THE Diesel and Electric Preservation Group’s‘Hymek’No. D7017 is preparing for a return to traffic after a successful series of loaded test runs on April 9-11 at the West Somerset Railway.
The diesel-hydraulic has been out of action since failing at the WSR’s diesel gala in June 2023 – although it has not been used regularly since 2019, when it was found to require a bogie overhaul.
The test runs began with Class 33 No. D6566 (33048) hauling a rake of six empty Mk.1s from Minehead to Williton, where No. D7017 took the‘33’and stock forward to Bishops Lydeard.
After running round, the ‘Hymek’,‘33’and stock departed for Minehead, but No. D70107 was detached at Williton following issues with a gasket on a radiator element. This was repaired in the yard in time for further test runs on April 10 and 11, which were successful with only minor issues.
The‘Hymek’was the first of the class to be
