Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09019) was used to haul Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) out of the loco shed at Williton on Saturday 30th March 2024 so that the ’33’ could be started up. Martin was at the controls and Secondman Tom was keeping an eye on the clearances as the shunter slowly eased the ’33’ along. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
The repairs on Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) have been completed with the exception of a replacement exhaust bellows that is due for delivery on 5th April and which will be fitted on the 6th. This will then allow the work on the loco to be completed so that it can then be cleared of tools and equipment, then cleaned up, then subjected to the necessary inspections before being made ready for a test run. As a precursor to completion and to allow volunteer loco manager Ian R to check and adjust the engine governor, the loco was hauled out of the loco shed on Saturday 30th by Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09019) so that the ’33’ could be started up. Here’s a short video of the startup (click here or on the image below):
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) was started up at Williton on Saturday 30th March 2024. Video clip by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09019) had been visiting Williton to have a replacement window fitted, as a result of a failure in the scissors mechanism that had allowed the window to drop suddenly. The work on the ’09’ has now been completed and the loco has since moved back to Bishops Lydeard to take up its duties. It will return to Williton again next winter to undergo bodywork repairs and electrical machinery overhauls. Many thanks to JT and Martin for getting the work done so quickly on this small but important member of the DEPG fleet.
Class 09 Shunter D4107 (09 019) has had three plywood panels fitted to cover the window mechanism, the top and bottom sections being easily removable to allow regular maintenance of the scissors mechanism. The loco has now returned to duties at Bishops Lydeard. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th March 2024 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
LOCO NEWS:
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – the planning and preparation for the lifting of the locomotive body continues to progress, with a target of disconnecting the bogie thrust brackets in early May so that the loco body can be lifted before the end of May. The engines will be removed from the body to reduce the weight for the lift and this will also allow us to clean up and repaint the engine room and attend to the pipework and air receiver inspections while access is made easy.
Gordon and Leroy have made progress with the removal and clean up of the cooler group pipework, some of which is large, heavy and awkward. Now is the time to deal with these parts, so that they are ready and waiting for the re-assembly phase that will follow the overhaul of the bogies. Work begins on the disconnection of the engines next weekend, in parallel with the cleaning of the bogies, as far as is possible with the loco still mounted on top of them.
Our website now carries a new page, ‘D1010 Progress Report – Jan 2024‘, the content of which will be familiar to DEPG members because it was included in the January Newsletter. This information is now available to all by clicking on this link.
D1010 – pictured outdoors on number 1 road at Williton on 30th March 2024, the loco will soon be going back into the loco shed, which will allow more sponsored patches to be engraved and the electrical re-wiring work to be resumed. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the coolant pipework on this locomotive is large, heavy and awkward, as is evident in this view of the cleanup in progress at Williton on 30th March 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – the coolant pipework includes several ‘Saunders Valves’ such as this one, labelled ‘ENGINE COOLING WATER SYSTEM DRAIN’. Pictured at Williton on 30th March 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D1010 – another view of the overhauled ‘A’ transmission wearing its first coat of light grey primer, pictured at Williton before it was moved into temporary storage. Photo dated 19th March 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
As stated previously, we will need MORE HANDS to help us get the work done. If you want to see this locomotive back on the rails soon, then PLEASE COME ALONG AND HELP US WITH THIS WORK ! There is a wide range of tasks that need to be done, so simply use the CONTACT FORM on our website to let us know if you can lend a hand.
Sponsorships for patches on D1010 continue to come in, for which we are VERY grateful indeed. We have many more patches waiting for sponsors, so please support the CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER and click here or on the image further below to get your name engraved into the metal of the locomotive. We will be having another engraving session as soon as the loco gets moved back into the loco shed (the weather has not been cooperative lately!).
The certificates are now being emailed to the sponsors and we have already sent hundreds out with hundreds more to go, so we are very busy with this work. Here’s an example of what we are sending out:
Sponsorship includes a photograph and a certificate via email, but we can print the certificates on photo paper and mail them out upon request, in which case we will be asking for an additional £2.50 donation per certificate to cover photo paper, ink and postage. We can even put them in frame for you.
The drawings that have been developed in parallel will provide a formal record of the position of each sponsored patch and this will allow sponsors to look up the location of their patch when they visit the depot at Williton during the WSR SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT – and your PATIENCE !
Click the image below to sponsor a patch:
See our CAMPAIGN for CAMPAIGNER web page for more details. We still have a lot of work to do on this massive locomotive, so PLEASE DO COME ALONG AND HELP IF YOU CAN !
Class 09 D4107 (09019) – as already covered, this loco has now returned to duties at Bishops Lydeard.
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is currently stabled at Bishops Lydeard and will be moving to Minehead on Saturday 6th April to be in position for the 1000 departure from Minehead and the subsequent 80-mile diagram on Sunday 7th April and Sunday 14th April.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) – the replacement exhaust bellows should be available this weekend so that the exhaust system overhaul can be completed. The loco will then be cleared of tools and equipment and a cleanup will take place prior to inspection and test. We hope to have this loco released to traffic during the coming weeks.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – this loco is ready to return to service and will be undergoing three consecutive days of loaded test running that will be used to accumulate hours and ensure reliability. The loco will be hauling empty coaching stock across the length of the WSR to thoroughly exercise all of her systems and allow us to deal with any small issues arising from her lack of use. Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) will be tagging along to act as backup in case any issues do crop up. For details of the running schedule, keep an eye on our website or sign up to our DIESELGEN email bulletin service.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – the ‘transmission team’ have now separated the torque converter assembly from the transmission and have started the disassembly of this intricate piece of machinery as part of the step-by-step appraisal of this transmission. The team have also been preparing specialist tooling and fixturing that will allow the dis-assembly and re-assembly work to take place. These Mekydro transmissions are too precious to take risks with, so our rate of progress will be tempered by the need to take great care.
D7018 – the torque converter has been separated from the rest of the Stone Maybach Mekydro K184u transmission so that it can be disassembled and appraised as a separate assembly. The large gear wheel is the input that drives the impeller (which is basically a large pump). The small gear (far left) is the output and is driven by the turbine. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 25th March 2024 by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7018 – the components of the torque converter were in the process of being separated using the hydraulic ram when pictured at Williton on Wednesday 26th March 2024. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 3.0
Although we hope to be able to use spare parts that we have available, we will still need to replace seals, bearings, gaskets as necessary and we also need to drain the oil and have new oil available. All of these things cost money. PLEASE HELP by making a donation of £10 or by buying our 64-page A4 HYMEK D7018 BOOKLET (£10) which covers the history of this locomotive from build through to her return to service in 2019 following her major overhaul. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
Click here or on the image above to order your copy of our ‘HYMEK D7018’ booklet, available for £10.
Click here or on the donation image above to go to the donations page on our website. If you feel able to donate more than £10, simply increase the quantity when on the donations page. Thank you in advance for your support !
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the cab assembly remains the focus of attention, with more wires appearing every week and more items being re-attached to the driver’s desk. The desk has to be wired up to the corresponding components in the control cubicle, so this is a big task and requires a methodical working approach and a bucket load of patience. When the desk and control cubicle are wired together, the cab will need to be lifted onto the frames so that the rest of the wiring can be connected. Work continues in parallel on restoring the many small parts that are being recovered from storage. Each needs to be identified then cleaned then inspected and repaired if necessary, before it can take its place in the restoration queue. The pictures show the progress!
D9518 – the thorough and careful restoration work continues at Williton, with team member Colin G hard at work rebuilding the driver’s desk. Pictured on Saturday 30th March 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the new wiring that has been installed by volunteer John C is clearly visible in this view, looking down on the driver’s desk at Williton on Saturday 30th March 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518 – the restored control cubicle now features new labelling that is authentic to the original. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 30th March 2024 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 3.0
This loco is the subject of a fundraising appeal so please follow this link to find out more. We need your help ! In addition to funds, we also need plenty of HANDS. If you love the ‘Teddy Bears’ and you are not already a member of the DEPG, please join us so that you can become one of the team that is going to return D9518 to fully operational condition as ‘NCB No. 7‘.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is on standby at Bishops Lydeard and is fully serviceable and ready for work.
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – this loco is booked to work the 1430 service from Grosmont to Pickering and return on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on Sunday 7th April, which incidentally will be the exact same date and time as Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) is booked to depart from Minehead for Bishops Lydeard on the WSR, so we will have two ‘SULZERS‘ in action simultaneously on opposite sides of the Country.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this loco is stabled on number 3 road at Williton and is ready for action.
If you can help by donating your time to any of these projects, then please JOIN US and come along to the depot for an introduction to what we do and how we do it. We currently have people on site from Saturday through to Tuesday and we can open on other days if we can be sure of getting at least two volunteers on site at all times, so there is plenty of scope. We have tasks of all types to suit most capabilities, both skilled and unskilled.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers who give up so much of their time to work on the cleaning, painting, maintaining, restoring, managing and fund raising for our fleet of heritage locomotives