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 passed the halfway mark with a total of £5,875 being raised in the seven weeks since launching the appeal.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT !
We are aiming to reach £10,000 to cover the cost of the work that is well advanced and taking place inside the WSR’s workshops at Minehead. This sub-contract route was taken to make sure that the loco is 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 2025.
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
Can you help us reach our target of £10,000 ? 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 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 about to start 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 about to be 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
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ‘HYMEK’ D7017 !!