If it's worth doing......

As I sit at home writing this, rather brief, addition to the Diesel Department Blog the GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam will have come to an end for another year. The largest event in the railway's running calendar looks to have been another success bringing in a large boost in capital as we march towards Broadway opening in 2018. There were some unusual sights...one of which was to give us some musical entertainment throughout the day!

Our source of musical entertainment for the weekend.

It wasn't just rail mounted steam.....

The end of the Cotswold Festival of Steam signals an increase in intensity in preparation for the Diesel Gala which is now only 8 weeks away! With the loco roster confirmed (hopefully no last minute hiccups!) the timetable is being composed along with the final loco roster. This should be made public towards the end of June along with details of visiting attractions.

This weekend is usually a very quiet one on the diesel side of the shed and this weekend was no different. Some members of the group were active in helping out across the gala undertaking many of the support roles that allow our big events to run smoothly, many of the Type 4 Group had disappeared over to Hungary for an excursion behind the exported 47375 and Class 26 D5343 was down at Bishops Lydeard preparing for its role in the West Somerset's Diesel Gala. However, there is always a job to be done somewhere and three of us turned up on the Sunday to potter about a bit. Work continued on 47105 with Matt taking advantage of the quieter environment by completing some spray painting on some of the locos cab fittings.

Framed by 47376 and 37215, Matt sprays primer onto some of 47105's cab fittings.

It was stifling in the shed, even with the side doors open, the main doors stayed shut to prevent access to the yard, so any chance to have a break was taken. As no heavy work was being undertaken and no movements taking place, we opened up a route into the yard viewing area and welcomed a steady flow of visitors into the shed for a look around the fleet, to take photos and have a natter about the locos and the work we do. Although many were steam buffs a lot of questions were asked and praise given for the attention to detail demonstrated in maintaining the locomotives. In between these most welcome interruptions, Dean and I set about giving D6948 a bit of a clean. Rather him than me, Dean started up on the roof cleaning some of the accumulated soot, grime and bird lime off the top. Its surprising just how much dirt gets dumped on the top of surfaces in the shed - even when there is no work going on or breeze to blow any dust around! 

Not the most glamorous photo of Dean as he edges his way back towards the nose hatch.

So clean you could eat your dinner off of it! Dean's head pops up at No 2 end as he is just about to venture up to finish cleaning the remainder of the roof.

Whilst Dean was trying his hardest not to fall off I was making a start on the body side. As with the roof, it is amazing the amount of dirt that ends up on the loco and the various bugs that end up calling it home. By the end of the day, through much sweat, drinking of various types of hot beverage and chatting to visitors, one whole side had been polished up along with the roof and both noses. It will probably need doing again before D6948's next weekend out over the 10th and 11th June! Such is life!

D6948 doesn't scrub up too badly!

Those of you who have kept up to date with the blog will know that Class 24, 5081, had a little lift a couple of weeks ago to enable removal of one bogie and insertion of a spare 'accommodation' wheel set ready for work to progress on removing and replacing the suspension springs and other little jobs that need doing. Everything seems to have gone well and the loco is now safely at the back of road 10 with the first bogie already having had some work to prep it.

The first bogie from 5081 removed for attention during the first lift. Traction motors are covered to prevent dirt ingress.

 

5081 on its 'accommodation' bogie.

Sadly, 5081 will still be out of traffic for at least 2 years but the motto has always been 'if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well'. 

RUNNING DAYS
June sees 8 mainline diesel running days during the month. Many are on the RED timetable - 1555 Toddington to Cheltenham and the 1640 Cheltenham to Toddington return. The dates and loco rosters are as follows:

June 3rd and 4th - D8137 RED Timetable - 1555 Todd-Chelt; 1640 Chelt-Todd

June 10th and 11th - D6948 RED Timetable - 1555 Todd-Chelt; 1640 Chelt-Todd

June 17th - 45149 RED Timetable - 1555 Todd-Chelt; 1640 Chelt-Todd

June 18th - 47376 RED Timetable - 1555 Todd-Chelt; 1640 Chelt-Todd    
 
June 24th and 25th - 37215 and 45149 DAY OUT WITH THOMAS Event (Ticket Only)