-The main news to report is that the Grand Trains Extravaganza went well with the DEPG providing D9526 as well as privately owned 33048 and Class 25 D7523 for the event. We were able to welcome many enthusiasts to Williton Depot and show them some of the projects being undertaken. One of the highlights of the event was the use of the Class 33 on a 10 wagon demonstration freight train on both days. The locos that worked the trains each day are given below for reference. Thanks a lot if you came to support the event, if you missed it there will be plenty of opportunities to have a ride behind our fleet in 2006. Dates and full information will appear soon on this site.
TRAIN SAT LOCO SUN LOCO
09:40 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead D9526 Class 14 D7523 Class 25
11:10 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard D9526 Class 14 D7523 Class 25 12:25 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead D7523 Class 25 D6566 Class 33
14:55 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard D7523 Class 25 D6566 Class 33
14:55 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead D9526 Class 14 D7523 Class 25
16:50 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard D9526 Class 14 D7523 & D9526
16:50 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead D7523 Class 25 D6566 Class 33
12:55 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead (GOODS) D6566 Class 33 Sat ONLY
09:30 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard (GOODS) D6566 Class 33 Sun ONLY
Also a Class 117 DMU shuttle Crowcombe-Bishops Lydeard-Norton Fitzwarren.
-Meanwhile on shed various projects were progressed this weekend.....
D7018's bogies continue to be re-assembled in with replacement parts being fitted where nessacery. The engine continues to be worked on and inside the body shell much sanding and painting is bing carried out. It is hoped to have the loco back on it's bogies within the next few months so the project is coming on slowly but surely.
Meanwhile a second Dogfish wagon in recent times has been virtually outshopped from Williton with the Decals being applied today. Jon Tooke (Newshound) writes:
Another one completed!
Over the weekend the finishing touches were added to the wagon, such as vinyl lettering for the length, tare, number and weight. White stars were painted onto the frames below the sole-bar to identify the location of the vacuum release string, and stencilling was applied to the ends of the hopper to identify the direction in which the handles are moved to either open or close the hopper discharge doors.
The wagon will be picked up on Tuesday and will then re-enter traffic on P.way trains for the WSR. (Photo below)
Class 33 D6566 has now returned to Williton to enable the winter work schedule to be progressed being replaced by the Class 25 at Bishops Lydeard.
Work was also being carried out to the Park Royal DMU today in preperation for inspections by interested parties. Hopefully more news on finding a new home for this historic unit soon.