August has proved to be a quieter month for the DEPRG Team based at Williton Diesel Depot as our diesel locomotives have been stood down from daily service with the return of the steam fleet to operate the Peak Service Yellow timetable. For those interested in the wheel/rail interface story our diesels completed 72 days service in June and July producing 4500 trouble free miles, not bad for 45 year old heritage traction that only sees very occasional use on WSR public service trains.
However during August we have had a Saturday –only diesel diagram for the duration of the Peak Season. This year we provided Class 47 No. D1661 “North Star” for the start of this limited season and closed it with the successful return to service of Class 42 “Warship” no. D832 “Onslaught”.
Down Williton way we have continued to progress our many projects as and when volunteers have been able to make themselves available during this peak holiday season. During the month our Class 14 “Teddy Bear” D9526 failed on depot whilst being prepared for service when her starter motor burnt-out as we went to start her. Subsequent investigations by the electrical boys have revealed several wiring earth faults that have to be rectified before we can risk another start. As to the starter motor, that has been away for repair at Peterborough. Repairs to the Class 42 Maybach MD650 engine were also progressed and were complted in time for this locomotive to re-enter service on the last Saturday of August.
Away from the locomotives a programme of depot improvement has been produced that we plan to fund this Autumn using the extra, unexpected locomotive hire fees that we earned during June and July. If all goes to plan, our existing Williton Depot Messroom that is of wooden construction and judged to be life-expired will be replaced by a slightly larger one of metal construction by the end of September. We have also bid for another small industrial unit on the Roughmoor Enterprise Centre that we plan to fit out as an engine overhaul facility to hopefully speed up the overhaul of our Maybcah engines for Class 35 “Hymek” D7018 and Class 52 “Western” D1010 “Western Campiagner”. Finally, with engine overhaul activities moved next door we plan to refurbish the diesel shed to provide better olunteer facilities for personal storage and changing to and from working clothes. Without doubt there is always a silver lining to every cloud.
(John Cronin)