Weekly Roundup – 03-Aug-25
Brake van rides behind Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 are always very popular at the WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY that takes place at Norton Fitzwarren on the first weekend in August. Pictured approaching ‘Holmes Halt’ on the former Barnstaple branch on Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Jacquie Green © CC BY-NC 3.0
A free shuttle service operated between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren, with the Class 115 DMU making 8 round trips on Saturday and 9 on Sunday. Pictured approaching Norton Fitzwarren platform on Saturday 2nd August 2025 by Steve Lewis © CC BY-NC 3.0
The WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY was the Somerset crowd-puller last weekend, taking place as it does every year in the 33-acre site that is owned by the WSRA at Norton Fitzwarren, just 3 miles west of Taunton. This massive event has something for everyone, with craft and model displays alongside vintage machinery, classic cars, trucks and buses, in fact all sorts, supported by plenty of choices for refreshments and sustenance. WELL DONE TO THE WSRA and all of the volunteers for organising and delivering such a great event !
Burrell TT5615 ‘PRIDE OF DEVON’ took part in the parade of traction engines at the STEAM RALLY on Saturday 2nd August 2025. Photo by Steve Lewis © CC BY-NC 3.0
Two fine examples of an even earlier form of motive power, these fine Shire Horses were being displayed at the STEAM RALLY on Saturday 2nd August 2025. Photo by Steve Lewis © CC BY-NC 3.0
Colin Foxhall’s ‘celebrity’ Karrier Bantam 3t dropside truck was also on display alongside his lovingly restored vintage Commer camper van. Pictured at the STEAM RALLY on Saturday 2nd August 2025 by Robin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0
Perhaps better known as the leader of the DEPG’s ‘Transmission Team’, Colin Foxhall was also at the Rally, exhibiting his Kommer Bantam 3t dropside truck VFJ 833K. The truck pictured above is the actual vehicle featured in Series 1, 2 and 3 of the Netflix series ‘The Crown’, as the airport baggage truck, with Colin at the wheel as the baggage truck driver. This explains the ‘MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION’ graphics on the cab doors. When new, the truck was in fact used by Exeter City Council on somewhat less glamorous duties!
Elsewhere on the railway, the risk of lineside fire continued to cause difficulties, and the need to run steam engines to maintain economically-viable levels of visitor patronage was made possible by using DEPG diesels to provide the majority of tractive effort, thereby reducing the risk of fire damage to habitat and crops along the line.
An unexpected difficulty has arisen from the intensive use of diesels, in terms of crew availability. Although there is quite a large pool of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ drivers, it has still been difficult to get sufficient drivers to cover the required diagrams during the peak holiday weeks. The situation for the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ are more difficult because the WSR only has six and three passed drivers respectively. Training new drivers takes a lot of time, and in some cases the trainers are fully occupied working services themselves. As safety is of paramount importance, there is no ‘quick fix’ soultion, but plans are being drawn up to correct this for next year.
The coming week offers another interesting mixture of pure steam, pure diesel and mixed traction, so please keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change (we will TRY and keep this page aligned with the latest changes).
Click here to go to the WSR’s Timetable page then click on the day of interest then click VIEW TIMETABLE.
Sign up to our DIESELGEN bulletin service for advance notification of unplanned services.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the team applied their full attention to the springs last Saturday, in an effort to get four pallet loads ready for collection. The six primary leaf springs, two secondary leaf springs and eight secondary coil springs had already been removed from the ‘B’ bogie some time back and were in store, but were found to still need cleaning before they could be put on pallets.
The six primary suspension leaf springs had been removed from the ‘A’ bogie during the previous weekend and together with the complete set of springs from the ‘B’ bogie, will be going out to a specialist spring manufacturer for testing and evaluation. Hopefully, they will all be OK for further use, which will be the best outcome and will minimise the demands on the D1010 Restricted Fund that holds all of the donations that have been made to the D1010 restoration appeal over the last few years.
In parallel, work proceeds on the replacement pins, bushings and bearings that will be needed when re-assembling the suspension system. We want to get this loco back on its bogies before the winter. If this sounds like a tall order, it is, so COME ALONG AND HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN !
Get in touch using our CONTACT FORM and we will send you the volunteering application form and take it from there.
D1010 – the two giant leaf springs that provide the secondary suspension (supporting the loco body) were being cleaned up by Ian F at Williton on Saturday 2nd August 2025 in preparation for being sent out for specialist testing. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – undeterred by the dirtiest of jobs, Viv tackled the cleanup of one of the dampers and thrust brackets from the ‘A’ bogie at Williton on Saturday 2nd August 2025. The damper, one of four in total, will be sent out for specialist overhaul. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – by the end of the day on Saturday 2nd August 2025, there were four pallets of springs alongside No. 2 road, ready to be sent out for specialist testing. Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was present on number 1 road at Williton. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is being kept very busy and will be outstationed at either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead according to the requirements of the WSR Operations Department.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – on Saturday 2nd August, this loco was in position on the concrete lifting pad that is on the south side of the ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton and was being prepared to have her body lifted from her bogies so that the top of the bogies and the underside of the loco could be inspected. The loco was lifted on Tuesday 5th August and photos will be included in the next edition of Roundup. There were no major issues and we expect this loco to be back in service by Sunday 17th August, provided that everything goes to plan (doesn’t it always ?).
D6575 (33057) – pictured on the concrete lifting pad on the south side of the ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton on Saturday 2nd August 2025. The loco has been prepared for lifting, which took place on Tuesday 5th. The lifting was a precautionary measure, and no major issues were found. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – we are planning to do the pre-start preparation on this loco on Tuesday 12th August at Minehead, and we are going to be having specialist help from BOB CLEGG to make sure that we follow the procedure that ensures proper lubrication of the critical bearings prior to start-up. The Maybach engines require this special attention when they haven’t been run for some time, and it is 10 months in the case of this loco, so we definitely need to be careful.
Once the engine is running, the brake test and air test can be carried out and the loco will then be fit to move back to Williton, where final preparations will be made for test running that will confirm her reliability in time for 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.
We are very grateful to everyone who has worked on D7017 during her bodywork overhaul. Your efforts will be unveiled soon and will be a fitting tribute to this loco, in HER FIFTIETH YEAR IN PRESERVATION !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is at Williton and is fully serviceable and available to the WSR for use as a ‘Thunderbird’ loco if required. The focus of attention has been on sister loco D7017 but D7018 remains ready to go and may be used in support of her sister when test running.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the engine rebuild has slowed down due to resources being applied to D9526 to support the WSR through the peak summer season. Work continues on the electrical wiring and on the preparation of the many components parts that are needed to complete this locomotive.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – as previously reported, this loco spent the whole of last weekend shuttling up and down the remains of the former Barnstaple branch while working the BRAKE VAN RIDES at the WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY at Norton Fitzwarren. This loco is rostered to assist steam locos on the diagrams that start from Bishops Lydeard this weekend and midweek (subject to driver availability), and it had to be said that she looks the part, blending in nicely with her Swindon-built steam-powered cousins.
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. This week, we include some photos taken on the day that she arrived on the WSR, provided to us by former DEPG Chairman BOB TILLER. Here are the accompanying notes that Bob provided:
“After purchase on 1st May 2007 with thanks to Porterbrook Leasing, I arranged work to be carried out at Brush in Loughborough. The vacuum brakes were reinstated, cabs repaired, other repairs carried out, headcode boxes refitted, and a full repaint. Many thanks to those involved at Brush.
We then “delivered” D1661 (47077 47613 47840) to the WSR on 28th May 2007 courtesy of assistance from Cotswold Rail (now gone) on a staff and enthusiasts charter from Derby.
It was a good day out, bringing 47840 to her new home.”
Many thanks to Bob for providing us with his photos and sharing this memory.
D1661 (47077, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was leading 47828 (D1966, 47266, 47629) on the departure from Bristol Temple Meads station on 28th May 2007, and was just about to pass under Bath Road bridge with 1Z47, the ‘NORTH STAR SPECIAL’ from Derby to Minehead. Class 45 45112 (D61) ‘ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS’ was at the rear to haul the return leg of the journey, 1Z48. Photo by Bob Tiller © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1661 (47077, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was pictured on display at Minehead on 28th May 2007 after arriving with the ‘NORTH STAR SPECIAL’ railtour from Derby. This marked the start of a new chapter in the life of this ‘celebrity’ Class 47, in the hands of the DEPG. Photo by Bob Tiller © CC BY-NC 3.0
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is available for use 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 continues to be a big success, even though it has created a bit of a logjam for orders. The uptick in demand from so many railway groups in connection with ‘Rail 200’ and ‘Greatest Gathering’ events have over-stretched the supply chain, but this is just temporary and should sort itself out in a few weeks from now. APOLOGIES if your order has been delayed, but don’t delay if you want some of this new clothing, PLACE YOUR ORDER via our ONLINE STORE, just 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 September. 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
Remaining ‘under the wires’ on the West Coast Main Line, this week we head north from Crewe to Preston where the hard-working camera of ROGER GEACH found English Electric Type 4 Class 40 40024 (D224) on a ‘light engine’ move, but to where ? Perhaps back to her home depot of Longsight, near Manchester?
The Class 40 was a heavy and under-powered design that could not even match the performance of the top link steam locomotives that they were intended to replace, but they soon carved a niche on secondary passenger duties and on heavy freights in all regions except the Western and Southern.
Many were fitted with dual drakes (air and vacuum) and these locos soldiered on into the mid-1980s, but the vacuum-only examples were the first to go when higher performance locos such as Class 47s were made available following the introduction of HSTs from 1976 onwards.
MANY THANKS to Roger for sharing his photo with us all.
Please 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 !
English Electric Type 4 Class 40 40024 (D224) was ‘under the wires’ at Preston on a ‘Light Engine’ move when pictured on Saturday 20th September 1980. The loco, from the first production batch of the Type, was 21 years old at the time and had a further three years to work before being withdrawn and sent to Crewe Works for disposal. Photo by Roger Geach © CC BY-NC 3.0
NEW BOOK ON SALE
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ has now been released and is available to order via the DEPG’s online store. This series of books by ANDY CHARD has been an amazing success, and we expect this fifth volume to be equally impressive and as successful as the earlier releases. Well done Andy !
Click here or on the image above to get your copy (priced at £35.95 per copy)
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 to all members who are on the fully-paid-up register on 21st August. We will use the ‘paper’ or ‘paperless’ setting in your ‘Membermojo’ account to determine if you want a mailed or emailed version of the AGM calling notice, so check your setting by using the link or scan the QR code further below. Thank you !
The next edition of the DEPG Quarterly Newsletter has been produced by Mark Bladwell and is ready for distribution. Mailed copies should be on your doormat by this weekend and emailed versions will be sent out this coming Sunday. Many thanks to Mark for keeping the Newsletter production running on time.
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 !
