West Somerset ‘Teddy Bear’ helps K&ESR

THE Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) has sent Class 14 No. D9526 to the Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) for the rest of the year to cover for sister loco

No. D9504, which has been withdrawn for attention.

Having given many years of service at the K&ESR in regular use, No. D9504 is undergoing a high-hour overhaul.

No. D9526 is newly returned to traffic following overhaul

(RM July, p92) but with reduced operations on the West Somerset Railway, it was not expected to see much use, so the income from the hire is most welcome by the DEPG.

PETE SALMON DEPG’s Class 14 No. D9526 was loaded onto road transport at WSR Williton North Yard on July 1 and off-loaded the following day at the K&ESR Wittersham Road station. It was soon put to use and is seen on July 5 rounding Orpin’s Curve on the approach to Rolvenden station on a driver familiarisation/ commissioning trip. It is heading beautifully restored historic coaching stock, making a change to the usual rakes of BR Mk1s it normally hauls on the WSR.