Wildlife Rescue comes to Toddington....

We are just under a week away from our Autumn Diesel Weekend over the 12th and 13th October - a weekend of intensive diesel running to see out the end of high point of the season. The previous years have been marketed as a full 'gala' event but, this year, it was decided to just have a weekend of intensive diesel running with only a few extra frills. All our serviceable fleet will be in action at some point, and it will see the last opportunity to get the red pens out for haulage behind our visitor, 50035 'Ark Royal', before she is due to head back to its home at Kidderminster TMD and the SVR. Further details, and the timetable, can be accessed here. As a pre-cursor, bear in mind that none of our locos will be able to provide heat so wrap up warm as its supposed to be a bit chilly!

The roster consists of:
Class 24, 5081 (back in traffic after its Load Regulator issue)
Class 26, D5343
Class 37, D6948
Class 45, 45149
Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995'
Class 50, 50035 'Ark Royal'
Class 73, E6036.

This weekend (5th and 6th October) saw a lot of final preparation as well as a fair bit of working going on. With the Winter drawing in and the diesel requirement for the timetable now mostly DMU reliant, it was time to turn attention to planning for the maintenance period and what needs to be done before the new season begins in April 2020. In the mess room a new whiteboard had appeared with the current fleet status on it. I'm sure over the next few months it will become more crowded and full of jobs to do for each loco in due course!

Dragging ourselves into the 20th Century! 

As you can tell our current fleet status sees D8137, 37215, and 1693 out of traffic. The list only includes the mainline contingent at present and doesn't include Class 26, 5310, which is with us from the Llangollen Railway for attention.

There was plenty of shunting to do first up on Saturday. The regulars from the Brush Type 4 Group were hoping to arrange the Warflat wagon that contains the remaining roof section of 1693 on Road 11, behind the loco. This meant making a bit more room by shunting 37215's bogies towards the back of the shed prior to moving 1693 out, hooking up to the Warflat and then shunting both the Warflat and 1693 back on to Road 11.

37215's bogies had returned earlier in the week from a brief visit to Freightliner's Midland Road TMD in Leeds for tyre turning. Having been sent up at the beginning of the week, they were back within 24 hours with shiny 'new' profiles. Huge thanks to Freightliner/Genessee & Wyoming for the work and speed of turn around.

37215's bogies are returned from Midland Road TMD. (Courtesy of Kev Jarvis)

The newly profiled wheelsets sit at the back of Road 11 prior to being carefully shunted back for more space. D8137's bogies are sat behind on Road 10. 

Shiny 'new' profiles.

With the bogies carefully moved back to the very end of Road 11 the shunt could be completed to move the Warflat next to 1693.

11230 does the honours as it draws 47376 'Freightliner 1995' and sister 1693 out into the yard.

The Warflat with 1693's roof section carefully secured to it. 

The roof section safely re-sited on Road 11 with 1693 in front.

In previous weeks the roof section on the Warflat had been taken back to the metal with some final welding completed by Mark S. Dave M was given the task of cleaning the metal work and starting with the application of the first layer of primer. Tim and 'H' were also working on part of the roof section - this being the roof section already on the loco that contains the louvers for the cooling system. This was being taken back to metal and the securing screw holes cleaned ready for refastening and priming. There was also evidence of a fair amount of filling going on on the body sides that were awaiting sanding back to give a smooth finish.

37215's bogies would also receive some attention later in the day as Kev J would appear to start work on re-cleaning the Traction Motors and Isolators ready for the work to start on replacing the bushes and bellows. Meanwhile, the loco itself sits out in the yard on accommodation bogies while it waits to be reunited with its own wheelsets.

Usually an indoor cat, 37215 finds itself amongst the detritus of the yard while it waits the work on its bogies to be concluded. 

I allied myself with Steve M who was needing a hand to finish off some work on his Class 20, D8137. Over the last weekend the loco was lifted from its bogies with the set taken from its demic sister, 20035, put underneath as accommodation bogies. D8137's own bogies were than shunted back into the shed ready for the removal of the expired Traction Motor. The following are a pair of photos from one of our young volunteers, Alex Barnard, who was present for the lift. Cheers, Alex.

D8137 becomes the fourth diesel loco to be lifted this year. Like the others, this was the first lift since being withdrawn from BR service. 29/09/19. (Courtesy of Alex Barnard)

 

HoD, Andy Durham, checks one of the jacks to ensure accuracy of lift. (Courtesy of Alex Barnard)

D8137's bogies on Road 10 awaiting the removal of the suspect motor.

D8137 rests on its accommodation bogies from sister, 20035, in the surroundings of the David Page shed. 

After removing the remaining lifting brackets and securing them back in the diesel shed, I moved onto cleaning up one of the Traction Motors from scrapped 20035. Its amazing how much filth accumulates around the Motors over the course of their working lives and this one was no different. After a lot of wire brushing and application of grease, it was ready for Steve to assess if it was worth keeping or if he would sell it on.

Whilst in the David Page shed I was able to get a look at the CDRL's Class 122 'bubble car', W55003, which is progressing with its overhaul. It has now received a first brushings of top coat BR Green. The underframe has also received a full coating of black with the electrical conduits painted in bright orange. The roof also appears to have had a coat of grey, also. Most of the work seems to now be concentrated on the interior and, in particular, the cab areas.

How much longer until the destination blind is set for CRC in anger once again? 

Also in the David Page shed, Class 04, D2280, has been taken out of service and is receiving some body work attention. With DES now back in front line shunting service (although it currently has flat batteries) D2280 can receive the attention it has needed since arriving from its previous home. As well as the body work attention the '04' needs its wheels re-profiling.

Our 'real' Class 04, D2280, receives some much needed body work attention. What livery will it return in? 

With the Traction Motor cleaned, I then went on to help Steve to retrieve a few more bits and pieces from the remains of 20035 that had been 'stored' down in the yard. At the bottom of Toddington yard is the original Growler Group inspection pit - built in 2002 'in memory of Kev's legs'!

The original Growler Group inspection pit. Plaque raised in memory of 'Kev's legs'!

This was from back when the a lot of the diesel maintenance was still done in the yard as opposed to undercover in a nice dry shed. It is now the home of our 'A-Frame' gantry and is usually used to stable the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group locos - D5343 and 45149 - and the ED, E6036. The siding is also being used to stable 37215 and visiting Class 26, 5310. In the near future, the site is earmarked as the home of the new fuelling point and storage tank.

The first, large, bit to retrieve was the control cubicle that had once been sat inside 20035's engine room. This was to be moved onto the concrete apron next to the pit before being moved into the car park with the use of the telehandler. However, with 5310 and 45149 in close proximity, it would be difficult to get the telehandler in without potentially causing damage.

20035's old control cubicle.

Our Traction Inspector, Tony B, had decided that that moment was as good as any to awaken the sleeping giant known as 'The Ark'! Tony had decided that due to 50035 not having run for a few weeks, it was prudent to take the EE Type 4 on a quick test run as it was due to operate the diesel turn the following day. It was, however blocked in by DES and D5343, which had been parked rather haphazardly.

D5343 had been left in no man's land during a previous shunt, blocking in 50035.

50035's 2700 horsepower English Electric 16 CSVT erupts into life. 

The Sunday would also be a special day for Tony as it would mark 40 years to the day of taking his first 'solo' driving turn for BR after passing out a few days before in October 1979. What better way to mark it than on a loco that Tony would have been very familiar with in his time on the Western Region. Congrats, Tony.

Cue another shunt to move the two locos away from the point of danger and free 50035 from its blockade. Tim was requisitioned to leave his duties with 1693 in order to help complete the shunt before manning the telehandler to move the cubicle.

Having collected D5343, Tim eases 11230 and company up to DES before heading back to move 5310 and 45149 clear of the pit. 

With the shunt complete Tim and Steve went to collect the telehandler. With the locos now moved from over the pit it revealed something unusual. We are quite accustomed at finding random dead wildlife in the bottom, as it fills with oil, water and other loco fluids but, we don't usually find anything alive in there. That is until today! Floating around on an old pallet were 7 small toads!

I wouldn't expect these to turn into Prince's, ladies! 

The discovery alerted Simon, who had ensconced himself away in the CDMG container. He was joined by Roger from the Steam Department who, complete with plastic container filled with clean water, was on hand to transport the amphibians to a more suitable habitat.

Simon goes all David Attenborough on us as Roger keeps an eye on the bucket. Hopefully, the toads appreciated the help they received at being liberated from the foulness of the pit. 

With the excitement of a real life Wildlife Rescue diminished, it was back to the heavy labour. Tim and Steve had returned with the telehandler and the cubicle was hoisted onto a pallet and then ratchet strapped to the forks of the telehandler. Tim then gingerly proceeded up the yard and onto the car park, where the cubicle was set down by the mess room.

Hopefully it doesn't get a ticket! 

It was then back down the yard to grab a couple of louvers and body side doors to be taken back to dry storage.

The louvers from 20035 are wrestled onto the forks of the telehandler. 37215 looks on. 

In the meantime, Tony had departed with 50035 and was now on Siding 1 awaiting a path in the timetable to Winchcombe. He had taken Richard G, who had returned after a short sabbatical, for a refresher run prior to Richard rejoining the active Driver Roster. 'The Ark' would return about half an hour later, complete with a beaming Richard at the controls.

50035 'Ark Royal' heads back towards Toddington after its brief sojourn to Winchcombe. 

With the heavy lifting and loco movements completed it was back to the mundane, but vital, cleaning. Steve had recovered a lot of spares from 20035 whilst scrapping it on site and a lot of them needed cleaning. In particular, a number of bearing cases needed the accumulated muck cleaned away, as well as a few from D8137 that had been removed, previously. With some dirty rags, a scraper and a small amount of kerosene, its amazing how clean things can become.

A pair were cleaned in total before the light began to fade and the call of one last cuppa rang across the shed.

With the season now drawing to a close, the mainline fleet will soon be retired for the Winter Maintenance period. Weekdays have now reverted to the BLUE timetable, which sees the DMU in use along with steam. There are two more GREEN timetable days which sees a diesel running on each day, as well as the DMU as part of the Cotswold Food and Drink Fayre. There is, finally, two PURPLE timetable days in November before the Santa season takes over. Diesel running is then briefly restarted on Boxing Day and over the New Year. The current October roster looks like this - not including the Diesel Weekend and usual availability caveats apply:

GREEN
Saturday 19th October - D5343 and DMU
Sunday 20th October   - 5081 and DMU

PURPLE
Saturday 2nd November - D6948
Sunday 3rd November    - D6948

BLUE - DMU
8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th, 31st October

RED - DMU
Saturday 26th October
Sunday 27th October.

August Update

Apologies for the lack of any updates over the last month. Sadly, my family have been through the wringer over the last 6 weeks and the priority has purely been on them. The railway has had to take a back seat. But preservation continues unabated and the department has been incredibly busy over the last month....so this might be a long one to catch us up!

Since the gala we have had a really busy month of August. Since the incident involving the 'King' shortly before the Diesel Gala a diesel loco has had to be rostered for all running days during the month. This gave the chance for some extra mileage behind our fleet of locos, including our visiting Class 50, and the chance for two diesels on our GREEN timetable. With the pointwork at Broadway out of commission all services had to be top-n-tailed between Broadway and Toddington. It made for some interesting diagramming and some very intensive shunt manoeuvres at Toddington as locos were added and removed! Our operational fleet all saw some extra turns throughout and more engine hours accrued. However, the pointwork at Broadway has now been fixed and so the return to standard timetabled services means that things go back to normal which means that diesel running starts to lessen as the season draws to a close. Don't forget, though, we still have the October Diesel Weekend on the 12/13 October for one final hurrah before Xmas. 

Speaking of the new pointwork at Broadway, Class 26 D5343 was the first loco to traverse the new point when it was used to take the P'Way train and the flat wagon containing the new point blade to Broadway. Below is a picture of the 'McRat' waiting at Broadway courtesy of Nigel Black. Cheers, Nigel.

D5343 becomes the first loco to traverse the new point at Broadway. (Courtesy of N. Black)

However, the loco was taken out of service shortly after its foray on the P'Way train in order to have its Automatic Voltage Regulator swapped. A new electronic AVR (as fitted to the majority of our fleet) was acquired and this was fitted in to the loco on 07/09. On test it was identified that it wasn't working to the correct voltages so the loco has been removed temporarily from the roster whilst it awaits rectification. It has also had a new pinion for No.2 compressor motor fashioned and fitted to the overhauled compressor motor. Over the Xmas period it is hoped that the loco can find some space under cover so that anti-corrosion work can be completed to the roof and upper body sides. 

D5343 sits on Toddington MPD on 08/09/19 awaiting work on its new AVR.

Our visiting Class 26, 5310, has been lifted and its Traction Motors have been removed. Paul Jones, co-owner of DES, has provided some photos of the loco lift. Cheers Paul.

5310's bogie with Traction Motor removed. The axle seems to be in good condition. (Courtesy P. Jones)

5310  goes for a lift. (Courtesy of P. Jones)

Accommodation bogies ready to be rolled in, 5310 is lifted for its Traction Motors to be removed. Bubble Car, W55003 sits in top coat behind. (Courtesy P. Jones) 

The Llangollen Diesel Group have arranged for the Motors to be sent away for refurbishment and repair with a view to a mid-October return. It is hoped that, like with the main Gala, the loco will be available to take part in the Diesel Weekend in some way - especially as the season winds down and the chances for obtaining any running with the loco diminishes.

Visiting Llangollen Class 26, 5310, languishes in the yard at Toddington on 08/09/19 as its Traction Motor repairs progress.

Our other visiting loco, EE Type 4, 50035 'Ark Royal' is still proving to be a popular draw - even though the Gala finished over a month ago. It has had a few more turns than initially anticipated due to 'Pointgate' (a phrase coined by our HoD, Andy, in a recent meeting!) and has performed without fault. Our guests from the SVR who have come down the road from Kidderminster to crew and maintain the 2700hp beast have all been very positive about the locomotive's stay and have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to come and crew on the GWR. For many it was the first time away from crewing on the SVR an for those of us from the GWR who have crewed on 'the Ark' I can safely say that it has been an experience that has been enjoyed thoroughly - or, maybe that was just me! I was lucky enough to crew it in August, on a rare visit to the GWR during the month, and the smile has only just left my face! A great day had with Richard S along with Ade Holman and James Gregory from the C50A. 

On the run round at Toddington. 50035 'Ark Royal' waits for the road to Winchcombe. 

One Old Oak legend meets another at Winchcombe. 6023 'King Edward II' crosses 50035.

Signs of its previous livery. A left over from its 'Loadhaul' days.

Yours truly at full power! A great way to take your mind of things!

Locos requiring lifting has been a running theme throughout the last couple of years. The initial recipient of a lift was Class 24, 5081. With the bogie and brake refurbishment, and running in, completed the loco was cruelly withdrawn prior to the Gala in July with a Load Regulator issue which was causing some spectacular arc-ing in the engine room. This has been patched up and the Field Diverts switched out enabling a couple of loaded test runs to be conducted  with a view to the loco being available to play some active part in the Diesel Weekend in October. The electrical work has also thrown up a few other minor issues that need looking at during the close season. 

Class 20, D8137, is scheduled to get a lift in the next few weeks in order to have at least one Traction Motor removed. Like 5081, the 'Chopper' was removed from the Gala roster at late notice when it was discovered that one Motor was tripping out and another was giving low voltage readings. Owner, Steve M, has just finished stripping sister loco, 20035, therefore giving Steve the potential of conducting a like for like swap for two Motors. The ones removed from 20035 appear to be in good order so it is hoped, when cleaned up and refurbished, that two can be swapped enable D8137 to return to service sooner than initially thought. 

Another loco that has been on the jacks is Class 37, 37215. Work has progressed on its bogies with removal of the spent Traction Motor brushes and a general clean up of the metal work. However, during inspection it was noticed that the tyres were in need of a little attention as well as the Motor brushes and Blowers. A decision was made to send the wheelsets for tyre turning. On the 08/09 the bogies were sat on the unloading road waiting for collection. 

37215's bogies await collection and a visit with the wheel lathe on 08/09/19.

This means that it is unlikely that 37215 will be available for the October weekend and so a return in 2020 is most likely. 

37215's sister Class 37, D6948, has seen a significant amount of work over the past month and remains on the active roster despite returning from its holiday to the West Somerset Railway with a Main Reservoir air leak. Although not preventing the loco from operating, the offending pipework will need assessing and repair but, this is not likely to be easy. The offending pipework is under the floor of the cab and above the wheelset, thus being difficult to access without......you guessed it! A lift of the body! So, we add another locomotive to the list of locos that will need the assistance of the lifting jacks. It is likely that this will occur during the close season so as not to keep the loco out of service for too long. 

The issues with the locomotives boiler is also progressing slowly. The pipework has been inspected visually, and using ultrasound, and the good news is that the pipework is in good condition. This means that, hopefully, any repair will be minimal and won't need the whole of the pipe to be repaired - just the area around where the breach occurred. It is hoped that the boiler can be returned and refitted prior to the end of the year....if all things go well. 

'Peak', 45149 has had investigations into its Traction Motor failure and the indications show that the Motor may not be defective. Investigations showed that the electrical throughput was adequate throughout the motor and that the suspicion might be related to the crimps on the wiring not being of sufficient capacity. The crimps have been replaced and, it is hoped that the cable can be replaced and the unit tested after the Diesel Weekend. The loco remains on the available roster and will see service during the Diesel Weekend.

47376 'Freightliner 1995' remains in an operational capacity and has also seen regular use over August. Other than its routine A Exams, the loco has continued to be one of the most consistent and reliable performer. 

47376 'Freightliner 1995' arrives in to Toddington on the 25/08/2019.

The long term overhaul of 1693 continues. The work on the roof louvres has been completed and the louvre sections refitted. The remaining roof sections await their turn as the attention on the body work continues. 

Our ED, E6036, has seen infrequent use since its outing at the Gala in July but has remained serviceable. It is due for use on a ballast job on the 09/09 and is likely to see use at the Diesel Weekend. 

All our shunters remain in serviceable condition. DES has seen regular use now that Drivers have been retrained for competence and, with regular use, Class 04, D2280, is to be taken out of service so that it can have it's tyres reprofiled. The 04 joins the list of locos needing lifting! Its 'sister' 11230 remains in a serviceable condition, as does Class 03, D2182 down at C&W Winchcombe.

On the DMU front, Class 117 DMS, W51405, has returned from its sojourn to C&W for refurbishment. The cab area needs attention before it returns to service as some parts were robbed in order to keep the other power cars in service. Elsewhere, the Bubble-Car edges closer to completion and has seen the first layers of top coat added. It has also seen work continue to the inside and to the glazing. 

Sunday 08/09 saw a DMG Meeting and a first 'proper' visit to the railway for me in over a month. After the meeting Andy, Richard S and myself organised a shunt in order to get 5310 over the pit for the removal of the lifting brackets. These had come to the end of their safety ticket and need re-assessing. It also gave a reason to move E6036 out of a convoy of locos ready for its ballast job and to free up the Ballast Brush for use at Buckland. DES was the shunter of choice but wouldn't start due to flat batteries so D2280 was fired up.

Steve M preps D2280 ready for action.

Andy preps one of the brackets for removal from 5310.

5310, D5343 and D6948 catch the rays. 

After completing the shunt I went back to help Steve with the ongoing work to sort his spares from 20035 and identify items that can be transferred over to D8137 as part of the Motor swap. Steve had already taken off the bearing casings and Motor boxes and, as you would expect, they were filthy. The Motor casings get filled with lubrication fluid that is incredibly toxic and maintains a tar like consistency when at room temperature. In the UK we use something called Motak but in France (where 20035 spent its last few operational years) they use something a little less 'tacky'. After draining as much out, each half of the casing was drenched in diesel in order to try and remove as much lubricant as possible in order to clean them out more thoroughly later with the steam cleaner. 

20035' bogies all stripped down with the Traction Motors removed. D8137 expectantly awaits behind it all.

The Traction Motor casings from the CFR Class 20. Diesel has been added to try and neutralise the lubricant inside to make it easier to clear using the steam cleaner.

Bearing casings, all marked as to position on the bogie frame. 

It could almost be an optical illusion! The reflection of the roof in the diesel at the bottom of a section of casing. 

Traction Motors R Us!! But, whose is whose??

  

That was the gala that was!

The weekend just passed saw the annual Diesel Gala - the department's chance to parade our wares and have the line to ourselves for 3 days to celebrate all things diesel locomotive. This year was hoped to be a big year with Class 50, 50035 'Ark Royal' joining us from our friends at the Class 50 Alliance up the road at the Severn Valley Railway, being the 2nd of its class on the line - 50021 'Rodney' was resident on the line between 1994 and 1996 - but the first to reach Cheltenham Racecourse AND Broadway, and the return to service of our Class 24, 5081 after its 3 year bogie overhaul, as well as being joined by the Bus Gala on the Sunday.

Sadly, best laid plans and all that, fate conspired to try and put a dampner on things. For the 3rd year in a row the weather had been blisteringly hot up until the weekend of the gala only for rain to nearly wash out a day and for it to be overcast and cool for the remainder! Typical!

Saturday of the Gala was a wet one! E6036 arrives at Toddington in one of the many spectacular downpours!

After having visiting Class 26, 5310, ruled out from taking a service role earlier in the month and Class 20, D8137 being ruled out with a Traction Motor issue, we also had to contend with losing 5081 on the Sunday before the Gala after it was failed whilst rostered on the GREEN timetable. The loco had been a little slow to load up and it had been noticed that something had been arcing in the engine room. It would appear that the Load Regulator was sticking when winding back and causing a short. One of the 'star' locos was now out of the running. Cue mad timetable re-write #1! 

That wasn't to be the last thing, either. On the Thursday an incident caused damage to the point work on the lead in to Broadway station. This point is operated by a ground frame and the incident caused severe damage to the point blades taking them out of service meaning that we could not facilitate run rounds. Cue mad timetable rewrite #2 to put top and tail operation in to practice! Hopefully there wouldn't be anymore! And, luckily, other than the weather on Saturday, there was nothing that couldn't be dealt with. 

So, to the Gala weekend itself. Friday was a fine day and many took the advantage of the sun to take some spectacular photos. Many of the Class 50 fan club had scheduled to attend the Friday to sample 50035 before traveling to Derby on the Saturday for a railtour utilising Garcia Hanson's Class 50, 50008 'Thunderer' (my particular favourite!) - the first railtour the loco had performed in 28 years! This meant that the services on Friday were very well patronised and all locos performed exceptionally. I couldn't get the day off of work to be there but one of our fellow operational volunteers is also an intrepid photographer and was on hand to take some excellent photos. Thanks Alex.

D6948 heads away from the Aqueduct as it heads towards Toddington on 26/07/19. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould)

Visitor 50035 'Ark Royal' makles it's second trip through Bishops Cleeve on its way to Cheltenham. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould) 

Earlier in the day, 50035 powers away from Cheltenham after becoming the first of its Class to reach Cheltenham Racecourse. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould)

With the disappointment of not having double headed Class 26's abated, resident D5343 powers through Hayles Abbey Halt on its way to Cheltenham. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould)

After a quick telephone exchange with the photographer to find out his vantage point, Driver Rich Scott opens up 'Peak' 45149 as it heads under the aqueduct on its way towards Toddington. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould)

Toddington, again, provided the main focal point with the Diesel Shed open allowing the paying public to have an insight into what we do and to, perhaps, part with some hard earned 'readies' at some of the sales stalls. In the shed on display were Class 20 D8137, Class 47 1693 and Class 24 5081. The Class 20 was displayed with its body side doors open so that people could look at the internals of a locomotive. 

Late retired 5081 sits in the Diesel Shed as a static exhibit. The loco was failed the prvious weekend with Load Regulator issues. 

D8137 heads the line of display locos, including 1693 and 5081, inside the Diesel Shed. 

In the car park at Toddington Class 37, 37215, and Llangollen's Class 26, 5310 were parked on the unloading road and made available for cab visits and tours. We had hoped to have 5310 available in some capacity over the weekend before it has its extensive Traction Motor work completed and, with thanks to the Llangollen Diesel Group, an agreement could be reached. Both locos were incredibly popular with enthusiasts and families getting up close and personal with two of British Rail's most iconic locomotive types. 

Sitting out its first gala in a long time, Class 37, 37215, sits on its accommodation bogies in the car park at Toddington providing the opportunity for the public to get up close and personal with a 'Welsh Deltic'. 

Llangollen's Class 26, 5310, keeps 37215 company in the car park at Toddington. 

Our colleagues at Carriage and Wagon in Winchcombe also threw open their doors to allow the public the opportunity to see behind the scenes with the crucial work that goes on in restoring our rolling stock to such a high calibre. 

  
Saturday morning and I was allocated to cab visit duty on 37215. Great!! I get to stay in the dry!! Leaving Bristol in glorious sunshine, by the time I hit Gloucester on the M5 it was now overcast and decidedly murky. Low cloud, drizzle and it was only getting worse. The Cotswold edge was shrouded in very low cloud and the rain was incessant. Strangely, the other side of the Cotswolds was reasonably dry! It didn't put off a surprising number of intrepid visitors and most train services were very well patronised. Cab visits were also seeing a number of people who, rather than just heading for the dry, were actually quite interested and a number of impromptu engine room tours were conducted by myself and Alex (of photo fame earlier). Prior to prepping the blue 'Growler' for its admiring audience I went for a mooch around the yard after signing on. More clearance has gone on where the new facilities block will be sited. The old toilet and shower block has been....squashed flat and you can now get a good view of the Toddington Up Home bracket, Signal Box and the rusting carcass of Class 107 DMS, Sc52029. With work focused on the Class 117 and the Class 122 'bubble car', this DMU car (along with Class 117 DMBS, W51372) has been left to the elements as it awaits its turn for restoration.

Class 107 DMS, Sc52029, in its coat of many colours. The toilet and shower block has now been flattened in front.

In the yard ED Class 73, E6036 was being readied for its rare sojourn on passenger services. The loco is generally relegated to operating the P-Way and Ballast trains on the line however, this year, was the first year in two since it worked passenger services. One for the haulage nuts!

E6036 is prepped for a rare outing on passenger services. 

Also in the yard two stalwart Western Region locomotives were being readied for their next turns of service. Our visiting loco 50035 'Ark Royal' was keeping esteemed company with fellow WR express locomotive 6024 'King Edward II'. Both locomotives would have been been based at Old Oak Common TMD and were used on the same express services from London Paddington to Bristol, Devon and the Midlands....albeit 30-odd years apart. What a great sight to see on Toddington MPD.

Two ex- Old Oak Common stalwarts sit in the rain on Toddington MPD.

Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995' was also in the yard being prepped for its turns of the day.

Type 4 heaven! 

Our returning shunter 'DES' was also in the yard being prepped for a morning of training with potential Drivers. Because it has been out of service for nearly 2 years no one is competent to drive the powerful shunter and, with Bryan Parson's Class 04, D2280, needing time out of service for tyre turning, the gala weekend was seen as the perfect time to do it.

DES in the yard on Sunday morning having a rest after its day of training new Drivers on Saturday. 

Other pictures from Saturday......

'Peak', 45149, arrives at Toddington with a Broadway bound service. 

D6948 moves away from siding 1 in order to drop onto the back of a Broadway bound service. 

Class 26, D5343, makes a spirited getaway from Toddington with a Cheltenham bound service. 

'Hoover' 50035 'Ark Royal' makes a typically smoky departure from Toddington with a southbound service. 

Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995' awaits departure time with a Cheltenham service. 

Sunday saw the car park at Toddington overrun with diesels of another kind......buses. Back last year, the GWSR Board and the Events Teams decided to move the Bus Gala to the Sunday of the Diesel Gala. Seemed like a logical idea given that we could now celebrate two crucial forms of diesel based public transport. This is the first year of it happening and was very much an experiment. From the outside looking in it looked like it worked reasonably well....although I am sure others will have their own opinions. However, it was good to see two forms of diesel transport together at the same event. Having spoken to the Bus event organiser, David, on Saturday, he was hopeful of around 30 buses joining the event with the oldest being built in the 1930s and the newest being a brand new 19 plate vehicle from Reading. Again, services were very well patronised and the stations were a hum of activity. The weather was much better and this helped to promote a really good atmosphere around the railway. I was rostered on Class 37, D6948 and we had an early start, dropping onto the back of the first Broadway bound service.

D6948 in the yard with its English Electric cousin, 50035.

In the station at Toddington ED Class 73, E6036, was sat in the dock siding awaiting a light engine departure to Winchcombe and, in the car park, 37215 was keeping a vintage Bristol bus company whilst the bus's owning group set up their merchandise table.

The ED awaits prepping and light engine departure to Winchcombe. 

Crosville liveried Bristol built L5G Bus of 1950 with BR Blue liveried English Electric Type 3 (Class 37), 37215, of 1964. 

Over the morning the car park was to fill with a wide variety of different buses from a large spread of operators with a huge range of liveries.

A rather rushed shot of the car park as it fills up on the Sunday. 

Overall, estimated numbers of attendees were around the 2000 mark which puts this years event on a par with last years Gala event which is testament to the hardwork put in by the organisers, roster clerks, loco owning groups and those volunteers that rostered themselves in to cover throughout the weekend. No rest for the wicked and the organisers now press on to sorting October's event!

E6036 slows for the token exchange at Gotherington. The legend that is Dave Newman, as Signalman, gets ready for the double change with Secondman Phil Seymour.

Cousins meet at Winchcombe. 50035 arrives with a southbound service as Kev Jarvis and I wait with D6948 on a northbound service. 

D6948, having completed a shunt to re-organise the shed, ticks away after being shut down; its exercise done for the day. 

One of the consequences of the points incident at Broadway sees the timetables changed to accommodate the need to top and tail all services. This means that a diesel will be used all day on rotated turns covering the RED and PURPLE timetables as well as an extra diesel on GREEN timetable days. No information on allocated locomotives will be available until the last minute due to working around those crews that are available at the time. Keep up to date on the GWSR Facebook page and via the GWSR website.