Weekly Roundup – 03-Oct-25
The DEPG’s gleaming blue-liveried Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has been a very popular subject for photographers since her return to service in August this year. Making a wonderful picture at Crowcombe Heathfield on Tuesday 30th September, D7017 was working an Empty Coaching Stock train from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Jo Ward © CC BY-NC 3.0
Last weekend saw the end of the scheduled diesel loco-hauled workings on the WSR for the 2025 season, the occasion being marked by the use of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 on the 80-mile diagram that originated from Minehead on both days. The loco worked an Empty Coaching Stock train on Tuesday 30th and has now returned to Williton where she will remain until the start of the 2026 season, but the time ‘on shed’ will be used to train additional volunteers in the support role so that more use can be made of the very popular ‘Hymeks’ in future.
Sister loco D7018 has also been making the news and has become a crowd-puller on the Great Central Railway. Such was the impact of the ‘HYMEK at 50’ event last August, we have now received significant coverage in several well-known railway publications, as few of which are pictured below:
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Above: Railways Illustrated – D7018 on the GCR
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Above: Railway Magazine – D7018 at Doniford Halt on the WSR
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| Above: Trackside – D7018 leading D7017 out of Blue Anchor on the WSR | |
Well done to DEPG Publicity Officer MARK BLADWELL for his efforts in making sure that the 50th anniversary of ‘Hymek’ preservation was suitable covered by the railway press !
Another diesel-hydraulic made an appearance on the WSR last week, this time in the form of Class 153 ‘Sprinter’ 153 317, which has been modified from the passenger-carrying role to that of a Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) and has been using the section of the WSR between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren (adjacent to the main Bristol to Exeter line) as a proving ground for the modification.
The photo below shows the ‘Sprinter’ alongside the WSR’s Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), the ‘Sprinter’ representing an example of the family of highly successful second generation DMUs that use Voith hydraulic transmissions.
An interesting point is that both vehicles in this photo have given 38 years of mainline service, the Class 115 entering service in 1960 and the last of the class being retired in 1998, whereas the Class 153 started life as a Class 155 in 1987 and most of the Class are still in widespread use across the network today – with some classes such as 158 and 159 receiving ‘mid-life extension’ refurbishments. Not a bad investment !
Visiting Class 153 ‘Sprinter’ 153317 was standing alongside the WSR‘s first generation Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) at Westridge Shelter, Bishops Lydeard on 1st October 2025. The modified Class 153 was participating in technical trials. Photo by George Thomas © CC BY-NC 3.0
From much of October, the RED timetable is in force (3 trains each way) with running on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in addition to weekends. This timetable is based on the use of two steam locomotives or one steam loco and the WSR‘s Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU).
The next event to be held on the WSR will be the AUTUMN STEAM WEEKEND that will take place from Friday 17th through Sunday 19th October and was to have been an ALL STEAM lineup including LSWR T3 Class 4-4-0 No. 563 and GWR Castle Class No. 5029 ‘NUNNEY CASTLE’, but will now also include Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) covering for GWR 4-6-0 7812 ‘ERLESTOKE MANOR’ which has had to undergo repairs that will not be completed in time.
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 information).
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.
The Weekly Roundup is in a shortened format again this week due to holidays, but time spent enjoying Cornwall has also provided an opportunity to ride on some of the last remaining Class 255 ‘Castle’ sets that are still in use in the ‘Far West’. Here’s an image extracted from a video clip taken last Saturday at Truro, with 43093 ‘Berkeley Castle’ leading the set and 43092 ‘Cromwell’s Castle’ trailing:
GWR Class 255 ‘Castle’ HST set led by 43093 ‘Berkeley Castle’ (formerly named ‘Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018‘) arriving at Truro station with a service for Plymouth on Saturday 27th September 2025. Extract from a video clip by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Click here or on the image above to view the video clip.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – work continues on the overhaul of the bogies in an effort to do as much work outdoors as possible while the weather allowed, but it looks like the bogies are going to need to go into the shed to allow work to proceed from now onwards !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now returned to Williton so that her planned maintenance work can be continued.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was pictured on number 1 road at Williton on the evening of Friday 26th September 2025. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco remains outstationed at Minehead and is available to support WSR operations should the need arise – as it has during the forthcoming Autumn Steam Weekend event that takes place from Friday through Sunday 17-19th October 2025. Click this link for details.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – now back at Williton after working the 80-mile diagrams that originated from Minehead on Saturday and Sunday 27/28 September.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will be in use on the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (GCR) on Saturday 22nd November, this being a charter that has been organised by DTG and DEPG member STEVE FULCHER. Here are the details, please contact Steve directly using the details below if you would like to ride on this special train. WELL DONE STEVE for arranging this, we hope that it is the first of many such charters !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the electrical system re-wire has resumed although this loco is having to share resource with her sister for the time being.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is now indoors on No. 2 road at Williton and underwent a brake block change last weekend. An underframe cleanup and repaint is next on the list.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 received a new set of brake blocks at Williton on Saturday 27th September 2025. Photos above and below by Jon Tooke © 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 is a popular choice for the diesel-hauled services on that railway, subject to driver availability.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is stabled outdoors on Number 3 road at Williton and 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 we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue (both in blue is also an option).
New design for the DEPG Class 33 ‘Cromptons’. Click here to place your order !
We hope to have a new design for the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ soon, probably becoming available in November. Here’s a review 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 – this week, we come right up to date with a photo taken at Long Rock depot, Penzance earlier this week on a gloriously warm and bright day – in fact unbelievably good for the end of September !
The subject is Class 08 shunter 08836, a machine that has shown up at most of the depots of the former Western Region during her long working life, and probably other regions as well. In her latest guise as depot pilot, she is looking very smart and well cared-for in her GWR green livery with additional ‘wasp stripes’ along the sides.
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 !
Class 08 ‘shunter’ 08836 was pictured basking in the sunshine at Long Rock depot, Penzance on Monday 29th September 2025. The path that runs along the top of the sea wall that stretches from Marazion to Penzance provides a great vantage point from which to observe workings while being on holiday (!). Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
NEW BOOKS ON SALE – with apologies for delays in shipping sales orders this week and next.
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ by ANDY CHARD continues to sell well, as does the excellent ‘The Railways of SOUTH WALES 1975-1995‘ trilogy by Michael Rhodes, the latest release being PART 3 which is in stock at Williton now.
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| 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 next meeting of the Board of Directors and Trustees will take place at Williton on Saturday 18th October 2025. Please use our CONTACT FORM if you are a DEPG member and have a question that you would like to put to the Board.
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 !
Go to the previous Roundup post