Diesel Day No. 1

Glorious weather, a sold out service and a near flawless locomotive performance meant that today's Diesel Day, the first of three, was a roaring (or should that be growling? I'll get my coat!) success. Certainly, the smiling throngs that got off the final service at Toddington were testament of a great day had by all. But, we'll get back to that shortly. 

During the week more work was undertaken on Class 26, D5343. Whilst the group await the return of the engine components so that the cylinders and liners can go back into the block, the CMDG have focused their attention on the body of the locomotive. After a heavy life in Scotland, as well as a number of cold Cotswold winters in preservation, the internal metal work was starting to show fatigue. In some cases, this was quite severe. Preliminary assessment also highlighted some accident damage, sustained in BR service, that would need some work to strengthen. 

Back on the 10 April, initial markings were made regarding removal of some of the sheet steel. Internally, the assessment found that corrosion extended to the skeleton of the loco body. You can see this at the bottom left. 

Since the above work the loco was moved into the David Page shed so that the metal work could be removed and new metal welded on in a safe workshop area. The following photos are courtesy of David Stanton, the man with the welding lance!

From the previous photo, you can see the panel that has been cut away showing the extent of the damage and corrosion to the metalwork underneath the outer skin. (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

A close up of more of the corrosion as well as evidence of a cut price rewire! (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

The old, damaged, cross member has been cut out and new steel has been welding in place. New steel would also be welded in above the sole bar. (Courtesy of D. Stanton)
 

The new steel welded in place. A much neater repair of an old repair. (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

While one large scale job gains speed, another is within touching distance of the finish line. Class 47, 1693, is in the final stages of the preparation for its repaint. This weekend saw the Brush Type 4 team continue with undercoating as well as putting the first finishing touches to the underframe and bogies. It is getting tantalizing close to the end product.

No.2 end of 1693 has been masked and the grey and yellow undercoats have been applied. 

No. 1 end has had similar treatment, although the windscreen glass is yet to be covered. 

The underframe of the loco now wears a coating of gloss black.

Elsewhere today, Steve M was taking a break from the work on his pair of Class 20s and busied himself undertaking some work on Class 73, E6036. 

Class 20, D8137 and Class 73, E6036 bask in the glorious sunshine. 

With the weather being fantastic, I decided to take a walk down the yard to see the new southern turnout and to familiarise myself with the new signals. As I would be crewing at the end of the day, I needed to know the layout of the new signals and how they operate. Whilst walking down the yard I took the opportunity to take a photo of Class 45, 45149 which is due to operate the second of our Diesel Days in May. It was also in the company of 'Class 04', 11230 which had been banished to the end of 'DMU Row' as it had failed during the week and needed some rectification work. 

'Peak' 45149 enjoys the sunshine in the yard. The loco is the next to operate on the 2nd Diesel Day on 23 May.  

'Class 04' 11230 is parked up along with Class 117 DMBS, W51372 at the end of DMU Row. The shunter was receiving attention after failing earlier in the week. 

Between the 'Peak' and DMU Row was our other blue Class 117 DMBS, W51360. This is due to visit Carriage and Wagon at some point in the future for a bit of an internal spruce up. 

Class 117 DMBS, W51360 tries its best to hide behind one of the yard light poles.

Our new amenities block, 'The Goods Shed' has officially been commissioned and is now in use. I still haven't had a look inside yet but, it is said to be pretty impressive inside. One of the things built into the design was a viewing platform so that it would be possible to watch the coming and goings on the railway during operations. I decided to have a nose and, I must say, it does give a cracking view above the bustle of the yard. 

The Goods Shed in all its glory. 

The viewing platform gives spectacular views. Who wants to work when you can just sit back and look at the scenery? Down on DMU Row, a small band of the CDRL continue to work on the Class 122. 

A look across the yard at DES, D2280, E6036 and GWR 42XX, 4270.

37215 arrives back at Toddington on 1B14 1325 CRC to Broadway. Signalman Robert Wells prepares to take the token.

So, as mentioned at the beginning, today was the first of three Diesel Days to be run across April, May and June. These primarily give us the opportunity to have some running as we start to build back out of COVID restrictions. It also allows crew to regain competency - something I was taking advantage of, having not had a turn since October 2019! 37215 was given the honour of the first day and tickets, unsurprisingly, sold out very quickly. However, not everything ran to script in the lead up to the day with the loco taking its time to settle after nearly 2 years out of service and a lot of components being changed or replaced. Work had taken place almost right up to the day trying to ensure that any small issues would be sorted before the event. The loco was used on the Saturday to perform ECS and shunting duties around Toddington as a way to double check that everything would be alright on the night....or on the Sunday. Well, despite a few early niggles, the loco ran well and plenty of good feedback was received. It was also great to get back 'on the handles'. I was pleasantly surprised to know that I hadn't forgotten too much!

While the Guard checks the coaches, Traction Inspector, Tony Boston, surveys the line ahead of the 1000 departure to Cheltenham. (Courtesy of A. Durham)

37215 arrives at Toddington after its first full round trip. 

A cheery wave from Tony as 37215 with Neil Carr on the handles makes a spritely departure with the second round trip. 

I was rostered on the 3rd round trip, the 1500 to Cheltenham. The loco arrives from Broadway ready for me to take over. 

With the loco now casting long shadows over the platform, 37215 has been uncoupled from the coaches before running, via the new southern turnout, back on shed. 

After getting back on shed, a large shunt was being undertaken to move D6948 over to road 11 and to re-order some of the others. As this was going on Tony and I parked up 37215 at the end of the headshunt. 

With the shunt partially completed, 37215 was required to move Class 24, 5081 and Class 20, 20228 back on to Road 10. E6036 was used to move D8137, D6948, 1693 and 47376 around on Road 11.

It isn't often that E6036 gets to go inside the diesel shed, however, with the shunt in full swing the ED finds itself in unfamiliar surroundings. 

A great day was had by all and, hopefully, the next two diesel days are just as successful. The next days are:

Sunday 23 May - Class 45, 45149

Sunday 27 June - Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995'

Both diesel days are book in advance only and you can book tickets on the GWSR website - https://www.gwsr.com/Diesel_Enthusiasts_Days_25_Apr_23_May_and_27_June--post--96.html

 

Back to it....finally!

This weekend was the second of being allowed back to undertake general work on the fleet. In those two weeks a lot had already started with regards readying 37215 for its return to service and D5343's engine turned general overhaul. Saturday 10th would also see a healthy number of us attend, although restrictions continue with the number of people that can work on one locomotive restricted to allow for social distancing. 

The Saturday was the first opportunity that I had to get back to Toddington for the first time in nearly 6 months! It was also the first opportunity that I had of seeing our new arrival in the 'flesh'. Class 20, 20228, had arrived back in December to join up with sister loco D8137. Although still awaiting the return of its exhauster as well as having its decals fitted, the loco does look superb when up close. It will look the part when we get the opportunity to pair it up with its sister. 

The 'new' arrival. Looks very smart in its coat of BR Blue. 

D8137 sits in the yard while it awaits the work on its traction motors to be completed.

D8137's traction motors are now back on the bogies. One has had a tidy up and new components; the other is a refurbished one from 20035.

D5343 is still awaiting the return of its liners and, in the meantime, the CMDG Team have started to turn their attention to the body work. Earlier last year, Dave S had started to undertake some repairs to the cabs however the period of the lockdowns had caused some of the metalwork on the bodysides to deteriorate further. Saturday saw Dave, Simon and Andy start to remove some of the more heavily corroded steel and assess the steel structures behind the sheet metal skin. 

Simon and Dave discuss what should be marked up to remove next. Andy was ensconced in the engine room looking at the integrity of the cross members.  

One panel already marked to be cut out. By the end of the day most of the area to the left had also been cut out. 

BRCW built locos were notorious for their poor corrosion resistance and, with the Class 26s and 27s, being based in Scotland didn't help their cause. However, the investigation also flagged up that back in its BR days the loco had sustained accident damage in this area.....probably a sideswipe with a wagon or another locomotive. It has always been known that the loco would need significant body work repairs however it probably wasn't anticipated to be done at this time. By the end of the day the loco would have a gaping hole in its flank courtesy of Dave and his trusty angle grinder. Work was also being conducted on the CMDG's other loco, 45149. Richard S, along with Jake and Harrison, were undertaking work to return the 'Peak' to serviceable condition after its winter store. Most of this involved cleaning in line with the requirements of the B Exam.

The overhaul of 1693 is now in its final stages. A date for its repaint is tentatively in the diary and the finishing touches to the preparatory work are now being made. Tim and Dave M were busy on different parts of the loco ensuring that everything was ready for when the final coats can be applied. Dave was busy putting a coat of undercoat onto the wheels which meant that the loco needed frequent moving so that the paint could be sprayed on evenly and without too much difficulty. Tim had the attention of the roof where he was giving another application of the grey undercoat. 

A very smart looking 1693 in its undercoat. The loco has its date with the painters set and the finishing touches to the prep are being completed. 

Viewed from the cab of 37215, you can clearly see that the roof of 1693 has now received its coat of grey undercoat. 

37215 continues to be readied for its return to service at the end of April. The Wednesday team have been busy with a variety of tasks relating to the locomotives' B Exam that has included giving the outside a much needed clean, checking the braking system and testing the safety critical aspects of the locomotive. On Saturday, I was given the task of cleaning the cabs....a nice, easy job to ease back into. 

37215 out in the yard prior to having its internal clean.

The loco had been out of service for a couple of years whilst it had attention to its wheelsets and traction motors and, throughout a lot of this time, it was kept outdoors. One of the big issues this can cause is an insect infestation and, the hoover certainly had a lot of work with disposing of the hundreds of fly carcasses that littered both cabs. Nice!

As part of its continued shakedown, the loco was used on the ECS movements on the Sunday as part of the railways ongoing preparations for re-opening. Luckily, this passed without incident and the loco should be raring to go on the 25th April for the first Diesel Day. However, firstly, it has a date with a sound recorder on the 16th April.

As was mentioned in the last blog, on social media and on the GWSR website, we have three Diesel Days at the end of April, May and June as a way to get crews recertified ready for normal services to be recommenced in July. All three days are being run under the Covid restrictions we operated to last year....one rake of stock, pre booking only and no intermediate stops at Winchcombe or Gotherington. The roster is as follows:

Sunday 25th April - 37215

Sunday 23rd May - 45149

Sunday 27th June - 47376 'Freightliner 1995'

These days are PRE BOOK ONLY! There will be no seats available on the day. For more information and to book, visit https://www.gwsr.com/Diesel_Enthusiasts_Days_25_Apr_23_May_and_27_June--post--96.html