Christmas / New Year Message from Chairman DEPG Ltd. Yet again another year passes and some of the volunteers who can make it sit down on the 15th December to our annual Christmas Dinner at Williton, this year again at the Masons Arms. The year 2007 has seen yet again good progress at Williton with a huge amount of work being undertaken on our locomotives. We have reliably provided the WSR operating department with locomotives except for a single failure of the class 14’s compressor and culminated in an excellent performance at the mixed traffic weekend. For me the two highlights were, firstly personally getting agreement, painting and delivery of class 47 North Star into DEPG care and secondly driving D1010 on the 1Z52 Minehead to Paddington train with D1015, both in maroon and four engines sounding fantastic! We have made real progress with the engines for D7017 and D1010 with hopefully both running in 2008.  We have used new components, seals/gaskets etc, to ensure that these engines last a long time and after these two are completed we will start on an engine for D7018 and another for “A” of D1010. I am very grateful for assistance that MTU UK and MTU Gmbh Spares & Service have given us including the huge discount on all the new material ordered which has meant we could use new parts. I am also very pleased with progress on D7018, internally an excellent job is being done by Paul Tucker and his team which will see the loco beautifully turned out and hopefully a reliable performer, it will be so good to see D7018 operating again. But there is still a long way to go, engine build, transmission repairs, wiring etc but we will all work together to ensure that 18’ is out shopped in great shape. The class 14 has also performed well apart from the one slight hic-up, it is unfortunately not as powerful as the WSR would like and does not see as much service as we would like but it remains a well loved part of our motive power stud. With the engine hopefully going into D7017 as soon as it is finished we will hopefully have our own class 35 for summer 2008, this is most important and good progress is being made. D1010 the “B” engine has caused us concern and we will for the first time be taking out a crankshaft of one of our engines. However, we have all the material we need so its just time up against us as normal to meet deadlines. Whilst this engine work proceeds further electrical and mechanical work is being done on defects noticed during the 2007 mixed traffic gala, this will see D1010 fit and able when the engine is refitted. The daily running fleet has again fallen upon class 33, D6566 and class 25 D7523, both reliable performers, we have had some cylinder head coolant leak problems on both but these have been repaired and caused us no great concern. With work going great guns on class 33 , 33057 we are hoping this loco will soon run again and a decision can be made on what work to do before a return to service and for when that will be aimed for. The 08 has had a cylinder head change, remains as Bishops Lydeard pilot and the 03 some minor maintenance and remains available if required but hardly ever used except at Williton. D1661 performed well at the gala, some minor repairs and a bit of painting have been done otherwise this loco remains looking really good and available for service. My thanks to Porterbrook Leasing and Brush Traction for all their help in obtaining this loco and the work they have undertaken. Behind the scenes, the Council continue to work very hard on behalf of the group to ensure we run a safe and properly organised company with all that the Law, HMRI and Group Standards throw at us. I am pleased that yet again not one single accident has occurred and no injuries unfortunately this is not the case with other groups during 2007, vigilance and safety must be our top priority in both personal and locomotive use. The Council continue to work behind the scenes to look after our infrastructure, training, paperwork, facilities and day to day running of the depot and company this takes a great deal of time and effort. We have finished 2007 in a good financial position and we must look to the future and have a clear strategy of how to use that position wisely on locomotives, tools, mess facilities and spares and a production strategy that meets the requirements of both the WSR plc, DEPG and of course our enjoyment of our hobby. We also need to update our Maintenance & Overhaul policy, Competency in operation in what work we do and sign off, and all inline with current legislation this must be done. So far we have excelled and are a long way in front of many other organisations but I insist the DEPG remain in front of and above not just within any such legislation. In 2008 we will again give ourselves hard deadlines to meet with both D7017 and D1010 required for service, an engine for D7018 and several running days and a gala to provide motive power for, power that must be safe and reliable. We also hopefully we make a major step forward in providing a better working area with the 5 year lease of a workshop next to our site so that we can undertake overhauls, repairs and other engine work in a clean and safe environment away from the running shed where routine maintenance can continue to take place. This will benefit our locomotives and our own working conditions. We also intend during 2008 to upgrade our mess room facilities with a new room building and internal fittings. So, 2007 has been an exciting and eventful year and I have no doubt that 2008 will be the same. May I take this opportunity of thanking all of the volunteers and all those who have donated during 2007 for the work effort and success we have achieved and I look forward to achieving even more with you all in 2008. Just remember this is our hobby, its is enjoyable and we have a good team, of course we must be serious sometimes but other times we must enjoy ourselves and work well to achieve the common aims. Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas, Holiday and New Year, and look forward to more Maybach music in 2008. Bob Tiller Chairman DEPG 09th December 2007.