The major event this week has been the ‘1940s weekend‘ during which we provided our Class 33 ‘Cromptons D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) operating in Top-and-Tail mode for the ‘Watchet Shuttle’ services that have operated four times each day between Bishops Lydeard, Watchet and return. When combined with the steam-hauled trains that worked through Watchet to Dunster (with heritage bus connections to Minehead), it gave visitors seven opportunities per day to get to Watchet to enjoy the 1940s-themed displays and stalls.
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) leads the shuttle service towards Watchet on 11th September 2021 as sister loco D6566 (33 048) goes along for the ride. The ‘tail-end charlie’ will haul the working back to Bishops Lydeard. ‘Hymek’ sisters D7017 and D7018 hide behind the decorated fence. Image capture by Railcam UK and the WSR ©
Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing these webcam services !
The webcams showed that the event was well patronised without being over crowded and the weather also co-operated, which made for a very pleasant day out by the seaside:
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) rounds the corner at Splash Point with the shuttle service to Watchet on 11th September 2021 with sister loco D6566 (33 048) at the rear to provide the motive power for the journey back to Bishops Lydeard. Photo by Keith Fender © CC BY-NC 3.0
WELL DONE to all who planned, prepared and operated the various attractions that were spaced out along the line and stayed late to tidy up afterwards. Thanks also to those who bought a ticket or merchandise and contributed to the success of the event !
LOCO NEWS:
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – as a correction to the information that was included in the previous roundup; the pair of calibrated fuel pumps have not yet been fitted to the loco because they were not available in time, but a complete set of overhauled injectors were fitted to the loco at the KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY last weekend. The fuel pumps will be fitted at the next opportunity.
Class 14 D9526 is safe and sound inside the carriage shed at Tenterden on the K&ESR on 2nd September 2021 while resident D9504 undergoes preparation for a heavy overhaul alongside. Photo by Simon Purvis © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 47 47077 ‘NORTH STAR’ – our ‘celebrity’ remains marooned at Bishops Lydeard because of delays in obtaining permission for her oversize road haulage move from Bishops Lydeard to Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. We are still waiting for the date and route information. As soon as we know, it will be shared via a DIESELGEN bulletin.
Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ – we continue to receive donations towards the restoration of this much-loved loco and we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all who have contributed to the fund to support the £100,000 restoration of D1010.
Our attention remains fixed to making progress with the bodywork repairs so the various grilles and vents were inspected over the weekend and a list of required repairs was drawn up. Work continues on the removal of loose filler on the side that was not restored during the loco’s time at Didcot. We intend to restore the bodywork in sections and paint the loco in undercoat, pending an overall gloss coat upon completion of all other work.
Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for the ‘B’ end Voith L630rV transmission converter rail to be sent to a specialist firm for separation and internal inspection. More on this exciting news at a later date when the arrangements have been firmed up.
We intend to raise £100,000 for the whole restoration project so please help us by clicking this link to make a donation.
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.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 – no change expected until our Autumn Work Week (30-Oct through 07-Nov) which is when we hope to start on the bogie spring change project.
Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco is ready for the Mixed Traction weekend 17-18 September.
Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – we are very happy to report that donations to our D9518 restoration fund continue to build and we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all who have contributed to the fund to support the £10,000 restoration of D9518.
Our Class 14 team are making significant progress on several fronts as can be seen from the photos below:
D9518’s restored battery box is now ready for primer and undercoat at Williton on 11th September 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518’s corroded cab door frame was repaired by Colin F on 11th Setember 2021 and is now ready for priming and undercoat. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518’s electrical cubicle is undergoing careful and thorough restoration at Williton in the hands of John C. Photo taken on 11th September 2021 by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
D9518’s frames are in the Swindon Shed at Williton and are seen undergoing preparation for a repaint with work being progressed by long-time member and volunteer Andy P on 11th September 2021. Photo by Terry Deacon © CC BY-NC 3.0
We intend to raise £10,000 for the whole restoration project so please help us by clicking this link to make a donation.
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 operational condition – and see her haul passenger coaches for the first time in her life!
Andrew Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – this loco is receiving attention for an air circuit fault that is preventing the main reservoir from charging. More news will be provided on this issue when fault-finding progresses.
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 !