On 19th March 1977 saw a symbolic beginning when our Class 35 Hymek D7017 became the first Diesel Hydraulic in preservation to operate a passenger revenue earning train on the West Somerset Railway.
In total four Hymeks were preserved and in 2006 only one has operated to date:
D7017: Under repair at Williton on the WSR
D7018: Full overhaul at Williton on the WSR
D7029: Under overhaul at the Severn Valley Railway
D7076: Operational on the East Lancs Railway
As with the Westerns the buring question will be 'how many Hymeks will operate in 2007?' Down at the Depot in Williton work is progressing steadily on the rebuilding of the Maybach MD870 engine taken from D7018 that will be used to return the locomotive to traffic hopefully in March 2007 in time to celebrate the anniversary of the operation of the first revenue earning outing in preservation. Unfortunately the anniversary conflicts with the West Somerset Railways Spring Steam Gala so we will not be able to re-create the Quantock Flyer until early April. As always watch this space for further details.