An unusual view at Bishops Lydeard : on Saturday 31st May 2025, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was running around her service train while Transrail-liveried 37240 (D6940) was taking a break after banking the ‘WHISTLING GHOST‘ mainline charter from Birmingham. Note: the roof of Westridge shelter is undergoing replacement. Photo by Ashley Harris © CC BY-NC 3.0
Another unusual view at Bishops Lydeard : on Tuesday 3rd June 2025, Class 45 ‘Peak’ 45108, Class 50 50015 ‘Valiant’ and D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ have been coupled up to Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) and are about to be towed into the loco stabling area to be readied for their WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL appearances. Photo by Lee Robbins © CC BY-NC 3.0
As the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL approaches, the Weekly Roundup has been pulled forward to allow for daily updates that will include photos shared by DEPG members and supporters. As we are all involved in preparations and setting-up, this Roundup will be brief and will focus on gala matters.
DEPG LOCO STATUS
| Loco | Status | Running days | Notes |
| Class 09 D4107 (09019) | In service | Supporting role only | At Bishops Lydeard |
| Class 14 D9518 | Undergoing restoration | Static exhibit | At Williton |
| Class 14 D9526 | Expected to be in service | All four days | |
| Class 33 D6566 (33048) | In service | Fri/Sat | |
| Class 33 D6575 (33057) | In service | Thu/Fri/Sat | |
| Class 35 D7017 | Undergoing restoration | Inside the loco shed | At Minehead |
| Class 35 D7018 | In service | Fri/Sat/Sun | |
| Class 52 D1010 | Undergoing restoration | Static exhibit | At Williton |
| Barclay 578 (ROF 1) | Available for use | Static exhibit | At Williton |
Click here to go to the WSR’s Timetable page then click on the day of interest then click VIEW TIMETABLE. Scroll down to find the link to a downloadable version.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 has not yet emerged from the loco shed at Williton, but her engine work has been completed and the repaint is progressing well. Some paintwork details will not be finished in time, but the loco will be sufficiently presentable and is expected to be running on all four days of the event, and will be in charge of some positioning moves on the Wednesday 4th.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 has completed another weekend of trouble-free running and will take over the rostered working of sister D7017 as well as covering her own booked workings, due to the ongoing bodywork overhaul that is preventing D7017 from running. As a result, D7018 will be running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Our DIESELGEN bulletin gives more details.
Our two Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) are in good working order and are ready to perform alongside the visiting locos, Class 52 D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’, Class 50 50015 (D415) ‘Valiant’, Class 45 ‘Peak’ 45108 (D120) and Class 25 25185 (D7535) plus there are opportunities for haulage by Class 03 D2133. We have an excellent event coming up !
TAKE TIME TO VISIT WILLITON DEPOT:
The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public on each of the four days (Thursday through Sunday) and we will have volunteers at the ready to talk about what we do and how we do it. Some loco cabs will be open for accompanied visits, subject to availability of course, and several large pieces of 1960s engineering will be available for viewing.
WILLITON DEPOT OPENING HOURS:
| Thurs/Fri/Sat | 0930 to 1730 |
| Sunday | 1000 to 1600 |
Here are just some of the attractions in the Depot and yard at Williton:
- D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ up on stands – the first time a ‘Western’ has been supported in this way since the days of Swindon Works, in fact the stands actually came from that workshop.
- D1010‘s bogies, engines and transmissions will be on display and the loco will be open for accompanied visits (small groups only).
- Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518, NCB Ashington No. 7 undergoing restoration in the loco shed.
- Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – Royal Ordnance Factory (Puriton) No. 1 on display in the yard, accompanied cab visits available on request.
- Rail Adventure HST Power Cars 43465 and 43484
- ‘Hymek’ MD870 cutaway display engine – please let our volunteers know if you want to view this massive engine (small groups only).
- Rod’s Model Railway Sales Stand – a very popular place to stop and browse the wide range of models and associated items on offer.
- DEPG Sales Stand with a NEW RANGE of CLOTHING and NEW BOOKS on offer.
- Irie 7 Mobile Coffee Shop – a welcoming team with hot snacks and drinks served in the yard with a direct view of the line.
- Viewing Area – a long and unbroken viewing area allowing photos at lineside level and at interesting angles.
- Help and Information – provided by our friendly and knowledgeable DEPG volunteers !
The two RailAdventure HST power cars (43465 and 43484) that were used to bring the visiting loco convoy to the WSR are spending their leisure time in the DEPG yard at Williton. Pictured on Tuesday 3rd June 2025 by Darren Hill © CC BY-NC 3.0
JUST A REMINDER …
Advance ticket sales for each day of the Summer Diesel Festival will cut off at 10AM the previous day, so e-tickets for Thursday must be pre-booked before 10AM on Wednesday and so on. After that time, tickets will need to be obtained from the ticket offices on the platforms.
Click here for advance ticketing
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 four visiting locos have arrived and they are D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’, Class 45/1 ‘Peak’ 45108, Class 50 50015 ‘Valiant’ and Class 25 D7535 (25185) so MAKE YOUR PLANS TO ATTEND and click on the links below for timetable information. It is going to be a GREAT event !
TIMETABLE LINKS – click on the below links to open a timetable pdf (check the WSR’s website for the latest information):
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
In readiness for the forthcoming SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, we have been busy preparing a very nice new range of DEPG-branded clothing, including a 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range ! Also in the works are similarly configurable ranges covering the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ with those garments likely to be available in July. Here’s a taster of what is on offer and available to order NOW via our website:
 |
 |
| Polo shirt in Black with 50 YEARS of HYMEKS logo | Polo shirt in Royal Blue with D7018 in blue FYE and D1010 in maroon SYP |
 |
 |
| Polo shirt in Burgundy with 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ logo | Polo shirt in Seal Grey with D7017 in green SYP and D1010 in maroon SYP |
 |
|
| T-shirt with D7018 and D1010 design (this type of printing is only available on a T-shirt) | Sweatshirt with D7018 in blue FYE and D1010 in maroon SYP (please order using our CONTACT FORM) |
The range of colours has now been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.
The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:
| Garment type | Price |
| T shirt | £22 |
| Polo shirt | £25 |
| Sweatshirt | £35 |
| Hoodie | £37 |
| Fleece | £40 |
| Other ? Tell us what you want ! | Use our CONTACT FORM |
Although the prices of the new range are higher than before, the prices are competitive and are in line with the quality of the garments. These are really nice pieces of work and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage.
We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !
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 !
NEW BOOKS ON SALE
Although we have only just started to promote the NEW BOOK entitled ABSOLUTELY WESTERNS that has been compiled by Roger Geach from photos taken by the late Peter Crawley, we need to ask Roger to share the limelight with our Publicity Officer MARK BLADWELL because he has just completed the production of a new booklet covering DEPG ‘Hymek’ D7017 and his work is currently IN STOCK and available for sale at the Summer Diesel Festival and via our online store.
This new booklet has 64 printed pages of glossy A4 and includes information about the ‘Hymeks’ and about D7017 in particular, covering both phases of her life – the first 13 years in BR service and the last 50 years in the care of the DEPG. Priced at £15 per copy, this book can be ordered from our website NOW. If you intend to collect your copy from our depot at Williton, use the coupon wn_collect to cancel the postage charge when checking out, or simply buy your copy during your visit.
Don’t forget to consider adding Roger’s new book to your shopping basket as well ……
Click here or on the image above to get your copy (priced at £17.50 per copy) and in doing so, supporting the restoration of D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’. A BOOK REVIEW on this new publication has been provided by regular correspondent NEALE LONG and will be posted online during the next few days. Please check this link periodically until the review appears. Thank you Neale !
There are many other new and pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.
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 !