depgstaff

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 approaches Blue Anchor with the 1230 from Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 25th September 2022, the last day of scheduled diesel-hydraulic-hauled services on the WSR. Photo by Glyn Warren © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

In last week’s Roundup, we announced that the weekend just passed would be the last weekend for scheduled 2022 DEPG diesel running, but within minutes of the roundup being sent out, this was pointed out as being incorrect because two weekends in October are currently rostered for DEPG Class 33 diesel haulage. Apologies for that error !

We can safely say that last weekend was the end of scheduled diesel-hydraulic-haulage, as Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 has now returned to Williton to undergo transmission control block investigation work after running the entire season locked in second gear. Although her engine was limited to 1200 rpm instead of the usual 1500 rpm, reducing power to prevent overheating during standing starts, the ‘Hymek’ has performed all of it its duties in style and with a decent amount of ‘Maybach Music’ accompaniment.

Here’s a short video that we have posted on our DEPG YouTube channel. Click here or on the image below to watch this video on YouTube:

D7018 departing from Williton for Minehead on Saturday 24th September 2022. Click on the image to watch the video on the DEPG’s YouTube channel. Video by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

As from Saturday 1st October, the railway enters the quieter ‘shoulder’ of the 2022 season and the RED timetable will come into effect, with services reduced from 4 to 3 trains each way per day. Two weekends in October are currently rostered for diesel haulage (8-9th and 15-16th), with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) booked to cover the 12:30 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and 14:30 return 40-mile duty.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was pictured when stabled in the headshunt at Minehead on Saturday 24th September 2022. This loco will move to Bishops Lydeard in preparation for her duties under the RED timetable for the weekends of 8-9th and 15-16th October 2022. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

In summary:

On the weekend of 8th and 9th and again on 15th and 16th October, we have Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) running for 40 miles under the RED timetable.

 

We have kept our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page updated throughout all of the timetable and traction changes that took place during the year and will keep this page available as a detailed record of public running for 2022. We will create a new page for 2023 as soon as timetables have been agreed and published.

MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE TRAVELLED for supporting this year’s DIESEL RUNNING program on the WSR.

The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we aim to provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so please sign up to keep up to date.

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – this loco is set to be painted in her first coat of maroon during this week and we will be using gloss paint in case the loco has to spend some time outside during the winter. At present, D1010 occupies one of the two roads inside our loco shed at Williton, but if the covered space is needed for heavy maintenance on one of our other locos, D1010 will need to vacate to make space. In that eventuality, the use of gloss paint will give additional protection. In spring of 2023, the loco will be sanded down so that work can continue on the surface finish of the many patches that have been added during the last twelve months.

Please consider SPONSORING A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. We engraved 30 patches last weekend and have another engraving session planned for this coming Saturday, after which we will be preparing the photographs and certificates of sponsorship to send out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work. Click the image below and sponsor your patch now. Thank you in advance for your support !

We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

D1010 – long-time DEPG volunteer Roy completes the grey primer coat on the ‘A’ side of the loco at ‘A’ end. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 24th September 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the battery box door that was acting as a water tank was cut open for repairs to take place at Williton on Tuesday 20th September 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the battery box door after repair at Williton on Tuesday 20th September 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – volunteer Tim refitted the repaired door on the ‘B’ side of the loco at Williton on Tuesday 20th September 2022. Photo (and boot) by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number or code word of your choice will be engraved instead.

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco continues to get attention to various small tasks while waiting for her heat exchanger to return from contract repair, which is expected some time in mid-October.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is currently stabled at Minehead and being the WSR Duty Loco, is fully serviceable. She will move to Bishops Lydeard when convenient for the Operations Department, prior to taking up her remaining public service duties, as listed on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page, which shows that she has been the busiest loco of our home fleet this year. Well done D6575 !

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – we came very close to an engine start-up at Williton on Saturday 24th September but the pre-start checks revealed that the oil primer feed to one of the two turbochargers was not delivering oil as it should, so the start-up attempt was abandoned. The oil primer lines are being investigated. This careful precautionary work is essential to avoid a turbocharger bearing failure and subsequent damage. We expect to get this issue resolved and get the loco started up during ‘work week’ – which happens to be this week !

D7017 was prepared for start-up at Williton on Saturday 24th September 2022 but the oil primer for the turbocharger was found to be in need of a clean-out, so the start-up attempt was abandoned. The large rusty component in the photo is the exhaust outlet from the turbocharger. It is devoid of paint and rusts easily because it gets very hot ! Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco was in use on the 10:00 and 14:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard return services on Sat/Sun 24th/25th September and has now completed her public service duties for this season. The loco returned to Williton late on Sunday evening and work will now re-start on investigating the reason why the automatic gear change control system is not working as it should.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the re-installation of the many pipes and cables around the compressor and generator requires that the framework that forms the short nose end is in place, because the frames provide many of the attachment points. So, the Class 14 team have stepped up the work on these frames, as shown in the photographs below:

D9518 – the end frame for the short nose end underwent restoration at Williton on Saturday 24th September 2022 in the capable hands of Colin G. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the end frame for the short nose end restored and ready for painting at Williton on Saturday 24th September 2022. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway working alongside the steam locos and the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), sharing the work of hauling the public services. Work on locally-based sister D9504 has progressed well, so we expect to see D9526 returning to Williton early in the New Year.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use at the NYMR, although usage will reduce as autumn sets in. Last week, in the ‘ON SHED’ feature we included a photo of ‘NORTH STAR’ when she was still in mainline service, running as 47840. This photograph showed that the loco carried a ‘BRISTOL BLUEBIRDS’ headboard which prompted a question, and former DEPG Chairman Bob Tiller was quick to respond as follows:

   “The Bristol Bluebirds headboard is used by GBRf train crew in Gloucester / Bristol. 

   At that time, 47840 ‘NORTH STAR’ was being used as a spare loco by First Great Western (FGW) and I was the FGW Fleet Engineer. The 47 was used to move empty stock and perform sleeper moves when a Class 57 was not available. We had other 47s, 830 and 832, but handed them back as more 57s came into service. 

   47840 would have had to go to conversion or sale or scrap, so as I was liaising with GBRf in my FGW role and also with Porterbrook, I decided along with assistance from Porterbrook management that 47840 should be saved as a ‘celebrity’ 47, a lot of us having a close affinity with this loco.

   When the hire of 47840 ended with FGW, it went for 6 months to GBRf in effect with me, as I had left FGW and moved to GBRf as Fleet Engineer then as Engineering Director. The 47 was used both for stock moves and rail services.

   Due to my friendship and the spirit of cooperation with both Brush Traction and Porterbrook, we were able to get some work done at Brush as they too realised that the preservation of 47840 was worthwhile and was their product. We therefore took 47840 off hire at GBRf and Train Manager Stu Priday and myself collected her from Old Oak Common going via Swindon, Golden Valley and Sheet Stores (Long Eaton, Derbyshire), light loco to Loughborough.

   At Brush, they very kindly undertook a complete repaint in two tone green, rewired and refitted exhausters for dual braking along with all relevant pipework, fitted headcode blind boxes and wired all lighting. Brush also undertook some engine repairs and bogie work before we moved 47840 from Loughborough to Derby to haul its special train to Minehead and into preservation.”

 

Many thanks to Bob for providing us with this information !

D1661 (47077 47613 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ resplendent in two-tone green and entering into semi-retirement on the West Somerset Railway after arrival at the head of a railtour from Derby. Pictured at Minehead on 28th May 2007 by Ian Robins © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – after receiving diagonal stripes on her leading buffer beam, this little loco now awaits similar attention to he trailing buffer beam and also the restoration of cabside lettering. We hope to make further progress on this work during October.

 

If you can help by donating your time, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – our website now carries the book review of the first volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ provided by DEPG member and regular correspondent, Neale Long. Here’s an extract below to give a quick flavour to the review. Click here for the full article.

   “This 176-page hardback book published by Platform 5 illustrates Britain’s somewhat tired and rundown network in 1970 up to the period where reform and reorganisation began in 1985. Many railway locations and practices were disappearing as indeed were various types of traction. With those parameters in mind, the volume concentrates on the many and various branches, some well-known, others less so. Throw in some of the disappearing traction types of the era, and a truly comprehensive picture is illustrated in this wonderful evocation of the period.

   The author, Andy Chard, by skilfully using the talents of four very well-known photographers, Ian Mortimer, Gordon Edgar, Geoff Plumb and Steve Marshall, has produced one of the finest photographic albums of recent times. What makes this more commendable is that ….” CLICK HERE to read the full review.

Many thanks to Neale for providing us with his book review !

 

We have stock of the newly-released second volume which we understand lives up to the same standard as the first volume. Both books are in stock at our ‘Tiverton warehouse’ and are ready to mail out, so please click on the images to go to the links on our ONLINE STORE.

     

 

We have added several other NEW BOOKS to our online store recently including GREEN DIESEL DAYS, so please visit our online store and browse then buy to support the work that is taking place on our locomotives. Thanks !

 

 

ON SHED – this week, we visit Taunton Stabling Point where Beyer Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7018 was found to be resting on a dull day in March 1970. Contributing photographer Barry Gay provides us with his recollections of his day out:

“Tuesday, March 10th 1970, Taunton stabling point. There usually was a Class 35 here to work the Bason Bridge milk trains as well as a few local trips. I had just arrived from Exeter behind D1020 ‘WESTERN HERO’ (what a great name!!) on the 1E21 09:50 Penzance-Bradford service. The ‘Hymek’ was only a few weeks out of Swindon Works after a general overhaul.”

Many thanks to Barry for sharing another gem from his vast collection !

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 7018 (the letter ‘D’ has been painted over) was pictured at Taunton Stabling Point on 10th March 1970 in ex-works condition, two weeks after being outshopped from Swindon Works after her final general overhaul of her BR service era. Photo by Barry Gay © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – This week is our annual ‘work week’ where we invite our volunteers to spare as much time as they can to come along to Williton and lend a hand on the major projects of the moment. We have plenty of progress to report, so the next edition of roundup will be jam packed with photos of the work that has been taking place.

The next DEPG Board Meeting will take place on Saturday 1st October, so if you have a question that you would like to put to the meeting, please let me know or use the CONTACT FORM on our website.

Williton Depot will be hosting another visit from WILLITON BEAVER SCOUT TROOP on the late afternoon of Monday 3rd October, so let’s hope for some nice dry weather so that we can teach the youngsters something about outdoor railway safety, as well as showing them what goes on inside our loco depot.

 

Our new online membership system is working well and feedback has been very positive, even though some anomalies have had to be corrected here and there. Membership is INCREASING STEADILY ! If you haven’t done so already, please take a look at your membership record and make sure that it is correct. You will also be able to select ‘paper’, ‘paperless’ or ‘paperless except newsletter’ communication, according to your preference. In the event of any discrepancies, please email Membership Secretary Chris Shields using members@depg.org or use the CONTACT FORM on our website.

 

WSR NEWS: this coming weekend sees the introduction of the RED timetable which provides three trains per day in each direction and remains in force throughout October. The Saturday and Sunday turns on the weekends of 8/9th and 15/16th will be DEPG diesel hauled, but it is possible that a diesel may be rostered on other days at short notice. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for the latest information. The ‘Hymek’ hauled services last weekend were well patronised, which was great to see, and we are very grateful to everyone who supported us, but please do come along and continue to support the remainder of the diesel running program to make sure that we get invited to run our heritage diesels next year as well !

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stands at Platform 1 at the delightful and well-presented Williton Station on Saturday 17th September 2022 as she prepared for her light engine move to Minehead, to take up her weekend duties under the BLUE timetable. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The last opportunities for scheduled 2022 diesel-hydraulic running are upon us. This coming weekend is the last weekend of the BLUE timetable (4 trains each way per day) and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is rostered to haul the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and return diagram that includes two out-and-back runs totalling 80 miles. Last weekend, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) covered this duty, but now it is time for some ‘Maybach Music’ to end the main season.

As from Saturday 1st October, the railway enters the quieter ‘shoulder’ of the season and the RED timetable will come into effect, with services reduced from 4 to 3 trains each way per day. We note that Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) has been rostered for the weekends of 8/9th October and again on 15/16th October so we will be sending out a DIESELGEN bulletin to cover these additions.

 

In summary:

On the weekend of 24th and 25th September, we have Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 running for 80 miles under the BLUE timetable. These will be the LAST scheduled diesel-hydraulic-hauled services of the season, so please come along and enjoy the ride, to the accompaniment of ‘Maybach Music’ !

 

We have kept our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page updated throughout all of the timetable and traction changes that took place during the year and will keep this page available as a historical record of public running for 2022. We will create a new page for 2023 as soon as timetables have been agreed and published.

MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE TRAVELLED for supporting this year’s DIESEL RUNNING program on the WSR.

The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we aim to provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so please sign up to keep up to date.

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – this loco continues to get the lion’s share of the attention, with body repair work progressing in parallel with work on her battery compartments and cab windows and headcode boxes. Theere is plenty of work still to be done on this massive locomotive and we need to continue raising funds to allow us to plan further work on the transmissions and bogies.

Please consider SPONSORING A PATCH because there is plenty of fresh metal that still needs engraving. We have an engraving session planned for this Saturday and the list of sponsors is still open, so click the image below and sponsor your patch now. Thank you in advance for your support !

Although bodywork repairs have progressed well, we still have a lot of rubbing down and painting to do, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

D1010 – continued effort on the ‘A’ end of the loco has resulted in completion of all bodywork repairs and an overall coat of grey primer has now been applied. The headcode frames have been re-fitted (temporarily) and now include new rubber seals for the glass panels. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th September 2022 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the rusted remains of the sheared screws that held the side windows have to be removed carefully to ensure that the replacement screws will align correctly. This simple and effective tool has been made from a set of worn-out vice grips and engages with the broken screws and aligns the drill with the centre of the hole. Pictured at Williton on 10th September 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number or code word of your choice will be engraved instead.

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has had her oil strainer, oil filter housings and crankcase cleaned out and fresh oil pumped in while she waits for the return of her heat exchanger. The latest news is that it will be some time in mid-October before we get the heat exchanger returned to us, so work continues to prepare everything else as far as possible. We hope that this loco will be back in action some time in October, but it depends entirely on the specialist firm that is undertaking the repair work.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is currently stabled at Minehead and being the WSR Duty Loco, is fully serviceable. She covered the diesel duties last weekend as planned and as listed on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and has been the busiest loco of our home fleet so far this year. Well done D6575 !

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – the work on this loco has progressed very well and the loco will be ready for an engine run during our annual ‘work week’ (which happens to be next week).  The photo below shows that her roof has been re-fitted in preparation for the start-up, which will take place after the loco has been towed outdoors. Well done to Team D7017 for getting this work done !

A view from the mezzanine floor – Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured in the loco shed at Williton on Saturday 17th September 2022 with the frames and cooler group of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 in front of her on the left and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ filling up the shed on the right. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will be in use on the 10:00 and 14:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard return services on Sat/Sun 24th/25th September. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for updates or join the DIESELGEN email bulletin group (which also includes information about non-public services, where the information is available to us sufficiently in advance).

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the Class 14 team continue to work on the re-installation of the compressed air system and the associated valves and pipework while, in parallel, restoration work is taking place on some of the many parts that are going to be needed in the near future – such as those shown in the photographs below:

D9518 – under the layers of NCB blue, the cab door reveals the original Sherwood Green from BR days. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the cab door has now been restored and painted in green primer. The pipe assembly, freshly painted in Salmon Pink (the designated colour for lubricating oil), is for the engine oil drain. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the electrical switch panel from the control cubicle is also undergoing careful restoration and repainting. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – one of the doors from the electrical control cubicle revealed handwritten operating instructions that had been added in NCB days. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – “USE SUPREME 50 OIL” says the handwritten operating instruction that had been added in NCB days. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway working alongside the steam locos and the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), sharing the work of hauling the public services. Here’s a link to a YouTube video by Andrew Howard from a few days ago that shows D9526 working a train that includes a very old 4-wheeled coach. Click here or on the image below to open the YouTube video:

D9526 at work on the KESR – a YouTube video by Andrew Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use at the NYMR, which is great news, both for the loco and for the DEPG. Our correspondent in the area, Martin Fisher, is keeping us well-fed with photographs of our ‘celebrity’ loco at work on the NYMR – thank you very much, Martin !

47077 (D1661 47613 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ waits with her train while another train approaches to pass at Goathland Station on Wednesday 14th September 2022. Photo by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was the subject of the attention of well-known WSR and DEPG volunteer Jon Tooke on Saturday, when he went to great lengths to establish the correct width and angle of the black diagonal stripes that needed to be added to the yellow buffer beam to achieve authenticity with the original paint scheme. The photos below show the work in progress and also show the finished result. A fine piece of work indeed – thank you Jon !

Barclay 578 (ROF 1) received her stripes at Williton on Saturday 17th September 2022 courtesy of volunteer Jon Tooke, who carefully and accurately masked up the buffer beam before adding the black paint. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Barclay 578 (ROF 1) displays the new stripes on her buffer beam while Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 basks in the sunshine in Williton South Yard on Saturday 17th September 2022. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

If you can help by donating your time, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we have a book review of the first volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ from regular correspondent Neale Long but we will need to defer it to the next edition of roundup (next week) due to other priorities that have made the roundup run very late this week. We have stock of the newly-released second volume which we hope will live up to the same standard as the first volume. Both books are in stock at our ‘Tiverton warehouse’ and are ready to mail out, so please click on the images to go to the links on our ONLINE STORE.

 

We have added several other NEW BOOKS to our online store recently including GREEN DIESEL DAYS, so please visit our online store and browse then buy to support the work that is taking place on our locomotives. Thanks !

 

ON SHED – this week, we can’t resist featuring this ‘off shed’ photo of our very own 47840 (D1661, 47077, 47613) ‘NORTH STAR’, pictured when operating the 5F70 First Great Western Mk 3 HST buffet car move from Plymouth Laira depot to Old Oak Common depot. The buffet car is quite appropropriately ‘sandwiched’ between two Mark 2 coaches that have been modified as barrier vehicles. The location is Rockstone Bridge, Dawlish and the date was Saturday 7th April 2007, just three weeks before the loco ended her mainline career and joined the DEPG fleet. The loco is carrying a ‘BRISTOL BLUEBIRDS’ headboard, which is a curious addition on an empty stock movement! Many thanks to DEPG volunteer and secondman Darren Hill for sharing his photo with us all.

47840 (D1661 47077 47613) ‘NORTH STAR’ worked the 5F70 Plymouth Laira to Old Oak Common rolling stock transfer move on Saturday 7th April 2007, pictured from Rockstone Bridge, Dawlish by Darren Hill © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

DEPG NEWS – Our online store was subjected to abuse last week, resulting in 2,000 bogus orders being processed within 24 hours and causing a lot of stress while we worked to block the attack. As a temporary measure, we had to make a change to the checkout procedure which now uses PayPal as our service provider. Although PayPal like to encourage users to sign up for a PayPal account, it is still easy to bypass this and pay in the normal way by using the ‘guest’ option. We will try to reinstate the earlier ‘Stripe’ gateway but we will need to add a Captcha step to block automated attacks. Please let us know (via our CONTACT form) if you encounter any difficulty using the revised checkout procedure. Thanks !

 

Our new online membership system is working well and feedback has been very positive, even though some anomalies have had to be corrected here and there. Membership is INCREASING STEADILY ! If you haven’t done so already, please take a look at your membership record and make sure that it is correct. You will also be able to select ‘paper’, ‘paperless’ or ‘paperless except newsletter’ communication, according to your preference. In the event of any discrepancies, please email Membership Secretary Chris Shields using members@depg.org or use the CONTACT FORM on our website.

 

WSR NEWS: this coming weekend on the WSR will be the LAST scheduled diesel-hydraulic haulage opportunity of the season, so please do come along and support the 2022 diesel running program of the WSR and the DEPG to make sure that we get invited to run our heritage diesels next year as well !

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

A pair of GWR Class 150/2 diesel-hydraulic ‘Sprinters’ worked the 30-minute interval shuttle service between St Erth and St Ives on Monday 12th September 2022, pictured leaving St Erth at 1748 and framed with semaphore signals and a signal box. The very well-kept and well-organised park-and-ride station, the very friendly staff and the wonderful views combine to make the journey an absolute pleasure. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The opening photo of this roundup may appear a strange choice, but your author is on holiday in Cornwall and under orders to keep this edition short and to the point. The normal array of photographs is not available to me this week so here’s a quick summary of what has been going on at the DEPG (as far as I know!):

 

We at the DEPG were saddened by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II after a lifetime of service and duty that spoke for itself and deserves to be acknowledged by all. Unfortunately, we have our own sad news to add to this, as follows:

 

John Benson, founder and former President of the DEPG, passed away recently. His funeral was held on Tuesday 13^th September at St Mary’s Church, Marden (near Hereford). The DEPG was represented by Terry Deacon. We will document the backstory to John’s role in the creation of our group and his subsequent contribution, and include it in a future edition of the DEPG quarterly newsletter.

 

The WSR ‘Forties Weekend’ took place on Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th September and the DEPG provided an ‘open depot’ in support of the event. After the slim pickings of recent open days, we had plenty of locos available to view, including ‘Hymek’ D7017 undergoing the final stages of her engine repair inside the loco shed and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) in the yard undergoing preparation work while she waits for her refurbished heat exchanger. Fully serviceable locos on shed were ‘Hymek’ D7018 and ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) along with Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF 1).

 

Work continued on our two long-term restoration projects, Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518, although the type of task being undertaken had to be modified to be a little more friendly to the public who were allowed to get up close to the locos that were the subject of the work.

 

Sales team stalwart and Membership Secretary Chris Shields manned the DEPG sales stand throughout the weekend, offering DEPG-branded hats, polo shirts, sweatshirts and the like, along with our ever-growing selection of new books. Many thanks to Chris for his tireless efforts to raise money to support the DEPG fleet.

 

Looking ahead:

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was pictured while waiting for a ‘down’ service to pass at Crowcombe Heathfield Station on Saturday 20th August 2022′ The ‘Hymek’ was leading Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) on their journey to Bishops Lydeard where they both had work to do. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

On the weekend of 17th and 18th September, we have Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) running for 80 miles as per the BLUE timetable.

 

On the weekend of 24th and 25th September, we have Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 running for 80 miles also as per the BLUE timetable. This will be the LAST scheduled diesel-hauled service of the season, so please come along and enjoy the ride.

 

We have kept our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page updated throughout all of the recent timetable and traction changes, with links to the WSR timetables, so this page can be used as a one-stop-shop for diesel-hauled services on the WSR. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE TRAVELLED for supporting this year’s DIESEL RUNNING program on the WSR. The season is not over yet – there is MORE TO COME so click on the banner below to visit the page and get the details:

The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we aim to deliver the published program of running with the locos indicated and we will provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so please sign up to keep up to date.

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – this loco remained inside the loco shed for the duration of the ‘Forties Weekend’ so that work could progress on getting a coat of primer on all exposed areas of metalwork. Only when getting ‘up close and personal’ to this loco does it become apparent just how much area there is to be painted, rubbed down and painted again.  Many thanks to all of our volunteers for their massive effort on this massive locomotive !

Please consider SPONSORING A PATCH because there is plenty of fresh metal that still needs engraving and it is in a prime location, right at the front of the loco at ‘A’ end ! Thank you in advance for your support !

Although bodywork repairs have progressed well, we still have a lot of rubbing down and painting to do, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

D1010 – one of the battery box doors made a ‘sloshing’ noise when opened and was found to contain a quantity of rusty water! The well-rotted bottom section of the door had to be replaced. Pictured at Williton on 6th September 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the new metal of the replacement bottom section of the battery box door is provided with drain holes to prevent water build-up inside the closed section, courtesy of volunteer Tim at Williton on 6th September 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number or code word will be allocated and engraved instead.

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is undergoing preparation work for the re-installation of her refurbished heat exchanger, expected to be received some time in October. This has allowed time for the crankcase to be cleaned out and the oil strainer and filter housings to be cleaned and refitted before the heat exchanger comes back and the fresh oil goes in. We expect this loco to be back in action some time in October.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is currently stabled at Williton and being the WSR Duty Loco, is fully serviceable. She will move to Minehead on the morning of Saturday 17th September to be in position for her weekend duties under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for more information.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is edging closer to completion and should be ready for an engine run later this month.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will be in use on the 10:00 and 14:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard return services on Sat/Sun 24th/25th September. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for updates or join the DIESELGEN email bulletin group (which also includes information about non-public services, where the information is available to us sufficiently in advance).

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the Class 14 team continue to work on the re-installation of the compressed air system and the associated valves and pipework. In parallel to this work, the ‘short nose end’ sections have been retrieved from storage so that they can be restored and made ready for re-fitting when the pipework has been completed. Hopefully we will have pictures in the next roundup.

 

This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway although the return of steam to the line will have reduced the pressure on this loco considerably. We expect the loco to remain at the KESR until some time in the spring of 2023.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use at the NYMR, which is great news for the loco and for the DEPG. The travelling public seem to like her as well, which is good news and will help ensure that she gets used regularly in future.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco remains in the yard at Williton, ready for service.

 

If you can help by donating your time, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we now have a book review of the first volume from regular correspondent Neale Long and will be including it in the roundup next week and posting it to our website ASAP. We also have stock of the newly-released second volume which we hope will live up to the same standard as the first volume. Both books are in stock at our ‘Tiverton warehouse’ and are ready to mail out, so please click on the images to go to the links on our ONLINE STORE.

We have added several other NEW BOOKS to our online store recently including GREEN DIESEL DAYS, so please visit our online store and browse then buy to support the work that is taking place on our locomotives. Thanks !

 

ON SHED – this feature will return ASAP.

 

DEPG NEWS – The Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place at 14:00 at Williton on Saturday 3rd September 2022. A full report of the AGM will be included in the next edition of the DEPG Newsletter, due for distribution in November. If you are a member and would like to receive an advance copy of the report, please get in touch by replying to this email or by using the CONTACT FORM on our website.

 

Our new online membership system is working well and feedback has been very positive, even though some anomalies have had to be corrected here and there. Membership is INCREASING STEADILY ! If you haven’t done so already, please take a look at your membership record and make sure that it is correct. You will also be able to select ‘paper’, ‘paperless’ or ‘paperless except newsletter’ communication, according to your preference. In the event of any discrepancies, please email Membership Secretary Chris Shields using members@depg.org or use the CONTACT FORM on our website.

 

WSR NEWS: this coming weekend on the WSR will be the penultimate scheduled diesel haulage opportunity, the ultimate will be the weekend of 24th/25th September, so please do come along and support the remainder of the 2022 diesel running program of the WSR and the DEPG to make sure that we get invited to run our heritage diesels next year as well !

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post