Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured while undergoing surgery at Minehead on 20th December 2024 to deal with the corrosion that was breaking through the skin from the inside. The rusty metal has been cut out and new sheet steel will be welded in before repainting takes place. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Some GREAT NEWS – the fundraiser for the bodywork repairs for ‘Hymek’ D7017 has now passed the target of £10,000 with a total of £10,366 being raised in the ten weeks since launching the appeal.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !
We set the target at £10,000 to cover the expected cost of the work that is already taking place at the WSR’s workshops at Minehead. This sub-contract route was taken to make sure that the loco gets repaired during the winter and is ready to take pole position in the celebration of 50 years of ‘Hymek’ preservation that will take place in the summer of this year.
The work is progressing but we are finding more corroded metal as we go along, so are going to keep the fundraiser open for a while longer to make sure that we have sufficient funding to cover the costs, and make sure that a thorough and long-lasting repair is carried out. All funds donated via this appeal will be allocated to returning D7017 to service in time for the forthcoming season.
The work also includes the overhaul of the two cardan shafts that connect the transmission to the dynastarter and the Serck pump, both of which have now been returned to the loco after thorough overhaul at FIROW PROPSHAFTS in Crewe – with thanks for their excellent service and fast turnaround time !
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is being fitted with two fully-refurbished cardan shafts, recently overhauled by FIROW PROPSHAFTS in Crewe. Pictured at Williton on 14th December 2024 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Times are hard and money is tight, but if you love the sight, the sound and the sparkling performance of the ‘Hymeks’ then please do what you can to support our efforts. This is a short-term appeal so please give this your attention and help if you can by making a donation via our website (click on the icons below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
BACKGROUND
As the first locomotive to be saved for preservation by the Diesel & Electric Group (the forerunner of the DEPG) back in 1975, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 has built up a significant following and is very much loved. This loco has had an excellent year (2024), working public service trains on 10 separate days and achieving 100% availability, although she has started to look rather shabby of late. As D7017 is now approaching her 50th year in preservation, it will be appropriate to have her bodywork overhauled and repainted in time for her 50th anniversary, so arrangements have been made to have the work carried out at the Minehead workshops of the West Somerset Railway.
The work involves a number of areas around the body where corrosion has taken hold from the inside and resulted in perforations of the body panels. The metalwork behind the corroded panels will need to be cut out and replaced, so this is not a quick job. The DEPG’s volunteer welders are tied up on other projects that would be unfairly affected by queue-jumping D7017, so the opportunity was taken to follow-up on an offer from the Minehead team and a repair and repainting contract has been agreed. The work is well underway and the loco will be back with us in a matter of months so that other maintenance work can continue at Williton.
We need help raising funds for the work that is being carried out. This is a short-term appeal so please give this your attention and help by making a donation via our website (click on the icons below) or by bank app or by sending a cheque to the DEPG at Williton. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
Some photos of the work required:
D7017 – the Great British weather has taken its toll on the bodywork of our long-serving and much loved ‘Hymek’. A contract repair has been arranged, with the work being done by the WSR’s Minehead Engineering team to include welding work and a repaint. The above five photos were taken at Minehead on 31st October 2024 by Andy Palk © CC BY-NC 3.0
Some photos of the work being done:
Week ending 17th November 2024 – WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED, with the WSR engineering team at Minehead having been contracted to do the repairs. This ensures that the loco receives the bodywork corrosion repairs that she needs before a repaint can be carried out. Although the loco looks quite good from a distance, a closer inspection reveals that corrosion is taking place from behind the skin panels, and this will soon result in perforations and further deterioration. A stitch in time saves nine, which is why we are getting the work done NOW.
D7017 – the bodywork overhaul was well under way at Minehead when pictured on Saturday 16th November 2024, with WSR resident welder Buzz hard at work, cutting out rusted metal. Photo by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – on the other side of the loco, Julie worked on loosening the screws that held the valance while Paul tackled the radiator grille fastenings. Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – at the far end of the loco, well known steam loco preservationist and volunteer Andy F joined in, to deal with the corroded metal around the cab steps. Thank you Andy ! Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 16th November 2024 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Week ending 22-Dec-24 – here are a few more photos of the work that is being carried out at Minehead:
D7017 – work has already started on preparing the bodyside for a repaint, with attention being given to rusty areas as and when they are discovered. Pictured at Minehead on Friday 13th December 2024 by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – with the corrosion being more advanced on the other side of the loco, the skirt panels had to be removed for repair and this has allowed access to the electrical conduit beneath. Pictured at Minehead on Friday 13th December 2024 by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0
D7017 – there is plenty of work to do, but progress is rapid because of the resource being applied to the job. Pictured at Minehead on Friday 13th December 2024 by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0
Week ending 29-Dec-24
D7017 – the Christmas holiday caused the pace to slow, but it was only a temporary respite. Pictured in the loco shed with the WSR’s Atlas crane alongside on Saturday 28th December 2024 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Week ending 05-Jan-25
D7017 – with the paid staff back at work, the serious business of welding new metal into the loco body resumed. This simple-looking repair took many hours of work to get access to the corroded metal and will take many more hours of work to put it all back together. Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 4th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Week ending 12-Jan-25
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured at Minehead sandwiched between WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 9351 and Class 03 D2133 while undergoing removal of her roof sections on a cold but sunny Tuesday 7th January 2025. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is undergoing a bodywork overhaul at the WSR’s Minehead workshop with a combined team effort from WSR staff and DEPG volunteers. On Tuesday 7th January 2025, the Atlas rail-mounted crane was used to remove the roof sections so that they can be repainted at ground level. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is slowly being stripped back to reveal the areas of corrosion and allow repairs to be carried out. Pictured at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
Six members of the team who have been working on Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 were gathered to pose for a photo at Minehead on Tuesday 7th January 2025. From left to right, Buzz, Neil, Rich, Terry, Nick and Gwyn. Photo by Harry Spencer © CC BY-NC 3.0
Back in the warm and dry loco shed, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 minus her roof, skirts and radiator grille is looking a little sad, but this is only temporary. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible – thanks to your help ! Pictured at Minehead on Saturday 11th January 2025 by Neil McCannon © CC BY-NC 3.0
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ‘HYMEK’ D7017 !!