With the COVID steam timetable proving popular, and most services being close to sold out (if not totally sold out), the railway acted on the clamour being made for diesel running to restart - and provide a way to get our Traction Inspectors, Lead Drivers and some of our lapsed crews 'back in ticket' - by agreeing to consecutive Sundays as solely diesel days throughout September. Sunday the 13th saw the first timetabled diesel services on the railway since New Years Day as the first of three (now four...more on that shortly) running days throughout the month.
The first loco out and about was diagrammed as EE Type 3/Class 37, D6948, working an 84 mile timetable with one of the COVID rakes of stock, comprising of 4 x SK/FK coaches, 1 x BSK and 1 x TSO. The weather was excellent and the day was a complete sell out proving that the diesel fleet still has a big part to play during these challenging times.
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| Traction Inspector Tony Boston keeps an eye out for the guard during the brake test at the beginning of the day. |
The loco was near faultless throughout the day despite one emergency brake application between Gotherington and Bishops Cleeve on run 2 and then the CCB (Control Circuit Breaker) tripping out, causing the loco to come to a grinding halt and the engine to shut down in almost an identical spot on run 3. It was great to see so many people, friends and enthusiasts, enjoying the sunshine and the Cotswold views all to the reverberations of the EE 12CSVT engine again.
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| In brilliant September sunshine, D6948 runs round at the end of run 2. |
The 'Green Machine' had had a proving run earlier in the week when it was used for some wagon shunting at Hunting Butts tunnel, so that gates could be installed at the tunnel mouth, and an ECS move from Winchcombe to Toddington so that she would be ready for the exertions on the Sunday.
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Easy does it! D6948 is coupled up for the final run back to Broadway.
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Sadly, the air leak under no.1 end continues to be a slight cause for concern, however this is pencilled into be repaired over the Winter, if time on the jacks can be organised.
Due to the success of the Class 37 day, and the fact that Sunday 20th with Class 24, 5081 and Sunday 27th with Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 2005' are looking at being equally as successful (in fact the 20th is nearly sold out, too), a fourth date has been added!
Sunday 4th October is now scheduled to see Class 45 'Peak',
45149 having its first run out this year. Tickets are due to go on sale for the 4th October soon, but do remember that
Pre-booking is essential. No tickets will be available on the day. Keep an eye on the website or social media for up to date information. To book tickets for any of the remaining days click
here.
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45149 sitting over the pit outside the David Page shed back in 2019
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It is also hoped that at some point the DMU will also see some running.
Despite the running day taking centre stage, the importance tasks of maintenance continue unhindered and, on the subject of the DMU, the small team that keeps the fleet going have continued to utilise the down time to sort out some of the niggly problems with the Class 117's and to make hay on the Class 122 'bubble'. An identified engine issue with DMS W51405 was seemingly rectified after George F swapped the fuel governor and rack over. As this was a warm engine issue it was fairly difficult to identify in the yard at Toddington so the Class 117 took a brief run up and down the line to see if the issue raised its head. All over blue DMBS W51360 was run up to make sure it was still operational - as spare, it is important that this is operational just in case whereas more work went on with the cab woodwork on the 'bubble' and some top coat painting in the Guards Compartment.
Elsewhere, work continued on Class 26, D5343 and its overhaul. Having had its liners removed after issues were identified back in March, the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group have focused on other jobs in and around the engine room. On the 13th, Andy D, Tony R, Alex and Jake spent the day pottering around undertaking a variety of tasks. As to what will happen with the liners, a decision is still to be made on the next steps towards returning the loco to service in the medium term.
Brush Type 4/Class 47, 1693 moves ever forward towards its new coat of paint and the culmination of its 7 year overhaul.
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| 1693 sits in the shed at Toddington. Undercoat has been applied to its flans and is now being applied to the nose ends. |
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Route indicators and windscreens are covered as the undercoat for the yellow front ends is applied.
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Undercoat has been applied to both flanks and is now being applied to both front ends and the window surrounds. The loco has been run up to check for any other issues and the cabs have had most of its features and equipment refitted. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before the loco returns to traffic.
Another loco closing in on a return to traffic is EE Type 3/Class 37, 37215 which has been out of service for a little over a year after issues were identified with its traction motor equipment. With the loco now back together, the traction motor equipment cleaned and repairs made where needed, attention has turned to one of the longer standing. It has been a while since the loco's DSD (Driver Safety Device) has worked properly due to an undiagnosed issue. The Wednesday Gang have spent a number of weeks investigating this issue, as well as completing its B Exam. ORR Regulations mean that all locos must have a working DSD so, before it can return to service, the DSD needs to be de-isolated and the repairs completed.
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| 37215 awaits the last of the outstanding repairs to be completed before it can return to service, when the timetable allows. |
As a final note, please remember that if you intend on coming to support the diesel fleet on any of the remaining three Running Days, pre booking is essential and no tickets will be available on the day. Please see the website for up to date information.
