CLASS 35 ‘Hymek’ No. D7076 made a very welcome return to operation at the East Lancashire Railway during the summer diesel gala, June 29-July 1. This follows a five-year absence while undergoing an overhaul including the stripping down and rebuilding of its Maybach 870 power unit.
Finished in BR blue, it worked several trains over the weekend, some double-headed as well as a triple header on July 1, with the two ‘Warships’, resident No. D832 Onslaught and No. D821 Greyhound visiting from the Severn Valley Railway.
It took part in a photo shoot at Bury on June 28, with the two ‘Warships’and Class 52 No. D1041 Western Prince.
Further runs with No. D7076 are on one day of the August hydraulic weekend, and on September 2. Hydraulic, and Day 3 is No. D7076. It is due to appear at the Severn Valley’s September 28-October 1 ‘Diesel Bash’ (see separate story) together with the three other surviving ‘Hymeks’, Nos. D7017, D7018 and D7029 undergoing restoration, and a ’first’ in preservation.
