A Quick Update and A Week of Firsts!

The 2018 running season has now entered its second week, leaving just a few more days to go until the official public opening of Broadway station. However, on the 21st March, the first scheduled passenger train travelled over the Worcestershire border and into the new Broadway Station for the first time in nearly 60 years. The railway's 'Merchant Navy', 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental S.N. Co', more universally known as 'P&O' was handed the job of hauling the first 'Shareholders and Volunteer' Special to the new station.

The diesel hauled service had to wait until 1600 when English Electric Type 3 (Class 37), D6948 made its way from Toddington becoming the first diesel locomotive to haul a passenger train into Broadway station. At the same time, Peter Smith (one of D6948's  owners/Driver) and Paul Cronin (Secondman) became the first diesel crew to operate a passenger service to Broadway. Peter kindly provided a couple of photos of the event.

In homage to the long lamented 'Cornishman', the only named service to be timetabled to traverse the line, D6948 had its route indicator blinds set to reflect the reporting numbers of the 'Up' and 'Down' services. The first departure to Broadway showing '1H32' which was the reporting number for the 1030 Penzance - Wolverhampton Low Level and the departure from Broadway showing '1C33' for the 0900 Wolverhampton Low Level - Penzance. 

D6948 sits in Broadway Platform 1 on the 21st March 2018 after arrival with the final special service of the day. Headcode '1H32' proudly showing. (Courtesy of Peter Smith)

Ready to return to Toddington, D6948 waits the road looking very much at home. (Courtesy of Peter Smith)

In reality, the 'Cornishman' never saw an EE Type 3 operating the service - D6948 not being released into traffic until 18 months after the service stopped. The booked motive power was generally a 'Castle' class steam loco from Wolverhampton shed and it is unlikely that any diesel would have worked the service...although I stand to be corrected, if anyone knows.

The weekend before the celebration at Broadway, Class 26, D5343, headed off to the Mid Norfolk Railway for their Spring Diesel Gala, held over the weekend 16th to 18th March. Several 'firsts' were to occur for the 'McRat' over the weekend. All photos are courtesy of Tony Richards, who headed over to Norfolk to crew the loco over the weekend.

D5343 at Dereham heading a rake of Blue and Grey liveried Mk2 air braked coaches for the first time in nearly 30 years. 16/03/18. (Courtesy of Tony Richards) 

On the 17th, the loco encountered a little problem with taking power requiring the loco to be rescued and returned to Dereham for further attention. The rescue loco was to be DRS owned Class 88 Electro-Diesel, 88008 'Ariadne' providing the unlikely-to-be-repeated sight of a Class 88 paired with a Class 26!!

A first, and probably, a last! Brand new DRS Class 88, 88008 'Ariadne' is coupled to D5343. 17/03/18. (Courtesy of Tony Richards)

As the snow starts to fall, the unlikely pairing are readied for departure. 17/03/18. (Courtesy of Tony Richards)

After a bit of head scratching, the problem was identified as a reset AWS switch which had been overlooked and the Class 26 was back to operational condition quickly.

One of the other visiting locomotives was 'Peak', 45060 'Sherwood Forrester' owned by the Pioneer Diesel Group and sister to our very own 45149. Whereby our 1Co-Co1 has an Electric Train Heating (ETH) Generator, 45060 was fitted with a steam heat boiler - the Steam Heat pipe clearly visible on the buffer beam, just to the left of the right hand buffer.

While Simon takes a break from the cab, 45060 'Sherwood Forrester' brings up the rear of a crossing service at Thuxton. 17/03/18. (Courtesy of Tony Richards)

The UK saw more snow on the 18th March leading to services at the GWSR being suspended, however, the final day of the Mid Norfolk gala continued unaffected. The scenes provided were reminiscient of D5343's former stomping grounds in the Highlands of Scotland.

A cold start! 18/03/18. (Courtesy of Tony Richards)

If the stock was Blue and Grey this could easily be mistaken for the Highlands of Scotland instead of Hoe in Norfolk! 18/03/18. (Courtesy of Tony Richards)

D5343 was the only GWSR loco to run during the 'extreme' weather. She looks at home waiting at Thuxton for the Northbound service to cross. 18/03/18. (Courtesy of Tony Richard)