August Update

August has been a busy one with all serviceable locos getting a run out throughout the month on the PURPLE and PINK timetables, including Class 47, 47105 making its public debut. This has enabled most of the footplate crew to now have their refresher turns, get back in ticket and, in some cases, have their biennials - myself included. It has also facilitated a number of Trainees to restart their march towards competence as footplate crew. 

One of our Trainee Secondmen, John G, gets to grips with 37215's coupling.

Firstly, though, a plea. On it's last turn, 'Peak' 45149 suffered a Compressor failure. This was initially thought to not be too major an issue however, after inspection, it appears to be a lot worse and requires significant attention as it will only get worse which could lead to complete failure of both Compressors. In order to raise some capital for this to be rectified the owning group are planning a running day on Friday, 15th October. In order for this to happen the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group need to guarantee a minimum of 50 attendees. If you are interested you will need to head over to Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/322920307766027 or https://www.facebook.com/groups/1591532131106576) and find the posts by Andy Piper posted on the 24th August where there will be all the details to contact Andy to reserve a spot or, if you are unable to make it, donate to the repair fund. It is hoped that 45149 will still be able to complete its rostered duties in 2021, especially as it is the 60th birthday of the loco. 

Despite its compressor issues, 45149 still managed to complete its turn on the PURPLE timetable on August 19th. The 'Peak' getting some admiring glances at Broadway from young and old alike!

Awaiting time at Broadway.

Next up, Events! We have a number of events coming up at the GWSR and elsewhere involving the diesel fleet. We have our 'main' Diesel Gala coming up on the 25th and 26th September 2021 that will involve our home fleet. As usual, those locos that are currently being overhauled or repaired will be on static display in and around the Toddington MPD site. You can book your tickets here ==> https://www.gwsr.com/Autumn_Diesel_Gala_25th_26th_September_2021--post--70.html

The GWSR 40th Anniversary event is also still continuing at Winchcombe until the 5th September. We have a photo exhibition that showcases the railway and its different departments, including the Diesel Department, since the railway was resurrected in 1981. It is well worth jumping off the train at Winchcombe and heading to the Tim Mitchell building for a gander. It is all included in the ticket price. 

There is also going to be a mixed traffic event on the 23rd and 24th October where all available locomotives will be in use to celebrate the 40th Anniversary with a very intensive operation. Details and ticket booking can be found here =>  https://www.gwsr.com/enthusiasts/40th_Anniversary_Celebration.html

Finally, one of our number will be heading off for a week away at the end of September (30th to October 3rd). Class 24, 5081 will be heading to our friends up at the Severn Valley Railway to take part in their 2021 Autumn Diesel Gala alongside their home fleet and Class 31, 31466, which is on loan from our neighbours at the Dean Forest Railway. Tickets are on sale on the SVR website ==>  https://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=177

5081 sits in the rain on the unloading road at Toddington car park during our 2018 Autumn Diesel Gala. 

On the overhaul/maintenance side, the bodywork on Class 26, D5343 is still going at full tilt. Dave S has continued with the cutting out and welding of metalwork whilst the body sides continue to be rubbed down by a variety of volunteers ready for eventual smoothing down and painting. 

New recruit, Gareth, gets busy with the sanding discs. 

Meanwhile, Tony R clears the remaining paint from the roof grilles.

Dave has also spent time repairing the fibreglass roof section in the area beneath the 'Goods Shed' mess room - an area that will, in time, become part of an extended machine shop. The roof section has suffered from the weather but has also had significant damage from other sources. Armed with a fibreglass repair kit, Dave has managed to patch the holes and will soon tackle the areas of more significant damage before coating in resin to protect from the weather. 

One of the damaged corners has now had a nice, new piece of fibreglass added.

The whole fibreglass section. You can see the holes that have become widened with time and now cause water ingress. The section nearest the camera has been partially severed and now droops if not supported. This will be rectified in due course. 

The solebar, bogies and buffer beams are also being stripped back to the metal work and will also get a new coat of paint when the time comes. 

Someone has been busy with the needle gun!

The engine is not being left out and the preparation for the refitting of the new cylinder liners continues in between the body work tasks.

The other locos, where progress continues, are our pair of Class 20s. D8137 moves ever closer to being reunited with its traction motor. The bogies have been jet washed and are now awaiting sufficient time so that the motor can be lifted back in to the bogie. The loco will then be waiting for the lifting jacks to become free (currently GWR 2-8-0, 2807 is utilising them) so that the 'Chopper' can be reunited with its bogies. 20228 continues to have work done to its cabs and the electrical cubicle. It is hoped that D8137 will return to service this side of Christmas, although it is unlikely to operate any services, and 20228 is hoped to be back in service in 2022,

Sadly, the work that was scheduled for Class 37, D6948, has stalled. The owners are mulling over the options available for obtaining a set of lifting brackets so that the loco can be lifted and the planned work on the wheelsets, and on the historic Main Res air leak, completed. Sadly, the set that were used with 37215 belong to our friends at the SRPS Diesel Group at Bo'ness and they are unavailable. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer before work can restart. 

The DMU Group have been making further progress with the Class 117 set and the Class 122 'Bubble'. With the backing frames of the doors done on the 'Bubble', attention was turned to the window frames. The majority have now been glued in place and are ready for sanding back and staining. The 3-car Class 117 set has had some of the anti-corrosion work completed, with the patches having been primed in bright green primer. The top coat will be applied in due course and then blending in with the current paintwork. The DMU will get a chance to finally stretch its legs in 2021 with the BLUE timetable starting in October. 

Loco roster:

We are still in the midst of the high season and, as a nice bonus given the last 18 months, numbers have been very good on all services. Events going on at both Broadway and Cheltenham Race Course have helped to swell the numbers. We still have the PURPLE and PINK timetables throughout September so plenty of diesel running. The current roster looks like this for September, with the usual caveats...

Weds 01 Sept        PURPLE            Class 37, 37215

Thurs 02 Sept       PURPLE            Class 45, 45149

Sat 04 Sept            PURPLE            Class 45, 45149

Sun 05 Sept           PINK                  Class 45, 45149

Tues 07 Sept          PURPLE           Class 47, 47105 or 47376

Weds 08 Sept        PURPLE            Class 47, 47105 or 47376

Thurs 09 Sept       PURPLE            Class 24, 5081

Sat 11 Sept            PURPLE            Class 24, 5081

Sun 12 Sept           PINK                  Class 47, 47105 or 47376

Tues 14 Sept          PURPLE            Class 47, 47105 or 47376

Weds 15 Sept        PURPLE            Class 24, 5081

Thurs 16 Sept       PURPLE            Class 37, 37215

Sat 18 Sept            PURPLE            Class 45, 45149

Sun 19 Sept           PINK                  Class 24, 5081

Tues 21 Sept          PURPLE            Class 47, 47105 or 47376

Weds 22 Sept        PURPLE            Class 24, 5081

Thurs 23 Sept       PURPLE            Class 45, 45149

Sat 25 Sept            GALA                 5081, 37215, 45149, 47105, 47376

Sun 26 Sept           GALA                 5081, 37215, 45149, 47105, 47376

Tues 28 Sept          PURPLE            Class 47, 47105 or 47376

Weds 29 Sept        PURPLE            Class 37, 37215

Thurs 30 Sept       PURPLE            Class 47, 47105 or 47376

37215 waits time at Broadway on Sunday 15 August, 2021.

Above, beyond and Lemon Meringue.

We don't normally run services on a Friday as it is one of the opportunities (along with a Monday) for the 'Friends of.....' station teams to have the railway to themselves to tend the gardens and do some small maintenance tasks (and a damn fine job they all do, too!) as well as the C & W teams to do running repairs to the two main coach rakes at Toddington without being interrupted. However, Friday 6th August was one of those days where that wasn't going to be the case. There are occasional dates in the year where a Monday or a Friday can be used for extra-curricular activities. These might be a special day for one of the owning groups, particularly if a loco has returned to traffic after overhaul or for a Shareholders Special. On this day, though, it was for something we don't normally do often....a birthday special. And, a surprise t'boot!

Some time ago, The Growler Group and the GWSR were approached with a request to assist in arranging and facilitating a surprise birthday party for a well known member of The Growler Group, Steven Worthington, to include the hiring and operation of a loco and rake of stock. This required the rostering of a crew (myself, Neil C and Andy D) with the day running, loosely, to the timetable we use for the Diesel Days. 

Steven's partner had organised his friends, liaised closely with Kevin J (as Growler Group Treasurer and GWSR rep) and organised the catering with our RTC colleagues so that the day would be the most memorable it could be. This included getting a mock nameplate made, to be unveiled on the loco, as well as a headboard and the opportunity to take control of Class 37, 37215. And, all without Steven finding out! No easy feat with so many people involved. 

37215 couples up to the stock for the day. The early arrivals take the opportunity to get some quick pictures.

With the loco attached to the stock and the invited guests slowly turning up, time was taken to prepare everything for arrival at Cheltenham Race Course. This was where the festivities would begin with the arrival of the unsuspecting Steven, an unveiling of the loco nameplate and photo opportunities aplenty. Despite being barely 10am beer had already started to flow - the organisation had included the instilling of three barrels of beer on the train!

The 'nameplate' is attached ready for the unveiling.

The headboard is also fitted as Kev relaxes on a bench awaiting the arrival of the guest of honour. 

On arrival, Steven was originally under the impression that it was just a day out behind 37215, the invited guests were all ensconced within the coaching stock and we stayed in the cab so as not to give up the surprise. However, all was revealed when everyone jumped from the train to get the festivities started. The look of shock on Steven's face demonstrated that his partner had played a blinder and that he had no idea!

The grand unveiling.

Total disbelief and photos!

For the day, 37215 received its new name. It never carried a name in BR service. 

After a brief speech for the assembled throng, the new nameplate was unveiled. The loco would wear this all day (as long as the magnets held...which they did! Despite a couple of scares!) before the plate and the headboard was to be given to the guest of honour as mementos of the day. 

As part of the ongoing surprise, and before he was able to tuck into the beer, Steven was led to the cab where he was ushered into the Driver's seat and, under instruction from yours truly and Andy D, he was given the opportunity to drive 'his' loco to Broadway, with his partner joining us in the cab to take pictures and video. 

In the 'fun zone'! One incredibly pleased, if slightly overwhelmed, chap!

Having had experience of driving 37s in his day job at Wigan Springs Branch, although this was some time ago, Steven took to it pretty quickly and only needed the odd bit of advice from his 'instructors'. It was also the first time he had been to Broadway, so the red pen was out for that bit of line!

After running round at Broadway, Steven joined his mates in the train and the day continued with the consumption of the birthday food and the beer. As crew, all we managed to get was a piece of Lemon Meringue pie each....not that I was complaining, it was lovely!! Although we were able to take some of the remaining beer home at the end of the day. There had to be some perks of the job!

At the end of the day it was great to see a very happy, if slightly inebriated, bunch of party goers heading to their various taxis after one final seminar photo in front of the loco. The weather also played ball, unlike the previous Friday for our Summer Diesel Day. We also received a number of other enquiries off the back of this with people sounding out about having their own birthdays, or those of their significant others, on the railway. Usually, it is our incredibly popular Driver Experience events that are used as birthday gifts, but, if you have a larger budget, then why not look at hiring your own train! You can contact the railway direct or, if you are a member of one of the owning groups, then have a word with one of the group reps who can then liaise with the railway on your behalf. 

Many thanks to Steven for giving permission for me to use this in the blog. 

In other news, the dates for our second, special event, have been advertised. We will be putting on an Autumn Diesel Weekend on the 25th and 26th September and will be utilising our serviceable home fleet which will included the Gala, post-overhaul, debut of 47105. We will also have our unserviceable locos on static display, as we did with the Summer Gala day, but we hope to be making use of the Diesel Shed for undercover displays. 

Both of our Class 20s will, hopefully, be on static display in September. Here, D8137, sits in the sun-drenched yard at Toddington during April 2021.

Final details are still being constructed but you can keep up to date with information on our social media platforms as well as on the GWSR website.  

How is it August already!?

As the title suggests.....how? I suspect the combination of Covid restrictions/lockdown and the late start to the running calendar has put a lot of others out as well but, here we are two weeks out from normal service being resumed. And, it's August already! Madness!

Anyway, moving on and the last two weeks have been very busy in the Department with a loco being out on every running day since the restart of normal operation. This has allowed a large number of us that are footplate crew to regain certification or get a refresher turn, but it has also allowed the fleet to get a good level of exposure as we start the railway's 40 Year celebrations. All of our serviceable mainline fleet have had a run out with 37215 and 45149 being used on the PURPLE timetable services in July as well as 37215 being used on stock moves - described in the last blog. 

Friday 30th July saw the first 'Special Event' of 2021 and the first 'Gala' since 2019 when we ran our 'Summer Diesel Day'. The weather definitely didn't get the memo regarding it being summer! By about 0930, those of us rostered on the first service of the day, with 37215, were drenched, and that was the theme for pretty much most of the day. The previous day, as access to the shed was not allowed, the locos that weren't running had been shunted into a variety of positions so that visitors could see all the locos and photograph them. The rain didn't make it easy, though!

D6948 sits in the car park at Toddington. The rain was really hammering down, almost causing distortion on the photo.

Also in the car park was 'our' 40th Anniversary bus courtesy of Marchants. As with D6948 all the windows and doors were closed to keep out the driving rain.

Marchant's bus with the 'GWSR 40th Anniversary' wrap showing 'Foremarke Hall' crossing Stanway Viaduct.

The steed for the day, 37215.

I was on Secondman duty with John G completing his second Trainee turn  and Kev J as rostered Driver. With it raining stair-rods we prepped the loco and made our way across to the maroon rake to form the 0900 to Cheltenham. This is usually an ECS move, although there are discussions to try and get it accepted as a full passenger carrying service, and the rostering of this service really did add weight to that argument as, despite the rain, there were a good number of early risers on it. The provision of an earlier train from Cheltenham Race Course is also proving to be a masterstroke as, when we approached, the platform was very busy. This has also been noticed on normal timetable days with lots of people using the service to head to Broadway for the day. 

As we headed away from Toddington, W51360 sits in the headshunt. You can see the repair that has been affected by C & W to repair historic accident damage. 
 

The Gala was also the first outing of the year for Class 24, 5081. It was rostered to work the second down service from Toddington in tandem along with 47376 'Freightliner 1995'. Certainly an interesting pair on a day where rail adhesion was a bit iffy in places. 

With the rain and low cloud obscuring the Cotswold Edge, 5081 and 47376 cross with 37215 at Winchcombe. (Courtesy of A. Raybould)

Still, it was good to see the small Sulzer back out and about as it is always a very popular loco amongst the fare paying enthusiasts. When it arrived at Cheltenham it then worked back up solo with 47376 on the back swapping around during the day with 37215 swapping with 45149. 

Some other pics of the day as the weather started to become brighter and warmer...

As the weather starts to brighten 5081 runs round ready to head back towards Broadway. (Courtesy of A. Raybould)

A little earlier to the photo above, 47376 arrives at Toddington from Cheltenham. The Class 24 waits in the distance to re-attach to the rear of the train after a little break. (Courtesy of A. Raybould)

Whilst Cheltenham was starting to dry out Broadway was still wet, although the rain had moved off towards Evesham. John keeps an eye on proceedings further up the platform as we await the off with the final service of the day back to Toddington. 

Despite the best attempts of the weather, and it being a weekday, takings were very encouraging with ticket sales exceeding expectation and RCS also seeming to do quite well. With circumstances the way they are 'every little helps' and the money will come in very handy to the railway coffers. 

The weekend of 31th July/1st August would see a Brush Type 4 weekend with 47376 operating on the PURPLE timetable on the Saturday, with a real treat on Sunday for the PINK timetable with the pair of 47105 and 47376 being utilised together - the first revenue earning service for 105 in nearly a decade. The locos were suitably decked out with one of the 'GWSR 40th Anniversary' headboards. The following photos are courtesy of Alex Raybould. Cheers Alex!

With Chris W looking on from the cab door, 47376 'Freightliner 1995' departs Toddington with the 1535 to Cheltenham on Saturday 31st July.

On the Sunday, the immaculate 47105 was paired up with sister 47376 for its first public running day. Observed at Winchcombe on the 0945 ex Cheltenham.  

From a different angle at Winchcombe. The reflections in the gleaming paintwork testament to the job done by the BT4F and Heritage Painting. 

Running around at Broadway. 47376 leads its sister back through Platform 2 under the gaze of the watching cameras. 

In the midst of his pursuit of haulage and taking of photos, Alex was also part of a work group on the Class 26 on the Saturday. Again, he has given permission to use his photos and passed on a report on what went on. Alongside Alex was Harrison, Tom C, Dave S and Gareth J working on a variety of tasks. Dave was busy doing more cutting and welding of the bodyside steelwork, removing more of the corroded and damaged metalwork. Alex, Tom, Harrison and Gareth were employed on a variety of tasks that included the continuation of taking the bogies and cab steps back to the metal work before priming them. They also worked on replacing pieces of down piping that had corroded due to water ingress over 60 years of service. As part of our commitment to re-using resources pieces of flow tube that had been discarded in the skip were given a new lease of life. 

    

After tidying up the pipes and removing the corrosion you can see that the pipe doesn't meet up with the sluice hole. This was one of the causes of the corrosion around the solebar as the water wasn't draining away and was pooling in the channels under the pipe. 

After the fitting of the hosing, a new piece of steel was added so that the water from the guttering will flow directly through the hole and not pool behind the loco bodywork. 

A new, tidy escape route for the water. 

Also going on over the weekend, the DMU group were back at the Class 122 'Bubble Car', W55003. The group have completed the door backings and work has now moved on to the window frames with the first going in on the Sunday. Work can then proceed onto the cabs before looking at completing the interior. 

Steve M was also present over the weekend continuing work on his Class 20's - D8137 and 20228. D8137 has progressed to a point where Steve is looking at reacquainting the bogie with its errant traction motor. Having cleaned the original motor and one of the spare motors, a decision was made on which one is likely to be replaced on the bogie. Before the motor is refitted Steve would like to pressure wash the bogie to remove the general detritus that has built up since its last overhaul. 20228 continues to have work on its wiring and cab décor completed when Steve isn't working on its sister. Steve hopes to have at least one of the 'Choppers' running before the end of the year. 

As an advanced notice, and building on the success of our 'Summer Diesel Day', we have a two day 'Autumn Gala' scheduled to take place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September utilising the locos that are available in the home fleet. Star of the show will be the immaculate 47105. The railway is also planning a 'run everything' weekend on the 23rd/24th October to formerly celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the GWSR. More details for both are yet to be announced. Just be sure to put the dates in your diary so that you can come and join in the fun!

The loco roster for August is as follows...

03 Aug - Class 24, 5081 (Purple)

04 Aug - Class 37, 37215 (Purple)

05 Aug - Class 45, 45149 (Purple)

07 Aug - Class 45, 45149 (Purple)

08 Aug - Class 24, 5081 (Pink)

10 Aug - Class 24, 5081 (Purple)

11 Aug - Class 37, 37215 (Purple)

12 Aug - Class 47, 47105 (Purple)

14 Aug - Class 37, 37215 (Purple)

15 Aug - Class 37, 37215 (Pink)

17 Aug - Class 24, 5081 (Purple)

18 Aug - Class 37, 37215 (Purple)

19 Aug - Class 45, 45149 (Purple)

21 Aug - Class 47, 47105 (Purple)

22 Aug - Class 47, 47105 (Pink) - was originally scheduled to be 45149 but changed due to no crew. 

24 Aug - Class 24, 5081 (Purple)

25 Aug - Class 37, 37215 (Purple)

26 Aug - Class 47, 47105 (Purple)

28 Aug - Class 45, 45149 (Purple)

29 Aug - Class 47, 47105 (Purple)

30 Aug - Class 47, 47105 (Purple)

31 Aug - Class 37, 37215 (Purple)

Purple Timetable - Loco works 1510 Broadway - Cheltenham RC and 1625 Cheltenham RC - Toddington.

Pink Timetable - Loco works two and a half round trips starting with the 0945 Cheltenham RC - Broadway. 

Usual caveats apply - locos may be replaced at short notice in instances of failures or crew changes. Keep an eye on our social media channels for up to date information.