Update from Saturday 17th December. By Terry Deacon and Matt Cambourne.
A fair bit to report since our last update.
Terry has sent some photos below of the progress on the replacement Paxman engine for 9526 as many
hours of "home work " making blanking plates and rigging up pipe work allow us to test and set the oil relief
and safety valves in the "free end" engine casing before fitting to the block.
A more general update now provided to me by our Chairman
D7017 has now been finished and is ready to be moved out of three road shed to allow D9526 into the
shed. This then means that work can begin on disconnecting the current engine inside the loco to enable
the replacement to be then fitted in possibly March 2017.
An invitation to tender has now been put out for work on D6566, namely the bogie overhauls which are
now required as part of the comprehensive overhaul. It is hoped work will be completed in time for the June
Diesel Gala.
D6575 was busy last weekend, a test run was undertaken to Minehead on a weekday before Saturday in
prep for the Cathedrals Express visit to Minehead. There had been no trains for some 10 days previous on
the Williton-Minehead section, hence the need to just check all was in good working order. The 33 then
assisted on the day to ensure all went well.
And finally some good news on the June Diesel Gala. Friday and Saturday next year will be an all Diesel
affair! The gala will take place over the 9/10/11th June weekend. Sunday will have one steam diagram.
Hopefully a really good gala in prospect with the return of D7018.
A fair bit to report since our last update.
Terry has sent some photos below of the progress on the replacement Paxman engine for 9526 as many
hours of "home work " making blanking plates and rigging up pipe work allow us to test and set the oil relief
and safety valves in the "free end" engine casing before fitting to the block.
A more general update now provided to me by our Chairman
D7017 has now been finished and is ready to be moved out of three road shed to allow D9526 into the
shed. This then means that work can begin on disconnecting the current engine inside the loco to enable
the replacement to be then fitted in possibly March 2017.
An invitation to tender has now been put out for work on D6566, namely the bogie overhauls which are
now required as part of the comprehensive overhaul. It is hoped work will be completed in time for the June
Diesel Gala.
D6575 was busy last weekend, a test run was undertaken to Minehead on a weekday before Saturday in
prep for the Cathedrals Express visit to Minehead. There had been no trains for some 10 days previous on
the Williton-Minehead section, hence the need to just check all was in good working order. The 33 then
assisted on the day to ensure all went well.
And finally some good news on the June Diesel Gala. Friday and Saturday next year will be an all Diesel
affair! The gala will take place over the 9/10/11th June weekend. Sunday will have one steam diagram.
Hopefully a really good gala in prospect with the return of D7018.
