Diesel and Electric Group

The Diesel and Electric Group (D+EG), now formally known as The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (D&EPG), is a British railway preservation organisation founded in 1972. It began life as a publishing venture aimed at promoting interest in the modern railway scene, producing books and a magazine called "Inter-City Express" that was among the first titles written for diesel enthusiasts. That publishing heritage is reflected in its classification as a publisher in the United Kingdom. The group's transition from publisher to locomotive owner began on a railtour. On 22 September 1973, the "Hymek Swansong" tour marked the end of the Beyer-Peacock Class 35 Hymek diesel-hydraulic locomotives, running from London Paddington to Hereford and returning via Didcot. Aboard the sold-out train, D+EG members resolved to save a Hymek. In July 1975 the group purchased D7017, which was towed to Taunton and then transferred to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) in March 1976. In 1977 D7017 became the first diesel locomotive to work on the WSR in preservation and has remained active there. Also in 1977 the group acquired D7018, which was moved to Didcot, giving the group locomotives based at two sites. In 1979 the group left Minehead for Williton, where the former goods shed was made available by the WSR. In 1987 the organisation was incorporated as The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group Ltd, registered at Companies House, Cardiff, and it is also a registered charity. No member, management or active, receives payment for their time, and the directors of the company are also the trustees of the charity. The registered office is The Old Goods Shed, Williton Station, Williton, Somerset TA4 4RQ. The group continues to operate as a volunteer-led preservation body, maintaining a fleet of diesel locomotives and publishing regular updates and event reports.

The Diesel and Electric Group (D+EG) was formed in 1972 to promote interest in the modern railway scene. In its early years it operated as a publishing organisation, producing books and a magazine called "Inter-City Express", one of the first publications to cater for diesel enthusiasts. This publishing activity is the basis for its classification as a publisher in the United Kingdom. The group's move into locomotive preservation began aboard a railtour. On Saturday 22 September 1973, the "Hymek Swansong" tour commemorated the end of the Beyer-Peacock Class 35 Hymek diesel-hydraulic locomotives. The route ran from London Paddington to Hereford and returned via Didcot, allowing time to visit the steam centres at Hereford and Didcot for any steam enthusiasts in case there were not enough diesel enthusiasts to fill the tour. The tour sold out. Using D7001 and D7028 double-heading, the day went well. On the train, a group of travellers including D+EG members formed a vision that they should save a Hymek. The idea materialised, with details and monies being quickly collected. In July 1975, D7017 was purchased and towed to Taunton, before being transferred to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) on 25 March 1976. The first train she hauled on the WSR was the "Quantock Flyer" on 19 March 1977. Also in 1977, the group was offered D7018; by May the transfer of ownership had taken place and the locomotive was moved to Didcot, the other base of the D+EG at that time. There was much work to do on D7018, including the engine being removed and repaired. The locomotive ran for the first time in preservation in August 1985. This meant the group had locomotives based in two places – Williton and Didcot. In 1979, the group left Minehead for Williton, where the former goods shed had been made available by the WSR. The organisation continued to grow and in 1987 was incorporated as The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group Ltd, registered at Companies House, Cardiff. It is also a registered charity. No member, management or active, receives any form of payment for their time spent on behalf of the group, and the directors of the company are also the trustees of the charity. The registered office is The Old Goods Shed, Williton Station, Williton, Somerset TA4 4RQ. The group remains active, operating preserved diesel locomotives and publishing regular updates and event reports.

• 1987

  The organisation is incorporated as The Diesel & Electric Preservation Group Ltd, registered at Companies House, Cardiff; it is also a registered charity.

• 1985

  D7018 runs for the first time in preservation in August.

• 1979

  The group leaves Minehead for Williton, where the former goods shed is made available by the WSR.

• 1977

  D7017 hauls the "Quantock Flyer" on 19 March, becoming the first diesel locomotive to work on the WSR in preservation; the group is offered D7018, which is moved to Didcot by May.

• 1976

  On 25 March, D7017 is transferred to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway.

• 1975

  In July, D7017 is purchased and towed to Taunton.

• 1973

  The "Hymek Swansong" railtour runs on 22 September from London Paddington to Hereford and back via Didcot, marking the end of the Class 35 Hymek locomotives; aboard, members resolve to save a Hymek.

• 1972

  The Diesel and Electric Group (D+EG) is formed to promote interest in the modern railway scene; it publishes books and the magazine "Inter-City Express".

A volunteer-run heritage railway preservation charity focused on diesel and electric traction, combining publishing, locomotive ownership and operation on the West Somerset Railway.

• Inter-City Express magazine

  One of the first magazines catering for diesel enthusiasts, published by the D+EG in its early years.

• Railway books

  Books published by the group as part of its original publishing mission.

• Class 35 Hymek D7017

  Preserved diesel-hydraulic locomotive purchased in 1975; first diesel to work on the WSR in preservation.

• Class 35 Hymek D7018

  Preserved diesel-hydraulic locomotive acquired in 1977; first ran in preservation in August 1985.

1. 1History | The Diesel and Electric Preservation Groupdepg.org
2. 2Company | The Diesel and Electric Preservation Groupdepg.org
3. 3About Us | The Diesel and Electric Preservation Groupdepg.org
4. 4People | The Diesel and Electric Preservation Groupdepg.org
5. 5Diesel and Electric Group - Wikidatawikidata.org