After completing every one of her booked duties (plus some that were booked for her sister) throughout July and August, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) returned to Williton after her last working on Saturday 27th August 2022 so that her brake blocks could be replaced. Pictured shortly after her arrival, alongside Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 (left) and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
After four weeks of regular (and unexpected) working under the BLUE and YELLOW timetables, Saturday 27th August marked the return of steam-only rostering on the BLUE timetable, except for the three weekends where our diesels will cover the 10:00 Minehead departures and subsequent 80-mile diagrams (see our Diesel Running Dates page). The need to replace the failed heat exchanger in Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) had transferred the workload to sister D6575 (33 057) who performed admirably throughout, but her brake blocks had worn down to the limit and she was brought back to Williton upon completion of her duties last Saturday. The changing of the 16 cast-iron brake blocks was performed on Sunday morning by Ian, Tom and Martin with a subsequent inspection and brake test being completed before the loco was declared as available to the WSR at 13:30 that day. Well done all !
This weekend, we have Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 running for 80 miles on Saturday 3rd and again on Sunday 4th, so please do come along an enjoy the ‘Maybach Music’ that will entertain you throughout your journey. We also have the DEPG Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 14:00 on Saturday 3rd, so our members will be treated to ‘live action’ when the loco departs from Williton at 15:17 heading towards Bishops Lydeard.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 will be working the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard diagram (2 x round trips, 80 miles total) on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September 2022. The loco was pictured while departing from the yard at Williton on Saturday 13th August 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
We have kept our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page updated throughout all of the recent timetable and traction changes, with links to the WSR timetables, so this page can be used as a one-stop-shop for diesel-hauled services on the WSR. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE TRAVELLED for supporting this year’s DIESEL RUNNING program on the WSR. The season is not over yet – there is MORE TO COME so click on the banner below to visit the page and get the details:
The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we aim to deliver the published program of running with the locos indicated and we will provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so please sign up to keep up to date.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – we continue to progress with the work needed to return this loco to service. This week, we have been attending to the battery box frames and also doing some adjustments to get the headcode frames to fit nicely. After some delay, we have also restarted work on the transmission, with the third stage torque converter being dismantled last Saturday, leaving only the first stage to be separated from the shaft. Many thanks to all of our volunteers for their massive effort on this massive locomotive !
Please consider SPONSORING A PATCH because there is plenty of fresh metal that still needs engraving and it is in a prime location, right at the front of the loco at ‘A’ end. Thank you in advance for your support !
Although bodywork repairs have progressed well, we still have a lot of rubbing down and painting to do, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !
D1010 – the apertures for the headcode frames needed some adjustment to allow the frames to fit properly. This entailed altering the height at which the almost-vertical front sheet was folded inwards to create the bottom edge of the aperture. Job done! Pictured at Williton on 23rd August 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – last week, we showed the badly corroded steel section and this week we are showing the repair, which makes use of a piece of steel box section from a redundant steel table. We economise on steel purchases whenever we can. Pictured at Williton on 23rd August 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – this partially-dismantled section of the turbine rail of the Voith L630rV transmission shows the exposed guide wheel from the third stage torque converter at the top. The large helical gear on the input shaft is just visible through the rectangular aperture. Transmission experts Andy Venn (left) and Paul Koch visited Williton on Saturday 27th August 2022 to help us make progress with the repair of this 60-year-old piece of complex engineering. Thank you very much ! Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – in this view, the same assembly has been inverted to allow separation of the larger diameter first stage torque converter. The first stage housing has been freed up and has been lifted to expose the turbine, but more dismantling work is needed before the housing can be removed. Pictured at Williton on 27th August 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.
For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number or code word will be allocated and engraved instead.
See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – the efforts made last week by Ian, Tom and Richard allowed the failed heat exchanger to be removed from the loco early on Saturday morning, and it was on a custom-made pallet and wrapped ready for shipment by midday. The failed unit has been sent to a specialist firm for repair and the turnaround time is expected to be four to five weeks, after which the loco will need to be test run before being declared ready to resume duties.
The cylindrical heat exchanger of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was removed from the loco by Ian R, Tom and Ian F and prepared for shipment to a specialist firm for repair. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th August by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) has been drained of oil and water and awaits the return of the repaired heat exchanger before work can recommence. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th August 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – covered previously.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – a flurry of activity on this loco last weekend has resulted in the fuel injectors being re-installed and the fuel pipes and covers fitted, leaving only the air intake and cooling system pipework to be reinstated. Then, after checking and priming the fuel system, the engine will be ready for a test run. It may be possible to return the loco to service before the final diesel-hauled service of the year (Sunday 25th September) but it is a little too close for comfort. We can but hope !
D7017 – Leroy at work re-installing the fuel injectors into the cylinder heads on the Maybach MD870. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th August 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – a close-up view of the fuel injection pump which is powered by the worm drive shaft in the upper part of the picture and activated by the camshaft in the foreground. Pictured at Williton on 27th August 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – Simon B worked alongside Leroy to re-install the fuel delivery pipework for all eight cylinders on this bank of the V16 engine. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th August 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – a clear view of the fuel delivery pipework and a glimpse of Leroy’s head at Williton on Saturday 27th August 2022. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – at the end of the day, the cam box covers are back in place and the air intake manifold is inside the loco, ready to be re-fitted during the next work session. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th August 2022 by Mike Evans © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is stabled at Williton and is ready for use. The next scheduled dates for ‘Hymek’ running are the 10:00 and 14:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard return services on Sat/Sun 3rd/4th September. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for updates or join the DIESELGEN email bulletin group (which also includes information about non-public services, where the information is available to us sufficiently in advance).
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the Class 14 team have been working on the many component parts that are needed for the reinstatement of pipework and wiring on the brake frame – plus some other parts, as can be seen in these pictures:
D9518 – this carefully restored component is a solenoid valve for the compressed air system. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the side frame for the SHORT bonnet (not the long bonnet as previously reported) that was restored the previous week by Andy P was given a coat of primer by Colin G at Williton on Saturday 27th August 2022. Photo by Mike Evans © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – engine control buttons – as removed from the loco, original 1960s parts, tired and very dirty. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – engine control buttons restored – after the usual amount of TLC had been administered by Colin G. Excellent work indeed ! Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 has been beavering away on the Kent & East Sussex Railway while that railway endured a long period of high fire risk and a resulting ban on the use of steam locomotives. This has resulted in considerably more than 100 hours of running for D9526 during the month of August and to keep the loco properly maintained and available, the local team of Mike, Jon and Will have been working hard to do the inspections and perform the planned and unplanned maintenance that has been necessary. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to Team D9504 for looking after D9526 so well !
D9526 was pictured while arriving at Tenterden Town station on Saturday 27th August 2022 with the last train of the day on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Photo by Robin White © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular service on the NYMR and was particularly busy last Saturday when only one diesel was available for the Whitby services (which run on Network Rail metals and therefore need mainline certified locomotives). This resulted in a ‘baton change’ operation taking place at Levisham, where the service returning from Whitby changed locomotives with the loco heading to Grosmont, to allow the mainline certified loco to head back to Whitby. This unusual movement was captured on film by our local correspondent, Martin Fisher, who provided us with the following images, so THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MARTIN, for sharing these images with us.
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR‘ was pictured approaching Levisham station on Saturday 27th August 2022 after having left her train beyond the signal on the south side of the station. Photo by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR‘ then stopped at the platform in Levisham while mainline certified Class 31 31128 ‘CHARYBDIS’ left her train outside the station on the north side, and ran ‘light engine’ through the station to attach to the train that ‘NORTH STAR’ had left on the south side. Pictured on Saturday 27th August 2022 by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR‘ then ran northwards and attached to the train that was previously hauled by the Class 31, and then headed south towards Levisham and Pickering. All in a days’ work ! Pictured on Saturday 27th August 2022 by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – as mentioned last week, well-known DEPG and WSR volunteer Jon Tooke is going to be completing the livery work on this locomotive, and is planning to do the work from mid-September onwards, so we will report further when the work has progressed.
If you can help by donating your time, 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 – a review of our stock of donated PRE-OWNED BOOKS has revealed plenty of interesting titles, many of which are in as-new condition. We will be loading these onto our online store for the benefit of the D1010 RESTORATION FUND so WATCH THIS SPACE for details. All we need is some time to be able to create the entries on our online store system. Use our CONTACT FORM if you see a title that you want to buy. THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED TO THIS WONDERFUL STOCKPILE !
Pre-owned (but as-new) hardbacks from Strathwood’s ‘Looking back at’ series, in stock at Williton on 27th August 2022.
Pre-owned (but with many in as-new condition) hardbacks from Ian Allan Publishing, in stock at Williton on 27th August 2022 along with many other titles.
We have added several NEW BOOKS to our online store recently including GREEN DIESEL DAYS, so please visit our online store and browse then buy to support the work that is taking place on our locomotives. Thanks !
ON SHED – we will need to skip this feature this week due to lack of time and space !
DEPG NEWS – The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The DEPG will take place at 14:00 at Williton on Saturday 3rd September 2022. If you are a member, take your opportunity to vote by attending at the AGM. Please let me know if you have not yet received your AGM information package. If you are a DEPG member and have not received your Newsletter, please let us know so that we can investigate and resend the package, either by email or by post.
Our new online membership system is working well and feedback has been very positive, even though some anomalies have had to be corrected here and there. Membership is INCREASING STEADILY ! If you haven’t done so already, please take a look at your membership record and make sure that it is correct. You will also be able to select ‘paper’, ‘paperless’ or ‘paperless except newsletter’ communication, according to your preference. In the event of any discrepancies, please email Membership Secretary Chris Shields using members@depg.org
WSR NEWS: coming up very soon on the WSR will be the ‘FORTIES WEEKEND‘ that takes place from Saturday 10th through Sunday 11th September when the DEPG facility at Williton will be open to the public, complete with ROD SAUNDERS and his model railway sales stand. Please make a plan to come along to this event in support of both the WSR and the DEPG. Timetables for this event have now been released and all services are steam-hauled except a DMU shuttle service between Minehead and Dunster. Any changes will be published via our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and any updates will be shared via our DIESELGEN email bulletin service.
