Progress with DEPG’s ‘Teddy Bear’ restoration

THE Diesel & Electric

Group and West Somerset Restoration is getting on well with the complete restoration of Class 14 No. D9518 at Williton, West Somerset Railway. The 0-6-0DH was acquired in very poor, nonoperational condition and has been stripped down to the bare frame.

The many parts required for the restoration of the cab assembly have been gathered together, identified, cleaned, repaired as necessary, then painted prior to re-assembly. Meanwhile, the main frame, mounted on trolleys in the ‘Swindon shed’ awaits specialist riveting to enable re-installation of the springs, horn guides and wheelsets.

When complete, the loco will be finished in blue livery as NCB No. 7. Following withdrawal by BR in 1969 it was sold to the National Coal Board and used at Ashington Colliery, Northumberland until 1986. It was preserved at the Rutland Railway Museum as a static exhibit. It moved to the Nene Valley Railway in 2006, where it was used as a source of spares. It was acquired by the DEPG for the West Somerset Railway in December 2011, with the intention of restoring it working order for the first time in preservation.

The D9518 restoration fund aims to raise £10,000 for the whole restoration project, for which further contributions are welcome. Visit www.depg. org for details of how to contribute.