British Rail 'Hymek' Gallery

The British Rail 'Hymek' was a mixed traffic locomotive which was built from 1961 and 1964. They were part of the British Rail modernization plan. One hundred and one examples of the class were built by Beyer Peakcock in a joint venture with Bristol Siddeley Engines. At the time they were built, the Hymeks were the most powerful diesel-hydraulic locomotives operating with a single Maybach MD870 engine. Because of their Mekydro designed hydraulic transmission units, the locomotives quickly gained the nickname of 'Hymeks'. The locomotives were based at Cardiff Canton, Bristol Bath Road and Old Oak Common depots, and were mainly employed on secondary passenger services and mixed freights. They were also capable of working in multiple but only with each other. They were common in all parts of the region from Paddington to Bristol/South Wales/Worcester/Hereford. They also worked to Birmingham and the West of England, but were rare west of Plymouth. Sourcing images from the operational period of the Hymeks has been quite a challenge, but we now have a good selection of images to display on Taunton Trains showing the class members working in and around the Taunton area.

29th August 2026 The afternoon departure of the much-anticipated double-headed Hymeks was heavily delayed at Bishops Lydeard due to a coaching stock fault which prevented the train from continuing. No.D7018 and No.D7017 are pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield on Saturday 29th August 2026, having arrived two hours late, taking the steam service coaching stock and operating slot. Originally timed as the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead but operating in the 14:35 slot. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

29th August 2026 Former British Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 stands in the rain on Saturday 29th August 2026. The loco was preparing to depart with the first service train of the WSR Diesels at 65 Event. D7017 operated the 08:20 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. Alongside the 65-year-old locomotives No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' and No. 66764 'Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman', waiting to depart with the Belmond Britannic Explorer luxury train. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Former Biritsh Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 is picutred at Williton on Saturday 29th August 2026 between the heavy showers. The loco had arrived operating the 10:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. In the background, shedmate No.D7018 can also be seen, this loco would later pair up with D7017 for a double-headed run. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Former British Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 is pictured at Williton on Saturday 29th August 2026 between the heavy showers. The loco had arrived operating the 10:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. In the background, shedmate No.D7018 can also be seen; this loco would later pair up with D7017 for a double-headed run. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 Former British Rail 'Hymek' No.D7017 stands in the rain on Saturday 29th August 2026. The loco was preparing to depart with the first service train of the WSR Diesels at 65 Event. D7017 operated the 08:20 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 DEPG Hymek No.D7017 prepares to depart from Blue Anchor on the 29th August 2026. The loco was operating the 08:20 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the 2026 Diesels at 65 event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th August 2026 The twin Maybach engines from the two double-headed Hymeks could be heard for several miles ahead of their arrival into Crowcombe on Saturday 29th August 2026. No.D7017 and No.D7018 arrived into Crowcombe with the late-running 14:30 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service (running in the slot of the 16:30 from Minehead); an earlier coaching stock fault on the outward journey had forced the train to return to Bishops Lydeard, and the pair eventually took an alternative coaching stock rake through to Minehead and back. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

6th June 2026 DEPG Hymek No.D7017 rounds the curve between Watchel and Helwell Bay on Saturday, 6th June 2026. Operating during the Summer Diesel Festival, the loco was hauling the 14:32 Minehead - Norton Fitzwarren service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

4th June 2026 DEPG Hymek No.D7017 is pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield on Thursday, 4th June 2026. The locomotive was waiting for a passing passenger service while operating the 17:20 Norton Fitzwarren - Minehead service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

3rd June 2026 Before the start of the 2026 Summer Diesel Festival, locomotives are pictured on Minehead Shed on Wednesday, 3rd June 2026. Railfreight Coal Class 26 No.26007, DEPG Class 14 No.D9526, and DEPG Hymek No.D7017. (Photo: Richard Hiscox)

31st August 2025 Celebrating 50 years of Hymek preservation on the West Somerset Railway No.D7018 and No.D7017 were reunited for the first time since 2019 for a special two-day DEPG event. The beautifully turned-out pair of Hymeks pull into Washford with the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service on Sunday 31st August 2025. (Photo: S A Ginn)

31st August 2025 Double Headed DEPG Hymeks No.D7018 and No.D7017 pass along Kerr Moor shortly after leaving Blue Anchor on Sunday 31st August 2025. The paair were operating the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service celebrating 50 years of Hymek preservation. (Photo: Tony Christie)

31st August 2025 Having passed thorugh a torrential downpour passing Williton, Hymeks No.D7017 and No.7018 arrive into Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 31st August. The pair operating the 14:20 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service. (Photo: Adam Snow)

31st August 2025 The West Somerset Railway held a special two-day event to celebrate 50 years of DEPG Hymek preservation on the line, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August 2025. Working the grade between Stogumber and Leigh Woods on Day 2 DEPG Blue No.D7017 double-heading with BR Green No.D7018 head towards Crowcombe Heathfield with the 14:20 service for Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: S A Ginn)

31st August 2025 Class 35 Diesel Hydraulics No.D7017 and No.D7018 get under-way from Minehead with the 14:20 service to Bishops Lydeard on Sunday 31st August 2025. The WSR-based DEPG held a special two day event to celebrate 50 years of Hymek preservation on the line over the weekend of the 30th & 31st August 2025. Location is Seaward Crossing, Minehead. (Photo: S A Ginn)

31st August 2025 Looking supurb in their liveries passing Castle Hill on Sunday 31st August 2025. No.D7017 leads shedmate No.D7018 operating the 14:20 Minehead - Bishops Ldyeard service. The locos were operating during the 50th Anniversary of Hymek Preservation by the DEPG/ West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Tony Christie)

31st August 2025 DEPG Hymek No.D7017 passes through Leigh Woods on the 31st August 2025 operating 10:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service during the 50th Anniversay of Hymek preseravtion on the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Tony Christie)

30th August 2025 DEPG Hymeks No.D7018 and No.D7017 are pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 30th August 2025 during the 50th Anniversary of Hymek Preservation Weekend. The pair operated the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service double-headed. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

30th August 2025 Celebrating 50 years of Hymek preservation at Bishops Lydeard on the 30th August 2025. D7018 waits in the inclemant conditions to depart with the 16:40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead serivce. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

30th August 2025 Celebrating 50 years of Hymek preservation at Bishops Lydeard on the 30th August 2025. D7018 waits in the inclemant conditions to depart with the 16:40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead serivce. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

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