DEPG Acquires Class 09 Diesel Shunter for Further Use on the West Somerset Railway

The West Somerset Railway (WSR) based Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) are pleased to announce their acquisition of WSR-based Class 09 shunter D4107 (09 019) from JJP Holdings in a deal that benefits the WSR and the DEPG.

D4107 was built at BR Horwich Works and entered service at Carlisle Upperby depot in November of 1961. After seven years working the yard there, she moved to Hither Green on the Southern Region and was upgraded to dual braking (air and vacuum). The loco entered preservation in 2013 and became the station pilot at Bishops Lydeard on the WSR. The Class 09 is a variation of the more commonplace Class 08 with maximum speed increased to 27.5 mph, albeit with a corresponding reduction in tractive effort, making it a very good choice for heritage railway use. D4107 carries the BR-green livery and wasp stripes that are authentic to her early years in service.

The DEPG have been undertaking servicing and maintaining of the loco whilst under contract to the WSR for some time. They have now acquired the loco from JJP Holdings with a view to providing both the loco and the maintenance to the WSR as a fully inclusive package.

This arrangement assures the long-term future of this hard-working locomotive on the West Somerset Railway.