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 3.0
GREAT NEWS – the fundraiser for the bodywork repairs for ‘Hymek’ D7017 has now passed the target of £10,000 with a total of £10,150 being raised in the nine weeks since launching the appeal.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !
We set the target at £10,000 to cover the cost of the work that is already taking place at the WSR’s workshops at Minehead. This sub-contract route was taken to make sure that the loco gets repaired during the winter and is ready to take pole position in the celebration of 50 years of ‘Hymek’ preservation that will take place in 2025.
The work has now reached the roof of the loco which is formed of five separate sections, all of which were lifted off during a work session at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January using the WSR’s Atlas rail-mounted crane under the supervision of well-known preservationist Andy Forster. Many thanks to Andy and all of the staff and volunteers who have put so much effort into getting the work on this loco progressed. We still have plenty more to do and are finding more tasks as we go along, so we will keep the fund-raising going while the work is in progress. All funds donated via this appeal will be allocated to returning D7017 to service in time for the forthcoming season.
If you can help with this short-term appeal, please make 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 !
Six members of the team who have been working on Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 were gathered to pose for a photo at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January 2025. From left to right, Buzz, Neil, Rich, Terry, Nick and Gwyn. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is undergoing a bodywork overhaul at the WSR’s Minehead workshop with a combined team effort from WSR staff and DEPG volunteers. On Tuesday 7th January 2025, the Atlas rail-mounted crane was used to remove the roof sections so that they can be repainted at ground level. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
As ‘insurance’ against unexpected costs, we are keeping the appeal open a little while longer, so if you can help, simply click on the icon to donate £17 to D7017 ! Thank you very much !
WSR NEWS
January started with the NEW YEAR’S DAY WHISTLE-UP which celebrated the start of the RAIL 200 CELEBRATIONS ! Click here or on the image below to find out more about the forthcoming 200th anniversary event.
As West Somerset Railway’s youngest volunteer, Elliott had the honour of being asked to honk the horn of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) at Bishops Lydeard as part of the Railway 200 whistle-up celebrations on 1st January 2025. Photo by Lisa Freegard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048), displaying ’25’ to welcome the New Year, was then put to work on an Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) move from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead, then she delivered a coach to Williton on the return leg of the journey. Pictured in fading light on 1st January 2025 by Ashley Harris © CC BY-NC 3.0
DIESEL RUNNING DATES for 2025
The WSR have now published their running calendar for 2025 on their website and social media channels, and we will be updating our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page during the next few days and including provisional loco allocations where possible. Click here or on the image below to visit the WSR’s timetable page:
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 poor weather impacted the number of volunteers available to work on the loco and we also had to do some checks on the weather resistance of the loco, up on the stands at the far end of the yard. The stormy weather had dislodged the wooden beams that support the tarpaulins over the cooler group apertures, with the result that the tarpaulins had sagged into the apertures and then filled up with water, which had then become partly frozen !
Being unable to shift 30kg icebergs without risking failure of the tarpaulins, it was decided to leave them alone and tackle them when the weather becomes warmer – hopefully on Saturday 11th when a tropical +7°C is forecast.
To make some space in the loco shed, Martin and Terry moved the overhauled ‘B’ cooler group to an outdoor storage location and then covered it up with tarpaulins. The ‘A’ cooler group is undergong repair in the shed and is vying for welding resource with Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019), but D1010 is patient and her time will come soon enough.
Meanwhile, in the ‘relative warmth’ of the loco shed, Gordon continued his work on the disassembly and inspection of the six brake cylinders from the ‘B’ bogie. The internal condition of the cylinders was excellent, which is very good news, considering that some of them haven’t seen the light of day for 50 years. The cylinders will be re-assembled with new seals and will be tested before being put back in store, ready for re-installation when the bogie is ready for them.
There is a lot of work still to be done on the bogies, the next step will be to clean up the springs and send them out to a specialist firm to determine if they are fit for further use, or if they need to be reconditioned or replaced. Meanwhile, the cardan shafts are out at FIROW PROPSHAFTS for inspection and repair as necessary. We are appealing for MORE VOLUNTEERS to work on this loco in 2025 so that we can pick up the pace. Please get in touch by using our CONTACT FORM if you are able to join the team.
D1010 – Gordon tackled the dismantling and cleaning of the brake cylinders from ‘B’ bogie, so that they could be inspected before being reassembled with new seals. Pictured at Williton on 4th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the overhauled ‘B’ cooler group (minus cooler elements) has now been moved outdoors to make space in the loco shed. Pictured at Williton on 4th January 2025 with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 as a backdrop, by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – a different view of the overhauled ‘B’ cooler group with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 as a backdrop. Pictured at Williton on 4th January 2025 by Andy Royal © 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. The bitterly cold weather is preventing us from spending outdoor time on the engraving, so we will need to leave this work a little longer, at least until the temperature is back in double digits.
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) – the overhauled compressor was wired up to a set of loco batteries for testing, and after a ‘bit of hassle’ getting it going, the compressor ran until the batteries went flat. The verdict was a ‘pass’ subject to dealing with some oil leaks, after which the compressor will be installed into the loco (hopefully this coming weekend) which will tick one major item from the to-do list.
Another of the major items is the perforating corrosion in some of the body panels. Tony has already started work on the welding repairs, his first task being to cut out the corroded metal in the shrouds around the radiator and weld-in some new metal. There are several sections that need repair, but he has made a very good start. More on this next week.
D4107 (09019) – DEPG volunteer Tony has been busy cutting out corroded metal from the radiator shrouding and welding-in new metal. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 4th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is outstationed at Bishops Lydeard where she has the role of duty loco.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Williton and is fully serviceable and available if called upon.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – already covered. This loco celebrated her 63rd birthday on Thursday 8th January 2025, after entering service at Bristol Bath Road depot on Monday 8th January 1962.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will celebrate her 63rd birthday on Sunday 18th January by which time her repaired Stone-Maybach Mekydro transmission will be either ready for re-installation or very close to it. The transmission is fully assembled and is undergoing a repaint while on the stand and in the warm. Once back in the loco, only the uppermost 10% of the surface area is accessible, so now is the time to get this job done. More on this next week.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the team have completed the preparation of the loco frames for the re-mounting of the cab assembly and are awaiting an appointment with a crane to handle the 2-tonne lift. The cost of hiring a crane is significant and includes the ‘dead time’ of travelling to and from it’s base, so we try to group several lifting tasks together and share the fixed costs between several projects.
Meanwhile, work continues on applying the many coats of paint to the cab itself, all except the top gloss coat, because the temperature is too low for gloss and it will end up dull if painted now. The most likely date for the lifting is Saturday 8th February, if this ties in with the other projects.
D9518 – the cab assembly has been rubbed down and is now receiving a coat of primer in the careful hands of Colin G. This will be followed by several undercoats and several gloss coats to build up the paint thickness and get the required level of protection. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 4th January 2025 by Andy Royal © 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 make a donation via our website (click on the icon below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco celebrated her 60th birthday on Monday 6th January, as announced in our previous post (click here for the post and for a video clip of her most recent engine run). This loco will enter the loco shed some time in the spring and will undergo engine maintenance and receive a paint refresh in time for her appearance at the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL 2025.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is based at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and was in use on several occasions last December, working ‘top and tail’ with a steam loco on their version of the ‘Santa Express’. We look forward to seeing this loco being in regular use during 2025 !
A very interesting YouTube video featuring 47077 has been brought to our attention by several readers and the link is well worth sharing. This video shows that the loco is being very well looked after by the team based at Grosmont. Click here or on the image below to go to YouTube.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco has been busy shunting both yards at Williton in connection with the re-location of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust’s carriage collection from Williton to Washford. This is the most work that this powerful little loco has done in years – and she is loving it !
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: As the year 2025 is now upon us, we are making one last effort to sell the remaining few copies of our 2025 DEPG calendar after which we will be out of stock and working on the 2026 edition.
If you have not yet bought your copy, click on the image below to get a taste of what is waiting inside the calendar and see what you will be missing. Click here or on the image below to launch the animation:
The DEPG 2025 CALENDAR has 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 so kindly provided by members and supporters. Click here to GET YOUR COPY – WHILE STOCKS LAST – for £12 plus p&p.
ON SHED: we start the year with a photo that has been provided by well-known author and photographer ROGER GEACH, featuring our very own D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and taken at Plymouth Station in June of 1974, when the loco was a regular performer on the West of England services. In this view, the loco is waiting on the centre road to take over the incoming 1B29 Paddington to Penzance service, which she will work forward from Plymouth. Many thanks to Roger for sharing his photo with us all.
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ stands on the centre road at Plymouth station on Sunday 16th June 1974, waiting to take over the incoming 1B29 12:30 Paddington to Penzance service, which she will work forward from Plymouth. Photo by Roger Geach © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG NEWS – in addition to our well-known fleet of locos, the DEPG also owns a number of freight vehicles, some of which are at Williton and some are outstationed at Minehead. These vehicles deteriorate over time and occasionally need an overhaul, and we are very grateful to the Minehead Wagon Group for taking on the work to restore our BR ‘Vanwide’ B784676. What a great job, we look forward to seeing this van running in the goods trains on the WSR this year.
The DEPG’s ex-BR ‘Vanwide’ goods van B784676 is undergoing a major restoration in the hands of the WSR WAGON GROUP at Minehead and is close to completion. Pictured on 4th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 !