Hot off the press! GALA 2018!!

'Back to Broadway' Diesel Gala

Friday 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of July 2018

The first details of the 2018 Diesel Gala have been revealed by the organisers and, to mark the first diesel event that takes in the new extension to the Cotswold village of Broadway, a very special Gala has been planned over the 27th, 28th and 29th July 2018. 

I am sure most of you want to know, firstly, about visiting locomotives so I shan't keep you hanging on. Various discussions have taken place over the last few months about number of visiting locomotives and those that were available. Initial approaches for one loco in particular, initially, seemed to be bearing fruit however fate intervened and its availability was suddenly taken away. We had also had discussions about maybe having two guests but the general consensus was to have just the one....given the excellent home fleet we have at our disposal. So, without further a-do, our Gala visitor will be.....

Class 42 / BR Type 4 Diesel Hydraulic 'D832 Onslaught' (Courtesy of the Bury Hydraulic Group)

Our 2018 Gala Visitor. (Photo courtesy of the Bury Hydraulic Group/P. Smith)

It is the first time this particular locomotive has paid a visit to the GWSR (although it is possible that it traversed the line in BR days) and, along with our own 'green machine' English Electric Type 3 / Class 37, D6948, will bring back classic memories of the Western Region of 1960's era British Railways. All of our available home fleet locos will play some part throughout the event (usual availability caveats apply)....

• English Electric Type 1 / Class 20   D8137 (20137)
• Sulzer Type 2 / Class 24                  D5081 (24081)  *STATIC DISPLAY ONLY*
• BRCW Type 2 / Class 26                 D5343 (26043)
• English Electric Type 3 / Class 37   37215 (D6915)
• English Electric Type 3 / Class 37   D6948 (37248)
• Sulzer Type 4 / Class 45                  45149 (D135)
• Brush Type 4 / Class 47                   D1693 (47105)  *STATIC DISPLAY ONLY*
• Brush Type 4 / Class 47                   47376 'Frieghtliner 1995' (D1895)
• BR Electro Diesel / Class 73           E6036 (73129)
• GRCW Class 122 DMU                  W55003             *STATIC DISPLAY ONLY*

Our Class 117 3-car DMU set, subject to successful coupling tests to be carried out in the next couple of weeks, will also be in use in a similar format to what we had a few years ago when we had one service each day recreating a DMU drag. In order to have a sufficient number of services over the full length of line a fourth rake of stock was required therefore, pending successful tests, the DMU will be utilised as 'loco hauled' stock. 

Up to 10 trains each day will run to Broadway, with even more running between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse giving a full 28 mile round trip on most services, which together with passing trains in the loops at Gotherington, Winchcombe and Toddington allows a 45 minute frequency service along the majority of the line. This gives just over 1000 miles traveling per day. There will be something for everyone - for families looking for a great day out as well as for the railway enthusiast. The railways of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s live again! 

A public timetable will be available in due course.

TICKETS

This event is ALL TICKET ONLY. There will be no additional access to any site other than with a valid, dated ticket.  Shareholder, member, HRA passes and other complimentary tickets will not be valid for the event either.  

Your ticket will get you access to all stations on the line as well as unlimited travel on all mainline services. The Diesel Shed at Toddington will be open giving access to stalls, model railways and our static displays. You will also be able to visit our Carriage and Wagon workshops at Winchcombe to see the valuable work done to keep the rolling stock on the railway in tip top condition.

As well as traveling on the full size trains, the North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge Railway at Toddington will also be running on all 3 days adding to the 'mileage' you can rack up and giving passing views of Toddington MPD and the mainline towards Didbrook. Access to this is also included in your ticket price.  

Early bird internet tickets can be purchased from today (25/04/2018) which will be offered at discounted rates. Multi day tickets are only available via the internet and will not be available on the day. Ticketing details, prices and a link to purchase can be found here. Why stand in a queue when you can beat the hassle and get the tickets online?

SALES STANDS & DISPLAYS

One thing we want to increase this year is the number of other loco owning groups, modeling or heritage transport clubs, retailers (whether this be sales of models, railwayana, art or other railway related items) and model railways/demostrators that attend for just one day or the whole weekend. We can offer both under cover pitches (inside the diesel shed which will be functioning as an exhibition hall) and, at a lower rate, outdoors in the car park which provides a link between the shed and the station. An application form and details on charges can be accessed here.

Come and join us in a celebration of classic British Rail diesel traction, the new Broadway Station and British engineering in general!!

More details to follow as they become available. 

The 'Bubble' that can't be burst!

It never ceases to amaze just how much can be achieved in three weeks in preservation and the last three weeks have certainly been indicative of how things can fall into place quickly. Sadly, I haven't been around to witness most at first hand so have had to rely on a network of 'spies' and social media to keep up to speed with developments across the department. This has also meant that there are not as many photos as usual. My apologies in advance.

Firstly, we trek back to the 2nd April. As I mentioned in my previous blog, 45149 had been rostered to operate the PURPLE timetable however, it was replaced at short notice by 47376 'Freighliner 1995'. The 'Peak' had not received its B Exam ready for the new running season and was removed from the roster until it could be completed. However, the plan for the Brush Type 4 to replace it for the 2nd and 4th April was scuppered on the return from Cheltenham Racecourse when it lost power at Winchcombe. Cue a rescue by our colleagues in the Steam Department and 'Foremarke Hall' which had just arrived at Toddington (from Broadway) when the rescue call went out and, luckily, was still in steam rather than fire up another diesel. We are quite lucky at the GWSR that locomotive failures are quite rare on both sides of the Motive Power Department. The Brush Type 4 had suffered a Load Regulator failure meaning that current couldn't be transfered to the Traction Motors efficiently enough to move the locomotive. 37215 was hastily rostered to work the services for the rest of the week while the Brush Type 4 group (owners of 47376) arranged replacement of the damaged equipment ready for the loco to work its rostered services on the PINK timetable over the weekend of 14th/15th April, thus being the first loco from the diesel department to run a public passenger service into Broadway station. The repairs were completed in time and the loco worked as rostered.

47376 'Freighliner 1995' passes Buckland on the first, public diesel hauled service from Broadway (1050 to Cheltenham Racecourse) on the 14/04/2018. (Courtesy of Malcolm Ranieri) 

Departing Toddington heading up the extension to Broadway on 14/04/2018. (Courtesy of Malcolm Ranieri)

I was rostered Secondman on the loco on the Sunday, getting my first taste of a full service train over the extension. The '47' performed well throughout the day, making light work of the new 8-coach rakes. In the glorious April sunshine the new station looked impressive, some excellent views, and the formation being testament to the skill of our follow volunteers in the P'Way Department.

The view forward from Broadway. 15/04/2018.

Briefly travelling back a week, Sunday the 8th April saw a lot of activity at Toddington MPD. Having been pulled out of service 'Peak', 45149 was shunted over the pit on Road 9 to undergo it's B Exam. Mark B and Andy D took on this mammoth task on the 139 tonne loco. The pit isn't the most salubrious of places to work - least of all when it is raining - but, with the DMU fouling the Parlour Road, the steam locos were using these pits for disposal as well! Nice!

A 'B Exam' would, under British Rail standards and depending on Class, normally be conducted every 250 or so engine hours. This is the length of time the engine has been running and is indicated by a clock, usually found in one of the cabs. In preservation with locomotives running less frequently the exam 'clock' doesn't really apply so a more applicable routine is needed. At the GWSR an 'A Exam' - a basic, in service exam, that is similar to a minor service on a car - would be conducted mid-running season to check that all major components are in place and running appropriately. A 'B Exam' is more is tune with an MOT and major service on your car and would take place at the beginning of the running season prior to a loco entering service. Also called a 'Fitness to Run' exam, this exam will look across all areas of the locomotive and will take in fault rectification, brake block checks and adjustment/replacement and, changing of filters, wipers and other consumables.

Andy D receives instruction from under the loco courtesy of Mark B. 08/04/2018.

Both of our Class 04 shunters were receiving some TLC on Road 8. 11230 has always had a recurring problem with its batteries not holding a lot of charge as well as a long running issue with its gearing. With the new Class 04, D2280, now on site a comparison could be made to see whether there was any physical issues. It also afforded the owner of the new arrival to continue with the restoration.

Spot the difference!!! BR Class 04, D2280, and its near identical, industrial sister, 11230. 

The Gardner 8-cyl, 4-stroke 8L3 prime mover fitted to both D2280 and 11230. It develops 204hp at 1200 rpm, connected to a Wilson-Drewry CA5 R7, 5-speed epicyclic gearbox. 

The first bogie overhaul is nearing completion for Class 24, 5081. The springs are now all in place and the bogie has had the supporting chocks removed. The brake rigging is nearing full fitting and, by the 15th April, most of the top coat had been applied. This only leaves the Traction Motors and mounting plate to be replaced (requiring heavy lifting) before the brake blocks and calibration can take place. It is then on to removing the 2nd bogie for the same treatment. It is likely that the Class 24 will be back in service during 2019.

Pic #1 taken on 08/04 shows the bogie still jacked up as the brake rigging is almost fully refitted.

Pic #2 taken on a week later on the 15/04 and the bogie is now resting on its new springs with all four brake cylinders in place. Slack adjusters are just out of shot awaiting fitting.

Steve M was busy attending to his Class 20, D8137, over the weekend completing some minor repairs prior to completing the loco's B Exam ready for its first rostered turns over the weekend 21st and 22nd April - again on the PINK timetable. The Class 20 was , along with Steve's other loco E6036, the first locos to arrive at the new Broadway station way back in December 2017 when employed on the P'Way trains. The Class 20 has enjoyed its winter slumbers since then and needed a fitness to run exam prior to resuming passenger duties. Steve was able to complete all of the required B Exam during the day ready for the Class 20's rostered duties. All that remained was to give it a wash and spruce up, which was completed the following weekend.

Steve and Andy discuss moving D8137 outside to continue its B Exam on 08/04/2018

After being shunted outside, D8137's B Exam can continue. 08/04/2018 

On the 15/04, D8137 gets a wash and brush up in the April sunshine.

Also on the 8th April, Dean and I were given the task of giving Class 37, D6948, a much needed clean. Not the most glamorous of jobs, but having been used during the early part of the season on passenger and ballast jobs, the Green Machine had been covered in a lot of dust and dirt. Luckily, most of it rubbed off with a damp cloth however, the roof area around the boiler exhaust had been dowsed in a coating of dried, brown boiler water. This needed a bit more elbow grease - courtesy of Dean - to remove. With the loco not due for use for another couple of months there will, no doubt, be another cleaning required before then.

Not the most flattering of shots - Dean gets to grips with D6948's roof.

Elsewhere, 'Doctor' George was out and about working on the DMU fleet. On the 15/04, George could be found working on the both DMBS vehicles, W51360 and W51363 running up all four Leyland engines ready for its first rostered turns to/from Broadway. No major faults were found and the unit was run up and down Siding 1 at Toddington to check for any faults. Over the recent weekend (21st and 22nd April) the 3-car unit took a back seat as more work progressed on the 'Bubble' car. With the weather fine and the body work pretty much complete, W55003 made a sojourn into the yard at Toddington. The Class 122 was placed over the pit on Road 8 to check for any underframe issues and to complete the underframe exam. Both engines were also started up to check for any fiurther issues after their rebuilds. With everything running satisfactorily, George took the decision to see if the 'Bubble' would take power from the rebuilt souther-facing cab. You can find out if it did or didn't on the CDRG's website here.

The 'Bubble' Car sees daylight for the first time in a long while! (Courtesy of the CDRG/GWSR DMU)

On the flip side, Class 117 DMS, W51405, hasn't faired so well since its arrival at Carriage and Wagon, Winchcombe. Our colleagues at C&W are incredibly thorough (we wouldn't have such amazing rakes of coaches to haul around, otherwise!) and, during assessment of the carriage, they identified the presence of the dreaded tin worm! What was seen as a quick turnaround with a coat of paint has turned into a major rescue operation with a lot of cutting and welding going on before any thought of repainting and outshopping can be completed. It is likely to be at Winchcombe for some time yet.

More good news came from the 'DES' camp. The ex-ASW, Cardiff, shunter has been laid up since early last year with a major problem with its centre axle. After what seemed like a long drag of sourcing items and the owners expending huge amounts of money, a metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel can now be seen that may see 'DES' back in use a lot sooner than envisaged. After a search for a welder who can effect the necessary repairs to the axlebox, a member of the Steam Department has offered their welding skills to complete this onsite. New spacers and abutment rings are due to be sourced allowing the wheelset to be reassembled, followed by the welding of the axlebox. Once all are in place then the whole set can be be re-fitted and 'DES' prepared for a return to service. 

'DES' sits in the yard awaiting its centre wheelset back in March 2018. 

Finally, during the week commencing 9th April, our globetrotting BRCW Type 2 (Class 26), D5343, returned to Toddington from its unscheduled visit to Roberts Road Wheel Lathe in Doncaster following its time away at the Mid Norfolk Railway. With the tyre turning completed, Simon made a start on changing the old brake blocks and readjusting the brake tolerances. By the end of the day on the 15th April, the Class 26 was being run up and down Siding 1 to check that everything was all in order.

As April runs into May we see the amount of Diesel loco running days drop, but the DMU makes a start on the midweek BLUE timetable. We also see one of the Class 37's (likely 37215) operate the first of our highly successful (and completely SOLD OUT) Driver Experience Days. This year sees a return to the format of using the whole length of the line including the new extension to Broadway. It is also hoped that the initial details of the 2018 'Return to Broadway' Diesel Gala will be confirmed in the coming month.

April/May 2018 Diesel Roster (subject to the usual caveats):

Light Blue Timetable - Broadway - Cheltenham RC - Broadway (Class 117 3-Car)

• April - 24th /25th /26th
• May - 1st /2nd /3rd /8th /9th /10th /15th /16th /17th /22nd /23rd /24th

Red Timetable - 1600 Toddington - Cheltenham RC; 1705 Cheltenham RC - Toddington

• May - 5th /6th /7th  -  EE Type 3/Class 37 No. 37215 
• May - 20th  -  EE Type 3/Class37 No. D6948

Red Real Ale Timetable - Special DMU shuttle operation in addition to standard RED Timetable 

• May - 19th  -  EE Type 3/Class37 No. D6948 and Class 117 3-Car

Green Timetable - Broadway - Cheltenham RC - Broadway 

• May - 12th /13th  -  Sulzer Type 4/Class 45 No. 45149 (Cotswold Bricks and Trains)

Purple Timetable - 1535 Toddington - Cheltenham RC; 1630 Cheltenham RC - Toddington

• May - 29th /30th /31st  -  BRCW Type 2/Class 26 No. D5343

Special Timetable 

• April - 28th /29th  -  Class 117 3-Car (1940's War in the Cotswold Event)

Into the unknown...

The Easter weekend (30/31 March and 1/2 April) was a big weekend in the calendar of the railway. For those of you who are regular readers of the various GWR Blogs, not necessarily this one, you would know the reason why. For those who are just casually popping in, this long, Bank Holiday weekend was the first weekend of public services along the new extension to Broadway - including the grand opening of Broadway Station by Lord Faulkner of Worcester. However, none of the diesel fleet were timetabled to take part, except for operating the very last train to Cheltenham from Toddington and it's return to Toddington at the end of the day. English Electric Type 3/Class 37, D6948 was rostered for the turn all weekend, having been the first, ever, diesel loco to haul a service to Broadway Station earlier in March. 

Good Friday was definitely NOT a 'Good' day for weather! 

I was rostered on the 'Green Machine' on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday and, the weather could not have been much more different over the two days. Good Friday saw a continual torrent of rain throughout the day which saw the Department almost deserted. One of the downsides of crewing the last run of the day is that you have to be around all day as the loco also acts as Thunderbird. Not too bad on weekends when a lot of things are going on, but a pain in the ars backside when there isn't a lot to do. George F was around working on the Class 117 set. One of the engines needed removing and swapping out, whilst other bits and pieces needed to be checked ready for commencement of weekday services to/from Broadway. I certainly didn't envy him out in the rain! However, in a passing conversation, he was able to enlighten me on the origins of this.......

Our mysterious green shunter.

This IS 'Mavis' and is owned by George. 'Mavis', a former industrial shunter, was bought to operate the P'way train but, by all accounts, is a bit troublesome to operate...the loco has a manual clutch! With this being a source of problems, George has been trying to find time to fit a more reliable system but his responsibilities with the DMUs have meant 'Mavis' taking a back seat. Mystery solved! 

Speaking of shunters, it was also mentioned, a few blogs back, that a new Class 04 shunter has been purchased to take some of the pressure off of our current 'Class 04'. 11230 whilst our other shunter DES is out of action. 11230 is not actually a BR shunter but was one of a pair built by the Drewry Car Co. for use at Willington Power Station to the same specification as a BR Class 04. The new arrival is a 'proper' BR Class 04, D2280 from the North Norfolk Railway. D2280 was built in 1960, withdrawn in 1971 then sold to Ford Motor Company. It had been at the NNR since 2001, having been painted in BR Black but without any numbers.

The new arrival, BR Class 04, D2280. If you look closely, you can still see the 'FORD' logo on the front under the handrail!

So, with several hours to kill (unless we got called to rescue a failed kettle), it was time to find something to do. Simon, my allocated Driver, turned up not long after I did and we decided to have a go at removing more of the components from Class 20, 20035. Cannibalisation of the loco had moved on a fair bit since I last saw it. The front roof sections ahd been removed and more of the pipework leading through into the engine room had been removed. 

20035's cannibalised nose end. 

The exposed engine. Not long until it can be lifted.

Simon decided we would attack the underside, so after firing up 11230, we coupled up the Class 20 and hauled it over the pit on Road 9. Several decades of grime, rust and wear had taken its toll and, most of the pipework and bolts had seized and wouldn't give up freely. The loco was promptly put back into its siding and, with the rain still hammering down, we both retired to the Class 26 Spares Van where we could work on other things in the relative dry. 

One of the major jobs in preservation is spares removal and cleaning. Not the most glamourous of jobs but very necessary!

Simon cleans up another of the cannabilised items from 20035.

A number of items had already been salvaged from the carcass of the Class 20 and Simon had been busy stripping and cleaning them to see if they were reusable or expired. Not the most glamopourous of jobs but, with an ever dwindling source of spares across preservation and in mainline use, component recovery is a very necessary job. We both got to work with the wire wheels and brushes! 

Removal of motor switches, complete with bushes and insulators.

 

With all parts separated, the switch can be cleaned up whilst the insulators need either repair or throwing away.

In the blink of an eye, a quick cuppa and then off to prepare D6948 for the last service. Luckily, the loco had seen some use during the week with the P'way train - the usual P'way loco, ED, E6036, had run out of fuel! - so, D6948's lump was still reasonably warm and so didn't take too long to get up to operating temperature and, then, it was off to Siding 1 to await the arrival of 'Foremarke Hall' with the down service. 

DOO, Neil, wanders past as we wait for 'Foremarke Hall' to clear the mainline for us to cross over to P2. Thanks to John Cruxon for the load of the headboard and fixing!

The last down train to Cheltenham Racecourse is usually quite full with the more hardy customer making their way back to their cars! Today was even more so after the festivities at Broadway. 8 coaches, 275 tonnes trailing and, all quite full.

After run round, a 25 minute wait to return to Toddington! A little oversight in the timetable! Time for another cuppa!

 For the return to Toddington we are used to it being a glorified ECS move, with very few passengers staying on board to head back north. However, Friday would still see a fair number of heads from carriage windows as we headed back through Bishops Cleeve and Winchcombe - despite the appalling weather!

After getting back to shed it was noticed that there was alot of 'fluid' that had collected in the bed pan of the engine and a lot of pooled oil at several places around the engine room. Baring in mind these locos are all over 55 years of age you can accept a certain number of leaks where seals don't sit right or are starting to perish. With the loco in use on the Saturday with a different crew the bed pan was drained to see if it was just general collection. I also noticed that the buffer beams of 47376 'Freightliner 1995' had been pretty much finished, with only a few of the pipe headers to be painted in top coat. 

No.1 end with just the yellow on the air pipes to go on. 

A full set on No.2 end.

 Easter Sunday was to see much better weather as well as a large group across the department working on a variety of projects. Mark S, Tim, Matt and Frank were all working on Brust Type 4, 1693 and her ongoing overhaul. With the weather fine, the loco was positioned under the small gantry crane so that the completed injector heads could be re-fitted to the Sulzer engine. 

Under threatening skies Tim signals to Mark S in 11230 to position 1693 in the right place. DES loiters behind awaiting the outcome of the ongoing repair investogations by the owners. 

 A gang from the Steam department were keen to take a look over the new Class 04, D2280, so I went to assist Mark S to shunt it across to Road 8. With both Class 04's together it is quite difficult to spot any immediate differences between the 'industrial contract - built' version and the 'BR contract - built' version. With D2280 over the pit 11230 was put back infront of D6948 and 1693. The group working on D2280 had the engine running in no time and carried out a full inspection of its condition.

D2280 ready for its assessment.

Whilst D6948 was outside, myself and Peter S (my rostered driver for the turn) had a look at a couple of little things. We had a quick look at the bed pan to see the extent of the oil leak after draining on Friday. There was a small amount sitting in the bottom after its outing on Saturday but, there was also now a large amount of pooling oil around the Heat Exchanger feed.

The Heat Exchanger feed pipe - most of the oil cleaned away, some still sits behind. This was covered in oil before cleaning.

The fluid is pooled on the bed plate at the bottom left of the picture. It has also pooled on the running plate in the centre, top of the picture. Nothing that would fail the loco but will need a look over.

It was agreed to just keep an eye on it and let our Technical Officer, Paul Good, look at it next weekend. It was certainly no worse when we arrived back on shed after the last turn. With starting my Driver Training this year, Peter then took me around the locomotive going through the preparation routine for service. We also took in some little maintenance jobs as part of this.

Some of the little jobs included some sticking relays that had been picked up when modifications were made to the Blower Motors in order to reduce wear and tear. There was also another sticking issue with the power application relays. A judiscial application of WD40 will hopefully alleviate the issues.

WD40......the magic sponge of the mechanical world! 

A quick visual inspection of the Blower Motor relays and a careful spray of WD40.  All, of course, are isolated with the BIS (Battery Isolation Switch) in the 'OFF' position. You wouldn't want to have the cover off if they were live!!

With prep done, and a lot of very useful tips, pointer and other information swimming round my head, I ventured back onto the shed to await time off shed by helping Mark E, who had been plugging away on the bogie of Class 24, 5081.

The bogie is starting to take shape as more and more bits are re-sited and top coat is applied. With a lot of the major parts of the brake system now refitted, the smaller bits, such as runners and joints, needed priming.

Slack runners and brackets await the paint brush and a coat of primer. 

The slack adjusters have also been removed and, with some in re-usable condition, others are a complete right off! Considering the bogies haven't been off the loco in about 40 years, it isn't surprising to see some extreme damage caused by over use. One slack adjuster, in particular, is definitely ready for some 'end of life' care!!

Some of the slack adjusters removed. The worst of the bunch is in the centre of the picture! 

One wonders how they worked effectively with such a substatial twist in the rod!

With Road 10 out of action due to a new concrete apron being laid, hopefully for our new gantry, a quick shunt of Road 11 was needed to get 1693 to the back of the shed for ongoing work. It gave the rare sight of 11230 venturing into the Diesel Shed.

Class 04, 11230 pulls all 117 tonnes of Class 47, 47376, out of the shed. 

Finally, Class 26 D5343, remains at the Mid Norfolk Railway undertaking a number of contracted running days after its successful showing at their Spring Gala, where it became the first (and probably last) of its class to work with a Class 88 that was on loan from DRS! The Class 26 is due to return to the GWR next weekend, but not before it pays a trip to Doncaster, Roberts Road Depot (owned by Electro Motive Diesel/GBRf) for tyre turning. Perhaps another first and last for the CDMG's well-travelled Sulzer Type 2.

End of the day. Peter positions D6948 back in the shed. 

Finally, a quick update on the locomotive roster for week commencing 02/04/18. Originally, our 'peak', 45149, was due to work the PURPLE timetable on Tuesday 3rd April. This has now been changed to fellow Sulzer-engined Type 4, Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995'. All other rostered locos remain unchanged.