DEPG volunteer Mike Evans pictured while manning the stand at the Newton Abbot Railway Studies and Modellers Show which took place at the Passmore Edwards Library in the town on Saturday 4th December 2021. The show was a great success and helped spread the word about who we are and what we do. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
The DEPG sales team attended an event that was held at the Library in Newton Abbot, now known as the Passmore Edwards Centre after the philanthropist who sponsored the building when new in 1904, which became an attraction for people across the southwest on Saturday 4th December when the Newton Abbot Railway Studies and Modellers Show was held for the first time. The event was very well patronised and our DEPG stand on the ground floor was busy from the start through to the finish, raising the awareness of the DEPG and raising funds from the sale of DEPG-branded merchandise.
The very impressive Passmore Edwards Centre in Newton Abbot opened in 1904 and was extensively renovated in 2012. It now provides a a multi-purpose facility which is based around its continuing role as a library. Photo by Smalljim via Wikipedia © CC BY-SA 3.0
The show was supported by Mike Evans, a regular volunteer at Williton who exchanged his normal Saturday work on D9518 to get to the show early and set up using stock delivered by sales team regular Chris Shields, who was exhibiting upstairs at the show with his local model railway society. The day started well and booklets, mugs and calendars were being snapped up, but then Mark Townsend joined the team behind the stand and immediately raised the bar by making the first sale of our new D1010 Limited Edition OO-gauge models made by Dapol and featuring ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ in her original livery of all-over maroon with yellow bufferbeams, which was appropriate as the models were arranged at his initiative.
The ‘DCC-ready’ models of D1010 in her first livery are being supplied in commemorative sleeves and each of the 25 models includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Preference is being given to DEPG members, so JOIN NOW to increase your chances of getting one of these limited edition models.
On completion of the bodywork repairs that are currently taking place, our loco will be repainted into the colour scheme that she wore when she first entered service in October 1962, overall maroon with a yellow buffer beam. The loco ran in this livery until March 1963 when the more familiar small yellow warning panel was added and the bufferbeam was changed from yellow to black. D1010 last wore her original livery in 2001 – for more information on liveries, see our booklet ‘D1010 – FROM MEREHEAD TO MINEHEAD‘.
Meanwhile, back at Williton, DEPG member and WSR Diesel Traction Inspector John Leach held another session of his Secondman Training Course with a classroom lecture in the morning and a practical shunting exercise in the afternoon, by which time the lucky participants were able to enjoy a downpour combined with hail and sleet, just to keep things real !
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) shows red and white marker lights and headcode blinds to indicate shunting duties while providing practical training for trainee Secondmen at Williton on 4th December 2021. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) was also involved in the shunting training for trainee Secondmen at Williton on 4th December 2021, pictured here with the DEPG Brake Van B952527 during a (rare) bright and sunny moment. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
MANY THANKS TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR WORKING HARD TO PROMOTE THE DEPG AND PROVIDE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ! Well done all !
VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 Diesel Gala will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to wsr.org.uk to view the dates for other WSR gala events that are planned for 2022.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – Leroy continued with the needle-gunning of D1010’s bodyside in preparation for corrosion repairs and a primer and undercoat repaint which will take place during the coming months. The most important task right now is to resolve all of the areas of corrosion before the full repaint, so that the loco is properly protected for the long term.
D1010 undergoing needle gunning from a highly visible Leroy at Williton on 4th December 2021. The needle gun is very noisy but very effective, which it needs to be when the subject of attention is 21m long (68 ft) and has two sides, a roof and two ends that need this treatment. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Last week, we featured a photo that showed evidence of a repair that took place in BR days, basically a long scrape, for most of the length of the loco plus a diagonal gash below one radiator grille. After a few emails from our regular readers, we quickly established that a photo of D1010 showing this damage is featured on Page 3 of our booklet ‘D1010 – FROM MEREHEAD TO MINEHEAD‘.
D1010 (by then just 1010) ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was pictured at Plymouth Station on Saturday 18th March 1972 and shows clear evidence of a bodyside scrape plus other damage below the radiator grille at the far end. The damage matches up with what was found under the layer of filler at Williton on 27th November 2021. Photo by Roger Geach © CC BY-NC 3.0
Roger’s photo from March 1972 shows a gouge that starts at the nearest end, which also has damage to the corner of the cab front, and runs along the body, culminating in a diagonal scrape just below the radiator grille at the far end, matching up exactly with what was found under the layer of filler at Williton on 27th November 2021. We have still not established when, where and how the damage took place. if you know, please let us know so that we can update the D1010 timeline and share the information with our members and supporters. Thanks !
The loco went into Swindon Works on 15th June 1972 and stayed there for more than five months while undergoing repairs that included correction of buffers that had been pushed back. She was eventually released to traffic on 1st December 1972. Just months later, other members of the Class that suffered far less damage in minor shunting collisions were not so lucky – they were condemned as being beyond economic repair, were immediately stripped of usable parts and sent to scrap, so our loco had a very narrow escape !
On completion of the bodywork repairs, the loco will be repainted into the colour scheme that she wore when she first entered service in October 1962, overall maroon with a yellow buffer beam. The loco ran in this livery until March 1963 when the more familiar small yellow warning panel was added and the bufferbeam was changed from yellow to black. D1010 wore this livery again back in 2001, for one season. For more information on liveries, see our booklet ‘D1010 – FROM MEREHEAD TO MINEHEAD‘.
As announced last week, we are now offering a special LIMITED EDITION of 25 DAPOL OO-gauge models of D1010 in her original livery, with all proceeds from the sale of these models going to the D1010 Restoration Fund. Priority will be given to DEPG members until Friday 17th December, after which any remaining models will be offered to the general public. Expressions of interest can be emailed to contact@depg.org or via our CONTACT FORM
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 ‘Westerns’ 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 D1010 to full operational condition.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) – this loco is the duty loco at Bishops Lydeard and has been operating regularly in support of the ‘Winterlights‘ trains that started on Friday 19th November 2021 in ‘top and tail’ mode, with steam haulage on the outward journey and diesel haulage on the return leg.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) arrives at Bishops Lydeard with the return leg of a ‘WINTERLIGHTS’ service on 4th December 2021. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) – this loco was in use for shunting training at Williton this weekend (as described earlier).
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) at Williton during a shunting training session with a ‘SANTA EXPRESS’ service standing at the ‘up’ platform while the steam locomotive runs around via the ‘down’ platform. Pictured on 4th December 2021 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – no change this week.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – no change this week.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – a major milestone was reached on this loco last Saturday 27th November 2021 when the frames were lowered onto the wheelsets to create the rolling chassis and make D9518 mobile once again. The team is now engaged in re-fitting all of the small parts to the frames and working on the parts that make up the braking system. The plan is to get the rolling chassis moved into the DEPG loco shed before the Christmas break, so work proceeds apace !
D9518’s newly re-created ‘rolling chassis’ undergoing the assembly of the many small parts that will allow the braking system to be re-installed. Pictured in the ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton on 30th November 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518’s brake slack adjuster components pictured after cleaning and repair at Williton on 30th November 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
One of D9518’s brake slack adjusters being re-assembled by Colin F at Williton on 30th November 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
All of this progress has been made possible by the efforts of volunteers and the donations of the many ‘Teddy Bear’ supporters who have contributed to the D9518 Restoration Appeal. Thank you all very much !
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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is based at the Kent & East Sussex Railway for the rest of this year and is receiving regular use on Permanent Way trains, which is good for the loco and good for the DEPG. The loco is going to remain at the K&ESR until older sister D9504 completes her heavy overhaul and is returned to traffic, so it could be some time yet. We look forward to seeing D9526 back at Williton in time for the WSR’s 2022 Diesel Gala that takes place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco remains stuck at Bishops Lydeard waiting for instructions for her move to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was in use on Saturday 4th December to prepare the yard for the shunting training that was performed using Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057). The task involved the loco having to go outdoors and get wet, so it is a good thing that Graham and Paul T were able to add their efforts last weekend to those of Roy and Colin F by getting a coat of paint on her upper surfaces before she went outdooors. We need more help on this loco so please come along and join the effort to complete this work (no prior experience is required, just regular DIY skills will be sufficient).
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF 1) was in action preparing the yard for the shunting training that took place at Williton on Saturday 4th December 2021. Her paintwork remains a ‘work in progress’. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 !