When does a diesel steam?

A simple answer to the question posed in the title.......when it has a boiler fitted. Three of our locomotive fleet are fitted with boilers, however, only one is in service at the present time. Class 47, 47105, had an operational boiler until removed from traffic for its overhaul and Class 24, 5081, had an operational boiler until at least a decade ago. Class 37, D6948, is the only GWSR locomotive that has an operational boiler and that was fired into life for our recent Autumn Diesel Weekend. Mark S was given the joy of being Boilerman for the day with the help and expertise of Bob Clegg from the DEPG on hand. Although not overly cold, the green machine was used to heat the stock first thing in the morning to blow any cobwebs away in the two main rakes.

The pipes are attached, the cocks are open, let there be steam!

The Diesel Weekend is our final 'diesel only' fling for the year and, at least for this year, it was decided to keep things low key. We were also competing against a number of railtours involving heritage traction and a couple of other larger preserved diesel events so it was hoped to attract more families and day trippers, as well as the core 'bashers'. The weather was suitably mixed for early October and this also, perhaps, led to numbers not quite being what we had hoped. However, feedback, again, was excellent with a number of superb photographs and write ups appearing across social media.

On Saturday, with D6948 heating the stock, 37215 was moved into P1 at Toddington for a photo opportunity,

English Electric Type 3's in the morn.

Two era's of BR livery in one shot.

While we wait for the road with 37215, D6948 runs to shed to await its first service.

All the mainline locos (except the Class 73) saw action throughout the weekend. Both days saw a service utilising the Class 37s paired up in one direction and top and tailed on return. An ever popular diagram and, even with numbers down, was well patronised on both days.

With D6948 steaming away inside, 37215 gets set to lead the pair to Cheltenham Racecourse on the Saturday.

37215 and D6948 power towards Gotherington on the 07/10/17 with a service for Cheltenham. (Courtesy of David Dew)

After arrival at Cheltenham Racecourse, and with the 'Reds' glowing, 37215 passes D6948 as it runs round the train ready to lead the service back to Toddington. D6948 stayed at the back to heat the coaches. (Courtesy of David Dew)

After its recent tour of the East Midlands and Epping Forest, Class 26, D5343, returned to the GWSR just in time for the weekend and, despite running a little low on power (a fault with no current diagnosis), saw use over the weekend on a couple of round trips. As I was rostered on 37215 for the Saturday I only managed to get one photo of the McRat on a service train. It certainly sounded its normal 'chitty' self.

Tony looks out for the road as D5343 awaits departure from Toddington.

The 'Peak', 45149, had an early morning visit to Winchcombe to extract the 3rd Rake from the P'Way yard before running to Cheltenham to work the first service north. The 'Peak' was still running on one compressor after the flashover of the no.2 end compressor earlier in the summer but was still able to see out its duties. Rectification work on the errant compressor is tentatively scheduled for the close season over the winter. Again, due to being rostered on 37215, I didn't get a chance to get any pictures. However, I am indebted to David Dew who sent me a number of pictures he took throughout the Saturday....including one of 45149. Thanks again, David.

45149 approaches Southam Road bridge, Cheltenham, with a service from Toddington. (Courtesy of David Dew)

David also managed to get a couple of pics of me at the controls of 37215. One of the roles of the Secondman is to be competent at the helm of a locomotive, just in case the Driver becomes incapacitated. After a number of turns and a successful period as a Secondman, it is intended that the Secondman then starts training to be a Driver. As I was paired with one of our Driving Instructors, Richard S, I was afforded the opportunity to 'practice'.

A lone passenger waits the arrival of the 'Blue Beast' at Gotherington. I did manage to stop in the right place and let her embark her onward journey! (Courtesy of David Dew)

A spirited departure as Richard S keeps a look out behind. (Courtesy of David Dew)

Back at Toddington MPD, no loco was left out of the event. With our Class 73, D6036, sat in the yard awaiting a week of ballast work, our long term project locos were placed strategically at the front of the shed - 47105 on Road 11 and 5081 on Road 10 - evoking memories of Crewe Diesel Depot in the 1970s.

 

1970s Crewe Diesel or 2017 Toddington Depot??

Behind them, work was continuing on both locos. On 5081's bogie overhaul, Paul G, Mark E and a new starter (apologies to them for forgetting their name so quickly!) made headway on the priming, painting and reassembly of some of the brake rigging. 

The red oxide is added to the main suspension arms of the bogies brake set. They have had some preparatory work for reassembly but still need some seals before refitting to the bogie.

One of 5081's brake cylinders, primed and undercoated.

After being having primer added a few weeks ago, the first layer of undercoat has now been applied.

The same has happened to the traction motors.

The refurbishment of 47105's cylinder liners continued over the weekend, also, along with a few smaller jobs, including the refitting of some of the cab fittings. It is hoped that a couple of weekends with decent weather will allow the refitting of the pistons, cylinder liners and covers to finish off this part of the overhaul.

Sunday saw me rostered with Steve M on D8137. It had been a while since I was last rostered on the Class 20 so I was looking forward to it. A later start than the previous day allowed a little bit of work to be be done on 20035's component recovery. Steve was keen to drain the cooler group of anti-freeze with a view to removing the radiators for refurbishment in the coming weeks and using the anti-freeze with his other Class 20, 20228, down at Barry. After sourcing a number of barrels from behind the steam shed, we headed down into the yard to start draining. Steve had tested some that had been drawn out earlier and it had appeared to be of good standard. However, as it started to drain into the first barrel, it quickly became apparent that the system did not have as much in it as first thought!

With the drain cocks open, the antifreeze flows free, however.........

.......it only yielded half a barrel! The Class 20s have a number of other drainage pipes but, even these, did not provide as much as hoped.

With all the pipework and fluids drained, the next job is to lift these radiators (4 of them) out and get them refurbished.

With this all stowed away in Steve's container it was time to go and fire up 20035's sister, D8137, ready for its turn.

D8137 - prepped and ready for action.

47376 'Freightliner 1995' arrives at Toddington as D8137 waits in Siding 1 to drop onto the back and work the next service to Cheltenham. The gloom is noticeable in the way the Class 47's headlights are glowing.

It could almost be Winchcombe in the 1960s. D6948 brings up the rear of a Cheltenham bound service as D8137 waits to head north.

Also, on Sunday, the DMU gang were busy working on various small jobs on the Class 117 3-car set. W51405 is still sat in the yard awaiting its required maintenance and a possible call to C&W to have a bit of a spruce up. Adjacent to siding 1, the three new DMU Cars are parked up awaiting refurbishment. Whilst sat in siding 1 on the Class 20 I took the opportunity to take a couple of snaps.

Class 117 DMBS, W51372.

The interior of Class 117 DMBS, W51370. A lot of work lays ahead on all three vehicles.

Work has also continued on the Class 122 'Bubble Car' with more steel plate being added to replace existing, damaged body work around the 'Cotswold/Cheltenham facing' cabside. Further plating and fabrication work is needed to shore up the 'Cotswold' side of the body work before the primer and undercoat can be added to complete this stage.

With the running season drawing to as close, you have fewer opportunities now to enjoy our diesel fleet on service trains before 2018 and the grand opening of the extension to Broadway. The DMU will be out most days on the Blue and Red timetables. We have a couple of weekends of the Green timetable, and one of Red, which see the following loco allocations:

Sat 14 Oct - Green TT - Class 20, D8137
Sun 15 Oct - Green TT - Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995'

Sat 21 Oct - Red TT (GWSR Food and Drink Fayre) - Class 20, D8137 
Sun 22 Oct - Red TT (GWSR Food and Drink Fayre) - Class 20, D8137

Sat 28 Oct - Green TT - Class 37, 37215 and Class 37, D6948 Top and Tail
Sun 29 Oct - Green TT - Class 26, D5343 and Class 45, 45149 Top and Tail