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Last Saturday, after a long and hard day of work by our volunteers and by Matt Brewer of the WSR Infrastructure team, the large and heavy components of our fully-dismantled Class 14 D9518 were moved out of the Old Goods Shed. This allowed the scaffolders to start their work.

Some photos of that Herculean effort were provided by our Chairman, Martin Howard, as follows:

 

 

This weekend, the webcam capture below (dated Saturday 12 December 2020) shows the new scaffolding protecting the platform from debris risk and also shows the cab structure from D9518 outside the shed and under tarpaulins for the winter.

In the foreground, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) prepares to depart for Bishops Lydeard (BL) with the return leg of the FIRST SANTA EXPRESS of the 2020 season!

Because of the need to run strictly to time to ensure that the Covid-19 precautions at BL are as effective as possible, the first SANTA EXPRESS of the day is “top-n-tailed” to make light work of the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield, even on a wet and slippery railhead.

The ‘Crompton’ is seen in the below web capture returning the special to BL, after which she came off the train and went to Westridge shed to stand-by in case she was needed later in the day (she wasn’t). Note that a traction engine has been positioned near the platform to give additional interest to the families on board the special. It’s another fascinating machine from the old days!

 

CONGRATULATIONS to the WSR and all of the volunteers from so many support groups within the “WSR family” who have worked so hard to re-open the railway and bring revenue-earning trains back again. Great job !

Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.org.uk website and are also provided below:

BL: http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-cam-bl2.htm

WN: http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-cam-wn2.htm

 

DEPG LOCO WORKINGS: As reported last week, D6575 was in use for crew training purposes, creating some rare and welcomed photo opportunities. The image below was captured by well-known photographer, author and journalist Peter Nicholson and we are grateful to him for sharing this with us:

 

As stated earlier, the ‘Cromptons’ will be supporting the first SANTA EXPRESS workings of each operating day, departing BL at 1100 for Williton (WN) and departing WN at 1150 to arrive back at BL at 1222. Some seats are still available on these special workings, so go to the WSR events website for more details.

For advance notification of DEPG diesel loco workings, join the DIESELGEN mailing list.

No update about the status of our fleet this week –  this is because our focus continues to be on the Old Goods Shed, so all other work has had to be suspended for the time being.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers for working in cold and wet conditions to get these tasks done !

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Work continues on the emptying of the Old Goods Shed to allow for the scaffolding to be erected next week. We are very grateful for the assistance of WSR Infrastructure team member Matt Brewer and the WSR Road-Rail Vehicle to help with the heavy lifting of significant structures of our Class 14 number D9518, all of which have to move elsewhere in our yard until the building is repaired. The RRV is seen in the following webcam capture, with some of the Class 14 structural parts on the move, while BR(W) 4-6-0 No 7828 “ODNEY MANOR” stands at Platform 2 with a crew training special:

In addition to the large items, there are hundreds of small items, all of which need to be relocated. The DEPG will not be able to access the building for some considerable time as the repairs depend on a significant amount of fund-raising, so the priority at the moment is to make the building safe and prevent further deterioration. Read more about the 158-year-old Grade II listed Old Goods Shed at Williton by clicking here.

Here’s another webcam image showing the RRV lifting the bonnet of Class 14 D9518 before taking it to a safe and covered location on the DEPG’s “LOWMAC” wagon:

Many thanks to our volunteers for working so hard to make the building accessible for the RRV and for their tireless work on the removal and relocation of the hundreds of items. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams.

 

DEPG LOCO WORKINGS: Today, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was used on crew refresher training workings between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. More training services are running tomorrow, but steam only, using WSR 4-6-0 No. 7828 “ODNEY MANOR”. These training services can be viewed from the webcams when they are departing from Bishops Lydeard and when “running round” at Williton. For advance notification of DEPG diesel loco workings, join the DIESELGEN mailing list.

Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.ork.uk website and are also provided below:

BL: http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-cam-bl2.htm

WN: http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-cam-wn2.htm

 

No update about the status of our fleet this week –  this is because our focus has to be on the Old Goods Shed so all other work has been suspended. Normal activities will resume next week with a focus on the completion of the work on 47077.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers for working in cold and wet conditions to get these tasks done !

Have you signed up to our weekly news ROUNDUP e-bulletin? Get this news and more sent to your email box every weekend. To sign up, email ROUNDUP ADD to contact@depg.org

Go to previous Depot news article

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