Weekly Roundup

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was back in action on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June, working the diesel diagram of the BLUE timetable from Minehead, covering 80 miles each day. Pictured on the 17th at Williton as BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ arrived from Bishops Lydeard, photo by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

There was a quick return to ‘normality’ this week, recovering from the diesel gala and getting back to the regular work of restoring and maintaining our locos and facilities. After causing trouble by failing during the gala, ‘Hymek’ D7017 was back to her usual reliable self, working the diesel diagram of the BLUE timetable which provides 80 miles of running on Saturdays and Sundays, originating at Minehead. The loco entertained in her usual style, with plenty of ‘Maybach Music’ from her V16 engine.

This coming weekend is the last chance to ride behind visiting Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909), another product of the famous Gorton works of Beyer-Peacock, but in this case a sub-contract build to the design of BR Derby. This loco will depart from the WSR next week, so take this opportunity to ride behind her this weekend if you can.

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) was another loco that was in ‘ex-works’ condition for the diesel gala, having only recently returned to service after a thorough overhaul. The gleaming loco was pictured at Williton on Saturday 10th June 2023 by off-duty signalman Brenden Hill © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details of public diesel-hauled services this year. This page is updated several times per week and is kept as accurate as we can make it. The loco allocations are subject to availability (of course), but we do try to field the allocated loco wherever possible. Click on the banner below to go to the website page:

The DIESEL RUNNING DATES pages is supplemented by our DIESELGEN bulletin service which captures non-public running such as special trains and engineering workings (where we have sufficient notice to publish such workings). Sign up for DIESELGEN emails or keep an eye on our website homepage.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – this loco was moved out of the shed so that she could enjoy the admiration of her fans during the diesel gala, and her space in the shed was quickly taken by ‘Hymek’ D7018 who is undergoing an investigation into her transmission control block. Having D1010 outside allows us to progress with the work to remove the two cooler groups for welding repairs, and to lift out the ‘A’ transmission for overhaul. Although the ‘A’ transmission has not yet failed, the lessons learned from the work done on the ‘B’ transmission have alerted us to similar issues that could be affecting the ‘A’ transmission, and now is the time to do this work, before a failure occurs.

The overhaul of the ‘B’ transmission has been completed and it is ready to be re-installed, but this step will be held back until after the bogies have been overhauled, because the missing transmission makes the loco lighter to lift and gives us a lot more working space !

D1010 – the overhauled ‘B’ transmission is being treated to a re-paint to give it that ‘ex-works’ look before it goes into storage to await re-installation into the loco at a later date. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Having the loco outdoors generated quite an interest in our SPONSOR A PATCH scheme, with several more patches being marked up with their sponsor’s names or messages during the gala, for engraving at our next opportunity. This initiative remains the single most successful fund-raising activity and has allowed us to make significant progress with the restoration work. PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP US FUND THIS PROJECT.

Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is stabled at Minehead and is the WSR ‘duty loco’, available for use at short notice.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Williton and is also fully operational and available for use at short notice.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is stabled at Minehead in anticipation of her booked workings on Saturday/Sunday 1st/2nd July under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is now inside the loco shed at Williton and the top cover has been removed from her Mekydro hydraulic transmission, so that the issue that is preventing her from changing direction can be investigated. Several possibilities have been investigated and discounted, but the detective work continues and we will find the solution soon. Here are some photos of this wonderful piece of 1960s machinery:

D7018 – looking down on the control block of the Mekydro K184u transmission with the top cover removed, the secrets of the inner workings are still hidden beneath several layers and make the detective work challenging. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – looking from the front, one of the two actuator arms that move the directional clutch selector forks is now visible on the lower left corner of the photo. Two of the gear selector fork actuation levers are visible on the lower right. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – a close-up of the actuator arm that moves the directional clutch shows that it is driven by a piston that is embedded inside the control block (which itself has multiple layers). The precise adjustment of this actuator arm is one of the areas under suspicion. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – the ‘Mekydro’ transmission was built in the UK by Stone Industries under licence from Maybach, but the control block would appear to have been supplied by Maybach, direct from Germany. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work resumed on this locomotive on several fronts as usual, with Colin, Terry, Nick and Andy P making progress with the brake rigging, the wiring, the cab assembly and the bodywork. There is plenty for John to do on the wiring, and a very large piece of trunking has been recovered from the storage container and is undergoing refurbishment before it can be re-used. This trunking runs from the ‘B’ end of the loco (the short end) under the cab to the control cubicle at the front of the cab, and will eventually carry a multitude of wiring and pipework. The driver’s controller has been disassembled and the backing plate released so that a new part can be produced, minus the wear and tear.

D9518 – the oddly-shaped electrical trunking that runs from the ‘B’ end under the cab floor to the electrical cubicle has been recovered from storage and is being refurbished. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the trim plate of the Brush-supplied power controller carries the information that describes the function and identifies the positions for the power and control handles, so it is quite important! The work-worn parts are being replaced with new items that are being made to the original design. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 17th June 2023 by Andy Royal © 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 is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise. The loco had been stabled at Minehead at the end of the diesel gala, but re-located to Williton on Saturday afternoon 17th June after using the pit facilities at Minehead where an underframe inspection was carried out. The loco has subsequently moved to Bishops Lydeard to cover for Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) while that loco is temporarily out of action. We hope to be able to use D9526 in support of the DMU on some of the YELLOW timetable services during the summer. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for additional running dates, as they get released.

D9526 – the loco returned from Minehead on Saturday 17th June 2023 – but moved out again on Tuesday 20th, this time to Bishops Lydeard. Pictured with Barclay 578 (ROF 1) at Williton on Sunday 18th June 2023 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is undergoing a cylinder head overhaul at Grosmont Works on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after a fracture was found in one of her cylinder head bolts. Checks on the adjacent cylinder heads revealed several bolts with improper torque, so the decision was made to remove all of the cylinder heads and do a proper overhaul. This will take a few weeks, but the loco will be much better for it and will hopefully be back at work soon.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. We hope to apply her cabside lettering during the coming weeks to complete her ‘1972 makeover’.

 

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 !

 

 

ON SHED – we are not quite back in the normal rhythm of things yet, so we will skip this feature this week and try and include it next week. We have quite a few photos lined up, but PLEASE KEEP SENDING MORE !

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 27th May is being prepared and will be shared ASAP with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address. Apologies for the delay.

The next Board Meeting will take place THIS SATURDAY 24th June at Williton at 1030. Please let us know by using our CONTACT FORM if you have a question that you like to have tabled at this meeting.

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members, so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSRA AUGUST STEAM RALLY: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August at Norton Fitzwarren

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 55 ‘Deltic’ 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ was pictured approaching Goviers Lane Crossing at Watchet with a train for Minehead on Thursday 8th June 2023. This mainline-registered loco was the star of the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that ran from 8th through 10th June 2023. Photo by Martin Rouse © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The three days of the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL featured an excellent lineup of locos working an intensive timetable that included workings to Norton Fitzwarren (some using Class ’09’ haulage), combined with open days and exhibits along the line for additional interest. The weather was absolutely perfect at the start, although some rain did come along for a few hours on Saturday afternoon – but not enough to dampen the spirits of the visitors !

Photographers were struggling with the strong sunlight on the Thursday and complaining about the grey skies on the Saturday, but we have received a record number of absolutely excellent photographs from members and supporters, and will be including some of them in our next DEPG Newsletter (and keeping some back for the 2024 DEPG Calendar).

Commercially, the event has also been a big success, which is very important because it means that the budget for next year’s gala will be bigger and the plans bolder, and we have plenty of time to act upon the lessons learned this year.

 

Overall, the event was a big success because of the massive amount of preparation work plus the efforts of all of the staff and volunteers throughout the event, plus the support of everyone who attended and bought a ticket or refreshments or merchandise. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH !

 

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) performed very well, with the sound of her 6-cylinder Sulzer engine bringing back memories of bygone days when another Class 25 was based on the WSR. Pictured on the climb from Watchet to Washford on Friday 9th June 2023 by Keith Fender © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The visiting locos all performed well, in fact the only casualties were our two ‘Hymeks’, with D7018 being unavailable for use due to ongoing issues with the transmission control block, and D7017 performing well on the Thursday until failing at Watchet on the last service of the day with an electrical issue. The Gala Planning Team had made contingency plans for loco failures, but the loss of both ‘Hymeks’ resulted in some burning of the midnight oil and many late phone calls to crew members to re-roster them and ensure that the revised diagrams remained interesting and entertaining. The revised plans worked out very well indeed!

 

The issue with D7017 was a failed electrical component and was resolved on Friday afternoon, but the cut-off time had been passed and the loco could not be re-rostered for Saturday without another timetable re-write, so the loco was out of the gala. However, permission was obtained to attach her to the front of Class 33 D6575 (33 057) on the 13:25 departure from Williton to Minehead on the Saturday, and suffice it to say, this service was very well patronised, with the ‘Hymek’ putting in a very entertaining performance.

D7017 was detached at Minehead and stabled in position for her booked workings this coming weekend, so COME BACK AND RIDE BEHIND D7017 on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for details.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was attached ahead of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) between Williton and Minehead on Saturday 10th June 2023. The consist was pictured while waiting to depart from Watchet by Barrie Childs © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

As if we needed another issue to contend with during the gala, the driver’s ‘Beclawat’ cabside window at ‘A’ end of D7017 decided to collapse just after the loco left Williton ‘light engine’ for Bishops Lydeard on the first morning of the event, the window breaking into a thousand pieces and now requiring many hours of work to remove the equipment from the interior of the cab to allow the trim panels to be released to replace the window glass and repair the 62-year-old mechanism. Perfect !

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 displays a removable wooden window on the driver’s side at ‘A’ end, after a failure in the window mechanism on Thursday 8th June 2023 caused the window to drop down suddenly, shattering the glass. Photo by Robin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

If the success of a gala can be measured by the number of photographs taken, then this one was a BIG sucess because we have been lucky enough to receive hundreds of photos for publication in support of the DEPG and the WSR. We can only feature a few of these, but there are two galleries that are easy to access and feature an excellent selection of images. Click on the screenshots below to go to the gallery sites:

Click here or on the image above to go to the gallery on wsr.org.uk

 

Click here or on the image above to go to Chris Hopper’s gallery on Flickr

 

For an almost one-hour-long video covering the gala event, check out the YouTube video posted by Josh Brinsford on his South West Trainspotter channel:

Click here or on the image above to go to the video on YouTube 

 

To wrap up our coverage of the gala, here are some more shots of gala participants both active and passive, with thanks to all of the photographers who have submitted their work to us for the benefit of the DEPG and WSR. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH !

 

After her moment of glory on Friday 9th June when she towed Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 from the platform at Williton to the diesel depot for repair, Barclay 578 (ROF1) returned to her ‘on display’ role for the rest of the event (thankfully!). Pictured on Saturday 10th June 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 52 ‘Western’ D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was outdoors for the first time in many months, with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 beyond, both providing cab visit opportunities at Williton on each day of the gala. Pictued on Saturday 10th June 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 33002 (D6501) ‘Sea King’ was a very popular locomotive at the event and was a credit to her owning group, South Devon Diesel Traction. Pictured with our D6575 (33 057) while waiting for the token at Williton on Thursday 8th June 2023 by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was fresh from the paint shop and glowing in the sunshine as she approached Minehead at 10 mph so that secondman Mark Bladwell could hand over the token. Pictured on Friday 9th June 2023 by Mike Lanning © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 wore black ribbons and carried a wreath in remembrance of the late SIMON PURVIS, the DEPG’s volunteer Class 14 loco manager and a very well respected Class 14 expert. The loco was pictured arriving at Blue Anchor on Friday 8th June 2023 with sister locomotive D9551 from the Class 14 group at the Severn Valley Railway. Photo by Robin Wichard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 is a major restoration project that is underway at Williton. This loco was the last of its class to work on BR in 1969 and then spent 16 years working at NCB’s Ashington Colliery in Northumberland. The loco has not been in use since 1985 and will be returned to service wearing NCB Ashington colours. Pictured at Williton on Friday 9th June 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

MANY THANKS to all of the staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make this event happen, and thanks also to the many visitors who attended and supported the event !

 

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout June, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with visiting Class 25 D7659 (25 309, 25 909) in use on Saturday and Sunday 24/25th June, and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 working in between on 17/18th June. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSRA AUGUST STEAM RALLY: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August at Norton Fitzwarren

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

 

 

Class 55 ‘Deltic’ 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ was pictured at Doniford Halt on the first day of the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, Thursday 8th June 2023. Photo by Bernard Mills © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured departing from Williton towards Bishops Lydeard on the first day of the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, Thursday 8th June 2023. Photo by Natalie Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Day 1 of the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL started very well with all of the visiting locomotives in position and performing nicely. The weather was perfect, the timetable was workable, the day was almost done,  the mood was good – and then the gremlins pounced and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 failed to take power on departure from Watchet with the 18:15 service from Minehead !

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was sent out from Williton as ‘Thunderbird loco’ to rescue the situation and hauled the train and loco to Bishops Lydeard. The loss of D7017 combined with the non-availability of sister D7018 and necessitated a change to the timetable for the Friday, with loco allocations and crew rostering all having to be sorted out before bedtime.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was towed from the platform at Williton to the diesel depot by Barclay 578 (ROF1) for attention from DEPG volunteers. Pictured on Friday 9th June 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Day 2 began with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 covering some of the diagrams that were to have been worked by the errant ‘Hymeks’. Meanwhile, D7017 was recovered to Williton on the back of the 12:35 service from Bishops Lydeard and moved from the platform to number 2 road by the Williton Depot Shunter, Barclay 578 (ROF1) where DEPG volunteers set to work to trace the issue. The culprit was an open circuit in a solenoid that was preventing the transmission from being engaged. Sister loco D7018 loaned a part to her slightly older sister and D7017 was soon declared as available for service, after a quick trundle up and down the yard.

From left to right, Class 52 ‘Western’ D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was outdoors for the first time in many months, with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 with engine running alongside, with Barclay 578 (ROF1) completing the diesel-hydraulic trio at Williton on Friday 9th June 2023. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

And the prospects for Day 3 – The timetable for Saturday had already been modified and released by the time that D7017 was declared as available, but we do hope to have D7017 attached at Williton to the head of a Minehead-bound service tomorrow, probably the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead (13:25 from Williton) because the loco needs to be at Minehead and ready for service on the BLUE timetable next weekend. APOLOGIES to all who had hoped to ride behind a ‘Hymek’, but the loco is back in action and some regular use will bring her back to her former reliable condition.

 

Click hre for the UPDATED TIMETABLE for Saturday 10th June 2023

 

Here are some of the many images from the last two days, for your enjoyment.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 33002 (D6501) ‘Sea King’ was pictured while waiting for her booked departure time at Bishops Lydeard on Friday 9th June 2023. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) was pictured arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield in the direction of Bishops Lydeard on Friday 9th June 2023. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 55 ‘Deltic’ 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ was pictured approaching the token exchange point at Williton on Friday 9th June 2023. Photo by Natalie Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 33002 (D6501) ‘Sea King’ was pictured while crossing the original route of the A39 Bridgwater road as she departed from Williton on Friday 9th June 2023, heading towards Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Natalie Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

No doubt, tomorrow will be a busy day, but there will be seats available so click here or on the ticket image below to get more details and/or buy a ticket. Special rates apply for 5 to 15 year olds on Saturday 10th June BUT ONLY IF ADVANCE PURCHASED – see the notes on the WSR website booking page or click on one of the images below. We hope to see you at the WSR for what is going to be an excellent event !

  

 

The QUANTOCK BELLE dining set will be in use and will be offering their legendary BREAKFASTS in addition to BREAKFAST BAPS, so make your reservation when you book your advance ticket. Click here or on the image below and select the QUANTOCK BELLE BREAFAST ADD-ON:

 

The GAUGE MUSEUM at Bishops Lydeard has just unveiled their LOCO OF THE MONTH and the honours go to our very own Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, so be sure to visit the museum on Platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard and also view the MODEL RAILWAY that will be running an early 1960s diesel-themed layout for the duration of the gala event. MANY THANKS to the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust for supporting the diesel gala in such a positive way.

The generous dimensions make this storyboard both easy to find and easy to read. This and the diesel theming of the Gauge Junction Model Railway make the GAUGE MUSEUM well worth a visit ! Photo by the WSRHT © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout June, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with visiting Class 25 D7659 (25 309, 25 909) in use on Sunday 11th June and again on 24/25th June, and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 working in between on 17/18th June. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

Here’s a reminder that we are now approaching the LAST FEW HOURS in which RAFFLE TICKETS for the DEPG SUMMER DRAW can be purchased, because the draw will take place on SATURDAY 10th June at approximately 3pm at Minehead. Please click here or on the image below to buy your tickets. MANY THANKS for supporting the DEPG !

 

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

WSRA AUGUST STEAM RALLY: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August at Norton Fitzwarren

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

    

     

 

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured when arriving at Bishops Lydeard station on Saturday 3rd June 2023 with an equally smart-looking loco, the visiting Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) alongside. The ‘Crompton’ wins because she has silver buffers! Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Preparations are well underway for the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that starts on THURSDAY this week, featuring a very interesting combination of visiting locomotives in addition to those of the home fleet. Two of the three visitors have arrived already (D7659 as seen above and 33 002 as seen below) and the remaining two will arrive tomorrow. The home fleet is all set except for some test work that is pending on D7018, but work is in hand to get her ready in good time for her booked turns on Friday. We ARE expecting D7018 to operate as booked during the gala. Here’s the latest information:

   

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

And at Bishops Lydeard today, 33 002 (D6501) ‘Sea King’arrived from Buckfastleigh for her first visit to the WSR.

 

Here’s a REMINDER …

The 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR on Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June. This is going to be an excellent event, so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 courtesy of the SVR Class 14 Company
TIMETABLES Click here for the THURSDAY timetable 8th June Click here for the FRIDAY timetable 9th June Click here for the SATURDAY timetable 10th June Click here for the timetable APPENDIX Click here for the Taunton to Minehead Bus timetable (route 28)

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get more details and/or buy a ticket. Special rates apply for 5 to 15 year olds on Saturday 10th June BUT ONLY IF ADVANCE PURCHASED – see the notes on the WSR website booking page or click on one of the images below. We hope to see you at the WSR for what is going to be an excellent event !

 

 

The QUANTOCK BELLE dining set will be in use and will be offering their legendary BREAKFASTS in addition to BREAKFAST BAPS, so make your reservation when you book your advance ticket. Click here or on the image below and select the QUANTOCK BELLE BREAFAST ADD-ON:

 

The GAUGE MUSEUM at Bishops Lydeard has just unveiled their LOCO OF THE MONTH and the honours go to our very own Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, so be sure to visit the museum on Platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard and also view the MODEL RAILWAY that will be running an early 1960s diesel-themed layout for the duration of the gala event. MANY THANKS to the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust for supporting the diesel gala in such a positive way.

The generous dimensions make this storyboard both easy to find and easy to read. This and the diesel theming of the Gauge Junction Model Railway make the GAUGE MUSEUM well worth a visit ! Photo by the WSRHT © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout June, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with visiting Class 25 D7659 (25 309, 25 909) in use on Sunday 11th June and again on 24/25th June, and a Class 35 ‘Hymek’ working in between on 17/18th June. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the loco has been prepared for the ‘great outdoors’ and will be emerging from the Loco Shed at Williton some time tomorrow (Wednesday 7th) and will be placed on display for the whole of the diesel gala. Her ‘A’ cab will be open to visitors and we will also be engraving more names on her bodyside as we catch up with the SPONSOR A PATCH donations that have continued to come through in support of the D1010 RESTORATION APPEAL.

In between all of the preparation, we have still been making progress on the restoration and we will cover this in more detail after the gala. We have revised the schedule for her RETURN TO SERVICE as follows (for details, join the DEPG and read the article in our quarterly Newsletter):

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – fully serviceable, and available for the gala.

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – fully serviceable, and available for the gala.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – fully serviceable, and available for the gala.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco continued to receive attention last weekend as we resolve some issues that have kept her confined to barracks so far this year. The work is close to completion and we ARE expecting this loco to be available for the gala (she is booked to appear on Friday 9th). Here’s a few photos to show what has been going on:

D7018 – the transmission that was last used in 1995 was opened up by Martin and Peter to check some details around the reverser actuator linkage. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 3rd June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – a view of the Mekydro transmission looking down while the engine is running. The transmission fluid can be seen splashing against the inside of the perspex window that has been fitted to aid fault-finding. Solenoid (orange cylinder) R1 commands ‘reverse’ direction and solenoid R2 commands ‘forward’ direction. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 3rd June 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – the Bristol Siddeley Maybach MD870 V-16 engine was running sweetly during the transmission testing work that took place at Williton on Saturday 3rd June 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – more progress in multiple areas, but no photographs this week as we focus on gala preparations. This loco will be available for viewing at Williton and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and provide details about the restoration project.

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 – fully serviceable, and available for the gala.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – undergoing repairs to a broken cylinder head stud and a leaking turbocharger plenum chamber at Grosmont works of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. We will bring more details of the work being undertaken as soon as possible.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – fully serviceable, and this loco will be on static exhibition at Williton throughout the gala.

 

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 !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will skip this feature this week and come back to it after the gala.

 

ON SHED – a quick ‘picture search‘ on the excellent ‘wsr.org.uk website run by Steve Edge revealed the following view of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ D9526 and D9551 at Minehead in the Autumn of 1983, almost FORTY YEARS AGO. We will be able to see these two locos in action together again during the gala. The background at Minehead has changed considerable since!

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bears’ D9526 and D9551 run around their train at Minehead in the Autumn of 1983. Photo by Ian Grady © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the Summer 2023 edition of the DEPG Newsletter has been distributed to DEPG members and should by now have been delivered, either electronically or in paper form. Please let us know if you are a member but have not received your copy.

 

 

The Newsletter includes a reminder that this is the last week in which RAFFLE TICKETS for the DEPG SUMMER DRAW can be purchased, because the draw will take place on SATURDAY 10th June at approximately 3pm at Minehead. Please click here or on the image below to buy your tickets. MANY THANKS for supporting the DEPG !

 

 

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

WSRA AUGUST STEAM RALLY: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August at Norton Fitzwarren

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

   

     

 

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) returned to action on Saturday 27th May 2023 looking absolutely top notch after a re-paint at WSR Restorations in the Swindon Shed at Williton. Pictured upon arrival at Crowcombe Heathfield station with the 16:35 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service, photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Welcome to the penultimate pre-gala edition of roundup, which we will keep brief because there are so many things still be to prepared and so little time in which to prepare them. Starting with the main DEPG loco news – on the afternoon of Saturday 27th May, resplendent Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) ran light engine from Williton to Bishops Lydeard to take over the 16:35 diesel hauled service from sister D6575 (33 057) who remained on the back of the train, to be detached at Williton to receive her pre-gala servicing. The gleaming ‘Crompton’ had spent the last six weeks in the paint shop at WSR Restorations in the Swindon Shed (Williton North Yard) where she had received a thorough paintwork refresh in the hands of Harry and the team. This locomotive is an excellent advertisment for the quality of work that is available on reasonable commercial terms, so WELL DONE WSR Restorations !

 

Now for some background to the decision to withdraw Class 50 50008 ‘Thunderer’ from the gala lineup. The rail move of ‘Deltic’ 55 009 ‘ALYCIDON’ from her base at Barrow Hill near Chesterfield, Derbyshire to the WSR had been contracted to HANSON and HALL who had very kindly offered to tow the ‘Deltic’ to the WSR using their Class 50 and then allow their loco to participate in the gala. This generous offer was gladly received and would have been welcomed by many in the diesel fraternity, but the one element of difficulty was that ‘Thunderer’ is an air-braked loco and does not carry the earlier generation of vacuum braking equipment that is used by most heritage railways, including the WSR. This was known and the initial plan was to use a dual-braked (air and vacuum) loco as a ‘translator’ between the ’50’ and the train, which is a practice that is used occasionally at other railways.

However, as the operating procedures were being drawn up, it became clear that there was too much to be worked out and too many crews to be trained in the time available. The decision to withdraw the loco from the gala lineup was bound to create negative press, but the decision had to be taken. The good news is that the WSR have a number of coaches that are already fitted with dual braking and these coaches can be overhauled later this year and marshalled together into a dual-braked rake upon which crews can have refresher training, so we will then be able to welcome ‘Thunderer’ and other air-braked locos to the WSR in future years. Every cloud has a silver lining !

 

The 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR on Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June. This is going to be an excellent event, so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 50 50008 (D408) ‘Thunderer’ sadly not now attending (click here or on the image below for details)
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 courtesy of the SVR Class 14 Company	Click here for the THURSDAY timetable 8th June Click here for the FRIDAY timetable 9th June Click here for the SATURDAY timetable 10th June Click here for the timetable APPENDIX Click here for the Bus timetable (route 28)

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get more details and/or buy a ticket. Special rates apply for 5 to 15 year olds on Saturday 10th June – see the notes on the WSR website booking page or click on one of the images below. We hope to see you at the WSR for what is going to be an excellent event !

  

The QUANTOCK BELLE dining set will be in use and will be offering their legendary BREAKFASTS in addition to BREAKFAST BAPS, so make your reservation when you book your advance ticket. Click here or on the image below and select the QUANTOCK BELLE BREAFAST ADD-ON:

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout June, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) running on 3/4th June, visiting Class 25 D7659 (25 309, 25 909) in use on Sunday 11th June and again on 24/25th June, and a Class 35 ‘Hymek’ working in between on 17/18th June. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the main focus of the last week has been preparing this loco for the ‘great outdoors’ because she will be towed out into the yard on Wednesday 7th and placed on display for the whole of the diesel gala. Her ‘A’ cab will be open to visitors and we will also be engraving more names on her bodyside as we catch up with the SPONSOR A PATCH donations that have continued to come through in support of the D1010 RESTORATION APPEAL.

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – as previously reported, this loco is back in action and looking splendid !

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is now back at Williton so that she can be serviced and cleaned up in advance of the gala. There are no technical issues to deal with, so this loco will be available for use in the gala.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – the issue that had prevented this loco from taking up her duties on Sunday 21st May received attention from Neil and John on Saturday, and fault-finding resulted in a new wire being run between two points that had become disconnected. Shortly after confirming the new wire had solved the problem, the location of the break in the old wire became apparent, which would have saved quite a bit of work had it shown itself sooner! There is one more issue to resolve this coming weekend, but the loco will be available for use in the gala.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is being lavished with attention to get her looking good and working well in time for her appearance in the gala. A work-around has been defined in case the reverser fault remains unresolved, but there is no safety or operational risk associated with this issue. The loco will receive further attention during this coming weekend and undergo the necessary inspections that will allow her to perform.

D7018 was the focus of attention from Karl and Natalie at Williton on Saturday 27th May 2023, brushing off the dirt and grime accumulated from another winter spent outdoors. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – wax on, wax off, and what a difference it makes, bringing the shine back and restoring the colour. It is very hard work, especially in the glaring sun, but it is clearly worth the effort. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D7018 – what’s this, Andy R found doing ‘real’ work two weeks running ? It must be fake news. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th May 2023 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – more progress in multiple areas, with Colin G preparing the newly-repaired nose end doors for a coat of primer while Andy P worked on the brake rods. Terry and Nick worked on the brake rigging while Paul C did more design work on the missing parts that need to be drawn up then fabricated by subcontractors. Busy times !

D9518 – the newly-repaired nose end doors were prepared for their first coat of primer by Colin G at Williton on Saturday 27th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – this pair of brake hangers need some additional work done to straighten them and then trial-install them to check that the brake rigging operates freely. Some sub-contract assistance may be necessary. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 27th May 2023 by Terry Deacon © 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 has been checked over and is fully serviceable and ready for use in the forthcoming SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, during which she will carry a wreath and black ribbons in memory of volunteer Class 14 loco manager, the late Simon Purvis.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – some progress has been made on the fractured cylinder head bolt that will need remedial work before the loco can return to service. The team at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway have removed the blowing cylinder head and confirmed that the bolt has fractured just above the engine block. The remnants will need to be drilled out and a helicoil fitted. This kind of issue is known to affect this type of engine so there is no major cause for concern. However, while investigating, the plenum chamber that balances the exhaust pressures before the hot gasses enter the turbocharger was found to have a corroded area with a hole right through it ! These issues are being addressed and the loco will be back in service ASAP. Many thanks to the team at the NYMR for looking after our loco so well !

   

47077 – the left picture shows that one of the cylinder heads has been removed and the bore plugged by a plastic tub (it fits quite well and prevents dirt and grit from going inside the cylinder bore). The remains of the broken bolt can be seen in the 10 o’clock position. The right hand picture shows the bolt with the threaded end missing ! Both photos taken at Grosmont on 29th May 2023 by Pete Dawson © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

47077 – the exhaust pipes from the engine are on the left side of the rust-coloured ‘plenum chamber’ that performs a pressure equalising function before the hot gasses enter the turbocharger (dark coloured, on the right). Pictured at Grosmont on 23rd May 2023 by Josh Smith © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. This loco will be open to visitors during the gala days.

 

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 !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will need to skip this feature again this week and come back to it after the gala.

 

ON SHED – last week we featured a rare type of 0-6-0 shunter built by Ruston & Hornsby and designated as BR Class 07, and it only took a few hours before it was pointed out to me that a member of this same class used to be based on the WSR and is now based at the Avon Valley Railway. A quick search on wsr.org.uk revealed many photographs of this little loco dating back to the 1980s and early 90’s, and the selected photo below also includes gala visitor D9551, back in the days when she too was based on the West Somerset line. Many thanks to Barrie Childs for raising the flag for this loco. 

Ruston & Hornsby Class 07 diesel-electric 0-6-0 shunter D2994 (07 010) spent many years working on the WSR and is seen at Minehead in this 1992 picture in the company of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551. Photo by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting was held at Williton on Saturday 27th May. A synopsis will be produced ASAP and will be shared with all DEPG members for whom we hold valid email addresses.

 

The Summer 2023 edition of the DEPG Newsletter is being printed and will be ready to distribute to DEPG members early next week in paper form, and electronically this weekend to those members who have selected the ‘fully paperless’ option in Membermojo.

 

The Newsletter includes a reminder that this is the last week in which RAFFLE TICKETS for the DEPG SUMMER DRAW can be purchased, because the draw will take place NEXT SATURDAY 10th June at approximately 3pm at Minehead. Please click here or on the image below to buy your tickets. MANY THANKS for supporting the DEPG !

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

WSRA AUGUST STEAM RALLY: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August at Norton Fitzwarren

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 worked the 1000 Minehead 80-mile diagram on Saturday 20th May 2023. The loco was pictured departing from Williton in glorious sunshine, heading for Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

What an eventful weekend ! Some of it good, some of it not so good. Saturday went very well with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 preheated and started up at Williton, well in advance of the booked 0855 departure to join her train at Minehead. Driver Paul T was in charge with Matt as secondman, and the day went very well with the loco performing nicely and making a great picture in the brilliant sunshine. Click here or on the image below for a short video clip showing D7017 departing from Williton with the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service:

D7017 departing from Williton for Minehead on Saturday 20th May 2023 – video clip (42 seconds) by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Another triumph on Saturday 20th was the return of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) from her visit to the WSR Restorations paint shop in the Swindon Shed (Williton North Yard) where she had received a paintwork refresh for her 1960s BR deep bronze green livery complete with ‘Swanage sand’ cab window surrounds and bodyside stripe. With all of the details carefully attended to by Harry and team at WSR Restorations, the loco looked absolutely pristine and a real credit to the railway. Here are some photos:

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

 

Tom (inside the cab) and Ian R fitted new windscreen wipers to Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) on Saturday 20th May 2023 to complete the external makeover that was carried out by WSR Restorations. Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 hides under her covers on number 1 road at Williton and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is just visible beyond. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

In preparation for her return to service, D6566 (33 048) was worked to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday afternoon so that she could be positioned over the pit at Westridge Steam Shed for an underframe inspection and to allow her traction motor gearboxes and suspension tubes to be lubricated. The journey was also used to make sure that everything was functioning as it should be – and it was. Click here or on the image below to watch a short video clip of D6566 (33 048) departing from Williton Station en route to Bishops Lydeard:

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) departing ‘light engine’ from Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023 – video clip (37 seconds) by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Unfortunately, the next day did not bring more joy but quite the opposite, because ‘Hymek’ D7017 developed an electrical fault that prevented her engine from running and the errant loco had to be substituted by Class 33 D6575 (33 057) who happened to be stabled at Minehead as the ‘duty’ loco. Luckily, all of our ‘Hymek’ drivers are also passed ‘Crompton’ drivers so the service departed from Minehead just 15 minutes late, a delay that was easily recovered during the first leg of the diagram.

Although driver Neil and secondman Tom were more than capable of resolving the issue on D7017 given time, the booked diesel-hauled service had to take priority so they switched their attention to the ‘Crompton’ and Martin and Paul T prepared Class 33 D6566 (33 048) for an unplanned ‘Thunderbird’ duty and set off from Williton to Minehead to recover the ‘Hymek’ and return her to Williton for attention.

Disgraced Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 had paused at Blue Anchor while being towed back to Williton by Class 33 D6566 (33 048) on Sunday 21st May 2023 when the pair were passed by Class 33 D6575 (33 057) going in the other direction with the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The issues that affected D7017 are minor and mostly due to lack of use, but we do have access to spares and the loco will be sorted out during this coming weekend. Apologies to supporters who made a visit to the WSR to see the ‘Hymek’ running, but hopefully she will return to her previously reliable form very soon, and put in her characteristic performances during the 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place on the WSR on Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June. This is going to be an excellent event, so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 50 50008 (D408) ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Hanson and Hall
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 courtesy of the SVR Class 14 Company	TIMETABLE INFO: See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for links to the updated timetable pages.

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get more details and/or buy a ticket. Special rates apply for 5 to 15 year olds on Saturday 10th June – see the notes on the WSR website booking page or click on one of the images below. Hope to see you at the WSR for what is going to be an excellent event !

     

 

The QUANTOCK BELLE dining set will be in use and will be offering their legendary BREAKFASTS, so make your reservation when you book your advance ticket. Click here or on the image below and select the QUANTOCK BELLE BREAFAST ADD-ON:

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout May and June, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with a Class 33 ‘Crompton’ working on 27/28/29th May, visiting Class 25 D7659 (25 309, 25 909) in use on Sunday 11th June and again on 24/25th June, and a Class 35 ‘Hymek’ working on 17/18th June. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the effort has swung around to preparing this loco for her gala appearance as a static exhibit, with one cab (at ‘A’ end) open to visitors. This means that the various works in progress need to be tidied up and made safe for the public to view. The loco will be displayed outside the loco shed all through the gala, but she may need to be sheeted over if the weather breaks because she has not yet been made watertight (welding repairs at roof level require special safety staging to be in place and this will not be available until a later date). Let’s hope for this current spell of fine weather to continue.

Meanwhile, the ‘transmission team’ have been busy working on the ancillary equipment that will allow the ‘B’ transmission to be considered as completed. The governor was the target last week, and this simple but very important piece of machinery was disassembled for cleaning and to allow the bearings to be replaced. The governor controls the automatic changeover between the three different speed stages, and includes a piston arrangement called the ‘primary influence’ to adjust the changeover point according to the engine speed. This component was found to have a significant amount of water trapped inside it, but showed no signs of distress as a result. Here are some photos:

D1010 – the components of the governor from ‘B’ transmission have been separated and laid out for cleaning and inspection. New bearings will be fitted when the assembly goes back together. Pictured at Williton on 15th May 2023 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the housing of the ‘primary influence’ device that provides engine speed information to the transmission governor was found to contain a significant amount of water when opened up for inspection and cleaning at Williton on 15th May 2023. Photo by by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The work on the ‘B’ transmission will be completed during the coming weeks and the whole assembly will then be moved to a holding area to make way for the ‘A’ transmission which will soon be lifted out of the loco to undergo a similar overhaul to ensure that it is fit for many more years of reliable service.

A delay in proceedings has been caused by our 10-tonne crane developing a fault that requires staging to be constructed around it so that our volunteers can access the mechanism safely. However, while it is out of use, it has been taken over by a family of Jackdaws who seem quite content with its ‘DO NOT USE’ status and are likely to remain in residence for several weeks to come. Nature always wins !

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – as previously reported, the repaint of this loco has been completed by Harry and team at WSR Restorations in the Swindon Shed at Williton, and what a fine job they have done. The loco looks absolutely splendid !

The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was completed by WSR Restorations at Williton on Friday 19th May 2023 and the team gathered around the loco to rightly take credit for the quality of the work that has been done. Liam, Phil, Josh, Harry and Chris shared the task with Matt and John. Photo by WSR plc © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – as previously reported, this loco was unexpectedly in use for the BLUE timetable duties on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May covering for failed Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, but she had also been busy earlier in the week on an engineering train that ran the length of the line from Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren and back. Tom was secondman on that working and was able to take some photos when it was safe to do so. Here’s one showing the working at Norton Fitzwarren:

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was in use on an engineering train on Monday 15th May 2023, pictured while taking a break at the Norton Fitzwarren bay platform. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – after performing well on Saturday 20th, the loco was unable to take up her Sunday duty because the Water Temperature Switch would not stay closed, even though the water was at the right temperature. This resulted in the engine starting but not continuing to run, and repeated attempts at sustained running caused the start contactors to weld closed, so then it was game over !

The loco will receive attention during this coming weekend and will soon be put right, in readiness for the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL that takes place from Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June.

D7017 – pictured while approaching her train at Bishops Lydeard after running around, the loco was looking great and performing well on Saturday 20th May 2023. Photo by Geoff Miles © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – with the attention focused back on sister D7017, this loco did not receive the attention that was planned for Sunday 21st May, but she will be receiving attention to her reverser mechanism this coming Saturday 27th May. The work is confined to a single adjustment of a pushrod length because the other possibilities have already been investigated and eliminated. In the worst case, the loco will still operate during the gala, but will require manual intervention when changing direction.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continued in multiple areas, with Colin G starting work within the cab assembly, removing components that will need to be stripped, cleaned and refurbished while the cab structure undergoes a thorough restoration. This will be a complex task and will soak up a lot of volunteer hours. Elsewhere on the loco, John is continuing his work on the rewiring while Tony works on the finer details of the nose end doors. The brake rigging took a big step forward when the brake hangers for the leading and trailing wheelsets were fitted by Terry and Nick, leaving only the centre axle to be done.

D9518 – the driver’s desk is just a shell within the shell of the cab assembly. There is plenty of work to be done in this area, but a start has been made and momentum will quickly build as we move along. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 13th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the brake hanger assembly (not yet fitted with the brake block) has now been installed on the trailing wheelset. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the brake hanger assembly (not yet fitted with the brake block) has also been installed on the leading wheelset, leaving only the centre wheelset to be dealt with. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023 by Andy Royal © 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 is fully serviceable and ready for use in the forthcoming SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, during which she will carry a wreath and black ribbons in memory of volunteer Class 14 loco manager, the late Simon Purvis.

 

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco has been suffering from some engine trouble and has been found to have a fractured cylinder head bolt that will need remedial work before the loco can return to service. The team at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are investigating further and the DEPG will be sending spare parts to assist with the repair work. We will provide more details as soon as they become available.

 

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. An attempt to apply her cabside lettering had to be abandoned due to the breeze that was blowing, but the otherwise fine weather did allow the side rods to get treated to a coat of yellow paint !

Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – the side rods acquired a coat of ‘warning yellow’ paint at Williton on Saturday 20th May 2023. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

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 !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will need to skip this feature again this week due to having so many other items to cover (it’s a nice problem to have).

 

 

ON SHED – a complete change this week as we feature a rare type of 0-6-0 shunter built by Ruston & Hornsby and designated as BR Class 07. Only 14 of these little off-centre-cab diesel-electric machines were built, and all entered service at Southampton Docks in 1962. The relentless march of standardisation rendered them obsolete ten years later, although some soldiered on until 1977 before starting a new life in industry. Now, more than 60 years after their introduction, half of the class have been saved and perform useful functions on heritage railways. Many thanks to Neale Long for bringing this rare beast to our attention.

A beautifully preserved example of the Ruston & Hornsby Class 07 diesel-electric 0-6-0 shunter, this loco D2996 (07 012) worked for almost 15 years at Southampton Docks before moving into industrial use then preservation. Pictured at Barrow Hill on 18th May 2023 by Neale Long © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the next DEPG Board Meeting will be held at Williton on Saturday 27th May. Please let me know if you have any questions that you would like to have placed before the Board.

 

 

The funeral of the late SIMON PURVIS will take place on Friday 2nd June 2023 and is likely to be well attended by the many from far and wide who wish to pay their respects to a much-loved member of the railway preservation movement. Simon’s family have set up a tribute site that includes information about the funeral as well as photographs and messages, with all donations going to Simon’s favourite cause, the D9518 Restoration Fund.

 

 

Last but not least, the erstwhile DEPG infrastructure team have been busy fitting the gates to the new oil store at Williton, and their hard work in all weathers deserves to be recognised. The oil store is now close to being ready for use, with some concrete to be laid in the weeks after the diesel gala to provide the finishing touches. Well done guys !

The steel gates for the new oil storage area were undergoing assembly in the capable hands of (L-R) Graham and Paul T at Williton on Sunday 21st May 2023. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Fully enclosed with wide gates for easy access, the new oil storage area provides a home for both new and used oils and includes bunds to prevent environmental contamination. Paul T and Graham (L-R) pose for the camera at Williton on Sunday 21st May 2023. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

WSRA STEAM RALLY : Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August 2023.

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

   

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

The twin Napier ‘Deltic’ engines of D9009 (55009) ‘ALYCIDON’ roar as she puts her combined 3,300 hp into an assault on Stormy Bank near Bridgend on the South Wales Main Line while hauling ‘THE WELSH CENTRAL LINER’ from Burton-on-Trent to Shrewsbury. Pictured on 17th June 2017 by Kelvin Lumb © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The 2023 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL will take place on the WSR on Thursday 8th June through to Saturday 10th June and the headliner will be ‘DELTIC’ 55 009 ‘ALYCIDON’, one of the legendary East Coast ‘racehorses‘ that revolutionised express passenger services between London, Newcastle and Edinburgh in the early 1960s. With their awesome power and 100 mph top speed, these locomotives led the field right through to the HST 125 mph era in the early 1980s. Of the 22 locomotives that were built, a total of six have been saved, which is in itself a tribute to their well-deserved popularity. In addition, the prototype DP1 ‘DELTIC’ that first ran in 1955 has also been preserved and is part of the National Collection.

 

Being main line registered, ‘ALYCIDON’ will be arriving by rail and will be in the company of English Electric Class 50 50 008 ‘THUNDERER’. Both locos will make their way to Minehead on Wednesday 7th June where they will separate in readiness for their gala duties the following day. Class 50 ‘THUNDERER’ is in the unique livery of owners HANSON and HALL and is still a working loco, often seen out and about on the mainline performing a range of duties, even though she is in her 55th year of service. Unusually for the class, this loco is not fitted with vacuum brake equipment so she is unable to haul the WSR coaching stock without a dual-braked (air and vacuum) ‘translator’ locomotive coupled between her and the train. This introduces some complexities in terms of loco allocation and positioning, so it is keeping the planning team busy !

 

A very welcome late addition to the gala line up is Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551, a loco that has close links with the WSR and DEPG, having started its life in preservation in 1981 by being based at Williton before moving to Minehead and then eventually to the Severn Valley Railway. Together with our own D9526, these two locos will provide a fitting tribute to the late SIMON PURVIS and will carry a wreath and headboard when running at the gala. MANY THANKS to the owning group and to a DEPG member for supporting the financial cost of bringing D9551 to the WSR as a mark of respect for Simon.

 

The above announcements add to the previously-announced visits of Class 33 33 002 (D6501) ‘SEA KING’, courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction and Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909), courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail. The grey livery of ‘Sea King’ will stand out amongst our green home-based ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) and will offer a rare occasion to see three class members working together on one railway. The green ’25’ will be staying at the WSR for a few weeks after the gala and will be in use on Sunday 11th June and Saturday/Sunday 24/25th June when she will be working the 10:00 Minehead diagram under the BLUE timetable.

 

In summary, the WSR’s 2023 ‘SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL’ is now going to be blessed with FIVE visiting locomotives with a combined total of more than 9,000 hp, four of whom will be making their first ever visit to the WSR. This is going to be an AMAZING event so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 50 50008 (D408) ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Hanson and Hall
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 courtesy of the SVR Class 14 Company	TIMETABLE INFO: See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for links to the updated timetable pages.

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get more details and/or buy a ticket. Hope to see you at the WSR for what is shaping up to be an excellent event !

 

The BLUE timetable runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 working on 20/21st May and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 working on 27/28/29th May and again the following weekend. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the priority being given to getting the ‘Hymeks’ ready for service resulted in some depletion of resources last week and will probably continue to impact for the next week or two, but progress was still made with Ian F busy on the ‘B’ bodyside and Gordon working on the sandbox doors and fittings. The ‘transmission team’ kept up the pace and are now very close to completing their work on the ‘B’ transmission. Here are some photos:

D1010 – the top casing that secures the input shaft and the auxilliary shaft was guided into place by Tim at Williton on Tuesday 9th May 2023. This completed the re-installation of all of the shafts. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the reverser assembly was re-fitted to the main casing at Williton on Wednesday 10th May 2023, leaving only the oil pumps and governors to be re-fitted before the job can be considered as completed. We are getting close ! Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – the repaint of this loco is approaching completion at WSR Restorations in the Swindon Shed at Williton, where Harry has been busy preparing the surfaces and applying many coats of paint to build up a smooth and durable finish. The work has progressed to the bogies and underframe, so the end is in sight and the loco will be rolled out in good time for the gala.

The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) is edging closer to completion at WSR Restorations, with the remaining work confined to detailing and re-fitting of grilles and covers. Pictured at Williton on 10th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Minehead and was in use for the BLUE timetable duties on Saturday and Sunday 13/14th May. The coming weekend will be a ‘Hymek’ duty and one of the ‘Cromptons’ will be back in use for the Bank Holiday weekend.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – the Maybach MD870 engine was run for two hours on Saturday 13th May so that a full inspection and test of the locomotive could take place in advance of her next rostered duties on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

Everything went well, so the loco was also subjected to a thorough clean-up so that she looks the part and is able to stay at Minehead after her weekend of work, to be in position for her diesel gala duties.

D7017 – with the benefit of the fine weather on Saturday 13th May 2023, the loco received detailed attention from a team comprised of Pat, Natalie, Andy R and Bob, the latter obviously enjoying his work as he restored the shine as part of a thorough clean-up, both internal and external. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was hauling the last train of the day towards Minehead on Saturday 13th May 2023 when this picture was taken, showing D7017 ready for her duties on the weekend of 20/21st May, with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and sister ‘Hymek’ D7018 behind. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – with the work completed on sister D7017, this loco is now the number 1 priority task as we prepare for the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th. The reverser trouble will be dealt with during the coming weekend and the loco will be treated to a thorough clean and a polish, to bring back her shine. The air leak under ‘A’ cab has been dealt with, but another has been detected and will receive attention during the coming week. These are not show-stopping issues and we are expecting this loco to be available in time for the gala.

D7018 – the problematic leaking air pipe beneath the cab floor was silenced on Wednesday 10th May 2023, but not before it had presented some difficulty due to the access being extremely limited. Just the kind of job for Natalie, in fact. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continued in multiple areas, with Colin G and John making progress on the electrical control cubicle while Tony completed the re-skinning of both nose-end doors at the ‘B’ end (short end). Meanwhile, Terry and Nick continued their work on the brake rigging.

D9518 – the electrical control cubicle has been transformed by the careful restoration being carried out by Colin G and John at Williton. Pictured with a bit of help from Mike E and Colin G on Saturday 13th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the colour scheme for the electrical control cubicle is grey outside and cream inside, and it looks GOOD ! Pictured at Williton on Saturday 13th May 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the progress on the electrical control cubicle, viewed from the rear at Williton on Saturday 13th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the nose-end doors at ‘B’ end have been expertly re-skinned by Tony and are now ready for priming and painting. Pictured at Williton on 10th May 2023 by Anthony Austin © 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 is fully serviceable and ready for use in the forthcoming SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL, during which she will carry a headboard and wreath in memory of volunteer Class 14 loco manager, the late Simon Purvis.

 

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well, covering 432 miles in April. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. We hope to apply her cabside lettering during the coming weeks to complete her ‘1972 makeover’.

 

 

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 !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will need to skip this feature again this week due to having so many other items to cover (it’s a nice problem to have).

 

ON SHED – last week, we covered a number of events that took place on 6th May, but we missed reporting on one other anniversary that further highlighted the scandalous waste of public money that took place FIFTY YEARS AGO. On the 6th May 1973, in addition to the wiping out of half of the remaining ‘Hymek’ fleet, the first two Class 52 ‘Westerns’ were sent for scrap as a result of the policy of eradication of diesel-hydraulic types.

The first to go was D1032 ‘WESTERN MARKSMAN’ a Crewe-built loco that entered service in January 1964 and had the misfortune to require an overhaul nine years later, in January of 1973 – an overhaul for which there was no budget and no spare parts, so the loco was dumped out of use at Laira Depot (Plymouth) and was robbed for spares to keep other classmates going. Formal withdrawal came on the 6th May 1973, a fate that also befell D1019 ‘WESTERN CHALLENGER’. Not only was the writing on the wall, but it was crystal clear. The last of the ‘Westerns’ clung on against all odds for another four years until February 1977, and happily seven of the total of 74 were saved, including our own D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’.

Many thanks to John Kite for bringing this event to our attention.

Class 52 ‘Western’ D1032 ‘WESTERN MARKSMAN’ was certainly still capable of ‘doing her thing’ when pictured departing from Exeter St. Davids station with an express for Penzance. This loco was written off as obsolete due to being non-standard after only nine years in service. Photo by Barry Gay © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April will be shared via a separate email and will be sent out to all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address. Apologies for the delay.

 

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was in use throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, pictured at Nethercott while hauling the 1635 service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on Sunday 7th. Photo by Bernard Bates © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Just before the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023, our yard fell silent for one minute as a mark of respect for our much-loved fellow volunteer SIMON PURVIS who passed away on Friday 28th April at the age of 61. We were privileged to have the company of Simon’s wife, son and daughter at Williton as we gathered around Class 14 D9518 so that DEPG Chairman Martin Howard could address those present. Martin’s comments were heartfelt and echoed those of so many who have responded to our social media post, and Martin gave a committment to ensure that D9518 would be completed in Simon’s memory.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) had arrived from Minehead and was at the platform at Williton waiting to pass the train that was due in from Bishops Lydeard, but an issue with the token release meant a delay was inevitable, so the STOP button was pressed by driver Neil Collyer and the 8-cylinder Sulzer also fell silent at that important moment.

 

Separately, we were also reminded that on this same date 50 years previous, our Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 had been withdrawn from traffic as a step toward the rundown of the ‘Hymek’ fleet. Luckily, she was reprieved because of a misfortune that affected a sister loco. DEPG founder member Clive Burrows provides us with the following information: 

   “As well as the King’s Coronation, the 6th of May 2023 will mark the 50^th anniversary of D7017 being withdrawn from service at Old Oak Common, together with half* the fleet of operational Hymeks that were still in service on that day.  The future for D7017 looked very bleak until D7031 was withdrawn five days later with a transmission defect and D7017 was reinstated on 11th May 1973 to become one of the ten surviving Hymeks.  D7031’s last duty was to tow D7018 back to Old Oak Common from Worcester on 8th May 1973.  D7031’s fate was to be broken up at Swindon Works in September 1975, but the outcome for both D7017 and D7031 could have been very different had it not been for that transmission failure at such a critical time, ironically when D7031 was assisting D7018 home to Old Oak Common!  Fortunately for us, D7017 continued in service from 11th May 1973 until its second and final withdrawal from service on 13th March 1975, five days before D7018 brought the curtain down on main line Hymek operations.”

 

   *D7017, D7023, D7030, D7032, D7044, D7075, D7076, D7089, & D7093 (D7055 had been taken out of service on 16-Apr-73 after failing at Basingstoke on 08-Apr-73 when working the diverted 1O68 10:40 Cardiff-Portsmouth service – D7055 had been scheduled to be the tenth Hymek to be withdrawn at the start of the Summer timetable on 06-May-73. This is when all the Bristol based Portsmouth-Cardiff and Bristol-Weymouth services were handed over to WR DMMU and SR DEMU operation).

 

Many thanks to Clive for reminding us of the history of the ‘Hymeks’ and particularly of D7017.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7093 was also withdrawn from service on 6th May 1973 and also had another lease of life when reinstated in August of that year due to a motive power shortage. This loco was not as lucky as our D7017 and was withdrawn again in November 1974 and sent to the scrapyard. Pictured at work in Bristol during August 1974 by Gary Lemon © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Yet another happening on the 6th of May was the 60th birthday of the Western Locomotive Association’s (WLA’s) Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’, and the loco was out and about on the Severn Valley Railway, performing faultlessly on both the Saturday and Sunday, making five round trips in total. Congratulations to D1062 and the WLA for getting the loco ready in time for her birthday celebrations.

Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ was celebrating her 60th birthday in real style on Saturday 6th May by working hard on the Severn Valley Railway ! Both the Saturday and Sunday featured ‘Western’ haulage with both D1062 and D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ in use. Photo taken at Arley on Sunday 7th May 2023 by Peter Bamber © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Back on the WSR, the BLUE timetable runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 working on 13/14th May and Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 working on 20/21st May For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

 

STOP PRESS !!!!

Just before releasing this edition of roundup, we have been advised that the WSR’s ‘SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL’ is now going to be blessed with FOUR visiting locomotives with a combined total of almost 9,000 hp, all of whom will be making their first ever visit to the WSR. This is going to be an AMAZING event so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and enjoy the early discount. Here’s the list of visiting locos:

Class 25 D7659 (25309, 25909) courtesy of the Waterman Trust and Peak Rail	Class 33  33002 ‘Sea King’ (D6501) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT)
Class 55 55009 (D9009) ‘ALYCIDON’ courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society	Class 50 50008 (D408) ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Hanson and Hall
UPDATE – Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 will also be attending – see the more recent Roundup posts for details. Click here to view the latest Roundup.	TIMETABLE INFO: See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for links to the updated timetable pages.

 

Click here or on the ticket image below to get the details and/or buy a ticket. Hope to see you at the WSR for what is shaping up to be an excellent event !

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the pace picked up again with work taking place in multiple areas as we try to keep to schedule. So far so good, but challenges are coming and we need to plan carefully to achieve the most at the minimum expense (which is not an easy task!). Gordon and Leroy completed their work on the preparations for the removal of the ‘A’ cooler group and stowed the radiator elements from the ‘B’ end awaiting pressure testing and repair as required.

The transmission team stormed ahead with the re-installation of some major sub-assemblies. Only the peripherals remain to be re-installed after this, so this activity is definitely running to plan. Here are some photos:

D1010 – replacement oil seals were fitted to the ‘B’ transmission casing at Williton on Tuesday 2nd May 2023. These seals are essential to prevent leakage of the hydraulic fluid that is not only used for power transmission, but also for lubrication and control purposes. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the upper section of the ‘B’ transmission casing was lowered onto the centre section at Williton on Wednesday 3rd May 2023, bringing together the major parts that had been separated when work first started, back in 2019. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the upper section of the ‘B’ transmission casing was bolted to the centre section and all of the bolts tightened to the defined torque setting by Geoff at Williton on Wednesday 3rd May 2023. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is getting closer to completion in the Swindon Shed at Williton where she is undergoing a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. Sister loco D6575 (33 057) was used as source of key information to help make sure that the transfers get fitted in the correct positions.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) provided essential measurement information when she called at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023 on her way back to Minehead. Harry took the measurements and Terry recorded them, for subsequent use when applying the transfers to sister loco D6566 (33 048). Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Minehead in between periods of use and will be back at work this coming weekend, performing her BLUE timetable duties on Saturday and Sunday 13/14th May.

 

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is ready for action, her next rostered duties being on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

 

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco has now become the priority task and the efforts of several teams rounded on her during the week as we work towards the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th. The engine started easily and was run for a while on Saturday 6th May. The reverser trouble has been narrowed down to a mechanical adjustment and the work on this will take place during this coming weekend. An unexpected and annoying issue was an air leak that developed on a steel pipe that runs under the cab floor and among a maze of other pipes and conduits. This was an ideal job for the smaller members of our team, so Natalie go the job !

D7018 – on Saturday 6th May 2023, attention had to be given to a leaking air pipe beneath the cab floor where access was extremely limited, so Andy R and Natalie volunteered for the job. And yes, Natalie is in there somewhere ! Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work resumed on the control cubicle and on the cab components that are going to be needed at a later stage. In parallel, Tony continued his work on the re-fabrication of the nose end doors (more on that next week) while Terry and Nick worked on the brake rigging.

D9518 – the electrical control cubicle received a coat of grey gloss from Colin G at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the electrical control cubicle doors also received a coat of grey gloss from Colin G at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – one of the two horn enclosures underwent dent removal and restoration in the careful hands of Andy P at Williton on Saturday 6th May 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © 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 is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise. We hope to be able to use this loco on a WSR service train in the near future.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. We hope to apply her cabside lettering during the coming weeks to complete her ‘1972 makeover’.

 

 

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 !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will need to skip this feature again this week due to having so many other items to cover (it’s a nice problem to have).

 

 

ON SHED – a surprise feature this week, because we were advised that one of our supporters had been sampling haulage from 7017 and 7018 so we couldn’t resist asking more questions. Here’s the reply that we received from Des Langham:

   “I am currently in Oz, and was visiting friends on the Stony Point line.  On arrival I saw 7017 was one of the units for my service, went for a coffee and saw they had attached 7018, so I had 7018 and 7017 for haulage from Frankston to Bittern, sadly Sprinters and not Hymeks.  Photos of the pairing attached:

Diesel-hydraulic ‘Sprinter’ 7017 was waiting in the platform at Frankston, Australia, to form the 1256 Frankston to Stony Point service on Wednesday 26th April 2023. Photo by Des Langham © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Diesel-hydraulic ‘Sprinter’ 7017 is coupled up to 7018 to form the 1256 Frankston to Stony Point service on Wednesday 26th April 2023. Photo by Des Langham © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Some more details:

   The Sprinters were built in New South Wales by Goninan in the mid 1990s for V Line, the Victorian regional rail operator.  22 single car sprinters were built, and numbered 7001-7022.  Today they are used on only one V Line route from Melbourne Southern Cross to Seymour, typically in two to four car formations.  However, two Sprinters are hired by (Melbourne) Metro to operate their diesel-only section, from Frankston to Stony Point (on the Mornington Peninsular), EMU connections running at 10 minute intervals from Melbourne.  Operating with Metro crew and in either one or two car formation depending on demand, 10 services operate Monday to Thursday, 12 services on Friday, 8 on Saturday and 7 on Sunday.  Sprinters are swapped out for routine maintenance twice per week, running ECS from Melbourne to Frankston. 

   On Wednesday 26 April, upon arrival at Frankston from Melbourne, 7017 was observed in the platform for the next Stony Point service.  Never risking the last booked connection (just 2 minutes!), there was time to get a coffee at Frankston, upon returning, it was amusing to find that DEPG’s other Hymek, 7018, had arrived with the 1209 service from Stony Point, and had coupled up with 7017 to form the 1256 Frankston – Stony Point.  If I have calculated correctly, finding 7017 and 7018 working on the Stony Point line is a 1 in 210 times chance!

   Latest rumours are the Sprinters have a further 20 year in service.  V Line currently has a fleet of 25 N class locomotives (similar to Irish Rail Class 071), but usage is gradually reducing with new Velocity DMUs being introduced.  As of April 2023, 16 weekday loco hauled departures leave Melbourne Southern Cross on four routes.  It is envisaged that V Line will replace their loco hauled services in 2024-2025, and new driver training has thus stopped on the N class.”

 

Many thanks to Des for providing this information and for sharing his interesting experience with us all.

Diesel-hydraulic ‘Sprinter’ 7018 leads 7017 out from Bittern, Australia, on the 1256 Frankston to Stony Point service on Wednesday 26th April 2023. Photo by Des Langham © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April is being prepared and will be shared ASAP with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address. Apologies for the delay.

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

From left to right, rebuilt ‘West Country’ class 4-6-2 2C127 (34027) ‘TAW VALLEY’ stands at Platform 1 of Williton Station with the ‘ATLANTIC COAST EXPRESS’ to Minehead. Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was open to visitors in the South Yard along with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1). Pictured on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The WSR’s highly successful SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR event ran from Friday 28th April through to Monday 1st May and pulled in the crowds to ride behind the interesting and varied mix of locomotives that ran to an intensive timetable. Additional interest was provided in the form of ‘local’ passenger trains running between Norton Fitzwarren and Williton, and goods trains featuring brake van rides along the length of the line. All of the locos performed well and the weather also co-operated for three of the four days with the Sunday being wet in the morning, although that didn’t seem to dent the patronage.

 

The DEPG depot was OPEN FOR VISITORS on each day of the gala, allowing close-up viewing of our two major restoration projects D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 along with the four locos in the yard, namely ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018, ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Barclay 578 (ROF 1). Our volunteers were on hand to guide the visitors and spread the word about our efforts to preserve our fleet and operate them on the WSR and further afield.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was pictured in the South Yard at Williton on Saturday 29th April 2023, with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 alongside but on slightly higher ground. Luckily, the weather was good for three of the four days of the ‘Spring Steam Spectacular’ event. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Also in the loco shed on each of the four days of the gala, we hosted ROD’S MODEL RAILWAY SALES stand along with our own DEPG sales stand, and both were happy with their results after the four-plus days of effort, so MANY THANKS to all who visited and all who supported, and most of all, to all of the volunteers of the many groups who gave up significant amounts of their time to make it possible.

Williton Loco Shed was the venue for Rod’s Model Railway Sales stand and for our own DEPG Sales Stand for each day of the Spring Steam Spectacular event. Chris covered the sales stand on the Saturday and again on Sunday. Pictured on 29th April 2023 by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The BLUE timetable returns after the gala and runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, initially with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 and later with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, see the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page on our website.

 

SIMON PURVIS 1961-2023 RIP

On Friday 28th April we learned of the very sad loss of well-loved DEPG volunteer and Class 14 team leader SIMON PURVIS after a brief period of illness. Having joined the DEPG back in the 1980s, Simon quickly gained his reputation as both a diesel locomotive expert and a great team leader because of his massive breadth of knowledge, his good nature and his famously cheery attitude. We recall his involvement with so many of our locomotives, not just his favourite ‘Teddy Bears’, because he would lend a hand on any task that needed to be done. He would provide advice and guidance to new and experienced volunteers to help them work safely and efficiently, calling upon his mainline railway engineering experience and passing it on to his DEPG colleagues.

He will be sorely missed and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and to all of his friends and colleagues who will no doubt be feeling his loss.

Simon was camera-shy and we have had to search to find some photographs of him, often snapped by calling him and making him look around. Each photo features his legendary ‘tash’ …

The late Simon Purvis was reluctantly pictured while lending a hand on Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 at Williton on Saturday 13th August 2022, with fellow volunteers Leroy and Terry unable to keep a straight face alongside. Photo by Mike Evans © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The late Simon Purvis, thoroughly immersed in his work on Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 at Williton on Saturday 15th October 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The late Simon Purvis, hard at work on the brake frame of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 at Williton on Saturday 26th November 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The late Simon Purvis, caught on film while working on the standstill detector valve of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 at Williton on Saturday 28th January 2023. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Rest in peace, Simon, we will all miss you.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the ‘open depot’ event impacted on weekend activities but some excellent progress was made on the transmission, and Karl even managed to get some more painting done on the battery compartment doors on ‘A’ side while keeping clear of the visiting public. Here are some photos:

D1010 – a milestone achievement – the turbine rail and reverser shaft were re-installed in the ‘B’ transmission casing at Williton on Tuesday 25th April 2023. Congratulations to Colin F, Geoff and Tim (pictured) for making such good and steady progress with this complex task. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the upper section of the ‘B’ transmission casing was inverted to allow the re-installation of the many pipes and seals, these tasks demanding great care and a very careful and systematic approach to the work. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 25th April 2023 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – activities in the main loco shed were restricted over the weekend because of the ‘open depot’ but volunteer and trainee secondman Karl was still able to make progress with one of the battery compartment doors. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is still hiding inside the paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed at Williton where she is undergoing a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. We hope to see the loco emerge resplendent some time during the next week or so.

The repaint of Class 33 ‘Crompton D6566 (33 048) was progressing well when pictured in the paint tunnel at WSR Restorations Williton on 2nd May 2023. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is stabled at Minehead in readiness to take up her BLUE timetable duties on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 6/7/8th May.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was stabled at Minehead over the weekend in a line of diesel locomotives that included Barclay 0-4-0DH 579 (ROF 2) just visible on the left and Class 03 D2133 on the right. Pictured on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco has been confirmed as OK to take up duties subject to the usual inspection checks, her next rostered duties being on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – Neil and John made progress on the task list on this loco on Saturday 29th April and more resources will be brought to bear during this coming weekend. This loco is therefore expected to be available in good time for the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th.

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the weekend was spent showing the restoration progress to the visiting public, but Tony had been at work during the previous week and had completed one of the four end doors that needed to be re-kinned due to corrosion. He will be continuing with his restoration work on the other three doors during the coming weeks.

D9518 – one of the nose-end doors at ‘B’ end has been completely re-skinned by Tony and is now ready for priming and painting. Another job well done! Pictured at Williton on Saturday 29th April 2023 by Andy Royal © 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 is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise. We hope to be able to use this loco on a WSR service train in the near future.

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is in full working order and is stabled in the South Yard, ready for action. We hope to apply her cabside lettering during the coming weeks to complete her ‘1972 makeover’.

 

 

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 !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we will skip this feature this week due to other priorities.

 

ON SHED – the Western Locomotive Association’s (WLA’s) 1963 Crewe-built ‘Thousand’ D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ was exercised in the yard at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway on Monday 1st May and is expected to be ready for service in time for her birthday event this coming Saturday, 6th May and her rostered running on both the Saturday and Sunday. We wish her a very happy 60th birthday !

Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ was pictured while exercising in the yard at Kidderminster on Monday 1st May 2023 in readiness for her rostered turns this coming weekend. This gleaming loco will celebrate her 60th birthday on Saturday 6th May. Photo by Paul Finch © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April, and a synopsis is being prepared and will be shared ASAP with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address.

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was in use on Saturday 22nd April 2023, shunting the South Yard at Williton to re-position a well wagon loaded with carriage axles so that it could be easily attached to an Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) train destined for Minehead. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Last weekend, preparations were being made for the SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR event that starts on Friday 28th April and runs right through to Monday 1st May, featuring an intensive timetable (click here for the timetable) based on the home fleet plus several high-profile visitors including the unique GWR 4-6-0 ‘Saint’ 2999 ‘LADY of LEGEND’ plus GWR 4-6-0 ‘Manor’ 7812 ‘ERLESTOKE MANOR’ and SR 4-6-2 ‘Rebuilt West Country’ 34072 (21C127) ‘TAW VALLEY’. This high-profile collection will be augmented by BR(W) Class 9400 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 9466 which was outshopped from WSR Restorations on Saturday 22nd April and hauled the ECS working from Williton to Minehead. Taken altogether, this has the feel of a great steam gala and we hope for some good weather to help make it the commercial success it deserves to be.

 

The DEPG depot will be OPEN FOR VISITORS on each day of the gala, allowing close-up viewing of our two major restoration projects D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 along with the four locos in the yard, namely ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018, ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 and Barclay 578 (ROF 1).

In the loco shed on each of the four days of the gala will be ROD’S MODEL RAILWAY SALES stand along with our own DEPG sales stand, so please come along and visit us if you can. You don’t have to buy anything, but it helps us pay our bills if you do.

   

 

The BLUE timetable returns after the gala and runs throughout May, featuring diesel haulage each weekend, initially with Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 and later with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017. For details of planned DIESEL-HAULED public services, click on the banner below to go to the DIESEL RUNNING DATES page.

 

 

LOCO NEWS:

Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the team are marching forward on several fronts as we tackle the work list on this giant locomotive. Some of the work is highly specialised and therefore dependent on some of our experienced volunteers, but most of the work just requires ‘common sense’ and we welcome more volunteers to join this team and get the work done as soon possible. The timeline further below shows how much there is to do and we want to be ahead of the game, not playing catch-up, so please CONTACT US and arrange for a volunteering taster day.

D1010 – the input shaft assembly was the target of the ‘transmission team’ at Williton on Monday 17th April 2023. The length of the input shaft is apparent from this view, showing the overhead crane being used to stabilise the assembly while preparing to press the lower bearing race into position. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D1010 – the timeline for this restoration project has been published in the DEPG Spring 2023 Newsletter that has been sent to all registered DEPG members. The narrative that goes with this timeline will be published on our website ASAP and covered in a future roundup. DEPG © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

To continue our rate of progress requires FUNDING and we give our thanks to everyone who has supported D1010 by sponsoring or donating during these difficult times. If you are able to do so, please SPONSOR A PATCH because there is plenty of recently-added metal that still needs engraving. Photographs and certificates of sponsorship will be sent out to all who have sponsored this phase of the restoration work, and we are applying more resources to catch up with this obligation and deliver the documents. Click the image below to sponsor a patch. Thank you in advance for your support !

See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !

 

 

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is now inside the paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed at Williton for a paintwork refresh in the hands of WSR Restorations. The photos below show the progress that is being made by Harry and the team, and the quality of the work is evident:

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured in the WSR Restorations paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed, Williton on 15th April 2023 as she cast off her old paint in readiness for her new paint. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured in the WSR Restorations paint tunnel in the Swindon Shed, Williton on 24th April 2023, now carrying gloss yellow and cream (‘Swanage Sand’, actually). Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is on standby in case she is needed during the steam gala (hopefully not), and will next be working her BLUE timetable duties on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 6/7/8th May.

Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stepped in to cover for GWR 2-6-2 ‘Prairie Tank’ 5199 on the 19th April 2023, pictured departing from Williton with the 12:30 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco has been confirmed as OK to take up duties subject to the usual inspection checks, her next rostered duties being on Saturday and Sunday 20/21st May under the BLUE timetable. See our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for information about this season’s diesel-hauled services.

D7017 shared her corner of the south yard with a Mark 1 coach that had just come out from maintenance at WSR Restorations and was soon to be moved to Minehead in preparation for the steam gala. Pictured on Saturday 22nd April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the tasks that are lined up on this loco were reviewed at the Board Meeting and confirmed as being minor in nature and easy to deal with in the time remaining before her next duty. This loco is therefore expected to be available in good time for the Diesel Gala on June 8th through 10th.

 

 

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – more progress has been made on several fronts, with John working on reinstatement of the electrical system, Terry on the brake rigging, Nick on the engine, while Tony and Andy P worked on the bodywork parts. Colin G covered multiple bases but scored a bonus point by getting the cab assembly brought into the loco shed so that restoration of this major assembly can commence. Here are some photos:

D9518 – the cab assembly is now inside the loco shed so that the restoration of this major item can commence under the guidance of Colin G. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 22nd April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

D9518 – the Paxman V6 diesel engine that once powered sister D9526 is being dismantled for cleaning and inspection prior to rebuilding with new bearings and seals. One bank of three cylinders was pictured at Williton on Saturday 15th April 2023 by Andy Royal © 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 is fully serviceable and ready for use as soon as suitable opportunities arise. As previously reported, she was used for a yard shunt at Williton on the morning of Saturday 22nd April and remains on standby in case she is needed.

D9526 was sandwiched between the Mark 1 coach and ‘Hymek’ D7018 at Williton on Saturday 22nd April 2023. The coach was moved to Minehead later that day, giving the ‘Teddy Bear’ some free space. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is now back in regular use on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is performing well. We hope to include details of her exploits in a future roundup.

 

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco was moved out of the loco shed on Saturday 22nd April and will remain outdoors throughout the running season. The paintwork detailing will be completed when the weather permits and the cabside transfers will then be applied, hopefully in time for her 1972 look to be perfected before the diesel gala.

Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) has now been moved out of the loco shed and awaits some paintwork detailing and her cabside transfers to be applied before we can call the job complete. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 22nd April 2023 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

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 !

 

 

BOOK REVIEW – we have now published Neale Long’s book review on DIESEL DAWN – VOLUME 7: WESTERN REGION CLASS 14 DIESEL-HYDRAULICS so click here to read the review or visit our NEW BOOK REVIEWS PAGE on our website. This book is on sale via our website for the benefit of the D9518 restoration fund. PLEASE BUY A COPY to support D9518 !

Many thanks to Neale for providing this book review.

We can also supply any of the previous six volumes of DIESEL DAWN, so please let us know if you would like to purchase any of the volumes in this interesting series. Please also take a look at our webstore for NEW BOOKS and PRE-OWNED BOOKS, the profits from which will go directly towards the upkeep of our loco fleet. Thank you very much for your support !

Just as a reminder, we can also supply PLATFORM 5 publications either from stock or against a special order, the profits from such sales going towards our general loco maintenance funds.

 

 

ON SHED – after a very succesful year of running in the guise of D1040 ‘WESTERN QUEEN’, the Western Locomotive Association’s (WLA’s) 1963 Crewe-built ‘Thousand’ is now back to being D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’, in good time to celebrate her 60th birthday on Saturday 6th May. This hard working loco is rostered to perform on the Severn Valley Railway on both the Saturday and the Sunday, 6/7th May and we wish her all the best for her 60th birthday !.

Three Class 52 ‘Westerns’ alongside each other, 46 years after the Class was withdrawn from mainline service. From left to right, D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’, D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ and D1013 ‘WESTERN RANGER’ filled one end of the diesel shed at Kidderminster in April 2023. Photo by Paul Finch © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

 

 

DEPG NEWS – a Board Meeting was held at Williton on Saturday 22nd April, and a synopsis is being prepared and will be shared ASAP with all DEPG members for whom we hold a valid email address.

 

Top marks to Graham, Tony and Paul T for their efforts on construction of the covered oil store in the yard at Williton, the first half of which was completed on Sunday 23rd April after another full weekend of hard labour. The gates for the other section have been ordered and will be installed during the next few weeks. Well done guys, the heroes of countless unsung infrastructure improvement projects !

The covered oil store in the yard at Williton will be used to store new and used oil and will include bunds to capture any spillage and prevent pollution. Pictured on Sunday 23rd April 2023 by Graham Perry © CC BY-NC 3.0

 

The DEPG depends on the support of all of our members so please make sure that your membership is up to date. If you are not sure about your membership status, please click here or on the image below to access your membership record via MEMBERMOJO.

 

 

KEY DATES for your diary:

WSR SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR : Friday 28th April through Monday 1st May 2023

WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL: Thursday 8th through Saturday 10th June 2023

DEPG 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS : Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023.

     

 

Go to previous Weekly Roundup post