Jan 2009 Diesel News During the month post the Festive Season work has continued on the many DEPG projects at Williton with completion of the repairs to Class “Hymek” D7017 at the top of the list. As always with complex projects of this type, we have completely  overhauled a Maybach MD870 engine for the first time in preservation, slippage occurs and the current forecast is the first attempt at a start will not be until mid-February. This means it could be mid-March at best before we can provide a space in the maintenance shed for Class 52 “Western” D1010 “Western Campaigner” that will put extra pressure on the Williton Team hoping to have the DEPG flagship locomotive ready for the June Mixed Traffic Weekend. Away from the demands of the diesel hydraulic fleet the diesel electrics have also been receiving attention at Williton. Class 08 D3462 was withdrawn from service in early January so we could progress her annual maintenance at a time when she is not required as the Bishops Lydeard station pilot. She was also carrying some deferred repairs in traffic including a leaking water pump that has been replaced together with a leaking radiator element. Currently the work is progressing to plan to have her ready for a return to duty in good time for the build-up to the Spring Steam Gala in March.  Class 33 D6566 has also been withdrawn from traffic so we could fit a new set of batteries, the existing set were new 10 years ago and were showing signs of age, with difficulties in starting if the locomotive was not used for a few days, a real problem for us with the usual cycle of use for diesel locomotives on the West Somerset Railway. The rest of the DEPG fleet are stored at Williton for the winter although Class 47 D1661 “North Star” could be made available for service at short notice if required. Away from the locomotives our new DEPG Diesel Depot mess room was officially opened on Saturday 24th January by WSR Chairman Mark Smith, who thanked the DEPG members present for their continued loyal support of the Railway. Mark Smith particularly reminded all present of the dark days of last June and July when Company used the DEPG diesel electrics to substitute for the non-aavailability of the steam fleet in providing the advertised public passenger service for 43 continuous days at the height of the wheel/rail interface crisis. In stepping-in to protect the steam fleet from further wheel damage and so ensure its availability for the peak summer season the WSR Board gratefully recognised the DEPG Management took a calculated risk in offering their diesel service to save the steam to keep the Railway open whilst the Civil Engineer addressed the rail profile problem. In the event it was not tyre wear but brake block wear that created a problem for the DEPG Team who had to undertake a full reblock of D6566 one Saturday evening without an inspection pit at Williton in order to ensure the locomotive was available for service the next day. Without doubt, this use of our locomotives on a daily basis demonstrated that they actually perform better with regular use. In recognition of the DEPG loyal support of the WSR in its time of need, Mark Smith presented a framed “Certificate of Commendation” to DEPG Chairman Robert Tiller, who in response thanked Mark Smith for the kind words of appreciation and the gift of the unexpected Certificate that will be proudly displayed on the wall of the new mess room for all to see. Then after a cup of tea it was back to work for all on duty. (John Cronin)