Roundup of the year – 2025
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our members and supporters ! Let’s hope that 2026 is going to be a good year for everyone.
Here’s a quick roundup of the last 12 months to remind us of the highs and lows that we encountered during 2025:
JANUARY 2025 – the year started with a ‘Whistle-Up’ event to celebrate the 200th anniversary year of train travel, and synchronised so that heritage railways and museums throughout the UK could participate with some whistling – or as in our case, horn blowing – of their own.-
At Minehead, the bodywork overhaul of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was well underway, with the roof sections being lifted off during a cold but calm and bright – Tuesday 7th January.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured at Minehead sandwiched between WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 and Class 03 D2133 while undergoing removal of her roof sections on a cold but sunny Tuesday 7th January 2025. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 4.0
FEBRUARY 2025 – the part-restored cab of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 (NCB Ashington No. 7) was re-mounted onto the loco frames, restoring the distinctive shape of the loco and allowing re-wiring work to move forward.
Another milestone in the restoration of Class 14 D9518 was reached on Saturday 8th February 2025 when the part-restored cab assembly was re-mounted on the loco frames at Williton using a heavy-duty truck-mounted crane and a highly skilled operator, both provided by HEAVER BROTHERS of Exeter. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0
This view shows the long reach and relatively flat angle of the lift that took place inside the loco shed at Williton. Pictured on Saturday 8th February 2025 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0
MARCH 2025 – the moment of truth – having been re-installed in the loco during the previous month, the carefully overhauled and static-tested transmission of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was subjected to a ‘real’ test for the first time since the overhaul. Some directional interlock issues remained but were soon resolved, allowing the loco to ‘exercise’ in the yard. Click here or on the image below to watch the video of the start-up.
DEPG treasurer and driver Paul Tucker was pictured pressing the ENGINE START button in the ‘A’ cab of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 during a transmission testing session at Williton on Saturday 8th March 2025. Extract from a video by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0
APRIL 2025 – although not booked for diesel haulage at this time of year due to the need for carriage heating, the exceptionally warm and sunny weather in April allowed Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) to take charge of several public service trains, allowing the steam loco teams a breather in which to prepare their steam fleet for service later in the month.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) added to the colour palette at Williton on Wednesday 2nd April 2025 when she worked the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return service, standing in for a steam loco. Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 can also be seen in this photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 4.0
The weather resulted in another ‘first’ when the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) had to adopt an all-diesel timetable due to the high risk of lineside fires – in APRIL ! Luckily, our ‘celebrity‘ Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was on hand and available for duty, racking up 1,286 miles in service during that month alone.
47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was waiting at Levisham as the unique 1903-built NER ‘autocar’ 3170 approached with a train from Grosmont on Sunday 27th April 2025. Photo by Glyn Warren © CC BY-NC 4.0
MAY 2025 – after weeks of careful preparation and rigged up with sensors and datalogging equipment, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 went out on a test run with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) for company, but astounded everyone on the return leg by attaching ahead of a Class 33-hauled public service from Bishops Lydeard and hauling the complete train through to Minehead unassisted – an equivalent load of 11 coaches over the gradients of the West Somerset Railway – and a total success !
A very unusual sight at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 10th May 2025: Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 and her travelling companion D6566 (33048) were attached on the front of the service train which was being hauled by D6575 (33057). The trailing load on the ‘Hymek’ was equivalent to 11 coaches. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 4.0
After being cleared to resume duties on the WSR, D7018 was used to haul the John and Margaret Crane 50th Anniversary Special on Saturday 17th May, which was also the 50th anniversary of the acquisition of sister loco D7017 from BR and the transition of the Diesel & Electric Group to a loco preservation group.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 hauled the ‘JOHN & MARGARET CRANE ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL’ on Saturday 17th May 2025 to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of the couple who organised the fund-raising to save our two ‘Hymeks’, also 50 years ago. Pictured on the approach to Stogumber by Steve Lewis © CC BY-NC 4.0
JUNE 2025 – the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL was another success, with a crowd-pulling mix of guest locos that joined the home fleet and delivered a most enjoyable event over three days of exclusive diesel haulage and one day of mixed traction.
Visiting English Electric Class 50 50015 (D415) ‘Valiant’ was a popular choice for haulage on Thursday 5th June 2025, the first day of the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, and was pictured arriving at Williton Station while resident Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) waited with a goods train for Minehead (with passengers in the brake van). Photo by Natalie Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0
In the yard at Williton, Rail Adventure Class 43 HST power cars 43484 (nearest) and 43465 provided additional interest while the very popular ‘Irie 7‘ mobile catering van looked after the thirsts and hunger of the visitors – and what a great spot from which to relax and watch the proceedings. On Friday 6th June 2025, Class 14 D9526 was at the platform with the ‘down goods’ and Barclay 578 (ROF 1) was on display in the yard. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 4.0
The Diesel Traction Group’s mainline-registered Class 52 D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ was a star performer at the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, pictured approaching Blue Anchor station on a service destined for Norton Fitzwarren on Saturday 7th June 2025. Photo by Robin Wichard © CC BY-NC 4.0
Visiting Class 45 ‘Peak’ 45108 (D120) was pictured bringing her train into the platform at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 7th June 2025 with Class 25 25185 (D7535) alongside. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Also in June, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) took a long weekend break and travelled to the SPA VALLEY RAILWAY in Kent to participate in a 50th anniversary event, returning to a line where she had operated many times in those ‘green diesel’ days of the distant past.
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 4.0
JULY 2025 – the 50th anniversary of our first preserved loco, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, pictured below at Reading while being towed from Old Oak Common depot (near Paddington) to Taunton by Class 25 25162 (D7512)
FIFTY YEARS AGO, on 30th July 1975, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 departed from Old Oak Common Depot in the care of Class 25 25162 (D7512) and was towed to Taunton to start a new life in preservation in the care of the D+EG (the forerunner of the DEPG). Photo taken at Reading by Michael Cheetham © CC BY-NC 4.0
In commemoration of 50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION, a new booklet was 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.
AUGUST 2025 – the highlight of the year was the ‘HYMEKS at 50‘ weekend that saw the return to service of D7017, fresh from her bodywork overhaul at Minehead, working alone and in tandem with recently re-varnished D7018 on a full weekend of haulage that included early starts and late finishes, with 240 track miles of ‘Maybach Music’ to enjoy. The 8-coach trains were very well loaded and the event was a tremendous success – totally appropriate for the 50th year of ‘Hymek’ preservation !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 worked the 0825 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service on both days and was pictured approaching the platform at Bishops Lydeard with the return working (the 10:00 departure from Minehead) on Saturday 30th August 2025. Photo by Mike Pinn © CC BY-NC 4.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was evidently doing all of the work on the climb from Williton to Crowcombe Heathfield with an 11-coach equivalent load that included D7018, both locos resplendent against the darkening skies. Pictured about to cross the A358 at Sampford Brett bridge on Saturday 30th August 2025 by Mike Lanning © CC BY-NC 4.0
Fifty years of ‘Hymek’ preservation also applies to the two other survivors, D7029 in the care of the Diesel Traction Group at Kidderminster and D7076 in the care of the Bury Hydraulic Group on the East Lancs Railway. The latter was out and about on a visit to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway when pictured on Sunday 31st August 2025 by DEPG member Cameron Walker © CC BY-NC 4.0
SEPTEMBER 2025 – as soon as D7018 cooled down after her weekend of exertions, she was collected by Allelys and whisked off to the Great Central Railway at Loughborough where she was to be one of the star attractions at the GCR Diesel Gala. This was the first visit of D7018 to the GCR (although D7017 has visited previously) and she has proven to be a very potent and effective crowd-puller. The loco will remain at the GCR to participate in their Spring Diesel Gala at the end of March 2026.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was one of the star attractions at the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY diesel gala, pictured approaching Quorn station from the Loughborough direction with a train for Leicester North. The ‘Hymek’ was making her first visit to the line and will be staying in Leicestershire until April 2026. Pictured on Sunday 7th September 2025 by Steve Rhymes © CC BY-NC 4.0
The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) of the DEPG took place on Saturday 13th September, an essential and mandatory gathering where members listen to the reports presented by the Chairman and Treasurer and approve them and appoint the Board of Trustees and Directors for another year.
At Williton on Saturday 13th September 2025 – DEPG Chairman Martin Howard delivered his annual report to the assembled members, with the projector showing that all eight of the serviceable fleet of locos were available for use at three different railways (repeated below). Photo by Carol Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0
Above: 13-Sep-25 snapshot of the Locomotive Status page on the DEPG website.
OCTOBER 2025 – the DEPG jumped on an opportunity to acquire Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) in fully operational condition, to provide an additional potential income stream and to provide backup for Class 09 D4107 (09019). The ’08’ was made available by Hunslet Engineering after receiving a reconditioned generator, and although currently air-brake only, is able to be converted to dual braking (vacuum and air) to make her more useful on a heritage railway. This loco started life in June 1958 as D3516 based at Laira and has led an active and varied life – visit the TIMELINE page for details.
Safe on WSR metals, the DEPG’s newly-acquired Class 08 ‘Shunter’ 08401 (D3516) was in the care of the diminutive Ruston 48DS number 200793 after being unloaded from road transport at Williton on Thursday 23rd October 2025. Photo by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 4.0
NOVEMBER 2025 – a major purchase was completed when the full set of D1010‘s springs, comprising 12 primary springs (between the axle boxes and the bogie frame) and 20 secondary springs (between the bogie frames and the body) were returned from Owen Springs of Rotherham, having been tested and reconditioned where needed to bring them in line with the BR specification.
The set of 12 primary springs (for both bogies) from D1010 have been fully disassembled, reconditioned and then fitted with new buckles, an excellent service provided by OWEN SPRINGS of Rotherham. Pictured at Williton on 8th November 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0
The reconditioned primary springs (centre pallet, for bogies ‘A’ and ‘B’) and the tested secondary springs from ‘B’ bogie (left and right hand pallets) were pictured at Williton on 8th November 2025 with Class 33 D6575 (33057) providing the background. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0
The absence of scheduled train services for much of November creates an opportunity for the Infrastructure Department to access the line, so Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was put to work hauling a ‘Tidy Train’ comprising flat wagons and a brake van, allowing the team of volunteers the chance to gather and remove items that are no longer needed along the trackside – such as life-expired sleepers and lengths of rail as seen in the photo below:
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was within Blue Anchor station limits when pictured with the volunteer Infrastructure Team at work on Saturday 22nd November 2025, Photo by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 4.0
DECEMBER 2025 – a very busy end to a very busy year that saw our two ‘Hymeks’ taking centre stage – and rightly so, for their 50th anniversary since entering preservation in 1975 !
On New Year’s Eve, the GCR concluded 2025 and opened 2026 by running the ‘NIGHT RIDER‘ special service, comprising 10 well-filled coaches with BR Standard Class 5 steam loco 73156 at one end, and our D7018 at the other end. This 13-coach equivalent load was then hauled the length of the line and back for four runs, starting at 7pm and ending at 1am. What a great way to see in the New Year !
D7018 – pictured at Leicester North on the GCR on 31st December 2025 with the ‘NIGHT RIDER’ and evidently on the ‘2025’ side of midnight. No prizes for guessing the headcode that was used for the final run. Photo by Julie Tucker © CC BY-NC 4.0
YOU GUESSED CORRECTLY ! – D7018 was pictured at Leicester North on the GCR with the ‘NIGHT RIDER’ special service – but this time on the 2026 side of midnight ! Photo by Julie Tucker © CC BY-NC 4.0
As always, we are very grateful for another year of support from our members, volunteers and all who have contributed their time and funds to allow the DEPG to continue its work. Your continued patronage and financial help is essential and very much appreciated. Thank you !
Many more items of news from 2025 can be found by browsing our website. Sign up for ROUNDUP to have the news delivered to your emailbox on a weekly basis.
VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2026 Summer Diesel Festival will take place from Thursday 4th through Saturday 6th June 2025, with mixed traction day on Sunday 7th, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend !