Weekly Roundup – 06-Jul-25
The ex-GWR ‘Castle Class’ HST (power car 43155 leading, 43154 trailing) was out and about on Saturday 5th July 2025, and was preparing to depart for Bishops Lydeard while Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) waited at the opposite platform with a service for Minehead. Pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield by Jason Prole © CC BY-NC 3.0
This edition of Roundup has been modified to include some news that applies to the coming week, rather than the customary focus on the events of the previous week. This is because the extremely hot weather conditions are causing operational issues that have already led to the cancellation of all services on Friday 11th July and will impact services in the week to come.
The ‘FLYING SCOTSMAN‘ services that had to be cancelled on Friday 11th have been re-scheduled for SUNDAY 13th July and will REPLACE the Blue Timetable services on that day. This means that there will be no public services on Sunday 13th.
To reduce the risk of lineside fires, the published YELLOW timetable has been scaled back to a BLUE timetable for Tues/Weds/Thurs 15/16/17th July with one loco in steam on the diagram that starts at Bishops Lydeard and either D6566 (33048) or the DMU on the diagram that starts from Minehead (keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change).
The weekend of 19/20th July is currently expected to operate as planned with the continuance of the BLUE timetable. The plan for the following week will be reviewed when the weather conditions for that week can be more precisely determined.
The weather-related issue has resulted in the temporary loss of Class 33 D6575 (33057) from the active loco fleet, so the ‘Thunderbird’ loco this coming weekend will be Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018. We will also have Class 14 D9526 available soon, as she is due to run to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 12th to undergo an underframe examination, after which we hope to release her to traffic, even though her re-paint is not quite finished.
Last week, we included an article about manning the ‘Thunderbird’ rescue loco D6566 (33048) on a hot and sunny day, but we need DEPG Secondman and Publicity Officer MARK BLADWELL back this weekend to honour Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 with his former Class 57 nameplate on what will be an even hotter and sunnier couple of days !
And yes, the photo below is made up from two separate photos, just in case you think your eyes are playing tricks on you !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was pictured in the yard at Williton on Saturday 5th July 2025 by Jon Tooke. The image of Mark Bladwell and his SCOTT TRACY of ‘THUNDERBIRDS‘ nameplate (from 57301) is an extract from a photo dated 2nd July 2025 by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
Here’s an UPDATED table of JULY dates to show what is running and when (AS PER CURRENT INFORMATION):
| Day | Date | Type of Service | Notes |
| Saturday | 12th | Flying Scotsman services | Six services, ALL SOLD OUT |
| Sunday | 13th | Flying Scotsman services | Four services, click here to check availability |
| Monday | 14th | Flying Scotsman static – No other services | At Bishops Lydeard, SOLD OUT |
| Tuesday | 15th | BLUE TT | Steam and Diesel in use, check our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for motive power allocations |
| Wednesday | 16th | BLUE TT | Steam and Diesel in use, check our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for motive power allocations |
| Thursday | 17th | BLUE TT | Steam and Diesel in use, check our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for motive power allocations |
| Friday | 18th | No services | |
| Saturday | 19th | Standard Blue TT | Steam and Diesel in use, check our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for motive power allocations |
| Sunday | 20th | Standard Blue TT | Steam and Diesel in use, check our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for motive power allocations |
| Monday | 21st | No services | |
| Tuesday | 22nd | Yellow TT | 2 x steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the 1055 BL-MD and return |
| Wednesday | 23rd | Yellow TT | 2 x steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the 1055 BL-MD and return |
| Thursday | 24th | Yellow TT | 2 x steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the 1055 BL-MD and return |
| Friday | 25th | No services | |
| Saturday | 26th | Standard Blue TT | Steam and Diesel in use, D6566 starting at MD |
| Sunday | 27th | Standard Blue TT | Steam and Diesel in use, D6566 starting at MD |
| Monday | 28th | No services | |
| Tuesday | 29th | Yellow TT | 2 x steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the 1055 BL-MD and return |
| Wednesday | 30th | Yellow TT | 2 x steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the 1055 BL-MD and return |
| Thursday | 31st | Yellow TT | 2 x steam plus Class 14 D9526 on the 1055 BL-MD and return |
Key to abbreviations: BL = Bishops Lydeard MD = Minehead TT= Timetable
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’ – the team launched an attack on a stillage full of brake rigging parts from D1010‘s ‘B’ bogie to get them cleaned up and ready for inspection by professional loco examiner MATT HIGHAM. Some of the parts were very large and heavy, but our intrepid volunteers worked their way through most of the parts, which will need another degreasing after inspection and before re-painting. Well done team !
D1010 – many hands make light work, as the saying goes, and this photo is the proof. One of the many linkages from the brake rigging of ‘B’ bogie was pictured at Williton on Saturday 5th July 2025 getting attention from (L-R) Jeffrey, Glenn and Thomas. Photo by Jon Tooke © 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) – this loco is now the Duty Loco and will be outstationed at either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead according to the requirements of the WSR Operations Department.
D6566 (33048) was in use on the diagram that started at Bishops Lydeard on the weekend of 5th/6th of July 2025, and was pictured on the Saturday during the Williton Station stop. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is at Bishops Lydeard and is not currently available for use. We will provide more details as soon as they become available.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – the re-painting of this loco is being carried out by the WSR’s Harry Spencer but working as a volunteer in his own time. This very kind offer from Harry will help the DEPG conserve funds following the unexpectedly high amount of work that had to be carried out on bodywork corrosion repairs. The roof panels need lifting back on, for which the WSR’s ‘Atlas’ rail-mounted crane will need to be used, but another kind offer from well-known railway preservationist Andrew Forster will allow this to be done with an entirely voluntary workforce, at minimal cost. We are planning to do this work on Tuesday 15th July, subject to availability of volunteers.
We are very grateful to both Harry and Andrew for their kind offers of help and support !
We are planning on getting D7017 back to Williton later in July so that she can be worked up to readiness for her return to service during August. This will involve some test running with sister loco D7018.
The fund for the bodywork overhaul of D7017 has TOPPED £20,000 but we will need to keep it open a while longer to cover the cost over-run. MANY THANKS to all who have contributed to this amazing result and in doing so, have secured the future of this locomotive.
The cost of this bodywork overhaul continues 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 in serviceable condition and will be available to cover the ‘Thunderbird’ duties over the weekend of 12/13th July, for which she will be kept warm and ready for startup at short notice.
We hope to use D7018 in support of the test running of sister D7017 during late July and August, as we build up to our 50 YEARS of HYMEKS weekend, the 30th and 31st August, where we expect to have both of our ‘Hymeks’ in use, both singly and together.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continues on the engine overhaul, with more parts being re-assembled to the engine block. This engine was last used in D9526 and has been completely stripped down, cleaned, inspected and is being rebuilt with new parts where necessary. Most parts are well within wear limits and are able to be re-used, keeping costs down and conserving our stock of genuine Paxman parts.
D9518 – on Tuesday 10th June 2025, the timing gears had been re-installed in the Paxman 6YJXL engine. Pictured at Williton by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – on Tuesday 24th June 2025, the camshaft and water pump drive gears had been re-installed in the Paxman 6YJXL engine. Pictured at Williton by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – another view from Tuesday 24th June 2025 showing the cam followers and the water pump drive had been re-installed in the Paxman 6YJXL engine. Pictured at Williton by Terry Deacon © 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 has been undergoing a re-paint inside the loco shed at Williton and is close to completion. In preparation fo her return to service, this loco will run ‘light engine’ from Williton to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 12th to position over the pit for an underframe inspection.
Although the planned workings for next week have been cut back due to the hot weather, we still need to get this loco ready in case she is needed in support of the BLUE timetable.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is definitely a firm favourite for passengers and crews alike. Please continue to send in your photographs of our ‘celebrity’ loco while she is at work on the Moors. Thanks !
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. Due to very high demand, delivery times have extended to four weeks, but this is temporary for the peak summer period, after which 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 later in July or August. 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
Not exactly ‘on shed’ but a flashback to the ‘Merry-Go-Round’ (MGR) coal trains of the past, this photo has been provided by well known author and DEPG member ROGER GEACH. This view of 56055 dates back 24 years – but it feels like yesterday. The working is the Immingham Docks to Cottam Power Station MGR, with imported coal being used for power generation in those days. The loco entered service at Toton depot in February of 1979 and moved to Cardiff Canton depot in October of 1987, surviving through to March 2003, a service life of 24 years. Many thanks to Roger for sharing his photo with us all.
Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !
BREL Doncaster-built (1979) Class 56 56055 was pictured at Clarborough when working the Immingham Docks to Cottam Power Station ‘MGR’ on 4th July 2001. Photo by Roger Geach © CC BY-NC 3.0
NEW BOOKS ON SALE
We have received a flurry of orders for the two NEW BOOKS that we added to stock last week. The second in the three-part series ‘The Railways of South Wales 1975-1995‘ by Michael Rhodes is now available and we also have stock of the companion series ‘RAILWAYS OF THE NORTH EAST 1975-1995‘ by the same author. Both books are of high quality and are available via our online store.
We also have stock of the NEW BOOK entitled ABSOLUTELY WESTERNS that has been compiled by Roger Geach from photos taken by the late Peter Crawley, and we have the NEW BOOKLET that has recently been released by DEPG Publicity Officer MARK BLADWELL covering DEPG ‘Hymek’ D7017. This booklet is currently IN STOCK and available for sale 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 date of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be Saturday 13th September and the meeting will be held at Williton as usual. We will be sending the AGM information package out in early August, along with the next edition of the DEPG Quarterly Newsletter.
The DEPG have acquired two pieces of pre-owned plant from a local firm, and both are in the process of being overhauled but already promise to be very useful acquisitions.
The first is a Linde electric fork lift truck, small enough to be kept in our shed but large enough for most of the lifting and shifting jobs that need to be done. This machine requires new batteries and a good cleanup, and will then be ready for insurance inspection and use.
The second is a ‘NiftyLift’ aerial platform, often called a ‘cherry picker’, again in need of some work due to a lengthy period of outdoor storage, but already functional and well worth the effort of restoring. This machine was put through its paces by plant technicians Tony and Jon at Williton last Saturday 5th July. Well done guys, we are going to be wanting to use these items of equipment all the time !
Jon Tooke (JT) at work on the wiring repairs needed for the recently-acquired ‘Niftylift’ aerial platform. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 5th July 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
JT connected the hydraulic pump so that Tony could test the controls in the basket of the recently-acquired ‘Niftylift’ aerial platform. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 5th July 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Tony then tested the ground controls and exercised the recently-acquired ‘Niftylift’ aerial platform. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 5th July 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 !