup. Many thanks to all of our volunteers and to the sponsors for making the restoration plan come to life.
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard but will move to Williton on Saturday 2nd November to undergo body repairs and a repaint, along with some other maintenance activities that are aimed at keeping her reliable and available for service.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – proving the old adage ‘a stitch in time saves nine’, the issue with her No. 1 exhauster motor was traced to sticking brushes resulting from oil contamination from a leaking oil seal. The exhauster will be exchanged for an overhauled spare at some time in the near future, meanwhile the inspection interval will be reduced to ensure that the brushgear remains clean and free to move as intended. The loco is stabled at Williton and is ready for use if required.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is outstationed at Bishops Lydeard and holds the role of Duty Loco. Her next booked duties are a goods train working on Saturday 19th October and the 12:30 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return service under the RED TIMETABLE on Sunday 20th October.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is currently stabled at Minehead so that she can be assessed for body repairs and repainting before eventually moving back to Williton for other repairs and winter maintenance.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured in unusual surroundings on Thursday 10th October 2024 while being assessed for body repairs by the engineering team at Minehead. Barclay 0-4-0DH number 579 (ROF 2) is in the foreground. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the ‘transmission team’ continued their careful work on the re-building of the Mekydro K184u transmission with attention being given to establishing the correct working clearances for the shafts and the gear selector forks. This is a process that involves multiple assembly and disassembly cycles, so patience is a definite virtue !
Luckily, our team members have bucketloads of patience available to add to their incredible attention to detail.
D7018 – the upper housing was trial fitted at Williton on Tuesday 8th October 2024 with volunteer Tim in charge of the hoist. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – moments later, the upper housing is in position and ready for the end float measurements to be taken. Bringing these parts together allows specially-dimensioned shims to be defined and manufactured, the fitting of which will involve opening it all up again ! Pictured at Williton on 8th October 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the team continue their work on the engine and on the cab refurbishment, with teams at work on Tuesdays and Saturdays in addition to the many hours of work that take place away from Williton. More details in the next edition of roundup.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco was is now stabled outside on Number 1 road at Williton and is likely to remain there until the new year. When space becomes available in the loco shed, she will be going ‘indoors’ for some maintenance work, which will include attention to her bodywork, to make sure that she is in good shape for the 2025 running season.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but has been out of service because of a coolant leak from the liner of cylinder B3. The repair work has now been completed by Heritage Rail Ltd and the loco is ready to begin a short programme of test running to confirm that she is ready to return to work.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this useful little loco is fully serviceable and is waiting for her next opportunity to shunt the yard at Williton.
BOOK REVIEW: the FOURTH volume in ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ series by Andy Chard is now available and in stock at Williton. The standard set by Andy’s first volume was repeated admirably in the second and third volumes, and the success of the format continues with high levels of advance sales for this much-anticipated volume 4.
GET YOUR COPY FROM THE DEPG and help us maintain your favourite loco fleet while enjoying a very good read !
Click here or on the image below to go the DEPG online store where this book is available from stock for £34.95 per copy.
ON SHED: this week, we feature another photo from Mark Bladwell’s collection, with the infamous D1007 ‘WESTERN TALISMAN’ pictured at Cardiff Central station, just a few months after that station changed from being known as Cardiff General. Worse was to come a few months later, because this very loco was involved in a fatal accident at Ealing during the early stages of its journey from Paddington to Oxford. The lessons learned from this accident resulted in simple modifications being made to all locos in the BR fleet, with battery box safety catches now standard equipment on all rail vehicles.
The loco was pictured in happier times while working the 1Z13 Paddington to Fishguard Harbour relief service, which connected with the ferry service between Fishguard in West Wales and Rosslare in Ireland. Many thanks to Mark for sharing his photo with us all.
Class 52 D1007 ‘WESTERN TALISMAN’ was pictured at Cardiff Central Station on Saturday 25th August 1973 while working the 1Z13 Paddington to Fishguard Harbour relief servce. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS: the next Board Meeting will take place at Williton on Saturday 19th October. if you are a member of the DEPG and would like to have a question placed before the Board, then please let us know by using our CONTACT FORM. If you are not a member, then PLEASE JOIN US !
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 !