Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) made her first visit to an event on another railway since entering preservation on the WSR back in 1997. The loco was pictured arriving at Groombridge on the SPA VALLEY RAILWAY (in Kent) on Friday 13th June 2025. Photo by Roger Geach © CC BY-NC 3.0
Almost immediately after completing her duties in the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL (refer to the previous roundup), hard working Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was loaded onto a road trailer for the 200-mile journey to the SPA VALLEY RAILWAY in Kent to make a guest appearance at their ‘CUCKOO LINE GALA’ event, marking the 60th anniversary of the closure of the line between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells.
The event was a big success, with record attendances on the three days (at least one of which was extremely hot weather-wise), with both steam and diesel locos of the appropriate types in use on all three days. Some of the steam locos had their numbers changed during the event to match those that would have been seen on the line before closure, but our ’33’ did not need to be changed because D6566 worked over that line on many occasions.
Although the Spa Valley Railway has two Class 33s of their own (33063 (D6583) and 33065 (D6585)), both are currently undergoing overhaul, so D6566 was invited as a representative of the Class in green livery with small yellow panels, just as she would have been when the line was still active under British Railways before closure in 1965.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was taking a break when pictured with BR-Standard Class 4 2-6-4T 80078 on the SPA VALLEY RAILWAY on Friday 13th June 2025, recreating an impression of the ‘Cuckoo Line’ pre-closure, back in 1965. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was pictured at Eridge on the SPA VALLEY RAILWAY on Sunday 15th June 2025 with her DEPG support team alongside, namely Paul, Tom, Ashley and Ian. The loco performed perfectly throughout, so well done Team 33 ! Photo by Ashley Harris © CC BY-NC 3.0
Another well-patronised event that took place last weekend was the NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY diesel gala, with a range of locos from Classes 31, 33, 37, 50 and 55 plus our very own 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ in use and proving very popular as always. The wonderful 1903-vintage NER Electric Autocar 3170 also participated, giving a reminder that electrically-powered vehicles were in public service use in the UK more than 120 years ago.
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was a very popular loco at the NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY’s Diesel Gala event, seen here shortly after departing from Pickering with a train for Grosmont. Photo dated 14th June 2025 by Kevin Knight © CC BY-NC 3.0
Visiting Class 37 37688 (D6905, 37205) ‘Great Rocks’ also participated at the NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY’s Diesel Gala event, courtesy of owning group D05 Preservation. Pictured in Railfreight ‘Construction Sector’ livery on the approach to Levisham on 14th June 2025 by Neale Long © CC BY-NC 3.0
Although originally built in 1903 with a petrol engine powering a generator, the sole surviving ‘Autocar’ was returned to service in 2018 with a diesel engine (for safety reasons). This wonderful machine was pictured at Goathland during the NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY’s Diesel Gala event on 14th June 2025 by Neale Long © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ and the other locally-based diesel locos are in use on the NYMR again this weekend because of the high fire risk resulting from the hot and dry weather.
MEMORIES OF THE WSR’ 2025 gala event
Thank you to the many members and supporters who have submitted their photos and given their permission to share them for the benefit of the DEPG. Selecting images for the next DEPG Calendar will be hard indeed !
Click here or on the image below for a link to a Flickr site that carries a range of excellent images by CHRIS HOPPER, taken on the WSR on Friday 6th June 2025:
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 – AN UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED INFORMATION:
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) will be working the diesel diagram under the BLUE timetable on Saturday 21st June with a start from Minehead at 10:00 as usual, but sister loco D6566 (33048) will be covering the steam turn on the Sunday, starting at Bishops Lydeard, with steam on the Minehead departure.
Click here to go to the WSR’s Timetable page then click on the day of interest then click VIEW TIMETABLE.
For details of planned diesel-hauled services, please click here or on the banner below to visit our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and sign up to our DIESELGEN bulletin service for advance notification of unplanned services.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – a return to the more ‘normal’ activities this week, with attention being given to cleaning up the many parts (some large and heavy) that have been removed from the bogies and preparing them for detailed inspection and measurement. In parallel, Ian F continued his rounds of work on the loco body while Andy R actually managed to engrave some sponsored patches and reduce the backlog ! Many thanks to all of our members and supporters for your amazing help with the fundraising for this loco.
D1010 – the loco body is safely supported on ex-BR Swindon Works stands while Ian F continues his rounds of rubbing down, filling and painting. The loco is in the undercoat stage but we are using old gloss over the repaired areas to provide a degree of protection against the weather. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th June 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – now here is a volunteer who continues to enjoy his work cleaning up what must feel like a never-ending succession of parts that have been removed from D1010’s bogies. Viv was pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th June 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – this large and heavy part is one of the four thrust brackets that transfer the traction and braking forces between the loco body and the bogies. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th June 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
As mentioned before, apologies to those D1010 sponsors who have yet to receive the photos and certificates for the patches that they have sponsored. We have re-started engraving the patches but there is quite a backlog, so please bear with us while we catch up.
MANY THANKS to all who have sponsored and supported the RESTORATION of D1010 !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations. In use on Sunday 22nd June but STARTING FROM BISHOPS LYDEARD.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – outstationed at Minehead as the ‘duty loco’. In use on Saturday 21st June starting from Minehead.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – the disappointment of not being able to get this loco ready in time for the recent gala event has now subsided, and we are focused on getting the loco back to Williton during July so that she can be worked up to readiness for her return to service during August. Here’s a status update:
- All bodywork repairs have now been completed.
- A full body repaint is currently taking place inside the loco shed at Minehead.
- The roof sections will then be re-fitted so that the loco can be moved outdoors
- Several inspection and test activities will take place at Minehead to allow the loco to return to Williton.
The fund for the bodywork overhaul of D7017 has NOW TOPPED £20,000 so MANY THANKS to all who have contributed to this amazing result and in doing so, have secured the future of this locomotive.
D7017 – a very unusual view, made possible by the overhead safety harness system in use within the WSR’s Minehead loco shed. Photo dated 4th June 2025 by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – the new lower section of the bodyside grille, the penultimate piece of welding repair work being carried out by WSR resident welder Buzz at Minehead in early June 2025. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – the repair to the shoulder of the roof section. This was the last piece of welding repair work that had to be carried out on the loco. Pictured at Minehead on 4th June 2025 by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – only the paintwork remains to be done. The loco was complete and ready for undercoating when pictured at Minehead in early June 2025 (the bodyside window frames go back in when the painting has been completed). Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
The cost of this bodywork overhaul continue to increase, so we have had to keep the fund open to help reduce the impact on other DEPG projects. Please consider contributing if you can. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is now at Minehead and is waiting for the opportunity to return to Williton – perhaps with her slightly older sister ?
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – although the re-wiring work has been continuing in the background throughout, the engine work had to be paused while mechanical resources were being shared with sister loco D9526, but work has now re-started and we hope to share some engine overhaul photos in the next roundup. Meanwhile, the steady progress on the re-wiring is evident from these photos:
D9518 – the evidence of the progress of the rewiring is the number of blue crimp tags on the wiring terminals of the electrical control cubicle. Pictured at Williton on 14th June 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – looking down through the cab floor, the orange-painted conduit that carries the wiring bundles from the electrical control cubicle to the equipment bay can be seen to be filling up with wiring, including the heavy-duty cables that run from the batteries and the generator. Pictured at Williton on 14th June 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 – after her successful appearances at the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL earlier in June, the loco has returned to the loco shed at Williton so that her re-paint can be completed. The loco ran in a mixture of undercoat and gloss during the gala, so she now has to stay indoors until the job is completed, hopefully in time to allow her to take up her first booked working of the YELLOW timetable on Tuesday 15th July.
D9526 – on Saturday 14th June 2025, the radiator grille was being degreased by volunteer Andy P prior to undercoating. The loco is being repainted in her original two-tone green livery. Pictured at Williton by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – already covered.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is available for service as required.
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 !
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 this week we feature a Class 25, one of a total of 478 locomotives (including Classes 24 and 25) which became known as ‘Rats’ because they showed up everywhere !
Our featured loco is 25242 (D7592), built at BR’s Darlington Works in 1964 because the Derby facility was so busy producing them that other sites (both BR and private builders) had to be engaged to expand the population rapidly – hence the unflattering nickname. The loco was pictured at Bletchley Stabling Point on Saturday 7th May of 1983, almost exactly one year before the loco was withdrawn as being surplus to requirements. Do you have knowledge of the workings that this loco may have been handling at Bletchley ? If yes, please use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch with us.
Many thanks to Roger for sharing his photos with us all.
BR ‘Type 2’ Class 25 25242 (D7592) was pictured at the loco stabling point at Bletchley on Saturday 7th May 1983. The loco was based at Longsight (Manchester) at the time. Do you have knowledge of the workings in and around Bletchley ? Use our CONTACT FORM to let us know. Photo by Roger Geach © 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 WSR bookshops 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.
DEPG NEWS:
The DEPG Board of Trustees will be holding a scheduled Board Meeting at Williton on Saturday 28th June 2025. If you are a DEPG member and have a question that you would like to have put to the Board, please use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch.
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 !