Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018, with her paintwork refreshed by a coat of polyurethane varnish (thank you Graham), was looking very good while being prepared to run ‘Light Engine’ to Bishops Lydeard on Thursday 28th August 2025. Pictured at Williton by Mike Lanning © CC BY-NC 3.0
Both ‘Hymeks’ are now in position at Bishops Lydeard and are ready to take up their duties for the HYMEK 50 WEEKEND that takes place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August 2025, when both D7017 and D7018 will be hard at work on an 8-coach train and an enhanced 120-mile daily diagram that includes 40 miles of DOUBLE HEADING in the middle of each day !
The weekend has become an ALL-DIESEL EVENT by the substitution of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) for the rostered steam locomotive on the 10:15 departure from Bishops Lydeard and subsequent diagram, so PLEASE DO TRY AND COME ALONG to enjoy this VERY SPECIAL WEEKEND of Type 3 diesel running.
Here’s a summary of workings (applies to both days):
- D7017 departs Bishops Lydeard (BL) at 0825 for Minehead (MD)
- D7017 departs MD for BL at 1000
- D6566 departs BL for MD at 1015
- D6566 departs MD for BL at 1220
- D7017 and D7018 depart BL for MD at 1225
- D7018 and D7017 depart MD for BL at 1420
- D6566 departs BL for MD at 1425
- D6566 departs MD for BL at 1635
- D7018 departs BL for MD at 1640
- D7018 departs MD for BL at 1830
Timetables are available by clicking this link and tickets for this event are available from the WSR by clicking this link. Standard ticketing applies.
The WSR have advised the following catering arrangements:
- Bishops Lydeard station café opening hours: 0800 to 1700 both days
- Minehead station café opening hours: 0930 to 1750 both days
- On-train buffet opening hours – Saturday: 0825 to 1800
- On-train buffet opening hours – Sunday: 1000 to 1800
As a late addition to the event, we will now be hosting ROD’S MODEL RAILWAY SALES stand in our meeting room, just inside the gates of the DEPG yard at Williton, from 0930 to 1630 each day. With only a limited number of volunteers being available on site at Williton, we will be able to provide shed visits, but on a small groups basis. Apart from our two ‘Hymek’s, the location of the other members of the DEPG/WSR diesel fleet will be as follows:
|
Owner |
Class |
Location |
|
DEPG |
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ |
Undergoing a bogie overhaul at Williton. |
|
WSR |
Class 03 D2133 |
Station pilot at Minehead |
|
DEPG |
Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) |
Station pilot at Bishops Lydeard |
|
Private owner |
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) |
Working the 10:15 Bishops Lydeard 80-mile diagram |
|
Private owner |
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) |
‘Thunderbird’ loco, stabled at Minehead. |
|
DEPG |
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 |
Undergoing a complete rebuild at Williton |
|
DEPG |
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 |
Fully operational, stabled at Williton |
|
WSR |
Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) |
Yard pilot at Williton |
|
WSR |
Barclay 0-4-0DH 579 (ROF 2) |
Yard pilot at Minehead |
|
DEPG |
In use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. |
|
|
WSR |
Fully operational, stabled at Minehead. |
Several questions have been asked about the absence of the BR double-arrow symbol from the now blue-painted D7017 and the presence of the D+EG logo instead. The reason for this is that BR had a stong view of the use of their logo back in the 1970s and the D+EG were not allowed to use it under the ‘passing off’ rules. So, the double arrow logo was removed and the D+EG logo that had been made at home by John and Margaret Crane was applied. The logo was hand-cut from ‘Fablon’ (sticky-backed plastic), a material that was quite popular at the time. It is a lot easier to get the logos made these days, so it is not as much of a challenge !
D7017 in the early days of the WSR, running with the D+EG logo in place of the BR double-arrow logo. Pictured at Mineral Line Bridge near Watchet on 7th May 1978 by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 3.0
We have already received compliments about the high standard of finish on D7017 and asked questions as to how it was painted. Well, it was entirely hand painted by HARRY SPENCER, mostly in his own time, building on quality preparation work that was carried out by the Minehead engineering team and by DEPG volunteers. The repairs to the bodywork were paid for by donations raised during the last 10 months totalling approximately £20,000 for which we are very grateful. MANY THANKS to all who have donated to and carried out the work on D7017 to bring her up to the condition that we see today.
Glistening after a downpour at Williton on Thursday 28th August 2025, D7017 departed with D7018 in tow, destination Bishops Lydeard, to position for their weekend event. Photo by Mike Lanning © CC BY-NC 3.0
Click here to go to the WSR’s events page for the ‘Hymek’ weekend.
The coming week sees the return of the standard BLUE timetable (four trains each way per day) with steam working from Bishops Lydeard and Class 33 D6575 (33057) working from Minehead. 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 continued their work on both bogies last weekend, with the ‘B’ bogie already looking much better as a result of the application of some primer in the areas where the dye penetrant inspection is not going to be required. The removal of the equalising beams and pedestals from the ‘A’ bogie was attempted, but is going to have to wait until more volunteers are available, which will be next weekend.
The following photos are those that we were unable to include last week. Apologies for the delay in sharing them.
D1010 – bogie overhauls in progress – the ‘B’ bogie is nearest the camera and is the most advanced in terms of the disassembly work, with all brake rigging and almost all of the suspension components removed. Pictured at Williton with (L-R) Barry and Ian F at work on Saturday 16th August 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – side view of the ‘B’ bogie with the secondary suspension coil springs and the huge leaf spring conspicuous by their absence, Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th August 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – by comparison, the ‘A’ bogie is only having the primary suspension components removed for the time being, so that remedial work on the equalising beams can take place on all four sets simultaneously (to save setup costs). Pictured at Williton with (L-R) Glenn and Gordon on Saturday 16th August 2025 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 returned to Williton on Saturday 23rd, swapping places with sister loco D6575 (33057) as planned. Work started straight away with an underframe and bogie wash, following by an inspection and a re-greasing of the various linkages and bushings. However, on Sunday 24th, the loco was unexpectedly called back into service to stand-in for a steam loco that had developed a steam leak. Now back in the clutches of the Operating Department, this loco is unlikely to return to Williton for continuance of her planned maintenance until the middle of next week.
D6566 (33048) – back at Williton – but for only 22 hours, the team had just started to carry out planned maintenance tasks when the loco was called back into action. Pictured at Williton with Ashley at work on Saturday 23rd August 2025 by Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco was returned to traffic on Saturday 23rd August and has been in regular use ever since, supporting the WSR and covering for steam locomotives. This loco is booked to work the BLUE timetable services originating at Minehead next week and as far ahead as the FORTIES WEEKEND (20/21 September).
D6575 (33057) – back in service on Saturday 23rd August 2025, and pictured at Minehead while running around her train. Photo by Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – already covered, this loco has been the centre of attention with multiple volunteers attending to details both inside and externally, to get the loco ready for her big event.
We are very grateful to everyone who has donated to or worked on D7017 during her bodywork overhaul. Your efforts are a fitting tribute to this loco, in HER FIFTIETH YEAR IN PRESERVATION !
D7017 gets attention from Roy as he prepares to freshen up the paintwork on the axlebox covers. He has already given the bogies a fresh coat of black paint. Pictured on 23rd August 2025 by Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 gets attention from (L-R) Ethan T and Ethan W as they deal with the many details around the underframe that need painting in specific colours to identify their functions. Pictured on 24th August 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – already covered – this loco was moved into the loco shed on Saturday 16th August and received a thorough external clean-up and a coat of varnish (courtesy of Graham) on Saturday 23rd to ready her for the HYMEK 50 WEEKEND (30/31st August) and for her subsequent appearance at the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY’S AUTUMN DIESEL GALA that runs from the 4th to the 6th of September. We want her to look her best ! This loco is booked to be collected by Allelys from Bishops Lydeard on Monday 1st September.
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, but the team will get back onto this project in the coming weeks.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco has now been serviced and moved onto No. 4 road at Williton, where she stands at the ready, in case she is called upon to assist a steam loco at short notice.
D9526 was in use to shunt the yard on Saturday 16th August 2025, to put D7018 inside the loco shed and shunt D6575 onto No. 1 road ready for fuelling and a return to service the following week. D7017 is also in view at the far end of No 1 road, having arrived from Minehead on the previous Thursday. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and has been kept busy by the steam ban that had been re-introduced following some significant fires on the moors. If you have been enjoying riding behind our ‘celebrity‘ loco, please send us some photos to share with our readers ! This week, we feature some photos that have been submitted by DEPG member Matthew Fenwick, for which we are very grateful.
47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was pictured running around her train at the Pickering terminus on the NYMR on Friday 22nd August 2025, having arrived from Grosmont with the 13:30 service. Photo by Matthew Fenwick © CC BY-NC 3.0
47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ departed from Pickering with the 15:10 service to Grosmont on the NYMR on Friday 22nd August 2025. Photo by Matthew Fenwick © 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:
Shipments are now flowing out again as our supplier gets to grips with their order backlog. APOLOGIES if your order has been delayed, but don’t delay if you haven’t yet ordered and are missing out on 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
With all of the preparations for the HYMEK 50 WEEKEND event, we won’t have time for a ‘On Shed’ feature this week, but this will return next week with more photos that have been submitted by readers and supporters.
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 !
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 !
And competing for your hard-earned cash, we now have PART 3 of the excellent ‘The Railways of SOUTH WALES 1975-1995‘ trilogy in stock, which is quite a surprise, given that Parts 1 and 2 were only released in February and July of this year. Author MICHAEL RHODES has been very busy !
 |
 |
| Click here or on the image above to get your copy (priced at £35.95 per copy) | Click here or on the image above to get your copy (priced at £21.95 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) is set for Saturday 13th September and the meeting will be held at Williton at 1400 as usual. The AGM information package has been sent out to all members who were on the fully-paid-up register on 21st August. We used the ‘paper’ or ‘paperless’ setting in your ‘Membermojo’ account to determine if you wanted a mailed or emailed version of the AGM calling notice. PLEASE LET US KNOW by using our CONTACT FORM if you are a member and have yet to receive your AGM package.
The recently-acquired Linde fork lift truck has now been inspected, certificated and insured, which in turn allowed training to commence. The first day covered basic training for Linda and Tony while Gwyn undertook a refresher to renew his FLT ticket. Well done all !
The DEPG’s restoration talents have been put to good use on this 2006 Linde 1600kg electric Fork Lift Truck, now in use for training with Gwyn at the controls, being assessed by Aaron from Safety Training South West. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 26th August 2025 by Colin Foxhall © 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 !