depgstaff

DEPG volunteer Ashley, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) and the Wolf Moon were pictured together on a chilly Saturday evening 11th January 2025 while the loco underwent some routine maintenance at Williton. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Volunteering at a railway yard in January can be a rather cold experience, but the solution is to wear plenty of layers and to keep busy. This was certainly the case last Saturday 11th January, when the yard was alive with activities taking place both inside and outside of the loco shed. As usual, there were multiple priorities being tackled by several teams, all with a view to getting their key tasks completed before the end of the working day.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) has been the ‘duty loco’ at Bishops Lydeard for the last few months while D6575 (33057) has been residing at the yard for planned maintenance, but the two will swap places on Saturday 18th so that the slightly older loco can receive some TLC at Williton. Other locos receiving attention at Williton were Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018, both outside the shed, and Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear D9518 receiving attention inside the shed.

In parallel, another team of volunteers (both DEPG and WSR) were at work at Minehead, progressing the bodywork repairs on Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, with a view to getting all of the corroded areas of bodywork cut out and new metal welded in. The roof, the skirts, the bodyside grilles and now the bodyside windows have all been removed so that the repairs can be as thorough as possible, to give the loco another long lease of life as she approaches her 50th year in preservation !

 

As we reported last week, the fundraiser for the bodywork repairs for ‘Hymek’ D7017 has now passed the target of £10,000 with a total of £10,366 being raised in the ten weeks since launching the appeal.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !

We set the target at £10,000 to cover the expected 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 the summer of this year.

The work is progressing but we are finding more corroded metal as we go along, so are going to keep the fundraiser open for a while longer to make sure that we have sufficient funding to cover the costs, and make sure that a thorough and long-lasting repair is carried out. All funds donated via this appeal will be allocated to returning D7017 to service in time for the forthcoming season.

 

Can you help ? Click here to donate £17 to D7017 !

 

 

 

 

 

If you can help with this short-term appeal, please make a donation via our website (click on the icons above or below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !

        

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January 2025 after being hauled out of the loco shed by the WSR’s Class 03 D2133 to undergo removal of her roof sections, courtesy of the WSR’s ‘Atlas’ rail-mounted crane. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is slowly being stripped back to reveal the areas of corrosion and allow repairs to be carried out. Pictured at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Back in the warm and dry loco shed, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 minus her roof, skirts and radiator grille is looking a little sad, but this is only temporary. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible – thanks to your help ! Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

WSR NEWS

The WSR have now published their running calendar for 2025 on their website and social media channels, and we have updated our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page including provisional loco allocations, some of which are subject to change to align with the availability of the locos and the crews. As the information becomes available, we will update our page and send out a DIESELGEN bulletin with the clarification.

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 join the DEPG

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’ – as reported last week, 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. We couldn’t resolve this at the time of discovery because the water was still partly frozen, but the ‘warmer’ weather on Saturday 11th allowed us to tackle the job and get the beams back in place. We found that several of the ratchet straps had failed and allowed the tarpaulins to become slack, after which is was simply a matter of time before the beams became dislodged. Here are the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs:

D1010 – the tarpaulin had sagged into the cooler group aperture and filled with water, which had to be removed before the beam could be put back in place and the tarpaulin repositioned. This is the ‘B’ end, pictured at Williton on 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the tarpaulin at ‘A’ end was corrected first, and is pictured with the beam in place and the tarpaulin back in the proper position. Photo dated 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Another task that needed doing was to re-dose the heat exchangers with anti-freeze to make sure that they could resist any sustained cold spell that might make it as far south as Williton. Although the engines and cooler groups have been removed from the loco and are safely stored, the heat exchangers remain inside the loco body and have water trapped within them. Adding a dose of anti-freeze helps to ensure that we do not get a nasty – and expensive – surprise when the time comes to put coolant back in the system.

D1010 – the heat exchangers were dosed with anti-freeze by Ian F and Gordon to make sure that they do not get damaged by sub-zero weather conditions. Photo of the ‘A’ end dated 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This weekend, the focus will shift to the ‘A’ bogie which will undergo the removal of the cardan shafts to allow them to be sent out to a specialist subcontractor for inspection and repair if necessary. The shafts from ‘B’ bogie have already been evaluated and we have a mixed report, some good, some bad, and we will provide more details on this subject in the next roundup.

Our appeals for MORE VOLUNTEERS are working because we have had three potential volunteers come forward in the last week, but WE NEED MORE HELP to get this huge loco back on the rails, so please get in touch by using our CONTACT FORM if you are able to join the team.

D1010 – Gordon was pictured while making sure that his beloved locomotive was properly protected against the vagaries of the Great British climate. Photo dated 11th 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) – great progress this week on several fronts, with the ‘top end’ engine work being handled by Ian R, Tom and Ashley while Tony continued with the repairs to the corrosion damage that has affected some parts of the bodywork of this 63-year-old loco. Meanwhile, John was also at work in the loco cab installing the electronic Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) which will provide a much higher level of protection for the electrical equipment on board the loco in the event of a fault arising. There is still quite a lot of work to do on this loco, including the re-installation of the compressor and the fitting of the refurbished buffers, but we are getting there.

Radiator housing with holes …	Radiator housing welded …	Radiator housing painted !

D4107 (09019) – DEPG volunteer Tony has been busy repairing the corroded areas of the radiator housing. The three photos above show the typical progression from rotted to repaired. Pictured at Williton on Friday 10th January 2025 by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D4107 (09019) – general maintenance – the new air filter material is being cut to size by Tom and will be installed in the filter housings that are being cleaned by Ashley, in the background. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal  © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D4107 (09019) – some of the filter housings do not want to come apart and need some attention. This is being provided by Tom at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025. Photo by Andy Royal  © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has been outstationed at Bishops Lydeard where she has covered the role of duty loco, but it is now her turn to enjoy some rest and relaxation at Williton, so she will swap roles with her slightly younger sister on Saturday 18th January.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is fully serviceable and will take over the role of duty loco, moving to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 18th January.

 

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 – what a fantastic birthday present ! This loco will celebrate her 63rd birthday on Saturday 18th January by which time her repaired Stone-Maybach Mekydro transmission will be fully repainted into ‘Rail Grey’ and ready for re-installation. This is the culmination of many months of patient and careful work by the ‘transmission team’ led by Colin F.

We are also delighted to report that Colin F returned to work last week after suffering a stroke in the runup to Christmas. He has made a marvellous and rapid recovery, no doubt because he couldn’t wait to get back to the task of completing this project. A massive vote of thanks goes to the NHS in Taunton for their very fast response and the top-notch care and attention that they gave to Colin.

The crane has been booked for Saturday 8th February, after which the loco will undergo some static tests before an engine start is attempted. After startup, there will be more tests before the loco will be allowed to exercise in the yard and eventually go out on a test run.

We look forward to seeing this loco back in service again. GREAT JOB, TEAM T !

D7018 – the Stone-Maybach ‘Mekydro’ k184u transmission has been re-assembled and was pictured at Williton on Tuesday 7th January 2025 wearing a coat of green primer before receiving grey undercoat and grey gloss. Photo by Tim Zilkha © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – and a view from the input end – pictured at Williton on Tuesday 7th January 2025 by Tim Zilkha © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – while the team wait for the crane to visit site to lift the cab assembly back on to the frames (now planned for Saturday February 8th), work proceeds on the engine overhaul and on the many parts that have been removed from the engine and that are soon to be needed for the rebuild stage.

The engine has a story to tell, because it was originally built as a demonstrator for an electrical power generator project, but after completing that task it returned to the Paxman factory and was used as a training engine for apprentices. When production of this type of engine ended, it entered the spare parts pool and was acquired for D9526, which it powered for many years before being removed for overhaul in 2017. There is a bit more to this story and we will share that news in the next roundup.

D9518 – the Paxman 6YJXL engine is being rebuilt by Terry (pictured) and the ‘Tuesday Team’. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the crankshaft of the Paxman 6YJXL engine is being shown off by Terry while one of the six cylinder heads gets a coat of paint from Colin G at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the worksplate of the engine was pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the serial number is prefixed with the year of manufacture – 1964 – pictured at Williton on Saturday 11th 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 we look forward to seeing this loco being in regular use during 2025 !

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco has been very 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 loco will be in use again in the coming week, and photos have already appeared elsewhere covering this work, so here is one from Tuesday 14th January, slightly outside the date range of this roundup:

Barclay 578 (ROF 1) has seen quite a lot of use lately in connection with the re-location of heritage coaches from Williton to Washford. Pictured in the South Yard at Williton on Tuesday 14th January 2025 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

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: sorry, but we will have to skip this feature this week due to lack of time.

 

ON SHED: this week we have another photo from Trevor Tremethick’s collection, this time featuring well turned out Class 47 47602 (D1780, 47185, 47824 ‘Glorious Devon’ waiting in the yard at Truro. The footbridge is crowded with spectators waiting for BR(W) 4-6-0 7029 ‘CLUN CASTLE’ to charge through with a charter service. Knowing of the friendly (?) rivalry between Devon and Cornwall, Trevor’s caption made me smile:

47602 ‘Glorious Devon’ at Truro 06.09.85. Obviously sent to wind up the Cornish on the day of Clun Castle’s visit.

Many thanks to Trevor for sharing his photo with us all.

Class 47 47602 (D1780, 47185, 47824 ‘Glorious Devon’ waits in the yard at Truro for a charter service headed by preserved steam loco 7029 ‘CLUN CASTLE’ to pass through. Photo dated 6th September 1985 by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the next meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place at Williton on Saturday 25th January. If you have any questions that you would like to place before the Board, please get in touch by using the CONTACT FORM on our website.

 

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 !

 

Go to the previous Weekly Roundup post

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 join the DEPG

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 !

 

Go to the previous Weekly Roundup post

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our members and supporters ! Let’s hope that 2025 is going to be a better year for everyone, wherever they are in the world.

Here’s a quick roundup of the last 12 months to remind us of the highs and lows that we encountered during 2024:

 

JANUARY 2024 – the workhorse of the railway, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was back in harness when pictured at Williton while hauling the ‘Tidy Train’.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) propelled the ‘Tidy Train’ back from Dunster and deposited the wagons in the ‘up’ platform at Williton station. The loco was pictured alongside Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 in fading light on Saturday 20th January 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0 

 

 

FEBRUARY 2024 – the DEPG invested in four new (one-trip) 20-ft ISO containers, complete with internal lights and power sockets. Two of our oldest and most heavily corroded containers were replaced and we gained two for additional storage space.

The first of two new ‘one trip’ containers being offloaded by the supplier HEAVER BROTHERS at Williton on Friday 9th February 2024. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0 

 

 

MARCH 2024 – the DEPG acquired the Bishops Lydeard pilot loco, Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) and entered into a long-term operating agreement with the WSR to keep this very useful loco at Bishops Lydeard – but now under the care of the DEPG.

Bishops Lydeard-based Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09019) has now been acquired by the DEPG and will continue to support the WSR under a combined hire and maintenance agreement. Pictured at Williton following completion of winter maintenance on 1st April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0 

 

 

APRIL 2024 – after receiving attention throughout the winter period to address several electrical faults that had affected her reliability, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 successfully completed a three-day ‘shakedown’ with a coolant leak attended to on the first day but faultless running on the subsequent two days, clearing her for a return to service !

D7017 – pictured at Williton on Tuesday 9th April 2024 on the first leg of the three-day test ‘shakedown’ – with Class 33 D6566 (33048) tagging along for extra ballast (and insurance!). Photo by Dean Goodenough © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

MAY 2024 – a very busy month for the entire serviceable fleet, but also a welcome return to regular service for our ‘celebrity’ Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway !

Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was kept busy on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in May because of a temporary shortage of serviceable steam locos. Pictured in the sunshine at Grosmont on 15th May 2024 by Michael David Stuart © CC BY-NC 3.0 

 

 

JUNE 2024 – the highlight of the year is the WSR’s diesel gala event, which gives our home fleet a chance to shine while also welcoming some unusual traction, with examples of Classes 20, 24, 46, 50 and a ‘Castle’ class HST delighting the bumper crowds !

D9526 – on a positioning move from Williton to Minehead in preparation for the gala, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) and Class 46 ‘Peak’ D182 (46045) were whisked away from a standing start in an impressive demonstration of diesel-hydraulic tractive effort! Pictured at Williton on Wednesday 5th June 2024 by Natalie Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0 

 

Visiting Class 50 50033 (D433) ‘Glorious’ was a very popular loco, fresh from overhaul at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway and delivering some fine performances over a four-day period. Pictured on the approach to Crowcombe Heathfield on 7th June 2024 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

GWR ‘Castle’ Class HST set comprising power cars 43155 (formerly ‘Rougemont Castle’, leading) and 43154 (formerly ‘Compton Castle’, trailing) and four coaches provided a very interesting alternative form of transport, ideal for a smooth, quiet and comfortable journey along the picturesque West Somerset Railway. Pictured at Stogumber on Sunday 9th June 2024 by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0 

 

JULY 2024 – our Class 52 ‘Western’ D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ featured in a ‘first’ for preservation, being the only example of the Class to be lifted by overhead crane and lowered onto stands since BR-Swindon days. The lift was required to allow the bogies to be overhauled as part of the restoration programme for this loco. 

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was lifted from her bogies at Williton on Monday 8th July 2024 by two giant road cranes that were provided by BALDWINS CRANE HIRE from their Newport, South Wales branch. The two cranes made light work of the job! Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Sadly, the heritage diesel preservation movement lost another of its well known and highly capable volunteers, with the passing of ANDY VENN at the age of 61 on Monday 1st July 2024. A legend amongst diesel-hydraulic locomotive owning groups, he had not long retired from GWR’s Reading Traction Maintenance Depot when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and sadly, he didn’t get to live out his retirement dreams.

Andy played a major role in the overhaul and return to mainline service of D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ and provided essential information and guidance to our own ‘transmission team’, to get them started on the repair of D1010‘s Voith L630rV transmission. We owe him a debt of gratitude.

 

 

AUGUST 2024 – the WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY at Norton Fitzwarren provided an opportunity for our Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 to power the numerous brake van rides that took place over the two days of the event, offering passengers a rare chance to travel on all that the remains of the Taunton to Barnstaple line.

After putting in some sterling service on the brake van rides at the WSRA’s STEAM RALLY at Norton Fitzwarren throughout the previous weekend, our Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was used to return the ‘Quantock Belle‘ dining set to Bishops Lydeard on Tuesday 6th August 2024. Pictured on the double track section at Norton Bridge by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Sad news reached us regarding the loss of a former DEPG volunteer and WSR secondman PAUL BRITTON who had played a significant role in the restoration of Class 33 D6575 (33057) in the mid-2000s. Although Paul had not been a member for a while, the fond memories of his DEPG colleagues were clearly evident at Williton.

The late Paul Britton at work, coupling Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ on the left to Class 42 ‘Warship’ D832 ‘ONSLAUGHT’ at Williton on 16th June 2007. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

SEPTEMBER 2024 – the restoration of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 (NCB Ashington No. 7) made further progress at Williton when the pistons were removed from the engine that is undergoing overhaul and will ultimately power the restored loco. The wiring of the refurbished cab assembly also neared completion, allowing thoughts to to turn to the re-fitting of the cab to the frames, scheduled for early 2025.

D9518 – the six pistons from the Paxman ‘Ventura’ 6YJXL engine were removed and arranged on the steel table in front of the ‘Tuesday Team’ (L-R, Terry, Nick, Tony and Linda) at Williton on 10th September 2024. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) of the DEPG took place on Saturday 7th September, an essential and mandatory gathering of members to listen to the reports presented by the Chairman and Treasurer and approve them and appoint the Board of Trustees and Directors for another year.

Several members arrived on the Class 33-hauled service from Bishops Lydeard at 13:07 and departed on the 15:17, treating themselves to a double dose of ‘Crompton’ haulage. The AGM proceedings were timed to fit into this well-established pattern.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was pictured during the Williton station stop on Saturday 7th September 2024. Stabled in the DEPG yard on the left are Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

OCTOBER 2024 – the first locomotive to be saved for preservation by the Diesel & Electric Group (the forerunner of the DEPG) back in 1975 was Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 and she has been based on the WSR ever since. This loco had an excellent year, working public service trains on 10 separate days and achieving 100% availability, although her bodywork was looking rather shabby in places. Arrangements have been made for a complete bodywork overhaul to be carried out at the Minehead workshops of the WSR and a fundraiser was kicked off to help with the estimated £10,000 cost of the work.

D7017 – a very unusual sight – a diesel in the steam shed at Minehead ! Pictured while being assessed for the required repair work on 26th October 2024 by Adrian Read © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

NOVEMBER 2024 – our Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) entered the loco shed at Williton to undergo repairs and winter maintenance, with a view to returning her to Bishops Lydeard before the spring of 2025. The task list included the replacement of the compressor and the overhaul of the front buffers, along with a number of bodywork corrosion repairs in addition to the scheduled maintenance tasks.

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

 

 

DECEMBER 2024 – a major milestone was reached in the overhaul of the hydraulic transmission of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 when the repaired assembly was subjected to a static test with simulated inputs and outputs being provided by simple crank handles while the hydraulic control pressure was provided by an electric pump. This allowed the control block to be put through it’s paces and be confirmed as fully functional, clearing the way for the re-installation into the loco.

D7018 – the static transmission test rig was being powered by Jason on the ‘input’ side (nearest the camera) and Ethan on the ‘output’ side. Both had some work to do to keep up with the many changes of rotation direction and power flow that were required to complete the test program. Extract from a video taken at Williton on 14th December 2024 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Closing the year 2024, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was making considerable progress with her bodywork repairs and the fundraiser passed the three-quarters mark, putting us well on the way to getting this loco back in service for her 50th anniversary of preservation. Many thanks to all who have helped make this possible !

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured while undergoing surgery at Minehead on 20th December 2024 to deal with the corrosion that was breaking through the skin from the inside. The rusty metal has been cut out and new sheet steel will be welded in before repainting takes place. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

As always, we are very grateful for another year of support from our members, volunteers and all who have contributed their time and funds to allow the DEPG to continue its work. Your continued patronage and financial help is essential and very much appreciated. Thank you !

 

Many more items of news from 2024 can be found by browsing our website. Sign up for ROUNDUP to have the news delivered to your emailbox on a weekly basis.

 

VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2025 Diesel Gala will take place from Thursday 5th through Saturday 7th June 2025, with mixed traction on Sunday 8th, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend !

 

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured while undergoing surgery at Minehead on 20th December 2024 to deal with the corrosion that was breaking through the skin from the inside. The rusty metal has been cut out and new sheet steel will be welded in before repainting takes place. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Some GREAT NEWS – the fundraiser for the bodywork repairs for ‘Hymek’ D7017 has passed the halfway mark with a total of £5,875 being raised in the seven weeks since launching the appeal.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !

We are aiming to reach £10,000 to cover the cost of the work that is well advanced and taking place inside the WSR’s workshops at Minehead. This sub-contract route was taken to make sure that the loco is 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 also includes the overhaul of the two cardan shafts that connect the transmission to the dynastarter and the Serck pump, both of which have now been returned to the loco after thorough overhaul at FIROW PROPSHAFTS in Crewe – with thanks for their excellent service and fast turnaround time !

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is being fitted with two fully-refurbished cardan shafts, recently overhauled by FIROW PROPSHAFTS in Crewe. Pictured at Williton on 14th December 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Can you help us reach our target of £10,000 ? Times are hard and money is tight, but if you love the sight, the sound and the sparkling performance of the ‘Hymeks’ then please do what you can to support our efforts. 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 !

        

 

Another MAJOR MILESTONE was reached with the overhaul of the Mekydro transmission from sister ‘Hymek’ D7018 with a successful conclusion of the static testing that took place at Williton on Saturday 14th December. The demonstration and test was the culmination of months of work by Colin F and his team, as they worked through a test plan that had been carefully derived to ensure that all 30 valves in the control system were exercised as much as possible in the absence of the engine itself, the ‘motive power’ being provided by new volunteers, the father and son team of Jason and Ethan !

D7018 – the static transmission test rig was being powered by Jason on the ‘input’ side (nearest the camera) and Ethan on the ‘output’ side. Both had some work to do to keep up with the many changes of rotation direction and power flow that were required to complete the test program. Extract from a video taken at Williton on 14th December 2024 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The testing was filmed by Martin so that the evidence of each test being performed and the results obtained can be reviewed and verified as part of the sign-off, but all reviewers on site agreed that there were no causes for concern and the ‘transmission team’ could move on and complete the re-assembly work. The next phase of testing will take place with the transmission back in the loco and the engine providing the driving force.

D7018 – the transmission team wasted no time and soon had the torque converter and input shaft assemblies re-installed in the transmission, as evidenced by this photo of Tim guiding the top housing down onto the transmission. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 17th December 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

STOP PRESS: We heard today that team leader Colin F has suffered a stroke and was hospitalised, but has now returned home. He has been in touch with his fellow volunteers and it is evident from his messages that he is doing very well and the outlook is GOOD. We wish Colin all the best for a speedy and full recovery !

 

 

Away from all this excitement, the SANTA EXPRESS and PANTO TRAIN services were in and out of Williton station on a regular basis, with entertainment both on the trains and on the platforms. The loadings this year are thinner than in previous years, so the railway will need every ounce of support to reach its financial objectives. If you were sitting on the fence and thinking that you might give it a try, then PLEASE DO because a lot of effort has gone into preparing and offering these services, and they deserve the patronage of WSR supporters. PLEASE HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE by booking your tickets now !

 

Something NEW and very SPECIAL is the NEW YEAR’S DAY WHISTLE-UP which will celebrate the start of the RAIL 200 celebrations ! Click here or on the link below to find out more, and PLEASE JOIN IN and start the year with a blast !

 

 

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 join the DEPG

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 team concentrated on the ‘A’ cooler group last weekend to get it painted and ready for a move to another part of the shed, to allow Class 14 D9518 to be moved in connection with the re-mounting of her cab assembly. There is a lot of work still to be done on the bogies, the next step will be to test the springs and 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 will be making an appeal 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 – volunteers Roy (foreground) and Ian F continued their work on the cooler group of many colours, in this case for the ‘A’ end of the locomotive. Pictured at Williton on 14th December 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the camera flash captures the hi-vis stripes of ‘Tuesday Team’ volunteers (L-R) Nick and Mark B with the ‘B’ bogie in the foreground. Pictured at Williton on 11th December 2024 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. We did do some more engraving last Saturday, but the bitterly cold wind made it a very uncomfortable process, so we had to curtail the effort to maintain the quality of the markings.

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 team returned their attention to this loco last weekend with more progress made on preparing the overhauled compressor for re-installation, and the delivery of a complete set of reconditioned fuel injection components that will be installed during the Christmas holiday period.

The corrosion in several areas of the bonnet and side panels has been assessed and the worst areas will be dealt with during this visit to the ‘works’. Some cosmetic areas will have to be left for next winter, the priority being to get the loco back into service without a long and protracted stay at Williton. She is needed at Bishops Lydeard !

D4107 (09019) – a view along the cantrail shows that corrosion is becoming established. This will require further attention next winter. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th December 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D4107 (09019) – this section of bonnet above the cantrail is too far gone and will need to be patched before the loco is released back into service. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th December 2024 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. The ’33’ will be available to support the WSR Christmas services that originate from Bishops Lydeard.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is now back at Williton and is undergoing some planned maintenance, mostly in relation to oil leaks that keep on cropping up. This loco is fully serviceable and is available to support WSR services if called upon.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – already covered, but here are a few more photos of the work that is being carried out at Minehead:

D7017 – work has already started on preparing the bodyside for a repaint, with attention being given to rusty areas as and when they are discovered. Pictured at Minehead on Friday 13th December 2024 by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7017 – with the corrosion being more advanced on the other side of the loco, the skirt panels had to be removed for repair and this has allowed access to the electrical conduit beneath. Pictured at Minehead on Friday 13th December 2024 by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7017 – there is plenty of work to do, but progress is rapid because of the resource being applied to the job. Pictured at Minehead on Friday 13th December 2024 by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – already covered.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the team have been preparing the loco frames for the re-mounting of the cab assembly by cutting, drilling and fitting the special ‘Tico‘ insulating gasket material that forms the interface between the cab and the frames. The frames have been coated with thick black paint to resist the inevitable pooling of rainwater, and this work is almost complete. The cab assembly has been weighed and the method of lifting is being worked out and will ideally be when we have a crane on site to do other lifting jobs, thereby making the most of the fixed costs of the crane travelling to and from site. In parallel, other members of the team have been steam cleaning the engine block to prepare it for re-assembly, a task that is guaranteed to transfer some of the dirt from the engine to the operator !

D9518 – the cab underframe has now been painted with thick black protective paint, to resist the pooling of rainwater that will occur if the loco is stabled outdoors and not in regular use. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 11th December 2024 by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the ‘Tico‘ insulation strips have been trimmed to size and drilled to match the cab mounting bolts, four of which can be seen in this picture, taken at Williton on Tuesday 11th December 2024 by Colin Girle © 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 been in use on several occasions, working ‘top and tail’ with a steam loco on their version of the ‘Santa Express’. Our local correspondent Martin Fisher was on hand to capture the following image of the loco at work on Saturday 14th December 2024. Many thanks to Martin for sharing his work with us !

47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was in use between Grosmont and Pickering on Saturday 14th December 2024 and was pictured approaching New Bridge on the last leg of the journey. Photo by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

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 is fully serviceable and is stabled in the South Yard on number 2 road.

 

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 is quickly running to a close, we also need to give a final push to the sales of 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:

 

Alternatively, here is a different presentation with a thumbnail of each page brought together into a single sheet. The actual calendar has one A3 page for each month.

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 so kindly 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: as the year 2024 comes to a close, it seems appropriate to ‘re-gift’ the Christmas Card that was send to the DEPG by regular contributor Trevor Tremethick, being a rare image of Class 50s in the Cornish snow in their unrefurbished state and before receiving their nameplates. This photo has a particularly festive feel to it and we use it (with Trevor’s permission) to wish all of our members and supporters all the best for Christmas and the New Year !

Many thanks to Trevor for sharing his photo with us all.

English Electric Class 50s 50024 (D424, later ‘Vanguard’ front) and 50025 (D425, later ‘Invincible’ behind) were pictured in Truro Yard in March of 1978, before receiving the nameplates which were fitted in the summer of that year. Photo by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – that’s all we have for this year, we are going to take a break and we will be back with the ROUNDUP OF THE YEAR 2024 so keep an eye on your emails and on our website and social media channels. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT !

 

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 !

 

Go to the previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was pictured at Barnstaple Junction, alongside the Bristol to Exeter main line, while working a line inspection special in the aftermath of Storm Darragh on Sunday 8th December 2024. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This violence of Storm Darragh was felt by the WSR and the DEPG last Saturday, with debris from eight trees blocking the line and gusting winds causing damage to the doors of the Old Goods Shed at Williton. The railway had rightly decided to suspend all operations on Saturday 7th December because of the high risk of injury from falling objects and flying debris, but the wind reduced as forecast on Sunday, giving hope for the booked workings – subject to a line inspection.

This inspection took the form of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) crewed by WSR Diesel Traction Inspector Paul Fleet and the DEPG’s Tom Courtney hauling a brake van with WSR Assistant General Manager Seb Welsh as Guard and WSR Infrastructure Manager Pete Chilcott in charge of six volunteers, all of whom had reported for duty in the early hours to be ready for departure at first light. The ’33’ ran from Bishops Lydeard to Williton at reduced speed, with the infrastructure team clearing the debris as they encountered it, then the loco ran around the brake van within Williton station limits and waited for the incoming ‘Santa Express‘ service that had been given the ‘all clear’ to depart from Bishops Lydeard, thanks to the efforts of the team.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) soon encountered the first blockage as she climbed Watts Bank towards Watersmeet Bridge, one mile north of Bishops Lydeard Station, on Sunday 8th December 2024. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) paused on Castle Hill, one mile south of Williton Station, while the team dealt with the seventh line blockage encountered on the 10-mile journey from Bishops Lydeard. Pictured on Sunday 8th December 2024 by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The ’33’ then ran to the southern extent of the WSR, to Barnstaple Junction alongside the Bristol to Exeter main line, clearing another tree from the line to allow this section of the route to be used later in the day for the ‘Quantock Belle‘ dining train. The Sunday services had been saved !

MANY THANKS TO ALL who had an early start and worked so hard to allow the railway to operate and to delight the children (and adults) on the ‘SANTA EXPRESS‘ !

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was waiting at Williton to depart for Norton Fitzwarren when Santa and a trainload of hopeful children arrived behind WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351. Pictured on Sunday 8th December 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

At Williton, we faced a different issue, where the wind had blown in the doors at the northerly end of the Old Goods Shed and blown one of the west side doors off it’s rails, bringing it crashing down and breaking it into pieces. The small team on site at Williton on Sunday dealt with the clean-up as far as was possible in the strong winds that were still blowing through the building that day, and erected barriers around the broken door while arrangements were being made to deal with it.

Built in 1862 to a standard broad gauge pattern, the future of the Old Goods Shed was already under review as part of the site lease renewal that is being negotiated between the DEPG and the WSR, so we expect to be able to outline a restoration plan some time in 2025 to make the most of this Brunel-designed building.

Many thanks to the volunteers Ben, Neil C and Ian R who helped tidy up the Old Goods Shed at Williton after Storm Darragh blew the northerly doors in and the resultant sudden gust blew one of the loading bay doors off it’s tracks. Pictured on Sunday 8th December 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Just a reminder, 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 new 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 join the DEPG

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’ – with no volunteers able to attend on site on Saturday, it has been left to the ‘Transmission Team’ to demonstrate the progress that they have made on the overhaul of the Serck motor from the ‘A’ cooler group. This motor had a failed bearing resulting from water ingress, and required new bearings and a sleeve to be fitted to provide a good smooth surface so that the double row oil seal could do its job. The motor is now ready to be painted and then it can be re-fitted to the cooler group and the fan re-attached. Many thanks to Colin F, Geoff and Tim for getting this overhaul done.

D1010 – the Serck hydraulic motor has been overhauled and is now ready to be painted and then re-installed in the ‘A’ cooler group. Pictured at Williton on 2nd December 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the fan is being cleaned up and repainted prior to re-mounting it on the overhauled Serck motor. Pictured at Williton on 30th November 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The weather raised concerns about the security of D1010’s bodyshell, being on stands at the northern end of the yard. To set everyone’s mind at ease, the loco is fine and has not moved at all, as witnessed by the red paint lines that were sprayed onto the stands by Colin F shortly after the loco body was placed on them.

D1010 – the loco body is up on stands in the northern end of the yard at Williton, devoid of engines and transmissions, but still weighing 40 tonnes spread over four support points. Pictured on Sunday 8th December 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – each of the four support points carry red paint lines where the loco support column meets the top surface of the stand. These lines were spray painted shortly after the loco was placed on the stands in July 2024 and show that there has been no movement since. Pictured on Sunday 8th December 2024 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. 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, the weather being the latest impediment to progress.

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) – with no volunteers on site last Saturday and other tasks that had to be covered on the Sunday, there has been no change in the status on this project this week. Hopefully, we will pick up the pace again shortly.

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – as already reported, this loco was in use for line inspection purposes in the aftermath of Storm Darragh. After completion of the inspection, the loco returned to Bishops Lydeard where she resumed the role of duty loco for that end of the line. The ’33’ will be available to support the WSR Christmas services that originate from Bishops Lydeard.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is now back at Williton and is undergoing some planned maintenance, with care being taken to keep her close to readiness in case she is called into action. On Sunday 8th December, volunteers Ben, Neil C and Ian R set about resolving a series of small but annoying oil leaks that have contributed to making a mess in the engine room of the loco. The cause of several of the leaks has been traced to the specially-shaped rubber component that seals the rocker cover around the fuel injection pipework. The photos show that these have become hardened and have cracked, allowing oil to leak past. All eight will be replaced.

Volunteer driver Neil C was hard at work on Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) at Williton on Sunday 8th December 2024, attending to oil leakage from the rocker covers. Photo by Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D6575  – one of the specially-shaped rubber sealing components (dark red colour) is visible in this view of a disconnected fuel injection pipe at Williton on Sunday 8th December 2024. Photo by Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D6575  – the deterioration of the rubber is clearly visible in this view at Williton on Sunday 8th December 2024. Photo by Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

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 £5,000 in five weeks, which takes us halfway to our target of £10,000 so THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !

The fundraiser is short-term because the WORK IS IN PROGRESS, 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 looked quite good from a distance, a closer inspection revealed that corrosion is taking place from behind the skin panels, and this will soon result in perforations and rapid deterioration. A stitch in time saves nine, which is why we are getting the work done NOW.

We don’t have any photos to share this week, but we will have some for the next roundup, showing the progress that the full-time engineering team are making as they apply resources to the loco five days per week.

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 50^th year in preservation, it will be appropriate to have her bodywork overhauled and repainted in time for her 50^th 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 been making excellent progress with the static testing of the transmission control system as they worked through the agreed test plan. The objective of the plan is to test the functionality of each of the valves in the control block, a total of 30 valves and six actuators, each of which must function in a defined way to ensure the correct outcome. Some of the valves can be tested easily, others depend on multiple factors and their function can only be approximated.

All was going well until the testing of Valve 15. This is the ‘directional interlock’ and generates a ‘standstill pressure signal’ that is used to control other functions such as preventing any attempt at changing direction until the locomotive has come to a complete stop. It also has a secondary function, which is to prevent the selection of a direction other than the one in which the loco is travelling, should the engine be started when the loco is being towed (an unlikely occurrence in preservation, but a function nonetheless).

Internal diagram of Valve 15, the ‘Directional Interlock Valve’

 

The detection of movement depends on the ‘interlock pump’ which is driven from the output shaft which is directly connected to the loco wheels. Any movement of the loco causes the interlock pump to rotate and create oil pressure in the interlock circuit, which is then detected by the lower chamber of Valve 15.

Diagram of the interlock pump that is driven from the output shaft

 

When the team tested Valve 15, they found that it did not respond to the rotation of the output shaft, which is the simulation of the loco being in movement. Turning the shaft faster resulted in some oil coming through to Valve 15 but mostly air bubbles, signalling that there was an air leak on the suction side of the interlock pump. Reversing the direction of rotation caused the opposite side of the valve to exhibit bubbles, so that showed that both sides of the pump were leaking on the suction side.

As the pump is immersed in oil when in normal operation, the air had to be entering both circuits somewhere above the sump oil level, and one such place would be the mating flange between the transmission housing sections, where a flat gasket seal is held in place by two bolts. These bolts were found to be insufficiently tightened and once the joint had been re-made and re-tightened, the system worked as it should !

This showed the value of static testing, because the fault may not have otherwise been detected until further damage had been done, and the leaking flange would have been inaccessible once the transmission had been put back into the loco.

WELL DONE ‘TEAM TRANSMISSION’ !

 

On Saturday 14th December, the team will be demonstrating all of the functionality that is possible to test with a fairly simple setup, to gain approval to move to the next test stage, which can only take place when the transmission is back inside the loco, so this will be a major milestone for the project.

 

Meanwhile, here are some photos of the interlock pump and the flange that caused the issue:

D7018 – the interlock pump is visible in the lower right, with the two pipes that carry the oil in opposite directions, depending on the direction of travel of the locomotive. Pictured at Williton on Monday 2nd December 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – the flange joint was the source of the suction leak affecting both pipes and the issue was addressed by re-seating the joint and tightening the bolts to a higher torque. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 3rd December 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the team have been busy planning the re-installation of the cab assembly and preparing for the delivery of the special insulating gasket material that forms the interface between the cab and the frames. The component parts of the engine have now been overhauled and the next step is to steam clean the engine block and prepare for re-assembly. This requires the engine block to moved out of the loco shed, which is a bit of challenge given the presence of D1010’s bogie and Class 09 D4107 (09019) on the adjacent road in the loco shed. More on this in the next roundup !

 

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 is in good running order. 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 is fully serviceable and is stabled in the South Yard on number 2 road.

 

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: Not a book, but a printed item nonetheless, we are pleased to be able to offer Wendy Howard’s latest creation, a WSR and DEPG-themed Christmas Card with the subtle outline of a blue-liveried diesel locomotive. This will get the speculators going, wondering if this is the ghost of Christmas past or of Christmas future. What do you think ?

This delightful card is available via our online store by clicking on the image above or by clicking on this link. MANY THANKS to Wendy for creating and donating these cards for the benefit of the DEPG !

 

As the year is quickly running to a close, we also need to give a final push to the sales of 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:

 

Alternatively, here is a different presentation with a thumbnail of each page brought together into a single sheet. The actual calendar has one A3 page for each month.

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 so kindly 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: once again we draw upon the work of Trevor Tremethick and showcase another form of motive power that was active in the West Country from the early 1960s through to the 1980s, appearing initially on passenger turns from the Midland Region and gradually covering a wide range of duties including the famous China Clay Hoods !

The photo shows 46018 (D155) standing on the former through road at Exeter St Davids station with a rake of empty clay hood wagons, while undertaking a crew change. This loco was delivered new from BR-Derby works on 16th February 1962 and was based in the midlands until moving to the Western Region in 1969, spending time at Bristol Bath Road and Cardiff Canton depots before transferring to Plymouth Laira, where she was based when this photo was taken.

Those with a head for important dates will recognise the date of this photo as the date of the ‘WESTERN TRIBUTE‘ railtour – but you will have to wait until February 2025 to get to see those photos !

Many thanks to Trevor for sharing his photo with us all.

BR-Derby ‘Peak’ 46018 (D155) was pictured standing on the through road at Exeter St Davids on Saturday 26th February 1977 while undertaking a crew change before continuing to Cornwall with the ‘down’ china clay hoods. Photo by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – we are out of time and space this week, but we have already covered the news about the Old Goods Shed and will come back with more information as soon as we have assessed the storm damage and formulated a plan to deal with it.

 

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 !

 

Go to the previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) was pictured as it approached the platform in fading light, just after 4pm, heading back to Bishops Lydeard after a day of driver and secondman training with sister D6575 (33057) in the South Yard at Williton. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The WSR came alive again last weekend, with steam-hauled ‘Minehead Christmas Market’ specials and several operational moves that involved both steam and diesel locomotives. The yard at Williton was busy with the ‘multiple working’ training that was being given to drivers and secondmen to renew their competencies for the operation of locomotives when connected ‘in multiple’ rather than operating ‘in tandem’. The difference is that tandem requires two crews but when the inter-connecting jumper cables are attached, the control system allows two (or three) locomotives to be operated by a single crew from the leading cab. Adding this capability will open up new options for special trains and will allow for some interesting combinations at gala events.

 

This coming weekend, in anticipation of Storm Darragh, the WSR have suspended all operations for Saturday 7th December to ensure that non-essential travel is kept to a minimum. There is a significant risk of damage to trees and fences along the line in the wake of the gale force winds that are forecast for Saturday, so Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) has been rostered to run ‘light engine’ from Bishops Lydeard to Williton and back at low speed at first light on the Sunday morning to confirm that the line is clear of obstructions and safe for the operation of the ‘SANTA EXPRESS‘. The WSR will be posting updates on their website and on their Facebook page, so keep an eye on these information sources before travelling to the WSR on Sunday.

 

Just a reminder, 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 new 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 join the DEPG

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’ – after the progress on the bogie springs reported in the previous edition of Roundup, the focus shifted to the ‘A’ cooler group while several volunteers were involved with training and other essential depot duties. One of the cooling fan motors had been running very roughly when rotated, so the ‘Transmission Team’ kindly took time out from their usual duties to separate the hydraulic motor from the fan to replace the bearings. The job started a week or two ago and was completed last week when the new bearings and seals were installed. The motor now runs as smoothly as when new, although the pump itself looks quite sad and is in desperate need of attention from Roy’s paintbrush.

D1010 – the Serck hydraulic motor before repair, showing evidence of water ingress with the consequent damage to the bearing, leading to rough running and gradual failure. Pictured at Williton on 18th November 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the Serck motor after repair, with shiny new bearings on the inside, but in dire need of cosmetic treatment on the outside ! Pictured at Williton on 25th November 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The ‘A’ cooler group is in need of welding repairs to add patches to areas that have corroded through and to re-weld earlier repairs that were not quite as water-tight as had been hoped. This work will be tackled by volunteer Tony over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the restoration of the ‘good’ parts of the cooler group continued with Ian F doing the sanding and priming while D1010 herself was outdoors and too wet to be worked on. Well done Ian !

 

D1010 – the ‘A’ cooler group is now receiving attention, with corroded areas left unpainted and marked up to attract the attention of volunteer resident welder Tony. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th November 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – evidence of a previous repair that has not stood the test of time and now needs to be cut out and replaced with fresh metal. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th November 2024 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. 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, the weather being the latest impediment to progress.

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) – with the driver and secondman training taking priority and affecting most of those who work on this loco, there has been little change in the repair status this week. The status of the key tasks are as follows:

1. Repair or replace the Westinghouse 3CV50 compressor due to excessive wear in the pistons and bores.
   1. 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. The compressor has been separated from the sub-frame which will now be cleaned and painted in readiness for fitting to the new compressor.
2. Remove the front ‘Oleo‘ buffers and send them out for overhaul. Clean up the buffer beam and re-paint in readiness for fitting the overhauled buffers.
3. Remove the batteries and repair the corroded battery boxes.
   1. The batteries have been removed, the corroded metal has been cut out in preparation for welding-in of new metal.
4. Assess the loco for other bodywork repairs and arrange the repairs as necessary.
   1. 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.
5. Inspect the running gear, repair or replace worn parts as necessary.
6. Perform scheduled maintenance (engine and auxiliary machines, switchgear)
7. Remove the carbon pile voltage regulator, replace with an electronic type.
   1. The electronic AVR is in stock. The changeover will only take place after completion of roof repairs.
8. 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.

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco took part in the ‘multiple working’ training for drivers and secondmen in the South Yard at Williton on Saturday 30th November. After completion of the training, the loco returned to Bishops Lydeard where she resumed the role of duty loco for that end of the line. The ’33’ will be available to support the WSR Christmas services that originate from Bishops Lydeard, a perfect example being the line check prior to re-opening on Sunday 8th December.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco had been outstationed at Minehead but returned to Williton on Saturday 30th November after performing banking duties on an 8-coach Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) movement. The ’33’ assisted from the rear as far as Crowcombe Heathfield and then ran ‘Light Engine’ to Williton to participate in the ‘multiple working’ training session. The loco 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 £4,500 in four weeks, which takes us 45% 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.

D7017 – the bodywork overhaul was well under way at Minehead when pictured on Saturday 16th November 2024, with WSR resident welder Buzz hard at work, cutting out rusted metal. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7017 – on the other side of the loco, Julie worked on loosening the screws that held the valance while Paul tackled the radiator grille fastenings. Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7017 – at the far end of the loco, well known steam loco preservationist and volunteer Andy F joined in, to deal with the corroded metal around the cab steps. Thank you Andy ! Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

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 50^th year in preservation, it will be appropriate to have her bodywork overhauled and repainted in time for her 50^th 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 started developing their test setup so that they can perform a functional test on the control block and also confirm that the dog clutches along the gear train are engaging and disengaging smoothly. The hydraulic fluid pressure is being provided by an electric pump instead of the massive V16 diesel engine that is normally coupled to the transmission, and the action of the torque converter is being 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. Photos are limited at the moment because the team have their hands full, but a demo is being set up for a week Saturday (delayed due to the weather – now planned for 14th Dec) and more photos should be available then.

Watch this space !

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continues on the engine overhaul and the cab rebuild, but this week we feature the ‘Dagger Valve’, which is a simple device that admits air into the vacuum pipe when pushed downwards, with the immediate consequence of applying the train brake. As this valve became redundant on D9518 when she moved from the BR network to the NCB Ashington Colliery network, the vacuum brake components were gradually removed to simplify maintenance, so this valve was missing from D9518.

A spare valve has been obtained and a bracket fabricated along the lines of the BR original for incorporation into D9518. Here are some photos:

This view shows the ‘Dagger Valve’ as installed in sister loco D9526. Being part of the vacuum brake system, these valves (and almost the whole of the vacuum brake system) were removed from D9518 during her years at work on the NCB network at Ashington Colliery. Pictured at Williton on 5th November 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – a spare ‘Dagger Valve’ was obtained and overhauled, and is now ready to be installed in the cab. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 19th November 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the mounting bracket for the ‘Dagger Valve’ was fabricated based on the dimensions of the original BR-Swindon part that is fitted to sister loco D9526. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 19th 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 been enduring the heavy snowfalls that are typical of the area (as our opening photo shows). 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 is fully serviceable and is stabled in the South Yard on number 2 road.

 

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: Not a book, but a printed item nonetheless, we are pleased to be able to offer Wendy Howard’s latest creation, a WSR and DEPG-themed Christmas Card with the subtle outline of a blue-liveried diesel locomotive. This will get the speculators going, wondering if this is the ghost of Christmas past or of Christmas future. What do you think ?

This delightful card is available via our online store by clicking on the image above or by clicking on this link. MANY THANKS to Wendy for creating and donating these cards for the benefit of the DEPG !

 

As the year is quickly running to a close, we also need to give a final push to the sales of 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:

 

Alternatively, here is a different presentation with a thumbnail of each page brought together into a single sheet. The actual calendar has one A3 page for each month.

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 so kindly 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: and now for something completely different – we draw upon the work of Trevor Tremethick once again and showcase some of the other forms of motive power that have been regular performers in almost all areas of the UK over the last 60+ years – this week, it is the venerable English Electric Type 3 Class 37 !

These locos took over from the ‘Westerns’ on the Cornish clay traffic and were very successful, finally being displaced themselves by the then-new ‘standard’ freight locomotives the Class 66s. The featured loco is 37304, formerly D6604, which was delivered new to Swansea Landore depot in September of 1965, complete with steam boiler for mixed traffic working in West and Mid Wales.  The loco moved from the Western Region to Tinsley depot near Sheffield in 1987, one year after this image was taken, and worked for another 10 years before being withdrawn as surplus to requirements, therefore having a working life of over 31 years.

Many thanks to Trevor for sharing his photo with us all.

English Electric Class 37 37304 (D6604) was pictured on Wednesday 10th September 1986 while waiting for the ‘road’ at Plymouth with the ‘up’ clay hoods. Photo by Trevor Tremethick © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS: with the Christmas special services and the new Panto Trains descending upon Williton once again, the station staff wanted to do a tidy-up on the footbridge but some rust had started to form around some of the bolted areas around the handrails. So, the ‘Williton Infrastructure Division‘ came to the rescue with a portable needle gun to de-scale the bolts so that the station staff could easily prime and paint the formerly rusty areas. Well done Graham for dealing with the issue so swiftly!

The Williton Station footbridge handrail bolts received some attention from Graham and his portable needle gun on Saturday 30th November 2024. Photo 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 !

 

Go to the previous Weekly Roundup post