June was all about the Mixed Traffic Gala and the DEPG 2009 Annual General Meeting and reporting the Gala first we were delighted to record heritage diesel locomotive reliability was at an all time high with no show stopping technical problems to record. This performance meant the crews could enjoy the event and contribute to delivering a “right time” punctuality return, something we have not manged in previous years. All the locomotives looked and sounded the part and the attractive mix of visiting and home based locomotives contributed to the growth in visitor numbers that no doubt was helped by the “Tornado” effect. For the DEPG Team and hopefully the visiting crews the annual Saturday evening Gala BBQ held at Williton added to the feel-good factor of being on the WSR such that our vistors will bring their locomotives again in future years.
Following the Gala the DEPG Company Annual General Meeting was held at Williton at which our long-serving Chairman, Robert Tiller, stood down as Chairman and Council Member after over 25 years service so that he can spend more quality time with his family. Without doubt Robert can be proud by what has been achieved by the DEPG Team under his leadership, from bringing the Group to the West Somerset Railway when the only facility they had to eat, sleep and work in was the Williton Goods Shed, to the magnificent Depot facilities to be found at Williton today. As a result more active members have been drawn to the Group and the results of their work could be seen and heard at the recent Gala when Class 35 “Hymek” D7017 returned to service with an “as new” Maybach MD 870 engine, fully rebuilt at Williton. The next challenge for the Team is to return the Group “flagship” locomotive Class 5s “Western” D1010 “Western Campaigner” to service with at least one fully rebuilt Maybach MD 655 engine in time to star in the June 2010 Mixed Traction Gala with Robert at the controls.
Following an election John Cronin was accepted as the Chair and Ian Robins has taken over as DEPG Company Secretary and under their guidance hopefully the Williton Team will continue to build on what has gone before and perhaps by 2011 “Hymek” D7018 will return to service.
(John Cronin, Chairman, DEPG)