Barclay 578 (ROF 1) and Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) (L-R) were both in action at Williton on Saturday 2nd November 2024 for driver training purposes. The ’09’ is normally based at Bishops Lydeard but has come ‘home’ for repairs and maintenance during the winter. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Sunday 3rd November marked the end of the running season on the WSR and at many of the heritage railways across the UK, the next four weeks being devoid of public trains, giving the engineering and infrastructure teams an opportunity to get their tasks prioritised.
It also gave the DEPG an opportunity to recall Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) to Williton from her operational base at Bishops Lydeard, so that she can undergo some major repairs and enjoy a double dose of care and attention, administered by our volunteers.
Re-positioning the ’09’ from Bishops Lydeard presented a training opportunity for DEPG Treasurer PAUL TUCKER, who already held a driving ticket on the Great Central for Class 08/09 but had never driven the type on the WSR. That was remedied on Saturday 2nd and followed up by a session on Williton yard pilot Barclay 578 (ROF1) meaning that Paul now has a WSR ticket for both types of shunter in addition to his list of larger types. Well done Paul !
Taking advantage of the quiet period, the infrastructure team are running one of their ‘TIDY TRAINS‘ on Saturday 9th November, 2024 with Class 33 ‘Crompton D6566 (33048) booked to depart from Bishops Lydeard at 0815 to go to Norton Fitzwarren to collect a flat wagon, then running the length of the line to Minehead and back. There will also be a steam loco out on test and an Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) working on Saturday, so the line will still be alive with activity. And in case that is not enough, the ‘Castle’ class HST that is currently in storage at Westridge near Bishops Lydeard is being re-located to Minehead on Monday 11th and there will also be a steam loco working on an ‘eco coal’ evaluation ! All of these workings are subject to change or cancellation at short notice, but will be welcomed for the interesting sights and sounds that they bring to the railway.
Former GWR ‘Castle’ HST set 43154 & 43155 was pictured with BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ at Westridge near Bshops Lydeard on Sunday 3rd November 2024. Photo by Dave Fowler © CC BY-NC 3.0
Just a reminder, the railway is closed to the public until the start of the Christmas special services from 30th November onward. The format of the Christmas services has changed this year, so our diesels will not be rostered for duty, but they will be on standby and available to provide support if needed. Click here or on the image below to review the WSR Christmas seasonal offerings:
DIESEL RUNNING DATES for 2025
We don’t yet have the details available for 2025 but we understand that the running pattern will be very similar to that of 2024, so the 2024 DIESEL RUNNING DATES page can be used as a guide, temporarily. Good news – the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL has been confirmed as being Thursday 5th through Saturday 7th with a Mixed Traction Day on Sunday 8th of June 2025.
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’ – with the need to make space in the loco shed for Class 09 shunter, the ‘B’ cooler group was finished off so that it could be moved out of the way, then the ’09’ was brought into the shed and positioned between the shed doors and D1010’s ‘B’ bogie. This still left enough room for the cooler group to be stored inside the loco shed, which is where it will stay until another suitably safe and dry place is found for it. The end result was a very unusual sight that could easily be mistaken for a giant snowblower !
Class 09 ‘snowblower’ D4107 (09019) was pictured in the loco shed at Williton on Saturday 2nd November 2024 with D1010’s ‘B’ cooler group in front of it. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
The excellent restoration work that has been carried out on the ‘B’ cooler group is now to be repeated on the ‘A’ cooler group, with repair work already in progress. One of the hydraulically-powered fan motors was found to have a failed bearing, so the fan unit will be removed for overhaul. This is the only one of the fan units that has exhibited any kind of trouble, which is very good considering their age.
In the background, work continued on the clean-up and inspection of the many parts that have now been removed from the ‘B’ bogie. More on this next week.
D1010 – a view of the restored ‘B’ cooler group from the inside. The 48 individual cooling elements will be re-fitted at a later date. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – a view of the as-yet unrestored ‘A’ cooler group after removal of the fan grilles and the walkway. The fan motor on the right hand side needs to have a new set of bearings and seals. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Apologies to those D1010 sponsors who have yet to receive the photos and certificates for the patches that they have sponsored. After ‘almost’ catching up in the Spring, the lifting of the loco and subsequent need to get the bogie overhaul project underway has depleted the resource for the patch engraving and a backlog has built up again.
Rest assured that every sponsor will receive their certificate and the details of where to find their sponsored patch. We will be making a further push for funds soon, because we have some big ticket items for refurbishment, including 14 cardan shafts and 32 springs.
MANY THANKS to all who have sponsored and supported the RESTORATION of D1010 !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is now inside the loco shed at Williton where work has already started on a lengthy schedule of work that includes repairs as well as winter maintenance. The key tasks are as follows:
- Repair or replace the Westinghouse 3CV50 compressor due to excessive wear in the pistons and bores.
- Remove the front buffers and send them out for overhaul (or replace them).
- Remove the batteries and repair the corroded battery boxes.
- Assess the loco for other bodywork repairs and arrange the repairs as necessary.
- Inspect the running gear, repair or replace worn parts as necessary.
- Perform scheduled maintenance (engine and auxiliary machines, switchgear)
- Remove the carbon pile voltage regulator, replace with an electronic type.
- If sufficient time is available, refresh the paintwork.
Quite a list, but this loco is an essential tool for the WSR so we have a duty to keep her reliable and dependable. She will be returned to Bishops Lydeard in time for the start of the 2025 operating season.
Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) is now inside the loco shed at Williton and will undergo repairs and maintenance before returning to Bishops Lydeard in the Spring. Pictured on Saturday 2nd November 2024 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) has two compressors, the larger of which was fitted during the conversion to dual braking (vacuum and air) in 1969. This Westinghouse 3VC50 machine has now become worn out and is in need of repair or replacement. Pictured while undergoing disassembly at Williton on Sunday 3rd November 2024 by Ian Robins © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now moved to Bishops Lydeard where she will act as the duty loco for that end of the line. The ’33’ will be available to support the WSR Christmas services that originate from Bishops Lydeard, should the need arise.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is outstationed at Minehead and is available to support engineering and infrastructure workings and any other duties that may come along. The loco will return to Williton at some point for planned maintenance work to be carried out.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – after launching a short-term fundraiser on the 1st November 2024, we are delighted to announce that the supporters of this wonderful locomotive have already raised more that £2,500 which takes us 25% of the way to our target of £10,000 so THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !
The fundraiser is short-term because the WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED, with the WSR engineering team at Minehead having been contracted to do the repairs. This ensures that the loco receives the bodywork corrosion repairs that she needs before a repaint can be carried out. Although the loco looks quite good from a distance, a closer inspection reveals that corrosion is taking place from behind the skin panels, and this will soon result in perforations and further deterioration. A stitch in time saves nine, which is why we are getting the work done NOW.
Here’s the basis of our appeal for funds:
As the first locomotive to be saved for preservation by the Diesel & Electric Group (the forerunner of the DEPG) back in 1975, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has built up a significant following and is very much loved. This loco has had an excellent year, working public service trains on 10 separate days and achieving 100% availability, although she has started to look rather shabby of late. As D7017 is now approaching her 50th year in preservation, it will be appropriate to have her bodywork overhauled and repainted in time for her 50th anniversary, so arrangements have been made to have the work carried out at the Minehead workshops of the West Somerset Railway.
The work involves a number of areas around the body where corrosion has taken hold from the inside and resulted in perforations of the body panels. The metalwork behind the corroded panels will need to be cut out and replaced, so this is not a quick job. The DEPG’s volunteer welders are tied up on other projects that would be unfairly affected by queue-jumping D7017, so the opportunity was taken to follow-up on an offer from the Minehead team and a repair and repainting contract has been agreed. The work has already started and the loco will be back with us in a matter of months so that other maintenance work can continue at Williton.
We need help raising funds for the work that is about to be carried out. This is a short-term appeal so please give this your attention and help by making a donation via our website (click on the icons below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
D7017 – a very unusual sight – a diesel in the steam shed at Minehead ! Pictured while being assessed for the required repair work on 26th October 2024 by Adrian Read © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the ‘transmission team’ have made tremendous progress in the rebuilding of the Mekydro K184U transmission, with their focus now being on the careful setting-up of the clearances around the six clutch actuator pistons and their associated lever arms. Each has adjustments in three planes that require shims to be added (or subtracted) to get the levers in exactly the right place. This is important for reliable operation, because care taken on the bench now will minimise the risk of jamming when in service. This phase of work involves a lot of assembly then measurement then disassembly then adjustment – then repeat that cycle multiple times to get it right and make sure that it stays right !
MANY THANKS to our Transmission Team for taking such care with this precious transmission !
D7018 – with the aid of the torch lighting up the gaps either side of the ‘stress bolt’ that is an extension of the actuator piston, the clearance in the ‘fore and aft’ direction can be seen to be equally shared either side of the contact surfaces. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 28th October 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – in this case, the adjustment washers are of precise thickness and are often referred to as ‘shims’ even though this term is generally reserved for flat strips of sheet metal or foil. The brass shims were not up to the job, as can be seen from the fractures. The replacements will be made from stainless steel. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 28th October 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continued on preparing the frames for the re-fitting of the cab assembly. A visit to a specialist supplier in Cornwall was made to obtain the authentic ‘Tico‘ material that is used as a sound and vibration insulation layer between the cab and the frames. An order totalling £1,500 was placed and the specially-cut material should be with us in a few weeks from now.
Quality work needs to be funded, so we will continue to appeal for funds to support the work, right up to the point where the loco is completed. Any surplus will then be used to ensure her proper care and upkeep. If you like what we are doing, please help us by making a a donation via our website (click here or on the icon below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – no change – this loco 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 engine and her bodywork, to make sure that she is in good shape for the 2025 running season.
D9526 – stabled outdoors on number 1 road at Williton, this loco will undergo an engine ‘top end’ service when she gets her turn to go inside the loco shed, probably in the New Year. Pictured on Friday 1st November 2024 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and has now been put back into service just in time to see action on the last day of the 2024 timetable ! The loco put in a spirited performance to recover time when she took over the Whitby to Pickering service at Grosmont from BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 92134 which was 25 mins late arriving at Grosmont. The 47 crew executed a slick changeover and the train left 15 minutes down, leaving a smoke trail of its own (this was the first piece of hard work since the engine and exhaust repairs were carried out).
Apologies to DAVE Tibbett for wrongly crediting his photo to ‘Phil’ last week. Our photos this week are from regular contributor MARTIN FISHER, so thank you very much for sharing your work with us all.
Martin also drew our attention to a YouTube video that features ‘NORTH STAR’ and that spirited departure, which can be found by following this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHMeWRhEuFA
47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was pictured at Grosmont on Sunday 3rd November 2024 while waiting to take over the late-running 14:30 Grosmont to Pickering and return service. Photo by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0
47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was hard at work on the NYMR on Sunday 3rd November 2024 when pictured departing Grosmont for Pickering on the last day of the 2024 running season. Photo by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – as previously stated, this loco was in use on Saturday 2nd November for driver training at Williton, resulting in Paul Tucker being passed as an additional driver.
If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !
BOOK REVIEW: 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: last week’s rare and interesting photo of North British Class 41 D601 ‘ARK ROYAL’ derailed at Menheniot (near Liskeard), Cornwall generated several responses and appears to have been new information for all of the respondents. The photo was provided by DEPG member David Hingston and we very much appreciated being able to share it.
This week, we featured another photo from Mark Bladwell’s collection, with a wonderful lineup of heavy haulers, pictured at Westbury Stabling Point in June of 1974. Happy times indeed! Many thanks to Mark for sharing his photo with us all.
A lineup of ‘Wizzos’, D1070 ‘WESTERN GAUNTLET’, D1055 ‘WESTERN ADVOCATE’, D1036 ‘WESTERN EMPEROR’ and D1051 ‘WESTERN AMBASSADOR’ were pictured while at rest between heavy haulage duties on Saturday 29th June 1974. The location was Westbury Stabling Point, a great place to find the Class during the twilight of their careers. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS: the next edition of the DEPG NEWSLETTER has been completed by editor MARK BLADWELL and will be ready for distribution to all DEPG members next week. The newsletter contains information that is not available via the roundup or via the website, and is sent to DEPG members by email or post, according to the preference stored in Membermojo. To receive the newsletter, all you need to do is to become a member of the DEPG !
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 !