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  • Simon Purvis 1961-2023 RIP

    It is with deep regret that we announce the loss of DEPG member and volunteer Simon Purvis who passed away in hospital on Friday 28th April at the age of 61, after a short illness.

     

    Simon was the leader of our Class 14 locomotive team and was very well respected both within the DEPG and throughout the heritage railway sector for his vast and detailed knowledge of the Class and for his broad expertise in all matters related to diesel traction and railway vehicles of all types.

     

     

    We remember Simon for his massive contribution to the DEPG over many years and we offer our condolences to all affected by this sad loss.

     

     

    DEPG volunteer Class 14 team leader the late Simon Purvis was pictured at Williton on Saturday 28th January 2023 displaying his characteristic cheerfulness while working on the restoration of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 (NCB Ashington No. 7). Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

  • From all of us at the DEPG ….

    … we thank you for the support that you have provided throughout 2022 and we look forward to your continued support for 2023 and beyond.

    The DEPG is an entirely volunteer-based organisation and is a registered charity. All donations or profits from our online store go towards the upkeep and restoration of the locomotives in our care. We wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR !

     

  • John Cronin 1942-2022 RIP

    Our former Chairman John Cronin passed away in the early afternoon of Tuesday 4th October at the age of 80, after a long fight with illness that affected his mobility in recent years.

    Well-known in railway circles, having been the manager of BR’s Bristol Bath Road Traction Maintenance Depot until its closure in 1995, John joined the DEPG after retirement from BR, quickly becoming involved in our quarterly newsletter production before becoming Company Secretary in the year 2000. John succeeded Bob Tiller as Chairman in 2009 and made his mark on the Group before stepping down from the role upon reaching the age of 75, back in 2017.

    John was very proud of his Yorkshire roots and we have found some photos of the ‘Quantock Belle‘ dining train that carried ‘THE YORKSHIREMAN‘ headboard for the occasion of his 75th birthday. During this journey, John was presented with an appropriately decorated birthday cake !

    We remember John for his massive contribution to the DEPG over many years and we offer our condolences to all affected by this loss.

    Former DEPG Chairman John Cronin was presented with a special birthday cake on the occasion of his 75th Birthday in August 2017, after dining aboard the ‘Quantock Belle‘. Photo from the DEPG archives © CC BY-NC 3.0