Weekly Roundup – 19-Sep-25
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was a star performer at the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (GCR) diesel gala (4th-7th September) where she provided four consecutive days of ‘Maybach Music’. The ‘Hymek’ is running again at the GCR on Saturday 20th September and Saturday 22nd November. Pictured while running around her train at Leicester North station on Saturday 6th September 2025 by Neale Long © CC BY-NC 3.0
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the DEPG was held at Williton Diesel Depot on Saturday 13th September, with the statutory business being carried out quickly and efficiently. The previous Board of Trustees were re-elected for another term and the vacant seat was take up by Linda, a volunteer who lives locally and has achieved many things in her two years of volunteering at the DEPG, including passing out as a Fork Lift Driver earlier this month and commencing training for diesel footplate duties. In addition to her work at the DEPG, Linda is also an active member of the team at Williton Station and will bring all of her experience to the Board, so we will give her a warm welcome !
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| Linda passed her FLT driver training after only 2 days of instruction. Pictured at Williton on 9th September 2025 by Nick Boyce © CC BY-NC 3.0 | Linda checking out her future office at Minehead on 30th August 2025. Photo by Carolyn Nation © CC BY-NC 3.0 |
The AGM agenda included some formal business presided over by Chairman Martin Howard, followed by his annual report, then presentations of financial data by Treasurer Paul Tucker for the assembled members to review and approve. Then came the voting, resulting in the following appointments to the Board of Directors and Trustees (as a registered charity, Directors also take the responsibility of being Trustees):
Directors (also Trustees):
| CHAIRMAN: | Martin Howard | Term: 1 year |
| VICE-CHAIRMAN: | Andrew (Andy) Royal | Term: 1 year |
| TREASURER | Paul Tucker | Term: 1 year |
| COMPANY SECRETARY: | Ian Robins | Term: 1 year |
| WITHOUT PORTFOLIO: | Neil McCannon | Term: 3 years |
| WITHOUT PORTFOLIO: | Thomas (Tom) Courtney-Clark | Term: 3 years |
| WITHOUT PORTFOLIO: | Linda Trott | Term: 3 years |
Other Roles (not requiring formal election):
| MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY | Mark Townsend |
| PUBLICITY OFFICER | Mark Bladwell |
Here are some photos, all taken on Saturday 13th September 2025 by Carol Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
DEPG Chairman Martin Howard delivered his annual report to the assembled members, with the projector showing that all eight of the serviceable fleet of locos were available for service.
The Locomotive Status page is updated regularly and gives a snapshot of the DEPG fleet in terms of availability and location. Click here to visit the Locomotive Status page.
And the verdict at the end of the formal AGM …….
Although not registered as a voting DEPG member, this participant summed it up quite nicely !
Then, to wake up those at the back, WSR Director and DEPG member MALCOLM SMITH took the floor to express thanks on behalf of the WSR for the tremendous level of support that has been provided by the DEPG during what has been a very challenging year for the railway. Malcolm outlined the long-term plans for the development of the WSR and highlighted the importance of operating diesel locos and DMUs alongside steam to maintain the appeal of the railway while at the same time managing costs. MANY THANKS to Malcolm for coming along and delivering his presentation.
WSR Director and DEPG member MALCOLM SMITH gave his presentation after the conclusion of the formal AGM. Seated at the ‘top table’ were (L-R) Ian Robins (Company Secretary), Martin Howard (Chairman) and Paul Tucker (Treasurer).
The AGM offers an opportunity for members to visit the depot and discuss their favourite locos with the volunteers who restore, maintain and operate them. It also provides an opportunity for members to take a close look at the work in progress and to discuss future plans and ideas.
This year, additional interest was provided by a mainline charter from Paddington to Minehead and return, top and tailed by West Coast Class 47s 47802 (D1950, 47259, 47552) (delivered new to the LMR’s Birmingham Division in September 1966) and 47812 (D1916, 47239, 47657) (delivered new to Cardiff Canton in November 1965). This image, taken from the footbridge at Williton Station, shows the similarity in end treatment of the Class 35 ‘Hymek’ and the Class 47, both of which were designed by Ted Wilkes of the Wilkes & Ashmore Industrial Design Consultancy back in the early 1960s (the Class 50 design also comes from the same stable).
The diesel-hauled ‘WEST SOMERSET STEAM EXPRESS‘ railtour ran from Paddington to Minehead and return on Saturday 13th September 2025. The outbound railtour was pictured passing through Williton with West Coast Railway Company Class 47s 47802 (D1950, 47259, 47552) at the top and 47812 (D1916, 47239, 47657) at the tail. The cab design similarity with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is clear from this side-by-side view. Photo by Martin Ball © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was also at work, covering the 80 miles of the standard BLUE timetable (four trains each way per day) originating from Minehead while a steam loco worked the opposing diagram from Bishops Lydeard. Class 33 D6575 (33057) will continue working from Minehead throughout September EXCEPT FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND 20/21st where the WSR will be in 1940s mode for their annual ‘FORTIES WEEKEND‘.
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).
Click here to go to the WSR’s Timetable page then click on the day of interest then click VIEW TIMETABLE.
Sign up to our DIESELGEN bulletin service for advance notification of unplanned services.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the AGM restricted the amount of ‘real work’ that could be done last Saturday, but the opportunity was taken to remove the thrust plates from the thrust brackets and give them a good clean up. Additional spacers (shims) will need to be inserted to bring the clearances back within tolerance before the thrust brackets are re-fitted to the loco body, so separating the parts allowed us to take precise measurements of the existing spacers.
D1010 – the thrust bearing plate and spacer has now been removed (temporarily) from the thrust bracket for cleaning, inspection and measurement. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 13th September 2025 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations. This loco had been showing signs of fuel leakage at the ‘banjo union’ fittings on the fuel injection circuits, so the opportunity was taken to replace all of the seals with new parts.
D4107 (09019) – volunteers Ian R, Ashley, Ben and Tom attended at Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 14th September 2025 to replace the complete set of banjo union seals on the fuel injection system of the English Electric 6KT diesel engine. Pictured at Westridge Loco Shelter by Ben Elvey © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now returned to Williton so that her planned maintenance work can be continued.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco was in use last weekend and midweek but will hopefully get some rest weekend during the FORTIES WEEKEND (20/21 September). The rest will be short-lived because this loco is booked to work on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the following week on the BLUE TIMETABLE services that originate at Minehead.
D6575 (33057) – the ‘Cromptons’ are the mainstay of the line and have put in some significant mileage this year. Pictured at Minehead on 16th September 2025 by Richard Jones © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – currently stabled at Williton in full working order, this loco is next booked to operate the weekend BLUE timetable services that originate from Minehead on Saturday and Sunday 27/28 September.
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 will be in use on the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (GCR) on Saturday 20th September and again on Saturday 22nd November, this being a charter that has been organised by DTG and DEPG member STEVE FULCHER. Here are the details, please contact Steve directly using the details below if you would like to ride on this special train. WELL DONE STEVE for arranging this, we hope that it is the first of many such charters !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – it was not possible to work on this loco last Saturday due to the AGM taking place inside the loco shed, but the ‘Tuesday Team’ are back on the case, so there will be more progress to report soon !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is stabled outdoors on No. 2 road at Williton and is fully operational and available for use by the WSR, should the need arise.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco continues to be in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway although the use of steam locomotives has steadily increased as the risk of lineside fires has reduced. Our loco was in use last Wednesday 17th September and we would welcome any photos of her out and about.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is stabled outdoors on Number 3 road at Williton and is available for use as required.
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. APOLOGIES if 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 we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue.
New design for the DEPG Class 33 ‘Cromptons’. Click here to place your order !
We hope to have a new design for the Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ soon, probably becoming available in November. Here’s a review 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:
| Garment type | Price |
| T shirt | £22 |
| Polo shirt | £25 |
| Sweatshirt | £35 |
| Hoodie | £37 |
| Fleece | £40 |
| Other ? Tell us what you want ! | Use our CONTACT FORM |
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
Sometimes, photos arrive ‘out of the blue’ and this was the case this week, when we received the below images taken at Swindon on 14th May 1966. Our contributor, Robin Hugo, was the small boy in the photos which were taken by his Grandfather, a former GWR employee at Swindon Works (1922 to 1935) and at that time working at Westinghouse Railway Brake & Signal Co at Chippenham (1935 to 1973).
The photos show Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7009 as being on shed for maintenance or attention or for overhaul, which could have been due as the loco was not far from five years old at the time. This loco spent it’s entire (but short) life at Bristol Bath Road depot, entering service there on 7th November 1961 and being withdrawn from there on 6th May 1973. The loco was reduced to scrap at Swindon by October of 1974.
Many thanks to Robin Hugo for sharing his photos with us all.
Beyer-Peacock (Hymek) Ltd Class 35 D7009 was at Swindon Works when ‘cabbed’ by Robin Hugo on 14th May 1966. An unidentified Class 45 ‘Peak’ stands alongside the ‘Hymek’ which looks too smart to have been there for a general overhaul. Perhaps this photo was taken at the running shed ? Photo by George R. Turner © CC BY-NC 3.0
At the other end of the loco, D7009 does not look quite so smart – but still much better than most at that time. An unidentified Class 47 is next in line to the ‘Hymek’ which again suggests that the photo might have been taken at the running shed. In this photo, George R. Turner is holding on to the young (and slightly terrified) Robin Hugo while his grandmother worked the camera. Photo by Docie E. Turner © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 BOOKS ON SALE
The FIFTH volume of ‘THE BEATEN TRACK’ by ANDY CHARD continues to sell well, as does the excellent ‘The Railways of SOUTH WALES 1975-1995‘ trilogy by Michael Rhodes, the latest release being PART 3 which is in stock at Williton now.
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| Click here or on the image above to get your copy (priced at £35.95 per copy) | Click here or on the image above to get your copy (priced at £21.95 per copy) |
There are many other new and pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.
DEPG NEWS: already covered.
The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!
JOIN US using whichever membership class is appropriate for your situation and means. CLICK HERE or on the image below or use the QR code to get the details.
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.
We look forward to hearing from you !
