Beyer-Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7018 runs across Blue Anchor level crossing at the tail end of the 1405 Dunster to Norton Fitzwarren service (headed by WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351) on 1st October 2021. Photo by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 3.0
Beyer-Peacock ‘Hymek’ D7018 stands at Crowcombe Heathfield with the 1230 Bishops Lydeard to Dunster (for Minehead) service on the very wet second day of the Autumn Steam Gala, on 2nd October 2021. Photo by Joseph Hart © CC BY-NC 3.0
After the intensive timetable of the previous weekend, the WSR has returned to the ‘RED’ timetable for the remainder of October, with the addition of some ‘Quantock Belle’ dining services and some Steam Experience Courses. The Diesel Experience Courses will not restart until next year because the heritage freight train is stranded at Minehead until the Seaward Way level crossing is re-opened. Click here for an update on the Seaward Way project.
There is only one diesel-hauled ‘excursion’ special remaining this season, and it will run on this coming Saturday 16th October with haulage to be provided by Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 including an extension to Norton Fitzwarren on the return leg of the journey. This is going to be a great opportunity to get some diesel-hydraulic haulage and listen to that Maybach Music, so please come along and ride the ‘excursion’ special on Saturday 16th October.
MANY THANKS to all who have bought a ticket or merchandise during this 2021 running season and in doing so contributed to making the case for more diesel-hauled services on the WSR next year !
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – this week, as the depot was closed to the public, we were able to make noise and make more progress on D1010, the first task being to remove the seats from the ‘B’ end cab and lift the floor panels so that the sub-frame that supports the cab could be inspected. The subframe is supported by four sets of columns and the frontmost set had corroded away many years ago and had been replaced by new box-section supports. However, our inspection showed that the second-from-front row of supports have now corroded away and have to be replaced, but the third and fourth rows are OK. This is important information because it tells us how much disaasembly we have to do to be able to get at the corroded supports to perform the repairs.
The photo of the corroded support may look bad, but it is just a very small piece of metal in a very large locomotive, so it will be dealt with as soon as we can clear the area around it.
D1010 cab B driver’s seat has been removed to allow the cab floor to be lifted. The lifted section is shown alongside, leaning against the cab wall. Pictured at Williton on 9th October 2021 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 cab B secondman’s seat has been removed to allow the cab floor to be lifted. One of the lifted sections is shown alongside, leaning against the cab wall. Pictured at Williton on 9th October 2021 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 cab B second row subframe supports have been completely eaten away and will need to be replaced. To the right of the support are two electrical wiring conduits, both of which are also in the final stages of dissolving. Pictured at Williton on 9th October 2021 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 cab B third row subframe supports are rusty but still capable of doing their job. The ‘1010 B’ identification tag dates back to the original construction that took place at Swindon Works in 1962. Pictured at Williton on 9th October 2021 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 ‘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.
We also want to share some news about similar work that is being performed on D1048 ‘WESTERN LADY’ at the Midland Railway in Butterley, Derbyshire. This information came to us via the excellent newsletters from the Western Locomotive Association (WLA) and the photograph below was taken by WLA member Adrian Worgan during a recent visit to the MR-B. Many thanks to Adrian and the WLA for updating us on the progress with D1048.
Crewe-built Class 52 D1048 ‘WESTERN LADY’ undergoing cab end repairs at the Midland Railway in Butterley Derbyshire. Photograph taken during a recent visit to Butterley by Adrian Worgan © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) – this loco is stabled at Williton and will undergo some maintenance work during the next few weeks while sister D6575 remains on ‘Thunderbird’ duty at Bishops Lydeard.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) pictured while stabled at Williton during the very wet weather on the second day of the Autumn Steam Gala, 2nd October 2021. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) – this loco was also in use at the recent Autumn Steam Gala and is currently stabled at Bishops Lydeard to cover any duties that may arise.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) crosses Lower Ker Moor on the approach to Blue Anchor at the tail end of the 1020 Dunster to Bishops Lydeard service on Friday 1st October 2021, the best weather day of the Autumn Steam Gala. Photo by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is waiting patiently for her turn in the ‘Swindon Shed’ where she needs to go over the pit for the bogies to be disconnected before the body can be lifted. This work is pencilled-in for the ‘work week’ that will take place in the first week of November, subject to space being available in the ‘Swindon Shed’.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was open to the public but did get many visitors during the very wet weather on the second day of the Autumn Steam Gala, 2nd October 2021. Photo by Josh Brinsford © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is booked and is being readied for the last ‘excursion’ special of the 2021 season that will run this coming Saturday 16th October and will include an extension to Norton Fitzwarren. Please do try to come along if you can. Tickets are available via this link or by clicking on the ticket graphic below (this is a link to the WSR website):
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – we have some MAJOR progress to report on this loco this week because the team led by Ryan Pope at WSR Restorations have completed the rivetting work and the hornguides are now back in the frames and preparations are being made to re-wheel the loco. This is great news and has been made possible by the donations of the many ‘Teddy Bear’ supporters who have contributed to the D9518 Restoration Appeal. Thank you very much !
D9518 hornguides were rivetted in place by the WSR Restorations team at the Swindon Shed in Williton. Photo taken on 9th October 2021 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 frames and hornguides being prepared for re-wheeling at the Swindon Shed in Williton. Photo taken on 9th October 2021 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 sandboxes and electrical enclosures get a coat of gloss from Roy J at Williton on 9th October 2021, with the loco cab providing the backdrop. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to full operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is based at the Kent & East Sussex Railway for the rest of this year and is expected to be back in action during this coming week after receiving attention to her engine governor.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco remains stuck at Bishops Lydeard waiting for instructions for her move to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Unfortunately this running season has passed us by and the loco hasn’t been able to work (or earn). We really hope that this issue is resolved soon and the loco can move to the NYMR as planned.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – the engine governor override lever has now been repaired by John C so attention has moved back to bodywork repairs that need to be completed while the loco is residing inside the loco shed.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH number 578 (ROF 1) with the engine doors removed to reveal the Paxman 6RPHL V6 diesel engine at Williton on 9th October 2021. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
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 !