March has proved to be a successful month for the Williton based DEPG Team with the return to full working order of our Class 35 “Hymek” no. D7017 after nearly four long years out of service. On a couple of Saturday evenings early in the month after the last service train of the day had cleared the Williton to Blue Anchor section we took the locomotive for some test runs towards Blue Anchor using our Class 47 no. D1661 “North Star” as both a test load and insurance just in case something went wrong. The aim was to load the rebuilt Maybach MD870 engine and prove all was now well with the Mekyro Transmission system that was the real reason for the withdrawal of the locomotive back in 2005 when she suffered a transmission failure at Washford during a Diesel Gala. The next step is to arrange a loaded test run with a set of eight coaches that looks like taking place after Easter.
With the “Hymek” serviceable Class 42 “Warship” no. D832 “Onslaught” has taken her place in the Diesel Shed so we could progress an engine repair to one of her two Maybach MD 650 engines involving a cylinder head exchange during the Spring Steam Gala. This work was undertaken over the two weekends and again we managed a successful restart after we closed the Shed for the night to Gala visitors. So by the end of March we are two down with two to go in terms of providing serviceable diesel hydraulics for the Mixed Traffic Gala in June. Next up will be Class 14 “Teddy Bear” no. D9526 that currently resides in the Heritage Diesel Vistor Centre being repainted for the first time since 2001. Mechanically she is serviceable although her dedicated Engineers are progressing some improvements that should improve her reliability in service. Last but not least of course is the Group flagship locomotive Class 52 “Western” no. D1010 “Western Campaigner” that has spent the winter months is store in Number 1 siding in Williton South Yard. Our plan is to move D1010 into the Diesel Shed after the Spring Steam Gala following a trip to Bishops Lydeard before Easter for an underframe examination over the inspection pit in the locomotive compound. Currently the rebuild of her “B” end Maybach MD655 engine is being progressed by here Engineers in the Diesel Shed and we hope to have it ready to install in the locomotive in late May just in time to ready the locomotive for the June Gala when she is due to appear with sister D1062 “Western Courier”.
Away from the diesel hydraulics our diesel electrics soldier on undertaking the many behind the scenes tasks required by the Company in readying the WSR for the 2009 season. Class 25 no. D7523 and Class 08 no. D3462 have seen service in recent months supported on occasions by Class 33 no. D6566. Sadly our Class 47 no. D1661 “North Star” has had to be withdrawn from service at the end of March with failed batteries and we are currently deciding how we might find a replacement set so the locomotive can return to service for the June Gala.
As always the DEPG opened the Diesel Depot and Heritage Diesel Vistor Centre for all six days of the recent Spring Steam Gala and we welcomed many visitors who gave generously to support all our activities. There were many kind comments in the Visitors Book that are much appreciated by our DEPG Volunteers who give freely of their time and often their pocket money to keep the “Williton Dream” alive. Long may it continue.
(John Cronin)