Carrying a wreath in remembrance of DEPG driver and volunteer John Cooke who passed away at the age of 78, D7017 was one of the stars at the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Weekend, celebrating her 50-year residence on the Minehead branch. John’s favourite loco was flanked by DEPG volunteers during the stop at Williton as a mark of respect. Pictured on Saturday 28th March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

The crowds at Williton on the first day of the WSR’s 50th Anniversary weekend ! The WSR’s hybrid Class 115 and Class 117 DMU was waiting at the platform for celebrity Bagnall 0-6-0ST 2996 ‘VICTOR’ to arrive with a train from Minehead. Visible in the yard at the DEPG depot are (L-R) Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF1), Class 09 D4107 (09019), Class 08 08401 (D3516) and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’. Pictured on Saturday 28th March 2026 by Jake Genge © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was sharing the limelight with Bagnall 0-6-0ST 2996 ‘VICTOR’ at the WSR’s highly successful 50th Anniversary Event last weekend, the two locos being the stars of the show due to their tightly-forged connections with the history of the WSR. The Bagnall was the loco that hauled the first train on the revived West Somerset Railway back in March 1976, but our ‘Hymek’ was also at Minehead and in working order on that day, and has been based on the WSR ever since !

The weather on the Sunday was both cold and wet, but this scene with the two celebrities together was too good to miss. The DEPG’s Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was arriving with a train for Minehead while Bagnall 0-6-0ST 2996 ‘VICTOR’ waited with a Minehead to Williton terminating service, reminiscent of the ‘old days’. Pictured on Sunday 29th March 2026 by Ben Grellier © CC BY-NC 4.0

The event started with a formal gathering at Minehead and featured a re-creation of the first train, hauled by Bagnall 0-6-0ST 2996 ‘VICTOR’ and with Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 stabled in the bay platform at Minehead, in the same position as back in 1976. The first service of the day ran to Blue Anchor and back, as in 1976, and later ran as far as Williton where the DMU was waiting to take passengers on to Bishops Lydeard (the Bagnall does not have the water capacity to run the 20-mile distance to Bishops Lydeard, unless lightly loaded). Later in the day, D7017 was put to work and hauled a train through to Bishops Lydeard and back, and then spent the night at Minehead in readiness to work again on the Sunday.

There were activities and attractions along the length of the line, with stations and museums showing items of interest from the early days of the WSR, and the whole event had a very positive and friendly feel, even though the cold wind tried to put a bone-numbing chill on proceedings. WELL DONE to the many staff and volunteers who worked so hard to deliver this event in such a spectacular fashion !

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 worked the late train on the Saturday of the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Weekend, and was pictured in the bay platform at Minehead having recently arrived from Bishops Lydeard with DEPG driver Neil McCannon ‘in the chair’. Pictured on Saturday 28th March 2026 by Mark Bladwell © CC BY-NC 4.0

The excellent wsr.org.uk website features many more photos of this event – click here to go to the 50th Anniversary Event page.

The weekend event came hot on the heels of another DEPG ‘Hymek’ working, because sister D7018 was in use for Diesel Driver Experience turns at the Great Central Railway on Wednesday and Thursday 25/26 March. These two photos showcase the activities of our two ‘Hymeks’ on two different railways:

D7018 arriving at Leicester North on the Great Central Railway, Thursday 26th March 2026. Photo by Jacky Duncan © CC BY-NC 4.0	D7017 arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield on the WSR, Saturday 28th March 2026. Photo by Jacky Duncan © CC BY-NC 4.0

TOMORROW (Saturday 4th) is the last opportunity to vist the RAILWAY 200 ‘INSPIRATION TRAIN’ while it is at Minehead. Tickets are available, but please call the WSR booking office if you want to visit this travelling exhibition tomorrow. The WSR telephone number is: 01643 704 996

The Railway 200 ‘INSPIRATION TRAIN’ has been at Minehead station all week and is open to pre-arranged visitors tomorrow (Saturday 4th April). Phone the WSR booking office if you want to make the most of the opportunity to visit this much-travelled exhibition. Pictured at Minehead on 31st March 2026 by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 4.0

ALSO TOMORROW – Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 will be working the 11:30 departure from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and the 15:25 return, and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33057) will be working the 12:25 departure from Bishops Lydeard and the 14:30 return, making a great start to the 2026 season, so PLEASE COME ALONG AND RIDE BEHIND THESE DIESELS so that we can get more opportunities to use them. Thanks !

Click here to go to the WSR Calendar page, then click on the date of interest.

The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details of other 2026 events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

WSR 50 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL – 4th to 7th June

The WSR have announced two visitors from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery and Class 37 37250 (D6950) wearing the ‘EWS‘ livery, both locos adding a splash of colour to the greens and blues of the event.

Click here or on an image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS …. DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

Click here to go to the WSR’s event page.

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is regularly updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, and we hope to add the loco allocations following the DEPG Board Meeting that is taking place tomorrow (Saturday 4th). The table already shows that there is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

John Cooke 1948-2026 RIP

The late John Cooke at the controls of his favourite loco, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017, pictured at the idyllic Blue Anchor crossing while heading toward Minehead on 15th September 2018. A very rare photo from the DEPG archive © CC BY-NC 4.0

The late John Cooke at the controls of another of his favourites, Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ this time heading toward Blue Anchor on 3rd September 2016. Photo by Peter Smith © CC BY-NC 4.0

Obituary for John Cooke – by DEPG Chairman Martin Howard:

     It is my sad duty to report the recent passing of long-serving DEPG volunteer John Cooke, peacefully at home, at the age of 78. John had been an active member of DEPG’s Williton workforce since the 1980s, and had filled many roles during that time.

     Most of you that knew him will have come across him during the many years that he was one of our drivers, and I am sure his face will have been familiar to most of the WSR operational staff at some time or other. As well as being a regular volunteer at Williton, John was an active member of South Devon Diesel Traction, who run a fleet of diesel locomotives on the South Devon Railway, some of which have appeared at our Diesel Galas in the past.

     He was also a major shareholder of the group of friends that saved BR Standard 4MT tank 80064 from Barry Scrapyard and he was instrumental in safeguarding the future of the locomotive by arranging for it to be passed to the care of the WSRA. He still worked part-time as an aircraft electrician at Exeter Airport, where his diagnostic skills remained in demand. He found those same skills were easily transferable to his railway hobby and his recent single-handed refurbishment of the near-derelict electrical cubicle on Class 14 locomotive D9518, together with the complete rewiring of the whole locomotive, will remain as a lasting memorial to the high standards of workmanship he delivered so routinely.

His favourite locomotive was always ‘Hymek’ D7017 which he loved to drive whenever he got the chance. Last weekend, as part of the WSR’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, John’s ‘Hymek’ was running with a beautiful floral wreath in his memory. I’m sure he would have approved.

Rest in Peace, John. Your train has arrived.

Martin Howard DEPG Chairman

John also had many friends at the South Devon Railway, where he was an active member of the South Devon Diesel Traction group. Another of his steeds, Class 33 ‘Crompton 33002 (D6501) ‘Sea King’ was pictured displaying headcode ‘JC’ at Buckfastleigh on 29th March 2026. Photo by Pete Burrow © CC BY-NC 4.0

D1010 – the thrust brackets that transfer the traction and braking forces between the bogies and the frames were temporarily re-fitted to the frames so that measurements could be taken for the reaming of the bolt holes and the manufacture of close-toleranced fitted bolts. This work will be carried out by subcontractor MATT HIGHAM. Pictured at Williton on 1st April 2026 by Matt Higham © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco was open for cab visits at Williton during the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Event on the weekend of 28/29 March – this being the first time that this loco has appeared in public since entering preservation. Just prior to the event, DEPG volunteer ‘JT’ fitted the recently-acquired screw coupling to the loco, to make sure that she was properly dressed for the occasion !

08401 (D3516) – the recently-acquired screw coupling was fitted to the loco at Williton on Friday 27th March 2026 by DEPG volunteer ‘JT’. Photo by the man himself …. Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco underwent her annual Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) on Monday 30th March and will undergo some remedial work this weekend before being declared ready to return to service at Bishops Lydeard.

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is now indoors on No. 2 road and has had her roof removed for repairs to take place. One of the cylinder heads was found to be showing signs of valve guide wear, so was removed and will be replaced by a reconditioned head during the coming weekend.

D6566 (33048) – the cylinder head with the worn valve guides has been removed from the loco and will now go into the queue for refurbishment. A replacement will be fitted from our refurbished stock. The removed head was pictured at Williton on Saturday 28th March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

D6575 (33057) – this dual-braked loco was used to shunt the Railway 200 ‘Inspiration Train’ from the main platform to the bay platform at Minehead on Friday 3rd April 2026. Photo by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

D7018 will participate at THREE diesel galas on other railways before returning to her home territory in August, in time to feature in the WSR’s DIESELS AT 65 event over August Bank Holiday weekend.

Great Central Railway (GCR) 24-26 April 2026	Severn Valley Railway (SVR) 14-17 May 2026	Gloucestershire-Warwickshire 24-26 July 2026

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the team have been back at work, with the engine being the main focus of activities. The rocker covers have been sandblasted and re-painted and will soon be re-fitted, and this will make the engine look a lot more complete. There is still a lot to do, but the pace is quickening.

D9518 – local volunteer John D was disturbed by the photographer while working on the Paxman engine at Williton on Tuesday 31st March 2026. Former railwayman John has the shortest commute of any of our volunteers, living only a few hundred metres away from the DEPG yard, having moved to Williton last year. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

D9518 – the view from the other side of the Paxman engine at Williton on Saturday 28th March 2026. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

D9518 – the six rocker covers from the Paxman engine were sandblasted by a subcontractor and have now received several coats of paint and are close to being ready to fit to the engine. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 31st March 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard as the station pilot, a duty that she will cover until relieved later this month by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019). The ’14’ was called into action on Tuesday 31st March 2026 to shunt the stock in the station platform and prepare for the start of the scheduled timetable service on Friday 3rd April.

This loco is in use on Saturday 4th April 2026 on the 11:30 service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and the return service that leaves Minehead at 15:25.

D9526 – this versatile loco was put to use on Tuesday 31st March 2026 to shunt the stock in the station and prepare it for the start of normal scheduled services (on Friday 3rd April). Pictured in Westridge Shelter with GWR 4-6-0 7812 ‘ERLESTOKE MANOR’ alongside on Tuesday 31st March 2026. Photo by by Seb Welsh © CC BY-NC 4.0

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is awaiting attention to her fuel system. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available at Williton for shunting duties.

 

NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

Still feeling the cold in the evenings and mornings ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

Garment type	Price
T shirt	£22
Polo shirt	£25
Sweatshirt	£35
Hoodie	£37
Fleece	£40
Other ? Tell us what you want !	Use our CONTACT FORM

These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

 

 

ON SHED – last week, we featured another photo from DAVID HINGSTON, featuring D1017 ‘WESTERN WARRIOR’ one of the four Class 52s that did not get converted to dual braking and therefore ended up being withdrawn as early as August 1973. This misfortune has resulted in a shortage of photos of this loco, so it is nice to see her looking so fine in her early BR livery with the small yellow warning panel.

This also helps us to date the photo, because the loco only wore this livery between 3rd February 1967 and 7th March 1968, when she received full yellow ends as per the standard BR scheme.

The ‘PILGRIM EXPRESS‘ headboard was correctly identified by DEPG member Steve Speck as being in the colours of Plymouth Argyle football team, and the location was quickly identified by DEPG member and former Cardiff Signalling Manager Gareth Jones as being Platform 3 at the west end of Cardiff General Station (renamed as Cardiff Central from May 1973 onward).

A quick check on the dates that Plymouth Argyle played away to their Second Division rivals Cardiff City returned two dates, either 25th March 1967 (4-1 to Cardiff) or 19th August 1967 (1-1 draw). The clean state of the loco and the light suggest that the March date is the more likely, and this date has subsequently been confirmed after further research by Gareth.

Problem solved. Many thanks to Steve and Gareth for their quick responses.

Class 52 D1017 ‘WESTERN WARRIOR’ at the head of the 1Z40 ‘PILGRIM EXPRESS’ Footex special from Plymouth to Cardiff, pictured at Cardiff General station on 25th March 1967. Photo by David Hingston © CC BY-NC 4.0

A pair of Brush Type 2s, known later as BR Class 31s, stand at the head of train of Mk 1 coaches on the 1K20 service, under the wires – but where and when ? D5847 (31313) is leading a much cleaner sister loco with a full yellow end that could be D5623 (31199). Photo by David Hingston © CC BY-NC 4.0

Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

 

We have added VOLUME 3 to our online bookstore along with the two new books that were released earlier in the month, and all of these books are in stock so PLACE YOUR ORDERS via our online store NOW ! Click here or on the images below to go to the relevant pages on our online store.

 

Railways of the North East V3 £21.95	Preserving Diesel Hydraulic Locos £15.99	Diesels South West £16.95

 

Also in stock are all three volumes of the most recent publications by BERNARD MILLS, covering the PADDINGTON to PENZANCE route in three parts. Each of the three books in this series are a must for fans of WR diesel traction! Click here or on the images below for more details (each title is priced at £21.95):

Part 1 : Paddington to Taunton	Part 2 : Taunton to Plymouth	Part 3 : Plymouth to Penzance

There are many other new and pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.

The DEPG’s contribution to the space race, volunteers ‘JT’ and Tony were harnessed and contemplating their rise to dizzy heights aboard their Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) – more commonly known as a ‘cherry picker’ – to attach the bunting around the shed in recognition of the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Year. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

THIS WEEKEND – Bagnall 2996 ‘VICTOR’ leads the celebrations and ‘Hymek’ D7017 (also present at Minehead on the day of the re-opening back in 1976) will be working public services on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026. Click here for details.

NOTE: Although marked as purple on the WSR timetable, all annual passes, valid vouchers and passes will be accepted on this weekend.  

Preparing for the event : From left to right, Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is visible at the ‘town’ end of the bay platform while the WSR’s Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) prepares to depart for Bishops Lydeard. Class 03 shunter D2133 can be seen on the right. Photo taken at Minehead on Friday 27th March 2026 by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 4.0

Preparing for the event : Carolyn and Linda (L-R) treated celebrity Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 to a thorough wash and brush up at Williton on Saturday 21st March 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was lavished with attention at Williton on Saturday 21st March in preparation for her celebrity appearance at the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Event this weekend. The sparkling clean loco left Williton yard for Minehead at 1200 on Friday 27th March to take up the same position alongside the bay platform in Minehead as when the line first re-opened on 28th March 1976. The ex-BR ‘Hymek‘ had arrived at Taunton in July 1975 in the ownership of the Diesel and Electric Group (D+EG, the forerunner of the DEPG) but had to wait in Taunton until the WSR was ready to receive locos, eventually moving to Minehead on 25th March 1976, and has been based on the WSR ever since.

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 took up position in the bay platform at Minehead after a light engine movement from Williton on Friday 27th March 2026. Photo by Steve Edge © CC BY-NC 4.0

D7017 will be working the following services over the special event weekend:

     Saturday 28th March : Depart Minehead at 1540 for Bishops Lydeard, arriving at 1655

     Saturday 28th March : Depart Bishops Lydeard at 1730 for Minehead, arriving at 1900

     Sunday 29th March   : Depart Minehead at 1230 for Bishops Lydeard, arriving at 1350

     Sunday 29th March   : Depart Bishops Lydeard at 1440 for Minehead, arriving at 1558

     Sunday 29th March   : Depart Minehead at 1740 for Williton, arriving at 1833                                                                                   (the train continues to Bishops Lydeard with steam power)

Click here or on the image below for a handy printable timetable for this event.

As shown on the timetable, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside Bagnall 2996 ‘VICTOR’ and the home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago.

The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the popular ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available.

Locos available for viewing in the yard will include Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) making her first public appearance in preservation, and Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) fresh from her winter maintenance period, plus Barclay 0-4-0DH shunter 578 (ROF1). On stands further along the yard, Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be displaying her recently-painted underframe, a sight that will only be visible for a matter of months before the loco gets ‘back on her feet’. Visible through the shed doors will be Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 (NCB Ashington No. 7) and Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048). Close-up viewing of these locos will be by arrangement and only when safe to do so, as these locos will be undergoing repair and/or restoration throughout the weekend.

For the location of the other locos in our fleet, visit our Locomotive Status page.

We look forward to a very entertaining and nostalgic weekend – and we hope to welcome plenty of visitors to Williton Yard, so please do come in and take a look around.

The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details of other 2026 events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

WSR 50 SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL – 4th to 7th June

The WSR have announced two visitors from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery and Class 37 37250 (D6950) wearing the ‘EWS‘ livery, both locos adding a splash of colour to the greens and blues of the event.

Click here or on an image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS …. DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

Click here to go to the WSR’s event page.

Our DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

Some sad news …. John Cooke 1948-2026 RIP

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of DEPG volunteer JOHN COOKE who passed away recently at the age of 78.

John had a well-deserved reputation as a master technician and could describe the electrical circuits of any loco in our fleet (and many others) almost from memory and could pinpoint faults with amazing accuracy and speed. He was a driver on both the WSR and SDR for many years and most recently carried out the re-wire on Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 with his characteristic neatness and delivered a top quality result, working on this project as recently as February of this year. A friend to many of us for so many years, John will be sorely missed, both here at the DEPG and on the WSR, and also at the South Devon Railway where he was an active member of the South Devon Diesel Traction (SDDT) group. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. One of his favourite locos, ‘Hymek’ D7017, will carry a wreath in his honour throughout this coming weekend.

Always camera shy, John was pictured carrying out his careful and diligent work while re-wiring the cab and desk of Class 14 D9518 at Williton on Saturday 6th April 2024. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco was in use on Saturday 21st March to shunt the yard and re-position various locos for maintenance and for their return to service. This loco will be on display at Williton during the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Event this weekend 28/29 March – this being the first time that this loco will have appeared in public since entering preservation.

08401 (D3516) – this loco was busy shunting the yard at Williton on Saturday 21st March 2026 and was pictured when coupled to her Class 09 cousin D4107 (09019). Photo by Paul Fleet © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is ready for her annual Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) which is booked to take place on Thursday 2nd April, after which she will be able to return to Bishops Lydeard and release Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 to return to Williton.

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is now indoors on No. 2 road and has had her roof removed for repair. The easy access from above will allow her repaired exhauster to be lowered-in via the designated route, rather than manhandled along the narrow walkway alongside the engine, and will also allow one of the cylinder heads to be exchanged for a refurbished spare.

D6566 (33048) – this loco was shunted from outdoors on No. 1 road to indoors on No. 2 road by Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) at Williton on Saturday 21st March 2026. Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF1) is sandwiched between the ’08’ and the ’33’. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

D7018 will participate at THREE diesel galas on other railways before returning to her home territory in August, in time to feature in the WSR’s DIESELS AT 65 event over August Bank Holiday weekend.

Great Central Railway (GCR) 24-26 April 2026	Severn Valley Railway (SVR) 14-17 May 2026	Gloucestershire-Warwickshire 24-26 July 2026

The much-travelled loco will then head back to the WSR in time for the DIESELS AT 65 EVENT that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the many distractions that arise when preparing for open events have diluted the resource on this project temporarily, but the team will be back on the case this weekend and next week onwards.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019).

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco is awaiting attention to her fuel system. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

 

NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

Still feeling the cold in the evenings and mornings ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

Garment type	Price
T shirt	£22
Polo shirt	£25
Sweatshirt	£35
Hoodie	£37
Fleece	£40
Other ? Tell us what you want !	Use our CONTACT FORM

These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

 

 

ON SHED – last week, we featured some photos from DAVID HINGSTON, being scans from slides from 1966 or 1967 at Cardiff General Station (renamed as Cardiff Central from May 1973 onward). As I felt I was on safe ground, this being my ‘home’ station and the place where I spent many hours in my pre-teenage years, I captioned the photo of the Class 37 as approaching from the east, but almost immediately received a correction from DEPG member and former Cardiff Signalling Manager Gareth Jones who pointed out that the ’37’ was in fact approaching from the WEST !

Many thanks to Gareth for contacting us and providing this and other correction details – the version of the roundup that is posted on our website has now been fully corrected.

This week, we have another photo from David Hingston, this time featuring Class 52 D1017 ‘WESTERN WARRIOR’, a fairly rare picture because ‘Warrior’ was one of the four that did not get upgraded to dual braking and was withdrawn from service in 1973, only 10 years old. What a waste !

We would welcome information about this photo and the working that is indicated by the ‘PILGRIM EXPRESS’ headboard that the loco is carrying.

 

Class 52 D1017 ‘WESTERN WARRIOR’ at the head of the ‘PILGRIM EXPRESS’ – but where and when ? (David knows – but do you ?) Photo by David Hingston © CC BY-NC 4.0

Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

 

We have added VOLUME 3 to our online bookstore along with the two new books that were released earlier in the month, and all of these books are in stock so PLACE YOUR ORDERS via our online store NOW ! Click here or on the images below to go to the relevant pages on our online store.

 

Railways of the North East V3 £21.95	Preserving Diesel Hydraulic Locos £15.99	Diesels South West £16.95

 

Also in stock are all three volumes of the most recent publications by BERNARD MILLS, covering the PADDINGTON to PENZANCE route in three parts. Each of the three books in this series are a must for fans of WR diesel traction! Click here or on the images below for more details (each title is priced at £21.95):

Part 1 : Paddington to Taunton	Part 2 : Taunton to Plymouth	Part 3 : Plymouth to Penzance

There are many other new and pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.

The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

The DEPG’s Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ are undergoing preparation for their forthcoming duties. Both D7017 and D7018 are fully serviceable and ready to perform. D7018 was pictured at Loughborough while having her engine started in readiness for her Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) on Wednesday 18th March 2026. She passed with flying colours. Image from a video by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

Click here or on the image below to watch the video of the start-up:

D7018 was started up at Loughborough in readiness for her Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT) on Wednesday 18th March 2026. Video by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

All DEPG efforts are being directed toward preparing our locos for their service commitments in the coming weeks, with D7018 in action on the GCR next week and D7017 in action on the WSR next weekend.

The WSR Infrastructure teams (both full-time and volunteer teams) have also been working flat-out to prepare the line for re-opening and the results will be clearly visible when the line reopens next weekend. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to both teams for their hard work – as evidenced by the photos below:

The WSR’s Class 03 shunter D2133 was put to good use on this special working from Minehead to Blue Anchor on Monday 16th March 2026 with the ‘Atlas’ crane, in connection with the refurbishment of the down inner home signal at Blue Anchor Station. Photo by Brenden Hill © CC BY-NC 4.0

A concrete retaining wall has been constructed to protect the line, following a minor landslip that occurred during the very wet weather in February. Pictured at Blue Anchor on Thursday 19th March 2026 by Robin Wichard © CC BY-NC 4.0

Evidence of a very neat and tidy lineside with spring flowers in abundance, the result of very hard work by the full-time and volunteer infrastructure teams. Pictured at Washford on Thursday 19th March 2026 by Jake Genge © CC BY-NC 4.0

After D7017 spent a week basking in the limelight of the HRA awards, this coming weekend will see her undergo an engine start and take some gentle exercise in the yard at Williton, as final preparation for her appearance in the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in ONE WEEK from now.

Sister loco D7018 is also being prepared for a Diesel Driver Experience Course at the GCR next week and will participate at THREE diesel galas on other railways before returning to her home territory in August, in time to feature in the WSR’s DIESELS AT 65 event over August Bank Holiday weekend.

Great Central Railway (GCR) 24-26 April 2026	Severn Valley Railway (SVR) 14-17 May 2026	Gloucestershire-Warwickshire 24-26 July 2026

The much-travelled loco will then head back to the WSR in time for the DIESELS AT 65 EVENT that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where all five of our 65-year-olds (Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019), Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018) will participate in a special birthday event featuring some very interesting combinations. Details will be announced nearer the time, but meanwhile GO AHEAD AND BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION to make the most of the long weekend !

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago. The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available. Click here or on the image below for more details of this anniversary weekend.

The DIESELS at 65 event adds to the WSR 50 EVENTS FOR 2026, all of which covered in the graphic below. The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details on some of these events, and will be expanding soon to include the recently-announced events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL

The WSR have announced another visitor from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery. This loco was built by Brush Traction at Loughborough and was one of later deliveries, entering service as D1955 in November 1966 and allocated to the ‘Western Lines’ pool of the London Midland Region (LMR). The loco became 47511 after conversion to Electric Train Heating (ETH) in March 1974 and was selected for conversion to push-pull operation, becoming 47714 in March 1985. While our own Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ is away at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it will be great to have a ‘47‘ back at work on the WSR and this loco will no doubt be very popular.

Previously-announced Class 37 37250 (D6950) is another crowd-pleaser and will definitely help swell the crowds and make the event even more enjoyable than usual.

DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS.

DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

Click here or on the image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

Our popular DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

D1010 – one of the equalising beams from the primary suspension of the ‘B’ bogie was undergoing refurbishment at the workshops of subcontractor MATT HIGHAM on Saturday 14th March 2026. We expect to get these beams and the refurbished pedestal mounts back in the bogie during the first week of April. Photo by Matt Higham © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco is stabled on No. 2 road n the South Yard at Williton and will be in use on Saturday 21st March to shunt the yard and re-position various locos for maintenance and for return to service. Work continues in preparing this loco for her conversion to dual braking, with an equipment cabinet being installed earlier this week to house the control gear for the exhausters.

08401 (D3516) – the equipment cabinet that houses the exhauster control gear was installed onto the loco at Williton on Tuesday 17th March 2026. Photo by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is still a few weeks away from a return to duty at Bishops Lydeard, but the number of outstanding tasks has reduced to just a handful and the loco will then be ready for her annual Vehicle Inspection & Brake Test (VIBT). This weekend should see the cab flooring being completed (thank you JT) and the repaired coolant pump refitted (thank you Colin F and Reece), leaving Ian R and Tom with the oil leak to sort out and the compressor governor to adjust. All in a day’s work !

Just to make life interesting, this loco will have to vacate the loco shed on Saturday 21st March to make way for Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048), but the outstanding tasks can be carried out in the nice weather that we are currently enjoying, so it will all work out well.

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is due to move indoors on Saturday 21st March by swapping places with Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019). This will allow her roof to be removed for repair and will also allow her repaired exhauster to be lowered-in via the designated route, rather than manhandled along the narrow walkway alongside the engine!

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

Please do try and go along to one or more of these events to show your support for D7018 and help ensure that her visits are a big success !

Here are the running dates for D7018 on the GCR:

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the need for pre-season training depleted the team on this loco this week, but the training has now been done and the team will be back on the case during this coming week.

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019).

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was moved from Number 1 road to Number 2 road at Williton last Saturday so that she could receive some attention to her fuel filters. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

Barclay 578 (ROF 1) – the coarse fuel strainer has become coated with gummy residue and this is resulting in fuel starvation. The fuel tank and fuel system will need to be cleaned and purged (again) to resolve this problem and make this loco reliable again. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 17th March 2026 by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 4.0

 

NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

Still feeling the cold in the evenings and mornings ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

Garment type	Price
T shirt	£22
Polo shirt	£25
Sweatshirt	£35
Hoodie	£37
Fleece	£40
Other ? Tell us what you want !	Use our CONTACT FORM

These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

 

 

ON SHED – this week, we have some more photos from DAVID HINGSTON, being scans from old slides dating back to the 1960s that did not carry any identification, so a bit of detective work has been required. Starting with the easy ones (easy for me, anyway), here are two images taken from the end of platform 3 at Cardiff General Station (renamed as Cardiff Central from May 1973 onward).

NOTE: corrections have been applied, as advised by DEPG member Gareth Jones – thank you Gareth !

The first image is looking across to platforms 1 and 2 which are the ‘up’ platforms (heading East), and a 6-car Swindon-built Class 120 ‘Cross-Country’ DMU can be seen at Platform 2, most likely destined for Birmingham Snow Hill. Taking the up main line through the station is Class 47 D1673 (47087, 47624) ‘CYCLOPS’ running light engine. This sets the date as AFTER June 1966 because ‘CYCLOPS‘ was named in that month and her nameplate is visible in this image.

 Here are some of the notes that David sent with his photos:

     “Cardiff General – that pic was almost certainly taken while waiting for the Plymouth Argyle special to return to Devon after probably an early exit from the FA cup at the hands of Cardiff City.

     Although … through the wonderful resources of the internet, I find that the only three dates that Argyle played Cardiff away in the second half of the 1960s was 1 Jan 1966, 15 Oct 1966 and 19 August 1967.

     The first two of those matches resulted in 5-1 and 7-1 trounces and after the third match Argyle were relegated !

     I know it was the second half of the 1960s because I had started as an apprentice in Devonport Dockyard in 1965 and made a friend who was a serious Argle fan and railway enthusiast, so that was when I started occasionally going to away matches by train.”

Also in the collection of ‘mystery slides’ was another image taken at Cardiff, most likely on the same day as the other photo, this time at the far end of platform 3 looking west, with a Cardiff-based Class 37 approaching with a train of loose coupled 21-t mineral wagons. From close inspection of the image, the loco is is either D6875 (37175) or D6975 (37275). Both were green with small yellow panel at that time and both were vacuum braked and steam heat, so it is difficult to choose between them. Interestingly, both ’37s’ are still in service today, but the ’47’ and the DMU went for scrap a long time ago.

Class 47 D1673 (47087, 47624) ‘CYCLOPS’ takes the up main through Cardiff General Station while a 6-car Swindon-built Class 120 ‘Cross-Country’ DMU waits at Platform 2 before heading east then north toward Birmingham Snow Hill. The date – either 15th October 1966 or 19th August 1967. Photo by David Hingston © CC BY-NC 4.0

A Cardiff Canton-based Class 37, either D6875 (37175) or D6975 (37275) approaches Cardiff General Station from the west with a trainload of 21-t mineral wagons. The date – either 15th October 1966 or 19th August 1967. Photo by David Hingston © CC BY-NC 4.0

Today’s plan view of Cardiff Central Station differs only in the addition of Platforms 0 and 8, but has changed beyond all recognition in terms of surroundings, as the city has grown up around it and low-level dwellings have been swept away and replaced by hi-rise hotels. All through roads are now electrified. Image by OpenSteetMaps © CC BY-NC 4.0

Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

 

We have added VOLUME 3 to our online bookstore along with the two new books that were released earlier in the month, and all of these books are in stock so PLACE YOUR ORDERS via our online store NOW ! Click here or on the images below to go to the relevant pages on our online store.

 

Railways of the North East V3 £21.95	Preserving Diesel Hydraulic Locos £15.99	Diesels South West £16.95

 

Also in stock are all three volumes of the most recent publications by BERNARD MILLS, covering the PADDINGTON to PENZANCE route in three parts. Each of the three books in this series are a must for fans of WR diesel traction! Click here or on the images below for more details (each title is priced at £21.95):

Part 1 : Paddington to Taunton	Part 2 : Taunton to Plymouth	Part 3 : Plymouth to Penzance

There are many other new and pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.

The fully-restored and certificated ‘NiftyLift’ MEWP was put to use by Allianz Insurance Assessor Steve at Williton on Tuesday 17th March 2026 for the purpose of inspecting the 2 tonne gantry crane. Pictured alongside Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019) by Tony Austin © CC BY-NC 4.0

The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

At the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) annual awards event on Saturday 7th March 2026, the DEPG were presented with the ‘RAIL EXPRESS MODERN TRACTION AWARD‘ by Editor Chris Milner (third from left) in recognition of 50 years of preservation of ‘Hymek’ D7017. The award was also presented to the Hastings Diesel Group (on the left) for their 30 years of mainline running. Centre stage, key fundraiser John Crane is holding the award for the DEPG with Martin Howard, Paul Tucker and Clive Burrows representing the multitude of dedicated volunteers who have looked after D7017 since acquisition in May of 1975. Photo by the HRA © CC BY-NC 4.0

The HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION is the trade body for the heritage railways of the UK and currently has around 300 members including the DEPG. The HRA holds award contests annually to encourage achievement and reward excellence across a wide range of headings from locomotive restoration through to infrastructure projects and visitor experiences. At this year’s event, the DEPG were presented with the ‘RAIL EXPRESS MODERN TRACTION AWARD‘ by well-known magazine editor Chris Milner in recognition of the 50-year-plus preservation of Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 on the West Somerset Railway !

From left to right: Clive Burrows, John Crane, Paul Tucker and Martin Howard, pictured at the HRA Annual Awards Event held in Llandudno on Saturday 7th March 2026. Photo provided by the HRA

Also in the running for two of the most strongly contested HRA awards and achieving highly commended status were two entries from the West Somerset Railway, notably the restoration of Andrew Barclay ‘fireless’ locomotive No. 1984 of 1930, ‘Boots No. 1’ in the Steam Locomotive Award category and the very popular BLUE ANCHOR STATION in the Station of the Year Award. WELL DONE TO ALL INVOLVED !

Andrew Barclay ‘fireless’ locomotive No. 1984 of 1930, ‘Boots No. 1’ was highly commended in the Steam Locomotive Awards category. Photo by Colin Barratt © CC BY-NC 4.0	The delightful Blue Anchor Station on the WSR was highly commended in the Station of the Year category. Photo by the WSR © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 was pictured at Blue Anchor while on a positioning move from Williton to Minehead on Tuesday 23rd September 2025. Photo by Rich Hiscox © CC BY-NC 3.0

While D7017 basks in the limelight of the HRA awards, she is also undergoing preparation for her appearance in the WSR’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in TWO WEEKS from now, and her sister loco D7018 is also being prepared to participate at THREE diesel galas on other railways before returning to her home territory in August, in time to feature in the WSR’s DIESELS AT 65 event over August Bank Holiday weekend.

Great Central Railway (GCR) 24-26 April 2026	Severn Valley Railway (SVR) 14-17 May 2026	Gloucestershire-Warwickshire 24-26 July 2026

The much-travelled loco will then head back to the WSR in time for the DIESELS AT 65 EVENT that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where all five of our 65-year-olds (Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019), Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018) will participate in a special birthday event featuring some very interesting combinations. Details will be announced nearer the time, but meanwhile GO AHEAD AND BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION to make the most of the long weekend !

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago. The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available. Click here or on the image below for more details of this anniversary weekend.

The DIESELS at 65 event adds to the WSR 50 EVENTS FOR 2026, all of which covered in the graphic below. The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details on some of these events, and will be expanding soon to include the recently-announced events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL

The WSR have announced another visitor from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery. This loco was built by Brush Traction at Loughborough and was one of later deliveries, entering service as D1955 in November 1966 and allocated to the ‘Western Lines’ pool of the London Midland Region (LMR). The loco became 47511 after conversion to Electric Train Heating (ETH) in March 1974 and was selected for conversion to push-pull operation, becoming 47714 in March 1985. While our own Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ is away at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it will be great to have a ‘47‘ back at work on the WSR and this loco will no doubt be very popular.

Previously-announced Class 37 37250 (D6950) is another crowd-pleaser and will definitely help swell the crowds and make the event even more enjoyable than usual.

DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS.

DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

Click here or on the image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

Our popular DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

08401 (D3516) Dual Braking Conversion Project – UPDATE

£10,868 RAISED – A TOTAL SUCCESS !!!!!

The appeal for donations toward the estimated £5,200 cost of converting recently-acquired Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) from air brake to dual brake has reached it’s target and has been MATCH-FUNDED by our mysterious and generous benefactor, so we now have £10,868 that will be used to accelerate this loco on her path to dual-brake capability.

We would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have supported this request for help. The ability to go out and buy the parts that we need will allow us to speed up the job of converting this loco to dual braking.

The balances of the four fundraising channels have been totalled up and are as follows:

Donations to the 08401 Dual Braking Conversion Project, as at 6th March 2026

THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have donated to this cause !

This is EXCELLENT NEWS for 08401 and will help us get the work done in the shortest possible time and help to get this loco into service on the WSR. This loco has never been used for passenger haulage, so 2026 is going to be a big year for 08401 !

Click here to visit the 08401 (D3516) dual-braking project page

As the DEPG is a registered charity, any donations made to a defined cause are applied only to that cause, so your donation will make a difference to the project of your choice. Thank you very much !

D1010 – the torque reaction rubbers of the outer axle of the ‘B’ bogie were also replaced with new by the ‘Transmission Team’ at Williton on Tuesday 10th March 2026. Photo by Colin Foxhall © CC BY-NC 4.0

D1010 – one of the cardan shafts from ‘B’ bogie was also undergoing clean-up at Williton on Tuesday 10th March 2026. Photo by Jeffrey Curd © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco is stabled in the South Yard at Williton and is available for use (in air brake mode) for any shunting duties that might be required. Meanwhile, design work is taking place to draw up the new pipework that is needed to reinstate the vacuum brake system, and the additional electrical control equipment is being assembled and installed where possible.

08401 (D3516) – one of the side compartment doors was undergoing priming before being painted by Roy at Williton on 7th March 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is close to being ready to return to duty at Bishops Lydeard, just in time for the start of the 2026 running season (late March). The coolant leak was traced to the coolant pump seal, so this will need to be replaced before the loco goes back into service. The temporary replacement cab floor was made by ‘JT’ at Williton on Saturday 7th March, involving quite a bit of patience to get the plywood sheet cut to the correct profile, after which it dropped into place and only needs to be fixed down and sealed. Well done ‘JT’ !

D4107 (09019) – the temporary plywood flooring was cut to size and shape by ‘JT’ at Williton on 7th March 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

D4107 (09019) – the temporary plywood flooring was then installed in the cab, again by ‘JT’ at Williton on 7th March 2026. Photo by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is outdoors on No 1 road and is next in line to enter the loco shed so that her leaking engine room roof can be removed and repaired. Meanwhile, her No. 1 vacuum exhauster has received a new centre oil seal and has been reassembled by Ian and Ethan W. This heavy and bulky machine will now wait until the loco is in the shed with her roof off, before being hoisted back into the engine room.

D6566 (33048) – the No. 1 vacuum exhauster has now received a new centre oil seal and is ready to be hoisted back into the loco. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 7th March 2026 by Jon Tooke © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

Please do try and go along to one or more of these events to show your support for D7018 and help ensure that her visits are a big success !

Here are the running dates for D7018 on the GCR:

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the two teams (Saturday and Tuesday) continue to push ahead with the work on this loco, with the Tuesday team concentrating on the engine and ancillary equipment, and the Saturday team concentrating on the bodywork. Some patient and diligent preparation was carried out by Andy P on one of the bodyside doors that was first retrieved from outdoor storage, and this door then received a coat of primer before home time. This door will be rubbed down again before getting several more coats of paint, to make sure that the finish is in-keeping with the rest of the loco. Well done Andy P !

D9518 – one of the side doors from the ‘B’ end of the loco was undergoing restoration in the hands of Andy P at Williton on Saturday 7th March 2026. Photo by Andy Royal© CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019).

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was moved from Number 1 road to Number 2 road at Williton last Saturday so that she can receive some attention to her fuel filters. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

 

NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

Feeling the cold ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store – we are adding more options on a weekly basis. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

Garment type	Price
T shirt	£22
Polo shirt	£25
Sweatshirt	£35
Hoodie	£37
Fleece	£40
Other ? Tell us what you want !	Use our CONTACT FORM

These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

 

 

ON SHED – this week, we have some more photos from DAVE GRAY featuring Hartlepool Stabling Point and some of the movements that could be observed from nearby. Look back at the previous roundup for Dave’s notes about the location. Here are the rest of the notes that Dave sent with his photos:

     “40103 (D303) is captured in the summer of 1978 on the daily lunchtime empty vans train from Newcastle to York. This up train collected from the major Durham coast stations all the unloaded vans from that same early morning’s down parcels train.  At Hartlepool, apart from the daily procession of 37s and Class 101 DMUs, this was the most interesting train of the day. The motive power could be absolutely anything, and could range from a Class 25 to a Class 55 that Gateshead depot were trying to get rid of. When a ’55’ was sighted it was always operating on one engine only because it was on it’s way to Doncaster Works for rectification.

     Most usually it was a Class 40 on this duty. In the summer of 1979, 47207 (D1857) was also captured while on this working.

     Back to the summer of 1978 and 37200 (D6900, 37377) was caught hauling the weed killing train past the stabling point. I remember thinking, why couldn’t we have been sent some unusual traction for this unusual train!”

English Electric Type 4 Class 40 40103 (D303) was pictured while working the Newcastle to York empty vans train past a rake of MGR wagons and Hartlepool SP in the summer of 1978. This loco started her life at Crewe in 1960 and roamed the London Midland Region for 14 years before heading north to Edinburgh Haymarket for the last eight year of her working life. Ironically, she returned to Crewe to be reduced to scrap. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

One year later and BR-Brush Type 4 Class 47 47207 (D1857) was pictured on the same Newcastle to York empty vans train working. An unidentified Class 08 shunter is visible ‘on shed’ at Hartlepool Stabling Point. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

Left to Right, English Electric Type 3 Class 37 37097 (D6797) was stabled amongst the weeds at Hartlepool SP in the summer of 1978 while her younger sister 37200 (D6900, 37377) worked a weedkilling train toward York. Ironically, the elder sister survives in preservation at the Caledonian Railway, but the younger machine was withdrawn in 2001 after providing 38 years of service. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

Above: A very interesting new book about the early days of the diesel hydraulic preservation movement. Well worth a read and reasonably priced at £15.99 – click here or on the image above to go to our online store page.

Part 1 : Paddington to Taunton	Part 2 : Taunton to Plymouth	Part 3 : Plymouth to Penzance

There are many other new and pre-owned book titles on our online store – click here for details.

The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!

Not an everyday sight on the West Somerset Railway, but these are unusual times ! GWR Class 800 ‘Flying Cucumber’ 800036 had turned on the triangle at Norton Fitzwarren and was pictured while at Norton Platform before departing towards Taunton on Friday 27th February 2026. Photo by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 4.0

Cross-Country Trains Class 220 ‘Voyager’ was heading for Taunton on the Exeter to Bristol main line while Class 57 ‘Body Snatcher’ 57604 (D1859, 47209) ‘PENDENNIS CASTLE’ hauled GWR’s ‘Night Riviera’ Sleeper train away from the camera and toward Barnstaple Junction and Allerford, for turning on the West Somerset Railway’s Norton triangle. Pictured on 27th February 2026 by Malcolm Anderson © CC BY-NC 4.0

Main-line locos and trains of various classes have been using the triangle at Norton Fitzwarren to turn around to get their first class accommodation back at the London end, where it is supposed to be. Why ? Two reasons, one is that the first class accommodation sometimes ends up at the ‘country end’, particularly when working in and around Gloucester, and the other reason is that an engineering blockade of the line at Plymouth has prevented the use of the triangle in that area. Some sets still need to be turned to re-orientate them, so the triangle at Norton became the logical solution !

The sets are turned by first running west toward Allerford (on the former Barnstaple branch) then reversing northwards via the West Chord towards Allerford Junction, then heading southeast on the Norton platform line to rejoin Network Rail metals at Barnstaple Junction (refer to the map below).

This extract from the WSR Rule Book, Map 10 shows that the Allerford spur is all that remains of the Barnstaple branch. To see the Rule Book maps and many more, go to the wsr.org.uk website by clicking this link. Image courtesy of WSR plc © CC BY-NC 4.0

Last Saturday night, we had to send out a DIESELGEN bulletin to advise that Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 was not going to be able to perform on the Sunday of the Great Central Railway’s Spring Weekend as was originally planned. The reason that we gave was ‘lack of train crew’, which was based on the information available to us at the time. We subsequently learned that the loco had been involved in a ‘heavy shunt’ and had been stood down pending an engineering inspection. We apologise for the incomplete information contained in the DIESELGEN and we appreciate the level and number of concerns raised, but Beyer Peacock ‘Hymeks’ are tough and we expect to hear good news from the inspectors soon.

In fact, D7018 continues to make the news, this time with the announcement that she will be one of the stars at the SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY’s Spring Diesel Festival that takes place from Thursday 14th through Sunday 17th May. The loco will depart from the GCR on Friday 1st May and will travel by road to Kidderminster where she will undergo some maintenance checks before becoming available for use by the SVR from early May through to mid-July, no doubt to the delight of ‘hydraulic’ fans from far and wide.

Then, in mid-July, the loco will hitch another ride on a low-loader for the short trip to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway to take part in their ‘COTSWOLD DIESEL GALA‘ that will run from Friday 24th through Sunday 26th July. This is a very popular event and the sight and sound of a ‘Hymek’ will be a great addition to their planned lineup. We very much appreciate the invitation. 

The much-travelled loco will then head back to the WSR in time for the DIESELS AT 65 EVENT that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where all five of our 65-year-olds (Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019), Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33048) and D6575 (33057) and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018) will participate in a special birthday event featuring some very interesting combinations. Details will be announced nearer the time, but meanwhile GO AHEAD AND BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION to make the most of the long weekend !

Here’s a reminder that Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 is going to feature in a special program of running on the weekend of 28/29 March to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening of the Minehead branch. After closure of the branch by BR in January 1971, the first public services under the auspices of the WSR ran on Saturday 28th March 1976, initially from Minehead to Blue Anchor, then extending to Williton in the summer and then to Stogumber, finally reaching Bishops Lydeard in 1979.

Click here to go to wsr.org.uk to browse the photos from that first year.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-opening, long-term WSR resident Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7017 will be in use on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026 and will be working alongside home fleet steam locos to both kick-off the 2026 season and to commemorate the hard work and dedication of all those who made the re-opening possible, 50 years ago. The DEPG will be hosting an ‘OPEN YARD‘ with public access to lineside seating and viewing, with the ‘Irie 7’ hot food van and Rod’s Model Railway sales stand also available. Click here or on the image below for more details of this anniversary weekend.

The DIESELS at 65 event adds to the KEY DATES FOR 2026, some of which covered in the graphic below. The WSR’s EVENTS and EXPERIENCES web page gives details on some of these events, and will be expanding soon to include the recently-announced events. Click here or on the graphic below to go to the WSR Calendar Page for details and dates.

t

SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL

The WSR have announced another visitor from the Wensleydale Railway in the form of Class 47 47714 (D1955, 47511), wearing the striking ‘Rail Express Systems (RES)‘ livery. This loco was built by Brush Traction at Loughborough and was one of later deliveries, entering service as D1955 in November 1966 and allocated to the ‘Western Lines’ pool of the London Midland Region (LMR). The loco became 47511 after conversion to Electric Train Heating (ETH) in March 1974 and was selected for conversion to push-pull operation, becoming 47714 in March 1985. While our own Class 47 47077 (D1661, 47613, 47840) ‘NORTH STAR’ is away at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it will be great to have a ‘47‘ back at work on the WSR and this loco will no doubt be very popular.

Previously-announced Class 37 37250 (D6950) is another crowd-pleaser and will definitely help swell the crowds and make the event even more enjoyable than usual.

DEPG locos of classes 08, 09, 14, 33 and 35 will also be in use and Class 52 D1010 ‘WESTERN CAMPAIGNER’ will be open to visitors at Williton Yard, along with Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 (ROF 1).

The DEPG depot at Williton will be open to the public and will be offering hot drinks and an expanded range of hot snacks from the ever-popular ‘Irie 7’ team, together with a seated viewing area, Rod’s Model Railways sales stand and the DEPG merchandise stand, plus cab visits to locos on shed, depot tours and some SPECIAL EXHIBITS.

DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED !

Click here or on the image below to go to the WSR’s event page:

Our popular DIESEL RUNNING DATES page is in the process of being updated to cover the planned diesel-hauled services for 2026, but it will take a little longer to define the loco allocations. Meanwhile, the basic framework is there and the loco allocations will be added as soon as the information has been confirmed by the WSR. There is a lot of diesel running planned for the WSR this year. Click here or on the image below to take a look:

08401 (D3516) Dual Braking Conversion Project – UPDATE

£10,868 RAISED – A TOTAL SUCCESS !!!!!

The appeal for donations toward the estimated £5,200 cost of converting recently-acquired Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) from air brake to dual brake has reached it’s target and has been MATCH-FUNDED by our mysterious and generous benefactor, so we now have £10,868 that will be used to accelerate this loco on her path to dual-brake capability.

We would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have supported this request for help. The ability to go out and buy the parts that we need will allow us to speed up the job of converting this loco to dual braking.

The balances of the four fundraising channels have been totalled up and are as follows:

Donations to the 08401 Dual Braking Conversion Project, as at 6th March 2026

THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who have donated to this cause !

This is EXCELLENT NEWS for 08401 and will help us get the work done in the shortest possible time and help to get this loco into service on the WSR. This loco has never been used for passenger haulage, so 2026 is going to be a big year for 08401 !

Click here to visit the 08401 (D3516) dual-braking project page

As the DEPG is a registered charity, any donations made to a defined cause are applied only to that cause, so your donation will make a difference to the project of your choice. Thank you very much !

D1010 – the torque reaction arm was released then dropped to allow the uppermost rubber to be removed and to allow cleaning and inspection to take place. Pictured at Williton on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

D1010 – the two new torque reaction rubbers were then fitted and the cage re-assembled around them. One of the temporary jacking studs is still in place in this view at Williton on Tuesday 3rd March 2026. Photo by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 08 08401 (D3516) – this loco is stabled in the South Yard at Williton and is available for use (in air brake mode) for any shunting duties that might be required. Meanwhile, design work is taking place to draw up the new pipework that is needed to reinstate the vacuum brake system, and the additional electrical control equipment is being assembled and installed where possible.

Class 09 D4107 (09019) – this loco is close to being ready to return to duty at Bishops Lydeard, just in time for the start of the 2026 running season (late March). The loco was test run last weekend and the source of some oil and coolant leaks were established, with attention to be given this weekend to (hopefully) resolve them. The cab floor is also due to receive attention this weekend.

D4107 (09019) – the engine bay doors were opened up to allow access for Ian R and his team, while in search of the mysterious oil leak. The source of the leak was traced to the No. 1 rocker cover seal, which will receive attention this weekend. Pictured at Williton on 28th February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

D4107 (09019) – the large compressor for the air braking system takes up almost the entire space in the side compartment just ahead of the fuel tank and cab. Pictured at Williton on 28th February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 33 D6566 (33 048) – this loco is outdoors on No 1 road and is next in line to enter the loco shed so that her leaking engine room roof can be removed and repaired. The reasonable weather last Saturday allowed the loco to be moved to No. 3 road for a short while, so that the fork lift truck could be brought alongside to help remove the No. 1 vacuum exhauster. The delinquent machine was then moved into the loco shed so that it could be stripped down for an oil seal to be replaced.

D6566 (33048) – the No. 1 vacuum exhauster was removed from the loco and taken into the loco shed so that it could be stripped down for an oil seal to be replaced. Pictured at Williton on Saturday 28th February 2026 by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

D6566 (33048) – the following day – the exhauster has been separated from the motor so the seal can now be accessed and replaced. Pictured at Williton on Sunday 1st March 2026 by Tom Courtney © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 35 ‘Hymek’ D7018 – this loco will remain at the GCR for some charter services and also for their DIESEL GALA in April before moving to her next vacationing spot at the Severn Valley Railway, and then to the GWSR in July before returning to the WSR in August.

Please do try and go along to one or more of these events to show your support for D7018 and help ensure that her visits are a big success !

Here are the running dates for D7018 on the GCR:

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9518 – the two teams (Saturday and Tuesday) continue to push ahead with the work on this loco, aided by several new volunteers who have joined recently, which probably explains the smile on Colin G’s face when he was eventually persuaded to look up for the (very patient) cameraman while painting the inside of the cab !

D9518 – volunteer Colin G was hard at work painting the inside of the cab at Williton on Saturday 28th February 2026. Photo by Andy Royal © CC BY-NC 4.0

Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 – this loco is currently based at Bishops Lydeard where she will remain until relieved by Class 09 shunter D4107 (09019). This loco underwent an engine run last weekend and everything was found to be in good working order.

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DH 578 – this little loco was moved from Number 1 road to Number 2 road at Williton last Saturday so that she can receive some attention to her fuel filters. Meanwhile, Class 08 shunter 08401 (D3516) is available for shunting duties.

 

NEW CLOTHING RANGE:

Feeling the cold ? Go ahead and order a fleece jacket or sweatshirt via our ONLINE STORE, just click on this link or on the images below to give it a go !

So far, we have launched the 50 YEARS of HYMEKS range and a configurable HYMEK and WESTERN range, and we now have the new design for the Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ featuring two locos side by side, one in green livery and the other in blue, or both in blue. Please let us know if you would like to order a combination that is not obvious on our online store – we are adding more options on a weekly basis. We intend to offer a Class 14 design in the coming weeks.

The range of colours has been expanded and the range of sizes now includes LADIES SIZES. Please let us know via our CONTACT FORM if the colour and size combination that you want is not showing as an option online.

The new designs are available in the following garment types, some of which have not yet been added to our website, so again please use our CONTACT FORM to let us know what you want. Here are the prices:

Garment type	Price
T shirt	£22
Polo shirt	£25
Sweatshirt	£35
Hoodie	£37
Fleece	£40
Other ? Tell us what you want !	Use our CONTACT FORM

These garments are really nice pieces of work, and the ability to personalise your choice is another definite advantage. Delivery is currently around ONE WEEK from receipt of order, so place you order now to take advantage of this short lead time.

We look forward to receiving your order, the profits from which will directly support the DEPG !

 

 

ON SHED – this week, the first of several photos from new contributor DAVE GRAY, with a Northeastern feel as we start in Hartlepool, back in the mid 1970s. Here are the notes that Dave sent with his photos:

     “Hartlepool stabling point was built on the site of the old West Hartlepool twin roundhouses (51C) after the old facility was demolished shortly after September 1967 when all the remaining steam allocation was sent for scrap. The whole site was always somewhat barren, having just been covered in old ballast and hardcore after the demolition and the area has recently been cleared to make way for new housing, with the remains of two turntables and ash pits etc uncovered.

View:  Railway turntables uncovered 60 years after West Hartlepool (51C shed) demolished. – YouTube

     The stabling point was in use until the mid 1980s when with the demise of the coal mining industry, and the closure of the Durham coastal collieries, there was no requirement for its locos. Certainly, in the diesel era, apart from some local shunting requirements, the moving of coal was its reason for being. It was highly unusual for anything other than a Thornaby allocated loco to be present, but strangers did appear, most usually from Gateshead’s allocation.

     If you visited the site during the 1970s as I did on many occasions, during the week there may be an odd class 37 and a class 03 and 08 shunter in the yard. On a Sunday it was a different story, there could be seven or eight class 37s and four or five shunters of classes 03 and 08. In those days I saw no other class of loco there. In the 1980s there may still be one or two class 37s but the exotica of class 31s and 47/3s could be seen! By then the remaining collieries despatched their coal by way of MGR train to the Yorkshire power station,s hence the class 47s.

     37002 is shown in July 1976 on the stabling point. This was a standard fare loco for the area at that time. Most 37s at the stabling point had a guards van attached, and it wasn’t unusual to see the van being propelled up the main line to and from the collieries. 

     37025 is also pictured on the stabling point in July of that long hot summer of 1976. I took this pic because at the time I thought it was a very unusual 37 for our area, however its only now that I’ve learned that it had been a Thornaby loco since Feb 1974 and would remain so until  Feb 1977. It went back to March depot from whence it had come!”

We will share more from Dave next week.

Many thanks to Dave for sharing his memories and photos with us all.

English Electric Type 3 Class 37 37002 (D6702) was pictured on-shed at Hartlepool in July of 1976. This loco was one of the first deliveries of the Class back in December 1960 and was initially allocated to Stratford, but gradually made her way northward until eventually cut up in Stockton-on-Tees after doing 40 years of hard labour. Photo by Dave Gray © CC BY-NC 4.0

Please continue to send in your photos of locos on shed, at the platform or in action, because we appreciate them all, any Class, any place, any time, the more varied, the better. Use our CONTACT FORM to get in touch. Thanks !

Above: A very interesting new book about the early days of the diesel hydraulic preservation movement. Well worth a read and reasonably priced at £15.99 – click here or on the image above to go to our online store page.

The DEPG is a charity and is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom give both their time and their money to the continuance of work on the locos in the DEPG fleet. If you have been enjoying the roundup for free, have you considered joining us for just £1 a month ? You can then add your name to all of those helping out on the above projects and play your part in the future of our locos for a lot less than the price of a cup of coffee!