A typical November scene, with dismal weather and an engineering possession of the line, allowing Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) to pause with an infrastructure train so that volunteers could unload new sleepers in readiness for track relaying. Pictured at Higher Ker Moor near Dunster on 9th November 2024 by Paul Davies © CC BY-NC 3.0
The month of November can usually be relied upon to deliver a broad range of mostly dismal weather, from mist and fog to snowfalls and periods of heavy rain, and this year is no exception. The railway is closed to the public during November and this allows engineering activities to predominate, with track relaying work in progress in and around Blue Anchor. Work of another kind is taking place in the background to deliver a new and varied programme of Christmas activities, some based on familiar themes and others more daring, all with the common objective – to entertain and to raise money to get the railway through the winter and in good shape for the 2025 season that is not that far away. Please do what you can to support the new Christmas services – and have a very enjoyable day out at the same time !
Just a reminder, the railway is closed to the public until the start of the Christmas special services from 30th November onward. The format of the Christmas services has changed this year, so our diesels will not be rostered for duty, but they will be on standby and available to provide support if needed. Click here or on the image below to review the WSR Christmas seasonal offerings:
DIESEL RUNNING DATES for 2025
We don’t yet have the details available for 2025 but we understand that the running pattern will be very similar to that of 2024, so the 2024 DIESEL RUNNING DATES page can be used as a guide, temporarily. Good news – the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL has been confirmed as being Thursday 5th through Saturday 7th with a Mixed Traction Day on Sunday 8th of June 2025.
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 need to clear some more space in the loco shed placed the focus on the completion of the ‘B’ cooler group so that the whole assembly could be made ready to move out of the shed and stored elsewhere until ready for the cooling elements to be re-fitted (this final step will only be done when closer to the date for re-installation into the loco body).
D1010 – the ‘B’ cooler group has now been completed and is ready to be moved out of the loco shed. The access doors were fitted at Williton on Saturday 16th November 2024. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
This in turn allowed more effort to be directed to the ‘A’ cooler group which is in need of a similar level of repair and refurbishment, with the added need to overhaul one of the Serck hydrostatic motors that drive the cooling fans. The delinquent motor was found to be suffering from water ingress and the corrosion on the outside of the motor showed that it had been sitting in a pool of water for a long time. The design of the fans and housings is based on the assumption that the loco is in regular use, but long periods out of use has allowed water to gather underneath one of the fans and has penetrated the motor. The fan put up quite a fight but our ‘transmission team’ had the solution and the fan separated from the motor after receiving some mechanical ‘persuasion’. The corroded motor will now be stripped down and overhauled with new bearings and seals.
D1010 – a pulling fixture was made up by the ‘transmission team’ and used for separating the fan from the motor shaft. Pictured at Williton on 11th November 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – with the fan separated from the motor shaft, the corroded bearing is now visible, along with the heavily corroded fastenings. Pictured at Williton on 11th November 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the corroded fastenings were ground away then carefully drilled out by Colin F to release the two halves of the motor housing. Pictured at Williton on 16th November 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Meanwhile, the first batch of newly refurbished cardan shafts arrived from specialist subcontractor FIROW PROSHAFTS and were placed in store. These are the smallest shafts on the loco and are used for the auxiliary machines such as the dynastarter and the Serck pump. MANY THANKS to all who sponsored a patch or donated to the D1010 Restoration Fund to facilitate the overhaul of these shafts.
D1010 – the first batch of overhauled cardan shafts arrived back at Williton from specialist subcontractor FIROW PROPSHAFTS and were moved to the container for storage on Saturday 16th November 2024. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Apologies to those D1010 sponsors who have yet to receive the photos and certificates for the patches that they have sponsored. After ‘almost’ catching up in the Spring, the lifting of the loco and subsequent need to get the bogie overhaul project underway has depleted the resource for the patch engraving and a backlog has built up again.
Rest assured that every sponsor will receive their certificate and the details of where to find their sponsored patch. We will be making a further push for funds soon, because we have some big ticket items for refurbishment, including 14 cardan shafts and 32 springs.
MANY THANKS to all who have sponsored and supported the RESTORATION of D1010 !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is now inside the loco shed at Williton where work is progressing on the lengthy schedule of work that includes repairs as well as winter maintenance. The key tasks are as follows:
- Repair or replace the Westinghouse 3CV50 compressor due to excessive wear in the pistons and bores.
- IN PROGRESS – the worn out compressor has been removed from the loco. The replacement compressor is of the opposite ‘hand’ and is undergoing alteration to match the loco fittings.
- Remove the front buffers and send them out for overhaul (or replace them).
- Remove the batteries and repair the corroded battery boxes.
- IN PROGRESS – the batteries have been removed, the corroded metal has been cut out in preparation for welding-in of new metal.
- Assess the loco for other bodywork repairs and arrange the repairs as necessary.
- IN PROGRESS – the cab roof requires welding repairs. The cab interior roof lining needs to be removed to allow access. This task will be deferred until the other priority tasks have been completed.
- Inspect the running gear, repair or replace worn parts as necessary.
- Perform scheduled maintenance (engine and auxiliary machines, switchgear)
- Remove the carbon pile voltage regulator, replace with an electronic type.
- The electronic AVR is in stock. The changeover will only take place after completion of roof repairs.
- If sufficient time is available, refresh the paintwork.
Quite a list, but this loco is an essential tool for the WSR so we have a duty to keep her reliable and dependable. She will be returned to Bishops Lydeard in time for the start of the 2025 operating season.
D4107 (09019) – this loco was the centre of attention at Williton on Saturday 16th November 2024 as our volunteers tackled the lengthy list of repair and maintenance tasks. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D4107 (09019) – this view of the engine bay door shows the faded paintwork and the corrosion that is developing at each of the door hinges and catches, nothing major, but something else that needs attention to prevent further deterioration. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now moved to Bishops Lydeard where she will act as the duty loco for that end of the line. The ’33’ will be available to support the WSR Christmas services that originate from Bishops Lydeard, should the need arise. This loco will be in use for crew training in the South Yard at Williton on Saturday 30th November, returning to Bishops Lydeard in the afternoon.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is outstationed at Minehead and is available to support engineering and infrastructure workings and any other duties that may come along. The loco will return to Williton on Saturday 30th November for crew training and will remain at Williton so that planned maintenance work can be carried out.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – after launching a short-term fundraiser on the 1st November 2024, we are delighted to announce that the supporters of this wonderful locomotive have already raised more that £4,000 in three weeks, which takes us 40% of the way to our target of £10,000 so THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !
The fundraiser is short-term because the WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED, with the WSR engineering team at Minehead having been contracted to do the repairs. This ensures that the loco receives the bodywork corrosion repairs that she needs before a repaint can be carried out. Although the loco looks quite good from a distance, a closer inspection reveals that corrosion is taking place from behind the skin panels, and this will soon result in perforations and further deterioration. A stitch in time saves nine, which is why we are getting the work done NOW.
Here’s the basis of our appeal for funds:
As the first locomotive to be saved for preservation by the Diesel & Electric Group (the forerunner of the DEPG) back in 1975, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has built up a significant following and is very much loved. This loco has had an excellent year, working public service trains on 10 separate days and achieving 100% availability, although she has started to look rather shabby of late. As D7017 is now approaching her 50th year in preservation, it will be appropriate to have her bodywork overhauled and repainted in time for her 50th anniversary, so arrangements have been made to have the work carried out at the Minehead workshops of the West Somerset Railway.
The work involves a number of areas around the body where corrosion has taken hold from the inside and resulted in perforations of the body panels. The metalwork behind the corroded panels will need to be cut out and replaced, so this is not a quick job. The DEPG’s volunteer welders are tied up on other projects that would be unfairly affected by queue-jumping D7017, so the opportunity was taken to follow-up on an offer from the Minehead team and a repair and repainting contract has been agreed. The work has already started and the loco will be back with us in a matter of months so that other maintenance work can continue at Williton.
We need help raising funds for the work that is about to be carried out. This is a short-term appeal so please give this your attention and help by making a donation via our website (click on the icons below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the ‘transmission team’ have completed their assembly work and confirmed that all of the necessary clearances and tolerances have been achieved. The next phase is the static testing, where an electric hydraulic pump will be used to provide fluid pressure to the control block, so that the basic functionality of the control block and gear train can be tested. The action of the torque converter will be simulated by a volunteer turning a crank handle one way or the other (accelerating or retarding), according to the presence of the forward or backward blading pressure. More on this very interesting phase of work next week !
D7018 – preparations are being made to perform static testing of the control block and gear train actuators, before the transmission gets closed up and returned to the locomotive. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 5th November 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – we are getting closer to the point where the refurbished cab assembly can be re-fitted onto the loco frames. The exact date will depend on some other lifting tasks being ready, so that cost of hiring a crane can be shared between several projects. An essential component will be the authentic ‘Tico‘ material that is used as a sound and vibration insulation layer between the cab and the frames. An order totalling £1,500 has been placed and the specially-cut material should be with us any day now.
D9518 – the loco frames have been prepared for the re-fitting of the cab, with needle-gunning followed by priming and several coats of thick black paint. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – remnants of the original ‘Tico’ vibration isolation material have been pieced together to make templates for the new material that should be delivered during November. The new and authentic material will fit between the cab and the loco frames. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – progress also on the cab roof, which has been carefully rubbed down by Andy P and is now ready for priming and painting. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – this small spool-and-sleeve valve is an essential component in the pneumatically-controlled transmission reverser system. The valve was cleaned externally before being disassembled. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 12th November 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – and after disassembly and internal cleaning, the valve is ready to be re-assembled, having been fitted with new cup seals. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 12th November 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Quality work needs to be funded, so we will continue to appeal for funds to support the work, right up to the point where the loco is completed. Any surplus will then be used to ensure her proper care and upkeep. If you like what we are doing, please help us by making a donation via our online store (click here or on the image below) or by sending a cheque to the address at the bottom of this email. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – no change – this loco is now stabled outside on Number 1 road at Williton and is likely to remain there until the new year. When space becomes available in the loco shed, she will be going ‘indoors’ for some maintenance work, which will include attention to her engine and her bodywork, to make sure that she is in good shape for the 2025 running season.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and has now been put back into service just in time to see action on the last day of the 2024 timetable. The loco is now in good running order and we hope that she will pick up some work on the Christmas specials, even if only on the empty coaching stock (ECS) movements. We look forward to a very successful 2025 running season !
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco was in use on Saturday 2nd November for driver training at Williton, resulting in Paul Tucker and Neil McCannon being passed as drivers.
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 !
BOOK REVIEW: Instead of a book review this week, now would seem to be a good time to mention our 2025 DEPG calendar and to point out that stocks are limited and strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. To give a taste of what is waiting inside the calendar to adorn your walls throughout the coming year, we have put together an animation that flips through the pages. Click here or on the image below to launch the animation:
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 feature another photo from Mark Bladwell’s collection, this time at Meldon Quarry near Okehampton, Devon, in May of 1975. The loco was D1063 ‘WESTERN MONITOR’ looking rather shabby for railtour duties, but standing-in for the booked loco D1053 ‘WESTERN PATRIARCH’ that had been prepared for the purpose but had de-railed at Old Oak Common while shunting her stock !
The railtour was the ‘ATLANTIC COAST EXPRESS’ and ran from Paddington to Meldon Quarry before returning to Crediton where a pair of Class 25s took the train on to Torrington and back to Exeter St Davids. The ‘Western’ returned the train to Paddington from Exeter to complete a very interesting and memorable day out for all involved.
Many thanks to Mark for sharing his photo with us all.
D1063 ‘WESTERN MONITOR’ was pictured at Meldon Quarry near Okehampton, Devon on the 17th May 1975 after working the ‘ATLANTIC COAST EXPRESS‘ railtour from Paddington. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS: the next edition of the DEPG NEWSLETTER has been completed by editor MARK BLADWELL and has now been distributed to all DEPG members (let us know if you haven’t received your copy). The newsletter contains information that is not available via the roundup or via the website, and is sent to DEPG members by email or post, according to the preference stored in Membermojo. To receive the newsletter, all you need to do is to become a member of the DEPG !
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 !