Saturday 7th August saw the third of our diesel-hauled ‘excursions’ behind Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018, this time including an extension to Norton Fitzwarren on the return leg. The weather was not kind during the first leg of the journey, so our diehard lineside photographers had to endure some very heavy rain to be able to get their pictures.
Here’s a link to a video compilation that has been posted on YouTube by member and supporter Mark Ireland – the ‘Maybach Music’ on this video is amazing!
Video compliation by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0
Here’s some photos from the day and there are more on our Twitter and Facebook pages (these are links to public pages so you don’t need a Twitter of Facebook account to view them):
D7018 approaches Stogumber during an unseasonal downpour while heading for Dunster on 7th August 2021. Photo by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 awaits the ‘Right Away’ to depart from Norton Fitzwarren platform for the 3-mile climb to Bishops Lydeard on 7th August 2021. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 digs in to the 1 in 75 gradient as she approaches Longlands Bridge on the climb from Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard on 7th August 2021. Photo by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 approaching Stogumber and heading for home as secondman Terry gives a wave to our intrepid photographer on 7th August 2021. Photo by Mark Ireland © CC BY-NC 3.0
A very big THANK YOU to all who bought a ticket and rode the train and to all of the volunteers involved in putting on this show !
And now a correction to my statement last week about passenger loading being lighter on the 31st July compared to 17th July. This observation was not borne out by the facts because each of these ‘excursion’ services has actually carried more passengers than the previous run. We are hoping for a similar success for the forthcoming ‘Crompton Birthday Special excursion’ that will run between Bishops Lydeard and Dunster on the 21st August 2021
To commemorate their 60th birthdays, we will be running BOTH of our Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ in top-and-tail mode on the 21st and this will allow supporters to sample haulage from both machines during the same journey. Extension to Norton Fitzwarren will not be possible on the 21st August because the Norton Fitzwarren section is in use that day for other services.
OTHER LOCO NEWS:
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco continues to be busy at the KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY and has covered her booked workings and received favourable comments from the K&ESR crews. One issue that arose was an oil leak that was quickly dealt with by the Class 14 team that normally look after sister loco D9504 on the K&ESR. Our loco is clearly in safe hands and it is great to hear that she has been so well received by our southeastern friends.
Class 14 D9526 is pictured at Tenterden at the head of a scheduled service to Bodiam on 2nd August 2021. Photo by Jacky Duncan © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 14 D9526 waits for ex-Longmoor Military Railway Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST number 25 at Wittersham Road station on the K&ESR on 3rd August 2021. Photo by Colin Girle © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – our ‘celebrity’ remains at Bishops Lydeard because of delays in obtaining permission for her oversize road haulage move from Bishops Lydeard to Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Sadly, we still do not have the date or route information yet, but when we do, it will be shared via a DIESELGEN bulletin.
47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ stabled in the bay platform at Bishops Lydeard on 1st August 2021, sandwiched between an ex-GWR ‘TOAD’ brakevan and our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057). The banner proclaims ‘ON TOUR’ but the only tour she has had so far is around the yard at Westridge steam shed ! Photo by Liam Hebditch © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – we continue to receive donations towards the restoration of this much-loved loco and we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all who have contributed to the fund to support the £100,000 restoration of D1010.
We have had a great start, but this is a big project so please keep the funds rolling in !
Rapid progress towards our fund-raising target will result in rapid progress on the restoration work because we can engage sub-contract specialists who can work on the loco 5 days a week, not just on Saturdays.
This weekend, the areas around the cab window frames were probed to determine the extent of the damage. Although the photos below may give a different impression, this kind of corrosion can easily be cut out and new metal welded in. The window frames will have to be removed, but we were expecting that. So far, there are no showstoppers so we will continue with our plan (read our restoration plan by clicking on this link).
D1010 cab window frame upper rear corner at Williton on 7th August 2021 showing corrosion damage. Photo by Leroy Ford © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 cab window frame lower rear corner at Williton on 7th August 2021 showing a stress corrosion fracture. Photo by Leroy Ford © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 cabside overhead warning placards were removed at Williton on 7th August 2021. Photo by Leroy Ford © CC BY-NC 3.0
We intend to raise £100,000 for the whole restoration project so please help us by using one of the below links to make a donation:
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After selecting a donation link, you will be able to use the quantity buttons to select the precise value that you are able to donate. Please remember to add the GiftAid option if you are eligible because this will give us a 20% boost via a contribution from HM Government. Thank you very much for supporting the D1010 Restoration Appeal !
In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Westerns’ 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 D1010 to full operational condition.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is stabled at Williton and is fully operational and ready to work with sister D6575 (33 057) on the ‘excursion’ special on Saturday 21st August in top-and-tail mode to celebrate their 60th birthdays !
BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) is captured on film while showing her age at Williton on 5th June 2021. Photo by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – no change – this loco is outstationed at Bishops Lydeard in support of WSR operations and will be working with D6566 (33 048) on the special on 21st August.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – no change – this loco is waiting for its turn to go into the Swindon Shed for bogie disconnection and lifting to replace the weak leaf spring.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – we are very happy to report that donations to our D9518 restoration fund continue to build and as a result, we are now able to approve the re-installation of the springs, hornguides and wheels. This specialised riveting and alignment work will be performed by WSR Restorations at the Swindon Shed, Williton.
We intend to raise £10,000 for the whole restoration project so please help us by using one of the below links to make a donation:
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After selecting a donation link, you will be able to use the quantity buttons to select the precise value that you are able to donate. Please remember to add the GiftAid option if you are eligible because this will give us a 20% boost via a contribution from HM Government. Thank you very much for supporting the D9518 Restoration Appeal !
Here’s some photos of last week’s progress on this loco:
The cab of D9518 is now inside the main shed for restoration. Photo taken at Williton on 3rd August 2021 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
The wheelsets from D9518 show a nice smooth finish thanks to efforts by Colin G. The next step is to apply the black gloss. Photo taken at Williton on 3rd August 2021 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
The frames of D9518 are now inside the Swindon Shed for alignment and rivetting of the hornguides after which the frames will be reunited with the wheelsets. Photo taken at Williton on 3rd August 2021 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 operational condition – and see her haul passenger coaches for the first time in her life!
Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – this loco is undergoing bodywork repairs prior to priming and painting. The livery chosen for this loco will be the Government-standard (in 1972) deep bronze green that the loco carried during her days in service at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) in Puriton, near Bridgwater, Somerset.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who are hard at work cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives !