Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) added to the colour palette at Williton on Wednesday 2nd April 2025 when she worked the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return service, standing in for a steam loco. Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 can also be seen in this photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0
Several WSR services were in the hands of diesels last week, with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) working the afternoon service under the RED timetable on Wednesday 2nd April, covering for the booked steam loco, and the WSR’s Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) covering the Minehead diagrams on the Saturday and Sunday (as rostered). The mix of traction types provides something for everyone as well as keeping costs down on the lightly loaded evening return leg to Minehead, so we look forward to covering more of these turns in future.
In fact, from Saturday May 10th, the DEPG’s Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ are booked to cover 38 of the 80-mile diagrams that originate from Minehead under the BLUE timetable through to September, so we are going to be kept busy ! The YELLOW timetable in the peak of the season will also see appearances by Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526, fresh from the repaint that is taking at Williton at the moment.
See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for news of upcoming diesel-hauled services on the WSR. Click here or on the image below for details:
Just a reminder – our two ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 are celebrating their 50th year in preservation, with both locos being among the last four of the Class to be withdrawn from service by BR in March 1975. The WSR have kindly agreed to allocate the weekend of August 30th and 31st to showcase the ‘Hymeks’ and we hope to have both locos available for service for that mixed traction event. Please keep the date free and make plans to come along. We will announce the timetable as soon as possible, but it will most likely be based on the YELLOW timetable that can be reached by clicking on YELLOW days in the WSR timetable (click here or on the graphic below):
Read more about the history of the DEPG and the long association with the ‘Hymeks’ on our ABOUT US pages.
D7017 UPDATE
Following a flurry of donations received of late, we are delighted to state that our expectations have been shattered because the D7017 bodywork repair fund was aiming for £12,000 but has now topped SIXTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS, all kindly donated by followers of these fine machines.
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to the 90 people who have donated to this project, keeping it moving forward to ensure that the loco will be back in service in time for the WSR’s Summer Diesel Festival (5-7th June).
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !
The repair work is going to cost around £16,000 so the amount raised will fully cover the work being done on the loco, which is amazing and a big relief for the DEPG’s general fund. The sub-contract route was taken to make sure that the loco gets repaired in time to be able to take pole position in the celebration of 50 years of ‘Hymek’ preservation that will take place on 30th and 31st of August this year.
The fund now stands at £16,452 and will remain open until the work is completed to make sure that we have sufficient funding to cover any unexpected costs, so don’t despair if you haven’t yet donated, because we can still accept your donation !
All funds donated via this appeal will be allocated to returning D7017 to service in time for the forthcoming season. Any excess will be carried over to 2026 but still allocated to D7017.
Would you like to help ? Click here to donate £17 to D7017 !
If you want to make your contribution towards the repair work on D7017, please make a donation via our website (click on the icon above) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
WSR NEWS
The DEPG is now a formal member of the Strategic Direction Programme Board, a results-oriented group of Board members from the WSR plc, the WSR Association (WSRA), the WSR Heritage Trust (WSRHT) and now the DEPG as well. This means that the long-term objectives of the railway and the supporting organisations can be kept aligned – and this can only result in good things for the railway, namely more interest for visitors which leads to more services which leads to more running opportunities. Bring it on ! We will share the news from this meeting in a co-ordinated way during the coming weeks – so WATCH THIS SPACE !
The WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL will take place from Thursday 5th through Saturday 7th June with a Mixed Traction Day on Sunday 8th. The first two of the visiting locos have been announced and they are D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ and Class 45/1 ‘Peak’ 45108 so MAKE YOUR PLANS TO ATTEND and click on the images below to learn more. It is going to be a GREAT event !
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 !
NOTE: We are short of time this week, so the loco news will be comprised mostly of images and their associated captions. We hope to have more time available for the next edition of roundup. Thank you for your understanding.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – efforts continue underneath the loco to make further progress with the removal of fifty years of dirt and brake dust, which has solidified beyond belief. We also continued the cleanup work on the ‘B bogie which is now outdoors enjoying the sunshine. We gained another new volunteer on the D1010 team this week when we welcomed GLENN STREET and we hope that he had a good time getting dirty underneath D1010 – the photo suggests that he was enjoying the challenge. We need more help, so please do come along and join us if you can. Get in touch by using our CONTACT FORM and we will talk you through the steps to becoming a volunteer on Team 1010.
D1010 – new volunteer Glenn was evidently enjoying his work underneath the ‘B’ end of the loco at Williton on Saturday 5th April 2025, and making a good job of it as well. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the partly-dismantled ‘B’ bogie was pictured in the sunshine at Williton on Saturday 5th April 2025 while undergoing further cleaning and preparation for inspection. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Our appeals for MORE VOLUNTEERS are working but WE STILL 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.
As mentioned before, apologies to those D1010 sponsors who have yet to receive the photos and certificates for the patches that they have sponsored. The weather is improving quickly, so so we will soon be able to re-start the engraving work.
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 the remaining cardan shafts and 32 springs from the suspension system.
MANY THANKS to all who have sponsored and supported the RESTORATION of D1010 !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – more good work by the ‘Transmission Team’ on the overhaul of the Westinghouse compressor that was removed from the loco during the winter:
D4107 – the Westinghouse compressor has been stripped down, repaired and is now being re-assembled by the Transmission Team at Williton. Pictured on Tuesday 1st April 2025 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – as already reported, this loco was in use supporting the WSR operations on Wednesday 2nd April and is now stabled at Minehead as the ‘Duty Loco’.
THIS LOCO WILL BE HEADING FOR THE SPA VALLEY RAILWAY for the weekend of 13th to the 15th June 2025 to participate in their ‘Cuckoo Line Gala’ event !
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco has received a new exhaust bellows to replace one that had developed a crack. This loco is currently at Williton and is now ready for action if called upon.
D6575 (33057) – volunteer Ashley holds the cracked bellows section that he removed from the loco at Williton on Saturday 5th April 2025. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D6575 (33057) – the shiny new bellows section was fitted to the loco at Williton on Saturday 5th April 2025. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – making good and steady progress in the loco shed at Minehead:
D7017 – repairs to the corroded steelwork are taking place around each of the four cab doors. Pictured at Minehead on Thursday 3rd April 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – the aluminium window frames have been restored and are now ready to be re-fitted to the loco bodysides. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 6th April 2025 by Graham Perry © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco received a little bit of TLC from an unlikely pair of hands on Saturday 5th April, mostly to show what can be done with little bit of effort ….
D7018 – volunteer Andy R was pictured at Williton on Saturday 5th April 2025 while performing a test to see if the dulled paintwork could be restored with nothing more than a wash and wax …. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – and the result on the treated corner speaks for itself! Pictured on Saturday 5th April 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the need to prepare sister D9526 for her period of occupation of the loco shed has drawn resources away from D9518 temporarily, but work continues on the electrical rewiring and on the body panel restorations. We will include some photos in the next edition of roundup.
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 is now the focus on attention inside the loco shed, with the cylinder heads being removed for attention to oil leaks and some of her body parts being removed for corrosion repair work and to facilitate repainting. The team are very busy because the engine air intake bellows will also need to be replaced and the loco will be getting a paint refresh in time for her appearance at the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL 2025.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ D9518 and D9526 are side-by-side in the loco shed at Williton. Volunteer Colin G is in charge of the bodywork repairs and repaint on D9526 which will be completed in time for the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL. Pictured on Saturday 5th April 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9526 – volunteer Andy P is working on the inside of the cab roof section. The bonnet section is on stands behind him, awaiting his attention. Pictured on Saturday 5th April 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9526 – the battery boxes have been removed from the frames, revealing corrosion damage that has to be repaired before re-assembly and painting. Pictured on Tuesday 1st April 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9526 – the new steel sheet for the battery box repair was being detailed by Gwyn with assistance from Linda at Williton on Tuesday 1st April 2025. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9526 – the engine air inlet bellows is made from leather and has failed in several places, necessitating a replacement. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 1st April 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9526 – the well worn engine air inlet bellows was pictured at Williton on Tuesday 1st April 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and was out and about on Monday 31st March and again the following day, covering for a steam loco that needed a bit of attention. We are also aware the our loco has been busy since because the NYMR have switched to an all-diesel service in the face of an elevated lineside fire risk !
47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was pictured at Goathland on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on Monday 31st March 2025, standing-in for a steam loco. Photo by Josh Smith © CC BY-NC 3.0
47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was waiting at Levisham on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on Tuesday 1st April 2025 for resident Class 37 37264 (D6964) and her train to clear the section. Photo by DEPG volunteer Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is fully serviceable again and ready for action when called upon.
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 sale of books, both new and pre-owned, is a valuable source on income for the DEPG and is a growth area, especially as the search engines regularly return DEPG results on the first page, greatly increasing the chances of making a sale and boosting DEPG coffers.
We are always on the lookout for donations of pre-owned books featuring any class of diesel or electric traction. We often receive mixed donations that include steam-era books as well, but we make sure that the steam titles get passed to our colleagues in other voluntary groups around the WSR, so MANY THANKS to those who have donated and if you have books to pass on, then PLEASE KEEP DONATING !
This week, we feature ‘DIESELS ON THE WESTERN‘ by Michael Welch (featuring our home station, Williton in BR days on the cover) as another example of an ‘as new’ pre-owned book at the excellent price of £10.00.
There are many other pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.
ON SHED: apologies, but we are going to have to skip this popular feature this week due to lack of time. Please send some of your photos via contact@depg.org with a brief write-up and we will happily include them in future editions.
DEPG NEWS – we are preparing for several events this year, the first being the Spring Steam Spectacular where we will have an ‘open shed’ and welcome gala visitors who have an interest in engineering and restoration in addition to steam or diesel locos. We will have a sales stand in operation with new merchandise and many other attractions and facilities such as tea,coffee and hot snacks, but all of this takes organising and we are rushed off our feet making sure that our locos are made available for booked services. CAN YOU HELP ? WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH SALES ! If you can help, please use our CONTACT FORM and let us know. Thanks in advance !
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 !