DEPG

09/06/2026

Our Class 35 Hymek D7017 has been spotted on her travels! 😃

Seen here near Pickering around 1515 today.

Video by Wendy Howard

Allelys Heavy Haulage North Yorkshire Moors Railway

09/06/2026

We might be a bit biased, but that’s a great T-Shirt 😍

Diesel Gala Limited Edition T-Shirt 👕

Celebrate diesel power with our limited edition T-shirt - perfect for out on the platform or out at the pub.

Now in sizes XS to 6XL, and a new design featuring visiting locomotive Hymek No. D7017.

Limited edition - once they’re gone, they’re gone! Available to pre-order now, don't miss out - https://moorsline.co.uk/u1yAN

08/06/2026

Has anyone spotted our Class 35 Hymek D7017 yet?

Seen lots of pictures of West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival guest locos 37250, 47714 and 26007 having been picked up by RailAdventure and would love to know if anyone spots our girl D7017 on her travels.

D7017 was picked up by Allelys Heavy Haulage from Bishops Lydeard this afternoon and is on her way to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for their diesel gala where she’ll be reunited with our Class 47 47077 North Star!

07/06/2026

50049 Defiance is to operate on two additional days next week at the West Somerset Railway on the diesel diagram.

These days will be Tuesday 9th & Sunday 14th June.

For more information please visit the WSR website: www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

We hope that you can join us for these additional running days.

Class 50 Alliance

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

The third day of the West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival got off to a damp start, but the forecast downpours didn’t happen and most of the day was dry, but windy at times – which kept temperatures down and aided greatly with the sales of sweatshirts and fleeces from our well-stocked DEPG sales stand at Williton!

Saturday (Day 3) was the day that every available loco was out and about, all except Class 03 D2133 at Minehead and Class 08 08410 (D3516) at Williton, these locos being on display but not in use because of the very high demand for drivers and guards on a double-shift day that opened at 0800 and closed at 2130. Something has to give, but we will be making more use of these two locos in near future.

The accolade of ‘star of the show’ was a much tougher call today, with plenty of candidates in the mix, from the wide-ranging appeal and brute force of the Class 37 (made even more popular by a recent TV documentary), through to the triple-header ‘BRCW Sulzers’ combination, through to the perennial WSR favourite, ‘Hymek’ D7017 along with excellent performances from all of the other locos throughout this very entertaining and enjoyable day. The selection of photos below will help you make your own decision.

Today’s MIXED TRACTION running will include all four visitors plus a little help from ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33048) and the DMU, the first service departing from Minehead at 08:30 and the running continuing through to the last service to Bishops Lydeard arriving there at 18:45. Here is the link to the timetables for Sunday:

https://depg.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2026/05/dg_sunday_2026_v2.pdf

Don’t forget to visit the excellent museum at Bishops Lydeard station, where diesel-era artefacts are on display along with storyboards covering D7017 and the DMU then come to Williton to view the items on display in our diesel depot – and browse Rod’s Model Railway stand and our own DEPG Sales stand – then revive yourself with something tasty from the Irie 7 Mobile Coffee Shop with hot food and drinks available. DEPG yard opening hours 09:30 through 16:00 on Sunday. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Here’s a selection of some of the great photos that have been submitted by our members and supporters today. Many thanks to all who have taken the trouble to send us their photos, and apologies that we can’t feature them all (not right now, anyway).

Photos by Jon Tooke, Mike Lanning, and Josh Brinsford

06/06/2026

Class 37 37250 seen here at Roebuck Crossing on a rainy day three of the West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival

06/06/2026

Can’t decide what headboard to wear? Wear them all 💪

37250 goes all-in at West Somerset Railway for day 3 of their diesel gala 😁

📸 Oliver Kirkby

06/06/2026

Day three of the West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival is upon us. Today’s running will include all four visitors plus all available home fleet locomotives, providing a bumper package of mileage, starting at 08:00 and ending at 21:30 and including a TRIPLE HEADER with the Class 26 and our two Class 33s working the 18:27 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard.

Before we get too excited about today, here’s a quick roundup of day two yesterday:

The SECOND DAY of the WSR’s SUMMER DIESEL FESTIVAL started with the sad news of the passing of DEPG member and volunteer Williton Deputy Stationmaster PHIL CHAPMAN, a much-loved character who was ‘part of the furniture’ at Williton Station, as well as being a very good friend and supporter of the DEPG. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Avril and to all his family and friends, as we feel their loss.

The Class 14 was one of DEPG member Phil’s favourites, so Class 14 D9526 will be carrying a wreath in his honour tomorrow, Saturday 6th June, and will work the 11:40 round trip service from Minehead before returning to Williton on the back of the 17:30 service from Minehead, after which the wreath will be handed over to the station staff for display there on Sunday.

Phil would have wanted the show to go on, and it did, with everything going pretty much to plan.

The weather turned out to be OK for the second day with very little rain and quite a lot of sunshine, despite the pessimistic forecast. The busiest services appeared to be those with the ‘37‘ up front, reinforcing the popularity of these elderly but highly capable machines, with her younger English Electric cousin, the Class 50, a close second. Let’s see how things turn out today when there is some serious Maybach competition in the mix, in the form of our much-loved ‘Hymek’ D7017!

Don’t forget to visit the excellent MUSEUM at BISHOPS LYDEARD station, where diesel-era artefacts are on display along with storyboards covering D7017 and the DMU then come to Williton to view the items on display in our diesel depot – and browse Rod’s Model Railway stand and our own DEPG Sales stand – then revive yourself with something tasty from the Irie 7 Mobile Coffee Shop serving hot food and drinks!

We can’t wait to see you!

Photos by Junior Bolton, Graham Perry, and Darren Hill