On Friday 19th May 2006, the Park Royal DMU was moved by Class 25 from Willliton to Bishops Lydeard in preperation for onward road transport to Helston. Jon Tooke takes up the story:
Yesterday (Friday), the Park Royal DMU was moved out of storage from the North Yard at Williton to start its final journey on WSR metals enroute to Bishops Lydeard in readiness for its further movement by low loader to its new home at the Helston Railway in Cornwall.
Members of the Helston Group turned up to witness the whole event and were allowed to travel in the unit to Bishops Lydeard.
Also on Friday, the DEPG undertook a massive shunt operation which lasted most of the day.
The sleeping coach was returned from Bishops Lydeard and was placed back into undercover storage in the Tarmac shed.
The auto trailer was moved out of the same shed and shunted to the North Yard.
The bogies from D7018 were moved out of the DEPG shed and placed next to the body of D7018 on number road. This now means that the overhauled bogies are ready to go back under the loco, this is planned for June.
Hymek D7017 was shunted into the DEPG shed so that its troublesome cylinder heads and other items can be attended to.
New home found for Class 103 Park Royal DMU. 18/3
The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group are pleased to announce they have successfully negotiated the transfer of ownership and responsibility for the completion of the restoration project for the Class 103 Park Royal DMU. Following a decision taken in 2005, the DEPG council and members came to the conclusion that the best way forward for the future of the unit was to find a new home and group of owners for her. Invitations of interest were sought and following the subsequent discussions the Helston Railway Diesel Group have been selected as preferred bidders.
The Helston Railway Diesel Group was formed by members seeking to bring diesel traction to the restored Helston Branch line in Cornwall. The group will be moving the unit to the old cattle dock at Gwinear road for full restoration and eventual use on the restored line which will run from Necegollen to Helston. If you would like to find out more about this group then take a look at www.helstondieselgroup.co.uk or email helstondieselgroup@yahoo.co.uk . Plans are now in hand to make the unit fit for travel to Bishops Lydeard from Williton for onward travel by road into Cornwall. Members of the DEPG will provide support to the group to aid the restoration of this unit. The unit is expected to leave by the end of May.
Unit background:
The unit has a long association with the Railway being purchased by the West Somerset Railway in the 1970’s from British Railways and used extensively between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. In 1982 the DEPG purchased the unit partially to lend financial support to the Railway. A small but dedicated band of volunteers led by Robert Pugh worked on this unit for many years making steady progress with the restoration. Many other pressures on volunteer man power slowed restoration. Sadly, in 2000 Robert Pugh died and since then momentum has been lost culminating in 2005 with the joint council and membership decision to find a new home for the unit where it can receive the attention it deserves. The group will still be very sad to see the unit go.
Matt Cambourne,
DEPG Website Manager
www.geocities.com/wsrdepg
wsrdepg@yahoo.co.uk