An enjoyable stagger.

 It has been a busy Bank Holiday weekend in the department. A fair bit has been going on for a variety of different reasons, mostly in preparation for returning to some semblance of normality. Riding on the crest of a wave after the incredibly successful, sold out, Diesel Day 1 with 37215, all eyes are very much in the rapidly approaching change in timetable....as long as lockdown continues to be eased. There are still plenty of tickets available for our next two Diesel Days on the 23rd May and the 27th June. You can book yours here ----> https://www.gwsr.com/Diesel_Enthusiasts_Days_25_Apr_23_May_and_27_June--post--96.html

The corrosion work on D5343, becomes ever more extensive. Saturday saw Dave S, Andy D, Alex R and new starter Adrian, working on the body work of the 'McRat' as well as more tasks on the engine. The sanding and removal of elements of steel have shown that the corrosion is fairly extensive. 

More cutting reveals more rust and corrosion. (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

Dave's use of the angle grinder also identified accumulations of dust, rust, dirt and oil that had formed significant deposits between the body side and side rails. The liners should also return this week allowing the work to refit the cylinders to start. 

With the side rail removed it revealed this impressive accumulation of detritus. (Courtesy of D. Stanton)

Work was also carried out on Class 24, 5081. Although serviceable, the 'Rat' has had a few niggly issues that needed to be sorted. As it isn't involved in the Diesel Days the opportunity was taken for some of these issues to be signed off. One issue revolved around a defective safety valve on the air system. This has now been removed and a new one has been fitted. It requires testing under load and a B Exam before the loco can be prepped ready to operate post June. 

Carrying on the corrosion theme, Class 117 DMBS W51360 has been prepared to head down to Carriage and Wagon for body work repairs. However, during the preparation it was noticed that the power car had had an accident repair undertaken at some point in its BR life.

W51360 awaits it's visit to C & W. You can clearly see the damage on the right hand side of the cab. 

As the unit is the spare power car for the 3-Car set, it was planned just to have an internal spruce up at C & W, however the plan has now changed slightly.

A close up of the accident damage to the right hand cab pillar. 

With the identification of the damage it will probably undergo some rectification work. It is hoped that, coupled with the work ongoing with Class 122, W55003, a start can be made on the other blue DMBS, W51372 or on the Class 107 DMS, Sc52059.

Fast forward to Bank Holiday Monday and a fair few of us headed to Toddington meaning that a lot of jobs could get done across the fleet. However, it was a day to be inside as Steve M and Chris M were to find out. As has been previously mentioned, with the arrival of Class 20, 20228, one of Steve's other locos would need to find a new home. Class 73, E6036, was duly put up for sale and, with a few interested parties showing interest, the loco was in need of sprucing up ready for viewings. The weather was not willing to play ball and both Chris and Steve braved a wild, wet and windy Toddington Yard to get the ED looking ship shape and Bristol fashion for any possible buyers. 

Steve makes a start on E6036 whilst the weather was still playing ball. Chris was around the other side preparing to clean the roof.  

It wouldn't be long before the heavens opened and it would start howling a gale. Fair play to both Steve and Chris they stuck at it.

Job done.

Back in the dry environs of the shed, Kev J and I were busy doing a few bits on D6948. Lockdown had caused the lift to be postponed and pushed back the air system and traction motor repairs. However, the loco is due to have its air systems pressure tested which meant removing the main reservoir gauges from each cab.

One of two main res gauges removed from the cabs of D6948. These will be tested to ensure they read correctly. 

The empty gauge housing. 

Whilst I was removing the dials in the cabs, Kev had been removing two of the safety valves that also have to be tested. Once these had been removed it was into the engine room to start removing some of the pipework ready for pressure testing by the independent Inspector. 

The bottom valves of two of the three air tanks in the engine room are removed. The one on the right was a real pain to get off! 

Once that had been completed, D6948 was put on charge and I was asked to bar the engine over to see if there were any issues with the motion of the engine. It's a bit of a back breaker, as you have to use a steel bar inserted into the fly wheel of the main generator and manually feed it round....2 inches at a time! Given the diameter of the fly wheel is around 6 feet you get a picture as to how long this took to do a complete revolution! 

Barring the engine.....lunch couldn't come quick enough!

Over lunch, Neil C put in an appearance to see if there was any possibility of a loco being spare to take a trip to Winchcombe with two coaches and W51360. Mark S was busy working on the straight air brakes on 37215 so preference was given to E6036. The ED wasn't going to be ready so a plan was hatched to use one of the shunters. With 11230 still undergoing repairs and the tyres on DES not conducive to going 'main line', Class 04, D2280, was earmarked and I was volunteered as Secondman. With lunch finished D2280 was fired up and shunted across the yard to couple up to W51360. This was then shunted onto Siding 1 before we headed up to the North Siding to pick up two coaches. Back in 2019 the GWSR hired in two blood and custard liveried coaches from the North York Moors. These were returned to the NYMR during the Covid emergency but had been re-hired and re-delivered just a few weeks ago. After rumbling through Toddington station and coupling up the coaches it was back to Toddington Box to speak with Saul, the Toddington 'Bobby' about a path to Winchcombe. With an agreement cemented, we went back to couple up to W51360 as Saul brought us the token for Winchcombe. Once cleared on the dummy at the south turnout it was down to Winchcombe at a leisurely but enjoyable stagger. Class 04's were cleared for 27mph in BR days and were used frequently on trip freights across the regions of BR however, D2280 is restricted to 15mph and, on jointed track, it was a very strange journey to undertake. It was certainly a different 'turn' for me!

The multicoloured 04 on arrival at Winchcombe. Neil is heading to W51360 to put on the handbrake before I 'went under' to unhook the shunter and our return to Toddington.  

Whilst we were away, Tim L and Dave M were busy with the painting of the bogies on 1693. After primer and a sprayed matt black coat of paint had been applied, it was now time for the gloss. By the time I left most of the underframe was positively gleaming. 

With Tim at the far end you can see the progress that has been made on the underframe painting. The end result is going to be spectacular.