Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was in use on the weekend of 21st/22nd September and ran with special headboards on both days. The Saturday workings carried a ‘WESTERN TALISMAN’ headboard in memory of DEPG volunteer MIKE EVANS who passed away last year. Pictured at Bishops Lydeard by Barrie Childs © CC BY-NC 3.0
The weather took a dramatic turn for the worse last weekend, with low cloud and intense downpours reminding us all that summer was most definitely in retreat. However, the weekend was brightened up by the sight and sound of our Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 in use on the 10:00 departures from Minehead and the subsequent 80-mile diagrams on the Saturday and Sunday.
Being the last opportunity for diesel-hydraulic running this year (our diesel-electric ‘Cromptons’ still have five more workings booked – see our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page), we attached some special headboards to commemorate two of our friends and volunteers who passed away last year.
D1007 ‘WESTERN TALISMAN’ was the favourite of MIKE EVANS and his special headboard adorned the loco on the Saturday, and D1051 ‘WESTERN AMBASSADOR’ was the favourite of CHRIS SHIELDS and his special headboard was carried on the Sunday. We miss both volunteers and we will always remember them.
The Sunday was also the 51st anniversary of the ‘HYMEK SWANSONG‘ railtour that marked the end of scheduled passenger service use of the ‘Hymeks’, only ten of which survived through to the end of that year out of an original class strength of 101 examples. Several of the travellers on board the train last Sunday recounted their memories of the ‘Swansong’, adding to the significance of the event.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was in use on the weekend of 21st/22nd September and ran with special headboards on both days. The Sunday workings carried a ‘WESTERN AMBASSADOR’ headboard in memory of DEPG volunteer CHRIS SHIELDS who passed away last year. Pictured at Bishops Lydeard by John Kite © CC BY-NC 3.0
The loco performed admirably and concluded her booked workings for 2024 by achieving a 100% availability result, which is a significant turnaround from the previous years and a credit to the hard work put in by Neil and the team at Williton. Well done team !
DIESEL RUNNING DATES
This weekend sees the last of the BLUE timetable (4 services each way per day) workings until the half-term week (end of October), with the RED timetable (three services each way per day) taking over from Tuesday next week. This gives us one running opportunity per week, which will be the 12:30 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return on Sundays 6th, 13th and 20th of October with Class 33 D6566 (33048) most likely to be covering all three. The last week of public services this year will be Saturday 26th October through Sunday 3rd November (Mon/Fri excepted) when the BLUE timetable will apply – but steam only (it will be a lot colder by then and the steam-operated carriage heating will no doubt be much appreciated!).
Our versatile ‘Cromptons’ will find further running opportunities on non-public workings including two next week (a DIESELGEN bulletin will be sent out ASAP) and our Class 09 D4107 (09019) will continue to be in regular use at Bishops Lydeard right up to the end of the season, after which it will move to Williton for attention to bodywork and for various other light repairs and maintenance during the winter.
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details of diesel-hauled public services and sign up to our DIESELGEN email bulletin service to get advance notice of non-public service running.
Click here to go to our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page
Click here to go to our ONLINE SHOP
Thank you very much for your support !
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the second of the two equalising beams presented less of a challenge to Gordon and Leroy on Saturday 21st, showing the benefit of experience gained by the removal of the first beam after an all-day struggle during the previous Saturday. If only there was a work instruction for this kind of overhaul, it would make life so much easier !
The beam and the associated pedestal was then inspected for damage, but only showed the effects of wear in the bushings, with pick-up marks that were indicative of the lack of lubrication caused by the grease nipples being encased in solidified dirt and not being visible for many years. Each part will be thoroughly cleaned and inspected in fine detail before we decide on the repair or replacement of the part.
The general scheme of work on the ‘B’ bogie is as follows, with status information added:
- Remove the cardan shafts – 100% completed on 10th August
- Remove the brake rigging – 100% completed on 24th August
- Remove the primary springs – 100% completed on 24th August
- Remove the equalising beams and pedestals – 100% completed on 21st September.
- Remove the secondary springs – planned for the week ending 20th October
- Inspect the bogie frames, wheel bearings and gearboxes
- Replace the torque reaction rubbers
- Re-assemble using repaired or replacement parts as required.
As always, there is plenty to do on this massive locomotive, so please CONTACT US if you would like to come along to help.
D1010 – the equalising beams of the ‘B’ bogie have now been removed along with the so-called ‘pedestals’ that allow the beams to pivot in the centre. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st September 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the uppermost surface of the ‘pedestal’ includes two grease nipples that were buried for years in rock-hard solidified brake dust and had not seen an application of fresh grease since BR days. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st September 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the ‘pedestals’ are fabricated steel parts and include small tubes that feed the grease to the bushings that carry the pivots for the equalising beams. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st September 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the bushings in the ‘pedestals’ have suffered due to lack of lubrication, as witnessed by the pick-up marks on the outer surface of the bushing. These parts will be inspected and replaced as necessary. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st September 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the cooler group from the ‘B’ end was picked up by the Fork Lift Truck driven by Martin and moved out of the loco shed so that it could be turned over to allow repairs to continue on the other side. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st September 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the cooler group from the ‘B’ end was turned over and then placed on spacers on the adjacent road so that welding repairs and repainting could be completed on the side that was previously inaccessible. Stalwart volunteer Roy inspected the huge assembly to pick out the next target for his paintbrushes. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st September 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Please help us with this very important work by making a donation to the D1010 Restoration Fund and support the repair work that is taking place right now. Thank you in advance for your help.
We are still offering the SPONSOR A PATCH scheme where your name or message will be engraved into the metal of the loco body as acknowledgement of your donations to the D1010 RESTORATION FUND. We are a bit behind with the engraving but now that the loco body has been determined as safe to work on (and when weather permits!), we can resume the engraving and catch up. There is plenty more metal yet to be engraved, so GET YOUR SPONSORED PATCH BY CLICKING THIS LINK !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard and is in regular use in support of WSR activities. At the end of the season, she will move to Williton to undergo body repairs and a repaint, along with some other maintenance activities that are aimed at keeping her reliable and available for service.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – This loco has taken up the role of Duty Loco at Minehead. Her next booked duties are under the BLUE TIMETABLE on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco has returned to Williton and has undergone an ‘A exam. The loco is now ready for service if called upon.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco will remain at Minehead for a while so that she can be assessed for body repairs and repainting. The loco will eventually move back to Williton for other repairs and winter maintenance.
Click on this link or on the graphic below to visit our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the rate of progress has notched up again as the team return from their summer vacations and pick up where they left off. The new (and expensive) bearing for the primary shaft had now been delivered, installed and checked for correct operation and dimensioning. The first layer of the control block was then re-installed into the top housing and carefully inspected in readiness for the next layer to be added. Every step is logged and checked to make sure that nothing is missed. These transmissions are too precious to take chances with.
D7018 – the brand new bearing for the primary shaft of the 4-speed geartrain was fitted at Williton on Monday 16th September 2024. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – the first layer of the control block was installed and inspected at Williton on Tuesday 17th September 2024. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – meanwhile, the loco minus its transmission is destined to remain outdoors and be subjected to the Great British climate. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Please help us with this very important work by making a donation to DEPG funds and allowing us to support the repair work that is taking place on D7018 right now. Thank you in advance for your help.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the ‘Tuesday Team’ are powering ahead with the overhaul of the Paxman ‘Ventura’ 6YJXL engine that was previously installed in sister loco D9526. The pistons and cylinder liners have been removed from the engine and will undergo careful cleaning, inspection and measurement to determine if they are fit for further service. The team were diverted on Saturday 21st by the need to work sister D9526 to Minehead and back for an underframe inspection, but Andy P remained at the depot to work on the restoration of the cab roof – a very good sign that the cab is well on the way towards full restoration.
D9518 – the aluminium cab roof was the subject of Andy P’s attention at Williton on Saturday 21st September 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Click here or on the image below to make a donation towards the restoration of D9518. Thank you very much for your support !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco was worked to Minehead on Saturday 21st along with ‘Hymek’ D7017 and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) so that she could be positioned over the pit for an underframe exam and a brake adjustment. The loco returned to Williton later that same day, working ‘Light Engine’, with Class 33 D6575 (33057) in tow, the two ‘Cromptons’ having been swapped at Minehead.
L-R: Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was towed to Williton by Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 on Saturday 21st September 2024, the ’14’ having been over the pit at Minehead for an underframe inspection and the ’33’ having been swapped over with sister D6566 (33048) so that she could return to Williton and undergo an ‘A’ exam. The ‘A’ bogie of D1010 can be seen on the right. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway but is currently out of service because of a coolant leak from the liner of cylinder B3. Only one of the 12 cylinders appears to be affected, but further investigations will be carried out as part of the repair work. A subcontractor has been engaged to allow the work to proceed quickly, and the completion date is scheduled for early October.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this useful little loco is fully serviceable and is waiting for her next opportunity to shunt the yard at Williton.
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 volunteers 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 !
BOOK REVIEW: after several weeks of promoting the CLASS 22 BOOKS, we need to make our readers aware of some bargains that are available via our ONLINE STORE in the form of several pre-owned books that have been reduced in price to stimulate sales. Take a look at these and other titles by clicking this link or by clicking on the images below:
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MANY THANKS to all who have donated books to the DEPG and thanks also to those who have bought them, with every purchase generating funds for the upkeep of the DEPG loco fleet.
The DEPG 2025 CALENDAR is now available for mailing, comprising 14 printed pages of A3 (twice A4 size) glossy paper on a spiral wire binder. This calendar features the DEPG’s locomotives, both in service and in preservation, with all of the photos being provided by members and supporters. Click here or on the image above to GET YOUR COPY – WHILE STOCKS LAST – for £14 plus p&p.
ON SHED: this week, we are not quite ‘on shed’ because the loco still has 30 miles to run before it can take a rest at it’s destination, but here’s a photo that is crying out for sharing. The loco is our very own D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and this photo and the narrative below have been kindly provided to us by new member Trevor Tremethick. Here are Trevor’s words on the subject:
“1010 is on the 23.45 Paddington to Penzance, Truro 12.08.74. It was a horrible train that dragged around Swindon, Chippenham, Bath and Bristol, and didn’t get into Truro until 0815 the next morning. We called it ‘The Rigor Mortis’ as the passengers were rather ‘stiff’ by the time they got off at Truro! Some had to go on to Penzance of course. The headcode was 1B83. I suffered this train on several occasions coming home from London.”
Many thanks to Trevor for sharing his photos and his memories with us all.
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was pictured at 08:15 on the morning of Monday 12th August 1974 when departing from the Truro station stop with the 1B83 Paddington to Penzance service. This train had departed from Paddington at 23:45 the previous day, using the ‘Great Way Round’ route ! The DMU on the right is on the Falmouth branch that still enjoys an intensive shuttle service today. Photo by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS: the Williton Infrastructure Division (WID for short) is the tongue-in-cheek moniker for two of our long-serving volunteers, Paul Tucker and Graham Perry, who team up several times a month to stay over at Williton for a long weekend and focus on making infrastructure improvements, with activities ranging from major ground works for additional ISO containers through to minor but essential items such as making sure that the kettles are working in the mess room ! We will leave you to guess at which activity is considered as the most important.
One of several tasks that they dealt with last weekend was the tidying up of the DEPG’s extensive collection of lifting tackle, all of which had been subjected to its 6-monthly inspection a few weeks beforehand and colour coded red to show that it had been passed as fit for use by the insurance assessor. The colour will change in 6 months and the new colour will be applied to those items that pass the next inspection. This is a simple but effective method that is widely used in industrial and workshop environments.
Here’s a photo of the upgraded storage area for the lifting equipment, nice and tidy with labelling applied to each hook to identify the item that should be hanging there. Let’s hope that our volunteers keep it tidy and properly organised.
The lifting tackle storage area at Williton was re-organised by the ‘Williton Infrastructure Division’ over the weekend of 21st/22nd September 2024. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Many thanks to the ‘WID’, whose efforts often go unreported and seldom hit the headlines, but are making constant progress towards enhancing the facilities and capabilities of the DEPG. Well done guys !
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 !