Summer Holidays

Things have been a little quiet in the department as far as bodies on the ground over the last few weeks. Family holidays, work commitments but also the busy GWSR Summer timetable has seen the numbers on site at any time down in the 1s, 2s and 3s. That said, the activity in the department has not let up. August is a busy running period that sees a diesel turn on our 'Green' timetable up to three times a week coupled with ongoing 'Red' timetable trips over the weekends. Over the month most of the operational fleet, and visiting Class 25, D5185, have been used on timetabled services with only 45149 and E6036 sitting out - 45149 awaiting work on its misbehaving compressor. 47376 'Freightliner 1995' also had an additional trip out on a Friday 'Blue' timetable on the 25/08/17, taking place of the Class 117 after W51360 developed an engine fault. With W51363 only having returned from Winchcombe having had a new coat of paint and a spruce up, and only the chocolate and cream rake in use, the DMU turn was taken over by the 47 with the Maroon rake. W51363 was returned to Toddington on the Thursday but had not gone through its 'fitness to run' exam in time to be reacquainted with its brethren in L425. Normal play being resumed on Saturday.

E6036 gets an outing to Carriage and Wagon, Winchcombe, to collect Class 117 DMBS W51363 after its mini overhaul. (Courtesy of Dave Clark, C&W Blog)

W51360 was parked on the apron outside Toddington MPD over the weekend where work on its engines could take place. With W51363 back in traffic W51360 will act as back up until further assessment as to which remaining vehicles jump to the front of the refurbishment queue....Class 117 DMBS, W51372, or Class 107 DMCL, Sc52029 (or even the remaining Class 117 vehicle still to arrive). After initial assessment by the CDRG W51372's engines have been inspected, started and are in very good condition having been fully refurbished not long before going into storage - this car being a member of the unit used to transport workers into the Channel Tunnel. The electrical systems also appear to be in good condition so this one could have just jumped to the front!

W51363 sits in the sunshine outside Toddington MPD on 27/08 awaiting further work on its engines.

Elsewhere with the DMU's, George and the crew have continued to work on W55003 with more sanding, filling and priming having been done around the northern end cabsides. If you are Facebook savvy you can keep up to date more regularly with progress here. One of the team generally posts regular updates on Sundays.

As mentioned earlier many of our mainline locos have been used on the weekday 'Green' and weekend 'Red' timetables. The week just passed saw 47376 'Freightliner 1995' used on the Tuesday and Thursday 'Green' and D6948 used on the Wednesday 'Red' timetable. 47376 also got pulled out of the hat to work the 'Blue' substitute timetable on the Friday. 

47376 'Freightliner 1995' approaches Cheltenham Racecourse with the 1110 ex-Toddington on 24/08/17. (Courtesy of Mark Elvey)

EE Type 3, D6948, waits to leave Toddington on the 23/08/17 with the 1555 to Cheltenham Racecourse. (Courtesy of Peter Smith)

The Bank Holiday weekend saw Class 37, 37215, take on the 1555 Toddington to Cheltenham and 1640 return services in stunning sunshine. Yes......sunshine on a Bank Holiday weekend! I certainly know as, having been rostered on the Sunday and covering a turn on Monday, I ended up getting sunburnt! Cue sore forehead!

BR Blue always looks good in sunshine. 37215 sits outside Road 11 waiting to be fired up on 27/08/17.

Despite the running time for the fleet maintenance has continued on the long term projects. The remaining parts on Class 24, 5081's number 1 bogie had all been removed and the bogie now raised away from the wheels to release the dampers. These are now being lined up for overhaul along with the brake rigging. New springs have been sourced and are now just awaiting arrival. More cleaning needs to be completed before the bogie is put back together, primed and painted.

Number 1 bogie from Class 24, 5081, sits up on blocks after being lifted clear of its wheels.

Also on the 27/08, Mark S set to 47105's remaining liners with the wire wheel clearing some of the accumulated dirt and grease.

Mark S gets to work with the wire wheel on one of 47105's A Bank's liners.

Meanwhile, Simon and myself got on with stripping some of the smaller, salvageable bits and pieces from inside our donor Class 20, 20035. This loco was converted for working in France on the construction of the Lille TGV line and still wears CFD orange. However, it is in an awful state externally but, internally, most components are in reasonable (if oil and algae covered) condition. Most of pieces removed were around the cooler group, which is probably one of the most exposed areas given that the radiator fan is housed in the roof above. We removed some of the smaller air tanks around the compressor before moving onto the cooler group pipework which, despite being reasonably exposed to the elements, were in pretty good condition. The judicious application of oil, grime and general muck probably helped maintain the overall condition.

An accumulation of some of the odds and ends removed from within the nose end of 20035.

Assorted bits of pipework and a water tank. Most of the pipes are salvageable and can be utilised on the owner's other Class 20's, if needed.

Tools of the trade! Closer inspection of the environs give an idea of the overall condition of the bodywork of the loco.

After working around the cooler group we moved back towards the cab end and looked at what might be of worthy condition behind the engine. Several electrical switches were removed along with a few more bits and pieces from around the auxiliary generator and the air control system.

One of the traction motor blowers within 20035.

20035's power unit (or corner thereof) with some of stripped electrical and air control systems.

With all the bodywork decay, rust and stripped paint it was possible to see some of previous liveries worn by the loco in BR service.

BR Blue shows through the rust and CFD Orange on one of the air vents.

Talking of summer holidays, Class 26, D5343, is off on its travels again. For the last few weeks it has been at the Ecclesborne Valley Railway in Derbyshire, primarily for their gala but is also being used on timetabled services over the last week. As with all our locos the McRat has been faultless, coping admirably with the feared 1 in 27 climb to Ravenstor. Some photos of the 26 courtesy of Jason Pountney...thanks Jason.

D5343 heads towards Wirksworth on the Ecclesborne Valley Railway. (Courtesy of Jason Pountney)

D5343 runs round its train at Duffield on the EVR. (Courtesy of Jason Pountney)

The loco will be on the move again in the next few days to our friends at the Great Central Railway, Loughbrough, in order to take part in their late Summer Diesel Gala. A reciprocal arrangement after having Class 20, D8098, and Class 25, D5185, visit the GWR for our gala. The loco will also be used on a number of normal scheduled services at the GCR before returning to the GWR via another stop at the Epping and Ongar Railway for their Diesel Gala at the end of September. 2017 has certainly been the year of the McRat!

September now sees the timetable move into the autumn sphere. Most diesel running (other than the DMU which runs on all timetables) is now confined to 'Red' timetable days over weekends. There is also a 'Thomas' weekend at the end of September. Loco allocations are as follows (with usual caveats for dealing with 50/60 year old locos)...

2nd and 3rd Sept  - Class 37, D6948 (Red)
9th and 10th Sept - Class 47, 47376 (Red)
16th and 17th Sept - Class 20, D8137 (Red)
23rd and 24th Sept - Class 37, 37215 and Class 45, 45149 (Thomas and Friends)
30th Sept & 1st Oct - Class 37, 37215 (Red)