D7017 has been very much part of the West Somerset Railway fleet since 1977, successfully operating WSR trains over many years since. The loco was first moved to Taunton on leaving BR service in 1975, before being moved up to Minehead in 1976.
The ‘Hymeks’ were intended as a medium power mixed traffic loco, but were often rostered to deputise for some of the WR’s largest steam locos on 13 and 14-coach trains in their early years. A total of 101 locos were built and were allocated all over the Western Region. They settled down to become a successful and capable fleet.
The loco has been very reliable and is a pleasure to be around. The only reason that the loco is currently out of service is due to the gradual failure of a main bogie spring, ironically one that was replaced some time in the 1990s. A completely new set of high-specification springs are on order for installation during 2021.
Technical Specification
- Engine: Bristol-Siddeley-Maybach MD870 V16 twin turbocharged and intercooled 87 litre high speed diesel
- Transmission: Stone-Maybach-Mekydro K184 4-speed hydraulic gearbox
- Weight: 73 tons
- Length: 52 ft
- Output: 1,740 hp at 1500 rpm
- BR Power Rating: Type 3
- Speed: 90 mph
- Fuel Capacity: 600 gallons
- Wheels: B-B
- Tractive Effort: 49,000 lbs (maximum)
History
- Manufacturer: Beyer-Peacock (Hymek) Ltd, Manchester
- Built: 1962.
- First allocated Depot: Bristol Bath Road (82A).
- Withdrawn from service: March 1975.
- BR Class: 35
- Number Built: 101
- Role: Mixed traffic
The locomotive is Non-Operational, awaiting bogie overhaul.
D7018
Following withdrawal by BR in 1975, D7018 was first located at Didcot Railway Centre for a number of years before moving to Williton to join sister locomotive D7017.
The loco underwent a very lengthy heavy overhaul following a major engine failure at Williton in 1995 and is currently fully operational, having returned to service on the WSR during the 2019 “Diesels To The Seaside” event.
The ‘Hymeks’ were intended as a medium power mixed traffic loco, but were often rostered to deputise for some of the WR’s largest steam locos on 13 and 14-coach trains in their early years. A total of 101 locos were built and were allocated all over the Western Region. They settled down to become a successful and capable fleet.
Introduced in 1961-4, the ‘Hymeks’ careers were cut short by BR’s standardisation with diesel-electric types. The first withdrawals came in 1971, with some locos scrapped being less than nine years old. Full withdrawal of the fleet was planned for 1973 and a farewell tour, “The Hymek Swansong”, ran in the September of that year. Due to loco shortages, ten ‘Hymeks’ soldiered on to 1975 when they were finally withdrawn. Of these, four have survived into preservation: the two D&EPG ‘Hymeks’ D7017 and D7018; D7029 with the Diesel Traction Group and D7076 with the Bury Hydraulic Group.
Technical Specification
Engine: Bristol-Siddeley-Maybach MD870 V16 twin turbocharged and intercooled 87 litre high speed diesel
Transmission: Stone-Maybach-Mekydro K184 4-speed hydraulic gearbox
Weight: 73 tons
Length: 52 ft
Output: 1,740 hp at 1500 rpm
BR Power Rating: Type 3
Speed: 90 mph
Fuel Capacity: 600 gallons
Wheels: B-B
Tractive Effort: 49,000 lbs (maximum)
History
Manufacturer: Beyer-Peacock (Hymek) Ltd, Manchester
Built: 1962.
First allocated Depot: Bristol Bath Road (82A).
Withdrawn from service: March 1975.
BR Class: 35
Number Built: 101
Role: Mixed traffic
The Locomotive is Operational, but currently stopped for minor transmission fault repair
ADDRESS
West Somerset Railway,The Railway Station,
Minehead Somerset,
TA24 5BG
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