WSR ‘Hymek’ resprung

THE Diesel & Electric Preservation Group’s (DEPG) Class 35 No. D7017 has been in need of bogie spring replacement for some time, and this has now been achieved. This was undertaken in the West Somerset Restoration shed at Williton, just across the yard from the DEPG depot.

The loco was lifted on

March 29 and the bogies rolled out. Here, ‘B’ bogie is being extracted. No. D7017 was lowered back onto the bogies on April 4 after all 32 of the coil springs had been replaced in the primary suspension system, plus two elliptical secondary suspension springs in the ‘A’ bogie.

Completion of this work involves reconnecting the brake rigging and the cardan shafts. Following inspection and testing the loco will return to traffic shortly, during its 60th birthday year.