Weekly Roundup

  • Weekly Roundup – 05-Jun-22

    Beyer Peacock Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 went out for a test run on Saturday 4th June 2022 to ensure that they were ready to perform in the WSR’s ‘Sixties Diesel Gala’ that will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022. The pair were pictured standing at Allerford Junction in the Norton Fitzwarren section. The line to the former Barnstaple branch can be seen heading off to the right. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D7017 and D7018 were photographed by DEPG member and volunteer Mark Ireland from his vantage point on Norton Bridge as they came to a stand at Allerford Junction in the Norton Fitzwarren section. No doubt he was hoping that the locos would pass under the bridge …. but they didn’t. Photo by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Our ‘Hymek’ crew got their own back by photographing the photographer – Mark Ireland – as he waited patiently on Norton Bridge for the locos to enter the triangle section. Telephoto shot by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    We are delighted to announce that both of our Class 35 ‘Hymek’ diesel-hydraulics have been declared service-ready after a proving run between Williton and Norton Fitzwarren last Saturday 4th June 2022. The pair were put through their paces on the climbs to the summit of the line at Crowcombe Heathfield and the additional testing in the Norton Fitzwarren section ensured that both locos were able to be load tested to an equal degree before returning to Williton.

    These two locos will again leave Williton on Tuesday morning 7th June and will relocate to Bishops Lydeard for the duration of the WSR’s ‘Sixties Diesel Gala’ that will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022. This is also convenient for a ‘Quantock Belle’ private charter service that will depart from Bishops Lydeard at 13:15 on the Tuesday for a run to Minehead and back, the sight and sound of a ‘Hymek’ combining with the delights of ‘QB’ dining to make a highly memorable day for those on board.

     

    Our two Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ are already in position, with D6566 (33 048) at Bishops Lydeard and D6575 (33 057) at Minehead, and Class 25 D7612 (25 262, 25 901) will be arriving at Bishops Lydeard on Tuesday 7th from Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway and will be fuelled and inspected at Westridge Shed the following day.

    The Diesel Traction Group’s (DTG) unique surviving Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 is also being prepared for loading at the Severn Valley Railway, although the transport arrangements have had to change due to an issue with the low-loader, so this loco will now be travelling to Somerset on Wednesday. The team from the DTG will be on hand when the loco arrives and together with the DEPG and WSR staff, will prepare the loco to enter service on the Thursday as planned, so multiple groups are working closely together on the preparations to make sure that the WSR put on a great show !

     

    The timetables can be found by clicking the below links or by visiting our new DIESEL RUNNING DATES page. More details about the event can be found on the WSR website. Any additional or updated information will be announced by the WSR and via DIESELGEN as soon as possible.

    Date Timetable  Locos rostered
    Thursday 9th June TT for 09JUN22 D6575, D7017, D7018, D7612, D8568
    Friday 10th June TT for 10JUN22 D6566, D6575, D7017, D7018, D7612, D8568
    Saturday 11th June TT for 11JUN22 D6566, D6575, D7017, D7018, D7612, D8568

    The DTG’s unique Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 is pictured departing from Highley with a rake of vintage GWR coaches while on a shuttle service to Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway. Photo dated 19th May 2022 by Steve Hampton © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 25 D7612 (25 262, 25 901) is pictured leading classmate and SDDT stablemate D7535 (25 185) across Marsh Common on the approach to Minehead on 22nd June 2019. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DIESEL RUNNING DATES – we have created a new page on our website and we will be updating it on a regular basis to provide a quick and easy reference to diesel running for the whole of the 2022 season. We will be adding the link to all of our most-visited pages soon, but meanwhile the link can be found on our home page or by looking under the DIESELGEN menu header.

    The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we will be aiming to deliver the above program of running with the locos indicated and we will provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so please sign up to keep up to date.

     

    OTHER ARRANGEMENTS that are being made in advance of the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA that will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022 are the introduction of new signs at our depot at Williton, to let the public know that the depot is OPEN TO VISITORS on each of the gala days. We will also be welcoming Rod Saunders and his Model Railway trading post to the depot again on each of the gala days, so please do come along and view the restoration work that is taking place on D1010 and D9518, and browse the model railway stand as well.

     

    Our SALES STANDS will be up and running at both Williton and Minehead throughout the event, and this year we are offering a LIMITED NUMBER of wooden replica D1010 numberplates that have been very carefully made by Rob Riley. These are very high quality items and are sure to sell out very quickly. The selling price is £75 each but fully-paid-up members will be eligible for a £15 discount –  but ONLY AT THE GALA – so come along and buy your plate during the event ! (we will gladly take orders for delivery in the future, though)

    Photo by Chris Shields © CC BY-NC 3.0

    Also courtesy of Rob Riley, we have the LONGEST ‘Western’ NAMEPLATE EVER with our fantastic ‘CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER’ nameplate that measures just over THREE METRES in length (9ft 11″ in fact) and is intended to draw attention to the campaign for the restoration of this much loved machine. We are making excellent progress with the restoration so COME ALONG TO WILLITON and take a look for yourself !

    Many thanks to Rob for his excellent craftmanship and for working so hard to get our order completed in time for the gala, and thanks also to our own volunteers for restoring the loco so that she could proudly wear this plate !               Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND AT THE DIESEL GALA – then watch the action from the webcams that have been provided by RAILCAM UK covering six different views along the line (seven if you sign up with Railcam UK). MANY THANKS to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these excellent services free of charge and therefore inclusive to all. Brilliant !

    Link to webcams: http://www.wsr.org.uk/index.htm

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER is still running and WE NEED YOUR HELP, so click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation. We are making good progress on the restoration of this massive locomotive, but our fund raising needs to keep pace so that our volunteers can obtain the materials and spare parts as we go along. We know that there are a lot of competing causes at present, but please do what you can to help.

    More progress on D1010 was made last week with the repair of the driver’s side window surround and handrail attachment on the other side of the ‘A’ end of the locomotive (currently the ‘Minehead’ end). We won’t go into details in this roundup because we want to focus on the gala, but we will be on hand to show you the work that is taking place when you visit the depot.

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    We will also be engraving more patches during quiet moments during the gala, so SPONSOR A PATCH and watch it being engraved at the depot !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is at Bishops Lydeard and is ready for gala duties.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is at Minehead and is ready for gala duties.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco will move to Bishops Lydeard on Tuesday 7th June for fuelling and will work her gala services from the Bishops Lydeard end of the line.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – as above, but this loco will also work a ‘Quantock Belle’ private charter from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back on Tuesday 7th June – more on this very special charter service next week.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – some HIGHLY visible progress was made on this loco over the last weekend, but we will hold back on the photos until next week’s instalment.

    This loco is on display and the quality of the restoration work will quickly become apparent upon inspection, so please do come along and take a look.

    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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway and will miss the diesel gala this year, but we hope to have her back next year, perhaps with her current stablemate D9504 who is currently undergoing an overhaul at the K&ESR. Let’s see what the new year brings !

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and is expected to move to Grosmont on WEDNESDAY 8th June to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks, including the replacement of the ‘triple pump’ using the spare that has been shipped from Williton to Grosmont. We hope to share the evidence of the move soon !

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is currently stabled in the yard at Williton and will be on display in her new livery of MOD deep bronze green. We have yet to complete the signwriting for her cabside detail and we also need to add the black diagonals to her buffer beams, but all will be done in the fullness of time. Take a look at this very useful locomotive when you visit the depot.

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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, but next week we will announce additional titles that will be added to our online store and will also be available on our sales stands, should the shipment arrive in time !

     

    ON SHED – we have received a number of photos from Neville Sloper’s collection and one that is quite appropriate as we celebrate the return to service of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is this photo of the loco shortly after purchase from BR by the D+EG (forerunner of the DEPG) and before the loco was able to move to its new home on the fledgling WSR. Many thanks to Neville for sharing his photos with us all.

    Ex-BR Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 stands between Bagnall 0-6-0ST 2994 ‘VULCAN’ and a pair of Class 25s at Taunton stabling point, some time between August 1975 and March 1976. Photo by Neville Sloper © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG NEWS – the May Newsletter has been mailed out and should be delivered this week, except for those members who have stated that they wanted an electronic copy, in which case they should have already received it. Just let me know if you want to go ‘paperless’ in future, and also let me know if you don’t receive your copy one way or another by the end of the week.

    Just a quick look at the statistics, we emailed the members for whom we hold email addresses (two thirds of our total number) and half of those emails were replied to within a matter of days (which is a very creditable response rate). Of those members who replied, three quarters opted for PAPERLESS, so the trend is clear. Thank you to all who responded so quickly. For those who opted for PAPER, we will be reviewing the options for a higher quality and larger sized newsletter when we review our membership rates, and will announce our plans in advance of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Saturday 3rd September. 

    AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY – the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the DEPG is scheduled to take place in the afternoon of Saturday 3rd September 2022, at Williton. All members will be advised via the forthcoming Newsletter mailing, which will also include a nomination form for board appointments.

     

    WSR NEWS: the ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ takes place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June and also includes additional entertainment and items of interest, the details of which can be found on the WSR website. Please make a plan to come along to this important event in support of both the WSR and the DEPG. Timetables for this gala have now been published on our new DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and any updates will be shared via our DIESELGEN email bulletin service.

     

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

    Go to Depot news

    Go to Join Us page

    Go to Welcome page

    Go to Home page

     

  • Weekly Roundup – 29-May-22

    South Devon Diesel Traction’s Class 25 D7612 (25 262, 25 901) was pictured arriving at Williton station with a service for Minehead during the WSR’s ‘Diesels to the Seaside 2019’ event on 21st June 2019. This loco will be visiting the WSR for the ‘Sixties Diesel Gala’ that will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The Gala Planning Team have announced that Class 25 D7612 (25 262, 25 901) will be visiting the WSR for the ‘Sixties Diesel Gala’ that will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, joining the unique Clayton Class 17 D8568 and the DEPG’s home fleet to put on a decent showing of Sulzer, Paxman and Maybach power !

    The Class 25 is owned by South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd and is based at Buckfastleigh in Devon, but is no stranger to the WSR, having visited on several occasions in the past, and has always proved to be a popular attraction. This 1966-vintage machine will join the Diesel Traction Group’s (DTG) unique surviving Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 and both locos will join in with the DEPG home fleet of Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 to put on a great show !

    The timetables have now been released, after adjustments to maximise the riding mileage available, and can be found by clicking the below links or by visiting our new DIESEL RUNNING DATES page. More details about the event can be found on the WSR website. Any additional or updated information will be announced by the WSR and via DIESELGEN as soon as possible.

    Date Timetable  Locos rostered
    Thursday 9th June TT for 09JUN22 D6575, D7017, D7018, D7612, D8568
    Friday 10th June TT for 10JUN22 D6566, D6575, D7017, D7018, D7612, D8568
    Saturday 11th June TT for 11JUN22 D6566, D6575, D7017, D7018, D7612, D8568

     

    The DTG’s unique Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 is pictured at the tail end of the Bewdley-Highley shuttle as it departed from Bewdley station on the Severn Valley Railway with a rake of vintage GWR coaches on Sunday 22nd May 2022. Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 is just visible at the leading end of the train. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DIESEL RUNNING DATES – we have created a new page on our website and we will be updating it on a regular basis to provide a quick and easy reference to diesel running for the whole of the 2022 season. We will be adding the link to all of our most-visited pages soon, but meanwhile the link can be found on our home page or by looking under the DIESELGEN menu header.

    The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we will be aiming to deliver the above program of running with the locos indicated and we will provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so please sign up to keep up to date.

     

    FAST APPROACHING – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days, so please come along to view our major restoration projects and chat to our volunteers. We look forward to seeing you.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER is still running and WE NEED YOUR HELP, so click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation. We are making good progress on the restoration of this massive locomotive, but our fund raising needs to keep pace so that our volunteers can obtain the materials and spare parts as we go along. We know that there are a lot of competing causes at present, but please do what you can to help.

    Major progress on D1010 last week was the repair of the driver’s side window surround and handrail attachment at the ‘A’ end of the locomotive (currently the ‘Minehead’ end). The side windows are putting up a fight and don’t want to come out, but they have to be removed so that we can attend to the corroded steelwork that supports them. No doubt we will get them out soon. Here’s some photos showing the progress made during the last week:

    D1010 – the corner of the driver’s side window at ‘A’ end shows the evidence of a stress corrosion fracture that has allowed rain water to enter and cause further damage. This corroded metal was subsequently cut out so that new steel could be built up from the solid structure around the door frame. Photo taken at Williton on Monday 23rd May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the strength has been restored by welding a new steel section into the vertical stanchion which in turn provides support to the horizontal window frame section. The handrail attachment area was also cleaned out by Geoff and the handrail welded over by Colin. Photo taken at Williton on Monday 23rd May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the corner of the driver’s side window at ‘A’ end cannot be repaired until the aluminium window frame has been removed. This is putting up a fight because the steel screws have corroded into the steel below the frame and do not want to come out. In the end, brute force and ingenuity will be applied in appropriate measure to get the window frames out without damaging them. Photo taken at Williton on Monday 23rd May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the top corner surround of the driver’s door at ‘A’ end was showing a bulge in the skin, so an exploratory cut was made to find out what was going on. A cracked weld just below the gutter had allowed rain water to get in and the subsequent corrosion had pushed the skin outwards. This has now been repaired and resolved by Colin and Tim. Photo taken at Williton on Tuesday 24th May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now moved to Bishops Lydeard to take up her duty as the standby locomotive.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is currently based at Minehead and is available for use as required.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco was the subject of attention last weekend, with an engine run and brake test being performed in readiness for a test run that will be fitted-in between now and the Diesel Gala.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – attention will soon shift to preparing this loco for her brake test and test run, in advance of a charter working that is booked for next Tuesday 7th June – but more about that in the next roundup. This loco will be locked in second gear for the rest of this season, which means that the power controller may need to be opened up a bit more to maintain timings with a 6-coach load. This should result in plenty of ‘Maybach Music’ to entertain the travellers !

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – some visible progress on this loco over the last weekend was the re-installation of the two Reavell exhausters that create the vacuum for the train braking system. These machines were overhauled some time ago by Terry Deacon and an interesting story about the challenges of the restoration work is told by specialist materials supplier TENMAT on their website. Click here for details.

    D9518 – the pair of reconditioned Reavell exhausters were treated to a coat of paint by Colin C at Williton on Saturday 28th May 2022, to make sure that they were properly dressed before they were hoisted back into position on the locomotive. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the two Reavell exhausters are now back in position on top of the subframe that holds them clear of the transmission heat exchanger, towards the front of the locomotive. Another excellent piece of progress by team D9518 ! The Voith L217u hydraulic transmission is in the foreground. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 29th May 2022 by Simon Purvis © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – The engine-driven (via the transmission) 110 VDC auxiliary generator has been prepared for re-installation and is soon to be back in position on top of the frames. This machine was completely reconditioned by well-known firm BOWERS ELECTRICAL, in Heanor, Derbyshire. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 28th May 2022 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The latest news is that loco has now clocked up 350 hours of use and continues to be well looked after by the Class 14 experts at this railway. One duty that she performed very carefully last week was the move of 1872-built Stroudley ‘Terrier’ Class A1X number 70, named ‘POPLAR‘ from Tenterden to Rolvenden, as pictured below:

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 was in charge of moving 1872-built Stroudley Class A1X ‘Terrier’ number 70 ‘POPLAR’ from Tenterden to Rolvenden on Wednesday 25th May 2022. Photo provided by the K&ESR © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and is expected to move to Grosmont during the coming week (yes, delayed from last week!) to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks, including the replacement of the ‘triple pump’ using the spare that has been shipped from Williton to Grosmont. We hope to share the news of the move soon.

    Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was pictured from a passing train while residing in the new carriage shed near Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in mid-May 2022. Photo by DEPG member and volunteer Cameron Walker © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco benefited from a wash that was provided by Ian and Tom on Sunday 29th May 2022 after it had attracted the unwelcome attention of the seagull population. Suffice it to say that the loco has now returned to her proper livery of deep bronze green !

     

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 – the excellent new 240-page book entitled ‘A Manual for Diesel Locomotive and DMU Drivers‘ by WSR and DEPG volunteer John Leach is selling very well, which is no surprise because it is a very high quality piece of work and is very well produced. It has even been printed in the UK, which is even more good news! This book is available from our stock for the discounted price of £34.95 from our ONLINE STORE. We will be offering this book for sale from both the Williton and Minehead DEPG sales stands at the WSR’s ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ from Thursday 9th June through Saturday 11th June 2022, along with other books and branded merchandise, in support of our loco fleet.

     

    ON SHED – staying with the story of Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8598 as featured last week, we now have a photograph of the loco in the yard at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby, showing the opposite side of the loco. Here’s some additional information that has been provided by Neville Sloper:

        “You can see from my photo (below) that, at the opposite end to the Longsight photo, 8598 had a high level jumper cable to enable it to work push/pull with a test vehicle (which I believe was converted from a redundant SR EMU driving car). You can see from this shot, that a single white pipe came from the tablet catcher recess on this side. This was the air brake pipe. On the opposite side, as in the Longsight photo, the two “pipes” coming from the recess are in fact electrical conduits running to the high level jumper cable and socket. This may be where the confusion about the use as a mobile generator came from.”

    Many thanks to Neville for sharing his knowledge and photograph with us all.

    This photograph shows Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8598 in the yard at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby, some time prior to her withdrawal and subsequent disposal in 1979. The RTC used the loco as a test bed for in-cab signalling and for the E70 brake control unit. Photo by Neville Sloper © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

     

    DEPG NEWS – the Board met at Williton last Saturday 28th May and a synopsis of the meeting will be produced and shared ASAP.

    The May Newsletter has been completed and is being mailed out later this week, except for those members who have stated that they only want an electronic copy (we will need to confirm receipt of those emails because they will include a nomination form). Just let me know if you want to go ‘paperless’.

    AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY – the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the DEPG is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd September 2022, at Williton. All members will be advised via the forthcoming Newsletter mailing, which will also include a nomination form for board appointments.

     

    WSR NEWS: the next event will be the ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ that takes place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June when the DEPG facility at Williton will again be open to the public. Please make a plan to come along to this important event in support of both the WSR and the DEPG. Timetables for this gala have now been published on our new DIESEL RUNNING DATES page and any updates will be shared via our DIESELGEN email bulletin service.

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

    That’s all we have time for this week, but we will be back in touch with more news next week. Thank you for your ongoing support for the WSR and the DEPG !

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

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  • Weekly Roundup – 22-May-22

    The DTG’s unique Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 is pictured at Highley station on the Severn Valley Railway on 19th May 2022 with a rake of vintage GWR coaches. Photo by Steve Hampton © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The Diesel Traction Group’s (DTG) unique surviving Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 was in fine form during the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival that took place last week, the loco being used on a shuttle service between Kidderminster and Bewdley in top-and-tail mode with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9551 at the other end of the train. Both locos are ‘centre cab’ designs, but the much larger ‘Clayton’ is a 900 HP twin-engined diesel-electric machine that was designed to overcome the issue of restricted forward visibility that affected the earlier ‘Type 1’ long-bonnet designs of Classes 15, 16 and 20. The ‘Claytons’ certainly addressed that issue with their low bonnet lines and their big windows.

    The only survivor from a class of 117 examples, this loco will be headlining at the WSR’s ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ that will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022 and this will be the very first time that this locomotive class will have run on the Minehead branch, so we look forward to enjoying a real treat !

    In addition to the ‘Clayton’, one more visiting locomotive is ‘in the frame’ and details will be announced as soon as the hire contract has been finalised. Add the two Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the two Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ of our home fleet and this will make a very interesting lineup. The timetables are being adjusted to maximise the riding mileage available, and will be announced by the WSR and via DIESELGEN as soon as possible.

     

    Another loco making the news is the Western Locomotive Association’s (WLA’s) Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ in her temporary guise as D1040 ‘WESTERN QUEEN’ to mark the 70th Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II. This splendid loco will run as D1040 for the remainder of this season. The headcode 1M64 is that of a Class 1 (express passenger) working from the Western Region to the Midland Region – can anyone provide details on the specific working?

    The WLA’s Class 52 D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’ running as D1040 ‘WESTERN QUEEN’ was pictured at Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway on Sunday 22nd May 2022. Photo by DEPG member Paul Mear © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Back on our home turf, the WSR’s ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ is fast approaching and both of our Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 are undergoing attention to final details to prepare them for service. During the last weekend, D7017 moved inside the loco shed so that she could get a fresh coat of varnish to lift her tired paintwork and make her ‘look the part’ for her 60th year. The loco will need attention to some small areas of corrosion in advance of her next full repaint, but for this year, it was a case of a quick tidy-up and a focus on completion of remedial work associated with her recent bogie spring replacement. The two 60-year-olds made a fine sight in the sunshine, together again on number 1 road at Williton:

    Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 are being prepared for service at Williton. D7017 has just received a fresh coat of varnish and this has made a tremendous difference to her appearance – thank you Graham ! Pictured on Sunday 22nd May 2022 by Graham Perry © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    On Saturday 21st May 2022, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) hauled the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service as planned but remained attached to the ‘Taunton’ end when the train arrived at Bishops Lydeard. This was to allow sister loco D6575 (33 057) to take over the diagram for the rest of the day and again on Sunday. The reason for the switch was to allow D6566 to return to Williton for attention to a minor water leak that had been identified by a crew member on a previous working. The loco travelled back to Williton on the tail end of the 12:30 departure from Bishops Lydeard. The issue has now been resolved by Ian and Paul and both locos are available for service.

    It was great to see Stuart Nelhams (now General Manager of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway) back in charge of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) with DEPG and WSR volunteer Chris Lawton as secondman, pictured during the Williton station stop on Sunday 22nd May 2022 while working the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard 80-mile diagram. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DIESEL RUNNING DATES – the table of dates that we shared last week contained an error because the WSR have planned a full steam service for Sunday 19th June because it will be Father’s Day. The table below has been updated accordingly and we will be sending out a DIESELGEN bulletin to provide more details ASAP. Here’s the allocation for the coming months:

    Date Timetable Loco type Mileage available
    Saturday 14th May Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles – D6566 – completed
    Sunday 15th May  Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles – D6566 – completed
    Saturday 21st May Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 20 miles D6566, 60 miles D6575 completed
    Sunday 22nd May  Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles – D6575 – completed
    Thursday 9th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Friday 10th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Saturday 11th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Sunday 12th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Saturday 18th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Sunday 19th June Blue No diesels rostered All services steam-hauled (Father’s Day)
    Saturday 25th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Sunday 26th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Saturday 2nd July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 3rd July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Saturday 9th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 10th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Saturday 16th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 17th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Saturday 23rd July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 24th July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Saturday 30th July Yellow No diesels rostered All services steam-hauled
    Sunday 31st July Blue No diesels rostered All services steam-hauled
    Saturday 3rd Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 4th Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Saturday 17th Sept Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 18th Sept Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Saturday 24th Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 25th Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles

    The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we will be aiming to deliver the above program of running with the locos indicated and we will provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so please sign up to keep up to date.

     

    FAST APPROACHING – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER is still running and WE NEED YOUR HELP, so click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation. Your support is essential to help us maintain the pace of the restoration programme and get this majestic loco back into service as quickly as possible!

    The need to get ‘Hymek’ D7017 under cover for her varnish top coat presented an opportunity to get D1010 out of the loco shed and into the sunshine. Here’s some photos showing the progress made during the last week:

    D1010 – the ‘B’ end of the loco has progressed very well and attention is now being given to the surface finish by Roy and Bob so that the undercoat layer can be applied. Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) can also be seen in this picture, taken at Williton on Saturday 21st May 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – a closer look at the ‘B’ end of the loco shows that the welding work has been completed and Roy is now able to concentrate on the paintwork. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st May 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – meanwhile, at the ‘A’ end of the loco, this view shows a series of re-purposed steel patches totalling eleven feet (3.3m) in length, all resulting from the corrosion caused by rain water ingress that accumulates on the deck plate when the loco is stored outdoors and not in regular use. The patches had to be applied in small sections and include plug-welds because the skin of the loco forms part of the load-bearing structure and it cannot be simply cut open and seam welded around the edges. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st May 2022 by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco was in action for the first leg of the 10:00 Minehead diagram under the blue timetable as per our recent DIESELGEN bulletin but handed over to sister loco D6575 (33 057) for the rest of the diagram so that she could return to Williton for a repair to a minor coolant leak. The issue was resolved within a matter of hours and the loco was made ready to take up her new duty as standby locomotive.

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) worked the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service on Saturday 21st May 2022 before handing over to sister loco D6575 (33 057) and tagging along for the ride back to Williton where the loco was detached from the rear of the train. The loco then made her way to the South Yard and is pictured receiving attention to a coolant leak. The minor repairs were completed by Ian and Paul within a matter of hours and the loco was again made available for service. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is currently based at Minehead and is available for use as required.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is now gleaming again, thanks to a fresh coat of varnish that has been applied by Graham. There are a few small tasks remaining to be completed, after which the loco will be ready to be returned to service. We are looking forward to seeing her back in action during the Diesel Gala that takes place between 9th and 11th June.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – with all of our attention having been diverted onto other things during the past few weeks, the decision was taken to leave the transmission of this loco locked in second gear for the immediate future, to ensure that she is available for the Diesel Gala and beyond. This loco operated in second gear for the whole of the 2021 season without difficulty, although it will mean that the power controller may need to be opened up a bit more to maintain timings with a 6-coach load. This should result in plenty of ‘Maybach Music’ to accompany her efforts !

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – more new parts have been sourced to assist with the restoration of this loco, the latest acquisitions being a new set of steel pins and collars for the brake rigging, machined by Yeovil-based VGG Group and paid for by donations to the D9518 Restoration Fund. Thank you to all who have been donating to support the work being done on this loco !

    D9518 – a set of new brake pins and collars have been machined by Yeovil-based VGG Group to complete the brake rigging on this loco, paid for by donations to the D9518 Restoration Fund. The good quality work and the excellent turnaround time tells us that we have found another good supplier that we can use for other parts in the future. One of the ‘old parts’ is shown in the foreground for reference. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 17th May 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the BR-Swindon drawings for the brake pins and collars were regenerated in CAD by chartered mechanical engineer and DEPG volunteer Paul Clark © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – The two reconditioned Reavell exhausters that create the vacuum for the train braking system were retrieved from storage and are undergoing a re-paint before installing them onto the loco frames. Click here for a very interesting story of engineering work that was performed by Terry Deacon with materials specialist TENMAT during the restoration work on these machines. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st May 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – The engine-driven (via the transmission) 110 VDC auxillary generator was retrieved from storage and is ready to be re-installed onto the loco frames. This machine was completely reconditioned by well-known firm BOWERS ELECTRICAL, in Heanor, Derbyshire. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 21st May 2022 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The latest news is that loco continues to perform well and is being looked after by the Class 14 experts at the railway in addition to the periodic visits from our own Class 14 team leader Simon. We hope to include some photographs of this loco soon.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and is expected to move to Grosmont during the coming week to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks, including the replacement of the ‘triple pump’ using the spare that has been shipped from Williton to Grosmont.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this very useful locomotive was in use again over the weekend, shunting our locos around so that D7017 could get into the loco shed. Here’s a photo showing the loco in action:

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) was in use again on 21st and 22nd May 2022 and is pictured shunting D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and ‘Hymek’ D7018 into number 1 road at Williton. Photo by Paul Clark © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 – the excellent new 240-page book entitled ‘A Manual for Diesel Locomotive and DMU Drivers‘ by WSR and DEPG volunteer John Leach is selling very well, which is no surprise because it is a very high quality piece of work and is very well produced. It has even been printed in the UK, which is even more good news! This book is available from our stock for the discounted price of £34.95 from our ONLINE STORE. We will be offering this book for sale from both the Williton and Minehead DEPG sales stands at the WSR’s ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ from Thursday 9th June through Saturday 11th June 2022.

     

    ON SHED – last week, we featured a photo of a Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8598 that we said had been transferred to the Railway Technical Centre at Derby for use as a mobile generator. This was not the case, as pointed out by long-term DEPG member Neville Sloper who wrote as follows:

    “D8521 was the RTC mobile generator. D8598 was used for in-cab signalling trials on the Styal line, hence it often being seen at Longsight. It was also the test bed for the E70 brake unit, as used in the HST and class 56 and the pipes seen coming from the former tablet catcher recess are actually air brake pipes (the brake pipe is visible on the buffer beam on the Longsight photo).

    Many thanks to Neville for taking the time to set the record straight. We always welcome such feedback, aimed at ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information that we are presenting. As a result, the photo below now has a revised caption:

    This photograph shows Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8598 at Longsight Diesel Depot (Manchester) on 19th January 1975. This loco only worked for seven years before being withdrawn from service at the end of 1971 – but survived until 1979 due to being of some use to the RTC who used it as a test bed for in-cab signalling and for the E70 brake control unit (note the additional pipework emanating from the tablet catcher recess and also on the right hand side of the buffer beam). Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    A new on-shed photo that is highly topical has been provided by well-known heritage railway engineer Bob Meanley and shows another appropriately-named Class 52 ‘Western’, in this case D1064 ‘WESTERN REGENT’ at the Exeter St. Davids ‘stabling point’ (a term that often denotes a place that was formerly a ‘proper’ shed in steam days, but has been downgraded subsequently). The photo was taken from Platform 6 and shows one of the many water columns that were fed from the giant water tank at the south end of the station (off to the left of this picture). The former steam shed (off to the right of the picture) was just a collection of walls by this time, the roof having been removed some time previously. Open countryside and the banks of the River Exe form the background. Many thanks to Bob for sending his photograph to us to share.

    This photograph shows Class 52 D1064 ‘WESTERN REGENT’ at Exeter St. Davids stabling point in July 1968. This loco was built at Crewe and entered service in May 1963, initially based at Cardiff Canton depot. The loco was painted into BR-blue livery in March 1968, just four months prior to this photo being taken. Withdrawal came in December 1975 due to minor accident damage that was deemed beyond economic repair. Photo by Bob Meanley © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG NEWS – the Board will be meeting at Williton at 1030 on the morning of Saturday 28th May so please let me know if you have a question that you would like to have tabled at that meeting.

    The May Newsletter is in the works and is planned for distribution next week. We have a short list of members who have stated that they only want an electronic copy, but all other members will be sent a paper copy. Let me know if you want to go ‘paperless’.

    AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY – the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the DEPG is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd September 2022, at Williton. All members will be advised via the forthcoming Newsletter mailing, which will also include a nomination form for board appointments.

     

    WSR NEWS: the next event will be the ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ that takes place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June when the DEPG facility at Williton will again be open to the public. Please make a plan to come along to this important event in support of both the WSR and the DEPG. Timetables for this gala have not yet been published but are expected very soon and will be shared via our DIESELGEN email bulletin service.

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

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  • Weekly Roundup – 15-May-22

    We have just had confirmation that the Diesel Traction Group’s (DTG) unique surviving Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 will be attending at the WSR’s ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ that will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022. This will be the very first time that this rare beast has visited the WSR and we look forward to the unique sight and sound of this twin-engined diesel-electric machine as she tackles the significant gradients along the line.

    In addition to the ‘Clayton’, one more visiting locomotive is ‘in the frame’ and details will be announced as soon as the hire contract has been finalised. Add the two Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ and the two Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ of our home fleet and this will make a very interesting lineup. The timetables are being adjusted to maximise the riding mileage available, and will be announced by the WSR and via DIESELGEN as soon as possible.

     

    Also making the news this week …

    … is the long-awaited publication of a 240-page book by DEPG driver and WSR Diesel Traction Inspection JOHN LEACH, the contents of which will be fascinating to heritage diesel lovers as well as footplate crew. This book is the culmination of many years of hard work and preparation and we hope that it becomes essential reading for all with a detailed interest in heritage diesel traction.

     

    Here’s what John has to say about his new book:

         “The book is 240 pages long, hard back and in A4 format. It includes 87 diagrams, 39 tables and many photos, particularly of loco parts. Very roughly, it is a balance of 50/50 traction and the other knowledge required by a Driver. Please note that it is a manual for Drivers, and does not convey the depth of knowledge required by fitters, although there are cross references to other works (such as the BR manual ‘Diesel Traction’, 1962) for those requiring much deeper information. My own work is technical, but is a step down from ‘Diesel Traction’, with many of the diagrams being illustrative rather than technically correct, as I have tried to illustrate the basic working of various pieces of equipment. It is entitled ‘A manual for diesel loco and DMU drivers’.”

    John’s new book is available for £34.95 from our DEPG online store by clicking on the image or on this link.

     

    John is well known throughout the DEPG and WSR for his in-depth training courses for diesel footplate crew. He is highly knowledgeable and keen to teach others, so it is not surprising that this is what his publisher, Platform 5, had to say:

         “This book focuses on the role and duties of heritage railway diesel drivers and secondmen, but contains little that should not be comprehensible to anyone with an interest in diesel traction and footplate matters.

         The author is a fifth-generation railwayman who began his footplate career in 1970 and is now a diesel driver and traction inspector at the West Somerset Railway. Of the book, he writes, “It is the standard of knowledge that was required of me by BR, and that which I now seek to pass on to others”.”

    We wish John every success with his new book !

     

    DEPG driver John Leach and secondman Terry Deacon were in charge of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048), pictured in the sunshine during the Williton station stop on Saturday 14th May 2022 while working the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DIESEL RUNNING DATES – we are now able to confirm further loco allocations for the diesel running days and we will be sending out a DIESELGEN bulletin to provide more details later this week. Here’s the allocation for the next coming months:

    Date Timetable Loco type Mileage available
    Saturday 14th May Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles – D6566 – completed
    Sunday 15th May  Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles – D6566 – completed
    Saturday 21st May Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 22nd May  Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Thursday 9th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Friday 10th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Saturday 11th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Sunday 12th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Saturday 18th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Sunday 19th June Blue No diesels rostered All steam (Fathers Day)
    Saturday 25th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Sunday 26th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Saturday 2nd July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 3rd July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Saturday 9th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 10th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Saturday 16th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 17th July Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Saturday 23rd July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 24th July Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Saturday 30th July Yellow No diesels rostered All services steam-hauled
    Sunday 31st July Blue No diesels rostered All services steam-hauled
    Saturday 3rd Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 4th Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Saturday 17th Sept Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 18th Sept Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Saturday 24th Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 25th Sept Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles

    The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we will be aiming to deliver the above program of running with the locos indicated and we will provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so sign up to keep up to date.

     

    SOME VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER is still running and WE NEED YOUR HELP, so click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation. It all adds up, that’s for sure!

     

    The heavier nature of the repairs required at ‘A’ end can be seen in this series of four photographs that were provided by DEPG volunteer (and master of the art of welding, amongst many other talents) Colin Foxhall, and it goes without saying that we are very grateful for his contribution to the restoration of D1010. Here goes:

    D1010 – the ‘A’ end of the loco has corroded to a greater extent than the ‘B’ end so the repairs are more invasive and require more metal to be removed so that the underlying structure can be rebuilt with sufficient strength. Pictured at Williton on Monday 9th May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – each section supports another, so it is important to build up from the solid metal of the buffer beam and then restore the sub-structure before adding the skin. More patches that need sponsoring ! Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 10th May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – trial-fitting a piece of sheet steel that has been formed and shaped in three dimensions. There’s no flat sheet metal parts on a ‘Western’ ! Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 10th May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – job done ! The corner of ‘A’ end on ‘A’ side has now been repaired and the rigidity has been restored, along with the curves that are characteristic of a ‘Western’. More excellent work by DEPG volunteer Colin and his assistants Geoff and Tim. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 10th May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    On Saturday, Brian continued his work on the battery compartment doors, some of which have been repaired in the past so just need cleaning and painitng, and other that have rusted through and will need to be removed for repair on the bench. There are eight doors, four on each side of the loco, and they are quite substantial in construction to cope with the weight of the batteries, which have to be pulled out for periodic maintenance or replacement:

    D1010 – two of the eight battery compartment doors were opened up for attention at Williton on Saturday 14th May 2022. The doors, hinges and stays are strong enough to carry the full weight of the batteries, visible in their black plastic carriers in the upper right quadrant of the picture. Photo by Brian Litherland © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco was in action for both days of the weekend on the 10:00 Minehead diagram under the blue timetable as per our recent DIESELGEN bulletin.

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) covered the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard workings on both days of the weekend and is pictured on Sunday 15th May 2022 on the first return leg of the 80-mile diagram, leaving Bishops Lydeard just after a shower had passed through. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    ADVANCE INFORMATION – the 10:00 Minehead diagram will again be hauled by one of the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ on Sat/Sun 21/22 May. The BLUE TIMETABLE offers 80 miles of diesel-haulage with two return trips starting at Minehead. Keep up to date about future diesel running via DIESELGEN.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard and is available for use as required.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is now receiving attention for a fairly short list of tasks that need to be dealt with before she can be returned to service. This loco will swap places with D1010 for the weekend of 21/22 May and go into the loco shed so that her paintwork can be cleaned and varnished in time for the Diesel Gala that takes place between 9th and 11th June.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – an engine run was performed on Saturday 14th May 2022 to ensure that all of her systems were functional. There is a short list of tasks that need to be completed to get this loco ready for service, so she will be the focus of attention in the coming weeks.

    The loco was being used for target practice by the local seagull population, so sales team volunteer Mark took pity on her and treated her to a thorough wash-and-brush-up, and also provided us with the following photograph. Mark – many thanks for doing such a great job !

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 had attracted the ‘wrong kind of attention’ from the seagulls, so volunteer Mark used his day off as an opportunity to bring the loco back up to her usual sparkling-clean condition. Pictured at Williton on Monday 9th May 2022 by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – work continues behind the scenes on the many small parts that need to be restored or replaced to allow the major assemblies to be re-installed. This week, a pair of new brake return springs were delivered, having been made to the original Swindon drawing and paid for by donations to the D9518 Restoration Fund. Thank you to all who have been donating to support the work being done on this loco !

    D9518 – the two brand new brake return springs that were made to the BR-Swindon drawing by the Tested Spring Company at Tividale in the West Midlands (great service, by the way!) and paid for by donations to the D9518 Restoration Fund. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 14th May 2022 by Simon Purvis © 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The latest readings from the meters on the loco show that the loco has been used for 364 hours and has covered 7,408 miles while out on hire in the southeast. This is remarkable and shows how well-suited the ‘Teddy Bear’ is to duties on this line. Well done D9526 !

    As promised a few weeks’ ago, here are the photos from another excellent supplier, ICS Online in Preston, who have reconditioned the ‘spare’ starter motor for D9526 and turned the complete job around in less than two weeks. Fantastic service !

    D9526 – the armature of the spare starter motor had suffered from overheating, so the team at ICS Online performed a thorough reconditoning of the part, restoring it to as-new performance. Photo dated 28th April 2022 by Iain Parker, ICS Online © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9526 – the field coils of the spare starter motor were removed and re-insulated to ensure reliable operation of this 110 V DC machine for many years to come. What an excellent service from the team at ICS Online in Preston. Photo dated 28th April 2022 by Iain Parker, ICS Online © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and is expected to move to Grosmont during the coming week to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks, including the replacement of the ‘triple pump’ using the spare that has been shipped from Williton to Grosmont. After removal, the worn triple pump will be sent to a specialist firm for complete refurbishment and will become the new spare, and will be stored at Williton.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – no change this week.

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 – see article above regarding ‘A Manual for Diesel Locomotive and DMU Drivers‘ by John Leach, available from our ONLINE STORE.

     

    ON SHED – this week, with the news that Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8568 will be visiting the WSR, this is a good opportunity to present a photo of another class member that very nearly made it into preservation, after being transferred to the Railway Technical Centre (RTC) at Derby for use as a mobile generator. The loco is D8598, one of the batch that was built by Beyer Peacock in Manchester, to the ‘BR standard Type 1’ design, entering service in August of 1964. Unfortunately, the design was flawed and there was no real effort made to correct the issues, so all 117 locomotives were withdrawn from service by the end of 1971. Some had been cut up when less than four years old, but D8598 managed to avoid the cutting torch until 1979. Only D8568 survived into preservation, by working in industry until 1982, being acquired by our good friends at the DTG in 1983.

    This photograph shows Class 17 ‘Clayton’ D8598 at Longsight Diesel Depot on 19th January 1975. This loco only worked for seven years before being withdrawn from service at the end of 1971 – but survived until 1979 due to being of some use to the RTC who used it as a mobile generator (note the additional electrical conduits emanating from the tablet catcher recess near the double arrows logo). Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG NEWS – the station car park at Williton was dominated by twelve vintage Land Rovers on Saturday 14th May 2022 as the Somerset Series 1 Land Rover Club had arranged a visit to Williton depot for a guided tour. The tour lasted nearly three hours during which the group viewed our restoration projects and witnessed the start-up of ‘Hymek’ D7018, before heading off in convoy for a cream tea at Stogumber station. A very useful donation was received as a token of their appreciation !

    Twelve Series 1 (1948 through 1958) Land Rovers gathered at Williton on Saturday 14th May 2022. Pictured in Williton Station car park by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The 3-year lease for Unit 9 Roughmoor Business Centre (adjacent to our Williton depot) has been agreed and the DEPG will take over the unit later this month. This will provide us with sufficient covered and clean working space to allow the further disassembly and subsequent repair of the ‘B’ transmission from D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’. The DEPG already leases the adjacent Unit 8 but since the loss of use of the Old Goods Shed at Williton Station, Unit 8 is too crowded to permit further disassembly of the turbine rail.

     

    ANOTHER NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY – the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the DEPG is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd September 2022, at Williton. All members will be advised via the forthcoming Newsletter mailing, which will also include a nomination form for board appointments.

     

    WSR NEWS: the next event will be the ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ that takes place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June when the DEPG facility at Williton will again be open to the public. Please make a plan to come along to this important event in support of both the WSR and the DEPG. Timetables for this gala have not yet been published but are expected very soon and will be shared via our DIESELGEN email bulletin service.

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

    Go to Depot news

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  • Weekly Roundup – 08-May-22

    The DEPG sales stand was back in action on all four days of the Spring Steam Gala, but Chris had a prior engagement for the Saturday (something to do with a ‘Deltic’ …) so DEPG member Mark Ireland volunteered to man the stand and has now been inducted to the sales team. That will teach him. Well done Mark ! Pictured on Saturday 7th May 2022 at Williton by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The DEPG opened our Williton depot to the public on all four days of the WSR’s SPRING STEAM GALA (Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May) and attendance was good (the busiest days being Thursday and Saturday) and the event resulted in sales and donations totalling close to £500 – which is not bad at all for a STEAM gala !

    Donations were boosted by the guided tours that were provided by Leroy (on all four days – thank you Leroy !) and also by Terry, and our visitors were impressed by the obvious progress on both D1010 and D9518. The dual attractions of locomotives under heavy overhaul and the Model Railways sales stand operated by Rod Saunders worked very well and is a recipe that we will be offering at the Diesel Gala as well. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make the event such a success !

    The model railway sales stand was very well patronised and brought additional visitors into our diesel depot. Similarly, most of the visitors wanting to see our locos were also attracted by the wide range of models being offered by Rod Saunders (above, centre), so it was a win-win combination. Pictured on Saturday 7th May 2022 at Williton by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DIESEL RUNNING DATES – We are now able to confirm the loco allocations for the diesel running days and we will be sending out a DIESELGEN bulletin to provide more details later this week. Here’s the allocation for the next few weekends:

    Date Timetable Loco type Mileage available
    Saturday 14th May Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 15th May  Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Saturday 21st May Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Sunday 22nd May  Blue Class 33 ‘Crompton’ 80 miles
    Thursday 9th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Friday 10th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Saturday 11th June DIESEL GALA Home fleet plus visitor(s) Norton Fitzwarren extension
    Sunday 12th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ or visitor 80 miles
    Saturday 18th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles
    Sunday 19th June Blue Class 35 ‘Hymek’ 80 miles

    The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we will be aiming to deliver the above program of running with the locos indicated and we will provide as much advance notice of any change as possible, using our DIESELGEN and Twitter feeds, so sign up to keep up to date.

     

    SOME VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER has been boosted by the recent raffle income and by donations made at the events of the last two weekends, but we are still some way from our target so WE NEED YOUR HELP ! Click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation. It all helps, that’s for sure!

    We were unable to work on the loco during the gala weekend so our team worked mid-week to make sure that the work progressed on the ‘A’ side at the ‘A’ end of the loco (nearest the main doors). As mentioned last week, the ‘A’ end needs a more invasive form of repair compared to the ‘B’ end, so progress will take the form of stops and starts as larger tasks are tackled. Here’s some photos of the work that was completed last week:

    D1010 – repairs around the driver’s door handrail mounts at ‘A’ end have now been completed except for the area shown in the yellow circle – this area will be opened up and repaired in the very near future. More patches that need sponsoring ! Pictured at Williton on Wednesday 4th May 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the ‘skin’ around the leading sandbox porthole at the ‘A’ end has been extensively repaired, so much so that only one of the 10 mounting holes for the cast aluminium frame remains. The other nine holes have been marked and now need to be drilled ! Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th May by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

     

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is now outstationed at Minehead and is rostered for use this coming weekend under the blue timetable as per our recent DIESELGEN bulletin.

    ADVANCE INFORMATION – the 10:00 Minehead diagram will be hauled by Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) on Sat/Sun 14/15 May and 21/22 May. The BLUE TIMETABLE offers 80 miles of diesel-haulage with two return trips starting at Minehead. Keep up to date about future diesel running via DIESELGEN.

    Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) is now outstationed at Minehead to cover the weekend workings that originate at Minehead. This loco is booked to work the 10:00 departure for two return trips (80 miles) on each day of the next two weekends. Pictured on Thursday 5th May 2022 at Minehead in the company of BR(W) 0-6-0PT 9466 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard and was treated to an ‘A’ exam on Saturday by Ian and Tom, and they also took the opportunity to replace the vinyl numerals that had conveniently decided to peel themselves off. This was only convenient because they were the wrong font and needed to be replaced by the authentic font anyway, as can be seen from the picture below:

    BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was treated to a new set of ‘proper’ numerals on Sunday 8th May 2022 after her corporate-era ‘Rail Alphabet‘ font numerals decided to detach themselves from the loco ! © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is now receiving attention for a fairly short list of tasks that need to be dealt with before she can be returned to service. The plan is well under way to get the loco into a presentable external condition in time for the Diesel Gala that takes place between 9th and 11th June.

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 received attention from Graham’s paintbrush with a coat of varnish that will get her through the season in style. This loco will be subjected to a full repaint next year, after attention to some small areas of corrosion. Pictured at Williton on 8th May 2022 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Beyer Peacock Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017’s faded paintwork will take on a new appearance after a careful clean followed by a coat of varnish. The larger areas need to wait until the loco is under cover and free from airborne dust. There are some small areas of corrosion that will just have to be varnished over for this season. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 8th May by Graham Perry © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco was open to the public at Williton for all four days of the Steam Gala, proudly showing off her Bristol Siddeley Maybach MD870 V16 engine while basking in the sunshine. Here’s a picture:

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was open to the public on all four days of the steam gala and received plenty of attention. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th May by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – activities at Williton were restricted by the need to open the depot to the public, but Terry and Andy P continued working on the fuel system pipework and fittings. Here’s some photographs to show what has been happening on this loco:

    D9518 – the non-return valve of the bulk fuel filler port had become stuck after so many years out of use, so it was removed by Andy P for attention and was soon sorted out and readied for re-installation. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th May 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the repaired bulk fuel filler port was re-fitted to the loco by Andy P at Williton on Saturday 7th May 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – a view of the rolling chassis as it gradually acquires the many components that are needed to restore it to working order. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 8th May 2022 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the heat exchanger for the hydraulic transmission fluid has now been re-connected. It sits between the two red supports that will eventually carry the exhausters. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th May 2022 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and is expected to move to Grosmont during the coming week to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks, including the replacement of the ‘triple pump’ using the spare that has been prepared for shipment from Williton to Grosmont:

    The spare ‘triple pump’ for Class 47 47077 (D1661 47613 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ has been wrapped up and is ready for the 300-mile journey to Grosmont for installation into the loco. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th May 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – no change this week.

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF 1) was in the yard at Williton and her new bronze green paintwork was available for viewing throughout the steam gala. Pictured along with fellow diesel-hydraulics (L-R) D7017, D7018 and D1010 on Sunday 8th May by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 – this week, we have a book review from regular contributor and DEPG member Neale Long, covering Part Two of the Book Law Publications title ‘BR Early Diesels in Colour‘ as follows:

    BR Early Diesels in Colour – Part Two – TOPS Classes 37 to 55 published by Book Law Publications

         “This is the accompanying volume to ‘Part One – TOPS Classes 01 to 35’ published earlier this year. Using the same format at Part One, this second volume continues its survey of all early BR diesels, with another gorgeous collection of full colour images, which like the previous volume does full justice to the subject matter. This second volume covers classes 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 50, 52, 53 & 55 and various designs that did not receive any TOPS classification such as various shunters built by North British, Ruston & Hornsby, Hunslet and Barclay; the prototype ‘DELTIC’ and the SR 1-Co-Co-1. The volume ends with some truly spectacular views over the more scenic lines in the North of England with the Settle & Carlisle and Oxenholme to Shap featuring classes 17, 25, 28, 37, 40, 47 and 50.

         Book Law publishing have continued their good work in this second volume full of sumptuous colour images of many much-loved classes, the vast majority of which have not been published before. With a high standard of reproduction, thoughtful and informative captions, this splendid publication with surely appeal to not only heritage traction enthusiasts in particular, but also to railway historians and modellers who seek to learn more about this fascinating period in Britain’s railway history.

         From the Group’s perspective, the volume covers two classes with which it has a direct involvement, namely classes 47 and 52 and both classes are well covered in this volume. Pride of place must surely go to the superb side profile image of a green livered D1661 ‘NORTH STAR’ traversing the line between Worcester Foregate Street and Worcester Shrub Hill on what one presumes is a Hereford to London service. From the diesel-hydraulic perspective, there are several fascinating images; – namely D601 ‘ARK ROYAL’ at Taunton on the up ‘Mayflower’ and D845 ‘SPRIGHTLY’ and an unidentified sister at Teignmouth on the Paignton to Bradford ‘Devonian’ service.

         Class 52 enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either, with an interesting if somewhat rare image of D1013 ‘WESTERN RANGER’ in maroon with small yellow panels rather that the more common image of her in BR blue. But perhaps the most interesting image is that of a brand new D1058 ‘WESTERN NOBLEMAN’ on a Cardiff-Portsmouth Harbour service at Keynsham, this author at least has never seen a photograph of a Class 52 on one of these services.

         Of the diesel-electrics, again there are so many fascinating views, but the photograph of a class 37 at Cargo Fleet (Teeside) on the inaugural molten metal torpedo train from Middlesborough to Consett is worthy of mention, images of Class 37s with brake tenders in the Northeast similarly so. Great to see an image of a Class 40 at Wiske Moor water troughs, replenishing her boiler water tanks. Enthusiasts of all the generic ‘Peak’ classes will not be disappointed although the original split box locomotives only figure right at the end of the volume but amazingly illustrates a unique yellow warning panel which extends to the one headcode box.

         Overall, this is a beautifully produced volume which is the perfect accompaniment to the excellent Part One in the series. A must for all lovers of heritage traction, this volume can be recommended without hesitation.”

    Many thanks to Neale for this book review.

     

    Another very interesting publication this month is the June edition of RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED which carries a four-page article on the WESTERN LOCOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION (WLA) as they approach their celebration of 45 years of preservation of their two Class 52 locomotives, D1013 ‘WESTERN RANGER’ and D1062 ‘WESTERN COURIER’. This article is a credit to the WLA and their achievements and is well worth a read.

     

    ON SHED – this week, we have a rare photo of our very own D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ at Exeter St. Davids, fresh from an engine change and a repaint at Laira depot, being put to work on a Paddington service almost exactly 47 years ago today. This is another shot from Devon-based photographer Barry Gay and we are very grateful to Barry for permission to use his work. The detail that he provides with each of his photographs is amazing. Thank you Barry !

    This photograph shows D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ departing from Exeter St. Davids with the 1A49 12:05 Penzance to Paddington on 11th May 1975. The gleaming loco worked the train from Plymouth, having just emerged from Laira depot with two reconditioned engines and a full repaint. Photo by Barry Gay © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the most recent Board Meeting has been prepared and will be emailed during the next day or two to all members for whom we hold a valid email address.

    The synopsis will show that the Board has approved the lease of Unit 9 Roughmoor Business Centre (adjacent to our Williton depot) as a means of providing sufficient covered and clean working space to allow the further disassembly and subsequent repair of the ‘B’ transmission from D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’. The DEPG already leases the adjacent Unit 8 but since the loss of use of the Old Goods Shed at Williton Station, Unit 8 is too crowded to permit further disassembly of the turbine rail. Indications are that we should be able to move into the additional space later this month.

     

    WSR NEWS: the next event will be the ‘SIXTIES DIESEL GALA’ that takes place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June when the DEPG facility at Williton will again be open to the public. Please make a plan to come along to this important event in support of both the WSR and the DEPG. Timetables for this gala have not yet been published but are expected soon and will be shared via our DIESELGEN email bulletin service.

    The dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

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    Go to Welcome page

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  • Weekly Roundup – 01-May-22

    The DEPG sales stand at the Bristol Model Railway Exhibition, pictured with a ‘potential customer’ browsing through the items …. or perhaps he was really a member of the sales team in a staged photo …. Mark is not telling but Chris is giving the game away ! Pictured on Sunday 1st May 2022 by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The DEPG sales stand at the BRISTOL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION was busy raising funds and attracting new members on all three days of the show, with our sales stand being manned by Chris Shields and Mark Bladwell (on all three days) and Mark Townsend (Sat/Sun) with help from sales stalwarts John Kite and Peter Bamber. Running a sales stand for three days is an endurance test in itself and we are very grateful to our volunteers for giving up so much of their time in support of our locos ! Early indications are that approximately £500 has been added to our funds as a result of this effort, so well done all !

     

    The WSR’s SPRING STEAM GALA will take place next week from Thursday 5th May through Sunday 8th May. The timetables for this event have now been published and can be accessed by clicking this link to the WSR website. New information about visiting locomotives can be found on the news page of wsr.org.uk so keep an eye on this very useful site. Here’s the latest posting on this subject: http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#2519

    The DEPG’s diesel depot at Williton will be open to the public for all four days of the gala and well-known model railway retailer Rod Saunders will have a sales stand offering a wide range of pre-owned models. If you are planning to attend the event, please allow enough time for a visit to Williton.

     

    MORE VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER is raising the level of awareness of this major project so donations and sponsorships continue to arrive, but at a slower rate as a result of the negative impact of world events. Click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation. Every little helps, that’s for sure!

    This week, the focus shifted back to bodyside repairs on the ‘A’ side, which is now easily accessible after the relocation of the loco to the westerly side of the loco shed. The ‘A’ end of the loco has suffered more from corrosion than the ‘B’ end that has already been repaired, and this is probably because the loco had her ‘A’ end rebuilt three times during her first ten years of BR service as a result of collision damage and each repair resulted in additional water traps and additional debris accumulating. With his experience gained from his repairs on the ‘B’ side and ‘B’ end, Colin set to work to remedy this situation as follows:

    D1010 – after peeling back a corroded section of bodyside plating, the extent of the work needed is exposed, then assessed and repairs made to the structural members before patching the ‘skin’. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 26th April 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the ‘skin’ has been patched using steel recovered from the non-standard valances that were fitted to the loco at Merehead back in the 1980s – and the changes of livery that the loco has undergone in preservation are perfectly captured by the multiple layers of paint ! Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 26th April 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – examination of the right hand side of the previous picture shows some ripples that needed investigating – and resulted in more re-skinning as far as the inboard sandbox porthole, again repaired using recovered steel from Merehead days. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 26th April 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – as we move closer to the ‘A’ end of the loco, we expected to find worsening corrosion and we were not disappointed. This is the mounting area for the handrail of the driver’s door at ‘A’ end. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 26th April 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – and now remedied with a significant increase in the stiffness and strength in this area. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 26th April 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard and is available to the WSR for contract work or ‘Thunderbird’ work as required. We are going to be operating our two ‘Cromptons’ on several weekend turns under the blue timetable as per our recent DIESELGEN bulletin. Sign up to DIESELGEN to make sure that you are informed about all rostered workings of DEPG locomotives.

    ADVANCE INFORMATION – we anticipate that the 10:00 Minehead diagram will again be hauled by one of our Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ on Sat/Sun 14/15 May and 21/22 May. This will be confirmed nearer the time via DIESELGEN.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco worked the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard diagram (two round trips, 80 miles total per day) on Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May and is currently stabled at Minehead to provide ‘Thunderbird’ cover during the Spring Steam Gala. The weather was very nice on the Saturday and DEPG volunteer Geoff was at Stogumber enjoying one of their famous cream teas when he heard our loco approaching the station on the first return leg of her two round trips, and he snapped this picture from the platform:

    BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) worked the 10:00 Minehead diagram on Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2022 and was pictured rolling in to Stogumber station on the second leg of the 80-mile working. Photo by Geoff Miles © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is now receiving attention for a fairly short list of tasks that need to be dealt with before she can be returned to service. The plan is to get the loco into a presentable external condition in time for the Diesel Gala that takes place between 9th and 11th June.

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 received attention from Leroy, Neil and Martin at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022 to prepare her for her return to service. In this picture, Martin has re-fitted one of the four covers for the lifting points and is giving the area a quick wipe over in advance of Graham’s paintbrush. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    One of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017’s bogie brake cylinders was flagged as needing some attention so Neil and Leroy disassembled it at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022 so that it could be overhauled. In this picture, Leroy is cleaning up the piston rod of the air-operated brake cylinder in advance of replacing the piston seals. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – no change this week – but she will be the next in line for attention !

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – progress continues on the many parts that need to be re-fitted to the frames in advance of the next ‘big lift’. Attention this week focused on the fuel pump, fuel and lubricating oil pipework and a collection of other small parts. Here’s some photographs to show what is happening on this loco:

    D9518 – the fuel transfer and priming pump was subjected to inspection by Class 14 team leader Simon at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022. This component is hard to access once fitted, so it needs to be in good condition prior to re-installation. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – new sand deflector plates were fitted to the sanding valves at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022. These simple parts perform an essential service in helping the loco to haul heavy loads when railhead conditions are wet or slippery. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – another simple but essential part is this brake rod, the worn component shown above and the remanufactured component shown below. All of this work has to proceed in the background to support the more visible progress. Photo 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. In fact, so regular is her use that she has just completed ANOTHER 50-hour inspection and is back at work supporting this busy railway. To provide some insurance against possible failure, the spare but worn starter motor was sent out for reconditioning at a CAV specialist firm in Preston. The service provided by ICS Online was amazing and the reconditioned motor is on its way back to us already. Well done guys ! We will provide photos next week because this issue of roundup is already photo-heavy.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and is expected to move to Grosmont during the coming week to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks. One issue that was identified during a recent engine run was arcing around the commutator of the ‘triple pump’. This pump is a large electrically-powered machine that includes three pumps driven from the same motor – the water pump, the oil pump and the fuel pump. Luckily, we have a spare that was reconditoned in the year 2001 but has never been used, so it had to be pulled out of the spares container at Williton on Saturday and cleaned up prior to shipping it to Yorkshire:

    The spare ‘triple pump’ for Class 47 47077 (D1661 47613 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was pulled out of storage and checked over at Williton on Saturday 30th April before sending it to the NYMR for installation into the loco. The part is un-used since overhaul – but the warranty ran out in 2002 ! Pictured while suspended from the crane, the oil pump is on the left with the fuel pump alongside. The water pump is at the other end. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The spare ‘triple pump’ for Class 47 47077 (D1661 47613 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ was given a clean-up and an inspection at Williton on Saturday 30th April before sending it to the NYMR for installation into the loco. This view shows the suction (centre) and delivery ports of the water pump, with the small frost drain port at the bottom. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – no change this week.

     

    Continuing her visit to Williton is Bishops Lydeard-based Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019), the loco having her brand-new batteries fitted on Saturday 30th April 2022 while some other electrical maintenance work took place to get her ready to return to service. We expect this loco will be leaving us soon to return to Bishops Lydeard.

    Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) has received a brand-new set of 48 traction batteries, complete with outer cases carrying the BR double-arrow logo. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) also received attention to her electrical machinery, with the exhauster drive motor shown with covers removed to allow the brushgear to be cleaned and inspected by Ian and Tom. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) also needed her electrical switchgear cleaned and inspected. This view shows one of the two Battery Isolation Switches along with one of the start contactors (this is the positive polarity side; – the other side of the loco has a similar box with the negative side of the circuit in it). Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

     

    Let’s not forget that the DEPG also owns a number of wagons, include the 1954-vintage (LNER pattern) BR brake van number B952527 that was last used in a Diesel Driver Experience Course working back in 2019. This vehicle is in need of works attention to her roof and bodyside, but has been undergoing a clean up to prepare her for possible use later in the year. Here’s a view of the work being undertaken:

    After spending a lot of time carefully preparing the wood for painting, Carol applies the wood preserver coating to the running boards of the DEPG’s 1954 BR (Faverdale) 20t brake van B952527 at Williton on Saturday 30th April 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 – this week, we combine the book review with an obituary for DAVID HARTLEY who passed away recently. The news reached us via long-time DEPG member Neale Long:

       “Sorry to report the passing of BSC locomotive engineer and Class 14 enthusiast David Hartley on Easter Monday 18th April 2022. An early visit to Williton by David and that great preservationist, the late Gerald Boden, saw them acquire no less than three class 14s and a Class 40, all of which David ably maintained.

       The welcome afforded to David and Gerald was reciprocated with extreme generosity and the initial restoration of our very own D9526 in 1983/84 owed much to David’s professional expertise. Essentially, he was ‘Mr Class 14’ with his encyclopaedic knowledge, based on his great experience of working on the class with his father at BSC Corby.

       He will be greatly missed by all Class 14 owners. His passing is extremely poignant given the imminent publication of the second volume on the Class 14 focusing on the history of the class post-BR, it is especially sad given his great knowledge on this period.”

    Many thanks to Neale for bringing this to our attention and for the words that he has provided.

     

    Out of respect to David, we stay with the Class 14 and provide the following review of a D+EG booklet from 1980 that has been provided by Class 14 team leader Simon Purvis, as follows:

    Here’s Simon’s book review:

    “Following on from Jon Tooke’s review of ‘old’ books, the aim of this D+EG 1980 booklet was to raise money for the acquisition of D9526 and it explains the original (D+EG) thinking behind the locos’ acquisition. 

    The subjects covered include:  ‘THE UNCERTAIN BEGINNING’ – where some of the ‘political’ issues were discussed, as well as some of the reasoning behind the design.

    ’56 TIMES 95′ gives an overview of the mechanical design and the major components.

    ‘FOUR YEARS ON BR’ explains the type of traffic and allocations whilst working for their builders, leading into ‘A LIFE OF INDUSTRY’ at Ashington and Corby.

    The early preservation hopes and experiences are also covered with reports from not only the WSR, but the NYMR, GCR, SRPS, and Glos/Warks.

    There are a good few black and white photos covering the construction of the class, their working for BR as well as the locos working in industry. The booklet ends with the class individual histories, up to 1980.

    This booklet is essential reading for enthusiasts of the class, as well as Railway historians researching this short, but important period of railway development.

    Perhaps the DEPG would consider reprinting this booklet, (and perhaps update it) so that additional funds could be generated for D9518?”

     

    Many thanks to Simon for this book review. Would you like to buy a copy of this booklet, updated and reprinted ? Post a message via our CONTACT form.

     

    ON SHED – this week, we provide a photo taken from the cab of our own D9526 at the East Lancs Railway, showing the late David Hartley in the cab of sister survivor D9520:

    This photograph shows the late David Hartley relaxing in the cab of Class 14 survivor D9520 at the ’14s at 50′ event at the East Lancs Railway in July 2014, surrounded by nine other preserved members of the class. The photograph was taken from the cab of our very own D9526 by Simon Purvis © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the most recent Board Meeting will be produced and emailed to all members for whom we hold a valid email address ASAP. More news on this next week.

     

    WSR NEWS: the next event will be the ‘SPRING STEAM GALA’ that takes place from Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May when the DEPG facility at Williton will be open to the public. Please make a plan to come along if you can, and have a tour of the depot. Timetables for this gala are now available by clicking this link to the WSR website.

     

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

    Go to Depot news

    Go to Join Us page

    Go to Welcome page

    Go to Home page

     

  • Weekly Roundup – 24-Apr-22

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 hauled the first revenue-earning service of a preserved ex-BR mainline locomotive on the 19th March 1977, only three weeks after the end of the diesel-hydraulic era on BR, and became an absolute magnet for the ‘hydraulic’ fans who filled every available seat. Luckily, the event was captured on Cine film and has just been posted onto the WSR’s new TikTok account. Click here or on the image above to view the video. Image extracted from the video by Bill Gates © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Our Beyer Peacock Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 continues to grab the headlines, with the recent release of a video that has been created from a cine film taken by Bill Gates way back in 1977, just over 45 years ago. Here follows a narrative that has been provided by D+EG (predecessor of the DEPG) founder member Clive Burrows, that can be used when viewing the ‘silent movie’:

      “The video clip shows D7017 on the 19th March 1977 Wirral Railway Society “Quantock Flyer” approaching Dunster from Minehead as the train comes off the two track section onto the single line at Dunster. The camera pans round to show the WSR General Manager, David Butcher, in his Driver’s outfit with a grease topped hat, standing next to the signal box at Dunster. The WSR subsequently moved the entire signal box by rail from Dunster to Minehead, where it is now the Minehead signal box. The line from Dunster to Minehead was then reduced to single track operation, with parts of the second line being used for vehicle storage and most of the line being recovered for use elsewhere on the WSR. Prior to closure in 1971, BR operated the two parallel lines from Dunster to Minehead independently, with no connection between the two lines at Minehead, each line serving one side of the island platform at Minehead.

       The video clip then moves to a distant shot of the train in open country before showing the train arriving at Williton. The tour participants are then filmed as D7017 ran around the train at Williton before their departure by road transport. D7017 is then filmed running through Washford Station on its return journey to Minehead.

       This was the first passenger service worked by D7017 on the WSR, if you discount some of our “test trains” between Minehead and Dunster.  Traction Inspector Eric Webb was the driver and I accompanied him in the secondman’s seat with fingers crossed, knowing we would not be able to restart the engine if it shut down for any reason, due to the poor condition of the batteries!  

       As mentioned previously (Weekly Roundup 20-Mar-22), we borrowed the batteries from Class 42 ‘Warship’ D821 ‘GREYHOUND’ on the turntable at Swindon and took them to Minehead to ensure D7017 could be started on the day, but D7017 had to run with its own batteries as ‘Greyhound’s’ batteries would not fit into the ‘Hymek’s’ battery boxes. It was the combination of this experience and the challenge of the 19 ton 4 cwt axle load on the ‘A’ end bogie that made me decide the batteries had to be relocated to the boiler compartment. John Hembry subsequently organised the removal of the steam generator using the steam crane at Washford.”

     

    Many thanks to Clive for providing us with this very interesting narrative. It is remarkable to hear that the founder members of the D+EG were able to put D7017 into service with so few resources of any kind at their disposal, and in doing so, ensured the preservation of a diesel when most people were still fully occupied with saving steam engines from Woodham’s yard in Barry.

     

    On Saturday 23rd April, the DEPG EASTER RAFFLE DRAW took place from the cab of Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ in the loco shed at Williton, and the prizes were awarded to the four lucky winners. The raffle, the first to be conducted by the DEPG for as long as anyone can remember, raised £2210 with the net proceeds of £1976 including donations that was then split between the two restoration appeals for D1010 and D9518, therefore making a significant contribution to those funds. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who bought a ticket and congratulations to the four lucky winners. Many thanks to DEPG Publicity Officer Mark Bladwell for organising the raffle.

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ in grey primer provided the ‘stage’ for the DEPG EASTER RAFFLE DRAW on Saturday 23rd April 2022, with DEPG Chairman Martin Howard picking the winners as DEPG Publicity Officer and raffle organiser Mark Bladwell held the tub of tickets. The draw raised £1136 for the D1010 restoration appeal and £840 for the D9518 restoration appeal. A BIG THANK YOU to all who bought a ticket ! Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ in grey primer livery provides the backdrop for DEPG Publicity Officer and raffle organiser Mark Bladwell who is pictured holding the tub of tickets, just before the draw at Williton on Saturday 23rd April 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Coming up this weekend is the BRISTOL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION which is being held at Thornbury Leisure Centre from 12:30 on Friday 29th April through to Sunday 1st May 2022. Our intrepid sales team will be manning a stand at the show to raise awareness about the DEPG and our loco fleet – and to persuade visitors to part with some of their hard-earned for the benefit of our locos! Please do go along and support the event if you can !

     

    The WSR’s SPRING STEAM GALA will take place next week from Thursday 5th May through Sunday 8th May. The timetables for this event have now been published and can be accessed by clicking this link to the WSR website. A useful summary of the event has been posted on wsr.org.uk so click this link to that article.

    The DEPG’s diesel depot at Williton will be open to the public for all four days of the gala and well-known model railway retailer Rod Saunders will have a sales stand offering a wide range of pre-owned models. If you are planning to attend the event, please allow enough time for a visit to Williton.

    Model railway specialist Rod Saunders will have a sales stand at Williton depot again during all four days of the Spring Steam Gala, Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May 2022. The photo shows the wide range of models that were available during the Mixed Traction Weekend event on 17th September 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    MORE VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER took a very useful boost from the EASTER RAFFLE last week, and donations and sponsorships continue to arrive in support of the restoration of this much-loved locomotive. Click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation:

    On Saturday 23rd, Ian F and Chris continued their work on preparing the bodyside for painting. This is a massive task so we applaud their diligence as they gradually move along the loco, sanding, filling, sanding and painting. The results are already clear to see from the previous pictures, the loco gradually losing her faded maroon livery in favour of an all-over (temporary) coating of grey primer. Well done guys !

    Major progress was made on the Voith L630rV transmission last Saturday as we welcomed Paul Koch and Andy Venn to Williton to continue their work on the disassembly of the turbine rail. The following photos tell the story:

    D1010 – the turbine rail from the ‘B’ transmission was subjected to further dismantling at Williton on Saturday 23rd April 2022. The picture shows DEPG member and transmission expert Andy Venn alongside the assembly which has been stood on its end to allow the two parts of the cast steel housing to be separated. The first stage (first or bottom gear) torque converter fluid port can be seen resting on the wood block, above which is the third stage (third gear) fluid port. The second stage (second gear) section has already been removed. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – looking down into the housing of the second stage turbine before separating the housing to reveal the third stage, the debris from the failed bearing can be seen all over the surface, especially towards the right hand side of the picture. This debris has to be carefully removed before the assembly can be fitted back together with new bearings (and new labyrinth seals where appropriate). Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – with another large cast steel section removed, the third stage (third or top gear) torque converter has now been exposed in the background. Other than the expected debris around the bearings and seals caused by the failure of bearing 3-152, the rest of this assembly appears to be as expected, which is good news for the restoration programme. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – after a struggle with some very tight bolts, the third stage turbine runner appears to be ready to be lifted off in the careful hands of Paul Koch (left) and Andy Venn (right), but the runner did not want to separate so it will be tackled again in the near future. At this point along the turbine rail, there are three concentric shafts rotating at two different speeds – the centre shaft is missing in this view, but of the two radially-toothed surfaces (Hirth joints), the smaller diameter is the input that rotates according to engine speed and the larger diameter is the output that rotates according to the road speed. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard and is available to the WSR for contract work or ‘Thunderbird’ work as required. We understand that one of the ‘Cromptons’ will be rostered for some of the diesel turns under the blue timetable in May, and we will send out a DIESELGEN bulletin when the rosters have been finalised.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is the WSR duty loco and is currently based at Bishops Lydeard. Last Sunday 24th April, the ‘QUANTOCK BELLE’ dining train was in use and was steam hauled, so the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return was rostered for diesel haulage, and D6575 was back in action. On the return leg, the former Southern Region ‘Parcels and Miscellaneous Van’ (PMV) was attached so that it could be taken to Bishops Lydeard and used for a photographic charter that ran on Monday 25th April.

    BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) worked the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return on Sunday 24th April 2022 and was pictured at Williton on the return leg with ex-SR ‘PMV’ in the consist. The recently-restored ‘PMV’ was moving to Bishops Lydeard so that it could participate in a photographic charter the following day. Photo by Ian Robins © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is now receiving attention for a fairly short list of tasks that need to be dealt with before she can be returned to service. One task that was completed last Monday was the repainting of the bogies after all of the work that took place in March. The plan is to get the loco into a presentable external condition in time for the Diesel Gala that takes place between 9th and 11th June.

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured at Williton on Monday 18th April 2022 after receiving a coat of black paint to tidy up her bogies after the spring replacement work. Photo by Graham Perry © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 now has a complete new set of helical springs, so her old springs are available for sale to collectors of such parts. It is important to note that these parts saw service with BR in the 1970s and have been supporting the loco throughout her 47 years in preservation. Send an email to contact@depg.org if you are interested in acquring one or more of these sets of springs. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017’s old elliptical springs are also available for sale to collectors of such parts. It is important to note that one of these parts saw service with BR in the 1970s and has been supporting the loco throughout her 47 years in preservation. Send an email to contact@depg.org if you are interested in acquring one or more of these sets of springs. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – no change this week.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – after the major move-around of the previous weekend, work has continued on refitting of parts to the frames. The trim panels that are used to dress each corner of the loco were refitted on Tuesday 15th April, and preparations were made to reinstall the generator, to be followed by the brake frame.

    D9518 – the corner trim panels were prepared for refitting to the loco at Williton on Tuesday 19th April 2022. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the corner trim panels were trial fitted to the loco at Williton on Tuesday 19th April 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the Paxman 6YJXL 650 hp (485 kW) V6 diesel engine that last worked in D9526 awaits a strip down for a full overhaul before being installed in sister loco D9518. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 19th April 2022 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. By agreement between the DEPG and the K&ESR, this loco will now be staying at the K&ESR for the rest of this year to cover for sister loco D9504 which is undergoing a heavy overhaul.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and we are waiting for news about her moving to Grosmont to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks. The loco is expected to be readied for entering service in the summer of this year.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – no change this week.

     

    Continuing her visit to Williton is Bishops Lydeard-based Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) which is with us for battery replacement and electrical testing. The loco has had the old batteries removed and the battery compartments cleaned up, along with inspection and maintenance of her main generator. The new batteries are due for delivery this week and the loco will be dispatched back to Bishops Lydeard next week. Meanwhile, it is a pleasure having this loco adorning our yard.

    Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) was pictured at Williton on Sunday 24th April 2022 with newly-painted battery boxes, ready to receive her new batteries later this week. Photo by Ian Robins © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

     

    Can you help by donating your time ? If yes, 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 – last week, we provided a book review by volunteer Jon Tooke that was prompted by the loco pictured on the cover of that book, D1024 ‘WESTERN HUNTSMAN’, which showed similar damage to that which affected D1010 before repair at Swindon in 1972. Jon has now unearthed another book, ‘FAREWELL TO THE WESTERNS’ dated 1975 that shows several other ‘Westerns’ with similar damage. We are curious to learn how such damage occurred and we would very much like to hear from someone who might have first hand knowledge of what happened to D1010 because it will help us to complete our D1010 timeline. Can you help ?

    Here’s Jon’s book review:

       “This week to keep the subject going, I have delved deep into the shelves in the library of the South wing at JT towers and come up with this gem:

    ‘FAREWELL TO THE WESTERNS’  – ISBN0715370693 – published in 1975.

       A hard back book measuring approx. 8″x 8″ crammed full of black and white pictures of ‘Westerns’ at work, mainly in the South Western area of the BR Western Region.

       Edited by Geoffrey Kitchenside, this David & Charles publication rightly contains pictures of Newton Abbot station and the well-known signal gantry outside their offices.

       Starting off with the up Bristol-Paddington working seen near Box Tunnel with one of the ‘Westerns’ with the experimental circular ‘navy style’ windscreen wipers. Further down the line we see action at Aller Junction, with other trains on Dainton Bank as their journey takes them to Plymouth and onwards to such places as Par, Burngullow and Penzance in Cornwall.

       Diverging down the branch from Aller Junction, a rare shot taken as the gas works sidings at Paignton is passed by D1048 ‘WESTERN LADY’ on her way to Kingswear with the down ‘Torbay Express’ in 1963.

       London areas and the home counties are well represented in this volume, but we also pop up to Birmingham for a couple of shots of New Street station and Saint Andrews junction.

       Unusually, not all the pictures are of ‘Westerns’ on sunny days! There are some of ‘Westerns’ in wintry settings too. All the pictures are extremely crisp and clear and are printed on a gloss paper. The 72 pages of this fine book are well worth a look.”

     

    Many thanks to Jon for this book review and for continuing the search for answers to the question about the bodyside damage. Can you help us find the answer ?

     

    ON SHED – this week, although not ‘on shed’ but staying with the theme of ‘Westerns’ with bodyside damage, Jon has provided us with photos of photos from the above book that show two other locos carrying similar wounds. These photos are reproduced with appropriate credit to the photographers and DAVID & CHARLES, the publisher of ‘FAREWELL TO THE WESTERNS’.

    This photograph is copied from ‘FAREWELL TO THE WESTERNS’ and shows D1018 ‘WESTERN BUCCANEER’ at Plymouth, after receiving a side swipe that has resulted in loss of her nameplate and left a deep gouge at the deckplate level, similar (but more severe) than the damage inflicted on D1010 in 1972. D1018 carries the dubious honour of being the first of the class to be cut up, having worked for only 10 years and 2 months. Photo by C. Plant © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    This photograph is copied from ‘FAREWELL TO THE WESTERNS’ and shows D1031 ‘WESTERN RIFLEMAN’ at Frome, after suffering a side swipe that has left her with a gouge below her nameplate. It is curious that so many locomotives suffered damage in this way. Perhaps the long length and generous cross-section of the locos made them more prone to contact with out-of-gauge freight loads ? Photo by K. Connelly © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG NEWS – the DEPG Board met at Williton last Saturday 23rd April and covered a packed agenda that included the outline plans for the 50th anniversary of the DEPG as a preservation organisation on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2023, which will also be the 50th anniversary of the ‘Hymek Swansong’ railtour. We will be producing a synopsis of the meeting and will be emailing it to all members for whom we have a valid email address ASAP.

    Keep that weekend free so that you can participate in what will be a major event in the history of the DEPG !

     

    WSR NEWS: the next event will be the ‘SPRING STEAM GALA’ that takes place from Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May when the DEPG facility at Williton will be open to the public. Please make a plan to come along if you can, and have a tour of the depot. Timetables for this gala are now available by clicking this link to the WSR website.

    Last Friday, a meeting of the PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT GROUP (PDG) took place at which the DEPG was represented by our Chairman, Martin Howard, so we look forward to being able to share a synopsis of that meeting shortly.

     

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

    Go to Depot news

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  • Weekly Roundup – 17-Apr-22

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 returned to the South Yard at Williton under her own power on Saturday 16th April 2022 after four weeks in the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ during which all 32 coil springs on both bogies and both elliptical springs on Bogie ‘A’ were replaced. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The loco shed at Williton was reorganised on Saturday 16th April 2022, resulting in our two main restoration projects – Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – switching places in the loco shed. This involved emptying the shed and moving the major assemblies of D9518 from ‘number 2 road’ to ‘number 3 road’ while taking advantage of the dry weather. This provided an opportunity for the travelling public to see some very unusual sights from the passing WSR service trains.

    The ‘Western’ needed to move to allow welding work to proceed on her ‘A’ end (the end nearest the main shed door) and the ‘Teddy Bear’ needed to move to gain easy access to the 10-ton crane for the re-installation of heavy components.

    The task involved the use of Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF 1) along with the Williton Fork Lift Truck and a generous helping of volunteer labour. Here’s some pictures:

    The rolling chassis of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518, now including the Voith hydraulic transmission, has been hauled out into the sunshine by Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF 1) and has paused on number 2 road. The chassis will eventually end up back inside the shed, but on number 3 road. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022 by Chris Shields © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was also hauled out into the sunshine and was shunted into number 1 road, alongside the platform, no doubt providing a curious sight for the passengers on the passing steam-hauled WSR services. This view of the ‘B’ end of the loco shows the extent of progress of the bodywork repairs. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022 by Chris Shields © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The cab of Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 was on the move at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022, with motive power provided by (L-R) Colin G, John C (mostly hidden) and Simon. Photo by Chris Shields © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The revised view of the loco shed at Williton, looking towards the main shed doors – with the Class 14 D9518 now on the left hand side (number 3 road) and D1010 on the right hand side (number 2 road). Pictured on Sunday 17th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    MANY THANKS to all who joined in and helped get everything done in one major session. Restoration work can now resume on these two major projects.

     

    VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER continues to deliver funds for the restoration of D1010, so click on the images below for an update of fundraising status or to make a donation:

    With the loco being moved on Saturday, the focus of attention this week has been the gathering of the various parts that have been removed from the loco for restoration and organising them into groups so that work can proceed without risk of parts getting lost or mixed up. The vast majority of the welding work at ‘B’ end has now been completed (just some details remain to be sorted out) so attention will now move to the ‘A’ end where a similar amount of work has to be undertaken. The loco was moved from number 3 road because ‘A’ end of the loco was too close to the oil store, so the increased fire risk prevented welding from being performed in that location.

    D1010 – the loco was stabled on number 1 road alongside the platform for most of the day on Saturday 16th April 2022 so that the shed could be reorganised. This view shows the ‘A’ end of the loco prepared for the cutting and welding repairs that will be performed by DEPG volunteer Colin F. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the loco was eventually moved back inside the loco shed, but this time on number 2 road – as Ian demonstrates, the loco only just fits into the available space ! Pictured on Saturday 16th April 2022 by Chris Shields © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the new position of the loco on number 2 road allows easy access to the ‘A’ side which is seen in this view taken at Williton on Sunday 17th April 2022. The array of parts that are undergoing restoration are on the tables alongside the loco. The green rectangular items are the battery boxes from D9518. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is based at Bishops Lydeard and is available to the WSR for contract work or ‘Thunderbird’ work as required. We understand that one of the ‘Cromptons’ will be rostered for some of the diesel turns under the blue timetable in May, and we will send out a DIESELGEN bulletin when the rosters have been finalised.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is the WSR duty loco and is currently based at Bishops Lydeard.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco made a triumphant return to the South Yard at Williton under her own power on Saturday, riding nicely after having all 32 of the coil springs replaced in her primary suspension system plus both of the elliptical secondary suspension springs replaced in her ‘A’ bogie during the four weeks that she spent at the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ at the northern end of the yard at Williton. There is a small snag list to be dealt with before the loco can be inspected and passed for a return to service, but the list is not long and the loco should be available soon, so this is excellent news !

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is now riding on a completely new set of coil springs (32 in total) and has also had the elliptical secondary suspension springs of ‘A’ bogie replaced with good parts from our spares stock. The elliptical springs in ‘B’ bogie were OK and did not need to be replaced. Congratulations to all involved with this intensive effort. Photo taken on Friday 15th April 2022 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – no change in status but the loco did get moved from number 1 road to the North Yard to make space for the other shunting moves that took place last Saturday. The below view shows the loco being returned to the South Yard, being propelled by Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1) and with the Bishops Lydeard pilot loco Class 09 D4107 (09 019) sandwiched between the two ! More about the ‘gronk’ later.

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 is pictured being returned to the South Yard at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022, after a short stay in the North Yard while shunting operations were taking place. The loco is being propelled by Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF 1) with Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) sandwiched in between. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the move-around in the loco shed allowed several large assemblies to be repositioned for further work or for re-installation on the loco, and the opportunity was taken on Friday 15th April to fit the Voith L217 hydraulic transmission back into the frames, thereby achieving another milestone in the restoration process. Well done team !

    D9518 – the Voith L217 hydraulic transmission was re-installed between the frames of the loco at Williton on Friday 15th April 2022. Another milestone has been achieved in the restoration of this loco ! Photo by Simon Purvis © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the brake frame (which includes the compressor) is ready to go back onto the loco at a convenient time, having been restored back in 2020. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the cooler group is also ready to go back onto the loco. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the engine that was removed from D9526 needs to be overhauled before it can be installed into D9518, so the first step was to remove the flywheel and the mountings, so that the engine can be mounted in the turnover frame (to the left). This frame allows the whole engine to be rotated in a safe and controlled manner, to provide access to the various components. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022 by Martin Howard © 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. By agreement between the DEPG and the K&ESR, this loco will now be staying at the K&ESR for the rest of this year to cover for sister loco D9504 which is undergoing a heavy overhaul.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, awaiting re-opening of the line so that she can move to Grosmont to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks. The loco is expected to be readied for entering service in the summer of this year.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – a busy weekend for this loco, with three of the previous photos showing this very useful loco at work. Here’s a view of this loco and her sister number 579 (ROF 2, now based at Minehead), crossing the M5 at Puriton, just north of Junction 23, which will be of great interest to all who spent a few extra hours crawling along the M5 between Taunton and Bristol during Easter weekend. Those were the days !

    Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) and 579 (ROF 2) were pictured hauling a lengthy train of Speedlink wagons over the M5 to the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) at Puriton, Somerset, just north of Junction 23. The lack of traffic on the M5 is notable!!! Photographer and date unknown, but kindly provided by Keith Giles © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    An unusual visitor to Williton at the moment is Bishops Lydeard-based Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) which is with us for battery replacement and electrical testing. The loco arrived on Friday 15th April 2022 and has had the old batteries removed and the battery compartment cleaned up. The new batteries are due for delivery soon and the loco will be dispatched back to Bishops Lydeard as soon as possible. The work is being performed by Ian and Tom, both pictured below:

    Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) was built by BR in 1961 and saw service in Carlisle and in the southeast before making her way to West Somerset. The loco was pictured at Williton on Sunday 17th April 2022 as Ian and Tom refit the battery box side panel after removing the batteries. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Another view of Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) on number 2 road at Williton on Saturday 16th April 2022 with ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018 alongside. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 – this week, we have a book review that was prompted by volunteer Jon Tooke who pointed out that the loco pictured on the cover of this book, D1024 ‘WESTERN HUNTSMAN’, showed similar damage to that which affected D1010 in 1972. We are curious to learn how such damage occurred and we would very like to hear from someone who might have first hand knowledge of what happened to D1010 and where the accident took place. Can you help ?

    Here’s Jon’s book review:

         Book Of The Westerns – British Rail Class 52 – by Norman Preedy. ISBN 0906025036. First published in 1977.

         An A5 size softback book covering the entire fleet of BR Western class locomotives from D1000 to D1073 in superb black and white photographs which are all crisp and clear complete with names, dates and locations. Most of the photos are of the normal front three quarter view type of shot but there are a few sidelong pictures as well.

         Photographic locations range from most well known ones on the BR(W) region such as Swindon Works, Laira depot in Plymouth, but also include Reading and Gloucester. Many of the locomotives are shown in the later BR-blue era with full yellow ends and double arrows colour scheme, but there are some from the earlier period as well.

         A great little book for the enthusiast and the modeller alike, especially if you are trying to capture the overall railway scene back then.

         When originally published this wonderful book sold for the princely sum of £1.50 but slightly more expensive examples may well be found today on well-known on-line auction websites!

    Many thanks to Jon for this book review and for raising the question about the bodyside damage. Can you help us find the answer ?

     

    ON SHED – this week, staying with D1024 ‘WESTERN HUNTSMAN’ as shown on the cover of the book above, Jon has provided us with a photo that shows the loco carried her scar until the end of her days. Being only just over 10 years old, D1024 was an early casualty and is pictured on the scrapline at Plymouth Laira depot for parts recovery before being sent to Swindon for cutting up.

    A sad sight at Plymouth Laira depot on 22nd November 1973 when five or more of the Class 52 ‘Westerns’ had already been moved to the scrapline for parts recovery before their last journey to meet the scrapman at Swindon Works. Second from the right is D1024 ‘WESTERN HUNTSMAN’ showing the same bodyside scar as in the photograph on the cover of Norman Preedy’s book. Photographer unknown, via Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG NEWS – the next Board Meeting is due to take place at Williton at 1030 on Saturday 23rd April, so if you have questions that you would like to have raised at the meeting, please reply to this email or send an email to Ian Robins via secretary@depg.org

    Have you bought your tickets for the DEPG EASTER DRAW yet ? The draw will take place at Williton on the afternoon of this coming Saturday, 23rd April.

    Tickets are available from our ONLINE STORE. If you have received paper tickets and wish to purchase them, you can buy online and enter your ticket numbers into the ‘NOTES’ field when checking out. Alternatively, please mail a cheque with your purchased ticket stubs to the address on the ticket (return envelopes were provided but will need stamps).

    All profits from the raffle will be split evenly between the D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 D9518 restoration funds, so PLEASE BUY RAFFLE TICKETS TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS !

     

    WSR NEWS: the next big event will be the ‘SPRING STEAM GALA’ from Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May when the DEPG facility at Williton will be open to the public. Please make a plan to come along if you can, and have a tour of the depot.

    The WSR has posted several vacancies online as it seeks to strengthen its commercial activities. These moves are welcomed as the WSR tends to be underpromoted and has a lot more to offer to its visitors. Let’s hope that these appointments will enhance the vsitor experience and result in more patronage and more running opportunities for our heritage diesels.

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

    Go to Depot news

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    Go to Welcome page

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  • Weekly Roundup – 10-Apr-22

    The WSR was host to a demonstration of TPWS-CS on Thursday 7th April with DEPG Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) working the demo train in top-and-tail mode. Click on the image to go to the video for the explanation of what took place and why. Image taken from the video by Thales © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The WSR and the DEPG’s locomotives were at the forefront of a safety technology demonstration that was run by THALES on Thursday 7th April 2022 when a test train, top-and-tailed by Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) worked between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield to showcase the capabilities of the new technology, known as TPWS-CS.

    The objective of the new technology is to improve safety, especially in relation to engineering work and temporary speed restrictions that sometimes need to be applied at short notice. The new technology ensures that the driver is made aware of the restrictions, and the loco brakes are applied automatically if the restrictions are breached. Although the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ are not fitted with TPWS, all mainline driving cabs are already fitted with TPWS, so the new ‘Continuous Supervision‘ extension is being developed as an enhancement..

    It is great to see the WSR engaging with the rail industry in this way, so well done all !

     

    WSR and DEPG volunteer Paul Fleet is pictured in the cab of one of the ‘Cromptons’ while providing feedback to the Thales staff on board the train. Click on the image to go to the video. Image taken from the video by Thales © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    WSR Diesel Traction Inspector and DEPG volunteer John Leach is pictured at the controls of one of the ‘Cromptons’ at the head of the test train. Click on the image to go to the video. Image taken from the video by Thales © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    An unexpected bonus this weekend was the substitution of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) on the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return steam-hauled service when ex-GWR 2-6-2T ‘Large Prairie’ 5199 was removed from the train at Williton due to a steam leak. The train was delayed to await the arrival of the ‘Crompton’ from Bishops Lydeard, crewed by WSR Chief Traction Inspector Merv Hebditch and DEPG secondman Tom Courtney. At Williton, DEPG volunteer and driver John Cooke climbed on board so that he could renew his driver ‘ticket’ under the watchful eye of the Chief Traction Inspector.

    Here’s a short video of the train departing from Williton with John at the controls:

    DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) took over the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return service at Williton on Saturday 9th April 2022 and was captured on video by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER has now built up quite a list of sponsors and we will need to have a major session of engraving and photographing to get everyone’s names on to the loco. Click on the images below for an update of fundraising status:

    With a very reduced team on D1010 this weekend, attention was shifted to the Voith L630rV hydraulic transmission from ‘B’ end of the locomotive that seized up during the 2018 Diesel Gala. The turbine rail assembly (the core of the transmission) has now been separated to allow the cause of the failure to be determined, and as expected, a bearing had broken up, resulting in the shaft becoming jammed.

    The following photos show some of the key parts being unpacked and prepared for inspection and measurement. The vast majority of parts appear to be damage-free, although the debris from the failed bearing is likely to have contaminated the oil and caused damage to other bearings, each of which will need to be carefully inspected and most probably replaced.

    D1010 – the transmission from ‘B’ end has been stripped down so that the individual components can be inspected and measured. Most parts appear to be OK although some of the bearings and seals will need to be replaced. Pictured at Williton on 9th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the support bearing surface at the very end of the shaft is showing evidence of damage and will need to be replaced. These bearings are standard parts and are readily available. Pictured at Williton on 9th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Two of the complex parts that have become damaged by the bearing collapse are the impeller and runner of the second stage turbine, and these parts will need to be repaired very carefully using specialist techniques, or replaced if spare parts can be obtained. As soon as the inspection has been completed, the options for repair will be investigated and a repair plan defined.

    D1010 – the impeller (the part that is driven by the engine) of the second converter stage has suffered from coming into contact with other parts while rotating, and shows evidence of multiple damages sites and overheating. The damage should be repairable using modern techniques, but in the very worst case, this component may need to be replaced. Pictured at Williton on 9th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the turbine runner (the part that is driven by the hydraulic fluid) of the second stage is generally undamaged, but the hub that forms the seal between the ‘drive’ and ‘driven’ elements has suffered. The hub is a separate part, so this repair is not expected to be a major issue. Pictured at Williton on 9th April 2022 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The complete range of options for the repair or replacement of the damaged parts is being investigated so that the cost and timescale factors can be balanced. The loco is limited to heritage railway speeds so the first converter stage will be doing all of the work as previously, but the rest of the system needs to be intact and reliable to ensure that this repair will stand the test of time.

    Meanwhile, work proceeds elsewhere on the loco and the plan is to move the loco from its current position on No. 3 road in the shed at Williton to No. 2 road, thereby swapping places with D9518 so that the Class 14 can get easy access to the 10-ton crane. The move will also allow welding repairs to continue on D1010 at ‘A’ end. Weather permitting, this move should take place on Saturday 16th April.

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

     

     

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard and was called into action on Saturday 9th April 2022 to take over from the service steam loco, as covered earlier. Immediately upon finding that the ‘Crompton’ was needed, DEPG volunteer Tom Courtney headed for Bishops Lydeard for secondman duties, to minimse the delay to the public service. The reduced turnaround time required by the diesel at Minehead allowed a significant part of the timetable delay to be recovered. Here’s a photo that Tom took after returning to Bishops Lydeard:

    A pair of Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ pictured at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 9th April 2022. D6575 (33 057) is on the left, in the bay platform along with the stock of the ‘Quantock Belle’ dining train, while the hero of the day, D6566 (33 048) stands alongside Westridge steam shed. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is the WSR duty loco and is currently based at Bishops Lydeard, although sister D6566 (33 048) was used in preference on Saturday 9th April 2022 because of her more convenient position.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – after an intensive period of work by a small team, this loco is now back on her wheels inside the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton after having all 32 of the coil springs replaced in her primary suspension system plus two of the elliptical secondary suspension springs replaced in her ‘A’ bogie. The remaining work is the refitting of the bogie connections so that she can safely return to the South Yard at Williton. A 5-day work session has been set up, starting on Wednesday 13th April, to get this work completed. Congratulations to all who were involved in getting this done and many thanks to the team at WSR Restorations for the use of their excellent facilities and for their invaluable help!

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was lowered back onto her bogies at the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ on Monday 4th April 2022 after having all 32 coil springs on both bogies and both elliptical springs on Bogie ‘A’ replaced. Congratulations to all involved with this intensive effort. The photo shows that the jacks are fully retracted and the lifting brackets have been removed from the loco. Photo taken on Tuesday 5th April 2022 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – no change this week.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – there continues to be excellent progress on this loco, the next major milestone being the re-installation of the Voith L217 hydraulic transmission, which is scheduled to take place after the loco moves to No. 3 road at Williton, to allow access to the 10-ton crane. Meanwhile, preparations are continuing as shown in the following photographs:

    D9518 – the Hunslet final drive gearbox received another coat of paint at Williton on Saturday 9th April 2022 while the electrical conduits and equipment went into their designated ‘orange’ colour. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the wheel diameter compensation device was set to ’47’ to correspond with the measured diameter of the newly-turned wheels (47.33 inches, therefore 1.203m) at Williton on Saturday 9th April 2022. This device ensures that the speed sensor remains accurate. It only needs to be altered after wheel turning – which is just as well, because it is almost impossible to access after the transmission has been re-installed. Photo by Simon Purvis © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the space between the frames has been readied for the re-installation of the Voith L217 hydraulic transmission. This is another milestone in the restoration programme, so well done team D9518 ! Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – this view of the interior of the Voith L217 hydraulic transmission at Williton on Saturday 9th April 2022 shows the output shaft supported by a roller bearing. The lubrication oil delivery pipe can also be seen on the right hand side of the bearing. Photo by Simon Purvis © 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. By agreement between the DEPG and the K&ESR, this loco will now be staying at the K&ESR for the rest of this year to cover for sister loco D9504 which is undergoing a heavy overhaul.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, awaiting re-opening of the line so that she can move to Grosmont to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks. The loco is expected to be readied for entering service in the summer of this year.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – another photo of the loco from her early days on the WSR after arrival from ROF Bridgwater, this time from the excellent photographic archives of wsr.org.uk. These images will help us complete the repaint in the most authentic way, but we need more photos of the details to make sure that we get everything right, so if you remember seeing this loco in service, please send us your photos. Thanks !

    Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) was pictured at Minehead in August 1994, shortly after arrival on the WSR from ROF Bridgwater. Please contact us if you have photos of this locomotive during the period 1972 through 1994. Photo by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 – last week, we featured a detailed book review from regular contributor Neale Long covering Part 1 of the new Class 14 study by Anthony P. Sayer. Since last week, several members have commented positively about this book, so as Neale concludes, it is well worth purchasing. Neale’s review is available on our website by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below. Part 1 of this work is available now and Part 2 will be released at the end of June. Click on the image for more information:

     

     

    ON SHED – this week, we have a photo of D1064 ‘WESTERN REGENT’ that was found in a collection of photos that were for sale at the recent ‘RETURN TO MINEHEAD’ event. Here’s the photo with some information about the locomotive:

    BR Crewe-built Class 52 D1064 ‘WESTERN REGENT’ is pictured on shed at Bristol Bath Road on 10th October 1974. This loco was delivered new to Cardiff Canton depot on 24th May 1963 and became a regular performer on the South Wales to Paddington services. The loco moved to Plymouth Laira shed in 1966 and remained in service until December 1975. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

     

    DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 26th March 2022 is being prepared and will be circulated to all those members for whom we hold an email address. Paper copies will be included with the next Newsletter (#60) which is due to be mailed at the end of May.

    The recent saga of the mailing of Newsletter #59 has now reached a conclusion following an email poll of more than 200 members, who were asked to respond with a simple ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ regarding the receipt of the February Newsletter. The results are as follows:

    emails sent 206
    emails answered  115 (56% response rate)
    Newsletters received without surcharge 92
    Newsletters received but with surcharge payable 7
    No newsletter received 16 (14% of respondents)

    We will now arrange to send replacement Newsletters to those who responded in the negative, along with apologies for the delay. The most likely reason for the non-delivery is that a batch of stamps that were donated by a member in good faith were rejected as being counterfeit! Apparently, some Post Offices have new machinery that can detect clever counterfeits, which might explain the regional variation. From the above statistics, we can estimate that approximately one sixth of our membership did not receive their newsletters, but the actual number may be higher. Apologies to all for the trouble that this has caused.

    Along with the February Newsletter, we included RAFFLE TICKETS and we carefully weighed and measured the mailing to ensure that we placed the correct value postage on the envelope, so this in itself was not a factor. Anyway, it’s all good experience for the future, with a lesson learned: – BEWARE of internet sellers offering discounted stamps !

    Have you bought your tickets for the DEPG EASTER DRAW yet ? These tickets are now available from our ONLINE STORE. If you have received paper tickets and wish to purchase them, you can buy online and enter your ticket numbers into the ‘NOTES’ field when checking out. Alternatively, please mail a cheque with your purchased ticket stubs to the address on the ticket (return envelopes were provided but will need stamps).

    All profits from the raffle will be split evenly between the D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 D9518 restoration funds, so PLEASE BUY THE TICKETS TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS !

     

    WSR NEWS: preparations are under way for the ‘SPRING STEAM GALA’ from Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May when the DEPG facility at Williton will be open to the public and will offer close-up views of the work taking place on D1010 and D9518, in addition to opportunities to look inside the locos that will be in the yard (probably ‘Hymeks’ D7017, D7018 and Barclay 578). Please make a plan to come along if you can.

     

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

    Go to previous Weekly Roundup post

    Go to Depot news

    Go to Join Us page

    Go to Welcome page

    Go to Home page

     

  • Weekly Roundup – 04-Apr-22

    ‘Beyer Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7017 was ready to be lowered back on to her bogies at WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ by lunchtime on Monday 4th April 2022. The jacks were fully lowered by the end of the day. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The roundup has been delayed this week because of the need to include an extra day to capture the EXCELLENT NEWS that Beyer Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7017 has been lowered back on to her wheels and will soon be ready to leave the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ and return to the DEPG yard at Williton. This is the result of a FANTASTIC EFFORT by the Williton teams to get the loco lifted, the springs replaced and lowered back onto her wheels within one week !

    Here’s a summary of the D7017 Diary:

    Day Date Event
    Saturday 19-Mar-22 Loco moved to the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton
    Saturday 26-Mar-22 Preparatory work began
    Sunday 27-Mar-22 Cardan shafts disconnected
    Monday 28-Mar-22 Lifting brackets in place, ready for lifting
    Tuesday 29-Mar-22 LOCO LIFTED and bogies rolled out.
    Wednesday 30-Mar-22 Bogie A disassembled
    Thursday 31-Mar-22 Bogie A repair work in progress
    Friday 01-Apr-22 Bogie A reassembled
    Saturday 02-Apr-22 Bogie B disassembled
    Sunday 03-Apr-22 Bogie B reassembled
    Monday 04-Apr-22 LOCO LOWERED back onto her bogies !

     

    The story of this spring replacement activity is being captured on a series of web pages that are being developed on our website. The first few pages are already online and there will be a lot more information posted later this week, as the photos and videos get uploaded. Use this link to visit the D7017 DIARY INDEX page and keep and eye on it because it will be developed further as time permits.

    The massive personal effort from project leaders Martin Howard and Paul Tucker needs to be acknowledged along with the efforts of every volunteer who contributed, because this was a team result and such rapid progress on a task of this magnitude could only be made by an organised team. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who helped to get this job done!

    The completion of this work involves re-connecting the brake rigging and reconnecting the cardan shafts. This will take place over the next few weeks and will be followed by inspection and testing to prepare the loco for a return to service during her 60th birthday year !

    We look forward to seeing both of the DEPG ‘Hymeks’ at work on the WSR as soon as possible.

     

    Another notable event last weekend was the ‘RETURN TO MINEHEAD’ celebration that was organised to commemorate the return of through services to the Minehead terminus after a gap of more than two years, due to the combined effects of Covid and the replacement of the Seaward Way Level Crossing. The first train to originate from Minehead since 2019 was hauled by the WSR’s BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ and the scene on the platform was one of celebration with the Watchet Town Band and crowds of well-wishers on a bright and sunny – but very cold – weekend.

    DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) arrived at Minehead on 31st March 2022 with the empty coaching stock (ECS) from Bishops Lydeard in preparation for the ‘blue timetable’ that includes a service that originates at Minehead. The loco then remained at Minehead for the weekend. The WSR’s BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ can be seen on the left. Photo by Steve Lewis © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) remained at Minehead as ‘Thunderbird’ loco and was placed on display on the same road as the restored Southern Region ‘PMV’ Parcels and Miscellanous Van that it would have worked with during its earlier career as a mainline locomotive when based in the South East. Pictured on Saturday 2nd April 2022 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The DEPG operated a sales stand on the platform on both days, raising funds for D1010 and D9518 restoration appeals, and showing our support for the re-opening of the station. Many thanks to Mark and Chris for braving the very cold weather on both days and for their tireless work on the sales stand.

    The DEPG sales stand at Minehead Station with happy customers (and DEPG members) Geoff and Janice Miles pictured with Mark Bladwell on Sunday 3rd April 2022. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    An additional bonus for DEPG followers was the use of Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) at the head of the 1430 service from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and return, due to a smokebox fault developing on 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ that resulted in the loco having to miss her last out-and-back service of the weekend. The ‘Crompton’ was ready and only too willing to be able to perform.

    DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) stands at Williton with the 1430 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service on Sunday 3rd April 2022, standing-in for BR(W) 4-6-0 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’. The loco was crewed by Chief Traction Inspection Merv Hebditch and DEPG secondman Tom Courtney. Photo by Geoff Miles © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    DEPG Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) approaches Williton Station with the Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) from Minehead that will be needed for the resumption of ‘red timetable’ working the following weekend. The loco is bathed in late afternoon sunshine as she heads for Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – the WSR’s 2022 DIESEL GALA will take place from Thursday 9th through Saturday 11th June 2022, so keep these dates free and make a plan to attend ! Click this link to the WSR website to view the dates for other WSR events that are planned for 2022. We will be opening our depot to the public on these special event days.

     

    LOCO NEWS:

    Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER has now built up quite a list of sponsors and we will need to have a major session of engraving and photographing to get everyone’s names on to the loco. Click on the images below for an update of fundraising status:

     

    Work on D1010 was curtailed somewhat by the diversion of manpower to D7017 but some useful progress was made, as evidenced by the following selection of photos:

    D1010 – the repairs to the access grille at ‘A’ end on ‘B’ side were completed on Monday 28th March 2022 by welding of the new hinge section while volunteer Geoff performed a fire watch from the inside of the loco. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the access grille on ‘B’ side was re-fitted on Monday 28th March 2022 and is now ready for the attention of the bodyside sanding and painting team. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – the bulge at the bottom of the handrail was cut open and peeled back on Sunday 3rd April 2022 to reveal a heap of debris that has fallen through the hollow handrail and accumulated over the years, expanding as it corrodes further. The source of the debris is corrosion at the top of the handrail, caused by water ingress around the cab side window. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D1010 – both handrail mountings on the ‘B’ side at ‘A’ end have now been repaired using steel that was reclaimed following the removal of the non-standard front valances that were fitted to the ‘A’ end of the loco at Merehead Quarry in the 1990s. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 3rd April 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    To support the work that is progressing in multiple areas on D1010, we launched our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER by offering ‘SPONSOR A PATCH’ where you can donate in support of the bodywork repairs that are taking place on D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and HAVE YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON THE SPONSORED PATCH or PART.

    For the sum of £25, this scheme offers you a chance to sponsor the restoration of this much-loved locomotive, with your personal contribution being recorded and documented on a set of drawings that will be made available at our Williton depot on running days and open days. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, a unique reference number will be allocated and engraved instead.

    See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !

    NOTE: EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED £25 OR MORE SINCE JULY 2021 WILL BE RECOGNISED and will be allocated an appropriate area on one of the patches or parts that have already been applied to the loco. Donations of smaller sums that accumulate to £25 are also eligible, so donate what you can when you can, and we will keep track of your total donations. Use our CONTACT FORM if you want to register your previous donations to D1010 for this campaign.

      

    Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco has now moved back to Bishops Lydeard and is available for duties as required by the WSR.

     

    Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is the WSR duty loco and is currently based at Bishops Lydeard. Last week, we included a photo of the loco approaching Williton and meeting up with a Ferguson model TE20 diesel tractor, and we now have some additional information about that photo, as kindly provided by Edward Martin:

         “Dad (Charlie Martin, a very well known local character) bought two Ferguson TE20 diesel tractors from Williton-based company J. Gliddon & Son in 1950 for £500 each. Dad used them on the farm and also did some sub-contracting work with them. Both are running, although one needs to have a head gasket replacement. Both have had repaints done around 5 years ago from WS Restoration. The tractor was in the field adjacent to the running line because I had found a mains water leak. When investigating it, Wessex Water got their van stuck and I had to tow it out with the 72-year-old tractor.” 

    The pair of Ferguson model TE20 diesel tractors that were purchased brand new in 1950 by Charlie Martin from local firm J. Gliddon & Son. These machines are still at work in and around Williton. Photo by Edward Martin © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – covered previously, now back on her wheels inside the WSR Restorations ‘Swindon Shed’ at Williton.

     

    Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – no change this week due to the effort being directed towards her slightly older sister (10 days older, in fact).

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – a similar story of reduced resources on this project this week, but progress was still made, as shown in the photos below:

    D9518 – new mountings for the new steel pipework were welded into place at Williton on Monday 27th March 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – new mountings for the fire extinguisher cylinders were fabricated then trial positioned on the loco frames at Williton on Monday 27th March 2022. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the panels and sections from the headcode boxes have been restored and painted in green primer in readiness for undercoat and gloss. Pictured on Friday 25th March 2022 by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    D9518 – the red marker light that was donated by DEPG member Phil Gray has been painted ‘NCB Ashington Blue’, making a contrast with Sentinel 0-4-0 number 10165 ‘JOAN’ in the red livery of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company in the background. Pictured on Friday 25th March 2022 by Colin Girle © 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 full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.

     

    Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be in regular use on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. By agreement between the DEPG and the K&ESR, this loco will now be staying at the K&ESR for the rest of this year to cover for sister loco D9504 which is undergoing a heavy overhaul. This is good for D9526 because she will be in regular use and will be stored under cover when not in use.

     

    Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is currently stabled at Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, awaiting re-opening of the line so that she can move to Grosmont to enter the loco works for completion of some overhaul tasks. The loco is expected to be readied for entering service in the summer of this year.

     

    Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – no change this week, but we have received some photos of the loco from her early days on the WSR after arrival from ROF Bridgwater. These images will help us complete the repaint in the most authentic way, so we are very grateful to Keith Giles for his help in obtaining these photographs. Here’s a photo showing our loco shortly after it arrived on the WSR (thought to be 1994):

    Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) was pictured shortly after arrival on the WSR from ROF Bridgwater, thought to be 1994. Please contact us if you have more information about this locomotive. Photo by Glyn Luxton via Keith Giles © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

     

    If you can help by donating your time, 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 pleased to report that a detailed book review from regular contributor Neale Long covering Part 1 of the new Class 14 study by Anthony P. Sayer is now available on our website by clicking this link or by clicking on the image below. The conclusion of Neale’s review is very positive and it appears that Mr. Sayer has maintained his excellent track record with his most recent work, which is great news. Part 1 of this work is available now and Part 2 will be released at the end of June. Click on the image for more information:

    Many thanks to Neale for providing this very detailed review and for his clear enthusiasm on the subject !

     

    ON SHED – we will have to skip this feature again this week due to lack of time, but don’t worry, it will be back next week.

     

    DEPG NEWS – the synopsis of the Board Meeting that was held at Williton on Saturday 26th March 2022 is being prepared and will be circulated to all those members for whom we hold an email address. Paper copies will be included with the next Newsletter, which is due to be mailed at the end of May.

    Have you bought your tickets for the DEPG EASTER DRAW yet ? These tickets are now available from our ONLINE STORE. If you have received paper tickets and wish to purchase them, you can buy online and enter your ticket numbers into the ‘NOTES’ field when checking out. Alternatively, please mail a cheque with your purchased ticket stubs to the address on the ticket (return envelopes were provided but will need stamps).

    All profits from the raffle will be split evenly between the D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ and Class 14 D9518 restoration funds, so PLEASE BUY THE TICKETS TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS !

     

    WSR NEWS: after a succesful ‘RETURN TO MINEHEAD’, the next major event will be the ‘SPRING STEAM GALA’ from Thursday 5th through Sunday 8th May and the DEPG facility at Williton will be open to the public and will offer close-up views of the work taking place on D1010 and D9518, in addition to opportunities to look inside the locos that will be in the yard (probably ‘Hymeks’ D7017, D7018 and Barclay 578). Please make a plan to come along if you can.

    Class 03 shunter D2133 was stabled along with the WSR’s Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) in clear view of the platform at Minehead on Saturday 2nd April 2022. When work has been completed, the DMU will cover some of the diesel diagrams that are shown in the red and blue timetables. We will provide more information as soon as it is available. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0

     

    The timetables and the dates for the 2022 special events are as follows, so please make a note and ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR DEPG CALENDARS:

     

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