Going back to the last movements of 2020, our ‘Cromptons’ D6566 and D6575 were swapped over so that D6575 ended up positioned at Williton and D6566 ended up at Westridge shed in Bishops Lydeard. This swap was made because D6575 handled most of the “Santa Express” diesel duties, so she is now due for an “A-exam”, when circumstances permit.
Both Class 33s performed admirably throughout December, and the following photos show the changeover that took place on the 31st December:
Classic vehicles at the West Somerset Railway – an Iris Blue MGA from 1958 waits while BRCW Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) dating from 1961 heads in the opposite direction (toward Williton) on 31st December 2020. Photo by Robin Moira White (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (in the yard, just south of the Swindon Shed) and D6575 (alongside the Swindon Shed on the ‘down’ line) manoeuver to change places on 31st December 2020. Captured from the Williton North webcam, courtesy of Railcam UK and the WSR (c)
Class 33 D6566 (33 048) departs Williton for Bishops Lydeard with DEPG Chairman Martin Howard at the controls while being monitored by Class 33 loco manager Ian Robins and DEPG “team Crompton” volunteer Tom Courtney on 31st December 2020. Captured from the Williton North webcam, courtesy of Railcam UK and the WSR (c)
DEPOT NEWS – Major progress was made on the clear-out of the Old Goods Shed last year and the building is now empty and ready for remedial work to begin, when circumstances permit. The photos below show the internal layout of the building, with the central platform that facilitated transfer of goods from wagons to road vehicles (horse-drawn wagons in those days, of course). The black column seen in these photos is the central pillar of the goods crane that would have been used to assist in the transfer of heavy loads. Thanks to our volunteers and to Matt Brewer from the WSR for getting this major task completed and thanks also to Martin Howard for providing the photos.
Inside the Old Goods Shed at Williton facing north towards the Goods Clerk’s office – the central platform allows road vehicles to approach from the left for easy transfer of goods to and from the railway wagons that would have been on the right (see next photo). The black column is the central pillar from the crane. Photo by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Inside the Old Goods Shed at Williton facing south – showing the railway and roadway either side of the central platform. The loading gauge still hangs in position (below the light fitting), to warn the staff against over-height loads on wagons. Photo by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Sadly, our depot has had to close again, for all except those tasks that are considered as being both urgent and essential. This weekend, we have a very small team attending to deal with a rainwater leak that is affecting one of our spare part storage containers. The spares for our heritage fleet are precious and irreplaceable, so they must be protected. The short-term fix is to apply a tarpaulin, the longer-term fix will be to replace the container, but that will have to wait until restrictions are lifted.
Our BEYER-PEACOCK (HYMEK) Ltd. Class 35 diesel-hydraulic number D7017 entered service with British Railways at Bristol Bath Road depot on the 8th of January 1962, so she is 59 years old today !
Way back in 1975, D7017 was the first loco that was acquired by the DEPG (known as the D+EG in those days) straight out of service with BR at Old Oak Common depot. The loco was moved to Taunton to await onward transfer to Minehead on the fledgling West Somerset Railway and became the first diesel locomotive to haul a service train on the WSR in 1977.
The D+EG’s first acquisition: ex-BR Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 waiting at Taunton in 1975 for onward transfer to the West Somerset Railway. Photographed by Barry Gay (c) CC BY-NC 3.0DEPG ‘Hymek’ D7017 seen at Mineral Line Bridge near Watchet on the 7th of May 1978. Photo by Steve Edge (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Since that time, D7017 has become a firm favourite of both regulars and visitors to the WSR and has covered many thousands of miles in service in various guises. She has also appeared as a guest loco at other railways and attended at several mainline depot open days.
DEPG Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 passes Dunster with the 13:30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service on the 23rd of September 2017. Photograph by Gary Lemon (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Currently “stopped” for replacement of her bogie springs, we expect to see her back in service in time to celebrate her 60th birthday along with sister loco D7018 in 2022.
Class 14 D9526 takes a rest at Minehead between passenger workings on 1st September 2018. Photo by Terry Deacon (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
BR-Swindon built Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 working freight through Williton station on the West Somerset Railway. Photographed on 21st July 2018 by Terry Deacon. (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Our Class 14 number D9526 entered service with British Railways at Bristol Bath Road depot on the 6th of January 1965, so she is 56 years old today !
Looking every bit as good as new because of the care and attention given to her by her dedicated team at Williton, this loco is equally at home on goods or passenger workings and is a very useful member of the DEPG fleet.
In April, we will be able to celebrate 41 years of this loco being based on the West Somerset Railway, so let’s hope that we can get her out and about for everyone to see.
Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) on the left and D6575 (33 057) on the right after inspection over the pit at Westridge Shed, Bishops Lydeard, on 2nd November 2020. Photo by Martin Howard. (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
As a result of Somerset going into Tier 3 on 26th December, the WSR had no choice but to sadly cancel the “Winter Steam Journey’ specials that were booked to run on 29th and 30th December and also cancel the staff specials that were booked for the 31st.
This disappointing situation shows the importance of the ongoing fight against Covid-19. We all need to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of spreading the disease.
Some movements have been planned by the WSR Operations Department for Thursday 31st December, as follows (timings are approximate):
Between these two light diesel engine movements, there will be an Empty Coaching Stock move from BL to MD, hauled by ex-BR(W) 4-6-0 No. 7828 ‘ODNEY MANOR’ and a light engine move of visiting ex-GWR ‘Large Prairie’ No. 5199, also from BL to MD.
Please note that the stations are closed to the public and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
The first batch of DEPG 2021 calendars sold out really quickly, so we have ordered another batch to give everyone a chance of obtaining their own copy. Stock will be available next week, in time for New Year.
This glossy 14-page A3-sized calendar (double that of A4) has been printed in “landscape” format to make the most of the high resolution images that have been so kindly donated by our members. Here’s the overview of what is included in the calendar:
Dimensions : 297 mm high, 420mm wide (A3), 14 pages in total.
Priced at £12 plus £3 p+p, this calendar is great value at £1 per page and is definitely not to be missed!
We have already received many messages of appreciation, so we are certain that you will not be disappointed. Being a fully-volunteer-run organisation, all proceeds (after printing costs and VAT) go directly to our locomotive repair and restoration fund.
This is going to be the last “Depot News” update of 2020 so let’s start by saying a massive “thank you very much” to our volunteers for their tireless work in far-from-ideal circumstances this year.
As if dealing with Covid was not enough of a challenge for our group, we have also had to endure the diversion of effort caused by the roof of the Old Goods Shed reaching it’s own limit of endurance. The building has now been cleared and the many Class 14 items from D9518 that were undergoing restoration have now been distributed amongst the various other spare part stores and inside our main loco shed as well. All far from ideal, but driven by necessity.
View inside the Old Goods Shed on 12th December 2020 by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
The above photograph from 12th December 2020 shows the inside of the Old Goods Shed after the Heritage Centre has been removed. The floor is the surface of the loading dock and the little doorway now revealed is the entrance to the office for the Goods Clerk. The black post on the right acting as a ladder rest is the central pillar of the original goods crane. Photo by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Scaffolding has now been erected around the building to ensure that there is no danger from falling debris, the next step being a structural survey to quantify the work that will be needed to restore the building for the next phase of its life. The WSR have reinstated the ‘Williton Strategy Group’ to determine if the building could take on a different role in future, as part of a wider-ranging review of the entire Williton site, and the DEPG will be fully involved in this process.
The photo below shows the scaffolding protecting Platform 1 at Williton while our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stands at Platform 2 with the return leg of the 1100 “SANTA EXPRESS” service from Bishops Lydeard.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) ready to depart Williton for Bishops Lydeard with the return leg of the SANTA EXPRESS on 12th December 2020 by Peter Nicholson (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
As mentioned last week, although the “SANTA EXPRESS” is steam hauled, the first service of the day is “top-n-tailed” to make light work of the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield, even on a wet and slippery railhead.
Some tickets are still available on these Covid-secure services and the WSR are planning to run some additional services after Christmas to cater for the pent-up demand, so please use the following links to find out more:
CONGRATULATIONS to the WSR and all of the volunteers from so many support groups within the “WSR family” who have worked so hard to re-open the railway and bring revenue-earning trains back again. Great job !
Trains are running both before and after Christmas, so keep an eye on the DIESELGENposts on our website for dates and times of diesel-assisted services.
No update about the status of our fleet this week – this is because our focus continues to be on the Old Goods Shed, so all other work has had to be suspended for the time being. Effort will be re-focused to our loco fleet after Christmas.
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) is ready to depart from Williton with the return leg of the first SANTA EXPRESS of the 2020 season on 12DEC20. Webcam image (c) by Railcam UK and the WSR
Following the success of last weekend, our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is going to be in action again on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December and again on 22nd – 24th December in support of the WSR’s “Santa Express” workings between Bishops Lydeard (BL) and Williton (WN).
The “Santa Express” is steam-hauled but the Covid-19 precautions have introduced a strict requirement for all services to run to time, to ensure that the guests from one service are clear of the station before the guests for the next service arrive.
D6575 will be coupled up to the rear of the train on departure from BL to provide assistance on the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield. This will be a risk mitigation measure to ensure good timekeeping on the first service of the day, when railhead conditions could be at their worst. The diesel will come off when the train returns to BL and will spend the rest of the day on shed at BL, on standby.
These services have been well patronised and it is great to see the results of so much work coming to fruition. Only a small number of seats remain available to book – follow this link :
Well done to the volunteers and staff of the WSR family for making this return to service a reality. Have a happy Christmas !
The booked movements (steam and diesel) are:
1100 BL arriving WN 1135 (dep. BL 1000 on 24-Dec)
1150 WN arriving BL 1222
Note that services may leave BL early if all of the pre-booked guests are on board.
The remaining steam-hauled (unassisted) services are:
1345 BL arriving WN 1420 (dep. BL 1225 on 24 Dec)
1440 WN arriving BL 1512
and
1630 BL arriving WN 1705 (dep. BL 1450 on 24 Dec)
1725 WN arriving BL 1757
Please note that the stations are closed to the public (except where pre-booked) and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
Last Saturday, after a long and hard day of work by our volunteers and by Matt Brewer of the WSR Infrastructure team, the large and heavy components of our fully-dismantled Class 14 D9518 were moved out of the Old Goods Shed. This allowed the scaffolders to start their work.
Some photos of that Herculean effort were provided by our Chairman, Martin Howard, as follows:
The WSR RRV assists with the relocation of D9518’s bonnet on 5th December 2020. Photo by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
The WSR RRV doing the heavy lifting inside the Old Goods Shed on 5th December 2020. Photo by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
This weekend, the webcam capture below (dated Saturday 12 December 2020) shows the new scaffolding protecting the platform from debris risk and also shows the cab structure from D9518 outside the shed and under tarpaulins for the winter.
In the foreground, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) prepares to depart for Bishops Lydeard (BL) with the return leg of the FIRST SANTA EXPRESS of the 2020 season!
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) is ready to depart from Williton with the return leg of the first SANTA EXPRESS of the 2020 season on 12th December 2020. Webcam image (c) by Railcam UK and the WSR.
Because of the need to run strictly to time to ensure that the Covid-19 precautions at BL are as effective as possible, the first SANTA EXPRESS of the day is “top-n-tailed” to make light work of the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield, even on a wet and slippery railhead.
The ‘Crompton’ is seen in the below web capture returning the special to BL, after which she came off the train and went to Westridge shed to stand-by in case she was needed later in the day (she wasn’t). Note that a traction engine has been positioned near the platform to give additional interest to the families on board the special. It’s another fascinating machine from the old days!
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) leads the return leg of the first SANTA EXPRESS into Bishops Lydeard station on 12th December 2020, passing a Traction Engine. Webcam image (c) by Railcam UK and the WSR.
CONGRATULATIONS to the WSR and all of the volunteers from so many support groups within the “WSR family” who have worked so hard to re-open the railway and bring revenue-earning trains back again. Great job !
Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.org.uk website and are also provided below:
DEPG LOCO WORKINGS: As reported last week, D6575 was in use for crew training purposes, creating some rare and welcomed photo opportunities. The image below was captured by well-known photographer, author and journalist Peter Nicholson and we are grateful to him for sharing this with us:
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) runs around its train at Williton on 5th December 2020. Photo by Peter Nicholson (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
As stated earlier, the ‘Cromptons’ will be supporting the first SANTA EXPRESS workings of each operating day, departing BL at 1100 for Williton (WN) and departing WN at 1150 to arrive back at BL at 1222. Some seats are still available on these special workings, so go to the WSR events website for more details.
For advance notification of DEPG diesel loco workings, join the DIESELGENmailing list.
No update about the status of our fleet this week – this is because our focus continues to be on the Old Goods Shed, so all other work has had to be suspended for the time being.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers for working in cold and wet conditions to get these tasks done !
Have you signed up to our weekly news ROUNDUP e-bulletin? Get this news and more sent to your email box every weekend. To sign up, email ROUNDUP ADD to contact@depg.org
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stands in the snow at Williton yard on 18th March 2018. Photo by Graham Perry (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is going to be in action on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December in support of the WSR’s “Santa Express” workings between Bishops Lydeard (BL) and Williton (WN).
The “Santa Express” is steam-hauled but the Covid-19 precautions have introduced a strict requirement for all services to run to time, to ensure that the guests from one service are clear of the station before the guests for the next service arrive.
D6575 will be coupled up to the rear of the train on departure from BL to provide assistance on the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield. This will be a risk mitigation measure to ensure good timekeeping on the first service of the day, when railhead conditions could be at their worst. The diesel will come off when the train returns to BL and will spend the rest of the day on shed at BL, on standby.
It is great to see revenue-earning services re-commence on the WSR and we all hope that they will be a great success and provide plenty of seasonal enjoyment to the many guests that have pre-booked. Many thanks to all of the volunteers from so many organisations in the WSR family and all of the WSR staff who have been involved in making this return to service a reality. Have a happy Christmas !
The booked movements (steam and diesel) are:
1100 BL arriving WN 1135
1150 WN arriving BL 1222
Note that services may leave BL early if all of the pre-booked guests are on board.
The remaining steam-hauled (unassisted) services are:
1345 BL arriving WN 1420
1440 WN arriving BL 1512
and
1630 BL arriving WN 1705
1725 WN arriving BL 1757
Please note that the stations are closed to the public (except where pre-booked) and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
Work continues on the emptying of the Old Goods Shed to allow for the scaffolding to be erected next week. We are very grateful for the assistance of WSR Infrastructure team member Matt Brewer and the WSR Road-Rail Vehicle to help with the heavy lifting of significant structures of our Class 14 number D9518, all of which have to move elsewhere in our yard until the building is repaired. The RRV is seen in the following webcam capture, with some of the Class 14 structural parts on the move, while BR(W) 4-6-0 No 7828 “ODNEY MANOR” stands at Platform 2 with a crew training special:
In addition to the large items, there are hundreds of small items, all of which need to be relocated. The DEPG will not be able to access the building for some considerable time as the repairs depend on a significant amount of fund-raising, so the priority at the moment is to make the building safe and prevent further deterioration. Read more about the 158-year-old Grade II listed Old Goods Shed at Williton by clicking here.
Here’s another webcam image showing the RRV lifting the bonnet of Class 14 D9518 before taking it to a safe and covered location on the DEPG’s “LOWMAC” wagon:
Many thanks to our volunteers for working so hard to make the building accessible for the RRV and for their tireless work on the removal and relocation of the hundreds of items. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams.
DEPG LOCO WORKINGS: Today, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was used on crew refresher training workings between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. More training services are running tomorrow, but steam only, using WSR 4-6-0 No. 7828 “ODNEY MANOR”. These training services can be viewed from the webcams when they are departing from Bishops Lydeard and when “running round” at Williton. For advance notification of DEPG diesel loco workings, join the DIESELGENmailing list.
Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.ork.uk website and are also provided below:
No update about the status of our fleet this week – this is because our focus has to be on the Old Goods Shed so all other work has been suspended. Normal activities will resume next week with a focus on the completion of the work on 47077.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers for working in cold and wet conditions to get these tasks done !
Have you signed up to our weekly news ROUNDUP e-bulletin? Get this news and more sent to your email box every weekend. To sign up, email ROUNDUP ADD to contact@depg.org
