DEPG volunteer Ashley, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) and the Wolf Moon were pictured together on a chilly Saturday evening 11th January 2025 while the loco underwent some routine maintenance at Williton. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0
Volunteering at a railway yard in January can be a rather cold experience, but the solution is to wear plenty of layers and to keep busy. This was certainly the case last Saturday 11th January, when the yard was alive with activities taking place both inside and outside of the loco shed. As usual, there were multiple priorities being tackled by several teams, all with a view to getting their key tasks completed before the end of the working day.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) has been the ‘duty loco’ at Bishops Lydeard for the last few months while D6575 (33057) has been residing at the yard for planned maintenance, but the two will swap places on Saturday 18th so that the slightly older loco can receive some TLC at Williton. Other locos receiving attention at Williton were Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018, both outside the shed, and Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear D9518 receiving attention inside the shed.
In parallel, another team of volunteers (both DEPG and WSR) were at work at Minehead, progressing the bodywork repairs on Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, with a view to getting all of the corroded areas of bodywork cut out and new metal welded in. The roof, the skirts, the bodyside grilles and now the bodyside windows have all been removed so that the repairs can be as thorough as possible, to give the loco another long lease of life as she approaches her 50th year in preservation !
As we reported last week, the fundraiser for the bodywork repairs for ‘Hymek’ D7017 has now passed the target of £10,000 with a total of £10,366 being raised in the ten weeks since launching the appeal.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !
We set the target at £10,000 to cover the expected cost of the work that is already taking place at the WSR’s workshops at Minehead. This sub-contract route was taken to make sure that the loco gets repaired during the winter and is ready to take pole position in the celebration of 50 years of ‘Hymek’ preservation that will take place in the summer of this year.
The work is progressing but we are finding more corroded metal as we go along, so are going to keep the fundraiser open for a while longer to make sure that we have sufficient funding to cover the costs, and make sure that a thorough and long-lasting repair is carried out. All funds donated via this appeal will be allocated to returning D7017 to service in time for the forthcoming season.
Can you help ? Click here to donate £17 to D7017 !
If you can help with this short-term appeal, please make a donation via our website (click on the icons above or below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January 2025 after being hauled out of the loco shed by the WSR’s Class 03 D2133 to undergo removal of her roof sections, courtesy of the WSR’s ‘Atlas’ rail-mounted crane. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is slowly being stripped back to reveal the areas of corrosion and allow repairs to be carried out. Pictured at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Back in the warm and dry loco shed, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 minus her roof, skirts and radiator grille is looking a little sad, but this is only temporary. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible – thanks to your help ! Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
WSR NEWS
The WSR have now published their running calendar for 2025 on their website and social media channels, and we have updated our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page including provisional loco allocations, some of which are subject to change to align with the availability of the locos and the crews. As the information becomes available, we will update our page and send out a DIESELGEN bulletin with the clarification.
Click here or on the image below to visit the WSR’s timetable page:
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’ – as reported last week, the stormy weather had dislodged the wooden beams that support the tarpaulins over the cooler group apertures, with the result that the tarpaulins had sagged into the apertures and then filled up with water. We couldn’t resolve this at the time of discovery because the water was still partly frozen, but the ‘warmer’ weather on Saturday 11th allowed us to tackle the job and get the beams back in place. We found that several of the ratchet straps had failed and allowed the tarpaulins to become slack, after which is was simply a matter of time before the beams became dislodged. Here are the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs:
D1010 – the tarpaulin had sagged into the cooler group aperture and filled with water, which had to be removed before the beam could be put back in place and the tarpaulin repositioned. This is the ‘B’ end, pictured at Williton on 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the tarpaulin at ‘A’ end was corrected first, and is pictured with the beam in place and the tarpaulin back in the proper position. Photo dated 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Another task that needed doing was to re-dose the heat exchangers with anti-freeze to make sure that they could resist any sustained cold spell that might make it as far south as Williton. Although the engines and cooler groups have been removed from the loco and are safely stored, the heat exchangers remain inside the loco body and have water trapped within them. Adding a dose of anti-freeze helps to ensure that we do not get a nasty – and expensive – surprise when the time comes to put coolant back in the system.
D1010 – the heat exchangers were dosed with anti-freeze by Ian F and Gordon to make sure that they do not get damaged by sub-zero weather conditions. Photo of the ‘A’ end dated 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
This weekend, the focus will shift to the ‘A’ bogie which will undergo the removal of the cardan shafts to allow them to be sent out to a specialist subcontractor for inspection and repair if necessary. The shafts from ‘B’ bogie have already been evaluated and we have a mixed report, some good, some bad, and we will provide more details on this subject in the next roundup.
Our appeals for MORE VOLUNTEERS are working because we have had three potential volunteers come forward in the last week, but WE NEED MORE HELP to get this huge loco back on the rails, so please get in touch by using our CONTACT FORM if you are able to join the team.
D1010 – Gordon was pictured while making sure that his beloved locomotive was properly protected against the vagaries of the Great British climate. Photo dated 11th January 2025 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. The bitterly cold weather is preventing us from spending outdoor time on the engraving, so we will need to leave this work a little longer, at least until the temperature is back in double digits.
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) – great progress this week on several fronts, with the ‘top end’ engine work being handled by Ian R, Tom and Ashley while Tony continued with the repairs to the corrosion damage that has affected some parts of the bodywork of this 63-year-old loco. Meanwhile, John was also at work in the loco cab installing the electronic Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) which will provide a much higher level of protection for the electrical equipment on board the loco in the event of a fault arising. There is still quite a lot of work to do on this loco, including the re-installation of the compressor and the fitting of the refurbished buffers, but we are getting there.
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| Radiator housing with holes … | Radiator housing welded … | Radiator housing painted ! |
D4107 (09019) – DEPG volunteer Tony has been busy repairing the corroded areas of the radiator housing. The three photos above show the typical progression from rotted to repaired. Pictured at Williton on Friday 10th January 2025 by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 3.0
D4107 (09019) – general maintenance – the new air filter material is being cut to size by Tom and will be installed in the filter housings that are being cleaned by Ashley, in the background. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D4107 (09019) – some of the filter housings do not want to come apart and need some attention. This is being provided by Tom at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has been outstationed at Bishops Lydeard where she has covered the role of duty loco, but it is now her turn to enjoy some rest and relaxation at Williton, so she will swap roles with her slightly younger sister on Saturday 18th January.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is fully serviceable and will take over the role of duty loco, moving to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 18th January.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – already covered. This loco celebrated her 63rd birthday on Thursday 8th January 2025, after entering service at Bristol Bath Road depot on Monday 8th January 1962.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – what a fantastic birthday present ! This loco will celebrate her 63rd birthday on Saturday 18th January by which time her repaired Stone-Maybach Mekydro transmission will be fully repainted into ‘Rail Grey’ and ready for re-installation. This is the culmination of many months of patient and careful work by the ‘transmission team’ led by Colin F.
We are also delighted to report that Colin F returned to work last week after suffering a stroke in the runup to Christmas. He has made a marvellous and rapid recovery, no doubt because he couldn’t wait to get back to the task of completing this project. A massive vote of thanks goes to the NHS in Taunton for their very fast response and the top-notch care and attention that they gave to Colin.
The crane has been booked for Saturday 8th February, after which the loco will undergo some static tests before an engine start is attempted. After startup, there will be more tests before the loco will be allowed to exercise in the yard and eventually go out on a test run.
We look forward to seeing this loco back in service again. GREAT JOB, TEAM T !
D7018 – the Stone-Maybach ‘Mekydro’ k184u transmission has been re-assembled and was pictured at Williton on Tuesday 7th January 2025 wearing a coat of green primer before receiving grey undercoat and grey gloss. Photo by Tim Zilkha © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – and a view from the input end – pictured at Williton on Tuesday 7th January 2025 by Tim Zilkha © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – while the team wait for the crane to visit site to lift the cab assembly back on to the frames (now planned for Saturday February 8th), work proceeds on the engine overhaul and on the many parts that have been removed from the engine and that are soon to be needed for the rebuild stage.
The engine has a story to tell, because it was originally built as a demonstrator for an electrical power generator project, but after completing that task it returned to the Paxman factory and was used as a training engine for apprentices. When production of this type of engine ended, it entered the spare parts pool and was acquired for D9526, which it powered for many years before being removed for overhaul in 2017. There is a bit more to this story and we will share that news in the next roundup.
D9518 – the Paxman 6YJXL engine is being rebuilt by Terry (pictured) and the ‘Tuesday Team’. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the crankshaft of the Paxman 6YJXL engine is being shown off by Terry while one of the six cylinder heads gets a coat of paint from Colin G at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the worksplate of the engine was pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the serial number is prefixed with the year of manufacture – 1964 – pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 make a donation via our website (click 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 – this loco celebrated her 60th birthday on Monday 6th January, as announced in our previous post (click here for the post and for a video clip of her most recent engine run). This loco will enter the loco shed some time in the spring and will undergo engine maintenance and receive a paint refresh in time for her appearance at the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL 2025.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and we look forward to seeing this loco being in regular use during 2025 !
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco has been very busy shunting both yards at Williton in connection with the re-location of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust’s carriage collection from Williton to Washford. This loco will be in use again in the coming week, and photos have already appeared elsewhere covering this work, so here is one from Tuesday 14th January, slightly outside the date range of this roundup:
Barclay 578 (ROF 1) has seen quite a lot of use lately in connection with the re-location of heritage coaches from Williton to Washford. Pictured in the South Yard at Williton on Tuesday 14th January 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
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: sorry, but we will have to skip this feature this week due to lack of time.
ON SHED: this week we have another photo from Trevor Tremethick’s collection, this time featuring well turned out Class 47 47602 (D1780, 47185, 47824 ‘Glorious Devon’ waiting in the yard at Truro. The footbridge is crowded with spectators waiting for BR(W) 4-6-0 7029 ‘CLUN CASTLE’ to charge through with a charter service. Knowing of the friendly (?) rivalry between Devon and Cornwall, Trevor’s caption made me smile:
47602 ‘Glorious Devon’ at Truro 06.09.85. Obviously sent to wind up the Cornish on the day of Clun Castle’s visit.
Many thanks to Trevor for sharing his photo with us all.
Class 47 47602 (D1780, 47185, 47824 ‘Glorious Devon’ waits in the yard at Truro for a charter service headed by preserved steam loco 7029 ‘CLUN CASTLE’ to pass through. Photo dated 6th September 1985 by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS – the next meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place at Williton on Saturday 25th January. If you have any questions that you would like to place before the Board, please get in touch by using the CONTACT FORM on our website.
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 !