2007 is an important year for our heritage diesel hydraulic locomotives with the marking of 30 years since the planned withdrawl of the five remaining class 52 Westerns on 28th Feb 1977 by British Railways Western Region. On 26th Feb 1977 the official 'Western Tribute' railtour ran from London to Swansea and Plymouth hauled by D1013 Western Ranger and D1023 Western Fusilier throughout. Our own Western D1010 with D1048 Western Lady followed as the reserve locomotives but were not required on the day. Two days later the Western era was over with D1023 being sent to Swindon to be prepared for her hand over the National Railway museum at York whilst D1010/D1013/D1041 and D1048 were despatched to Newton Abbot works for safe storage in anticipation they would all eventually be purchased for preservation.
As I write in September 2006 it is pleasing to note all five Westerns were saved, but so far in 2006 only two have run to date.
D1010- Under repair at Williton on the WSR
D1013- Operational on the Severn Valley Railway
D1015- Being prepared for a retun to mainline service in Oct 06 at Old Oak Common Depot London.
D1041- Operational on the East Lancs Railway.
D1048- Being restored.
The question all Western followers will be 'how many Westerns will run in 2007?'. Here at Williton on the WSR, the DEPG team are busy working hard to return D1010 into operational condition hopefully in time to return the loco to traffic for the 30th anniversary of the Western withdrawls. Currently 'B' end is being slowly re-built and the last major task is the overhaul of the cooler group. If all goes to plan D1010 should emerge from the shed in early 2007 and should be available for service throughout the year including the mixed traction gala on Friday 8th June-Sunday 10th June that will remember the steam to diesel changeover era in the late 1960's.