Definitely not as planned!

Firstly, a very belated Happy New Year to you all and hopefully a safe festive period was had. As we headed into the New Year period, we were greeted by the Government's 'Plan B' for Covid which saw services for 2021 curtailed after the final Santa Train on Christmas Eve. This meant there was a massive surfeit of mince pies hanging around for those on duty as no Mince Pie Specials would run between Christmas and New Year. I can safely say that those of us rostered on Christmas Eve (and the day before) made a serious dent in the stock pile!

For the Diesel Department it was a bit of a relief, although the loss of revenue that that period generates would have been a nice extra as we try to recoup the income lost over the last two years. The end of 2021 was not a pleasant one for the fleet, or the owning groups, as by the 24th December the mainline fleet was down to two serviceable locos, coupled with the DMU and our shunters! A situation that, certainly in the time I have been volunteering, is unprecedented. At the end of 2021 the fleet situation was thus:

Shunters

Class 03        D2182               Serviceable
Class 04        D2280               Serviceable

Class 04        11230                Serviceable

                      DES                  Unserviceable - Electrical issues

Mainline

Class 20        D8137               Unserviceable - Testing after maintenance

Class 20        20228                Unserviceable - Restoration

Class 24        5081                  Unserviceable - Awaiting repairs

Class 26        D5343               Unserviceable - Body work and repairs

Class 37        37215                Unserviceable - Generator repairs

Class 37        D6948               Unserviceable - Awaiting body lift and repairs

Class 45        45149                Unserviceable - Awaiting repairs

Class 47        47105                Serviceable

Class 47        47376                Unserviceable - Awaiting new batteries

From the DMU fleet, the three car Class 117 set is serviceable and the Class 122 'bubble' car remains under restoration. 

As you can see, things were a bit worrying! Most concerning was with 37215. After being removed from service in early December for repairs to it's engine governor the loco was to suffer a main generator flashover just a few days later. This is where a large electrical charge builds up and is then released across the generator causing a loud bang, lots of flashing and, in some cases, quite extensive damage. 

The generator of 37215, at the bottom centre of the picture. Above it sits the intercoolers for the turbos. 

With 37215 out of traffic, the next knockout was to see Class 45, 45149 removed from traffic on account of a fuel leak. This left just three locos serviceable in order to finish off the Santa trains - 5081 (which was in need of traction motor contactor repairs), 47376 (suffering from flat batteries) and the newly restored 47105. 

Nobody said this was an easy hobby, but to suffer all these issues around the same time, and on top of the current restoration projects, it certainly caused some stress! But, we got it done and all Santa services ran, bar the final DMU service due to changes in the Covid restrictions before Christmas, and all the visitors left happy. Job done!

The penultimate day of Santa trains saw these two out to play, along with the DMU. 47376 was nursed back into use due to both 37215 and 45149 being removed from the active roster. 

The evening begins to draw in as the two Brush Type 4's await their return north. 

I don't get to crew the 47's too often so this was a nice opportunity to become more familiar with them. That included putting 47376 to bed!!

However, that was not the end of things for the 2021 season - or at least for the railway. After New Year 47105 was reawakened on the 4th Jan to work the ECS services to Winchcombe taking the two sets of 'Santa' stock down to Carriage and Wagon so that our colleagues there can ensure that the rolling stock is in tip top shape ready for March. 

47105 arrives at Winchcombe with the first of the two Santa rakes. (Courtesy of Dave Clark/C&W Blog)

47105 was to be followed down by an unusual movement. Our shunter fleet rarely get a chance to stretch their legs on the main running line. Class 03, D2182, is probably the one that sees the main line most frequently but only in the confines of Winchcombe station limits. Earlier in 2021 D2280 stretched it's 0-6-0's when it was used to take the returned, loaned North York Moors coaches down to Winchcombe, however, this time it was the turn of the other 'Class 04', 11230 which headed to Winchcombe to help out her Class 03 sister with the shunting of the coaching stock. 

11230 sat outside Carriage and Wagon at Winchcombe after arrival. (Courtesy of Save Clark/C&W Blog)

I wasn't aware of this but 11230 was at one time also resident at Winchcombe along with D2182 before it was bought by its current owner and moved to Toddington. Somewhat of a homecoming, perhaps? At least temporarily. 

However, in keeping with the theme of being down to bare bones, the Toddington MPD shunter fleet is currently down to just Class 04, D2280 or 'Shunty' as our third yard shunter at Toddington, DES, has had long standing problems with its electrical systems. The last couple of years has seen the ex-Port of London and ASW, Cardiff shunter in and out of service whilst the owners have tried to get to the bottom of what is causing the issues. After Christmas and New Year, one of the owners, along with a number of other department volunteers, spent some time trying to get to the the bottom of the ongoing electrical issues. After lots of checks, replacing of parts and attempted starts the engine continued to fail to start, although it did appear to try and tick over. Plenty of arcing and shorting seems to lead to the possibility of the generator starter windings being defective. Paul, one of the owners, has put out a request for assistance from anyone that may have worked on Yorkshire Engine locomotives via 'DES's Facebook page. If you might be able to help then get in touch - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1543973082346796

The Class 117 DMU set, L425, has had its winter examinations ready for its return to services in March. During the exams there were spots of corrosion that were cut out and treated to stop the travel of the corrosion temporarily. 

Some of the corrosion waiting to be cut out and treated on the Class 117. (Courtesy of the GWSR DMU Facebook Group)

Some small interior faults have been rectified, as have some small issues with the engines on both power cars. Electrical work has also continued on Class 122, W55003 along with reinstating more of the interior panelling. 

And that brings us nearly up to date. It's rare that I get to Toddington during the week however, due to Covid and the fact I hadn't been able to use my work annual leave entitlement up as I would normally do (generally gigging with my bands or footplate duties), I have a lot of A/L still to take before my cut off date! So, I decided I would take some Wednesdays off so that I could join our 'Wednesday' group for a change. On arrival at Toddington on the 19th, I was met by a sea of cars in the car park. Not only were Per Way at Toddington, but there were also a fair few in the David Page shed, down on the Narrow Gauge and in the Diesel Shed. It was going to be a busy day!

In the shed Keith and Andy T were already hard at work on bits and pieces from Class 26, D5343. Joined by Paul C, they were busy with cleaning up some of the internal panelling as well as cleaning and painting some of the metal pieces removed from the locomotive.

Keith rubs down some of the internal panelling from D5343. 

Andy T is busy with painting one of the four securing brackets (I'm sure they have a proper name!) that sit below the loco body. Paul C was busy cleaning off and priming one of the others.   

For those who aren't familiar with the Class 26, the above picture shows one of these brackets attached below the loco. Unlike a Class 20 or 37 where straps are used to 'secure' the body to the bogies, these brackets do the same for the Class 26. The amount of space, or slack with the straps on EE machines, allows for the movement of the bogies and body when going into bends or when traversing uneven track.

Out in the yard, the loco had been pulled out from its hibernation in the David Page shed. In readiness for a move back outdoors, the loco has had tarpaulin secured over the roof and bodysides to prevent water ingress. With the body work nearly ready for painting to commence with warmer weather, the areas under the solebar continue to be needle-gunned ready for repainting. Some areas have received primer and one of the cab sides has even had a test application of BR Blue. 

With its plastic mac on, D5343 sits in the yard with D8137 and GWR 2-8-0, 4270. 

Below the solebar, paint removal, cleaning and priming/undercoating continues whilst waiting for the weather to warm up to allow the major painting to start.  

With the A-Frame lifting gantry fixed - the shackle needed repairs - the group are hopeful that a start may also be fairly close for getting the pistons rings and liners back into the engine. Will we see the McRat back in 2022? It's probably too soon to say with any degree of certainty. 

It's yard mate, D8137 continues its return to service after its traction motor repairs. Owner Steve M has been concentrating efforts on sister, 20228, however, it is hoped that it may soon be possible to get D8137 under test ready for a B-Exam and hopefully a very welcome, early season return to service.

An increasingly weather-worn D8137 in the yard at Toddington. Despite the bedraggled BR Green paintwork, when paired with the ex-works BR Blue of sister, 20228, it does evoke images of the class when in service on the Honeybourne Line in the early 1970s.    

There was evidence of some work starting on 47376 as it's engine room side door had been removed and was laid on one of our mobile platforms. Along with needing new batteries, there has been some general tidying up and small bits of renovation done inside the loco. 

47376's engine compartment door. 

Lastly, myself, John G and, Growler Group Chairman/Technical Officer, Paul G got stuck in with 37215. Paul was hoping to assess the damage caused by the generator flashover before Christmas and get some idea of what needed to be done, in what order and the duration. He was to ensconce himself in the loco's engine room for most of the day with John supporting and me at the work bench doing the cleaning and general fetching and carrying. First up was cleaning and sorting some of the spare brush and contactor boxes so that we had an idea of what spares we had that were fit for using. 

This will keep a mechanical idiot quiet for an hour or so!! 

Whilst I was busy with the wire brush and rags, Paul was busy assessing the damage and running back and forward between the loco and the GG container with a variety of bits and pieces. 

One of the spares, all clean and shiny. It's not a surprise that these get so dirty which is one of the major causes for a flashover. Not only do they get clogged up with soot, but general dirt, oil and rust. 

As I was just finishing up with the box above, Paul came over carrying a piece of ceramic insulating pot. Each box (there are 4 of them) has two insulating pots on either side. They are similar to the ones found on the traction motor brush boxes only larger. 

Comparison next to a complete pot. When a flashover occurs these crack and, in some cases, explode. 

It appeared that only a couple of pots had exploded during the event with a few more becoming cracked or were scorched. They had all been secured in place using araldite which annoyed Paul as it meant that they would need to be smashed to remove them and new ones purchased - we only had 4 spare. 

The spare pots after a clean up. 

It was wondered if the spare engines we have contained any usable spares or whether what we already had on the bench, and in the container, were the sum of all the spares. John and I were then hastily sent down the yard to work off our lunch and to see if anything remained on the two spares. 

It's quite a long walk down to the headshunt! Sadly, all the parts we were looking for had been robbed. They probably are the ones that were sat on the bench. In the back ground, the Per Way gang work on getting the Toddington South turnout recommissioned.  

After trudging back we had a look inside the generator to see what damage there was. Paul gave us the walk through of what he had found so far. In the picture below you can see two of the ceramic pots still in place (circled in RED) and the places where the pots had been blown off, or that Paul had removed as it was quite badly damaged (circled in YELLOW). 

Staring into the abyss!

In the picture below you can some of the scorching and soot damage on one of the brush boxes. As long as there is no structural damage, a good clean up might be all this brush box needs.

Paul had already removed a couple of the brush boxes and gave me the task of cleaning them up and checking the brushes for damage or excess wear. 

The first box to be removed. 

The first box was in fairly good condition. On inspection, with Paul, the contactors were all in situ and showed no signs of damage. The soot and grime came off with a rag and a bit of contact cleaner which allowed the brass colour to show through. There were some areas where dirt ingress had caused rusting; these were treated with a wire brush and the rag. 

With a bit of elbow grease you can see that the contactors on the left have come up a treat. Even the braiding to the brushes cleared of grime pretty quickly. There were no signs of damage to any of this unit. 

The carbon brushes showing some wear but no damage - splitting or cracking. The lines on the side are the wear guide. Paul decided that these still had a fair bit of life left in them. 

We'll see what this week brings! 

Its all about the C (or X)-Word!

Nothing to do with unsavoury language, nor to do with some virus thing that is doing the rounds (you really would have to be living under a rock not to know that one!) but Christmas. Or Xmas, if you prefer the abridged version.

Since the end of November it has all been about the Santa Trains and, this year, we are having to top and tail services between Toddington and Winchcombe 'The North Pole' due to major embankment works that have started on the opposite side of Greet Road bridge to Winchcombe station. For those that remember this is the slip at the site of the old Harvest Home pub that has required the huge 'Lego' blocks to be placed next to the turnout between the bridge and Greet Tunnel. 

On 11th December, Class 24, 5081 and Class 37, 37215 are on the north end of the two Santa sets with steam locos on the south end. Courtesy of John Garrett.

The roster originally had a reasonably equal amount of running for our serviceable mainline fleet with the Class 117 operating the Toddington-Broadway services. However, quick changes have had to be made as Class 45, 45149 was withdrawn from the roster and then 37215 was withdrawn after suffering a power fault that was traced back to the engine governor air piston. Swift repairs meant that 37215 was back in traffic within the week - the picture above being its first day back. In the meantime Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995' had an extra run to cover. Sadly, the 'Peak' is now out of service for the remainder of the year. 

With 37215 having been declared a failure the night before, 47376 was hastily readied on the 4th December to work the Santa Trains. 47105 was originally booked power for Train 2. Courtesy of John Garrett. 

 

47376 sits next to 37215, the loco it replaced on the 4th December. Courtesy of John Garrett.  

The Class 117 set at Toddington on 12 December on the 'Ride with Santa' service. Courtesy of the GWSR DMU Facebook page. 

We have just one week of Santa trains left before the last hurrah for this season with the ORANGE timetable which, because of the works at Winchcombe, means that services will be top and tailed again with services running between Winchcombe and Broadway. 37215 and one of the 47's will be in use for these days, so come join us for some post Christmas mixed traffic action.

Finally, December 5th was International Volunteer Day and, with the GWsR being a 99% volunteer-run railway, it was an opportunity to raise a metaphorical glass to everyone who helps to keep the railway running. On our Twitter feed (@GWSRDiesels), and across the various owning group feeds, there were a selection of photos highlighting the work that the members of the Diesel Department undertake to keep these machines running. A small selection, some stretching back a number of years showing much younger depictions of some of our volunteers, are included below (the first five are courtesy of Richard Drewitt)….

As you can see, it's not all about 'playing trains' and there is a huge amount that goes on behind the scenes. We, as a whole railway not just the Diesel Department, are always looking for volunteers so, if you feel a New Years resolution coming on to get involved, then head over to the GWRT website and express an interest - https://www.gwrt.org.uk/Volunteering.html. 

You may have to be patient for some departments as they may only require volunteers when there is a specific need, but it is always worth getting involved elsewhere and learning how the railway runs - many volunteers have several roles across the railway, if their spare time allows - but others may only do one role and only do a few days a month. There is, literally, something for everyone!!  

Finally, here's hoping you all have a peaceful and joyful Xmas and New Year!

Courtesy of Richard Drewitt.

Get to the chopper!!

An apt phrase from one of my favourite 'Arnie' films, but in this case there is no unearthly killing machine in the general vicinity nor any downed helicopter pre-tense! Instead, the 'chopper' in this instance was Class 20, D8137 and the reason for 'getting to it' was to help out with reuniting it with its bogies after its Traction Motor swap. On the Saturday the loco had been moved in to the David Page Shed and the brackets fitted ready for lifting the body from the accommodation bogies and that was where it was found on the Sunday. 

Tim L has a conflab with D8137's owner, Steve M, about the set up on the synchronised jacks. 

The loco has been out of service since it's Traction Motor on the cab-end bogie failed in 2019. You can see the effects of two years outside in the elements on the yellow nose which has faded to a ghostly lemony colour. 

Once all the jacks had been plugged in to the control desk and checked for correct working the lift was ready to commence. To make sure everything was going well Tim L was given the role of 'Lift Leader' and each jack had one of us checking that everything was all above board. Carefully, the 'chopper' was lifted in stages so that any issues could be identified and rectified quickly. 

With the loco now in the air and clear of the accommodation bogies we could start to move things around. 

With the loco in the air we could then start to move the accommodation bogies away and bring the original bogies, complete with new traction motors, in from the Diesel shed and under the loco. It also gave Steve a chance to go around and check for anything under the loco that may indicate other issues or the potential for issues. 

When the loco is in the air it gives an opportunity to check parts that you don't often see! A variety of fuel and air lines, air tanks, filters and pumps. 

Just to the left of centre you can see the pillar that will sit in the hole on top of the bogie. This needed a little greasing after having accumulated dirt and grease removed. 

After shifting out the front bogie without issue between 5 of us, using brute force, the second bogie didn't want to play ball and wouldn't shift. This required a bit more power in the shape of Class 04, D2280, a long strop and some very careful movements. Once carefully extricated from under the '20', the bogie could then be moved away and the original set brought forward into the DP Shed. 

The first bogie in. In the centre of the bogie is one of the Traction Motors that has been replaced. The brass tipped things sticking up are the electrical cables that will be plugged into boxes under the loco. These take the electrical current from the batteries and generator down to the motors. 

The original bogies were much more agreeable to being moved manually and, within a short time, they were back where they belonged and the loco was ready to be brought down onto them for the first time in two and a bit years. 

Careful!! Careful!!

Contact! The 'chopper' is down. 

The whole process of bringing the loco back onto its bogies took just over 4 hours, however, the preparation had been completed on the Saturday and the final stages will be completed over the coming weeks. This included hooking up all the electrical cables, testing these for correct current and operation, connecting all the brake rigging and pipework as well as then finally doing a full shakedown test. It's then on to the Fitness To Run exams, which will include a full B Exam, so the process is far from completed. However, it bodes well for D8137 to be back in service at the start of the 2022 season. Fingers crossed!

Whilst we were busy with the Class 20, elsewhere on the railway the Santa Season was getting into full swing. Every year (last year excepted, of course) the GWSR offers a local charity for children the opportunity for them to visit to the 'North Pole' (Winchcombe) to meet Santa by train. It gives the opportunity to visit the railway without the hustle and bustle of a normal Santa train which can be intimidating or challenging for children who may be disabled or have sensory issues. This year it was the James Hopkins Trust which is based in Gloucester. They provide support and nursing care for children who have life limiting or life threatening conditions and their families (https://www.jameshopkinstrust.org.uk). This always signals the start of our Santa season and for this year all services, except the DMU services to Broadway, will be top and tailed. Class 37, 37215 was given the honour of providing half the motive power for the charity Santa services along with BR(W) Modified Hall, 7093 'Foremarke Hall'.

With 'Foremark Hall' starting to power away from the token exchange, 37215 plays tail-gunner on the 1300 service to Santa. Safe to say there were lots of smiling faces at the windows - children and parents alike! 

The reason for all services over Christmas and the New Year being top and tailed is that the line is now severed at Winchcombe beyond the Greet Road bridge so that the embankment slip can be repaired behind the new houses built on the site of the old Harvest Home Public House. In order to access the site the contractors have had to lay down some Terram across the tracks and then lay a large amount of spent dirt and ballast on top so that a large crane can be brought in. It also provides a roadway for the construction vehicles rather than lift the tracks completely. You can see some pictures of this on our sister 'Heritage Herald' blog here ==> http://haylesabbeyhalt.blogspot.com/2021/11/getting-wintery-now.html. There is also a section about the rail replacement work at Dixton Cutting - something that has been mentioned in these blogs recently as 37215 and 47105 have both been utilised on rail drop trains in the Dixton and Gotherington locale. 

Meanwhile, back in the yard, at the start of the day a shunt had taken place so that the bogies for D8137 could be rolled out from the back of Diesel Shed. At the same time, Class 26, D5343 needed to be moved outside for Dave S and Alex R to continue more work on the body. The loco has been allowed back into the DP Shed whilst BR(W) Manor, 7820 'Dinmore Manor' is away on holiday, which is somewhat fortuitous with the impending weather forecast for the next week or so!

Whilst 'DES' was being fired up to move the Class 20 bogies, 11230 was used to draw the '26' from the DP Shed. 

By the afternoon the weather had changed from a cold, but bright day to a cold and overcast day. However, the intrepid two-some of Dave S and Alex R continue with the bodywork attention.

More welding work has been completed by Dave S inside of D5343 while more sanding and application of Red Oxide has expanded the patchwork appearance of the body sides. Needle gunning has also taken care of the bogies, buffers and solebar paintwork with grey undercoat now being applied in patches. The no.1 end secondman's cabside has also seen a trial application of BR Blue topcoat. 

With 'DES' fired up, Tim L then pulled Class 24, 5081 and Class 20, 20228 out into the yard to get access to the bogies at the back of the shed. Coupled together, the two locos provide a hark back to the Scottish Highland motive power scene of the 1970s when the classes were often paired on services. 

It could almost be Fort William in the 1970s! 5081 and 20228 in Toddington Yard. 

In the shed, two compressors were parked near the door. They appeared freshly painted, indicating the likelihood that they were overhauled spares. 

Two painted Class 37 compressors. 

In fact, they are two spare Growler Group compressors that it was hoped might be able to be transferred into 37215 in place of the current compressors that are leaking. However, these have been inspected by  Technical Officer, Paul G, and it appears that they are not as complete as had been first thought. What the ongoing plans are are still being discussed, but the compressors on 37215 are likely to be removed during the winter shutdown for a closer inspection of the compressors. A decision on sister Class 37, D6948's ongoing bracket conundrum is hopefully to be made shortly. The loco has been prepped for a lift, bogie refurbishment and repairs to a long standing air leak since before Covid lockdown however the brackets we normally borrow from our friends at Bo'ness are in long term use by their owners. It is likely that the owners of D6948 as well as the Growler Group will consent to the purchase of a set of pins and brackets, however cost is a big factor...especially when the owners of D6948 also have a potentially costly decision to make regarding the loco's boiler coil which failed its steam pressure test earlier in the year. And I thought the costs of running a performance car were bad!! 😕 

37215 back on shed after its Santa exploits. 

Brush Type 4 loco 47376 'Freightliner 1995' was receiving some attention to both of its cabs courtesy of Rich W and Matt P. With the overhaul of 47105 completed it is time to give some TLC to the 47/3 which has been a reliable performer whilst its sister has been out of action. However, of course, that comes at a cost and the cabs have received ongoing attention throughout the last few years to combat the wear and tear of use. During 2021, the cab floors have had attention to repair corrosion damage but also to give the cab area a bit of a tidy up and refresh. 

To round off a busy Sunday, the Class 117 was having some attention after its return to action in October on the BLUE timetable whilst a small band were back at it on the Class 122 as the restoration starts to gather pace on the 'Bubble'. The Class 117 received an A exam ready for its Santa duties along with ironing out a couple of small 'running in' issues from its use in October. 

After the Santa services, at the end of December and into January 2022, the timetable is a special ORANGE timetable to reflect the severing of the line at Winchcombe. Services will be top and tailed and will run between Winchcombe and Broadway. The timetables are available on the GWSR website. The current loco roster is as follows, but is subject to change if failures occur -

27 Dec    - 37215 and 47xxx

28 Dec    - 37215 and 47xxx

29 Dec    - 45149 and 47xxx

30 Dec    - 45149 and 47xxx

31 Dec    - 37215 and 47xxx

01 Jan    - 37215 and 45149

02 Jan    - 37215 and 47xxx

03 Jan    - 37215 and 47xxx

Santa services are all sold out and no tickets will be available on the day, however, if you are planning on attending to take photos of the locos then you will be able to have access to the car park at Toddington or from the usual vantage points along the line. Access to the platforms will be strictly limited to those people with tickets to travel. The loco roster is as follows - 

27 Nov    - 37215 and 47105

28 Nov    - 5081 and TBC

04 Dec    - 37215, 47xxx, DMU

05 Dec    - 37215, 45149, DMU

11 Dec    - 5081, 45149, DMU

12 Dec    - 5081, 45149, DMU

18 Dec    - 37215, 45149, DMU

19 Dec    - 47105, 47376, DMU

21 Dec    - 37215, 45149, DMU

22 Dec    - 37215, 45149, DMU

23 Dec    - 37215, 45149, DMU

24 Dec    - 37215, TBC, DMU