A very untypical form of motive power was undergoing maintenance at Williton on Saturday 9th November 2024 – the WSR Infrastructure Team’s Geismar cart was in need of some TLC which was duly provided by Martin with help from big Darren and the Fork Lift Truck. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
With no public trains running on the WSR until the end of November, the WSR infrastructure team have been gearing up to make the most of the lack of trains and get the maximum amount of work done. One of the tools that saves a lot of time when engineering possessions are in place and the engineers have full control of the line is the Geismar cart, a simple portable petrol-engined cart that can take four people from the nearest access point to the site of the work in a quick and easy (but bumpy) way. If only it worked properly. Enter the DEPG and our Chairman Martin, who enlisted the help of fellow volunteer Darren and set to work to find and fix the issue. After cleaning out the fuel system and applying some overall TLC, the engine was starting easily and running more smoothly, but there is more work to do so we will have the cart back at the yard again in the near future to complete the task. Meanwhile, it was declared as OK to use with care and is back in action.
The WSR Infrastructure Team’s Geismar rail cart was pictured outside the Swindon Shed on Friday 8th November prior to receiving attention from the DEPG. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Last week, we reported that DEPG Treasurer PAUL TUCKER had been passed as a driver of our Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) but in fact two of our Trustees were passed on that day with NEIL McCANNON also getting his WSR ticket for both the ’09’ and Barclay 578 (ROF1). This provides us with a lot more flexibility and allows these two experienced drivers to shunt the yard using our smaller locomotives when the need arises. Well done both !
Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) was in use for driver refresher training at Williton on Saturday 2nd November 2024, with WSR Traction Inspector John Leach pictured assessing DEPG volunteer and driver Neil McCannon. Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 complete the line up. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Another loco type that Neil has his eye upon is the visiting GWR ‘Castle’ HST set comprising power cars 43154 and 43155 and four Mark 3 coaches, which has been in store on the WSR since the summer. The HST is being kept in main line running condition and undergoes regular inspection and routine maintenance from GWR volunteers. To take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the GWR staff, Neil went along to Bishops Lydeard on Friday 8th to ‘learn the ropes’ so that he can assist with looking after the set while it is on WSR metals.
Although slightly outside the date range of this roundup, the HST needed to be moved to Minehead on Monday 11th November so Neil went along for the journey and will probably be wanting to add the HST to the long list of traction types for which he already holds a driver’s ticket !
Former GWR ‘Castle’ HST set 43154 & 43155 was pictured at Blue Anchor on Monday 11th November 2024 while en route to Minehead for winter storage. DEPG volunteer and Trustee Neil McCannon was on board, familiarising himself with the engineering aspects of the GWR engine care and maintenance regime. Photo by Janice Miles © 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’ – the focus moved to the assessment of the primary suspension components so that we could determine the repair plan and get the necessary parts on order. First, the spring hangers were separated from the compensating beams and the various spacers and bushes separated from each other (where possible – some were locked solid !). The Swindon drawing provides the detail but it is very hard to use and even harder to reproduce in a small file size because the drawing itself is huge, the full size of the drawing boards of old. To make it easier to understand, we have also included the exploded drawings from the CAD model created by our engineering volunteer Barry Quest.
D1010 – BR Swindon drawing SW/SL/3626 issue F dated 1st November 1967 entitled MODIFIED COMPENSATING BEAM & SPRING HANGER. Photo from the DEPG archive © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – an extract from page 5 of document DEPG-TS-004 that shows the arrangement of the primary suspension. Drawn by Barry Quest © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – an extract from page 9 of document DEPG-TS-004 that shows the detailed breakdown of the compensating beam within the primary suspension. Drawn by Barry Quest © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – two of the four spring hangers attached to the compensating beams showed only slight wear, but the other two had worn bearings and seized pins, such as item B30 above. All four spring hangers will be overhauled and repaired or replaced as necessary. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 9th November 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
The outcome of the investigation was that two of the four spring hangers had serviceable bearings, but the other two did not, the bearings having seized up due to corrosion, with the bushings taking over the work of the bearings, the result being worn bushings. All of these ‘wear parts’ will be replaced as a matter of course.
Meanwhile, Gordon finished off a ‘good day at the office’ by fitting new hydraulic hoses to the ‘B’ cooler group. The refurbishment of this major assembly has now been completed, all bar some paintwork, which will be finished off next weekend. WELL DONE TEAM !
D1010 – the refurbishment of the ‘B’ cooler group is almost complete, all except some paintwork. New hydraulic hoses were fitted at Williton on Saturday 9th November 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © 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.
- IN PROGRESS – the worn out compressor has been removed from the loco. The replacement compressor is of the opposite ‘hand’ and needs alteration to match the loco fittings.
- Remove the front buffers and send them out for overhaul (or replace them).
- Remove the batteries and repair the corroded battery boxes.
- IN PROGRESS – the batteries have been removed. The compressor housing needs to be removed next, to allow access for bodywork repairs.
- Assess the loco for other bodywork repairs and arrange the repairs as necessary.
- IN PROGRESS – the cab roof requires welding repairs. The cab interior roof lining needs to be removed to allow access.
- 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.
- The electronic AVR is in stock. The changeover will only take place after completion of roof repairs.
- 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.
D4107 (09019) – the worn-out Westinghouse 3CV50 compressor has now been removed from the loco. Pictured on Sunday 10th November 2024 by Ian Robins © CC BY-NC 3.0
D4107 (09019) – the replacement is a reconditioned Westinghouse 3CV50 compressor from our spares stock. The only minor detail is that this is the opposite hand to the one that has been removed, so we need to swap parts from side to side to make it compatible. Grrrrrrr ! Pictured on Sunday 10th November 2024 by Ian Robins © CC BY-NC 3.0
D4107 (09019) – the corrosion that is evident between two compartments will result in both compartments having to be stripped of their contents before welding can be carried out. Pictured on Sunday 10th November 2024 by Tony Austin © 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 £3,500 which takes us a third 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 – work has already started on the bodyside corrosion repairs which are being carried out under contract by the WSR Engineering team. Pictured at Minehead along with some steam loco tender wheelsets on Friday 8th November 2024 by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the ‘transmission team’ have now moved to to the examination and reassembly of the control block stack that is the ‘hydraulic brain’ of the transmission. Once reassembled, this assembly will be subjected to static testing using an electric hydraulic fluid pump so that we can simulate the various input and output conditions and ensure that the transmission takes the appropriate action without any issues. The testing phase will take several weeks to get the test equipment and test method right, so that we can be confident of the outcome.
MANY THANKS to our Transmission Team for taking such care with this precious transmission !
D7018 – with the high level of care and attention to detail that have become the trademarks of the transmission team, volunteer Tim reassembles the top control block before returning it to the transmission for testing. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 29th October 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – the control block is built up in layers, each face of each layer carrying grooves which form the circuits for the hydraulic fluid when the corresponding block is bolted on top. Cleanliness and flatness are essential ingredients. Pictured at Williton on Monday 4th November 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – with the third and fourth layers added, the control block stack is now complete and is ready to be hooked up to the test rig for static testing. Pictured at Williton on Monday 4th November 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – plans are being drawn up for the re-fitting of the cab assembly onto the loco frames, hopefully before the end of November. This will allow work to resume on the electrical wiring, specifically the interconnections between the equipment that is already fitted to the loco frame and the control cubicle that is already installed in the cab.
An essential component will be 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 has been placed and the specially-cut material should be with us in a week or two, fingers crossed !
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 donation via our online store (click here or on the image below) or by sending a cheque to the address at the bottom of this email. 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.
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 is now in good running order and we hope that she will pick up some work on the Christmas specials, even if only on the empty coaching stock (ECS) movements. We look forward to a very successful 2025 running season !
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco was in use on Saturday 2nd November for driver training at Williton, resulting in Paul Tucker and Neil McCannon being passed as drivers.
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: this week, we feature another photo from Mark Bladwell’s collection, this time at Bristol Bath Road in October of 1974. The subject of his camera was D1064 ‘WESTERN REGENT’, still looking quite smart more than two years after receiving the dual brake conversion at Swindon. This loco was a fairly early casualty of the culling of the flagship hydraulics, being withdrawn at the end of 1975 when only 12 years old. The reason for the early withdrawal was a minor collision with sister D1046 ‘WESTERN MARQUIS’ at Laira depot, resulting in both locomotives being withdrawn due to there being no budget to cover the repair work.
Many thanks to Mark for sharing his photo with us all.
D1064 ‘WESTERN REGENT’ was pictured on shed at Bristol Bath Road depot, directly opposite the platform at Bristol Temple Meads, on 10th October 1974. This loco was delivered new to Cardiff Canton depot from Crewe works in May 1963 and was withdrawn from Laira depot in December 1975 after colliding with a sister loco. 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 has now been distributed to all DEPG members (let us know if you haven’t received your copy). 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 !