The Diesel Traction Group’s mainline-registered Class 52 D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ was a star performer at the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, pictured approaching Blue Anchor station on a service destined for Norton Fitzwarren on Saturday 7th June 2025. Photo by Robin Wichard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Two different BR-era liveries on show at Williton on Friday 6th June 2025 – Class 50 50015 (D415) ‘Valiant’ wears the ‘large logo’ livery dating back to the 1980s while Class 25 25185 (D7535) is in the standard BR-blue of the 1970s. Photo by George Turner © CC BY-NC 3.0
Another popular visitor from the East Lancashire Railway was Class 45 ‘Peak’ 45108 (D120), pictured crossing Sampford Brett bridge on the approach to Williton with a train for Minehead on Friday 6th June 2025. Photo by Bernard Mills © CC BY-NC 3.0
The WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL took place from Thursday through Sunday last week and was a resounding success, despite the weather making more than one attempt to dampen the spirits of the many visitors, some of whom spent all four days accumulating mileage along the 23-mile distance between Norton Fitzwarren and Minehead. The visiting locos (pictured above) performed very well and gave very entertaining performances, and several members of the home fleet also participated, with notable performances from Class 14 D9526 and the two Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) both singly and when working in multiple.
Our Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 worked perfectly on Friday and most of Saturday and the timekeeping was excellent until D7018 refused to change direction when running around her train at Minehead on the Saturday evening. To avoid blocking access to the platform at Minehead, D7018 was dispatched along the line to the Permanent Way (PW) yard at Dunster where she was sidelined so that the issue could be investigated, and Class 33 D6575 (33057) was instead rostered to cover the ‘Hymek’ turns on the Sunday. We are pleased to report that D7018 has now been repaired (it was an electrical issue), and we apologise for the disappointment resulting from her misbehaviour.
This was the only issue that affected the timetable, which was otherwise excellent with a very interesting mix of workings, including some rare combinations such as the ‘Western’ and the ‘Hymek’ in tandem, and two ‘small Sulzers’ of Classes 25 and 33 working in tandem.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 had only just returned to service after some engine work and sounded very sweet indeed. It had not been possible to complete her re-paint in time, so she ran in a mixture of undercoat and gloss, but still looked very smart.
A welcome bonus was the Heritage Goods Train which consisted of an interesting mix of very well-presented wagons with a brake van at each end, offering rides between the main staging points along the line and with traction types including classes 14, 33 and 35, even including the Minehead station pilot, Class 03 D2133 working a shuttle service between Minehead and Blue Anchor, offering brake van rides that were very much appreciated by fans of this smaller traction type.
In the yard at Williton, Rail Adventure Class 43 HST power cars 43484 (nearest) and 43465 provided additional interest while the very popular ‘Irie 7‘ mobile catering van looked after the thirsts and hunger of the visitors – and what a great spot from which to relax and watch the proceedings. On Friday 6th June 2025, Class 14 D9526 was at the platform with the ‘down goods’ and Barclay 578 (ROF 1) was on display in the yard. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Former BR driver and DEPG stalwart Mike Harris was persuaded to take a look in Rail Adventure Class 43 HST power car 43465 and immediately felt at home in the chair, remembering the days when he used to drive these 125 mph machines. Pictured on Saturday 7th June 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 performed perfectly on Friday (she was not rostered on Thursday due to the lack of qualified drivers) and also on Saturday, right up until 6pm when her reverser developed an electrical fault and left her stuck in one direction and unable to run around her train. Pictured at Williton during the downpour that almost cleared the platforms on the afternoon of Saturday 7th June 2025 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was employed on the ‘DMU drag’ on Sunday 8th June 2025 and provided the travellers with great views over Blue Anchor bay on the last leg of the journey to Minehead. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Visiting Class 25 25185 (D7535) was employed on the ‘DMU drag’ on Friday 6th June 2025, and this turned out to be the best day in terms of weather, as this well-lit view from Williton Bridge testifies. Photo by Bernard Mills © CC BY-NC 3.0
MANY THANKS to all who have contributed photos for sharing via the DEPG. We will need to set up some gallery pages on our website and will provide a link in the next edition of Roundup. Thank you all !
CLICK HERE for a link to the SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL gallery on wsr.org.uk, an amazingly useful and essential resource for all things WSR.
THIS WEEKEND:
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) has gone on a visit to the SPA VALLEY RAILWAY (in Kent) to participate in their ‘CUCKOO LINE GALA‘ event, commemorating the 60th year since the line was closed down – and providing evidence that it is very much open now !
Class 33s were a common sight in the years before closure, and the railway specifically wanted an example in BR-green livery to complement the selection of steam locos that will also be in operation. Click on this link for more details.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) is out on a visit to the SPA VALLEY RAILWAY in Kent to participate in their ‘CUCKOO LINE GALA‘ event. Pictured at Eridge on Friday 13th June 2025 by Roger Geach © CC BY-NC 3.0
Also taking place this weekend is the NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY’s ANNUAL DIESEL GALA which will include our very own Class 47 ‘celebrity’ 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ along with a number of guest locos. Our loco has been very busy of late, covering well over 1000 miles in both April and May, and heading that way for June, which will be very good news for the DEPG’s Treasurer. Here’s a photo showing our loco, clearly the object of much care and attention, for which we are very grateful:
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was pictured backing on to her train at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on Wednesday 7th May 2025. Photo by Ian Heath © CC BY-NC 3.0
Back at home, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) will be working the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and the associated 80-mile diagram on both Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June. Click here to go to the WSR’s Timetable page then click on the day of interest then click VIEW TIMETABLE.
LOCO NEWS
With the DEPG yard being open to the public last weekend and all of our volunteers involved in the event, the loco news this week is confined to the work done on Sunday 8th June to establish the cause of the failure that affected Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 during the evening of Saturday 7th.
The loco had arrived at Minehead on time with the 15:30 service from Norton Fitzwarren and had detached and run around her train and was positioned and ready to back onto the stock and couple up. However, the reverser had other ideas and the red ‘REVERSER FAULT‘ light stayed on, preventing the driver from moving the loco in the Minehead direction.
In order to clear the obstruction that the ‘Hymek’ was causing, the only option (in the absence of an available shunting loco) was to send the ‘Hymek’ up the line towards Dunster, where the loco entered the Permanent Way (PW) sidings and was stabled, safely out of the way.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was sent to Dunster after disgracing herself on the evening of Saturday 7th June 2025 when she developed a reverser fault while running around her train at Minehead and spoiled an otherwise on-time event. Pictured as Class 03 D2133 worked through with the ‘Up Goods’ on the morning of Sunday 8th June 2025 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
The DEPG sent a team to Dunster on the morning of Sunday 8th June and within a few hours, the engine had been started and checks performed to establish the cause of the trouble. The transmission was changing direction as requested, but the safety device know as the ‘Directional Interlock Contactor’ (DIC) was not registering that the selected direction had been engaged, so the ‘fault’ light remained red and the loco would not move in that direction. The cause of the trouble was a simple failure with the DIC and a spare spring holder was fitted to resolve the problem. By then, the loco had lost her place in the running, but at least we knew what was wrong and had resolved the issue. Apologies to all for the disappointment, but the loco is OK and will be out and about again for our ‘50 YEARS of HYMEKS’ weekend on 30/31 August.
D7018 – the Directional Interlock Contactor (DIC) is a small box of electro-mechanical gadgetry that is mounted on top of the transmission and tests to ensure that the desired direction has been engaged before the driver is able to apply power. Pictured at Dunster on Sunday 8th June 2025 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – one of the contacts within the Directional Interlock Contactor (DIC) had come adrift due to the failure of the spring holder (coloured white, just visible at the bottom of the spring). Pictured at Dunster on Sunday 8th June 2025 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – the failed spring holder that caused displacement of one of the contacts within the Directional Interlock Contactor (DIC). Pictured at Dunster on Sunday 8th June 2025 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
The new range of clothing that was launched at the SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL was a massive success and we quickly sold all of our gala stock. This is OK because the new clothing is highly configurable so it is made to order anyway. We expect to be able to deliver within two weeks of an order being placed via our ONLINE STORE, so click this link to give it a go !
So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and 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:
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 !
ON SHED
We have been provided with a batch of photos for our ON SHED feature by well-known author, photographer and DEPG member ROGER GEACH and we start with one that he has scanned from the collection of his late friend Tony Gale. This photo shows a Class 31 at the loco stabling point at Exeter St Davids station in 1976. Nothing unusual about that, but this loco was based at Immingham and was outside her usual territory. Had she worked down on a freight via Severn Tunnel Junction, perhaps ? There is no headcode to help us this time !
Many thanks to Roger and condolences for the loss of his good friend, Tony Gale.
Brush ‘Type 2’ Class 31 31120 (D5538) was pictured at the loco stabling point at Exeter St Davids Station on 1st June 1976. The loco was based at Immingham at the time and seems to be a little lost – or perhaps she is simply on her holidays! Photo by the late Tony Gale © CC BY-NC 3.0
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.
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 !