Hymek - D7076:
Hymek is the second oldest of the Mardyke engines, arriving at the SNBR brand new in 1989, where she was put straight into service. Hymek
is the most repainted engine in the SNBR fleet, sporting from new a two tone green, a green livery with white stripes, BR corporate blue, another
green livery (this time just plain), a shocking electric blue livery, a two tone grey livery and now she is in a purple livery similar to "porterbrook". On top of this
Hymek also has an alternative body, based on a sketch of a prototype Eurostar body. The second body has also gone through a few repaints, but is presently in a yellow colour. The High speed
train body is little used, as it seems to echo the noise of the engine more, making it a little loud for the drivers.
In 1997 she became known as D7076, as it was felt it would be nice to have a number on the engine that matched that of a preserved engine, with this in mind in
2000 when she got the rail freight two tone grey livery her number became 35 976 a little take on what might have been!
The Hymek has worked hard at the SNBR, but has also suffered some major failures in her years, which has allowed her younger sister County of Kent to catch up. She has for reasons
unknown never gained a regular driver, and as such as always been the "un-loved" diesel of our fleet, and in times of crisis for parts, it is often the case
that the Hymek will be made un-available to keep another engine going. In recent years though, and since her purple paint was applied the Hymek has gained
a bit of popularity with the younger passengers, and in 2006 was the second most used engine, and in 2007 something amazing happened, where it was reported
that the Hymek was taken out the shed and used in preference to her sister Tulyar (the normal membership favourite!). Perhaps as the years roll on, she will gain
more popularity that she so rightly deserves.
Pictures of Hymek
Posing for the camera!
Hymek in Grey livery
Hymek in Grey livery clearing the snow in 2001
The "eurostar" prototype body look!
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