And, on to RAIL 200!

As we march into the final third of the running season, the Gala success is still fresh in the memory. Although we still haven’t had the complete numbers from the board (not unusual!) all indications point to a record event that our Gala Team can be rightly proud of providing. 

 

Our 2025 Gala visitors - D6700 and 50021 'Rodney' rest in Toddington yard on the eve of the Gala.

Certainly, if the numbers on the Saturday night 'Beerex' are anything to go by then the railway should have made a pretty decent profit! The three days of the Gala certainly left those of us involved with a pleasing sense of achievement. 

 

But, our guest locos have now both left us – D6700 left Toddington immediately after the Gala to head to Derby for the absolutely bombastic Greatest Gathering event at Litchurch Lane, Derby; 50021 ‘Rodney’ departed at the beginning of September for our near neighbours over at the Dean Forest ready for their Gala over the 12/13 September. The feedback received from both owning groups has been fantastic and incredibly supportive, strengthening our working relationships with both the Heavy Tractor Group and the 50021 Locomotive Group.

 

 

In fact, the 50021 Locomotive Group were very sad to leave (we were also sad to see them go) as ‘Rodney’ really seemed at home again. Remember, the loco spent its first years in preservation at the GWSR and even the owning group committee were happily proclaiming that ‘021’ had returned home. It would be great to see it back for a longer spell in the future, should the opportunity arise. Or maybe 50026 'Indomitable' - owned by 50021 LG's Paul Spracklen? Or maybe both ‘021’ and ‘026’……perhaps wishful thinking on my part!  

 

 

50021 at Toddington 30 years earlier, in 1995. (Martin Loader)    

However, with the loco remaining with us for a month beyond the Gala, 'Rodney' was utilised on a number of running days in August. Its penultimate outing was even recorded by Hellfire TV, who had previously recorded a DVD for the Growler Group of 37215 and D6948 on a ‘Double Up Sunday’, and this is available on their Youtube site (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vytHtty-hos). It is certainly a fantastic reminder of ‘Rodney’s’ stay with us at the GWSR. 

 

'Rodney' at Winchcombe on it's final running day; joined by a former Old Oak shed mate in 47105 due to the ongoing fire risk caused by the hot weather. 

  

It’s final running day was on 17 August and I was lucky enough, and humbled, to be the rostered Driver. A good number of people turned out to experience the loco for the last time (in this visit) on the line. Over the course of it's stay, it was great to work with and get to know those members of the 50021 team who looked after the loco while at Toddington - Paul, Benjamin, Ian, Graham, Rhys, Dave A and Marco. 

 

 

50021's final crew at Broadway. L -R: Dave Andrews, Simon Pedley, myself and Ian Penfold. 

It was also a special occasion as we had a guest of honour for part of the day in Andrew Stratford, one of our P’Way Team and all round top bloke. When it was originally offered to the team as a prospective visitor, Andrew offered to pay for the transport costs to get ‘Rodney’ to the railway. It was only fair that he got the opportunity to witness the final run from the best seat in the house. 

 

Without this man 50021 would not have been visiting!

 

A huge ‘thank you’ goes out to Andrew. 

 

Having spent a number of days checking that 'Rodney' was running to the very best standards over the duration of it's visit, it was only fair that the support team were also able to enjoy it. Ian Penfold, one of the locos engineering team gets an opportunity 'on the handles'. 

Secondman, Simon P was also given the opportunity to sample 'Rodney'. 

 

 

 I think it is safe to say that we all had a thoroughly enjoyable day!

 

With the dust settling, it’s now back to the home fleet and post-Gala has seen the fleet in fine fettle. 

 

Haymarket TMD emblem on 26043. 

 

Class 26, 26043 has had a number of outings since its triumphant return at the Gala. Sadly, it has been at the expense of its CMDG stablemate, 45149, which suffered an electrical issue, necessitating it being withdrawn from traffic. 

 

The CMDG locos bathe in the sun at Toddington. Sadly, 45149 has been withdrawn from traffic due to a wiring issue but will hopefully be back during September. (Courtesy of the CMDG Facebook Page)

 

As a bonus, it has allowed the ‘26’ to rack up some mileage, allow the CMDG to rectify some of the little post-overhaul issues and for the footplate crews to regain their competences. Not only has it covered for the absence of the 'Peak' but it has also been used on shunting and trip workings. 

 

A pictorial study of some very happy (and, rightfully so!) loco crew at Winchcombe on 28/08/25. All five had worked on the overhaul of 26043 in various capacities. L - R: McRat (loco mascot on the lamp bracket), Simon T (CMDG Chair and Chief Engineer), Tony R, Alex R, Hugh J and Andy D are pictured alongside 26043 during the scheduled running day that was being used to re-certify competence on the loco. (Neil Whitehead)  

 

On Wednesday 04 Sept, 26043 had a jaunt to Winchcombe during a biblical storm returning BSK, 35308, and one of our GWR brake vans to Carriage and Wagon. The BSK is the first of the coaches allocated to become part of the Blue/Grey rake that we have been given the go-ahead to create. 

 

26043 at Winchcombe after arrival with a quick trip working to Carriage and Wagon. The shot does not do the weather justice! It was hellish!! The crew were like drowned rats (no pun intended) when they arrived back at Toddington! (Dave Stanton)

A crowd-fund had been set up to canvas for donations to help with the costs of refurbishing and painting the coaches earmarked for the project, however this has been removed by the railway administrators and hasn’t been replaced as yet. Hopefully, in the near future, a new fundraising opportunity will arise, should you wish to donate to the project. 

 

BSK 35308 back in the yard at Toddington prior to its trip to Winchcombe. By the time it had been shunted out the weather had gone from blue sky to monsoon. We even had some very close lightning strikes! 

Also on the 4th, 24081 was shunted out of the shed and under our A-Frame gantry down in Toddington Yard. The engine overhaul is quickly reaching its conclusion, and it was time to refit the refurbished roof section. 

 

24081 is shunted under the A-Frame by 37215

37215 was fired up as, not only was it the rostered loco for the Diesel turn but, I was able to make a start on its slightly overdue A Exam in the interim. 

 

Mark E gets the short straw and works the chains. Evidence of the first biblical downpour is evident by the wet concrete. Luckily the roof was lowered in in place before the heavens opened!  

 

Meanwhile, I could make a start on 37215's A Exam. 

 

With 26043, 20137 and 45149 shunted out of the way, 24081 was pulled out of the shed and down the yard. With the weather not looking very favourable, the team worked quickly to get the roof on before the first of many monsoon-like downpours. 

 

With Tim L and Andy T in the engine room, Phil B assists with the chains on the A-Frame. 

 

Luck would see the roof fitted and loco back in the shed before the intensity of the showers increased and lunch was taken to the sound of driving rain, thunder and lightning. It shouldn’t be too long before the ‘24’ is back in traffic. If 45149 returns to traffic in September then, when 24081 returns, this will give us the enviable situation of having all nine ‘mainline’ locos fit for traffic…a feat that we have never achieved before! Some of the locos are carrying little niggly issues, but nothing that will require them being pulled from traffic.

 

If you have been around the GWSR at any point this year you will have noticed the locomotives, both steam and diesel, wearing headboards with ‘ZOO’ – sorry, I mean ‘200’ – on them. It is, of course, the 200th anniversary year of the birth of the modern railway, when the Stockton and Darlington Railway worked the first, steam hauled passenger train between the two towns. And, like all heritage railways (as well as Network Rail and the mainline companies), the GWSR will be having a ‘Gala’ weekend over the 27/28 Sept with an intensive timetable utilising both the steam and diesel fleets. The Saturday will see 20137, 26043, 37215 and 47105 in operation throughout the day. The Sunday will see 20137, 20228, 37215, 47105 and 47376 ‘Freightliner 1995’ in operation. 

 

 

The timetable has been finalised and is available on the GWSR website - see the link below. Also over the weekend there will also be a number of extras going across the railway. These will include:

•    Interactive exhibits from departments across the railway, showcasing the activities they undertake daily
•    Photography exhibition
•    Toddington – come see the work of our Photography team
•    Winchcombe – ‘Building the GWSR' exhibition
•    Locomotives on display - come and explore some of our locomotives, and find out what makes them work
•    What do we do?  Hear from some of our volunteers as they talk about what it means to be a part of the GWSR, how it has shaped their life, interests, career and much more.

 

 

Paul G and Andy T have just heard that the kettle has boiled and some of Mrs Cronin's wonderful cake is on the table!! I'm sure that this will not constitute one of the talks, however, in all seriousness, what they are really doing - working on a spare Class 37 brake valve - will be.  

•    Visit Gotherington Gardens and be transported back to the Victorian era especially for Railway 200
•    We will also run our Demonstration Freight train – please note this will be demonstration only and will not carry passengers 
•    Carriage & Wagon sheds open
•    Take a look inside the machine shop at Toddington

 

For this event children will travel for free with a fare paying adult. More details and booking information can be found at https://www.gwsr.com/events/rail-200-celebration

 

 

D6948 and 37215 at Cheltenham during one of our Double Up Sundays in 2024. 

We also have a number of our ‘Double Up Sunday’ events during September. These running days will see our locos working in pairs and in ‘top and tail’ formation throughout the day. We also have a number of slightly different combinations for this year. 

 

47105 and 47376 'Freightliner 1995' rest on Toddington TMD during 2024.

Some of the highlights are:
•    7 Sept – Our Brush Type 4s – 47105 and 47376 ‘Freightliner 1995’ showcase 5000hp of Sulzer might!
•    14 Sept – 20137 and 20228 in multiple. 
•    21 Sept – 20228 and 26043 will work together in tandem, evoking memories of the West and North Highland lines in the 1980s when the classes could occasionally be found, mostly on freights, working in pairs.

 

We also have an intriguing day scheduled on the 20 Sept where EE Type 3, D6948, will be working in tandem with our BR ‘Modified’ Hall, 7903 ‘Foremark Hall’. 

During the transitional period of British Railways in the 1960s, although uncommon, it was possible to see diesel and steam locomotives paired on trains…although usually where a steam engine had failed and the only motive power available to affect a rescue happened to be a diesel. There are photos of these occurrences available on the internet however I have never seen one where an EE Type 3/Class 37 has come to the rescue of a BR ‘Hall’ so, potentially, this will be a first! Given that the ‘Modified’ Halls were withdrawn by 1965 and the EE Type 3s only started to appear on the Western Region from late 1963, it is highly unlikely that a pairing ever occurred.

 
However, I have first hand evidence of a diesel being sent to rescue a steam engine (or in this case, two) courtesy of my Grandfather and an escapade he endured back in January 1963 – although the diesel did not complete the rescue! 
During the epic snowstorms of January 1963, my Grandfather, Ewart, a Driver at Bristol Bath Road, was asked to take Collett Goods 0-6-0, 2277, down to Yatton where they would meet up with another BR Driver, Colin Forse and his loco, Ivatt Mogul, 46506 for snow clearing duties on the Strawberry Line from Yatton to Witham via Wells. At Draycott, the locos, led by 2277, hit a snow drift causing 2277 to become incapacitated. After unfreezing the couplings, 46506 was sent back for help but only made it 100 yards before, it too, got stuck! 

 

My Grandfather's loco, 2277, up to its running board in the white stuff! (Mike Horwood)

 

After burning the couplings to defrost them, Colin Forse managed to get his loco, 46506, about 100 yards before, it too, got stuck. (Mike Horwood)

 

After news of the incident filtered through (remember, there were no mobiles and phone lines were down in what is a very rural area of the West Country) Jack Whitney, Bristol Bath Road’s Inspector, sent newly arrived Beyer Peacock Type 3, D7046 from Cheddar to rescue them but, this derailed on arrival due to the build-up of ice and got stuck as well!! Not a good day for all concerned! 

 

 

Only a little over 6 months old, 'Hymek' D7046 was sent from Cheddar to try and rescue the stranded locos. It derailed on approach to Draycott (the Draycott Down Distant signal is just behind) after hitting compacted ice. You can see just how high the snow was here! The Bristol Barrow Road re-railing crew are seen digging it out on the 4th Jan. (Mike Horwood)

Colin and my Grandfather (and their respective firemen) ended up being ‘booked on’ in excess of 38 hours - from 0825 on 3 Jan to well onto the afternoon on 4 Jan! 

 

Jan 4th 1963 and the Bristol Barrow Road Re-railing team are seen next to their loco, 2217, being directed by Bristol Inspector, Jack Whitney (on the right) before starting to dig out 2277 and 46506. The car that brought Inspector Whitney to Draycott was to take my Grandfather, Colin and their firemen home. (Mike Horwood)

The escapade was duly captured by a gentleman by the name of Mike Horwood, who, as luck would have it, was walking to his mothers’ in Draycott to make sure she was okay. As a reporter for the local paper, he had his camera with him and was able to capture the goings on over the next couple of days.

 

For a number of years the local pub, ‘The Strawberry Special’, which is opposite Draycott Station (now a private residence), had the photos on show around the bar. It was a chance encounter with the photos at the pub when my Dad did one of his reenactments in Draycott, that brought it to light…although my Dad could remember the Policeman arriving at the door at some ungodly hour to tell my Grandmother the news, he did not remember my Grandfather ever talking about it. 

 

The events of that day in 1963 didn't put him off and my Grandfather went on to retire in 1984 after 51 years on the railway - man and boy! Here he is, on the left, in charge of HST Power Car W43008 at Swindon on 17 Aug 1980. 45 years later, to the day, and I was in charge of 50021 'Rodney'. It's all his fault!!

Many years later my late brother and I would return to the pub to find that the photos had all been stolen. However, the Landlord pointed us in the direction of the excellent book, ‘Steaming Through The Cheddar Valley’ by Derek Phillips, which contained all of Mike Horwood’s photos. I would also stumble across an excellent BBC Radio Bristol recording of Colin Forse talking about his life as a railwayman in 2007, where he would talk about this event in detail. This allowed us to put the pieces together of what had actually happened over those two days in 1963.

  
Anyways, back on to GWSR stuff! At the end of September, D6948 will be heading to our neighbours at the Severn Valley Railway to take part in their ‘65 Years of Class 37’ Gala over the 2 – 5 October. 

 

 

 

The SVR are hoping that 15 Class 37s will be in attendance although so far, only D6948 and 37250 from Wensleydale have been announced, although it is anticipated that the SVR’s resident guest, 37263 will also be in operation. 

D6948 will also operate a ‘Members Special’ on Saturday 11 October at the SVR before heading back to the GWSR. The Growler Group will have a stall at Kidderminster station during the Gala event and will have a sales stand on the train on the 11th. This will be only the 2nd time D6948 has left the GWSR – its previous sojourn was to the WSR in 2019.

 

Until now, the only time D6948 has ventured away from the GWSR was to appear at the WSR's 2019 Diesel Gala. Here it is on arrival at Minehead.  

If Class 37s aren’t your thing, then don’t despair as that weekend will see big and small Sulzers – in the shape of 47105 (2/10) and 26043 (4 and 5/10) – running the diesel turns at the GWSR.    

 

If you are a Class 37 enthusiast then do pop along to the SVR and say 'Hello'!

 

It's like an episode of Eastenders! The protracted discussions around the Class 122 and Class 117 DMU vehicles rumbles on! Here, W51360 with W55003 behind continue to take root in siding 2 at Toddington.  

Finally, the October timetable was due to see the newly overhauled Class 122 'bubble car' return to service after its lengthy absence. However, although the overhaul is nearing completion and the seats are in place, the ownership of the DMU vehicles is still causing a headache. New ownership has been identified that should keep them at Toddington for the foreseeable future with an agreed maintenance regime in place, however issues persist that prevent from this being completed. Whether this will happen in time for the DMU to return in October remains to be seen.