The DEPG have acquired 1958-vintage Derby-built Class 08 ‘Shunter’ 08401 (D3516) from the Hunslet Engine Company. The fully-operational loco was pictured while being unloaded at Williton on Thursday 23rd October 2025 by S. A. Smith specialist hauliers. Photo by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 3.0
The easy way to load a loco onto road transport was demonstrated at the Hunslet Engine Company‘s Barton-under-Needwood facility (near Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire) on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 with 08401 (D3516) raised using the overhead cranes and then lowered onto the trailer that had been positioned underneath. Photo by S. A. Smith © CC BY-NC 3.0
The big news this week is that the DEPG have acquired Class 08 Shunter 08401 (D3516) from the Hunslet Engine Company and the loco has already been delivered to the WSR’s North Yard at Williton to undergo inspection before being moved to the DEPG’s South Yard. The loco is in full working order but has not been in use for while, having just received a newly-refurbished generator, and is in need of a Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) before she can move under her own power.
The loco was built at BR’s Derby Works in 1958 and entered service at Plymouth Laira Depot (83D) in June of that year. The loco spent time at St Blazey, Exmouth Junction and Exeter before moving to Bristol Bath Road in December of 1966. A move ‘upcountry’ took place in August of 1968 and the loco remained in BR service until being withdrawn in February 2004. See the D3516 (08401) TIMELINE page for details.
A new career as a ‘spot hire’ loco began after acquisition by the Hunslet Engine Company and the loco was sent out to 8 different industrial locations, some more than once, over a period of 13 years until stopped with a main generator fault in January 2024 (details will be added to the D3516 (08401) TIMELINE page as soon as possible). The loco then underwent repairs culminating in the fitting of a newly-refurbished main generator, but a strategic decision by the owners to pull out of the Class 08 hire market created the opportunity that the DEPG could not pass up, the chance to acquire an operational Class 08 that was in good condition with good, thick tyres.
The down side is that the loco does not currently have a vacuum brake capability, having been converted directly from vacuum brake to air brake during a works visit some time in the 1980s. The DEPG already holds stock of vacuum braking equipment and only needs to acquire a few more parts to reinstate the vacuum braking, but the installation will take some time because of the way that the conversion was done, with no consideration for being dual-braked at some time in the future. A standard design for a dual-braked loco exists and will be followed. Once dual-braked, the loco will be made available to the WSR for hire and will allow Class 09 D4107 (09019) to have a longer period in the shed to undergo roof and cab restoration.
The upside of adding this loco to the DEPG fleet is the prospect of hire income all-year round, which is generally the case with Class 08 or Class 09 locomotives, as they can handle engineering trains in addition to covering depot and yard shunts.
Safely unloaded onto WSR metals, the DEPG’s newly-acquired Class 08 ‘Shunter’ 08401 (D3516) was in the care of the diminutive Ruston 48DS number 200793 at Williton on Thursday 23rd October 2025. Photo by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 3.0
It goes without saying that the acquisition of this working asset has left the DEPG tight for cash, so any help in restoring that position would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much !
Click here to find out how to donate to the DEPG (via online banking is an easy way) or click on the below image:
The WSR’s AUTUMN STEAM WEEKEND took place from Friday 17th through Sunday 19th October and turned out to be a well-patronised event, although the weather tried to dampen it down with grey skies on Friday and Saturday and very wet and dismal weather on the Sunday. However, undeterred, the event went ahead and provided some excellent scenes with the additional interest of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) operating on each of the three days. The crowds were evidently enjoying the spectacle regardless of the weather, so we hope that autumn events can become a regular feature in the calendar in years to come. WELL DONE to all involved in delivering this successful event !
Pictured at Westridge, Bishops Lydeard along with BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ and LSWR T3 4-4-0 No 563 during dismal weather on Sunday 19th October 2025, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was busy on all three days of the gala event. Photo by Dave Fowler © CC BY-NC 3.0
Congratulations to the WSR’s social media team for getting their number of Facebook followers up to their interim target of 47077 – and many thanks for featuring our ‘celebrity’ Class 47 in their Facebook post, replicated in part below.
Why is ‘NORTH STAR’ a ‘celebrity’ ? Click this link to find out.
This coming weekend (25/26 October), the WSR is operating the RED timetable (3 trains each way per day) with a mix of steam traction and diesel in the form of the Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and again next week (half-term week) with the BLUE timetable (4 trains each way per day) in force on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change (we will TRY and keep this page aligned with the latest information).
Click here to go to the WSR’s Timetable page then click on the day of interest then click VIEW TIMETABLE.
Sign up to our DIESELGEN bulletin service for advance notification of unplanned services.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2026 will be posted ASAP. Dates posted via previous roundups are subject to confirmation by the WSR (apologies for ‘jumping the gun’).
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’– the weather held up well on Saturday 18th and allowed work to continue on the bogies outdoors. The target was the removal of the secondary suspension springs from the ‘A’ bogie, which involves having to heat up the four massive nuts (last week we said 8 nuts but 4 of them are lock nuts which are fairly easy to remove without heating) that are used to keep the coil springs properly tensioned. The nuts have a 2 inch thread diameter (51 mm) and have been in the same position and exposed to the elements for 50 years, so they do not want to come off. Previous experience with the ‘B’ bogie showed that a few minutes under the oxy-acetelene torch would be the answer and the nuts would then be easy to remove. However, the ‘A’ bogie put up much more of a fight, and work is ongoing using Colin Foxhall’s winching method to get the nuts removed without damaging the threads of the spring hanger itself. Here are some photos:
D1010 – the 2″ BSW nuts were heated using oxy-acetylene equipment and then the 70mm spanner and extension tube were used to try to slacken them – but to no avail. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 18th September 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the 2″ BSW nuts on the spring hangers were evidently putting up quite a fight ! Pictured at Williton on Saturday 18th September 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the winch method combined with the use of a jack to cancel out the spring pressure made some progress, but there is more work to be done on this during the coming week – and another two such nuts on the other side of the bogie ! Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 21st September 2025. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
Aside from the struggles on the ‘A’ bogie, the next step for the ‘B’ bogie will be to move it inside the loco shed so that the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) can take place using the Dye Penetrant Inspection process. The primary suspension leaf springs have now been refurbished at OWEN SPRINGS LTD. in Rotherham and will be on their way back to Williton during the coming days, so the need to get the NDT work completed has taken on additional significance.
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations. This loco will move to Williton at the end of the operating season so that the most urgent of the bodywork repairs that were started last winter can be continued. Class 14 D9526 will be moving to Bishops Lydeard to cover for the ’09’.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now returned to Williton so that her planned maintenance work can be continued and she will be undergoing some remedial work on her leaking engine room roof while back at Williton.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco was in use on each of the three days of the Autumn Steam Weekend event that took place from Friday through Sunday 17-19th October. Currently the ‘duty loco’ stabled at Minehead, this loco will return to Williton for planned maintenance work during November and will then move to Bishops Lydeard, where she will remain throughout the winter.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – now back at Williton and undergoing planned maintenance and condition monitoring checks. The loco is stabled on number 1 road at Williton.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – we have been made aware of several additional running dates for this loco while on hire to the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (GCR) and they are tabulated below:
| Day and Date | Event | Notes |
| Tuesday 28th October | Private photo charter | Contact the GCR for more info |
| Saturday 15th November | The ‘Last Hurrah’ gala | Link to the ‘Last Hurrah’ GCR page |
| Synday 16th November | The ‘Last Hurrah’ gala | Link to the ‘Last Hurrah’ GCR page |
| Saturday 22nd November | Steve Fulcher’s charter | email fulch40@hotmail.com |
| Wednesday 31st December | The ‘Nightrider’ | Link to the ‘Nightrider’ GCR page |
| April 2026 | Spring Diesel Gala | Contact the GCR for more info |
On Saturday 22nd November, a charter has been organised by DTG and DEPG member STEVE FULCHER. Here are the details, please contact Steve directly using the details below if you would like to ride on this special train. WELL DONE STEVE for arranging this, we hope that all seats get sold because that is the way to ensure that this will be the first of many such charters !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the electrical system re-wire has resumed and plenty of progress has also been made on the rebuild of the Paxman ‘Ventura’ 6YJXL engine that last served in sister loco D9526. The first of the six pistons was re-installed in the engine block on Tuesday 21st October and the method of working was established that will allow the remaing five pistons to be installed this coming Tuesday. Another big step forward, well done team !
D9518 – this photo shows the first of the six pistons being re-introduced to the cylinder block. This has to be done very carefully to avoid causing damage to the piston rings or cylinder bores. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 21st October 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – another view of the first of the six pistons being re-introduced to the cylinder block. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 21st October 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – now looking at the bottom of the engine, the two ‘big end’ bearing caps have been fitted to the connecting rod of the first piston, which is of the ‘fork’ type. The other piston that will share the same crankshaft journal will be of the ‘blade’ type. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 21st October 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is now indoors on No. 2 road at Williton and is undergoing an underframe cleanup and repaint. This loco will move to Bishops Lydeard in November to cover for Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019).
D9526 – this very smart-looking loco is stabled inside the loco shed on No 2 road at Williton, pending a move to Bishops Lydeard at the end of the month. Pictured on Saturday 18th October 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is the subject of a social media post by the West Somerset Railway – click this link to go the the WSR Facebook page.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is stabled outdoors on Number 3 road at Williton and is available for use as required (it might get used to move 08410 to the South Yard on Saturday 25th).
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 !
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
Our supplier encountered some production holdups last week so APOLOGIES again if your order has been delayed (please let us know if you are still waiting in case we have slipped up). Deliveries have now resumed and the backlog is being dealt with. Don’t let this stop you from placing your NEW order via our ONLINE STORE, just click this link to give it a go !
So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue (both in blue is also an option).
New design for the DEPG Class 33 ‘Cromptons’. Click here to place your order !
We hope to have a new design for the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ soon, probably becoming available in November. Here’s a review of what is on offer and available to order NOW via our website:
The range of colours has now been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.
The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:
| Garment type | Price |
| T shirt | £22 |
| Polo shirt | £25 |
| Sweatshirt | £35 |
| Hoodie | £37 |
| Fleece | £40 |
| Other ? Tell us what you want ! | Use our CONTACT FORM |
Although the prices of the new range are higher than before, the prices are competitive and are in line with the quality of the garments. These are really nice pieces of work and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage.
We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !
ON SHED – the photo by Andy Galpin showing Class 47 1677 ‘THOR’ (47091, 47647, 47846 then 57308 ‘TIN TIN’) at Crewe Works being prepared for a refresh to at least one of her ‘Full Yellow Ends’ (even though her two-tone green paintwork remained in a heavily faded condition) continues to generate responses, but we are still unclear as to what was being done and why.
The booklet ‘Class 47 Data File – Part 5B D1660-D1681‘ by R.P. Levett and P.M Jacques states that 47091 (1677) was the last of the ‘WR namers’ to go into blue livery, as late as September 1975 !
Here’s some feedback from DEPG volunteer Jon Tooke:
“the bogies have either been sprayed over in black or they are a set of reconditioned ones but the fuel tanks and the battery boxes have yet to be painted, plus the roof and the cab look very shiny in a coat of black as some of the class received back in the day. The bufferbeam has been freshly painted into Signal Red colour and the covering on the buffers is evidence of this. The cocks on the ends of the air pipes have been painted red too, the yellow ends waiting to be done. The papers stuck to the side of the loco are possibly work orders (similar to the ones you send us on a regular basis!) relating to what work is required on the loco. The cab door has (probably) been painted yellow first and left ajar to stop the paint from drying hard and stopping the door from ever opening again!”
And here is some feedback from DEPG member Paul Mear:
‘Crewe Works had so much green paint that they were painting diesels green until 1971 and it is for that very reason that so many ’40s’ and ’47s’ were still green when renumbered, including 47091.”
Many thanks to Jon and Paul for sharing their thoughts with us all. The mystery remains unsolved, so here is the photo again, one last time:
Class 47 1677 ‘THOR’ (47091, 47647, 47846 and then 57308 ‘TIN TIN’) was pictured in Crewe Works on 23rd July 1972 while receiving a refresh to her ‘full yellow ends’ with red buffer beam and a black roof – but curiously remaining in her faded two-tone green livery. Does anyone know why this piece of selective re-painting was carried out ? Photo by Andy Galpin © CC BY-NC 3.0
This week, in recognition of the popularity of the recent Class 37 event that was held on the Severn Valley Railway, we feature a photo of three of the Class on a working that was commonplace in South Wales for several years – the TRIPLE-HEADED Port Talbot to Llanwern iron ore trains with 27 bogie tippler wagons carrying 2,084 tons of iron ore per train (2,754 tons trailing load).
This atmospheric image has been provided by DEPG member Stuart Warr who also provided the following information:
“Pictured on 18 November 1976 at North Cornelly are 37304 (D6604), 37301 (D6601, 37412) and 37302 (D6602, 37416) working an unidentified empty iron ore set between Llanwern and Port Talbot. The current Pyle station is situated about 50-yards behind where I was stood to take this picture, the footbridge in view is at the site of the first Pyle station, behind the footbridge is the A48 road that crossed much of South Wales as a Trunk Road before the M4 was completed, just beyond that is the site of the second Pyle station!”
The ’37s’ started working the triple-headers in 1976 and continued until displaced by the arrival of the Class 56s in 1979, the ’56s’ working in pairs with less drama – but also less reliability. These were in turn displaced by a single Class 60 in the 1990s.
TRIPLE-HEADED English Electric Class 37s at work on the South Wales Main Line – 37304 leads 37301 and 37302 through North Cornelly on 18th November 1976, returning the empties to Port Talbot iron ore terminal, with around 5 miles left to run to their destination. The ‘300’ series were from the last batch built (in 1965) and were modified to have strengthened drawbars and couplers to cope with the additional loadings. Photo by Stuart Warr © CC BY-NC 3.0
Many thanks to Stuart for sharing his photos and his memories with us all !
Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !
NEW BOOKS ON SALE
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ by ANDY CHARD continues to sell well, as does the excellent ‘The Railways of SOUTH WALES 1975-1995‘ trilogy by Michael Rhodes, the latest release being PART 3 which is in stock at Williton now.
We have run out of time to update this feature this week but the next roundup will include information about a new release that will be of interest to crews and followers of the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’. Watch this space !
There are many other new and pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.
The DEPG 2026 A3 CALENDAR is available for sale and the recent uptick in shipments has prompted us to include it in the roundup ! Click here or on the following image to see a mini-presentation that steps through each page and gives the flavour of the contents. MANY THANKS to all of the photographers who donated their work for the benefit of the DEPG !
DEPG NEWS: the work of the infrastructure team often goes unseen and unsung, but not unappreciated. Here are some photos of tasks that were completed during the last weekend. Many thanks to Graham and Paul for their work on improving the facilities and amenities at Williton.
Improving the visibility of the clear path through the loco shed by adding yellow border lines – pictured at Williton on Sunday 19th October 2025 by Paul Tucker © CC BY-NC 3.0
Sealing up a donated container that had previously been modified for an industrial process – the repair involved obtaining a piece of steel from a scrapped container with an identical profile, all of which takes time to arrange. Pictured with Graham at Williton on Saturday 18th October 2025 by Andy Royal © 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 !