Diesel and Electric Group

 

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Older WSR photos

 

Many first generation diesel locos are now preserved, the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group have a base at Williton, on the WSR, where they keep several such locos.  This page has photos of the group's charges "at home" at Williton, there are many photo of them "in action" on the West Somerset Railway pages, in particular on Diesel Days.

D7017 at Williton

The first two shown here are D7017 and D7018.  They are Beyer Peacock Hymek type 3 B-B locos fitted with a 1700 bhp Maybach MD870 engine and hydraulic transmission.  They were part of the Western Region's diesel hydraulic period, there are photos of Hymeks on the mainline on Diesel Hydraulics.

D7018 at Williton

While in BR service they operated in the West Country and could well have visited the Minehead line.  As can be seen one is in its original green livery the other in the later rail blue.

 

Maybach MD870 engine from D7018

Maybach MD870 engine and parts

Two photos from Jon Tooke showing the stripped down Maybach MD870 engine from D7018 which is undergoing a major overhaul after a serious failure some time ago.

 

D7018 outside Williton Diesel Depot

With her engine removed D7018 was caught by Jon Tooke being shunted outside the Diesel Depot ready to be lifted from her bogies.

 

Classes 52, 14, 08 and 03 shunting at Williton

Classe 14, 08 and 03 shunting at Williton

As part of the general shunt required for the move above this convoy including Class 52 D1010, Class 14 D9526, class 08 D3462 and Class 03 03119 were also spotted by Jon.

Convoy waiting at Williton

While the convoy was stood clear on the running line the ex MSC Sentinel shunter manoeuvred a preserved ferry van past West Country class Braunton's smokebox outside the WSRA's "Swindon" shed.

 

D7018 and D1010

A last view from Jon of the shunting, D7018 squeezes by Braunton's smokebox as D1010 Western Campaigner waits outside the yard.

 

D6566

Next in the line up is D6566 (33048), a Birmingham RC&W built type 3 Bo-Bo, with a 1,550 bhp Sulzer 8LDA28 engine and Crompton Parkinson electric transmission.  They were the Southern Regions equivalent of the Hymeks in terms of power, working a wide variety of services, including for many years the Waterloo - Exeter service which served Yeovil in Somerset so they  too have a local connection.

D6575 and D1661 North Star

Since then the DEPG have acquired another Class 33, D6575, its first working after a major restoration was during thr 2012 Mixed Traction Weekend.

 

D7523

The next loco is D7523, a BR Derby built machine, a Class 25 type 2 with a 1,250 bhp Sulzer 6LDA28 engine and electric transmission.  Locos of this type appeared on the Western Region as part of the replacement of the non standard diesel hydraulics, there is a photo of a pair of them on a freight at Cardiff on Diesel Electrics.

D7523 John F Kennedy

 As the second view shows it has been named John F Kennedy since being in preservation.  It carries the two tone green livery carried by the later members of the class from new.  Unfortunately it has now left the railway for another line.

 

03119

A final loco on view at Williton during my visit was 03119, formerly D2119, a diesel mechanical 0-6-0 shunting loco with a 204 bhp Gardener engine.  This type of machine was made redundant by the decline in traditional wagon load freight traffic, they were to be seen in the West Country when in BR service and also in use by industrial systems after disposal by BR.

Line up at Williton Diesel Depot

A view of many the locos featured lined up at Williton on 23 March 2002, no work for them during the Steam Gala weekend !

 

D1010 at Minehead

Class 52 D1010 Western Campaigner was in the shed when I took the photos above, she is also part of the DEPG fleet and is seen here leaving Minehead.

 

D1010 as D1035 at Didcot

D1010 as D1035 at Didcot

Two views of D1010 Western Campaigner in the guise of D1035 Western Yeoman - in green livery - at Didcot in the late 80's.  The change of identity was due to Foster Yeoman, whose stone trains the Westerns used to work.  D1010 is owned by the DEPG who were then based at Didcot.  Photos by Jon Tooke

D1010 receives a wash at Williton

WSR & DEPG volunteer Jon Tooke is seen here giving Western Campaigner a wash ready for service the next day during the Great Trains Extravaganza.

 

Freshly washed D1010

D1010 after washing

The finished job, two views of his handiwork taken by Jon in Williton depot yard.  Photos by Jon Tooke

 

 

 

Drivers desk, D1010

Secondman's side, D1010

Views of the A end control desk showing the drivers and secondman's sides.  Photos by Jon Tooke

 

D1010 shines in the darkness

A last view of the Western, after prep had been completed she was started up and is seen with all her lights on in the evening gloom.  Photo by Jon Tooke

 

D1661 arriving at Minehead

On 28 May 2007 D1661 North Star arrived at Minehead with a special from Derby,  prior to being handed over to the DEPG for preservation on the West Somerset.

D1661 on the loop at Minehead

After the official handing over D1661 moved off the train and is seen here out in the sun.

 

D1661 cab and worksplate

D1661/47840 number and data panels

D1661 cab and refurbishment plate

D1661 worksplate

Photos of D1661's works plates and data panels.

 

 

 

Class 14 D9526 at Minehead

The DEPG also look after D9526, a Class 14 0-6-0 loco originally intended for trip freight workings.  The class is nicknamed "Teddy Bears", D9526's return to traffic in 2003 being known as Teddy Bear's Picnic but she is seen here at Minehead during the Great Trains Extravaganza.

The cab of D9526

D9526 shed plate

D9526 with engine covers open

Some detail views, including her Paxman Ventura engine.

 

 

 

Class 14 D9518 awaiting restoration.

A recent addition to the DEPG's fleet is a second Class 14 D9518 which is awaiting much needed attention!

 

Visit their own site at Diesel & Electric Preservation Group Ltd (DEPG)

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This site was last updated 15-07-2012

Photos not otherwise credited are ©2001-3 S G J Huddy.  Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.