A quiet Sunday....apart from the the hammering!

Winter maintenance is well underway across the railway, despite Santa Specials now being operated, yet Sunday (01/12) was reasonably quiet in the Motive Power Department. Only 8 of us in the Diesel Department were 'on shed' with work ongoing with D5343, D8137, D2280, and the DMU. In the David Page shed, the ongoing corrosion repairs on the Class 26 continued apace. Most of the work has been centred around both cab ends with the metal work around the windows and roof being given the attention. David Stanton had previously sent me some pics from the previous weekend's work......

The metal work and filler has been stripped away to reveal a variety of imperfections and holes. (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

More filler has been removed along with corroded metalwork above the window frames. (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

Taken back to bare metal so the corrosion can be treated properly (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

.....and, this weekend saw David and Simon continuing the repairs. David was busy on the tower sanding, hammering and scrapping at No. 2 end removing a lot of the filler used when last repaired along with the corroded metal work.

All PPE'd up, David sets about the McRat's front end.

Some new steel sheet had already been welded to the front end where the old headlights used to be, although I think the new embellishment that accompanied it wasn't particularly appreciated.

Someone is having a laugh! 

Adjacent to the D5343 in the David Page Shed, Class 04 shunter, D2280, had finally found its way on to the jacks and was suspended in the air whilst work continued to rectify issues with its wheelsets. All the con-rods, wheels, axle boxes and bearings had been removed and work was well underway on its repairs.

D2280 becomes the latest diesel loco to make use of the jacks. You can also see that the Class 04 has undergone some bodywork repairs by the primer that has been added around the cab front. 

With the Class 26 in the David Page shed the Class 122 'bubble' car, W55003, has moved outside into the yard. Work has been continuing on the internal fittings with the lights and ceiling sections being the latest to be given some TLC. Elsewhere in the yard George was busy readying the Class 117 set for its festive programme and tinkering about with DMS W51405, which should be reacquianted with the '117' set after Xmas.

W55003 sits in the yard along with Class 117 DMS, W51405. The 'bubble's' paintwork looks good, although there is more to do. 

Elsewhere in the yard, the new mess facility has really kicked on and is now looking more and more like a building rather than just a floor plan with some brickwork. The roof trusses are up and it is hoped that the roof will be on before Xmas as the scaffolding is due to come down in January to allow the unloading road to come back into use. The Steam Department have instigated a competition to come up with a name for the building which has been extended to the Diesel Department as well. So, you know what to do if you have a (serious) idea for a name...

....answers on a postcard!

Back in the diesel shed, work had been done on cleaning up 37215's bogies. A lot of the grime and dirt has been cleaned away from the frames and axle caps.

Its been a while since they looked this clean!

Steve M and Derek were also working on cleaning mess from bogies - this time from Class 20, D8137. The Traction Motor repairs have been steadily progressing although there is still quite a bit of accumulated dirt and grime to remove.

We had also received a delivery of brake blocks for the Growler Group. One of the jobs to be done was to get 24 of them ready for fitting to 37215's calipers. Yours truly was charged with getting them organised! The remainder, about another 50 of them, had to be stored somewhere else in order to get them out of the car park where they were taking up room and were also open to the elements. These things are suprisingly heavy as they are solid, cast metal. Shifting nearly 75 of them was a work out in itself. Still, job done.

24 new brake blocks for fitting to 37215.

As mentioned some time back the timetable for the end of the year has been altered somewhat due to the continued absence of D6948's boiler, which is still awaiting pressure testing before it can be returned to Toddington and refitted to the loco. With no diesel loco able to provide steam heating, the GREEN timetable days have made way for RED with a view to being re-established for next year with D6948's boiler recommissioning.

The timetable therefore looks like this....

RED - DMU
Thursday 26/12/19
Saturday 28/12/19
Sunday 29/12/19
Wednesday 01/01/19
  
PURPLE
Friday 27/12/19 - 45149 (1450 Todd - B'way (rear);1510 B'way - CRC; 1625 CRC - Todd)
Monday 30/12/19 - 47376 (1450 Todd - B'way (rear);1510 B'way - CRC; 1625 CRC - Todd)
Tuesday 31/12/19 - D6948 (1450 Todd - B'way (rear);1510 B'way - CRC; 1625 CRC - Todd)

D5343 Update

A brief update on Class 26, D5343. The 'McRat' has been winterised early in order to have some bodywork attention prior to its planned visit to the Somerset & Dorset at Midsomer Norton in March 2020. The loco was shunted into the David Page shed in lieu of the 'Bubble' Car space for the work to be carried out in the dry. Most of the early work has centred around the cabs and, in particular, no.2 end which has seen a significant amount of corroded metal removed and new plate welded in place. David Stanton provides the pics of the work undertaken over the past couple of weeks. Cheers David!

(Photo by D. Stanton)

(Photo by D. Stanton)

No. 2 end has suffered with significant corrosion around the area where the headlights had been removed - by BR during the locomotives final classified overhaul in 1985. There had also been a lot of corrosion around the joins of the plate and just above the solebar/buffer beam. The windows have also been removed from the cab.

After having the headcode discs removed the old paint was sanded back and the front end was treated prior to having the area where the headlights would have sat cut out. You can already see a small section cut out just above the buffer beam. 

(Photo by D. Stanton)

Here we see the cut away section on No. 2 end. In BR days, on removal of the two centre headlights that D5343 had fitted (like others of the class used on the Far North line) the loco was also fitted with air-brakes and the pipework re-routed across the nose, as can be seen above. With the panel removed you can clearly see where the two headlights had been sited (below).

(Photo by D. Stanton)

With the panel removed it gave the team the opportunity to look in at the cubicle that would have carried the connecting doors. As with a lot of the Modernisation Plan locomotives, the Class 26's (as well as many other Classes) were planned to have corridor connections fitted so that, when working in multiple, the Secondman would be able to go into the trailing locomotive and check on the boiler without having to wait until stationary. I'm not 100% sure if D5343 was ever fitted with them but the space for them certainly exists!

(Photo by D. Stanton)

New steel plate was then welded to the loco before being primed and the rough areas sanded down.

(Photo by D. Stanton)

No. 1 end has also had some preparatory work undertaken although it seems to be in slightly better condition than No. 2 end. So far the windows have been left in situ but it is expected that some cutting and welding will be required here as well.

(Photo by D. Stanton)

Winter begins.

A short update on things at Toddington over the last few weeks as the running season draws to a close and the seasonal specials and end of year race trains are prepared for November and December.

Most of the fleet have now been stood down for the year and winter maintenance has begun. Some of the maintenance this year is fairly major, in comparison with previous years, especially with traction motor and bogie work ongoing on three locos as well as body side work to contend with.

Our visiting Class 26, 5310, from Llangollen, is awaiting the return of its refurbished traction motors before it is lifted for the motors to be refitted tot he bogie frames. It is hoped that this will enable the locomotive to be tested and returned to Llangollen in January. It is sad that the loco is likely to do no running on passenger services at the GWR given the length of time it has been on the railway. However, it took part in the main Gala in July as a static exhibit and you never know what the future might bring. Last weekend (02/11) its batteries were charged and the loco started to ensure that everything was still functioning above the solebar.

5310 is shunted over the pit on Road 9 before being repositioned on Road 10.

5310 is all hooked up to our new battery charger before the engine was started. 

Our resident Class 26, D5343, has been withdrawn from service for the winter to allow for a considerable amount of body work attention. BRCW built locomotives were very well known for corrosion, particularly around the roof seals where the fibreglass roof meets the metal body side skin. D5343 is stored out in the yard and, since returning to service in 2013, has had to contend with all the weather that the Cotswolds can throw at it. Well, time has come to get some it sorted. The locowill spend the winter in the David Page shed where the work can be completed. On the 02/11 the loco was shunted into the Diesel Shed where David S started on sanding back the areas around the front that are needing attention.

David S takes a well earned break and time to share a joke whilst sanding down the nose end on D5343.

D5343's front end showing the signs of corrosion. 

The CMDG engineers are up against a tight timescale to complete the work for two reasons. Firstly, the 'bubble' car, W55003 has had to be shunted out into the yard to accommodate the McRat in the David Page shed and, you may have noticed on social media that D5343 has, rather prematurely, been announced as the star attraction at the Somerset and Dorset Railway's Diesel Gala in March 2020 down in Midsomer Norton. The team are now up against it to get it ready.

Mentioning W55003, the 'bubble' car has had most of it's first top coat added and some of the internal light fittings have been removed and repainted.

W55003 basks in the autumnal sun after being pulled out of the DP shed to allow the Class 26 to utilise shed space. (Courtesy of the GWSR DMU Group)

Whilst readying the 'bubble' to be shunted outside, the small group that cater for the DMU's also have had to contend with replacing the destination blind in W51363 which had become worn and a bit moth eaten. Dr. George and the team have also found the time to get the engine running again on returning Class 117 DMS, W51405, which has been sat in the yard at Toddington since coming back from its spruce up at C&W, although it is unlikely to return to the Class 117 set until after Christmas.

W51363's new destination blind. Hopefully, it still has everyone's favourite destination on it....'To the Pub'!

Class 20, D8137, has been shunted back into the shed whilst work on its bogies and traction motors continues. Owner, Steve M, is hopeful of the refurbished motor being returned before Christmas with fitting for sometime in the new year. In the meantime, the bogies are being cleaned and a potential issue with the loco's remaining traction motor is being investigated. Steve's other loco, E6036, remains fit for service for the time being and will, potentially, see use with P'Way during November with a track lift planned at Stanway and then further track works during January/February.

Elsewhere, the roof of Class 47, 1693, has seen a fair amount of progress and the louvers have had the first coats of primer - as has the main roof sections.

1693's louvers are lifted so that primer can be added.

Primer is also added to the roof sections of 1693. 

More body side sanding has also taken place as most of the engine and internal works have now reached an end point.

More sanding has occurred.

The BT4F team will also turn their attentions to 47376 'Freightliner 1995' over the winter as, despite being a reliable performer, has sprung a leak in one of its header tanks and this will need to be removed to be found and then repaired.

Class 37, D6948, remains serviceable despite the Main Res leak that will require the loco to be lifted to find and rectify the problem. Despite hoping that the boiler would be re-sited back onto the loco before the Christmas break this is now looking less likely due to a delay in certification. This has meant that the timetable over the end of the year has been modified to remove the GREEN running days as there will be no way of heating the rolling stock. In previous years we have had extra steam engines available to help with this (under the guise of the Christmas Cracker banner) but that isn't the case for this year as the Steam Department also have their own big jobs to undertake. These days go to a RED timetable but the PURPLE days remain unaffected. 37215 remains out of action until the new year with work progressing on its bogies and Traction Motors. The engine has been run up in order to keep the batteries charged but the focus is very much on getting the bogies cleaned of the majority of accumulated dirt and grime. It is hoped that D6948's leak will be manageable until 37215 is fit for service.

Despite the focus being very much on the work that we all have at hand over the winter, one eye is very much looking forward into 2020 and the new season. The 2020 season doesn't see many changes but it starts a little earlier for us as there is a PURPLE day in late March, as well as BLUE and RED days with the DMU. Planning is also afoot for the Gala in July with a number of potential visiting locomotives in the hat.....but, you'll have to wait and see for details of that!

Wildlife Rescue comes to Toddington....

We are just under a week away from our Autumn Diesel Weekend over the 12th and 13th October - a weekend of intensive diesel running to see out the end of high point of the season. The previous years have been marketed as a full 'gala' event but, this year, it was decided to just have a weekend of intensive diesel running with only a few extra frills. All our serviceable fleet will be in action at some point, and it will see the last opportunity to get the red pens out for haulage behind our visitor, 50035 'Ark Royal', before she is due to head back to its home at Kidderminster TMD and the SVR. Further details, and the timetable, can be accessed here. As a pre-cursor, bear in mind that none of our locos will be able to provide heat so wrap up warm as its supposed to be a bit chilly!

The roster consists of:
Class 24, 5081 (back in traffic after its Load Regulator issue)
Class 26, D5343
Class 37, D6948
Class 45, 45149
Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995'
Class 50, 50035 'Ark Royal'
Class 73, E6036.

This weekend (5th and 6th October) saw a lot of final preparation as well as a fair bit of working going on. With the Winter drawing in and the diesel requirement for the timetable now mostly DMU reliant, it was time to turn attention to planning for the maintenance period and what needs to be done before the new season begins in April 2020. In the mess room a new whiteboard had appeared with the current fleet status on it. I'm sure over the next few months it will become more crowded and full of jobs to do for each loco in due course!

Dragging ourselves into the 20th Century! 

As you can tell our current fleet status sees D8137, 37215, and 1693 out of traffic. The list only includes the mainline contingent at present and doesn't include Class 26, 5310, which is with us from the Llangollen Railway for attention.

There was plenty of shunting to do first up on Saturday. The regulars from the Brush Type 4 Group were hoping to arrange the Warflat wagon that contains the remaining roof section of 1693 on Road 11, behind the loco. This meant making a bit more room by shunting 37215's bogies towards the back of the shed prior to moving 1693 out, hooking up to the Warflat and then shunting both the Warflat and 1693 back on to Road 11.

37215's bogies had returned earlier in the week from a brief visit to Freightliner's Midland Road TMD in Leeds for tyre turning. Having been sent up at the beginning of the week, they were back within 24 hours with shiny 'new' profiles. Huge thanks to Freightliner/Genessee & Wyoming for the work and speed of turn around.

37215's bogies are returned from Midland Road TMD. (Courtesy of Kev Jarvis)

The newly profiled wheelsets sit at the back of Road 11 prior to being carefully shunted back for more space. D8137's bogies are sat behind on Road 10. 

Shiny 'new' profiles.

With the bogies carefully moved back to the very end of Road 11 the shunt could be completed to move the Warflat next to 1693.

11230 does the honours as it draws 47376 'Freightliner 1995' and sister 1693 out into the yard.

The Warflat with 1693's roof section carefully secured to it. 

The roof section safely re-sited on Road 11 with 1693 in front.

In previous weeks the roof section on the Warflat had been taken back to the metal with some final welding completed by Mark S. Dave M was given the task of cleaning the metal work and starting with the application of the first layer of primer. Tim and 'H' were also working on part of the roof section - this being the roof section already on the loco that contains the louvers for the cooling system. This was being taken back to metal and the securing screw holes cleaned ready for refastening and priming. There was also evidence of a fair amount of filling going on on the body sides that were awaiting sanding back to give a smooth finish.

37215's bogies would also receive some attention later in the day as Kev J would appear to start work on re-cleaning the Traction Motors and Isolators ready for the work to start on replacing the bushes and bellows. Meanwhile, the loco itself sits out in the yard on accommodation bogies while it waits to be reunited with its own wheelsets.

Usually an indoor cat, 37215 finds itself amongst the detritus of the yard while it waits the work on its bogies to be concluded. 

I allied myself with Steve M who was needing a hand to finish off some work on his Class 20, D8137. Over the last weekend the loco was lifted from its bogies with the set taken from its demic sister, 20035, put underneath as accommodation bogies. D8137's own bogies were than shunted back into the shed ready for the removal of the expired Traction Motor. The following are a pair of photos from one of our young volunteers, Alex Barnard, who was present for the lift. Cheers, Alex.

D8137 becomes the fourth diesel loco to be lifted this year. Like the others, this was the first lift since being withdrawn from BR service. 29/09/19. (Courtesy of Alex Barnard)

 

HoD, Andy Durham, checks one of the jacks to ensure accuracy of lift. (Courtesy of Alex Barnard)

D8137's bogies on Road 10 awaiting the removal of the suspect motor.

D8137 rests on its accommodation bogies from sister, 20035, in the surroundings of the David Page shed. 

After removing the remaining lifting brackets and securing them back in the diesel shed, I moved onto cleaning up one of the Traction Motors from scrapped 20035. Its amazing how much filth accumulates around the Motors over the course of their working lives and this one was no different. After a lot of wire brushing and application of grease, it was ready for Steve to assess if it was worth keeping or if he would sell it on.

Whilst in the David Page shed I was able to get a look at the CDRL's Class 122 'bubble car', W55003, which is progressing with its overhaul. It has now received a first brushings of top coat BR Green. The underframe has also received a full coating of black with the electrical conduits painted in bright orange. The roof also appears to have had a coat of grey, also. Most of the work seems to now be concentrated on the interior and, in particular, the cab areas.

How much longer until the destination blind is set for CRC in anger once again? 

Also in the David Page shed, Class 04, D2280, has been taken out of service and is receiving some body work attention. With DES now back in front line shunting service (although it currently has flat batteries) D2280 can receive the attention it has needed since arriving from its previous home. As well as the body work attention the '04' needs its wheels re-profiling.

Our 'real' Class 04, D2280, receives some much needed body work attention. What livery will it return in? 

With the Traction Motor cleaned, I then went on to help Steve to retrieve a few more bits and pieces from the remains of 20035 that had been 'stored' down in the yard. At the bottom of Toddington yard is the original Growler Group inspection pit - built in 2002 'in memory of Kev's legs'!

The original Growler Group inspection pit. Plaque raised in memory of 'Kev's legs'!

This was from back when the a lot of the diesel maintenance was still done in the yard as opposed to undercover in a nice dry shed. It is now the home of our 'A-Frame' gantry and is usually used to stable the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group locos - D5343 and 45149 - and the ED, E6036. The siding is also being used to stable 37215 and visiting Class 26, 5310. In the near future, the site is earmarked as the home of the new fuelling point and storage tank.

The first, large, bit to retrieve was the control cubicle that had once been sat inside 20035's engine room. This was to be moved onto the concrete apron next to the pit before being moved into the car park with the use of the telehandler. However, with 5310 and 45149 in close proximity, it would be difficult to get the telehandler in without potentially causing damage.

20035's old control cubicle.

Our Traction Inspector, Tony B, had decided that that moment was as good as any to awaken the sleeping giant known as 'The Ark'! Tony had decided that due to 50035 not having run for a few weeks, it was prudent to take the EE Type 4 on a quick test run as it was due to operate the diesel turn the following day. It was, however blocked in by DES and D5343, which had been parked rather haphazardly.

D5343 had been left in no man's land during a previous shunt, blocking in 50035.

50035's 2700 horsepower English Electric 16 CSVT erupts into life. 

The Sunday would also be a special day for Tony as it would mark 40 years to the day of taking his first 'solo' driving turn for BR after passing out a few days before in October 1979. What better way to mark it than on a loco that Tony would have been very familiar with in his time on the Western Region. Congrats, Tony.

Cue another shunt to move the two locos away from the point of danger and free 50035 from its blockade. Tim was requisitioned to leave his duties with 1693 in order to help complete the shunt before manning the telehandler to move the cubicle.

Having collected D5343, Tim eases 11230 and company up to DES before heading back to move 5310 and 45149 clear of the pit. 

With the shunt complete Tim and Steve went to collect the telehandler. With the locos now moved from over the pit it revealed something unusual. We are quite accustomed at finding random dead wildlife in the bottom, as it fills with oil, water and other loco fluids but, we don't usually find anything alive in there. That is until today! Floating around on an old pallet were 7 small toads!

I wouldn't expect these to turn into Prince's, ladies! 

The discovery alerted Simon, who had ensconced himself away in the CDMG container. He was joined by Roger from the Steam Department who, complete with plastic container filled with clean water, was on hand to transport the amphibians to a more suitable habitat.

Simon goes all David Attenborough on us as Roger keeps an eye on the bucket. Hopefully, the toads appreciated the help they received at being liberated from the foulness of the pit. 

With the excitement of a real life Wildlife Rescue diminished, it was back to the heavy labour. Tim and Steve had returned with the telehandler and the cubicle was hoisted onto a pallet and then ratchet strapped to the forks of the telehandler. Tim then gingerly proceeded up the yard and onto the car park, where the cubicle was set down by the mess room.

Hopefully it doesn't get a ticket! 

It was then back down the yard to grab a couple of louvers and body side doors to be taken back to dry storage.

The louvers from 20035 are wrestled onto the forks of the telehandler. 37215 looks on. 

In the meantime, Tony had departed with 50035 and was now on Siding 1 awaiting a path in the timetable to Winchcombe. He had taken Richard G, who had returned after a short sabbatical, for a refresher run prior to Richard rejoining the active Driver Roster. 'The Ark' would return about half an hour later, complete with a beaming Richard at the controls.

50035 'Ark Royal' heads back towards Toddington after its brief sojourn to Winchcombe. 

With the heavy lifting and loco movements completed it was back to the mundane, but vital, cleaning. Steve had recovered a lot of spares from 20035 whilst scrapping it on site and a lot of them needed cleaning. In particular, a number of bearing cases needed the accumulated muck cleaned away, as well as a few from D8137 that had been removed, previously. With some dirty rags, a scraper and a small amount of kerosene, its amazing how clean things can become.

A pair were cleaned in total before the light began to fade and the call of one last cuppa rang across the shed.

With the season now drawing to a close, the mainline fleet will soon be retired for the Winter Maintenance period. Weekdays have now reverted to the BLUE timetable, which sees the DMU in use along with steam. There are two more GREEN timetable days which sees a diesel running on each day, as well as the DMU as part of the Cotswold Food and Drink Fayre. There is, finally, two PURPLE timetable days in November before the Santa season takes over. Diesel running is then briefly restarted on Boxing Day and over the New Year. The current October roster looks like this - not including the Diesel Weekend and usual availability caveats apply:

GREEN
Saturday 19th October - D5343 and DMU
Sunday 20th October   - 5081 and DMU

PURPLE
Saturday 2nd November - D6948
Sunday 3rd November    - D6948

BLUE - DMU
8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th, 31st October

RED - DMU
Saturday 26th October
Sunday 27th October.