Gone but not forgotten
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, a purple livery similar to "porterbrook" and as of 2009 a BR "dutch" livery, similar to the livery applied to D7019 in preservation in the late 1990's. 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 rather than D7069, 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 was often the case
that the Hymek will be made un-available to keep another engine going. In recent years though, she has become more popular with drivers and public alike, resulting in her paint job of 2009, and her continued high milage since. recent
improvements have seen Hymek being fitted with slightly longer springs which has reduced the effect of jolts over track joints, and a smoother ride.
In 2014 after the arrival of Western Enterprise, the new 47 and the rebuilt Kestrel. It was formally decided to sell the remains of the Hymek as the work needed to bring her back into service was considered too much for a small band of able volunteers. Along with the
old 47, she was placed up for sale in July 2014. It is hoped her potential new owner will restore her to former glory
