August has been a busy one with all serviceable locos getting a run out throughout the month on the PURPLE and PINK timetables, including Class 47, 47105 making its public debut. This has enabled most of the footplate crew to now have their refresher turns, get back in ticket and, in some cases, have their biennials - myself included. It has also facilitated a number of Trainees to restart their march towards competence as footplate crew.
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| One of our Trainee Secondmen, John G, gets to grips with 37215's coupling. |
Firstly, though, a plea. On it's last turn, 'Peak' 45149 suffered a Compressor failure. This was initially thought to not be too major an issue however, after inspection, it appears to be a lot worse and requires significant attention as it will only get worse which could lead to complete failure of both Compressors. In order to raise some capital for this to be rectified the owning group are planning a running day on Friday, 15th October. In order for this to happen the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group need to guarantee a minimum of 50 attendees. If you are interested you will need to head over to Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/322920307766027 or https://www.facebook.com/groups/1591532131106576) and find the posts by Andy Piper posted on the 24th August where there will be all the details to contact Andy to reserve a spot or, if you are unable to make it, donate to the repair fund. It is hoped that 45149 will still be able to complete its rostered duties in 2021, especially as it is the 60th birthday of the loco.
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| Despite its compressor issues, 45149 still managed to complete its turn on the PURPLE timetable on August 19th. The 'Peak' getting some admiring glances at Broadway from young and old alike! |
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| Awaiting time at Broadway. |
Next up, Events! We have a number of events coming up at the GWSR and elsewhere involving the diesel fleet. We have our 'main' Diesel Gala coming up on the 25th and 26th September 2021 that will involve our home fleet. As usual, those locos that are currently being overhauled or repaired will be on static display in and around the Toddington MPD site. You can book your tickets here ==> https://www.gwsr.com/Autumn_Diesel_Gala_25th_26th_September_2021--post--70.html
The GWSR 40th Anniversary event is also still continuing at Winchcombe until the 5th September. We have a photo exhibition that showcases the railway and its different departments, including the Diesel Department, since the railway was resurrected in 1981. It is well worth jumping off the train at Winchcombe and heading to the Tim Mitchell building for a gander. It is all included in the ticket price.
There is also going to be a mixed traffic event on the 23rd and 24th October where all available locomotives will be in use to celebrate the 40th Anniversary with a very intensive operation. Details and ticket booking can be found here => https://www.gwsr.com/enthusiasts/40th_Anniversary_Celebration.html
Finally, one of our number will be heading off for a week away at the end of September (30th to October 3rd). Class 24, 5081 will be heading to our friends up at the Severn Valley Railway to take part in their 2021 Autumn Diesel Gala alongside their home fleet and Class 31, 31466, which is on loan from our neighbours at the Dean Forest Railway. Tickets are on sale on the SVR website ==> https://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=177
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| 5081 sits in the rain on the unloading road at Toddington car park during our 2018 Autumn Diesel Gala. |
On the overhaul/maintenance side, the bodywork on Class 26, D5343 is still going at full tilt. Dave S has continued with the cutting out and welding of metalwork whilst the body sides continue to be rubbed down by a variety of volunteers ready for eventual smoothing down and painting.
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| New recruit, Gareth, gets busy with the sanding discs. |
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| Meanwhile, Tony R clears the remaining paint from the roof grilles. |
Dave has also spent time repairing the fibreglass roof section in the area beneath the 'Goods Shed' mess room - an area that will, in time, become part of an extended machine shop. The roof section has suffered from the weather but has also had significant damage from other sources. Armed with a fibreglass repair kit, Dave has managed to patch the holes and will soon tackle the areas of more significant damage before coating in resin to protect from the weather.
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| One of the damaged corners has now had a nice, new piece of fibreglass added. |
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| The whole fibreglass section. You can see the holes that have become widened with time and now cause water ingress. The section nearest the camera has been partially severed and now droops if not supported. This will be rectified in due course. |
The solebar, bogies and buffer beams are also being stripped back to the metal work and will also get a new coat of paint when the time comes.
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| Someone has been busy with the needle gun! |
The engine is not being left out and the preparation for the refitting of the new cylinder liners continues in between the body work tasks.
The other locos, where progress continues, are our pair of Class 20s. D8137 moves ever closer to being reunited with its traction motor. The bogies have been jet washed and are now awaiting sufficient time so that the motor can be lifted back in to the bogie. The loco will then be waiting for the lifting jacks to become free (currently GWR 2-8-0, 2807 is utilising them) so that the 'Chopper' can be reunited with its bogies. 20228 continues to have work done to its cabs and the electrical cubicle. It is hoped that D8137 will return to service this side of Christmas, although it is unlikely to operate any services, and 20228 is hoped to be back in service in 2022,
Sadly, the work that was scheduled for Class 37, D6948, has stalled. The owners are mulling over the options available for obtaining a set of lifting brackets so that the loco can be lifted and the planned work on the wheelsets, and on the historic Main Res air leak, completed. Sadly, the set that were used with 37215 belong to our friends at the SRPS Diesel Group at Bo'ness and they are unavailable. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer before work can restart.
The DMU Group have been making further progress with the Class 117 set and the Class 122 'Bubble'. With the backing frames of the doors done on the 'Bubble', attention was turned to the window frames. The majority have now been glued in place and are ready for sanding back and staining. The 3-car Class 117 set has had some of the anti-corrosion work completed, with the patches having been primed in bright green primer. The top coat will be applied in due course and then blending in with the current paintwork. The DMU will get a chance to finally stretch its legs in 2021 with the BLUE timetable starting in October.
Loco roster:
We are still in the midst of the high season and, as a nice bonus given the last 18 months, numbers have been very good on all services. Events going on at both Broadway and Cheltenham Race Course have helped to swell the numbers. We still have the PURPLE and PINK timetables throughout September so plenty of diesel running. The current roster looks like this for September, with the usual caveats...
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| 37215 waits time at Broadway on Sunday 15 August, 2021. |
