The continued spell of warm and dry weather has resulted in a decision to substitute diesel for steam traction for the last two days of the peak summer YELLOW TIMETABLE.
On Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th August, the following traction will be employed:
Class 33 D6575 (33057) on the 10:00 Minehead service and subsequent 80-mile diagram
Class 33 D6566 (33048) on the 10:15 Bishops Lydeard service and subsequent 80-mile diagram
Class 115 DMU on the 10:55 Bishops Lydeard service and subsequent 40-mile diagram
Please do try to come along and enjoy a diesel day out on the West Somerset Railway !
And a reminder for this coming weekend:
After undergoing an extensive bodywork overhaul at the WSR’s Minehead engineering workshop, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017has now been ‘outshopped’ and will join her sister D7018 for her RETURN TO SERVICE on SATURDAY 30th AUGUST.
MANY THANKS to all who have donated to and carried out the work on D7017 to restore her to the standard that we see today.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of D7017 and D7018 entering preservation, both locos will be in use on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 30/31 AUGUST working separately and together on an enhanced timetable that includes early and late services originating at Bishops Lydeard, with 120 miles of ‘Hymek’ haulage available each day, 40 miles of which will be DOUBLE HEADED.
We look forward to seeing you on board our 50th anniversary train on Saturday 30th and/or Sunday 31st August !
We will have plenty of our new D7017 booklets available for sale on the trains, these are also available from our online store by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below:
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page which is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2025. This page is used in conjunction with DIESELGEN to provide a complete picture of diesel locomotive activities on the WSR:
The webcams provide a very good way of watching the action from afar. Click this link: http://www.wsr.org.uk/cams.htm or click on the image below to go to the webcams via wsr.org.uk:
Webcams are available at Bishops Lydeard, Williton (there are now TWO cameras at Williton), Watchet (x2), Blue Anchor, Minehead Seaward Way and Minehead Station. Select the appropriate webcam by clicking on the blue button on the webcam page. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES: We are looking for additional engineering help to maintain our fleet of elderly locomotives, so if you have such skills and would like to join the DEPG and come along to Williton for a ‘taster day’, then please use our CONTACT FORM so that we can get in touch with you.
The big news this week is announcement of the details for the HYMEK 50 WEEKEND that takes place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August 2025, when both D7017 and D7018 will be hard at work on an enhanced 120-mile daily diagram that includes 40 miles of DOUBLE HEADING each day !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is now back at Williton after a ten-month stay at Minehead where this loco has undergone a thorough bodywork overhaul and a complete re-paint into the early BR-blue with the small yellow warning panels. The loco carries the ‘D+EG‘ logo as it did in the early days of the WSR when BR would not allow their double-arrow symbol to be displayed on non-BR locos.
MANY THANKS to all who have donated to and carried out the work on D7017 to bring her up to the standard that we see today.
The coming week offers another interesting mixture of pure steam, pure diesel and possibly some mixed traction on the WSR, so please keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change (we will TRY and keep this page aligned with the latest changes).
Sign up to our DIESELGEN bulletin service for advance notification of unplanned services.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’– the team were working on both bogies last weekend, with the ‘B’ bogie receiving a coat of primer from Ian F in the areas where the dye penetrant inspection is not going to be required, while Gordon and Glenn concentrated on the removal of the equalising beams and pedestals from the ‘A’ bogie so that the replacement parts can be made for both bogies at the same time, which will be more economical in terms of machine shop setup costs. The seemingly never-ending task of scraping dirt and grease from the bogie frame was entrusted to Ethan W who seemed to be enjoying the challenge.
In parallel, work proceeds on the cleaning and painting of the brake components from the ‘B’ bogie, with help from the ‘Tuesday Team’ being very much appreciated. We want to get this loco back on its bogies before the winter. If this sounds like a tall order, it is, so COME ALONG AND HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN !
Get in touch using our CONTACT FORM and we will send you the volunteering application form and take it from there.
Apologies, but issues with uploading of photos to our website have restricted the number of photos that we can include in the roundup this week. Please check our website in a day or two, we hope to have resolved the issue by then.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has been kept very busy and is looking forward to a rest at Williton so that Ian R and his team can carry out planned maintenance and cleanup tasks. The loco will work the Minehead diagram on Saturday morning 23rd before handing over to D6575 at Williton at around 1300.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco was ‘released to traffic’ on Sunday 17th August and apart from a fairly low fuel level, was ready to take over as ‘Duty Loco’ to allow her sister D6566 to get her regular dose of TLC from Ian and his team. D6575 was fuelled at Williton on Tuesday 19th and will swap roles with D6566 at approximately 1300 on Saturday 23rd when the 1225 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service calls at Williton.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is now back at Williton and will be going out on a test run next week to prove her reliability and provide driver refresher training. No issues arose during the engine start and run to Williton, so everything is looking good for our 50 YEARS of HYMEKS weekend, the 30th and 31st August, where we expect to have both of our ‘Hymeks’ in use, both singly and together.
We are very grateful to everyone who has donated to or worked on D7017 during her bodywork overhaul. Your efforts are a fitting tribute to this loco, in HER FIFTIETH YEAR IN PRESERVATION !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is at Williton and is fully serviceable and available to the WSR for use as a ‘Thunderbird’ loco if required. Meanwhile, with two Class 33s and a Class 14 available for service, the opportunity has been taken to move D7018 into the loco shed so that she can receive a thorough clean-up and a coat of varnish in readiness for her HYMEK 50 WEEKEND (30/31st August) and her subsequent appearance at the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY’S AUTUMN DIESEL GALA that runs from the 4th to the 6th of September. We want her to look her best !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the engine rebuild has slowed down due to resources being applied to D9526 to support the WSR through the peak summer season, but the team will get back onto this project in the coming weeks.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco has now been serviced and moved onto No. 4 road at Williton, where she stands at the ready, in case she is called upon to assist a steam loco at short notice.
If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
Shipments are now flowing out again as our supplier gets to grips with their order backlog. APOLOGIESif your order has been delayed, but don’t delay if you haven’t yet ordered and are missing out on this new clothing. PLACE YOUR ORDER via our ONLINE STORE, just click this link to give it a go !
So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and in the works are similarly configurable ranges covering the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ with those garments likely to be available in September. Here’s a taster of what is on offer and available to order NOW via our website:
The range of colours has now been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.
The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:
Although the prices of the new range are higher than before, the prices are competitive and are in line with the quality of the garments. These are really nice pieces of work and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage.
We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !
ON SHED
Last week, we featured the photo below and we asked for information regarding the white disc-like object on the cab window of the Class 50. We received several responses from readers, but the first to arrive was from an ex-BR Toton Depot fitter, DAVID GODFREY, and he responded as follows:
“With regards to the featured photograph, what appears to be a white disc on the windscreen is actually an air train pipe “master gauge” which is connected to the loco’s buffer beam air train pipe by a coiled flexible pipe connected to a standard air train pipe coupling.
These gauges were more accurate and more regularly calibrated than those fitted in the cab and would have been used during a comprehensive brake test carried out at either a major exam, or in the event of an operational incident such as a signal passed at danger, station over run etc., where the loco’s brake performance may have been brought in to question. They may also have been used whilst carrying out adjustments to the drivers brake valve etc.
As an ex-Toton fitter I used these gauges numerous times.”
Many thanks to David for providing this insight and thanks to Andy Galpin for providing the photo.
Here are two more of Andy Galpin’s photos, this time from his ‘local’ depot, as he explains below:
“Here are a couple more shots taken at or near to what was my ‘home’ depot – Frodingham 36C. In this instance I am pleased to advise that the Depot Foreman would normally agree to let you go round, if you asked him first. By this time, the diesel depot’s allocation was only ever Class 08 shunters that patrolled the yards and link lines in connection with the steelworks. However there were many visitors for fuel and light attention, primarily from 40B (Immingham) and 41A (Tinsley).”
MANY THANKS to Andy for sharing his photos with us all.
Please send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !
NEW BOOK ON SALE
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ has now been released and is available to order via the DEPG’s online store. This series of books by ANDY CHARD has been an amazing success, and we expect this fifth volume to be equally impressive and as successful as the earlier releases. Well done Andy !
And competing for your hard-earned cash, we now have PART 3 of the excellent ‘The Railways of SOUTH WALES 1975-1995‘ trilogy in stock, which is quite a surprise, given that Parts 1 and 2 were only released in February and July of this year. Author MICHAEL RHODES has been very busy !
The date of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be Saturday 13th September and the meeting will be held at Williton as usual. We will be sending the AGM information package out to all members who are on the fully-paid-up register on 21st August. We will use the ‘paper’ or ‘paperless’ setting in your ‘Membermojo’ account to determine if you want a mailed or emailed version of the AGM calling notice, so check your setting by using the link or simply scan the QR code further below. Thank you !
The August edition (#70) of the DEPG Quarterly Newsletter has now been sent out by mail or email to all members who were on the register of members on 28th July. Please get in touch using our CONTACT FORM if you are a DEPG member and have not yet received your copy. Many thanks to Mark B for keeping the Newsletter production running on time !
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.
After undergoing an extensive bodywork overhaul at the WSR’s Minehead engineering workshop, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has now been ‘outshopped’ and has returned to Williton where she will undergo preparation and join her sister D7018 for her RETURN TO SERVICE on SATURDAY 30th AUGUST.
MANY THANKS to all who have donated to and carried out the work on D7017 to restore her to the standard that we see today.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of D7017 and D7018 entering preservation, both locos will be in use on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 30/31 AUGUST working separately and together on an enhanced timetable that includes early and late services originating at Bishops Lydeard, with 120 miles of ‘Hymek’ haulage availble each day, 40 miles of which will be DOUBLE HEADED.
Here are the detailed timetables (click on the images to download them):
We look forward to seeing you on board our 50th anniversary train on Saturday 30th and/or Sunday 31st August !
We will have plenty of our new D7017 booklets available for sale on the trains, these are also available from our online store by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below:
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page which is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2025. This page is used in conjunction with DIESELGEN to provide a complete picture of diesel locomotive activities on the WSR:
The webcams provide a very good way of watching the action from afar. Click this link: http://www.wsr.org.uk/cams.htm or click on the image below to go to the webcams via wsr.org.uk:
Webcams are available at Bishops Lydeard, Williton (there are now TWO cameras at Williton), Watchet (x2), Blue Anchor, Minehead Seaward Way and Minehead Station. Select the appropriate webcam by clicking on the blue button on the webcam page. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES: We are looking for additional engineering help to maintain our fleet of elderly locomotives, so if you have such skills and would like to join the DEPG and come along to Williton for a ‘taster day’, then please use our CONTACT FORM so that we can get in touch with you.
The big news this week is the RETURN OF ‘Hymek’ D7017 after a 10-month stay at Minehead where this loco has undergone a thorough bodywork overhaul and a complete re-paint into the early BR-blue with the small yellow warning panels. The loco carries the ‘D+EG‘ logo as it did in the early days of the WSR when BR would not allow their double-arrow symbol to be displayed on non-BR locos.
MANY THANKS to all who have donated to and carried out the work on D7017 to bring her up to the standard that we see today.
The loco was started up at Minehead on Tuesday 13th after being prepared thoroughly by Neil, Colin F and Tim, the engine starting straight away and sounding fine. The loco was returned to Williton on Thursday 15th on the back of a service train because the Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) procedure needs to be completed and signed off before the loco can work alone. We expect to be able to complete this inspection work during the coming week, which will then allow the loco to go out on test.
The coming week offers another interesting mixture of pure steam, pure diesel and mixed traction on the WSR, so please keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change (we will TRY and keep this page aligned with the latest changes).
Sign up to our DIESELGEN bulletin service for advance notification of unplanned services.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’– the team continued working on the bogies at Williton on Saturday 9th August, with Leroy being tasked with preparing for the removal of the equalising beams from the ‘A’ bogie. This is not an easy task, so we were not expecting to finish it in one session, and we did not disappoint ourselves ! The team will progress the work during this coming weekend.
In parallel, work proceeds on the cleaning and painting of the brake components from the ‘B’ bogie, with help from the ‘Tuesday Team’ being very much appreciated. We want to get this loco back on its bogies before the winter. If this sounds like a tall order, it is, so COME ALONG AND HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN !
Get in touch using our CONTACT FORM and we will send you the volunteering application form and take it from there.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is being kept very busy and will be outstationed at either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead according to the requirements of the WSR Operations Department.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – on Tuesday 5th August, this loco was lifted and her bogies run out so that an underframe inspection could take place.
No issues were found, so the bogies were rolled back in position and the loco body lowered back onto the bogies. On Saturday 9th, the Class 33 team comprising Ashley, Ben, Charlie, Ian and Tom then set to work reconnecting the traction motor cables, re-fitting the blower bellows, brake hoses, handbrake linkage and AWS receiver, all of which was achieved by crawling under the loco in very hot and dirty conditions to get the job done. WELL DONE TEAM ‘CROMPTON’!
The ‘Tuesday Team’ also lent a hand by re-fitting two of the four bogie retention brackets and re-attaching the vacuum exhauster silencers and ensuring their security. The remaining inspections tasks are due to be completed this coming weekend and we hope to see the loco go out on test after being re-fuelled (fuel has been arranged for Tuesday 19th August).
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – as covered previously, this loco is now back at Williton for completion of her Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) and will soon be ready to go out on a test run to prove her reliability and provide driver refresher training. No issues arose during the engine start and run to Williton, so everything is looking good for our 50 YEARS of HYMEKS weekend, the 30th and 31st August, where we expect to have both of our ‘Hymeks’ in use, both singly and together.
We are very grateful to everyone who has donated to or worked on D7017 during her bodywork overhaul. Your efforts are a fitting tribute to this loco, in HER FIFTIETH YEAR IN PRESERVATION !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is at Williton and is fully serviceable and available to the WSR for use as a ‘Thunderbird’ loco if required. The focus of attention has been on sister loco D7017 but D7018 remains ready to go and may be used in support of her sister when test running.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the engine rebuild has slowed down due to resources being applied to D9526 to support the WSR through the peak summer season, but progress continues to be made on the electrical wiring and on the cab superstructure, as per the photo below:
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco did not operate as planned last week because of a loose fuel injection pump drive coupling that was causing concern by refusing to stay bolted up tightly. The loco returned to Williton on the back of a Class 33-hauled passenger service and then moved into the loco shed. The issue has now been sorted out and the loco given an ‘A’ exam, and is expected to be made available for service next week.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is being kept busy by the steam ban that has been re-introduced following some significant fires on the moors. Our volunteer loco manager Ian R went up to the NYMR to ride behind our ’47’, but the loco was in the shed undergoing routine maintenance, so he had to ride behind a ’37’ instead !
If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
The new range of clothing that was launched at the SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL continues to be a big success, even though it has created a bit of a logjam for orders. Our supplier is getting back to shipping mode and our back orders are now on the move. APOLOGIESif your order has been delayed, but don’t delay if you want some of this new clothing, PLACE YOUR ORDER via our ONLINE STORE, just click this link to give it a go !
So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and in the works are similarly configurable ranges covering the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ with those garments likely to be available in September. Here’s a taster of what is on offer and available to order NOW via our website:
The range of colours has now been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.
The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:
Although the prices of the new range are higher than before, the prices are competitive and are in line with the quality of the garments. These are really nice pieces of work and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage.
We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !
ON SHED
A short while ago, we featured the photo below and we asked for opinions about what might have been going on. We received two responses from regular contributors NEALE LONG and BRIAN RINGER, as follows:
From Neale: “The image depicted of 1634 at Bletchley shed with roof panels open, leads me to think that the coolant header tank needed replenishing. Class 47s were notorious for all sorts of leaks and this may have been what was being investigated. The headcode displayed, if correct, would be some form of empty coaching stock run out-of-course as a special, Bletchley being close to Wolverton Works, leads one to think that it brought over a unit/stock for overhaul and then retired to Bletchley where all was not found to be well. That’s the best I can come up with. The locomotive at the time was allocated to the D16 division of the LMR, which was Nottingham, meaning in effect it was a Toton based locomotive. The LMR at the time allocated their rolling stock resources on a Divisional basis for some arcane reason.”
From Brian: “You asked for info regarding this rather unusual maintenance setting for 1634 at Bletchley. 1E Bletchley was my local shed, but I can only guess at what was going on because the depot was intended for maintaining the LMR AM10 (Class 310) outer suburban fleet. As a result all roads inside the maintenance shed were 25kV wired. I can only imagine that 1634 has been put on the outside fuelling road, which is unwired, and with no “working at height” regulations in 1970 the local fitters have used the ladder to sort out the problem on the Brush Type 4. On risk assessment, either falling off a ladder or touching the 25kV overheads, it seemed like a “no brainer” to the fitters!!
Many thanks to our correspondents for providing this insight and thanks to Andy Galpin for providing the photo.
Another of Andy Galipn’s photos from a week or so later depicts two fairly new machines ‘on shed’ at Crewe Diesel Depot, namely two-year-old Class 50 number 416 (50016 later ‘Barham) and six-year-old Class 47 1728 (47136, 47621, 47839 ‘Pride of Saltley’). Both were allocated to the LMR’s D05 Stoke Division at the time. Andy provides the following notes:
“416 & 1728 found at the back of Crewe Diesel depot during an ‘unofficial’ visit on Wednesday 26th August 1970. I am rather intrigued by the small white disc on the Class 50’s windscreen that seems to be plugged in further down via a coiled air line – any ideas? I also love the two ancient wheelbarrows and the red flag in the foreground! 1728 was later to become Virgin’s 47839 ‘Pride of Saltley’.”
MANY THANKS to Andy for sharing his photo with us all.
Please send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ has now been released and is available to order via the DEPG’s online store. This series of books by ANDY CHARD has been an amazing success, and we expect this fifth volume to be equally impressive and as successful as the earlier releases. Well done Andy !
The date of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be Saturday 13th September and the meeting will be held at Williton as usual. We will be sending the AGM information package out to all members who are on the fully-paid-up register on 21st August. We will use the ‘paper’ or ‘paperless’ setting in your ‘Membermojo’ account to determine if you want a mailed or emailed version of the AGM calling notice, so check your setting by using the link or simply scan the QR code further below. Thank you !
More progress has been made on our recently-acquired Fork Lift Truck (FLT) and ‘Cherry Picker’, with both machines receiving the attention of our volunteers last week. The FLT was repainted (where necessary) by the ‘Tuesday Team’ and the ‘NiftyLift’ aerial platform had the basket safety rails painted yellow by Reece on Saturday. Well done all !
The next edition of the DEPG Quarterly Newsletter has been produced by Mark Bladwell and has been sent out by mail or email to all members who were on the register of members on 28th July. Please get in touch using our CONTACT FORM if you have not received your copy. Many thanks to Mark for keeping the Newsletter production running on time.
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.
The WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY was the Somerset crowd-puller last weekend, taking place as it does every year in the 33-acre site that is owned by the WSRA at Norton Fitzwarren, just 3 miles west of Taunton. This massive event has something for everyone, with craft and model displays alongside vintage machinery, classic cars, trucks and buses, in fact all sorts, supported by plenty of choices for refreshments and sustenance. WELL DONE TO THE WSRA and all of the volunteers for organising and delivering such a great event !
Perhaps better known as the leader of the DEPG’s ‘Transmission Team’, Colin Foxhall was also at the Rally, exhibiting his Kommer Bantam 3t dropside truck VFJ 833K. The truck pictured above is the actual vehicle featured in Series 1, 2 and 3 of the Netflix series ‘The Crown’, as the airport baggage truck, with Colin at the wheel as the baggage truck driver. This explains the ‘MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION’ graphics on the cab doors. When new, the truck was in fact used by Exeter City Council on somewhat less glamorous duties!
Elsewhere on the railway, the risk of lineside fire continued to cause difficulties, and the need to run steam engines to maintain economically-viable levels of visitor patronage was made possible by using DEPG diesels to provide the majority of tractive effort, thereby reducing the risk of fire damage to habitat and crops along the line.
An unexpected difficulty has arisen from the intensive use of diesels, in terms of crew availability. Although there is quite a large pool of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ drivers, it has still been difficult to get sufficient drivers to cover the required diagrams during the peak holiday weeks. The situation for the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ are more difficult because the WSR only has six and three passed drivers respectively. Training new drivers takes a lot of time, and in some cases the trainers are fully occupied working services themselves. As safety is of paramount importance, there is no ‘quick fix’ soultion, but plans are being drawn up to correct this for next year.
The coming week offers another interesting mixture of pure steam, pure diesel and mixed traction, so please keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change (we will TRY and keep this page aligned with the latest changes).
Sign up to our DIESELGEN bulletin service for advance notification of unplanned services.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’– the team applied their full attention to the springs last Saturday, in an effort to get four pallet loads ready for collection. The six primary leaf springs, two secondary leaf springs and eight secondary coil springs had already been removed from the ‘B’ bogie some time back and were in store, but were found to still need cleaning before they could be put on pallets.
The six primary suspension leaf springs had been removed from the ‘A’ bogie during the previous weekend and together with the complete set of springs from the ‘B’ bogie, will be going out to a specialist spring manufacturer for testing and evaluation. Hopefully, they will all be OK for further use, which will be the best outcome and will minimise the demands on the D1010 Restricted Fund that holds all of the donations that have been made to the D1010 restoration appeal over the last few years.
In parallel, work proceeds on the replacement pins, bushings and bearings that will be needed when re-assembling the suspension system. We want to get this loco back on its bogies before the winter. If this sounds like a tall order, it is, so COME ALONG AND HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN !
Get in touch using our CONTACT FORM and we will send you the volunteering application form and take it from there.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is being kept very busy and will be outstationed at either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead according to the requirements of the WSR Operations Department.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – on Saturday 2nd August, this loco was in position on the concrete lifting pad that is on the south side of the ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton and was being prepared to have her body lifted from her bogies so that the top of the bogies and the underside of the loco could be inspected. The loco was lifted on Tuesday 5th August and photos will be included in the next edition of Roundup. There were no major issues and we expect this loco to be back in service by Sunday 17th August, provided that everything goes to plan (doesn’t it always ?).
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – we are planning to do the pre-start preparation on this loco on Tuesday 12th August at Minehead, and we are going to be having specialist help from BOB CLEGG to make sure that we follow the procedure that ensures proper lubrication of the critical bearings prior to start-up. The Maybach engines require this special attention when they haven’t been run for some time, and it is 10 months in the case of this loco, so we definitely need to be careful.
Once the engine is running, the brake test and air test can be carried out and the loco will then be fit to move back to Williton, where final preparations will be made for test running that will confirm her reliability in time for our 50 YEARS of HYMEKS weekend, the 30th and 31st August, where we expect to have both of our ‘Hymeks’ in use, both singly and together.
We are very grateful to everyone who has worked on D7017 during her bodywork overhaul. Your efforts will be unveiled soon and will be a fitting tribute to this loco, in HER FIFTIETH YEAR IN PRESERVATION !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is at Williton and is fully serviceable and available to the WSR for use as a ‘Thunderbird’ loco if required. The focus of attention has been on sister loco D7017 but D7018 remains ready to go and may be used in support of her sister when test running.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the engine rebuild has slowed down due to resources being applied to D9526 to support the WSR through the peak summer season. Work continues on the electrical wiring and on the preparation of the many components parts that are needed to complete this locomotive.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – as previously reported, this loco spent the whole of last weekend shuttling up and down the remains of the former Barnstaple branch while working the BRAKE VAN RIDES at the WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY at Norton Fitzwarren. This loco is rostered to assist steam locos on the diagrams that start from Bishops Lydeard this weekend and midweek (subject to driver availability), and it had to be said that she looks the part, blending in nicely with her Swindon-built steam-powered cousins.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is definitely a firm favourite for passengers and crews alike. This week, we include some photos taken on the day that she arrived on the WSR, provided to us by former DEPG Chairman BOB TILLER. Here are the accompanying notes that Bob provided:
“After purchase on 1st May 2007 with thanks to Porterbrook Leasing, I arranged work to be carried out at Brush in Loughborough. The vacuum brakes were reinstated, cabs repaired, other repairs carried out, headcode boxes refitted, and a full repaint. Many thanks to those involved at Brush.
We then “delivered” D1661 (47077 47613 47840) to the WSR on 28th May 2007 courtesy of assistance from Cotswold Rail (now gone) on a staff and enthusiasts charter from Derby.
It was a good day out, bringing 47840 to her new home.”
Many thanks to Bob for providing us with his photos and sharing this memory.
If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
The new range of clothing that was launched at the SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL continues to be a big success, even though it has created a bit of a logjam for orders. The uptick in demand from so many railway groups in connection with ‘Rail 200’ and ‘Greatest Gathering’ events have over-stretched the supply chain, but this is just temporary and should sort itself out in a few weeks from now. APOLOGIESif your order has been delayed, but don’t delay if you want some of this new clothing, PLACE YOUR ORDER via our ONLINE STORE, just click this link to give it a go !
So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and in the works are similarly configurable ranges covering the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ with those garments likely to be available in September. Here’s a taster of what is on offer and available to order NOW via our website:
The range of colours has now been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.
The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:
Although the prices of the new range are higher than before, the prices are competitive and are in line with the quality of the garments. These are really nice pieces of work and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage.
We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !
ON SHED
Remaining ‘under the wires’ on the West Coast Main Line, this week we head north from Crewe to Preston where the hard-working camera of ROGER GEACH found English Electric Type 4 Class 40 40024 (D224) on a ‘light engine’ move, but to where ? Perhaps back to her home depot of Longsight, near Manchester?
The Class 40 was a heavy and under-powered design that could not even match the performance of the top link steam locomotives that they were intended to replace, but they soon carved a niche on secondary passenger duties and on heavy freights in all regions except the Western and Southern.
Many were fitted with dual drakes (air and vacuum) and these locos soldiered on into the mid-1980s, but the vacuum-only examples were the first to go when higher performance locos such as Class 47s were made available following the introduction of HSTs from 1976 onwards.
MANY THANKS to Roger for sharing his photo with us all.
Please send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ has now been released and is available to order via the DEPG’s online store. This series of books by ANDY CHARD has been an amazing success, and we expect this fifth volume to be equally impressive and as successful as the earlier releases. Well done Andy !
The date of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be Saturday 13th September and the meeting will be held at Williton as usual. We will be sending the AGM information package out to all members who are on the fully-paid-up register on 21st August. We will use the ‘paper’ or ‘paperless’ setting in your ‘Membermojo’ account to determine if you want a mailed or emailed version of the AGM calling notice, so check your setting by using the link or scan the QR code further below. Thank you !
The next edition of the DEPG Quarterly Newsletter has been produced by Mark Bladwell and is ready for distribution. Mailed copies should be on your doormat by this weekend and emailed versions will be sent out this coming Sunday. Many thanks to Mark for keeping the Newsletter production running on time.
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.
The motive power allocation for SATURDAY 9th AUGUST has now been firmed up and will include Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) working alone on the diagram that starts at Minehead at 10:00 and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 working in support of a steam locomotive on the diagram that starts from Bishops Lydeard at 10:15 under the BLUE timetable.
Although Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is in full working order and is ready for use, we do not have a driver available, so apologies for not being able to offer any ‘Maybach Music’ this weekend.
During the coming week, diesel power will be in use supporting steam (subject to driver availability) under the YELLOW timetable, which also sees the WSR’s Class 115 DMU in action on a 40-mile diagram starting from Bishops Lydeard at 10:55
Just a reminder, Saturday 16th August is all-steam although diesels may be assisting, depending on the weather conditions. Class 33 D6566 (33048) will work the Minehead diagram on Sunday 17th.
The next scheduled running days for Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 will be Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August to acknowledge 50 YEARS of ‘HYMEK’ PRESERVATION. Details of this event will be announced next week.
The timetable is under constant review due to the ongoing dry weather and will be adjusted as circumstances require. We will try to keep up and issue DIESELGEN bulletins as soon as we can following receipt of the information.
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page which is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2025. This page is used in conjunction with DIESELGEN to provide a complete picture of diesel locomotive activities on the WSR:
The webcams provide a very good way of watching the action from afar. Click this link: http://www.wsr.org.uk/cams.htm or click on the image below to go to the webcams via wsr.org.uk:
Webcams are available at Bishops Lydeard, Williton (there are now TWO cameras at Williton), Watchet (x2), Blue Anchor, Minehead Seaward Way and Minehead Station. Select the appropriate webcam by clicking on the blue button on the webcam page. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES: We are looking for additional engineering help to maintain our fleet of elderly locomotives, so if you have such skills and would like to join the DEPG and come along to Williton for a ‘taster day’, then please use our CONTACT FORM so that we can get in touch with you.
The risk of lineside fire continues to cause difficulties for the WSR, as for many other heritage railways, where the need to run steam engines to maintain economically-viable levels of visitor patronage has to be tempered by the need to minimise the risk of fire damage to habitat and crops along the line.
The solution that has shown the best results is to use a diesel loco coupled between the steam loco and the coaching stock, with the diesel applying just enough power to keep the steam engine working, but keeping the steam power just below the level where cinders could be ejected from the chimney. This, combined with ashpan emptying and washing out at each end of the line, has shown to be a reasonable balance of entertainment and fire risk, so WELL DONE to all of the crews who have perfected this balancing act !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 has been supporting the services that originate at Bishops Lydeard (and blending in very nicely with her Swindon-built counterparts) while Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) has being doing the same from the Minehead end of the line. The WSR steps up to the peak summer YELLOW timetable (5 trains each way per day) from Tuesday 5th August, with the Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) covering the additional out-and-back service that departs from Bishops Lydeard at 10:55 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout August and into early September.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 will be working the BRAKE VAN RIDES at the WSRA’s STEAM RALLY at Norton Field. This very popular event takes place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August and has plenty to offer to people of all ages, with a huge range of fascinating exhibits plus refreshments of all kinds. The DEPG will be represented by Linda and Tony who will be manning a sales stand near to the Brake Van Ride area, so please do make a point of going along to see them.
Class 14 D9526 being tied up on Rally work means that Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday timetabled services from Bishops Lydeard will need to be operated by a steam loco alone, because Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) is out of action awaiting bogie repairs and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is available but cannot be crewed on those days. In the worst case, Class 09 D4107 (09019) might have to be drafted in for support !
The coming week offers an interesting mixture of pure steam, pure diesel and mixed traction, so please keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change (we will TRY and keep this page aligned with the latest changes).
Class 35 ‘Hymek’D7017celebrated FIFTY YEARS IN PRESERVATION on Wednesday 30th July, being the Golden Anniversary of her departure from BR’s Old Oak Common depot (near Paddington) and her arrival at Taunton to await onward transfer to the fledgling West Somerset Railway. The weather that day was extremely hot and the two D+EG (the forerunner of the DEPG) representatives on board, namely John Crane and Clive Burrows, have plenty of stories to tell about that amazing and most interesting journey.
The ex-GWR ‘Castle Class’ HST set that had been stored on the WSR for some time has now left the railway, at least for the time being, to start a new chapter of life based at Carnforth in the care of the West Coast Railway Company (WCRC). The set moved from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard on Wednesday 30th July and left for Carnforth on Thursday 31st, but only got as far as Taunton before being failed due to a non-functional GSM-R radio, an item of equipment that was not in use when the set was based on the WSR. No doubt this will be repaired quickly and the set will get to Carnforth without further delay.
Having the HST on the WSR has generated fierce debate, ranging from those who wanted it to stay and become a regular feature, to those who saw it as an infiltrator that needed to be banished immediately. Suffice it to say that the majority – and most visitors (those who pay to ride the railway) – were less polarised and many appreciated the quiet and comfortable way in which the HST blended-in alongside steam and diesel locomotives of a slightly earlier era – remember that the HSTs are almost 50 years old !
Who can predict the future ? We may get to see this HST or a different HST on the WSR again some time. Meanwhile, HSTs are working daily on the main line between Exeter and Penzance, so make sure that you get down to Devon and Cornwall and ride behind them while they are still in service.
The primary suspension springs were removed from the ‘A’ bogie last weekend and will be going out to a specialist spring manufacturer together with the complete set of springs from the ‘B’ bogie for testing and evaluation. Hopefully, they will all be OK for further use, which will be the best outcome and will minimise the demands on the D1010 Restricted Fund that holds all of the donations that have been made to the D1010 restoration appeal over the last few years.
In parallel, arrangements are being made for the replacement pins, bushings and bearings that will be needed when re-assembling the suspension system, with a view to getting the loco back on its bogies before the winter. If this sounds like a tall order, it is, so COME ALONG AND HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN !
Get in touch using our CONTACT FORM and we will send you the volunteering application form and take it from there.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is being kept very busy and will be outstationed at either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead according to the requirements of the WSR Operations Department.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is now at Williton having been towed there by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) on Monday 28th July. The various cables, hoses and bellows were disconnected from the bogies while the loco was over the pit at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 26th July, resulting in a team of very dirty Class 33 volunteers showing up at Williton later that day. Having the brake hoses disconnected resulted in the loco being unbraked and needing to have a brake van attached at the rear when being towed – which explains the rather unusual consist that was photographed at Bishops Lydeard on the Sunday evening, all prepared and ready to go early the following morning.
The loco is expected to be lifted on Monday 4th August for further inspection and to allow bogie repairs to take place. Returning D6575 to service will become the priority of all DEPG volunteers as this loco is needed to support the WSR through the peak summer timetable. However, the work is likely to take a few weeks as several specialised subcontract operations need to be undertaken.
Moving the loco to Williton on Monday 28th July resulted in a very unusual sight – that of SEVEN DEPG LOCOMOTIVES at Williton at the same moment – almost unheard of at the height of summer !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – we are VERY close to getting this loco back to our Williton depot so that we can prepare her for some test running, with only the formal inspection and engine pre-start work to be done, along with some painting. We are very grateful to everyone who has worked on D7017 during her bodywork overhaul. Your efforts will be unveiled soon and will be a fitting tribute to this loco, in HER FIFTIETH YEAR IN PRESERVATION !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – it has not been possible to move this loco to Norton Fitzwarren for display during the WSRA’s STEAM RALLY event, so we apologise for the disappointment. The loco is at Williton and is fully serviceable and available to the WSR for use as a ‘Thunderbird’ loco if required.
We are getting close to being able to announce the timetabling for our 50 YEARS of HYMEKS weekend, the 30th and 31st August, where we expect to have both of our ‘Hymeks’ in use, both singly and together.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the engine rebuild has slowed down due to resources being applied to D9526 to get her ready to support the WSR through the peak summer season. Work continues on the electrical wiring and on the preparation of the many components parts that are needed to complete this locomotive.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is definitely a firm favourite for passengers and crews alike. Please continue to send in your photographs of our ‘celebrity’ loco while she is at work on the Moors. Thanks !
If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
The new range of clothing that was launched at the SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL is a massive success and has resulted in a logjam or orders at our supplier, who appear to be a victim of their own success!
The short-term supply crunch is being caused by the many railway groups who ordered stock in advance of the ‘Rail 200’ and ‘Greatest Gathering’ events that are taking place in August and September. Once these stock orders have been fulfilled, we expect to see a return to the two-week turnaround for new orders. APOLOGIESif your order has been delayed, but don’t delay if you want some of this new clothing, PLACE YOUR ORDER via our ONLINE STORE, just click this link to give it a go !
So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and in the works are similarly configurable ranges covering the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ with those garments likely to be available later in August. Here’s a taster of what is on offer and available to order NOW via our website:
The range of colours has now been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.
The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:
Although the prices of the new range are higher than before, the prices are competitive and are in line with the quality of the garments. These are really nice pieces of work and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage.
We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !
ON SHED
Another ‘on shed’ photo this week from the collection of DEPG member ANDY GALPIN, this time ‘under the wires’ at Crewe, with Class 47 1996 (47294) towing Class 76 ‘EM1’ 1500V DC electric locomotives away from the works where they all appear to have received attention. Number 26049 was at the rear, but the number of the centre loco has been mislaid. Perhaps you saw this consist on the move that day and can provide the missing number ? If yes, please get in touch by using our CONTACT FORM.
MANY THANKS to Andy for sharing his photo with us all.
Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ has now been released and is available to order via the DEPG’s online store. This series of books by ANDY CHARD has been an amazing success, and we expect this fifth volume to be equally impressive and as succesful as the earlier releases. Well done Andy !
The date of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be Saturday 13th September and the meeting will be held at Williton as usual. We will be sending the AGM information package out during August.
Continued progress has been made of the restoration of our ‘NiftyLift’ cherry picker, with Tony and JT working on the electrics last week and sorting out the mess of wiring that will no doubt have caused the machine to become unreliable in the past. No doubt it will work nicely in the future !
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.
Exactly 50 years ago today, the D+EG (forerunner of the DEPG) arranged the delivery of newly-acquired Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 from Old Oak Common to Taunton via Westbury. There are many interesting details to this epic journey, one that would be unimaginable on the modern railway, and some very interesting (but as yet unpublished) cine footage that was recorded by the D+EG representatives on board the loco, namely John Crane and Clive Burrows. The acquisition of this loco was the result of some very challenging fundraising work that was carried out by John from late 1973 onwards. The story of this locomotive can be found in the DEPG booklet D7017 – FIFTY YEARS OF HYMEK PRESERVATION.
Many thanks to John and Clive and all who contributed to this massive effort to save this locomotive for us to enjoy today.
In commemoration of 50 YEARS of HYMEK PRESERVATION, a new booklet was recently released by DEPG Publicity Officer MARK BLADWELL covering DEPG ‘Hymek’ D7017. This booklet is currently IN STOCK and available for sale via our online store.
This new booklet has 64 printed pages of glossy A4 and includes plenty of information about the ‘Hymeks’ and about D7017 in particular, covering both phases of her life – the first 13 years in BR service and the last 50 years in the care of the DEPG, complete with many previously un-published photos. Priced at £15 per copy, this book can be ordered from our website NOW.
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.
The ongoing period of dry weather may have been punctuated by occasional and sometimes heavy rainfall, but the lineside vegetation dries out again in a matter of hours and remains a significant fire risk. The addition of some diesel power reduces the need for the steam locos to exert so much effort, in turn reducing the risk of hot cinders being ejected from their chimneys, but still gives visitors the sight and sound of steam. This approach is favoured for the longer and heavier trains that originate from Bishops Lydeard.
Last week saw Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 at work supporting steam successfully on Saturday, Sunday and most of Tuesday, but the loco started to run roughly toward the end of the day and had to be left at Williton for attention. Luckily, the issue was quickly traced to a loose coupling on a fuel injector pump and the loco was made ready for service again.
This temporary loss of D9526 meant that some services had to be operated by a steam loco alone and some by the WSR’s Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 also having to take some of the load, the ‘Hymek’ supporting the steam loco on two services in the afternoon of Thursday 24th.
The coming week offers a similar mixture of pure steam, pure diesel and mixed traction, so please keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page in case the motive power allocations change (we will TRY and keep this page aligned with the latest changes).
LOCO NEWS: – apologies for the very ‘light report’ this week, due to time constraints.
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’– the team continued their work on the bogies and brake parts, and also held a team meeting to review the outstanding tasks and adjust the priorities. More on this next week.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is being kept very busy and will be outstationed at either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead according to the requirements of the WSR Operations Department.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco underwent a bogie and underframe inspection at Bishops Lydeard last Sunday 20th, the outcome being that the loco has to be lifted from her bogies to confirm that the bogie pivot castings have not suffered any damage. The loco is being prepared for movement to Williton, where she will be lifted using the four 25-tonne electrically-operated jacks that were originally used at BR’s Bristol Bath Road depot. The move to Williton will involve Class 09 D4107 (09019) and a brake van, and will take place early on Monday morning, 28th July.
Returning D6575 to service will become the priority of all DEPG volunteers as this loco is needed to support the WSR through the peak summer timetable.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – we are VERY close to getting the loco back to our Williton depot so that we can prepare her for some test running in early August, perhaps with D7018 for company. We are very grateful to everyone who has worked on D7017 during her bodywork overhaul. Your efforts will be unveiled soon.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco was in use on Thursday 24th July and is booked to be in use on Saturday 26th (in the evening) and again on Thursday 31st July. This loco will then move to Norton Fitzwarren to be on display during the WSRA’s STEAM RALLY event.
We are close to being able to announce the timetabling for our 50 YEARS of HYMEKS weekend, the 30th and 31st August, where we expect to have both of our ‘Hymeks’ in use, both singly and together.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work on the engine rebuild has slowed down due to resources being applied to D9526 to get her ready to support the WSR through the peak summer season. Work continues on the electrical wiring and on the preparation of the many components parts that are needed to complete this locomotive.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – as previously reported, this loco developed a rough-running engine issue while in use on Tuesday 22nd July, but the problem was quickly solved and the loco will be released back to traffic on Saturday 25th. This loco is next booked to work the BRAKE VAN RIDES at the WSRA’s annual STEAM RALLY at Norton Fitzwarren on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August 2025.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is definitely a firm favourite for passengers and crews, and was a magnet for our volunteer loco manager Ian Robins when he was holidaying ‘Up North’ recently. Please continue to send in your photographs of our ‘celebrity’ loco while she is at work on the Moors. Thanks !
If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !
NEW CLOTHING RANGE:
The new range of clothing that was launched at the SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL is a massive success and has resulted in a logjam or orders at our supplier, who appear to be a victim of their own success!
The short-term supply crunch is being caused by the many railway groups who are ordering stock in advance of the ‘Rail 200’ and ‘Greatest Gathering’ events that are coming up in August and September. Once these stock orders have been fulfilled, we expect to see a return to the two-week turnaround for new orders. APOLOGIESif your order has been delayed, but don’t delay if you want some of this new clothing, PLACE YOUR ORDER via our ONLINE STORE, just click this link to give it a go !
So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and in the works are similarly configurable ranges covering the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ with those garments likely to be available later in August. Here’s a taster of what is on offer and available to order NOW via our website:
The range of colours has now been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.
The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:
Although the prices of the new range are higher than before, the prices are competitive and are in line with the quality of the garments. These are really nice pieces of work and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage.
We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !
ON SHED
Another definitely ‘on shed’ photo this week comes from the collection of DEPG member ANDY GALPIN, who shared a series of his shots from Didcot and Reading with us recently. Here’s the information that Andy has provided with his photograph:
“1634 at the back of Bletchley depot 15th August 1970, with an AM10 unit (later Class 310) in the background. The ladder and the open roof hatch still make me smile. Afraid I was there ‘unofficially’ but, nearly 55 years later, I reckon I’m quite safe!”
Does anyone have any idea as to what might have been taking place here ? If yes, please get in touch by using our CONTACT FORM.
MANY THANKS to Andy for sharing his photo with us all.
Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !
We continue to receive orders for the two NEW BOOKS that we added to stock recently. The second in the three-part series ‘The Railways of South Wales 1975-1995‘ by Michael Rhodes is now available and we also have stock of the companion series ‘RAILWAYS OF THE NORTH EAST 1975-1995‘ by the same author. Both books are of high quality and are available via our online store.
We also have stock of the NEW BOOK entitled ABSOLUTELY WESTERNS that has been compiled by Roger Geach from photos taken by the late Peter Crawley, and we have the NEW BOOKLET that has recently been released by DEPG Publicity Officer MARK BLADWELL covering DEPG ‘Hymek’ D7017. This booklet is currently IN STOCK and available for sale via our online store.
This new booklet has 64 printed pages of glossy A4 and includes information about the ‘Hymeks’ and about D7017 in particular, covering both phases of her life – the first 13 years in BR service and the last 50 years in the care of the DEPG. Priced at £15 per copy, this book can be ordered from our website NOW.
Don’t forget to consider adding Roger’s new book to your shopping basket as well ……
Click here or on the image above to get your copy (priced at £17.50 per copy) and in doing so, supporting the restoration of D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’. A BOOK REVIEW on this new publication has been provided by regular correspondent NEALE LONG and will be posted online during the next few days. Please check this link periodically until the review appears. Thank you Neale !
The date of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be Saturday 13th September and the meeting will be held at Williton as usual. We will be sending the AGM information package out in early August, along with the next edition of the DEPG Quarterly Newsletter.
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.
The motive power allocations for Thursday 24th July have had to be revised following the temporary withdrawal of Class 14 D9526 for an investigation into an engine issue and the substitution of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 in the role of assisting the steam loco. The ‘Hymek’ will assist steam loco 9351 on the afternoon workings that depart from Bishops Lydeard at 1425 and return from Minehead at 1635.
As a positioning move, the Hymek’ will run ‘Light Engine’ (LE) from Williton to Bishops Lydeard, departing Williton at 1340. After completion of the booked duties, the loco will return LE to Williton, arriving at 1835.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) will be working the diagram that starts from Minehead at 10:00 and will be assisting steam loco 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ on the afternoon workings that depart from Minehead at 1420 and return from Bishops Lydeard at 1640.
The timetable is under constant review and will be adjusted as circumstances require. We will try to keep up and issue DIESELGEN bulletins as soon as we can following receipt of the information.
Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page which is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2025. This page is used in conjunction with DIESELGEN to provide a complete picture of diesel locomotive activities on the WSR:
The webcams provide a very good way of watching the action from afar. Click this link: http://www.wsr.org.uk/cams.htm or click on the image below to go to the webcams via wsr.org.uk:
Webcams are available at Bishops Lydeard, Williton (there are now TWO cameras at Williton), Watchet (x2), Blue Anchor, Minehead Seaward Way and Minehead Station. Select the appropriate webcam by clicking on the blue button on the webcam page. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES: We are looking for additional engineering help to maintain our fleet of elderly locomotives, so if you have such skills and would like to join the DEPG and come along to Williton for a ‘taster day’, then please use our CONTACT FORM so that we can get in touch with you.