On Saturday 3rd September, the DEPG held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Williton. So that the meeting could be held inside the depot, a suitable space had to be created, so step 1 was to shunt D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ outside and step 2 was to sweep up and start to move chairs and tables from the storage areas to the newly vacated space on number 2 road. Step 3 came at the end of the meeting when the area had to be cleared again and all of the chairs and tables stowed, before D1010 could be shunted back inside the shed. Luckily, the weather stayed dry, because we would have lost more working time if the tarpaulins had to come out to cover her up (her cabside windows have yet to be re-fitted). So, a big thank-you to all of our volunteers for their efforts last Saturday. Well done all !
D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ was wearing her special nameplate ‘CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER’ while temporarily stabled outdoors at Williton on Saturday 3rd September 2022. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
The AGM concluded just in time for our members to move to the Williton Station platform to watch ‘Hymek’ D7018 departing with the afternoon service from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, with DEPG Trustee and Director Neil McCannon in charge. The photo below was taken when the earlier service, the 10:00 from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, called at Williton station, and two-thirds of the Board managed to put in an appearance:
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was pictured at the Williton Station stop while working the 10:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard diagram (2 x round trips, 80 miles total) on Saturday 3rd September 2022. From left to right, driver Neil McCannon, Martin Howard, Terry Deacon, Tom Courtney and Paul Tucker. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
On the weekend of 17th and 18th September, we have Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) running for 80 miles as per the BLUE timetable.
On the weekend of 24th and 25th September, we have Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 running for 80 miles as per the BLUE timetable. This will be the LAST scheduled diesel-hauled service of the season, so please come along and enjoy the ride.
We have kept our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page updated throughout all of the recent timetable and traction changes, with links to the WSR timetables, so this page can be used as a one-stop-shop for diesel-hauled services on the WSR. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE TRAVELLED for supporting this year’s DIESEL RUNNING program on the WSR. The season is not over yet – there is MORE TO COME so click on the banner below to visit the page and get the details:
The usual caveats of loco availability apply, but we aim to deliver the published 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.
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – as shown previously, this loco was hauled out of the loco shed to make space for the AGM, so she enjoyed a little fresh air and luckily did not get rained upon. While outdoors, Ian F, Richard and Gordon made some more progress with bodywork preparation in advance of an overall light grey primer coat, dark grey undercoat and maroon first coat. That’s a lot of painting that needs to get done before the winter. Many thanks to all of our volunteers for their massive effort on this massive locomotive !
Please consider SPONSORING A PATCH because there is plenty of fresh metal that still needs engraving and it is in a prime location, right at the front of the loco at ‘A’ end. Thank you in advance for your support !
Although bodywork repairs have progressed well, we still have a lot of rubbing down and painting to do, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !
D1010 – this view shows one of the battery box doors stood on end to reveal the inside-to-outside corrosion that is inevitable when water enters the inside of the door and cannot get out except by corroding the metal through. Pictured at Williton on 31st August 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the top of the battery box door has recessed areas that trap rainwater until it penetrates inside the door. The repairs include drain holes that will prevent pooling. Similar drain holes will be introduced at the bottom of the door. Pictured at Williton on 30th August 2022 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – this battery box door has been repaired at the top and at the bottom and is now fully serviceable with properly operating hinges, locks and security catch. Of the eight doors, four will require this level of attention. Pictured at Williton on 31st August 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 or code word will be allocated and engraved instead.
See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details !
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – the failed heat exchanger has been sent out to a specialist firm for overhaul, which is expected to take five or six weeks. During this time, the loco will undergo an oil change and will have her oil strainer and oil filters replaced, so that she is ready for the reconditioned heat exchanger to be fitted. Her return to service will probably take place in November.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was pictured on number 1 road at Williton Diesel Depot on Saturday 3rd September 2022 by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – this loco is currently stabled at Williton and being the WSR Duty Loco, is fully serviceable. She was pressed into use on Saturday 3rd September to haul D1010 out of the loco shed so that the AGM could take place in the shed. Conveniently, WSR Diesel Traction Inspector (and DEPG member) John Leach was at Williton giving an introductory lecture to his new intake of trainee secondmen, so he was able to provide some hands-on training as seen in the picture below:
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was used to shunt D1010 back into the loco shed after the AGM on 3rd September 2022. WSR Diesel Traction Inspector John Leach can be seen at the controls, with trainee secondman Paddy Lockyer watching and learning. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – further progress was made on this loco with the air intake manifolds re-attached and now ready to accept the intercoolers. After that, the ducting between the air filters and the intercoolers will be re-fitted, the cooling system will be reconnected and the coolant pumped back in, then the loco will be ready for an engine test prior to re-fitting the roof. Many thanks to Leroy, Simon and Karl for their work on this loco.
D7017 – the air intake manifolds have been re-fitted and are now ready to accept the intercoolers. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 3rd September 2022 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco was in use this weekend, as already covered. The next scheduled dates for ‘Hymek’ running are the 10:00 and 14:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard return services on Sat/Sun 24th/25th September. Keep an eye on our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page for updates or join the DIESELGEN email bulletin group (which also includes information about non-public services, where the information is available to us sufficiently in advance).
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the Class 14 team continue to work on the many component parts that are needed to support the restoration of this locomotive, while preparing for a pressure test of the compressed air system. Here’s a few pictures:
D9518 – this fire alarm test button has been carefully restored and is now ready for re-fitting to the locomotive. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – brand new pipework has been formed to the complex shapes required to fit around the various items of equipment on the frames. Pictured at Williton on 27th August 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 – the steam ban has been lifted on the Kent & East Sussex Railway so our loco can take a break from what must have been an intensive month – and quite stressful for all of the staff and volunteers as they covered their planned workings with the locos that they had available. THANKS AGAIN to Team D9504 for looking after D9526 so well and keeping her serviceable !
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – although steam has now returned to the NYMR, our loco has continued to be in regular use and has proven very popular with both passengers and crews. In the photo below, once again from our local correspondent Martin Fisher, the loco can be seen after detaching from ‘THE MOORLANDER’ Pullman service at Pickering Station, and preparing to run around her train before heading back to Grosmont.
Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR‘ was pictured at Pickering station on Saturday 3rd September 2022 after having detached from ‘THE MOORLANDER’ Pullman set and preparing to run around her stock for the return trip to Grosmont. Several other photographers also capture the scene. Photo by Martin Fisher © CC BY-NC 3.0
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco had D1010 for company in the yard on Saturday 3rd September. The largest and the smallest member of the DEPG fleet, alongside one another.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF No. 1) was stabled on number 3 road outside the loco shed at Williton on Saturday 3rd September 2022, with Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ on number 2 road alongside. Photo 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 !