HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our members and supporters ! Let’s hope that 2025 is going to be a better year for everyone, wherever they are in the world.
Here’s a quick roundup of the last 12 months to remind us of the highs and lows that we encountered during 2024:
JANUARY 2024 – the workhorse of the railway, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was back in harness when pictured at Williton while hauling the ‘Tidy Train’.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) propelled the ‘Tidy Train’ back from Dunster and deposited the wagons in the ‘up’ platform at Williton station. The loco was pictured alongside Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 in fading light on Saturday 20th January 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
FEBRUARY 2024 – the DEPG invested in four new (one-trip) 20-ft ISO containers, complete with internal lights and power sockets. Two of our oldest and most heavily corroded containers were replaced and we gained two for additional storage space.
The first of two new ‘one trip’ containers being offloaded by the supplier HEAVER BROTHERS at Williton on Friday 9th February 2024. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
MARCH 2024 – the DEPG acquired the Bishops Lydeard pilot loco, Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) and entered into a long-term operating agreement with the WSR to keep this very useful loco at Bishops Lydeard – but now under the care of the DEPG.
Bishops Lydeard-based Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09019) has now been acquired by the DEPG and will continue to support the WSR under a combined hire and maintenance agreement. Pictured at Williton following completion of winter maintenance on 1st April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
APRIL 2024 – after receiving attention throughout the winter period to address several electrical faults that had affected her reliability, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 successfully completed a three-day ‘shakedown’ with a coolant leak attended to on the first day but faultless running on the subsequent two days, clearing her for a return to service !
D7017 – pictured at Williton on Tuesday 9th April 2024 on the first leg of the three-day test ‘shakedown’ – with Class 33 D6566 (33048) tagging along for extra ballast (and insurance!). Photo by Dean Goodenough © CC BY-NC 3.0
MAY 2024 – a very busy month for the entire serviceable fleet, but also a welcome return to regular service for our ‘celebrity’ Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway !
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was kept busy on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in May because of a temporary shortage of serviceable steam locos. Pictured in the sunshine at Grosmont on 15th May 2024 by Michael David Stuart © CC BY-NC 3.0
JUNE 2024 – the highlight of the year is the WSR’s diesel gala event, which gives our home fleet a chance to shine while also welcoming some unusual traction, with examples of Classes 20, 24, 46, 50 and a ‘Castle’ class HST delighting the bumper crowds ! 
D9526 – on a positioning move from Williton to Minehead in preparation for the gala, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) and Class 46 ‘Peak’ D182 (46045) were whisked away from a standing start in an impressive demonstration of diesel-hydraulic tractive effort! Pictured at Williton on Wednesday 5th June 2024 by Natalie Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Visiting Class 50 50033 (D433) ‘Glorious’ was a very popular loco, fresh from overhaul at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway and delivering some fine performances over a four-day period. Pictured on the approach to Crowcombe Heathfield on 7th June 2024 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
GWR ‘Castle’ Class HST set comprising power cars 43155 (formerly ‘Rougemont Castle’, leading) and 43154 (formerly ‘Compton Castle’, trailing) and four coaches provided a very interesting alternative form of transport, ideal for a smooth, quiet and comfortable journey along the picturesque West Somerset Railway. Pictured at Stogumber on Sunday 9th June 2024 by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0
JULY 2024 – our Class 52 ‘Western’ D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ featured in a ‘first’ for preservation, being the only example of the Class to be lifted by overhead crane and lowered onto stands since BR-Swindon days. The lift was required to allow the bogies to be overhauled as part of the restoration programme for this loco.
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was lifted from her bogies at Williton on Monday 8th July 2024 by two giant road cranes that were provided by BALDWINS CRANE HIRE from their Newport, South Wales branch. The two cranes made light work of the job! Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Sadly, the heritage diesel preservation movement lost another of its well known and highly capable volunteers, with the passing of ANDY VENN at the age of 61 on Monday 1st July 2024. A legend amongst diesel-hydraulic locomotive owning groups, he had not long retired from GWR’s Reading Traction Maintenance Depot when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and sadly, he didn’t get to live out his retirement dreams.
Andy played a major role in the overhaul and return to mainline service of D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ and provided essential information and guidance to our own ‘transmission team’, to get them started on the repair of D1010‘s Voith L630rV transmission. We owe him a debt of gratitude.
AUGUST 2024 – the WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY at Norton Fitzwarren provided an opportunity for our Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 to power the numerous brake van rides that took place over the two days of the event, offering passengers a rare chance to travel on all that the remains of the Taunton to Barnstaple line.
After putting in some sterling service on the brake van rides at the WSRA’s STEAM RALLY at Norton Fitzwarren throughout the previous weekend, our Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was used to return the ‘Quantock Belle‘ dining set to Bishops Lydeard on Tuesday 6th August 2024. Pictured on the double track section at Norton Bridge by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Sad news reached us regarding the loss of a former DEPG volunteer and WSR secondman PAUL BRITTON 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.
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
SEPTEMBER 2024 – the restoration of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 (NCB Ashington No. 7) made further progress at Williton when the pistons were removed from the engine that is undergoing overhaul and will ultimately power the restored loco. The wiring of the refurbished cab assembly also neared completion, allowing thoughts to to turn to the re-fitting of the cab to the frames, scheduled for early 2025.
D9518 – the six pistons from the Paxman ‘Ventura’ 6YJXL engine were removed and arranged on the steel table in front of the ‘Tuesday Team’ (L-R, Terry, Nick, Tony and Linda) at Williton on 10th September 2024. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) of the DEPG took place on Saturday 7th September, an essential and mandatory gathering of members to listen to the reports presented by the Chairman and Treasurer and approve them and appoint the Board of Trustees and Directors for another year.
Several members arrived on the Class 33-hauled service from Bishops Lydeard at 13:07 and departed on the 15:17, treating themselves to a double dose of ‘Crompton’ haulage. The AGM proceedings were timed to fit into this well-established pattern.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was pictured during the Williton station stop on Saturday 7th September 2024. Stabled in the DEPG yard on the left are Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
OCTOBER 2024 – the first locomotive to be saved for preservation by the Diesel & Electric Group (the forerunner of the DEPG) back in 1975 was Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 and she has been based on the WSR ever since. This loco had an excellent year, working public service trains on 10 separate days and achieving 100% availability, although her bodywork was looking rather shabby in places. Arrangements have been made for a complete bodywork overhaul to be carried out at the Minehead workshops of the WSR and a fundraiser was kicked off to help with the estimated £10,000 cost of the work.
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
NOVEMBER 2024 – our Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) entered the loco shed at Williton to undergo repairs and winter maintenance, with a view to returning her to Bishops Lydeard before the spring of 2025. The task list included the replacement of the compressor and the overhaul of the front buffers, along with a number of bodywork corrosion repairs in addition to the scheduled maintenance tasks.
D4107 (09019) – this loco was the centre of attention at Williton on Saturday 16th November 2024 as our volunteers tackled the lengthy list of repair and maintenance tasks. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
DECEMBER 2024 – a major milestone was reached in the overhaul of the hydraulic transmission of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 when the repaired assembly was subjected to a static test with simulated inputs and outputs being provided by simple crank handles while the hydraulic control pressure was provided by an electric pump. This allowed the control block to be put through it’s paces and be confirmed as fully functional, clearing the way for the re-installation into the loco.
D7018 – the static transmission test rig was being powered by Jason on the ‘input’ side (nearest the camera) and Ethan on the ‘output’ side. Both had some work to do to keep up with the many changes of rotation direction and power flow that were required to complete the test program. Extract from a video taken at Williton on 14th December 2024 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Closing the year 2024, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was making considerable progress with her bodywork repairs and the fundraiser passed the three-quarters mark, putting us well on the way to getting this loco back in service for her 50th anniversary of preservation. Many thanks to all who have helped make this possible !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured while undergoing surgery at Minehead on 20th December 2024 to deal with the corrosion that was breaking through the skin from the inside. The rusty metal has been cut out and new sheet steel will be welded in before repainting takes place. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
As always, we are very grateful for another year of support from our members, volunteers and all who have contributed their time and funds to allow the DEPG to continue its work. Your continued patronage and financial help is essential and very much appreciated. Thank you !
Many more items of news from 2024 can be found by browsing our website. Sign up for ROUNDUP to have the news delivered to your emailbox on a weekly basis.
VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2025 Diesel Gala will take place from Thursday 5th through Saturday 7th June 2025, with mixed traction on Sunday 8th, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend !