DIESELGEN

Beyer-Peacock ‘Hymek’ Class 35 sisters D7017 and D7018 were pictured together at Williton on 17th March 2023. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

PRESS RELEASE – dated 14th August 2023

 

On Friday 4th August 2023, preparations were underway at Williton for a static test of ‘Hymek’ D7018 after some adjustments and checks had been made to the transmission. Following the engine start and while the preparations for the actual test were still in progress, the locomotive started to move uncommanded. This was against the parking brakes and included riding over scotches (or wheel chocks). The movement was only stopped by shutting down the engine. Some minor damage resulted, both to the locomotive and to some of DEPG’s equipment and spares. Thankfully, no-one was hurt in this incident. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and the Office of Rail & Road (ORR) were informed routinely.

As an immediate consequence, an extraordinary meeting of the DEPG Board of Trustees has taken the decision to cease all operational ‘Hymek’ activities until further notice while we review the cause of the incident and develop additional controls to ensure that these precious locomotives remain safe to use.

This regrettably means that the planned ‘DEPG at 50’ celebrations at the end of September must be postponed until a later date. We particularly regret that neither ‘Hymek’ D7017 or D7018 will be able to attend the Severn Valley Railway’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ event in the Autumn as working locomotives. We recognise that this will disappoint many of our fans and followers, but it will be appreciated that the safety of both the public and our own volunteers cannot be put at risk.

Martin Howard
Chairman, DEPG Board of Directors and Trustees

 

 

 

We apologise for this unexpected and disappointing situation and for any inconvenience resulting from it. We are looking for additional engineering help to look after 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.

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2023. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

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Beyer-Peacock ‘Hymek’ Class 35 sisters D7017 and D7018 were in touch with one another at Williton on 6th November 2021. Photo by Martin Ball © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

An electrical fault that affected ‘Hymek’ D7017 in June and July has now been repaired, but other maintenance tasks have accumulated and we do not have sufficient engineering volunteers available to tackle the work required in the time available. This loco was booked for two workings under the BLUE timetable that will now be covered by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048). Details as follows:

 

Sunday 13th August 2023: Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be substituted by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048).

 

Sunday 20th August 2023: Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be substituted by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048).

 

Sunday 27th August 2023: At the time of writing, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 remains rostered for this date.

 

Click here for a link to the WSR’s BLUE timetable page.

 

Unfortunately, classmate D7018 is not available to cover for her slightly older sister because of a transmission control fault that is under investigation, rendering the locomotive as out of service for the immediate future.

We apologise for this unexpected and disappointing situation. We are in need to additional engineering help to look after 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.

 

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2023. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

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Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will be working alternately on the diesel diagram of the YELLOW timetable for the next five weeks, covering for the DMU. Both locos were pictured at Williton as Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 approached from the Minehead direction on Saturday 1st July 2023 by Andy Royal. © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

The YELLOW timetable comes into effect for weekdays and Saturdays from the 25th July onwards, and the diesel turns will be shared by Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) on alternate weeks. This additional diesel loco-hauled working is covering for the Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) which is out of service undergoing heavy maintenance work and may not be available for the rest of this season.

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
24-30 July	NPS	D9526	D9526	D9526	NPS	D9526	D6566
31-06 Aug	NPS	D6575	D6575	D6575	NPS	D6566 *	D6566 *
07-13 Aug	NPS	D9526	D9526	D9526	NPS	D9526	D6566
14-20 Aug	NPS	D6575	D6575	D6575	NPS	D6575	D7017
21-27 Aug	NPS	D9526	D9526	D9526	NPS	D9526	D7017

 NPS = No Public Service  Yellow highlight – Yellow Timetable  Blue highlight = Blue timetable Purple highlight = WSRA Steam Rally, Blue timetable plus diesel-hauled shuttle services

 

The YELLOW timetable diesel-hauled service timings are:

     11:00 Depart Bishops Lydeard, arrive Minehead at 12:15

     15:25 Depart Minehead, arrive Bishops Lydeard at 17:05

     A total of 40 miles.

Other public services are also scheduled – see the WSR timetable page for the latest details.

 

Please come along if you can and enjoy the 40-mile ride behind D9526 or D6575!

 

For D9526 to be in position at Bishops Lydeard to take up her duties, this loco will work from Williton to Bishops Lydeard ‘Light Engine’ on the afternoon of Saturday 22nd July. Class 33 D6575 (33057) will re-position the following Sunday:

     Saturday 22nd July:

     15:50 D9526 Depart Williton Light Engine, arrive Bishops Lydeard at 16:45

 

     Saturday 30th July:

     15:50 D6575 Depart Williton Light Engine, arrive Bishops Lydeard at 16:45 (times are estimated)

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2023. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

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Click here for a link to RealTimeTrains for route details and timings of 55009’s move from Barrow Hill.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 has arrived at Bishops Lydeard ! Pictured on 7th June 2023 by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

In preparation for the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that runs from Thursday 8th June through Saturday 10th June, the following loco positioning moves will be taking place:

 

D6566 (33 048) : Depart BL at 1520 towing D7659, arrive WN at 1600, D6566 to shed.

D6575 (33 057) : Depart WN at 1615 towing D7659, arrive MD at 1701

D9526 :               Depart WN at 1430, arrive MD at 1511

 

Where BL=Bishops Lydeard, MD=Minehead, WN=Williton

 

Other public services are also scheduled – see the WSR timetable page for the latest details.

See our home page for the latest gala news updates.

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2023. This page is used in conjunction with DIESELGEN to provide a complete picture of diesel locomotive activities on the WSR:

Click here or on the banner above to obtain timetables for the 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR from Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June.

 

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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

Back to home page

Locomotive Status page

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The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was completed by WSR Restorations last week and the loco returned to the DEPG’s South Yard on Saturday 20th May 2023 looking as good as new. Photo by Paul Clark © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Following the completion of her re-paint in the hands of WSR Restorations at the Swindon Shed, Williton, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) is scheduled to take over the role of duty locomotive from her hard-working sister D6575 (33 057) during the late afternoon of Saturday 27th May 2023. The details of the planned changeover are as follows:

 

D6566 (33 048) : Depart WN at 1540, arrive BL at 1603, attach at the head of the 1635 BL-MD service.

D6575 (33 057) : Depart MD at 1430, arrive BL at 1555, remain attached to the rear of the 1635 BL-MD as far as WN, then detach and run to the DEPG yard.

 

Where BL=Bishops Lydeard, MD=Minehead, WN=Williton

The BLUE timetable will apply for Saturday, Sunday and Monday 27-29th May, and the booked diesel-hauled times are as follows:

     Depart MD 10:00 arrive BL   11:30

     Depart BL   12:30 arrive MD 13:50

     Depart MD 14:30 arrive BL   15:55

     Depart BL   16:35 arrive MD 1800

 

Other public services are also scheduled – see the WSR timetable page for the latest details.

Please come along if you can and enjoy the 80-mile ride behind one of our Class 33 ‘Cromptons’!

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated and carries the list of diesel-hauled public services for 2023. This page is used in conjunction with DIESELGEN to provide a complete picture of diesel locomotive activities on the WSR:

Click here or on the banner above to obtain timetables for the 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR from Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June.

 

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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

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D7017 was started up at Williton on Saturday 8th April 2023 for her return to service checks. The clean start (the first of this year) shows the benefit of an engine pre-heater. The above image is an extract from a short video clip  – click here or on the photo to launch the video. Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

After progress made with maintenance and engine oil checks at Williton last weekend, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has been rostered for use on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May on the 10:00 Minehead (MD) to Bishops Lydeard (BL) 80-mile diagram.

NOTE: this is a CHANGE from the previously published running dates of 13/14 May (those dates will be Class 33 hauled instead). The change has become necessary because of crew rostering constraints and we apologise for any inconvenience this change may have caused.

 

The BLUE timetable will apply and booked times are as follows (Saturday 20th may differ slightly but details are not available as yet):

     Depart MD 10:00 arrive BL   11:30

     Depart BL   12:30 arrive MD 13:50

     Depart MD 14:30 arrive BL   15:55

     Depart BL   16:35 arrive MD 1800

Other public services are also scheduled – see the WSR timetable page for the latest details.

Please come along if you can and enjoy the 80-mile ride behind D7017 !

 

Sister loco D7018 is now receiving attention to minor tasks, all of which will be completed in time for her to return to service for the 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR from Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June.

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries the list of the diesel-hauled public services for 2023. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

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Locomotive Status page

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Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 will be in use on Saturday 18th March for the purpose of driver refresher training, the objective being to widen the pool of ‘passed’ drivers to allow more frequent use of this very popular locomotive. This will be the first time that she will have been in use on WSR metals since June of 2021, just before she went out on a very successful 18-month hire to the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

The training will take place in the Norton Fitzwarren section, which is mostly out of the public view and we ask that trespassing rules are recognised and respected. The loco is expected to depart from Bishops Lydeard at 09:35 and is scheduled to return at 15:15, although these times are flexible.

 

This activity heralds the re-opening of the WSR on SATURDAY 18th March with an all-steam public service running under the RED ALL STEAM timetable on the Saturday and the introduction of the Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) under the RED timetable on the Sunday, which will also see the return of the QUANTOCK BELLE dining service with a Mother’s Day special.

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries the list of the diesel-hauled public services for 2023. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

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Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) were pictured at Williton on Saturday 25th February 2023 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

This is the first DIESELGEN bulletin of 2023 and covers the movements of both Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ as the railway prepares for re-opening on SATURDAY 18th March. The following movements are planned:

 

Tuesday 14th March 2023 – Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will shunt the North Yard at Williton (WN) and attach to Mk. 1 coach W43508 that has been undergoing repairs and a repaint in the hands of of WSR RESTORATIONS. The coach will be moved to Bishops Lydeard (BL) to rejoin the ‘QUANTOCK BELLE‘ dining set. The loco will then remain at BL and become the duty loco to support the re-opening. The booked time for this movement is as follows:

   Depart WN 15:00 arrive BL 15:33

 

Friday 17th March 2023 – Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) will return from Minehead (MD) to WN and enter the Swindon Shed for a repaint. The railway will be moving other locos and coaches from MD to BL from 1200 onwards on this day, so the ’33’ may hitch a ride on the back of one of those services. If the loco moves as a ‘Light Engine’, the booked time for this movement will be:

   Depart MD 13:15 arrive WN 14:01

 

Both of the above workings are special workings and as such, they are subject to variation according to operational requirements, so the actual timings may differ from those given.

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries the list of the diesel-hauled public services for 2023. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

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Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was pictured at Williton on a DIESEL DRIVER EXPERIENCE COURSE on 15th June 2013 by Ian Robins© CC BY-NC 3.0

 

UPDATE 28-Oct-22 at 15:00 hrs : the DDEC course that is planned for SATURDAY 29th is still expected to take place. Timings are shown below.

 

   Depart WN 09:30 arrive MD 10:06

   Depart MD 10:55 arrive NF 12:32

   Depart NF 12:57 arrive MD 15:06

   Depart MD 15:25 arrive WN 16:09

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will be in action again on Saturday 29th October, on a DIESEL DRIVER EXPERIENCE COURSE (DDEC) that starts at Williton (WN) with a brake van in tow and travels first to Minehead (MD) where the goods train is collected before travelling the full length of the line to Norton Fitzwarren (NF) and back. Upon return to MD, the goods train is returned to the siding and the loco returns to WN with the brake van.

The four DDEC participants will share the roles of driver and secondman interspersed with sessions riding in the brake van, so a highly enjoyable and interesting day is on the cards, regardless of the weather.

This is a special train, subject to variation according to operational requirements, so timings may differ from those given. The steam-hauled public service trains that will be operating under the RED timetable will have priority.

 

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page has been updated and now carries both the detail and a summary of the 2022 diesel-hauled public services. 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, Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, 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.

 

Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services.

Have you considered joining the WEEKLY ROUNDUP e-newsletter list? Click here for details.

 

Social media channels:

 

Back to home page

Locomotive Status page

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Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stabled in the headshunt at Minehead on Saturday 24th September 2022. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) will be in action tomorrow, Friday 30th September, on a freight working from Minehead through to Bishops Lydeard and return. This is an engineering train, subject to variation according to operational requirements, so timings may differ significantly from those given below. The planned times are as follows (approx):