Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 moved from Williton to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 22nd July 2023 to be in position for her YELLOW timetable duties that commenced on Tuesday 25th July, on the 11:00 departure from Bishops Lydeard and the 15:25 return from Minehead. Photo by Steve Speck © CC BY-NC 3.0
The YELLOW timetable comes into effect for weekdays and Saturdays from the 25th July onwards, and the diesel turns will be shared by Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) on alternate weeks. This additional diesel loco-hauled working is covering for the Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) which is out of service undergoing heavy maintenance work and may not be available for the rest of this season. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details of which loco will be rostered for which service.
The YELLOW timetable diesel-hauled service timings are:
11:00 Depart Bishops Lydeard, arrive Minehead at 12:15
15:25 Depart Minehead, arrive Bishops Lydeard at 17:05
A total of 40 miles with a 4-coach load, a perfect way to bring D9526 back into regular use on the WSR !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will be working alternately on the diesel diagram of the YELLOW timetable for the next five weeks, covering for the DMU. The ‘Teddy Bear’ and driver Colin G were pictured during a period of inclement weather at Williton on Saturday 22nd July 2023 while being prepared for the ‘light engine’ move to Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Brenden Hill © CC BY-NC 3.0
The diesel diagram of the BLUE timetable was worked by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) on Saturday and Sunday 22/23rd July. This loco has been outstationed at Minehead since the Diesel Gala in early June and is booked to continue covering the Sunday workings until mid August, when she is due to be relieved by one of our Class 35 ‘Hymeks’. One important item that needed attention last Saturday 22nd July was the windscreen wiper blade on the driver’s side, so a new blade was obtained from stock and fitted by Ian R at Williton while the loco waited for the ‘down’ train to clear the single line section.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) received a new windscreen wiper blade at Williton on Saturday 22nd July 2023. Volunteer loco manager Ian R was closely watched by (clockwise from left) Hayley, Andy C, Clive and Brenden while getting the job done between showers. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
The next major event taking place on the WSR will be the WSRA’s ANNUAL STEAM RALLY that takes place at Norton Fitzwarren during the first weekend in August. Although the event has steam in the title, it includes a vast range of exhibits from horses to tractors to vintage cars, trucks and buses. The DEPG will also be participating with Class 14 D9526 providing brake van rides over the truncated remains of the Barnstaple branch line, and we will also have one of our Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ on static display. This event is lots of fun and is WELL WORTH A VISIT. There will be a frequent FREE (for rally-goers) shuttle service from Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren worked by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) and Class 09 ‘Gronk’ D4107 (09019) and a FREE bus connection from Silk Mills Park & Ride.
Click here or on the images below to go to the Steam Rally website:
Beyond that, the FORTIES WEEKEND event will take place on September 9th and 10th and is always very popular with a wide range of related exhibits and themed activities, including the now-customary evening dance on the platform at Minehead ! Click here to go to the WSR website for details of this event.
Then, the DEPG at 50 event will feature a full day of diesel-hauled services on FRIDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER and mixed traction days on the Saturday and Sunday. Details are being finalised and will be published next week. A Friday evening service will run from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back and will offer food and drinks to all ticketed travellers (DEPG members will enjoy significant discounts and privileges) so KEEP THIS DATE FREE and make a plan to attend !
Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is updated several times per week and is kept as accurate as we can make it. The loco allocations are subject to availability (of course), but we do try to field the allocated loco wherever possible. Click on the banner below to go to the website page:
The DIESEL RUNNING DATES pages is supplemented by our DIESELGEN bulletin service which captures non-public running such as special trains and engineering workings (where we have sufficient notice to publish such workings). Sign up for DIESELGEN emails or keep an eye on our website homepage.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – although slightly outside of this roundup reporting period, the preparation work that had been undertaken during the previous two weeks for the lifting of the two cooler groups and the ‘A’ transmission came to fruition on Monday 24th July 2023 in one crane hire session, thanks to the close co-operation of George from HEAVER BROTHERS of Exeter who operated the truck-mounted knuckle boom crane. More details and links to video footage will be included in the next edition of roundup. MANY THANKS to George and the D1010 volunteer team of Gordon, Leroy, Colin F, Geoff and Tim, supported by Martin, Tom and Andy R, for getting this work done safely and efficiently !
D1010 – the cooler group was lifted out from ‘A’ end of the loco at Williton on Monday 24th July 2023. The crane was provided by HEAVER BROTHERS of Exeter. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the 4.5 tonne Voith hydraulic transmission was lifted out from ‘A’ end of the loco at Williton on Monday 24th July 2023 so that it can undergo a complete overhaul in the care of the DEPG ‘transmission team’. The rain had stopped a few hours before the lifting operations began. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was visible on the Williton webcam with both cooler groups missing during the lifting operations that took place on Monday 24th July 2023. Image captured from the Williton North Railcam, courtesy of Railcam UK and the WSR © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the overhauled ‘B’ transmission (pictured on the right with Leroy alongside) was moved out of the overhaul facility in Roughmoor Enterprise Centre (Williton) so that the unrestored ‘A’ transmission (in front of the fork lift) could be moved in. The crane was provided by HEAVER BROTHERS of Exeter. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
More details of the lifting operations and along with close-up photos of the removed assemblies will be included in the next roundup.
Having the loco outdoors has generated an increased interest in our SPONSOR A PATCH scheme, with several more patches being engraved with their sponsor’s names or messages. This initiative remains the single most successful fund-raising activity and has allowed us to make significant progress with the restoration work. PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP US FUND THIS PROJECT.
Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support and your patience!
See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is the WSR Standby Loco and is stabled at Minehead, ready for her next duties under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured at Bishops Lydeard station on Saturday 22nd July 2023 with a pair of ‘Manor’ class steam locos alongside as they waited to position for hauling an incoming 10-coach mainline charter service through to Minehead and back. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco was called into action on Sunday 23rd July to stand in for GWR 4-6-0 7812 ‘ERLESTOKE MANOR’ due to this visiting loco developing a leaking mudhole door that needed attention at Minehead. This unexpected working from Williton resulted in the ‘Crompton’ ending up at Bishops Lydeard, which is the desired position for her YELLOW timetable duties that commence on Tuesday 1st August.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is undergoing the re-connection of the wiring that was removed during the fault-finding that took place during the previous weekend. The driver’s side window is next on the list for attention, along with a few other electrical issues that will be repaired in time for her next booked working on Sunday 13th August.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco was started up on Saturday 23rd July so that the transmission functionality could be assessed. The test involved the continuous monitoring of the temporary additional pressure gauges that had been installed on the transmission control block. The tests showed that a control issue still exists, so the control block will need to be removed for attention. This work will be carried out during August.
D7018 – the engine was started up at Williton on Saturday 23rd July 2023 so that the reverser function of the Mekydro transmission could be tested. Martin was pictured attempting to change the direction using the manual overide handle, but the pressure levels were not correct so the interlock prevented the movement. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work goes on, even though the team have also been supporting the running of classmate D9526, as reported earlier. The team have still found the time to tackle further external paintwork and make progress with the cab overhaul. An interesting find in the bottom of the document pouch in the cab roof was this fragment of ‘HOTSPUR‘ comic book, dated from almost exactly FIFTY YEARS AGO and costing the princely sum of 3p.
D9518 – this fragment of ‘HOTSPUR’ comic book dated 28th July 1973 was found at Williton almost fifty years later, wedged in the bottom of the document pouch in the cab roof. Photo dated 22nd July 2023 by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the wiring loom from the driver’s desk was removed and laid out for measuring by John at Williton on Saturday 22nd July 2023. This complete assembly will be replaced with new wire and new crimp terminals. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the ‘B’ end of the loco received a coat of yellow paint, completed by Colin G at Williton on Saturday 22nd July 2023 and soon to be ready for the characteristic black chevrons to be added. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is fully serviceable and ready for use in place of the DMU on some of the YELLOW timetable services during the peak summer period that starts on Tuesday 25th July. Take a look at our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details of the running dates and loco allocations.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is undergoing a cylinder head overhaul (same massive type as the Class 33s, but 12 of them!) at Grosmont Works on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Other priorities have delayed the work on this loco, but current expectations are that the loco will be returned to service during August. More news on this topic will be included in the next edition of roundup.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard. The cab is undergoing a repaint in the capable hands of Jon T, but the loco remains serviceable and ready for action.
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 !
ON SHED – almost 48 years ago today, the D+EG (forerunner of the DEPG) arranged the delivery of newly-acquired but withdrawn Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 from Old Oak Common to Taunton via Westbury. There are many interesting details to this epic journey, one that would be unimaginable on the modern railway, and some very interesting cine footage that was recorded by the DEPG representatives on board the loco, namely John Crane and Clive Burrows. The acquisition of this loco was the result of some very challenging fundraising work that was carried out by John from late 1973 onwards. We will be able to share this story in more detail at some point in the near future. Many thanks to John and Clive for their massive contributions to what we enjoy today, and thanks also to Jon Tooke for sharing this photo with us all.
Class 25 25162 was pictured passing through Newbury station on 30th July 1975 with D7017 in tow, adorned with the D+EG logo and multiple requests to not remove parts ! The ’25’ hauled the withdrawn ‘Hymek’ as far as Taunton and had to leave the loco there because the WSR was not able to receive traffic at that time. Photo courtesy of Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd July, the synopsis for which will be prepared ASAP and shared with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address. The synopsis for the June meeting was shared last week, so any DEPG members who did not receive that email are requested to let us know by using our CONTACT FORM so that we can re-send the email or update our mailing list.
The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members, so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO. Thank you very much !
KEY DATES for your diary:
WSRA STEAM RALLY: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August at Norton Fitzwarren
WSR FORTIES WEEKEND: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September
DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.
