tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58985642935196495452024-03-18T17:22:30.610+00:00Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Steam Loco Dept BlogGWSR Steam Loco Depthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15301824328985463142noreply@blogger.comBlogger426125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-37713779742719439992023-12-21T16:00:00.081+00:002023-12-21T19:25:08.110+00:00We've got a Tank for Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvH5zFihCpQD750yNp2Gm6IOkDnsCyr5sPiHOQt4YW47MkiShLS2-j7tHCawYfggG8x-kPtIDI4uQFsevMeyvi6C2MzouWSFJDuIT-Bh509JBKd3xCHV2kz6DtgW6px6s84R1_2Dg40ca8GtFspnkMW0yEC8IrWDn5m7wUg9EiRb0Xtfsvtg8HKvruoQ/s2048/411694677_10168407195265595_3279644778340284311_n.jpg" style="color: #f1c232; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvH5zFihCpQD750yNp2Gm6IOkDnsCyr5sPiHOQt4YW47MkiShLS2-j7tHCawYfggG8x-kPtIDI4uQFsevMeyvi6C2MzouWSFJDuIT-Bh509JBKd3xCHV2kz6DtgW6px6s84R1_2Dg40ca8GtFspnkMW0yEC8IrWDn5m7wUg9EiRb0Xtfsvtg8HKvruoQ/w640-h480/411694677_10168407195265595_3279644778340284311_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i><span><i>5526 at Cheltenham Racecourse - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ben Evason</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Snow is falling, all around me, children playing, having fun!
It's the season, love and understanding, Merry Christmas everyone... </span></i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Please don’t worry, I’ll dispense with
the karaoke for now as the sight and sound of me signing certainly isn’t a
sight to behold, I can assure you. My abilities in that department are about
as good as the proverbial chocolate teapot. You’d like to hear some more? Surely
not, and I’ll politely suggest that you’ve been drinking a tad too much gluhwein!
A worldwide tour and chart-topping album are not on my list of plans for next
year, so I’m very sorry to disappoint my loyal readers (or should that be ‘followers’
in social media parlance). Unlike the words of Mr Stevens, sadly snow isn’t falling
all around me, and it looks like we’re going to end up with a rather wet and
windy Christmas, rather than a fluffy white one.</span></span><i></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAV_zW0Rx0X67PNtW3746ujIJvn0CPfxtuM3p1OxWFwkvJzBY-0B3GorucmGPmkAlqwv1Y4yRg9SSyar-_J1nuTPx-h2vRf5YnY5jQRs8n5XPNlgETs7B5BJbJS31RiAcfoXfyQ9oaqxFyqeqHj3cPiJ6RxaTU7mFhvhqwcuKtDIlIznCS3ysgSgwp0k/s2048/401144170_10163074452014377_4540517887207595820_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAV_zW0Rx0X67PNtW3746ujIJvn0CPfxtuM3p1OxWFwkvJzBY-0B3GorucmGPmkAlqwv1Y4yRg9SSyar-_J1nuTPx-h2vRf5YnY5jQRs8n5XPNlgETs7B5BJbJS31RiAcfoXfyQ9oaqxFyqeqHj3cPiJ6RxaTU7mFhvhqwcuKtDIlIznCS3ysgSgwp0k/w640-h480/401144170_10163074452014377_4540517887207595820_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>5526 undergoing a Steam Test - 16th November 2023 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Kevin Jarvis</i><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">My talents remain elsewhere, and readers may recall that I
have a particular affinity with the trusty mince pie, copious amounts of which
get me through the festive season and the cupboard is well and truly stocked
up. Speaking of the cupboard, I may need to install some additional bracing due
to the weight of all the pies. Mind you, I don’t think I’ve quite reached peak consumption
just yet. I must consult with one of our Duty Operations Officers (DOO), namely Andy
Smith, on this important matter, as he is quite the connoisseur when it comes
to all things cake related. In my humble opinion, he should really be given the additional role of ‘Duty Cake Officer’
(DCO). If in doubt, bring some more cake out!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pi13wtZ4TKo" width="650" youtube-src-id="pi13wtZ4TKo"></iframe></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i>GWR Prairie tank 5526 seen on a miserable damp December day pulling up through Dixton Cutting and shutting off for Gotherington with the return Santa Special working for Cheltenham Racecourse. <br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i>GWSR Newsreel with 5526 (2017) - </i></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Video © <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@gloucestershirewarwickshir351" target="_blank" title="View profile">Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Anyway, let us move on to more important matters at hand. Recent visitors to the railway will have noticed that we have a certain 'Small Prairie' tank with us for the festive season, as if the opening photograph of this blog wasn't a big enough giveaway! With 7820 once again away on holiday at the South Devon Railway (SDR) operating their 'Polar Express' services, we required an additional engine to bolster our fleet to operate our annual Santa and Mince Pie Specials. The loco in question is 5526, which arrived with us in mid-November, courtesy of the SDR. Shorty after arriving, the tank engine was tested and signed off for service over the festive period. It's great to have a tank back at the railway since the departure of the much loved and missed 4270 earlier in the year. 5526 will be staying here until the end of the season.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">5526's first duty before the festive trains were underway was operating the November Race Specials to Cheltenham RC. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-NjarnES9ZuT6mrbIxg4ViAvHuEGD0_bOf_ip_dD5MGKQ0s0JfYSx5xqOTc-HpVJGaseEOC25bGi3SitfQMHIUfBpE6V8B-XqDS-3q8Z_ziif9StwdzW00wa07R4tZR7DOaLi29aE1YkpKzfAhlDw0ANzaTAhPBYlVMkyISkjNii-R8hk60ywNpEwG4/s4032/20231117_100057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-NjarnES9ZuT6mrbIxg4ViAvHuEGD0_bOf_ip_dD5MGKQ0s0JfYSx5xqOTc-HpVJGaseEOC25bGi3SitfQMHIUfBpE6V8B-XqDS-3q8Z_ziif9StwdzW00wa07R4tZR7DOaLi29aE1YkpKzfAhlDw0ANzaTAhPBYlVMkyISkjNii-R8hk60ywNpEwG4/w640-h360/20231117_100057.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>5526 prepares to depart Toddington with a November Race Train - 17th November 2023<br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;">5526 is a member of the 100-strong Charles Collett designed
Great Western Railway (GWR) 2-6-2T ‘4575’ Class of ‘Small Prairie’ tank
locomotives. The class were a development of the earlier Churchward designed
4500 Class and featured larger side tanks with sloped tops which allowed for an
increased water capacity. These small mixed traffic locomotives were predominantly
designed for branch line work and were constructed at the GWR’s Swindon Works between
1927 and 1929. They carried the number range 4575–4599 and 5500–5574, with 15
members of the class later being fitted with auto apparatus in 1953, enabling them to run push-pull trains on South Wales lines with auto trailers.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdRWeQf7CxoKA_5IxDcVEqjZFeBbegaO79lJbOSjt-AxuflbbXHb-MA_KvIuwln-pZvOzfmlhL-x_QPYb1jjkXkbGH1xUelN1O8L6tLyTs29J6g3tfmfsuaaauYwcy0iqVulFBOwKdhahlQhHI25kFoYKCd8dYqfaRQI2KzD8ztsz6NuC9oewV8T6FpQ/s4032/20231117_100543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdRWeQf7CxoKA_5IxDcVEqjZFeBbegaO79lJbOSjt-AxuflbbXHb-MA_KvIuwln-pZvOzfmlhL-x_QPYb1jjkXkbGH1xUelN1O8L6tLyTs29J6g3tfmfsuaaauYwcy0iqVulFBOwKdhahlQhHI25kFoYKCd8dYqfaRQI2KzD8ztsz6NuC9oewV8T6FpQ/w640-h360/20231117_100543.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">5526 prepares to depart Toddington with a November Race Train - 17th November 2023</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Known for their work in the West of England and Wales, these capable engines had a good turn of speed and were reportedly able to haul passenger trains of up to 11 coaches, despite their relatively small size. During the 1950s and 1960s, examples of the class could be found hauling part of the Cambrian Coast Express to Pwllheli and parts of the Cornish Riviera Express. The first withdrawal of the class began with 4586 in 1956 and members steadily declined until the last 11 were taken out of service in 1964. 11 of the class survived into preservation, with these being: 4588, 5521, 5526, 5532, 5538, 5539, 5541, 5542, 5552, 5553 & 5572. Most are operational or are undergoing overhaul / restoration.<br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6Uw4IMrPgWW7zCJxJ_tfZP26jfMfiYx1ZGj-VJS07hbTKMCprliURE2GToSHrRXEhI-8PvgNwrJPRUAq1OW2SPxjwh1WvgYCF4-YxqHcmGsiVBUnldc8rFyV5KsKmV3ocJa6yNAActANIjlVrcGBYQHRy175mru_yIstXP71nVjWA4ffRquCBgak9og/s2048/407397199_756505636301163_3509659696815187868_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6Uw4IMrPgWW7zCJxJ_tfZP26jfMfiYx1ZGj-VJS07hbTKMCprliURE2GToSHrRXEhI-8PvgNwrJPRUAq1OW2SPxjwh1WvgYCF4-YxqHcmGsiVBUnldc8rFyV5KsKmV3ocJa6yNAActANIjlVrcGBYQHRy175mru_yIstXP71nVjWA4ffRquCBgak9og/w640-h426/407397199_756505636301163_3509659696815187868_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><span>5526 operating a Santa Special on 2nd December 2023 - Photo courtesy of </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>photographer elf </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>Jack Boskett</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>5526 was out-shopped from Swindon in May 1928 as part of a batch of 20 locomotives (Lot No. 251) numbering 5525–5544. The cost of construction was £3,602 which included £737 for its boiler. 5526’s first allocation was St. Blazey Shed (SBZ / 173) in Cornwall, and it was during this time that the engine was based out at Bodmin for two months, working the branch to Wadebridge. In November 1929 the engine was transferred to Exeter where it remained for two years.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/2474/3567259499_bc341b0f12_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/2474/3567259499_bc341b0f12_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i>5526 + Auto-trailer at Bishops Cleeve 26th May 2009 - Photo </i></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>© <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/34075110@N08/" target="_blank">xj900suk</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br />In the six years that followed, 5526 had a number of allocations including; Plymouth (Millbay and Laira), Moorswater (LA / 123), Launceston and Newton Abbot (NA / 133) before being sent to Laira (LA) for its first general overhaul on 26th January, 1935. During the overhaul at Laira the engine was fitted with its second boiler. Following the completion of the overhaul, 5526 was transferred to its new home of Truro (TR / 213) on 6th June, 1935, where it would remain for the next twenty four years. Workings for the engine during this period would have included branch services to Falmouth and Newquay (via both Chasewater and Par). In March 1959, 5526 was transferred from Truro to Westbury (82D).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAyzg05k87TxATyXhZejNAx9sNDybie8PZOGxdMGotAiM0LIf5BS-zV6rNCPJKh3If43mM7M08iT1_xmbeHBrS-ay0l6o_pF64ro6igZdVKmjE-jy0UkQKhqmceuzaSUz32E091XsPNQI7T3RIEKELNURs36XCssohzjWXI3wr-qTZPBitphtukvKkO4/s2048/407587574_756506062967787_1498927264262109968_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAyzg05k87TxATyXhZejNAx9sNDybie8PZOGxdMGotAiM0LIf5BS-zV6rNCPJKh3If43mM7M08iT1_xmbeHBrS-ay0l6o_pF64ro6igZdVKmjE-jy0UkQKhqmceuzaSUz32E091XsPNQI7T3RIEKELNURs36XCssohzjWXI3wr-qTZPBitphtukvKkO4/w640-h426/407587574_756506062967787_1498927264262109968_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Anyone fancy a Mince Pie? I know I do! - Photo courtesy of photographer elf Jack Boskett <br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>During its time at Westbury, the engine received its final heavy overhaul and its last "Classified" overhaul, due to it being stopped between the 17th April and the 5th June 1959. Whilst under overhaul, 5526 received its seventh and final boiler, which had been constructed during October 1947 for the reported sum of £1087.<span> The 'Small Prairie' spent its final years working on local passenger and goods trains to locations including Swindon and Bristol (via Radstock). 5526 was withdrawn from BR service on the 8th June, 1962, after being in service for over thirty four years and covering a total of 968,577 miles. The engine was sold to the Woodham Brothers on the 28th August, 1962, and transferred to Barry in November that year. Twenty three years later, in July 1985, 5526 was finally saved by the “Project 5526 Group”.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FyKdu32WX5w" width="650" youtube-src-id="FyKdu32WX5w"></iframe></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i>5526 and 7903 on GWSR </i></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">- </span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Video © <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@smerlinarechannle" target="_blank" title="View profile">smerlinare</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>The locomotive was transferred to Toddington during the same month, but by 1988, it was decided that 5526 would be moved again (due to the lack of facilities at the GWSR at the time, which were required in order to restore the engine). It just goes to show how fortunate and lucky we are today to have the facilities that we do at Toddington, when compared to how it was some thirty five years ago! The tank engine was moved to Swindon Works Heritage Centre in April 1988 - specifically the No. 19 Shop (formerly the DMU Repair Shop), where most of the equipment needed for the restoration was available. Whilst at Swindon, a number of jobs were completed including; the re-profiling of the wheels, the replacement of the corroded rear portion of the main frame, the stripping, surveying and retubing of the boiler, and the construction of a new bunker and two new riveted side tanks. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEAd78rkwRPbiWsXMK9yhhz9X-LE1iVK4uYGcuiM2Uk1zqQBPr8Bv05bS2Kb-QA3TUW6lkhqlLsKJVDeHb1xXOc170ds36GXbNoFauTQudzkknvSnZGvSJVD2IwH1jNZ1HYsyTTr31TxeX8xpUeKYZujw9M1B01oo4DZhXMNgj-CiXEktToPLb3DZQVE/s1024/geograph-6849375-by-Bob-Walters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEAd78rkwRPbiWsXMK9yhhz9X-LE1iVK4uYGcuiM2Uk1zqQBPr8Bv05bS2Kb-QA3TUW6lkhqlLsKJVDeHb1xXOc170ds36GXbNoFauTQudzkknvSnZGvSJVD2IwH1jNZ1HYsyTTr31TxeX8xpUeKYZujw9M1B01oo4DZhXMNgj-CiXEktToPLb3DZQVE/w640-h426/geograph-6849375-by-Bob-Walters.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i><span>GWR tank locos heading for Chinnor - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/42548" target="_blank" title="View profile">Bob Walters</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>)</span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Due
to a building development and access problems, the group and locomotive needed to vacate the No. 19 Shop and a new operating base was sought.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span> Fortunately, the group managed to find a suitable new home at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway (SDR), where restoration to full working order was completed. 5526 has visited the GWSR on a number of occasions since its original restoration, including in 2009 and in 2017. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b_ElroYILHk" width="650" youtube-src-id="b_ElroYILHk"></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span>GWSR Christmas Cracker with No.5526 29 & 30/12/17 - Video © <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@totally-transport" target="_blank" title="View profile">totally-transport</a></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span> </span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4517/26792651969_6d47a2c206_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4517/26792651969_6d47a2c206_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i>5526 + Auto-trailer at Bishops Cleeve 24th May 2009 - Photo </i></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>© <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/elliottsteam/" target="_blank"> Henry Elliott</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Occasionally, things don't always go to plan. I gather the engine ran out of chuff last Sunday (that's a technical term!).</span><i><span><br /></span></i></div></div></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span> </span></i><i> <br /></i></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHTYsWxq6TW6JwhqX-NsBXjs88wHvMoJovZl0YbTbOCMTxOm8FUQtixtv8Pk2V3pEQnUnTTXNCCD0yu_GvHuWhODMCNdw-Vh8kvd-bWEZLwWaqNdTmkrNY1vF5mJSIjKIzMxJn_a-V-1SOIN0SsAvX9x7G8BFUtG4EzEgje8Ism24V7ctPFAzhWg6yrU/s2048/411488506_10163127886154377_2385274609149087831_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHTYsWxq6TW6JwhqX-NsBXjs88wHvMoJovZl0YbTbOCMTxOm8FUQtixtv8Pk2V3pEQnUnTTXNCCD0yu_GvHuWhODMCNdw-Vh8kvd-bWEZLwWaqNdTmkrNY1vF5mJSIjKIzMxJn_a-V-1SOIN0SsAvX9x7G8BFUtG4EzEgje8Ism24V7ctPFAzhWg6yrU/w640-h480/411488506_10163127886154377_2385274609149087831_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thunderbirds to the rescue! - 37215 arrives to assist 5526 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Kevin Jarvis</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">I suppose we'd better play the theme tune... well it would be rather rude not to: <a href="https://youtu.be/huPB3T0v_uQ?si=ybQzLNOrKIWayZL4&t=2" target="_blank">Thunderbirds Are Go!</a><i> <br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTZvdeKzkB__p8cx0P85kTPLSU_k22Gp9vZ0h33dVHuLCGaza1Dl98KrLIywpUw2EHBQiU0vUC7QBXC-Hdp32u8-uolKrKZ7ldoUMMnV5ClzW66Lon1Aa5A2PByW8jVFSbTgp75x2SL2AjvTU3LQ9Z6RyQNyYeGWCooUmsEeRApHTCuGbCkKsCSuy3FQ/s2048/410984272_10159816380673316_4631312865581803534_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTZvdeKzkB__p8cx0P85kTPLSU_k22Gp9vZ0h33dVHuLCGaza1Dl98KrLIywpUw2EHBQiU0vUC7QBXC-Hdp32u8-uolKrKZ7ldoUMMnV5ClzW66Lon1Aa5A2PByW8jVFSbTgp75x2SL2AjvTU3LQ9Z6RyQNyYeGWCooUmsEeRApHTCuGbCkKsCSuy3FQ/w480-h640/410984272_10159816380673316_4631312865581803534_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Plenty of power for this impromptu mixed traction service! - Photo courtesy of inspector elf Ian Butler</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">5526 has some Santa Special company in the form of newly overhauled 2807...</span><i style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL0QqHKstm0FwbTxeSuwoLguFgnyg2otyHeN8ldhElkH0SLSEfxJ9A_0h3-TbNn9klXqYgAaztluj90Oc7rg0XmZvOXuS8kXHQLBX02c07uAvBrwOJ0vlZcyg0uOy_9Y0fN8uk3JtosBGJpfcE5EXEehoIGWlh9gbzeIcvcoN3UVBF60DHSPl6-6WWfo/s2048/410191089_10228865535241476_8155388738872463880_n.jpg" style="color: #f1c232; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL0QqHKstm0FwbTxeSuwoLguFgnyg2otyHeN8ldhElkH0SLSEfxJ9A_0h3-TbNn9klXqYgAaztluj90Oc7rg0XmZvOXuS8kXHQLBX02c07uAvBrwOJ0vlZcyg0uOy_9Y0fN8uk3JtosBGJpfcE5EXEehoIGWlh9gbzeIcvcoN3UVBF60DHSPl6-6WWfo/w640-h480/410191089_10228865535241476_8155388738872463880_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;">2807 at Winchcombe Station - Photo courtesy of driver elf Dan Wigg</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyph9Ivohn_aJCYf-SkY3Cr5oAjcHsvSVaoeFKg-fK9tQjXNXJ00An5U3FPKBTGiKH0sdCaf3Dq9rnzlLLTApIjqvrk7nvpbCe6VXkcFNfQsLbyqkuDMsiXKPzLBWV9IzLMmJ1AVpB90fjZAtVBiUGxRhMU1qbt-NROkUg2LU3jwowRPKkFfjvFKf-A3k/s1440/412203216_10168008198335063_5992780052308415238_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyph9Ivohn_aJCYf-SkY3Cr5oAjcHsvSVaoeFKg-fK9tQjXNXJ00An5U3FPKBTGiKH0sdCaf3Dq9rnzlLLTApIjqvrk7nvpbCe6VXkcFNfQsLbyqkuDMsiXKPzLBWV9IzLMmJ1AVpB90fjZAtVBiUGxRhMU1qbt-NROkUg2LU3jwowRPKkFfjvFKf-A3k/w640-h640/412203216_10168008198335063_5992780052308415238_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Inspector elf Ian Butler looks to be having fun! </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"> - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC9EHR7mTQY-Ki9Plw2UPmRRL79hYqm1M4nnvFQWQBaXsMtuWnJVDACiUN3MFTmjgkwNPHz_UC91yEUeQO0tcjNUFjQhenckfOg2_M8vNQVvjjAsnKpYxtlfkD9_lQ5yOSut6RD9rxV5mkc_WqxjWeKpfaac4H8cZeCLCzR4OnZWVArN6oHLwfSUe8UE/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-21%20at%2018.51.14_f3713777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC9EHR7mTQY-Ki9Plw2UPmRRL79hYqm1M4nnvFQWQBaXsMtuWnJVDACiUN3MFTmjgkwNPHz_UC91yEUeQO0tcjNUFjQhenckfOg2_M8vNQVvjjAsnKpYxtlfkD9_lQ5yOSut6RD9rxV5mkc_WqxjWeKpfaac4H8cZeCLCzR4OnZWVArN6oHLwfSUe8UE/w480-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-21%20at%2018.51.14_f3713777.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>2807 & 5526 on shed at Toddington - Photo courtesy of Mark Wilson </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>In other department news...<br /></b></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Christmas came early for DMLL and 3850 as its boiler arrived and was reunited with its frames. Rather uplifting!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70m01TnSuZ7KOy0Z9PKK1vS3xIem6Ls59vZd7Ks3zSj-rewWFrsIH1fkY8_QaOJ1etT-7ZSSu-r0WuymvfWdzRje5Wlyl2NWGcSNIRmyfGk4rN9GIKzGVV9uKl3Gr71ssGMOkUYyJCdWjR8slnXPtY1By91hl8rxB1VWEDAgsUMmvvf_bNBaRc1IF-EQ/s1600/406013862_848254617095009_774651839750590400_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70m01TnSuZ7KOy0Z9PKK1vS3xIem6Ls59vZd7Ks3zSj-rewWFrsIH1fkY8_QaOJ1etT-7ZSSu-r0WuymvfWdzRje5Wlyl2NWGcSNIRmyfGk4rN9GIKzGVV9uKl3Gr71ssGMOkUYyJCdWjR8slnXPtY1By91hl8rxB1VWEDAgsUMmvvf_bNBaRc1IF-EQ/w640-h480/406013862_848254617095009_774651839750590400_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>En-route from Rileys </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>- Photo courtesy of DMLL</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1IlZj9kvEJK1Ue96jwjpyr2IWXKVxPzpK_fzWAEaKF4M0PJy9UsqalTOGJQWkjevUtWGTYn4ebwWU3w9frVakFLeudFxIdrI8QWJCX8aH5UV2S85VOxIAJSe8I8mo2OTxcOrecGgNTuZu09wMi0J3eWXv8AFWwlUEuxBu-6m9gftcd-WlxkOTz0cO_0/s2048/409443033_854064586514012_76367174749962408_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1IlZj9kvEJK1Ue96jwjpyr2IWXKVxPzpK_fzWAEaKF4M0PJy9UsqalTOGJQWkjevUtWGTYn4ebwWU3w9frVakFLeudFxIdrI8QWJCX8aH5UV2S85VOxIAJSe8I8mo2OTxcOrecGgNTuZu09wMi0J3eWXv8AFWwlUEuxBu-6m9gftcd-WlxkOTz0cO_0/w480-h640/409443033_854064586514012_76367174749962408_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Lifting into position on the 8th December 2023 - Photo courtesy of DMLL</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj710a0JPCkQx2ycvo38vqysIU5UuwAHoAVeOzKPNYIDFsvHQ6VHdwdB2byx-pYZLUl03pqRoiy3h5pxqSSG_N432RXHWhFQtIMg02CcD1x7ZHbcXAKgJXlgRrCi-BHQO36MFYwhcFwWeJX-AEFHDqRSzbTigRhnORD5-FBLRJD9GJadDH4BkEQ0n_3z1c/s1600/409039688_854064626514008_8165229546738449056_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj710a0JPCkQx2ycvo38vqysIU5UuwAHoAVeOzKPNYIDFsvHQ6VHdwdB2byx-pYZLUl03pqRoiy3h5pxqSSG_N432RXHWhFQtIMg02CcD1x7ZHbcXAKgJXlgRrCi-BHQO36MFYwhcFwWeJX-AEFHDqRSzbTigRhnORD5-FBLRJD9GJadDH4BkEQ0n_3z1c/w640-h360/409039688_854064626514008_8165229546738449056_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Easy does it! - </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy of DMLL</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8Vztlai3bqi7OPwnvgEMJ9r-IPtpdv1xWxIpBfKFu2EUOV-fav4bNplhZW8jRc7-KVHe9BBMKkFSfuVDvFPqbCvIWn5R9wAIh0xfjwCwO21wiRVdE1Eb3NxR3LKuLPWgAmwkAATGvo9yyieklfBlhnUG2K0OdhhnFyKGkSxzLzeM5tdkwFKY1m8TrXk/s2048/409032293_854064823180655_8740475160034554881_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8Vztlai3bqi7OPwnvgEMJ9r-IPtpdv1xWxIpBfKFu2EUOV-fav4bNplhZW8jRc7-KVHe9BBMKkFSfuVDvFPqbCvIWn5R9wAIh0xfjwCwO21wiRVdE1Eb3NxR3LKuLPWgAmwkAATGvo9yyieklfBlhnUG2K0OdhhnFyKGkSxzLzeM5tdkwFKY1m8TrXk/w640-h480/409032293_854064823180655_8740475160034554881_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Drum roll please... </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy of DMLL</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8jNi-UjNU7ihITatuofkcrb1QIbx7ICnPYfW_id6yS0jW8mQZ8qckrppl_sK2FZAxZJZJML51CjAL3_60nyvFhEc8Q54kJQi1YU0mHIJ1SXyvHBi7zPHsSdny9AGO3wPGiwxjf1UO-Ex7nSp5egz6E5yYgLkpNmY8xT9Bu7lB2Faw0FC3zsKLLF_j6Q/s2048/409044362_854064903180647_4151955521236176589_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8jNi-UjNU7ihITatuofkcrb1QIbx7ICnPYfW_id6yS0jW8mQZ8qckrppl_sK2FZAxZJZJML51CjAL3_60nyvFhEc8Q54kJQi1YU0mHIJ1SXyvHBi7zPHsSdny9AGO3wPGiwxjf1UO-Ex7nSp5egz6E5yYgLkpNmY8xT9Bu7lB2Faw0FC3zsKLLF_j6Q/w640-h360/409044362_854064903180647_4151955521236176589_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shunting around to the DP shed at Toddington - </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy of DMLL</i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E1sqDUlvY9ny8cUKoqhvt93bX2I1uIX0sR9PEIzXt21c96qiGo2y6pZ0kGtLn5Sln5pbviNMzC1w9Fw3KibrjoSohMr5WNhE5Pyric_NoL-GTPqGp_EqmV9HwAXe1sSHlOoYyzyc71evOwrFprvLwQB0xLrNpdlYoG-n4fQfoXUE0DIRc5Vm7UyfEE0/s4032/20231208_142200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E1sqDUlvY9ny8cUKoqhvt93bX2I1uIX0sR9PEIzXt21c96qiGo2y6pZ0kGtLn5Sln5pbviNMzC1w9Fw3KibrjoSohMr5WNhE5Pyric_NoL-GTPqGp_EqmV9HwAXe1sSHlOoYyzyc71evOwrFprvLwQB0xLrNpdlYoG-n4fQfoXUE0DIRc5Vm7UyfEE0/w640-h360/20231208_142200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Looking much more like a loco now! - 3850 reunited with its boiler - 8th December 2023</i> <br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>News from the footplate</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>I'm delighted to report that </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Peter Young and Tina Sutton have both recently passed out as newly qualified driver elves in the steam department, with David Jenkins and Jeremy Booth-Rossiter also passing out as a newly qualified fireman elves. Tom Willson is now a newly qualified shunter driver elf, in addition to his roles as gala chairman, roster clerk and fireman - thus another member of the department very familiar with the spinning of multiple plates. Well done to all!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvnVAcEzhrRZbZLcHfWDnIZ5p4IWWEs4wV9E_r1BeQoD-vWdo2sVG4hS0IvQ3a6BgJ_ZKFTiP2dHNAPdYROmt7jYM2XUpsBXwFU1ErfvZUubOekmlbHyTjQMGd0T8ca0J8-qw8GgSjdv9C146_Yk-YhE3E8tuOh0JvF2Fa4fag1b06v4GUrYsAjugfuc/s2048/411048830_10163131878214377_2304804965562538884_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvnVAcEzhrRZbZLcHfWDnIZ5p4IWWEs4wV9E_r1BeQoD-vWdo2sVG4hS0IvQ3a6BgJ_ZKFTiP2dHNAPdYROmt7jYM2XUpsBXwFU1ErfvZUubOekmlbHyTjQMGd0T8ca0J8-qw8GgSjdv9C146_Yk-YhE3E8tuOh0JvF2Fa4fag1b06v4GUrYsAjugfuc/w480-h640/411048830_10163131878214377_2304804965562538884_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Elf Tom Willson at the controls of one of our diesel shunters - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of driver elf Kevin Jarvis</span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Oh look more food...courtesy of newly qualified fireman elf David, a man of many talents!<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1a3soaDj7jCq27ccgAE31k0P4cT9tT5rreun4L5xcZwQkC4qLjvCzq1L2CYtGnesVlLX5rWy9G-IYXEb5cUe4C2FSqr0QKZGAEqrCQ3dWzBvbwnCk9jMPhmBX_YbniPvy5jVlES2zT7AMBY91LuADY_xKvQXi0w3c7HRo3f3PH6hEnSARAioB7JAas8/s960/411504474_7155441901168293_5996503409284458328_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1a3soaDj7jCq27ccgAE31k0P4cT9tT5rreun4L5xcZwQkC4qLjvCzq1L2CYtGnesVlLX5rWy9G-IYXEb5cUe4C2FSqr0QKZGAEqrCQ3dWzBvbwnCk9jMPhmBX_YbniPvy5jVlES2zT7AMBY91LuADY_xKvQXi0w3c7HRo3f3PH6hEnSARAioB7JAas8/w640-h480/411504474_7155441901168293_5996503409284458328_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>David Jenkins popping his cooking on the shovel cherry - 21st December 2023 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ray O'Hara</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTndTj0KWQ4Gykut07RBCwGY1sCvuS7vZphMNs8W2jWIx7avPBzwmTOjNtGxGoJBAxkirpBYNO2_UelGr9LV6vw35rGObkU0u-Y690vCZ0spbSH2jIJeMs133Eo4O66n7kY1n9z6z5JfN3O8lshTn6axUjyFkr3I2FP8HQqO7DfeK8xgqwvej6wUD95L8/s4032/20231124_153625_Mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="4032" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTndTj0KWQ4Gykut07RBCwGY1sCvuS7vZphMNs8W2jWIx7avPBzwmTOjNtGxGoJBAxkirpBYNO2_UelGr9LV6vw35rGObkU0u-Y690vCZ0spbSH2jIJeMs133Eo4O66n7kY1n9z6z5JfN3O8lshTn6axUjyFkr3I2FP8HQqO7DfeK8xgqwvej6wUD95L8/w640-h254/20231124_153625_Mod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>2807 & 35006 on shed at Toddington - 24th November 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RPIcEDm7tooJTUTzbsDqAwh0caOCj0nuraICOawXPtqb4fRk0NS5Bz1rzNKHyLK4MzFLRyW69HOkr149yQ2g2hsPH4LQIhW0VcYZL7GHuNasO5JOR4XKKoTe5bsKQzBohMf3-KE8AQN_fefpzljVaSGnpLPycY6TidpKY074G0YF_w9-xMx9nanebK8/s4032/20231124_154829_Mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="4032" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RPIcEDm7tooJTUTzbsDqAwh0caOCj0nuraICOawXPtqb4fRk0NS5Bz1rzNKHyLK4MzFLRyW69HOkr149yQ2g2hsPH4LQIhW0VcYZL7GHuNasO5JOR4XKKoTe5bsKQzBohMf3-KE8AQN_fefpzljVaSGnpLPycY6TidpKY074G0YF_w9-xMx9nanebK8/w640-h256/20231124_154829_Mod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>5526 & 2807 on shed at Toddington - 24th November 2023</i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsBLkOAuHEoLh4K732mNzCWllVy8jzKNK0-p9ErhbbL9hrIWxw8AIKvDmf1UL7c50PZsT6SDGQfnLqBVjbx3Wh6hn67xOgpylZ_wVuUCVRNl3qI_KDeBVbbLnE8SYNeGrJzDvJawMqEq3rIeEFDWnY1iRtSXBesnc1rjdQtGP7Ek-1l3A3f6udwNRskU/s4032/20231215_111216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsBLkOAuHEoLh4K732mNzCWllVy8jzKNK0-p9ErhbbL9hrIWxw8AIKvDmf1UL7c50PZsT6SDGQfnLqBVjbx3Wh6hn67xOgpylZ_wVuUCVRNl3qI_KDeBVbbLnE8SYNeGrJzDvJawMqEq3rIeEFDWnY1iRtSXBesnc1rjdQtGP7Ek-1l3A3f6udwNRskU/w640-h360/20231215_111216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Cleaner elf Ryan giving 5526's cab a good clean - 15th December 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBll8x1VC14w1be3RNMvnGqo3WAc113pOurQplPQ3Zf4aSkaogez_A4PHwGd-ATGq3Pf1KTxtcbx8UsIyj2YXGTnh0wMjao12RB7Emgv38DHeoNMcv45eek45l-rqt7jGs3g4KA6Zn-dEytQM6aAR8F_bj8Se1vSGx42W6bYVUgDDs8R3Wq1MzJkTmGk/s4032/20231215_110847_Mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="4032" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBll8x1VC14w1be3RNMvnGqo3WAc113pOurQplPQ3Zf4aSkaogez_A4PHwGd-ATGq3Pf1KTxtcbx8UsIyj2YXGTnh0wMjao12RB7Emgv38DHeoNMcv45eek45l-rqt7jGs3g4KA6Zn-dEytQM6aAR8F_bj8Se1vSGx42W6bYVUgDDs8R3Wq1MzJkTmGk/w640-h324/20231215_110847_Mod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Whilst cleaner elf Matthew gives the bodywork a good wash. High vis hat too! - 15th December 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYnQRTfETREQsn_ju5H0ARUtgRtXVWBmQT1sgFHmYDOI4PXV8iYYvSVT3fUVA-m7GeQjxVRnsQ1vLaOblB1JcN_2OgZUS1yWkFjHn-ce4nTMiU0VJBhUKJLeTj1qplagvJyzniU8ubeIF7XSafSUNirerIU_tpUj-r2fqfhgV822e0h8f2wI1X_Zo6nA/s2990/20231215_111016_Mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1888" data-original-width="2990" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYnQRTfETREQsn_ju5H0ARUtgRtXVWBmQT1sgFHmYDOI4PXV8iYYvSVT3fUVA-m7GeQjxVRnsQ1vLaOblB1JcN_2OgZUS1yWkFjHn-ce4nTMiU0VJBhUKJLeTj1qplagvJyzniU8ubeIF7XSafSUNirerIU_tpUj-r2fqfhgV822e0h8f2wI1X_Zo6nA/w640-h404/20231215_111016_Mod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>2807 on shed ready for a warming fire - 15th December 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjysTVCwlBehlDEx239G_VwF1p1Xc6WKwQYE0FpgCyjVfY7CwEIqFSKh3JS3bksJT1Odwo6rCjrHi9EFv9eFlS6ka7IsfwYSyxu6MmQL8cnerYZf0dkzoOCIIeNMp-NNr3mCZ9vlKAwFK8kMphnwVOabXwkLRW7Yb-DS6nF-vP24IaeXoJaZgko92ePU/s4032/20231215_160456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjysTVCwlBehlDEx239G_VwF1p1Xc6WKwQYE0FpgCyjVfY7CwEIqFSKh3JS3bksJT1Odwo6rCjrHi9EFv9eFlS6ka7IsfwYSyxu6MmQL8cnerYZf0dkzoOCIIeNMp-NNr3mCZ9vlKAwFK8kMphnwVOabXwkLRW7Yb-DS6nF-vP24IaeXoJaZgko92ePU/w640-h360/20231215_160456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Looking down the yard - 15th December 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrrytsbt1zGIciZQAKzsZL4ykLDhAZTij9Gt4KXZfd6GtgQu6TAJcSmm00jVq-ZSCeciyVN1DjcYKped39P7seFun47aP3JKkbOlGGPWeos9dhp4pFfVliddz27IEELw6hKUrz3RzqzYfZuB5V6tH-c962Y1CRJrJaZRjpNngwzrfaSrPNawFa_jnfFM/s2801/20231215_110428_Modjpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2801" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrrytsbt1zGIciZQAKzsZL4ykLDhAZTij9Gt4KXZfd6GtgQu6TAJcSmm00jVq-ZSCeciyVN1DjcYKped39P7seFun47aP3JKkbOlGGPWeos9dhp4pFfVliddz27IEELw6hKUrz3RzqzYfZuB5V6tH-c962Y1CRJrJaZRjpNngwzrfaSrPNawFa_jnfFM/w640-h460/20231215_110428_Modjpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Reminiscent of the 1960s perhaps? 35006 inside the DP shed undergoing maintenance - 15th December 2023<br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and all the best for the New Year. 2023 has simply flown by and it's been a
chuffing good one in my book, certainly as the GWSR steam department is
concerned. Onwards and upwards!</span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:</span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>DMLL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DinmoreManorLocomotiveLtd" target="_blank">Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>CSPL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/210501460479549" target="_blank">Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL)</a> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>2874 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252001025152964" target="_blank">The 2874 Trust</a> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>35006 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2573929766251460" target="_blank">35006 Group</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>76077 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/76077loco" target="_blank">Standard Locomotive 76077</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>CWR - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087621331159" target="_blank">Cotswold Wagon Restorations</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>CFOS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>THL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/322920307766027" target="_blank">The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the making</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks... I'm a little peckish, so I think it's time I went to check on that Mince Pie cupboard!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>I'd better leave you with Mr Stevens: <a href="https://youtu.be/N-PyWfVkjZc?si=xIutbC5ik8fGsgm6" target="_blank">Merry Christmas Everyone</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>5526 reference material sourced from <a href="https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/" target="_blank">PBSL</a> and the South Devon Railway Association (<a href="https://www.southdevonrailwayassociation.org/" target="_blank">SDA</a>).</i></span></span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com2Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-71176962754254042312023-12-03T15:00:00.015+00:002023-12-04T14:25:11.380+00:00Time to remember what really matters<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK4B-qanxdQfwZLzKreyqTrWWBocuskaPMG3m0s5JcCABlDI8HilI6KYMZOpsvn5USc88FLg4_vIVdiuLBjXYU5V2zNr128HykXoyGOHVnT_ZCgG3pnSNGcPYtBE7k8Ct7HRfAT0JPlTkVYxX8AwDDvh-X0dy1aAyzs4Wo8QlxXvc_dC0F33fTNvTljQ/s4032/20231110_115538_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK4B-qanxdQfwZLzKreyqTrWWBocuskaPMG3m0s5JcCABlDI8HilI6KYMZOpsvn5USc88FLg4_vIVdiuLBjXYU5V2zNr128HykXoyGOHVnT_ZCgG3pnSNGcPYtBE7k8Ct7HRfAT0JPlTkVYxX8AwDDvh-X0dy1aAyzs4Wo8QlxXvc_dC0F33fTNvTljQ/w640-h360/20231110_115538_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #f1c232; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">35006 'P&O' & 7820 'Dinmore Manor' </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>inside the DP Shed at Toddington - 10th November 2023</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #f1c232; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">People often say that life is brimming with chances, opportunities and challenges, and to a certain extent, I would agree. However, as for life itself, the reality is that you only get one chance. Circumstances can change in the blink of an eye and without any warning. Life has its ups and downs, and having had a fair few of these myself in recent weeks and months makes you appreciate what matters. It's a sad fact of life that there is someone somewhere in a worse position than you are. The periods of darkness test our resilience, mental strength and the belief that light is at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Our so-called 'First World Problems' pale into insignificance with everything else going on in the world.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #f1c232; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #f1c232; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljsgrT7hUHWcs0Nx0kq0L-2xXcu8yE3OGYct0jifJBDb4er531eF63wMcQ9NR7HuKZfDou6lcd0828xqoljudApT5GjLvyM2JyRjsCGRrlTrcIL_dNJuZ-Aw9kvSQP3xuWeFg_oHQ_6WJH4-oiXtiEHpooNbtytHy1D0eqNsZ9xOq2v4Q41sK77Ajvrs/s2048/401090921_745324890752571_4408937566049399738_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljsgrT7hUHWcs0Nx0kq0L-2xXcu8yE3OGYct0jifJBDb4er531eF63wMcQ9NR7HuKZfDou6lcd0828xqoljudApT5GjLvyM2JyRjsCGRrlTrcIL_dNJuZ-Aw9kvSQP3xuWeFg_oHQ_6WJH4-oiXtiEHpooNbtytHy1D0eqNsZ9xOq2v4Q41sK77Ajvrs/w640-h426/401090921_745324890752571_4408937566049399738_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> The Great Western Railway War Memorial at London Paddington station - Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #f1c232; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As I'm writing this on the 11th November, it's exactly one year to the <a href="https://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-hall-to-marke-poignant-weekend-of.html" target="_blank">day</a> that I was out on the footplate of 7903 'Foremarke Hall' with John, Ade, and Liam, operating the 'November Race Specials' between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse. Readers may recall at the time that I found the day very moving, and it only feels like yesterday that we were observing the 2 minutes silence before carrying out the run around of the coaching stock at Cheltenham. This year we weren't scheduled to run trains on </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>'Armistice Day', with the race trains taking place next week on the 17th & 18th November.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> Nonetheless, the fact that trains aren't operating today doesn't make the date in question any less significant.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvQ8EoGg_elF3hAgCknKCmbXRTmVyQegYBbnAqRkmNoeonDrxxglA1_qdd_wfcxwwFRQNeTNBSaaT6gLNAONk7_QO6FEccvnXhouJum4-DYK2zYbFgo9bX11dOStkahtgKx5rptL5HG2jfzhqJAe0TJLJw5WXGJj_x6k095bvZGaZlr2XMRl00nLvvko/s2048/394485357_735038005114593_5699975770253153538_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvQ8EoGg_elF3hAgCknKCmbXRTmVyQegYBbnAqRkmNoeonDrxxglA1_qdd_wfcxwwFRQNeTNBSaaT6gLNAONk7_QO6FEccvnXhouJum4-DYK2zYbFgo9bX11dOStkahtgKx5rptL5HG2jfzhqJAe0TJLJw5WXGJj_x6k095bvZGaZlr2XMRl00nLvvko/w640-h426/394485357_735038005114593_5699975770253153538_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>A Lancaster Bomber drops poppies over Green Park in London. This was taken in 2012 just after a ceremony took place by the late Queen Elizabeth II to unveil a memorial for 55,573 men of Bomber Command who never came home - </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Regular visitors and commuters to London's Paddington station will no doubt be familiar with The Great Western War Memorial that is located on platform 1. It was designed by the renowned sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger and architect, Thomas Smith Tait. Jagger was known for his powerful and evocative war memorials, and his work often depicted the grim realities of warfare. The memorial was unveiled on 11th November 1922, and it commemorates the employees of the Great Western Railway who lost their lives during World War I. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">It was later updated to include the casualties from World War II. 3312 men and women gave their lives. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Around one third of the GWR's workforce left to serve in 'The Great War'.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELUEIjFJF7xknuxlXNNZvFrobe4jWQZMlS1cV7Rhwgmw3RSYFWGOwvkKBiFafbsEbZtLJLvSm6NqpWiRxgOiH_Gqwq2EpIGY9KX_QBuXXE7PtsFsdW6jCGlEOiapYKdPR3K_oLxWNp4Zb_oeKXXcsKalJQLO_j41FUNq_6BEcSlEsbq21viJFBDdckzw/s3709/GWR_War_Memorial_after_Remembrance_Day_2021_(centred).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="3709" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELUEIjFJF7xknuxlXNNZvFrobe4jWQZMlS1cV7Rhwgmw3RSYFWGOwvkKBiFafbsEbZtLJLvSm6NqpWiRxgOiH_Gqwq2EpIGY9KX_QBuXXE7PtsFsdW6jCGlEOiapYKdPR3K_oLxWNp4Zb_oeKXXcsKalJQLO_j41FUNq_6BEcSlEsbq21viJFBDdckzw/w640-h509/GWR_War_Memorial_after_Remembrance_Day_2021_(centred).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>The memorial after Remembrance Sunday, 2021 - </i></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo © <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Andrew_Davidson" target="_blank" title="View profile">Andrew Davidson</a>
(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>)</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3Fg63iaUP41T3S4g6FOI8JuawbDuS_3zVN1wnNrgz3icze7mtSYitl0lFchhNOjooK-Y5M_YLdd3a_RcbZs29JHtENdDKvn5H8Z8aALeF_zp34d15RZbskbjg5jWeoLQTjsKHTo4Aa8aqK2_Cjc1wr8h6RrI_3YcpiqF_bIyIcHqzInMmyOIspRudyk/s800/Jagger_GWR_memorial3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="800" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3Fg63iaUP41T3S4g6FOI8JuawbDuS_3zVN1wnNrgz3icze7mtSYitl0lFchhNOjooK-Y5M_YLdd3a_RcbZs29JHtENdDKvn5H8Z8aALeF_zp34d15RZbskbjg5jWeoLQTjsKHTo4Aa8aqK2_Cjc1wr8h6RrI_3YcpiqF_bIyIcHqzInMmyOIspRudyk/w640-h492/Jagger_GWR_memorial3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>The inscription, updated to include Second World War casualties - </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Photo © <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Cnbrb" target="_blank" title="View profile">Cnbrb</a>
(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i>The slogan "The war to end all wars" is commonly associated with World War I and originates from the 1914 book by H. G. Wells. Sadly, as we know, the slogan was somewhat idealistic and the aftermath of the war contributed towards the outbreak of World War II. Over 100 years later there is still war and conflict ongoing somewhere in the world, whether that be in Ukraine, or in the Middle East, to name but a couple of examples. It's a stark reality that no-one could have imagined all those years ago. I mentioned at the beginning of this piece about 'First World Problems', and seeing others endure unimaginable suffering puts the aforementioned problems into perspective. Hopefully things will get better for all.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1ywK4Bz6A8" width="650" youtube-src-id="Z1ywK4Bz6A8"></iframe><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span><br /></div></span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE9p-1uRa1taca1RgwP61exvM2sDJw81bg76KSOQy8VAekBRBU2LvwFbL-2Erv6WBLfSgTVi3kp6LKaFZIxMgeOq6eltJ1pOgLzrJUn1KWPMjCBz3GDb7cdGXJRe7VbZX16_r9N98WWcKDIDWDoDefAICWaHem5VcZb06FAh0NZyYwwObYA_zaOY3wFg/s2048/397268713_739652451319815_2570685034672869251_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE9p-1uRa1taca1RgwP61exvM2sDJw81bg76KSOQy8VAekBRBU2LvwFbL-2Erv6WBLfSgTVi3kp6LKaFZIxMgeOq6eltJ1pOgLzrJUn1KWPMjCBz3GDb7cdGXJRe7VbZX16_r9N98WWcKDIDWDoDefAICWaHem5VcZb06FAh0NZyYwwObYA_zaOY3wFg/w640-h480/397268713_739652451319815_2570685034672869251_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7903 Foremarke Hall crossing Stanway Viaduct during October - </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">In terms of our heritage railway in the Cotswolds, now more than ever, it's time to remember why we volunteer<i>. </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>We volunteer because we enjoy it. <br />We volunteer because we care. <br />We volunteer because it's our history.<br />We volunteer because it's our heritage. <br />We volunteer because it makes a difference.<br />We volunteer because it gives something back. <br />We volunteer because it matters.<br />We volunteer because it helps to preserve a railway for current and future generations.<br />We remember those volunteers who gave their time, dedication, skills, and knowledge with effort and enthusiasm.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTybWnP7zazkWC9pS0LbeEZWXZ2VJJtnYl4UnjheN9xgrGoAlq6jBOerST5dTwyD1zAbAWAu0wPMHttn6Z2dHoRD9HX-cpaykYJM8vo55eR6btVd3N0Kwaw4SSoiO4bZXkl3Bhm4ozHKrR8Q8EzyNBwVbnf9t64aZ-KdcYSGZsw9QgiYETYv7FG-6qcc/s2742/20231110_153742_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2174" data-original-width="2742" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTybWnP7zazkWC9pS0LbeEZWXZ2VJJtnYl4UnjheN9xgrGoAlq6jBOerST5dTwyD1zAbAWAu0wPMHttn6Z2dHoRD9HX-cpaykYJM8vo55eR6btVd3N0Kwaw4SSoiO4bZXkl3Bhm4ozHKrR8Q8EzyNBwVbnf9t64aZ-KdcYSGZsw9QgiYETYv7FG-6qcc/w640-h508/20231110_153742_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Without the sacrifices of the generations before us, we would not be fortunate to have the wonderful railway that we have here today. We owe it to them to continue forward and 'carpe diem'. Like all heritage railways, we're always on the lookout for new volunteers, so if you're interested, please do get in touch with us! Any help would be most appreciated!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="366" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjackboskett%2Fvideos%2F665891722177686&width=650&show_text=false&height=366&appId" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="650"></iframe></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Video courtesy of Jack Boskett<br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i>Armistice Day is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a living testament to the enduring resilience of a nation and the railways that bore witness to its trials and tribulations. Our railway network, like the veins of a living being, continues to pulse with the memories of heroes who, in their silent departure and triumphant return, left an indelible mark on the tracks of time. On the 11th November, we stand on the platforms of history, not simply as humble passengers but as custodians of a legacy forged in the crucible of war and preserved in the quiet dignity of remembrance.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0H7d0hXHf-CasP5WKp6LCFPGA4Ai7MPWmTFUK8OS0sj3okskNtsP7iSndZx9PFTkO6Iz7hcmqCvxHo_w8OK-L9wdD2KiXYLZYTEieXGutT57yf1MLa0rH7lSiCthiaExGeb-8vNqlHSv7LzpPI6GQQVsb6VHjkrttv8GF2HR_wRpt-CWoVK_SOux9-U/s2061/20231110_145817_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2061" data-original-width="1758" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0H7d0hXHf-CasP5WKp6LCFPGA4Ai7MPWmTFUK8OS0sj3okskNtsP7iSndZx9PFTkO6Iz7hcmqCvxHo_w8OK-L9wdD2KiXYLZYTEieXGutT57yf1MLa0rH7lSiCthiaExGeb-8vNqlHSv7LzpPI6GQQVsb6VHjkrttv8GF2HR_wRpt-CWoVK_SOux9-U/w546-h640/20231110_145817_1.jpg" width="546" /></a></div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7820 'Dinmore Manor' receiving attention inside the DP Shed at Toddington - 10th November 2023<br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">With
a world that seemingly never stands still in both the literal and
figurative sense, it's important that we never lose sight of our past,
our history, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. War and conflict
shows humanity at its most raw and vulnerable, and demonstrates how
fragile and precious life really is. We thank all those who fought for
our freedom. <br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Many lives were lost, many lives were saved, and many lives will be remembered</i>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Remembrance means different things to different people, whether you are someone who has served in the armed forces or not. It gives us the opportunity to remember friends, family, comrades, special occasions, the good times and the bad, but probably most of all, it makes us remember what really matters and to give thanks and respect to those who never came home. For me, it's appreciating the things that you have rather than those you do not. I have a loving family, friends, food and water, a roof over my head, and my health. Many people throughout the world do not have these things.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXtTWFmW0H1fBRFxOQdNY2oeK6CH6JMCr_RlJZy7tFBrwsFvKHteQri1bhl-GVVMscgubUxrl2L0u7wqz-cQnlZg7kddewC5vujj2Ocj1SRPAgTUrHuaMGZkMXqzQTt4Sd_elI4C6MFBIfb2fGX9H5I39_wxd6-A5HmjZweSGo1s-9pz_oJGfK7dfn9I/s4032/20231110_144315_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXtTWFmW0H1fBRFxOQdNY2oeK6CH6JMCr_RlJZy7tFBrwsFvKHteQri1bhl-GVVMscgubUxrl2L0u7wqz-cQnlZg7kddewC5vujj2Ocj1SRPAgTUrHuaMGZkMXqzQTt4Sd_elI4C6MFBIfb2fGX9H5I39_wxd6-A5HmjZweSGo1s-9pz_oJGfK7dfn9I/w640-h360/20231110_144315_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>At the going down of the sun and in the morning</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>We will remember them."</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>As the sun goes down on another day, I will leave you with this to listen to <a href="https://youtu.be/0MyEyV3NGLo?si=ywP5E0eKghoUq4wf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> <br /></span></div><p></p>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com2Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-90444632443479149402023-09-04T15:30:00.004+01:002023-09-10T09:45:20.147+01:00Blimey Parky, is that the time?<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAH71luxfE_FmYScuzLXZVXcisNv9aA0uFloCE4AZR31LtFQcqD28bhz5FT7A7fE1RxH817P5k-1IOB8DyYMJOzxxrAMTSDr-rkx9RFG7fUZXo391j0hORWfoNZHNjbHZdhtUTwWcnHPI52eOgY2qetm8Zwq0LkhZNVmvglvZ_ID3oq0AMxGqlq79q_w/s4032/20230324_161402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAH71luxfE_FmYScuzLXZVXcisNv9aA0uFloCE4AZR31LtFQcqD28bhz5FT7A7fE1RxH817P5k-1IOB8DyYMJOzxxrAMTSDr-rkx9RFG7fUZXo391j0hORWfoNZHNjbHZdhtUTwWcnHPI52eOgY2qetm8Zwq0LkhZNVmvglvZ_ID3oq0AMxGqlq79q_w/w640-h312/20230324_161402.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No. 75014 'Braveheart' on shed at Toddington - 24th March 2023</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>It is rather alarming when you glance at your calendar and realise that it's September, a fair number of events have happened, and it's been a few months since I last updated this blog. However, much like our steam engines, these things cannot be rushed and as the old English proverb says "Good things come to those who wait". Well, that's the general idea anyway, and I must confess to being a little frustrated that things have been moving at a rather sedate pace of late (as I'm sure some of you readers are). Whenever I attempt to sit down and write something here, I find myself being dragged into another activity (although it's usually a GWSR related matter!). I really could to with obtaining a 'Do Not Disturb' sign to stick on my door, or maybe a 'Not To Be Moved' (NTBM) board would be more appropriate. I'm sure I could borrow one from the department for lets say... a month, or two! Either that, or I simply chain myself to my desk!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Anyway, you may recall that when I wrote the last general blog update, we'd had a very successful start to the 2023 season with the ever popular 'Race Trains' steaming us into action during the middle of March. Now is as good a time as any to pick up where we left off. With the 2023 'Cheltenham Festival' out of the way, the rest of March saw 75014 taking charge of our service trains along with the DMU on the blue timetable. With only one steam locomotive in operation, this allowed for further maintenance to continue on members of the home fleet. Upkeep and maintenance is a never ending affair, but having high standards pays dividends in the long run, and, on the whole, we're blessed with a high level of both locomotive availability and reliability. This has become even more important this year following the departure of the much loved 4270. You can read more about 4270 in two previous blog entries, which are available <a href="https://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.com/2022/11/4270-legend-in-steam-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.com/2023/01/2023-year-of-signficance.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAtdQEkL2dXqsN0YLeC-FRfIRd8o_e6T4f1V-1-AhCriGxGSEkIxItduGKW7GndvtpDoNE9okqa482W4kxCn3Z47AmQMbDcQ5SBhUtQQ6CGVIoXCdxqx_KFBdU1VYOY-LTZVHyoR7-ilrrZDsbcbdIJuwCvRy2FBkvj96FQfj-H2KrszRkdicSQQcDhg/s4032/20230324_085229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAtdQEkL2dXqsN0YLeC-FRfIRd8o_e6T4f1V-1-AhCriGxGSEkIxItduGKW7GndvtpDoNE9okqa482W4kxCn3Z47AmQMbDcQ5SBhUtQQ6CGVIoXCdxqx_KFBdU1VYOY-LTZVHyoR7-ilrrZDsbcbdIJuwCvRy2FBkvj96FQfj-H2KrszRkdicSQQcDhg/w640-h312/20230324_085229.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span>35006 undergoing maintenance to the LHS piston valve assembly <span><span><span>- 24th March 2023</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span>With our Rebuilt Merchant Navy No. 35006 not required in service until mid-April, the opportunity was taken to give the piston valve assembly on the left hand side (drivers side) of the locomotive some much needed maintenance to ensure smooth operation in service (the right hand piston valve assembly was serviced around a similar time last year). As with everything on a steam locomotive, tolerances are very tight and everything has to fit back perfectly to exacting measurements. This reduces the risk of uneven and excessive wear and tear while in operation, not to mention locomotive failure in the worst case scenario. Any failures are costly to both the steam loco department and the railway as a whole. For those less familiar with a steam locomotive operation, you might be thinking, what is a piston valve?</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span>In simple terms, a piston valve (sometimes referred to as a slide valve on earlier locomotive designs, see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_valve" target="_blank">here</a>) controls the flow of steam within a steam locomotive. The valve controls the admission of steam into the cylinders and its subsequent exhausting, enabling a locomotive to move under its own power. Further reading can be found <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piston_valve_(steam_engine)" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW6CjDzt0HRzCUc8h5jFNxtBkqRpx3aBuh1DQP6luxhvjgI7-vYDM-kNlp9xBrHHVCU4LIulUKl06yYTYQ-YGd9OIKMGy0KXrJtO8gPgDgU2DsKaV-UtqP7GNI3SuccN3-KZhMdEFJe7nm_LYfe4tcYDpQzzx4dp8dIoYig1SMHNvfE0f3Hc6xYaEZxg/s4032/20230324_085410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW6CjDzt0HRzCUc8h5jFNxtBkqRpx3aBuh1DQP6luxhvjgI7-vYDM-kNlp9xBrHHVCU4LIulUKl06yYTYQ-YGd9OIKMGy0KXrJtO8gPgDgU2DsKaV-UtqP7GNI3SuccN3-KZhMdEFJe7nm_LYfe4tcYDpQzzx4dp8dIoYig1SMHNvfE0f3Hc6xYaEZxg/w640-h312/20230324_085410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span>35006 undergoing maintenance to the LHS piston valve assembly <span><span><span>- 24th March 2023</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Another area which received attention was the firebox, and specifically the grate that the fire sits on while the locomotive is in operation. 35006 is fitted with a finger grate which can be rocked forwards and backwards to aid with the disposal of the ash/clinker once the locomotive is back on shed (and generally requires less effort with the fire irons as a result, which is appreciated by the cleaners!). The finger grate is made up of two independent rocking sections, one on the left hand side of the firebox, and another on the right hand side. The finger grate is rocked manually by using a metal bar that fits inside a receptacle which sits underneath the footplate floor (under a flap) just in front of the large firebox doors.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Over time, the fingers on the grate wear out and become life expired, thus require replacing with newer ones, much like the firebars inside a GWR firebox for example (these expand and contract with the changes in temperature), and have a tendency to warp out of shape, which is no good for a fire if there are big gaps!. The photo below shows the grate with the 'fingers' removed (there are well over 100 of them), which reveals the rocking mechanism on either side of the central section. The fingers slide on to the thick cross-members which are illustrated below. It's not exactly a quick job to do!</span></span></span><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0-fW5FN3pw13d6hSjjziHTUlqIV9gx3xzzs6ilomg1OAKgY_93VDamuFaEIcgggJ9eyD3cPvwKJEHhc9zsCtH6KbCyZbBhk9KbE8Nf-vO-i0AusBs8yIbHFiKjBOwVO3DKxo6kASK_P5TgGBanYjnnD45xH9TX3pEzCc74B4NdIEJECjUggKXiB99AE/s4032/20230324_160626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0-fW5FN3pw13d6hSjjziHTUlqIV9gx3xzzs6ilomg1OAKgY_93VDamuFaEIcgggJ9eyD3cPvwKJEHhc9zsCtH6KbCyZbBhk9KbE8Nf-vO-i0AusBs8yIbHFiKjBOwVO3DKxo6kASK_P5TgGBanYjnnD45xH9TX3pEzCc74B4NdIEJECjUggKXiB99AE/w640-h312/20230324_160626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i>A rather empty looking grate inside 35006's firebox - 24th March 2023</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>Here is a pallet load of </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>life expired/worn out fingers, and to say that they are rather heavy would be a bit of an understatement. New ones were transported to the loco from the support van using a wheelbarrow, and after what seemed like endless trips back and forth, you certainly felt like you'd earned your tea and biscuits! I'm rather partial to the odd finger or two, the Cadbury's variety to be precise, so please don't be alarmed, although sadly we didn't have any in the mess room at the time. Maybe I should drop a hint to Andrew as it would have been rather apt? Mind you, he's more of a Mini Roll man and seems to have a rather good relationship with the local Spar shop at Toddington!</span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GDdjIBxJU3tS626b29hVO-hTtjx6XX0YxnyCG5j8cohF29Rup_2TSI6LSxEmlJkY3zmE-dtLalbkCgd_KjYDlee0FErTS5-4WLkcoqlDd5Au2ValdV700QNcd3UXFB1q3NVbdvIfRfgnnTp5pu5IjM_0fZBYAuspmqerumF4xzjuA5rlDBdQ4gM5pFk/s4032/20230324_160507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GDdjIBxJU3tS626b29hVO-hTtjx6XX0YxnyCG5j8cohF29Rup_2TSI6LSxEmlJkY3zmE-dtLalbkCgd_KjYDlee0FErTS5-4WLkcoqlDd5Au2ValdV700QNcd3UXFB1q3NVbdvIfRfgnnTp5pu5IjM_0fZBYAuspmqerumF4xzjuA5rlDBdQ4gM5pFk/w640-h312/20230324_160507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A pallet load of life expired/worn out rocking grate fingers from 35006 - 24th March 2023</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f0hNqAsr2WU" width="650" youtube-src-id="f0hNqAsr2WU"></iframe></div></i></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><i><span><span>Bulleid 35006 P&O leaving Winchcombe and into Greet tunnel - Video </span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@kruiskop1" target="_blank">kruiskop1</a></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>Meanwhile, on the other side of the DP shad, great progress was being made with 3850 and specifically the axle-boxes, in readiness to reunite the locomotive with her wheelsets. Axle-boxes are one of the more critical components of a railway vehicle. The axle-box is the housing of the bearings, which support the axle-load of the vehicle, and the confinement of the lubricant required to maintain the performances of the bearings. <i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUTuyIqKOTvdb8DiQscmu8cIQIRbAe58W6YgnyT3bSqymn1dprXsgv0_wQYC3E2HTCCXn1F-8jNT8sQQ6BrvffDf5Kbgz0LDncJRvFYQU334fzBI0CQ5RmqBY9YuSkCh1fRu4Mqc0jgdBygu_-ZwQlrt0x7dEJHbrvLCz0adtI-KGdF1Umz-LSPrRVDc/s4032/20230324_085608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUTuyIqKOTvdb8DiQscmu8cIQIRbAe58W6YgnyT3bSqymn1dprXsgv0_wQYC3E2HTCCXn1F-8jNT8sQQ6BrvffDf5Kbgz0LDncJRvFYQU334fzBI0CQ5RmqBY9YuSkCh1fRu4Mqc0jgdBygu_-ZwQlrt0x7dEJHbrvLCz0adtI-KGdF1Umz-LSPrRVDc/w640-h312/20230324_085608.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Left had side of 3850, showing a number of the axle-boxes - 24th March 2023</i><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEOlPE24HN5PlHa37QLxvVtTlcnzkdJAvK4W6FEA2fkpygXGvIuF_NuZFxOXy3cSEmFJpZ88p7L7jnlNbUY48MHoGyQul9y1HiQSnm0FAEWYFBJ4iKHp6Ga_fv895ko_pN8Uvt3Y_OL_Onp2XpA1pRB3vyb5hh-cL62I20IPKJjiTehFPfwqKB-u4xIQ/s4032/20230324_085536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEOlPE24HN5PlHa37QLxvVtTlcnzkdJAvK4W6FEA2fkpygXGvIuF_NuZFxOXy3cSEmFJpZ88p7L7jnlNbUY48MHoGyQul9y1HiQSnm0FAEWYFBJ4iKHp6Ga_fv895ko_pN8Uvt3Y_OL_Onp2XpA1pRB3vyb5hh-cL62I20IPKJjiTehFPfwqKB-u4xIQ/w640-h312/20230324_085536.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Left had side of 3850, showing a number of the axle-boxes - 24th March 2023 </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5qNd3nr5BBr8uzDrUCQ0K-b2YIdtRyLLJDbzvk9l08aB-ZpnNXS-G0CwkmSDaDwKnMZ1pFdzRVfKsnI3xsh-sUg8FbMdGRk6BKnn-RSYIpYB80aIU1n15u7Q_Mr0eGZVACAdGYmYCr-WurTB-Pwd8Mu9FREoEhUhsCmNtCb5ZDBjsr45M3vXBHpAjG0/s4032/20230324_085635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5qNd3nr5BBr8uzDrUCQ0K-b2YIdtRyLLJDbzvk9l08aB-ZpnNXS-G0CwkmSDaDwKnMZ1pFdzRVfKsnI3xsh-sUg8FbMdGRk6BKnn-RSYIpYB80aIU1n15u7Q_Mr0eGZVACAdGYmYCr-WurTB-Pwd8Mu9FREoEhUhsCmNtCb5ZDBjsr45M3vXBHpAjG0/w640-h312/20230324_085635.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>One of 3850's axle-boxes in situ - 24th March 2023</i><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgIwonldr9ozVNppKpQ3QZE-9k-pOyp8dIvdGr8pLr54nZso8fllebb8EsBGQzGrxwDD9oRxuZrTiU4T-uYFNdfr9OO3HH5A4G8vdc4FYctjGBtGwd52TYixpsZD7X36wS7-Ir60iQAysnTvOGuuG9vs4HIs1eCDGTRIIrRYjJrpQco0vivLnnI8i9Q4/s4032/20230324_085723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgIwonldr9ozVNppKpQ3QZE-9k-pOyp8dIvdGr8pLr54nZso8fllebb8EsBGQzGrxwDD9oRxuZrTiU4T-uYFNdfr9OO3HH5A4G8vdc4FYctjGBtGwd52TYixpsZD7X36wS7-Ir60iQAysnTvOGuuG9vs4HIs1eCDGTRIIrRYjJrpQco0vivLnnI8i9Q4/w640-h312/20230324_085723.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span>3850's wheelsets - 24th March 2023</span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span> </span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>A few hours later and a drum roll please... and she's down!</span><i><span> </span></i> <br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxJyGhLglFz8hdGqVt2QvehoKoaBvgmdEo83Ee57jdYpopqHaLyeHt7QD6qfWZdkHKdO1gFpXH7vAH0XTJ-N_wVF6onh__1UxBR01ubBPqB1ktwia6Jq6DE-vB-8HjHpko2OQHe1-KYX4wRFL51VpKtIVPIsfPEb1rGR-2T4yc-zTP-cXFbXYaaiOjQw/s4032/20230324_171122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxJyGhLglFz8hdGqVt2QvehoKoaBvgmdEo83Ee57jdYpopqHaLyeHt7QD6qfWZdkHKdO1gFpXH7vAH0XTJ-N_wVF6onh__1UxBR01ubBPqB1ktwia6Jq6DE-vB-8HjHpko2OQHe1-KYX4wRFL51VpKtIVPIsfPEb1rGR-2T4yc-zTP-cXFbXYaaiOjQw/w640-h312/20230324_171122.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i>3850 reunited with her driving wheels - 24th March 2023 </i></span><span><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyMwdAAyCzUMMEaN6apMUFv8Uw8vaERb6rAn7mR0BAidzLZW0a0whyMzgHv3skTNKlRMFOhoCqv6u--AKr4hLpFPVomwpirzfn4TdNhO4Jn3sV5sP_G6WcHr2DJdPmnr6tRTGMCZgUOYsGB9H7zPIoGCp_FkUCmQ2VRP4A1dtloBJ8ykHKrjE1hQNFrg/s4032/20230324_171248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyMwdAAyCzUMMEaN6apMUFv8Uw8vaERb6rAn7mR0BAidzLZW0a0whyMzgHv3skTNKlRMFOhoCqv6u--AKr4hLpFPVomwpirzfn4TdNhO4Jn3sV5sP_G6WcHr2DJdPmnr6tRTGMCZgUOYsGB9H7zPIoGCp_FkUCmQ2VRP4A1dtloBJ8ykHKrjE1hQNFrg/w640-h312/20230324_171248.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span>Well someone looks pleased with the result, or is that because the paparazzi have appeared? - 24th March 2023</span><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMvS2EwIYK_iXkkM4LvGJN_fu32D1UDkMCo3w594RfpgjJaL6FpjcvtsuTQlS7o8UlgXXzh7scTYRCKtL4m928lgdxg3FM5MoA_dLW76PvY9tV5ifTjqjFrcvdyxJhAKn6_SflMz8AjelnoPOIaKk8-6jYX25M03l7RxMU7_AL0zjw_ZRWJSCJT3LnPw/s4032/20230328_103934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMvS2EwIYK_iXkkM4LvGJN_fu32D1UDkMCo3w594RfpgjJaL6FpjcvtsuTQlS7o8UlgXXzh7scTYRCKtL4m928lgdxg3FM5MoA_dLW76PvY9tV5ifTjqjFrcvdyxJhAKn6_SflMz8AjelnoPOIaKk8-6jYX25M03l7RxMU7_AL0zjw_ZRWJSCJT3LnPw/w640-h312/20230328_103934.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41V5QLaWOzQqtQSasQYlxiG5Q17wOqOlHD0ga9JzY2AXETa4FK4Uy7L2DVtE_SS1d3zT7cU3uQmf6vZYAVyQ-A4abfADkuO_iN7CyxShJWAsTq0PfajGlb8ol_3kIHcws3krnlvFnxT_qomQuhy2D8CCJWVBNWFGK0wEvOnXoSZ9tow9mPARiz7qcw9g/s2016/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-25%20at%2017.18.59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41V5QLaWOzQqtQSasQYlxiG5Q17wOqOlHD0ga9JzY2AXETa4FK4Uy7L2DVtE_SS1d3zT7cU3uQmf6vZYAVyQ-A4abfADkuO_iN7CyxShJWAsTq0PfajGlb8ol_3kIHcws3krnlvFnxT_qomQuhy2D8CCJWVBNWFGK0wEvOnXoSZ9tow9mPARiz7qcw9g/w640-h480/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-25%20at%2017.18.59.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span>Hello sunshine! - Photo courtesy of Dave Henley - 25th March 2023</span></i><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23jX0ZJBJC4DzLxI_pZOjF6NyQPKvwWXF5gEOdpgfdTb3-jxd0mbD_h7OYr6coGMqUIKD50S4rOqDRauQ1ZocJ4ctzeYvo8Y7Wjioco2PBpUFsyIHnDHgWsk7NhovGqASVRXkJmGOZbm6NvTmmmWkPi758JJZuRyG4WMzQJlpzAnm5-PlTZpz5e9lAns/s2335/20230330_134501_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="2335" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23jX0ZJBJC4DzLxI_pZOjF6NyQPKvwWXF5gEOdpgfdTb3-jxd0mbD_h7OYr6coGMqUIKD50S4rOqDRauQ1ZocJ4ctzeYvo8Y7Wjioco2PBpUFsyIHnDHgWsk7NhovGqASVRXkJmGOZbm6NvTmmmWkPi758JJZuRyG4WMzQJlpzAnm5-PlTZpz5e9lAns/w640-h342/20230330_134501_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> <i><span>At long last we are now able to tell the time! - 30th March 2023</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><span> </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>To the eagle eyed visitors amongst you, earlier in the year you might have noticed that a new clock appeared on the outside of the DP shed. It sure does look the part and it means we are now able to check the time instantly rather than having to resort to modern technology</span><span> (otherwise known as the mobile phone!). Fortunately, the clock is fitted with GPS technology which means that we don't have to resort to climbing up a ladder every time the hour needs changing, much to the relief of Nigel! At the same time as the clock was installed, the opportunity was taken to check the floodlights. </span><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoJ69kNP3ySg_DJRTZX9c1xRQh_YXpH1cqnPnVWsu147UH5gGuXfBJ9lWYFjGT28h9H9j-NeGKQYS5ZSXs3Ml1sF613tgsvdz8wKEFB-ofgium2PJ9jOCPaZDsT0aVpmrEwKYkqsAfutBi594FYbIYSnkgEI0lnOlnVW3o64Iw9Tn4UeBzTzxEow57Gg/s1623/20230330_134448_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1623" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoJ69kNP3ySg_DJRTZX9c1xRQh_YXpH1cqnPnVWsu147UH5gGuXfBJ9lWYFjGT28h9H9j-NeGKQYS5ZSXs3Ml1sF613tgsvdz8wKEFB-ofgium2PJ9jOCPaZDsT0aVpmrEwKYkqsAfutBi594FYbIYSnkgEI0lnOlnVW3o64Iw9Tn4UeBzTzxEow57Gg/w640-h306/20230330_134448_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Nigel performing maintenance on one of the floodlights - 30th March 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDc4aZPtA2bSi0AVb6Pgl_dyySg2ZpvkRkM1RJjFVZfqYIpoZNvx8xphGuUG-viILtq0n0RtcvFo4hfmPqEl1OSgzKccXMm4f70263kGBuooydq4i7iB6uICFZkHdcc5mNLhbW__PsQmY7I7iht6fRCAIpW1Mkwcknd6Dix3SDuw1-BCcqmNC06e-3r4/s4032/20230404_142744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDc4aZPtA2bSi0AVb6Pgl_dyySg2ZpvkRkM1RJjFVZfqYIpoZNvx8xphGuUG-viILtq0n0RtcvFo4hfmPqEl1OSgzKccXMm4f70263kGBuooydq4i7iB6uICFZkHdcc5mNLhbW__PsQmY7I7iht6fRCAIpW1Mkwcknd6Dix3SDuw1-BCcqmNC06e-3r4/w640-h312/20230404_142744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>2807 basks in the spring sunshine at Toddington - 4th April 2023 </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>News from the footplate</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>In more recent news, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>I'm delighted to report that Tom Wright passed out last month as a newly qualified driver in the steam department. Well done Tom!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaLX5cflP3zpW48vQhUWw5fce5egKAIy_vvE_kRSPRNAyU3AMuDbXQ-81dThQeune3OVwW_oAtZ4IEEg5R0bKpwNC9HDeqnumm8E6OJZ0PPLaI_ybGSlcd4wOx9ghHavSu1FUQpLikRJ4pCqxkJMaX20p35sQuc_0Ab4xZZeI9Tz_2aDmZYB95K-I-QE/s1080/365425509_3550204691925749_8882002314081785389_n.jpg" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaLX5cflP3zpW48vQhUWw5fce5egKAIy_vvE_kRSPRNAyU3AMuDbXQ-81dThQeune3OVwW_oAtZ4IEEg5R0bKpwNC9HDeqnumm8E6OJZ0PPLaI_ybGSlcd4wOx9ghHavSu1FUQpLikRJ4pCqxkJMaX20p35sQuc_0Ab4xZZeI9Tz_2aDmZYB95K-I-QE/w640-h640/365425509_3550204691925749_8882002314081785389_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">Ian Butler & Tom Wright with 7820 - Photo courtesy of Tom Wright - 3rd August 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t4O9DzWGvkI" width="650" youtube-src-id="t4O9DzWGvkI"></iframe></div></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><i><span><span>7820 Dinmore Manor & 45149 arrive at Toddington Station 3rd August 2023 - Video </span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@locomotiveadventures4609" target="_blank">Locomotive Adventures</a></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span><i style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>I
titled this piece on the subject of time and Michael Parkinson (known
as 'Parky' to many over the years). As many of you will be aware, the
much loved television presenter and broadcaster died on the 16th August
at the grand age of 88. Much like our steam locomotives, 'Parky' came
from a very different time, a different age, and a different generation.
A time when, similar to our new shed clock, things were distinctly
analogue and we didn't have the likes of Facebook, TikTok, and other
social media platforms seemingly engrossing our lives. Unlike many TV
'Chat Shows' today, Parkinson's interviews always centred around the
guests, rather than the so-called 'Celebrity Hosts'. He will be missed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Similar to the late Terry Wogan, he was never the star of the show, and that's why the format worked in my opinion. As the rather aptly titled studio album by Kenny Rogers says, "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To".</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d3pKbaYWkpQ" width="650" youtube-src-id="d3pKbaYWkpQ"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><i><span><span>Terry Wogan interview - Parkinson - BBC - Video </span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BBCStudios" target="_blank">BBC Studios</a></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyMO_ZZfl4vwNxYuJS15z1qQglhXbr8aOiif5vOz0aaIeFp2K-bwDEWmeVl6icMJ9gG3sKCRsWnid-Fd56wEXL-HsXJqsqwIsznamHYh5WKcr_sblN94_nWZCgOfIkYnCPZkplCW18vVJkmDVFZRbNnPP7j1jhCL7EDZ4sYaVLZzzEoQp0CiL-DjQnMw/s4032/20230404_074854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyMO_ZZfl4vwNxYuJS15z1qQglhXbr8aOiif5vOz0aaIeFp2K-bwDEWmeVl6icMJ9gG3sKCRsWnid-Fd56wEXL-HsXJqsqwIsznamHYh5WKcr_sblN94_nWZCgOfIkYnCPZkplCW18vVJkmDVFZRbNnPP7j1jhCL7EDZ4sYaVLZzzEoQp0CiL-DjQnMw/w640-h312/20230404_074854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <i>7903 & 75014 warming up on shed, 2807 can be seen on the left - 4th April 2023</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Michael Portillo paid us a visit as well. The episode featuring the GWSR is currently available to watch on <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001nxw3/great-british-railway-journeys-series-14-14-wolverhampton-to-cheltenham" target="_blank">BBC iPlayer</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY5pCl57_hPFRraW-E8MD1-JaxdNZOw8sxpz8GTCso6ftySc4HCJvl1fMrNKB2rMqDl58UiUtbdPqT4u6tB5QpysGpd8Z53Q1RWCog4s9Rz3Bx7itQdbV182jvDjkWyLYlzqsTkBvk3Sk0D0LfKQrXaxx89mc7k5OavCRUcAJe2ihASf_mSfCckXN0c4/s5568/JB_7903Broadway27042022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY5pCl57_hPFRraW-E8MD1-JaxdNZOw8sxpz8GTCso6ftySc4HCJvl1fMrNKB2rMqDl58UiUtbdPqT4u6tB5QpysGpd8Z53Q1RWCog4s9Rz3Bx7itQdbV182jvDjkWyLYlzqsTkBvk3Sk0D0LfKQrXaxx89mc7k5OavCRUcAJe2ihASf_mSfCckXN0c4/w640-h426/JB_7903Broadway27042022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>7903 approaches Broadway with a service from Toddington - Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wO0YkGW3P0gSKq9Vz0_URnEKkuaMHDa5M90qj-qDKjZ_Y_mXlDzEk3ncn1ZlkTtEEXSYSrWGdfeNj3qAl-ynDko4u2PmzzB7M8O_PeFPvEfF2jEuCfBa_7aMAql6oyyJzcyL26lAJUoWC4wjnlcssnzNedzlcfnPL4Bq8kxWmK_RVyAWOZTrl9VRmVY/s5568/JB_MichaelPortillo-GWSR27042022-8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wO0YkGW3P0gSKq9Vz0_URnEKkuaMHDa5M90qj-qDKjZ_Y_mXlDzEk3ncn1ZlkTtEEXSYSrWGdfeNj3qAl-ynDko4u2PmzzB7M8O_PeFPvEfF2jEuCfBa_7aMAql6oyyJzcyL26lAJUoWC4wjnlcssnzNedzlcfnPL4Bq8kxWmK_RVyAWOZTrl9VRmVY/w640-h426/JB_MichaelPortillo-GWSR27042022-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Michael Portillo filming at Broadway - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>At the African and Caribbean Heritage Centre in Wolverhampton, Michael finds out about the impact of Enoch Powell's 1968 speech on immigration in Wolverhampton and across the nation. In Kidderminster, he discovers the site of a secret wartime enterprise: a subterranean world of shafts, workshops and offices known as the Drakelow Tunnels. <br /><br />In the cathedral city of Worcester, Michael joins pupils of King’s Hawford School to hear about their chosen sport, pigeon racing. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway transports Michael back to the 1950s and on to Cheltenham, on the edge of the Cotswolds, where the town’s splendid jazz festival is gearing up for its 25th anniversary.<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="281" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FOfficialGBRJ%2Fvideos%2F1446308446222541&width=500&show_text=false&height=281&appId" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>GWRT £1.5m Stanway Viaduct Appeal<br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>On a completely different subject, please consider donating to the GWRT's £1.5m appeal for Stanway Viaduct if you can.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Further information about the appeal can be found on the Stanway Viaduct Appeal page. See <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/donate/stanway-viaduct-appeal" target="_blank">here</a> for details.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HrhPBYJpwn8" width="650" youtube-src-id="HrhPBYJpwn8"></iframe><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Journey Through Steam Roadshow Valuation Day on track for 1st October <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury to attend special valuation event</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Visitors invited to bring Steam & Diesel era railwayana along to be valued</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Special event organised by Broadway Museum & Art Gallery and the GWSR</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Three
valuers including the author, railway historian, and BBC Antiques
Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury are all set to attend a special event to
value railway memorabilia on Sunday 1st October 2023. The event,
organised by Broadway Museum & Art Gallery, in partnership with the
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) and GW Railwayana
Auctions (GWRA) is to take place at Lifford Hall, Lower Green, Broadway,
WR12 7BU between 10am & 3pm. <br /><br />Visitors are invited to bring
steam and diesel era memorabilia along to be valued including railwayana
such as: locomotive name and works plates, station totems and signage,
signalling items, railway posters, paperwork and ephemera, plus any
rolling stock or miniature railway related items.<br /><br />As visitors to
Broadway and the local area will know, the hugely popular ‘Journey
Through Steam’ exhibition which has been extended until the 12th
November 2023, resulted in Broadway Museum and the GWSR winning the 2023
‘Heritage Railway Interpretation Award’ sponsored by Morton’s Media,
publishers of Heritage Railway magazine. The award was presented at the
Heritage Railway Association Awards ceremony in Birmingham, on Saturday
11th March 2023. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>If
you’re a fan of all things antiques and collecting railwayana in
particular, then this is an event not to be missed. For further details
about the event, please visit </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> or contact <a href="mailto:marketing@gwsr.com" target="_blank">marketing@gwsr.com</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWRAR0cNTd8lImpI9D21N6A7Czady6I9_DgbJ-Cno0wcaOs8d_3f_z7FB_J0-llTma30-bnh6LxhQa3mkeyyxptAz2NIyPHFOTjUkVjizhGkGAlVNclSK3mzQHhIAc3A4WFpm5KxrxFLYXwINGrX130ZPEv0k5WwwAvgu3YYTmB3fC0yOSWxi5qHuFRI/s1790/2023-06-02%20JTS%20Auction%20roadshow%20posters%20A4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWRAR0cNTd8lImpI9D21N6A7Czady6I9_DgbJ-Cno0wcaOs8d_3f_z7FB_J0-llTma30-bnh6LxhQa3mkeyyxptAz2NIyPHFOTjUkVjizhGkGAlVNclSK3mzQHhIAc3A4WFpm5KxrxFLYXwINGrX130ZPEv0k5WwwAvgu3YYTmB3fC0yOSWxi5qHuFRI/w456-h640/2023-06-02%20JTS%20Auction%20roadshow%20posters%20A4.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched in February for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>DMLL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DinmoreManorLocomotiveLtd" target="_blank">Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>CSPL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/210501460479549" target="_blank">Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL)</a> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>2874 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252001025152964" target="_blank">The 2874 Trust</a> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>35006 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2573929766251460" target="_blank">35006 Group</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>76077 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/76077loco" target="_blank">Standard Locomotive 76077</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>CWR - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087621331159" target="_blank">Cotswold Wagon Restorations</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>CFOS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span>THL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/322920307766027" target="_blank">The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the making</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks... there's much more on the way. I'm doing my best to catch up, so please bear with me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>I leave you with a certain theme tune <a href="https://youtu.be/c3-X_z0-SiM?si=I_Z7VpBVQzMycA0r" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span></span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com7Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-50472164658341476052023-07-03T12:45:00.013+01:002023-07-04T17:29:10.693+01:00Dapol announces a brand new OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 model range at CFoS 2023<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B8966BPrNU2p1bayoN2G2FnCBBNwWI69STPq_8kkqu5w0Pev9h23sipzdqbU2FFVc4LSKpwsujq66NC6kwQoXJZxgH0mFwoBh40gss1wrNAqnaG1msc8idGUtWepA2KyARSBDgvRGvBZie0CRM5ovxgRmnGevXBtXrcL-YpIkPaaulr182pzAP0Q/s960/345637905_130513930024179_2709026063731313688_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B8966BPrNU2p1bayoN2G2FnCBBNwWI69STPq_8kkqu5w0Pev9h23sipzdqbU2FFVc4LSKpwsujq66NC6kwQoXJZxgH0mFwoBh40gss1wrNAqnaG1msc8idGUtWepA2KyARSBDgvRGvBZie0CRM5ovxgRmnGevXBtXrcL-YpIkPaaulr182pzAP0Q/w640-h480/345637905_130513930024179_2709026063731313688_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Neil & Richard from Dapol with Mike Solloway and David Holmes representing The 2874 Trust<b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Morning all. I thought I'd bring you something a little bit different with this particular instalment, with "little" being the operative word. There is a bit of a clue in the opening photograph, and I am of course referring to the popular subject of model railways, which many of us are fortunate to have somewhere, whether that be in an attic, spare room, garage, outbuilding, or even under the bed. They offer endless hours of enjoyment, escapism, creativity, and plenty of nostalgia.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Model railway manufacturer Dapol attended this year's Cotswold Festival of Steam (CFoS) and launched their brand new model range of the 28xx / 2884 class steam locomotives for OO gauge. The Chirk based manufacturer is also working in conjunction with The 2874 Trust to produce an exclusive model of No. 2874. In addition, Dapol are to make a financial donation to the trust </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>for each completed sale of the exclusive model</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>. As many readers will be aware, the real locomotive is currently undergoing a complete restoration at Toddington by a dedicated group of the steam department's volunteers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The announcement of this new model range follows the hugely successful 'Manor' project which included the production of 500 limited edition models of our very own 7820 Dinmore Manor. The sale of these models resulted in a significant donation by Dapol to Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited (DMLL) and the GWSR. Further information can be found <a href="https://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.com/2023/01/a-special-day-for-dapol-dmll-and-gwsr.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxXelqFEdcyGE_6INax0Z0R1LMtA-AtGHfKNjrGk6nhOSEFsCVpjtbIWW4OI4W-3gXyK2kJoqtnBxRyMnYpUjSVpuP6tuY0VTPKkLRVkedEo0sqlZKZifW9-_CkDotHeOnsjK3e6_z568uZZ8grfqPAdcYPjucwa2kZE_3i2HGbrvPXdvWoz--sekyRw/s1024/B_England_Fenny_Compton_10th_May_1958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1024" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxXelqFEdcyGE_6INax0Z0R1LMtA-AtGHfKNjrGk6nhOSEFsCVpjtbIWW4OI4W-3gXyK2kJoqtnBxRyMnYpUjSVpuP6tuY0VTPKkLRVkedEo0sqlZKZifW9-_CkDotHeOnsjK3e6_z568uZZ8grfqPAdcYPjucwa2kZE_3i2HGbrvPXdvWoz--sekyRw/w640-h440/B_England_Fenny_Compton_10th_May_1958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>2874 on 10th May 1958 - Photo courtesy of The 2874 Trust</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2800 Class of steam locomotives were designed by George Jackson Churchward who was Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the GWR between 1902 and 1922. The class were designed for heavy freight work and were the first locomotives in Great Britain to use the 2-8-0 wheel configuration. 84 examples were constructed at Swindon Works between 1903 and 1919 with the locomotives being assigned the 28XX number range (2800-2883). The prototype locomotive was outshopped from Swindon in June 1903 originally carrying the number 97, but it was later renumbered to 2800. The locomotive underwent two years of trials before construction of the production batch commenced in 1905. A modified version of the 2800 Class, known as the 2884 Class were built between 1938 and 1942.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcN-KsOdaPbpM-eHHHVpNwDetGVDqiHCfx2TsofZ2EfTTgnxhb-0YqxTBwJgxBp05gczwSPtWeLjgpgKnA7BGFl0dmcCAYtHQeNW4jftGSbHmB1xAmt82ZPmHw9w3Oor-jmAjtaBU_v0hARtU6tF-Z2vV_CmnyyDAbot98UT7GYwQSauHG9ov2M5twGk/s4950/2874_at_Tyseley_1931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3525" data-original-width="4950" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcN-KsOdaPbpM-eHHHVpNwDetGVDqiHCfx2TsofZ2EfTTgnxhb-0YqxTBwJgxBp05gczwSPtWeLjgpgKnA7BGFl0dmcCAYtHQeNW4jftGSbHmB1xAmt82ZPmHw9w3Oor-jmAjtaBU_v0hARtU6tF-Z2vV_CmnyyDAbot98UT7GYwQSauHG9ov2M5twGk/w640-h456/2874_at_Tyseley_1931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>2874 at Tyseley in 1931 - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of The 2874 Trust</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Many of the class were still running into the 1960s hauling goods trains around the country right until the withdrawal of steam from the main line.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>2874 was built at Swindon Works in 1918 as part of a batch of 28 locomotives to Lot 210, Diagram I and had Works Orders of 2762 – 2789 respectively. Construction was completed at the end of November and the recorded cost to build the locomotive was £4992. With the inclusion of the tender, this was £6193 (at today's prices this would represent £286,000 for the locomotive and £355,000 with the tender). 2874 was rated 8F with a tractive effort of 35,380 lbs and weighed out at 92 tons 12cwt with its tender.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The locomotive entered traffic on the 4th December 1918 and unfortunately this was too late to help with the major war effort. Its class colleagues provided valuable assistance to the Royal Navy in hauling coal from the Welsh coalfields to numerous ports in the Western Region (WR) and up into Lancashire for onward movement to Scapa Flow – the so-called “Jellicoe Specials”. 2874 was initially allocated to Old Oak Common where it worked coal trains between London and Wales. Later allocations included Reading, Leamington, Tyseley, Neath, Cardiff, Banbury, Stourbridge, Newport and Aberdare. The locomotive was condemned at Neath in May 1963 and sold to Woodham Brothers in Barry for scrap.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l4l2GJlMztfEyTVYXpsYA0JpJUovARor0dBxz7L3VRMnuwwEPciV_3yXMtMq32NwVpzpypiNfGwMp7je66R8Eklwi6jPjUJc77fcKQ4bYaKjhFIGgn45o55Z7OvjOw8qXAbhObzx6aFMVXH5H_0azhcpGEYQkXaAFFSHTIfmg7AKmWwaCmt6ZWpp58w/s3138/2874_-_LRJW02J_031STEAM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1914" data-original-width="3138" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l4l2GJlMztfEyTVYXpsYA0JpJUovARor0dBxz7L3VRMnuwwEPciV_3yXMtMq32NwVpzpypiNfGwMp7je66R8Eklwi6jPjUJc77fcKQ4bYaKjhFIGgn45o55Z7OvjOw8qXAbhObzx6aFMVXH5H_0azhcpGEYQkXaAFFSHTIfmg7AKmWwaCmt6ZWpp58w/w640-h390/2874_-_LRJW02J_031STEAM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>2874 with a mixed goods working - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of The 2874 Trust</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>2874 remained at Barry for over 23 years until August 1987 when it was sold along with four other locomotives (3855, 4253, 5668 and 5967 Bickmarsh Hall) and moved to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway. The locomotive was stored outside for 20 years before being purchased by the West Somerset Railway (WSR) in 2007. By 2014, its ownership had changed again as 2874 was purchased by </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited (DMLL) and moved to its base at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. In 2016, ownership of the locomotive was transferred over to The 2874 Trust.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gzONa6wZiy_6TqidUqRcXOBaC_Y-iEROjW0G22YpbaL9txvaZDIM74OYSEhJolQD9tA0YE8gIhuX9jDhlV8wEH50rduUucLsmjyoro4-FoB3nB1FcJSVqw3sOPVFEDjVyNOF3xYUWFA9TYfQEQ2uVWAddQUZpOAiD53L5ODwViRDs2KZv0Si46MSGFQ/s2128/Pangbourne_geograph-2614795-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2128" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gzONa6wZiy_6TqidUqRcXOBaC_Y-iEROjW0G22YpbaL9txvaZDIM74OYSEhJolQD9tA0YE8gIhuX9jDhlV8wEH50rduUucLsmjyoro4-FoB3nB1FcJSVqw3sOPVFEDjVyNOF3xYUWFA9TYfQEQ2uVWAddQUZpOAiD53L5ODwViRDs2KZv0Si46MSGFQ/w640-h436/Pangbourne_geograph-2614795-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Thames Valley panorama with Up freight train approaching Pangbourne - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/44502" title="View profile">Ben Brooksbank</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>)</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>View northward, towards Didcot, Swindon - ex-GW Paddington - Reading - Swindon - Bristol etc. main line. The Class H freight is headed by Churchward '2800' class 2-8-0 No. 2883. The Thames is in the trees towards the right, Basildon is off to the left.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Please note that the following video dates from a couple of years ago, much more progress has been made since.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6uhKPs1Xqxw" width="650" youtube-src-id="6uhKPs1Xqxw"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span>2874 a little more progress - Video </span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>© David Holmes</span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@preservedrailway" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The following information regarding the announcement is courtesy of Dapol Model Railways.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 2-8-0</b><br /><br />Dapol is delighted to be able to announce the launch of their brand new OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 model range. The model has been launched at the Cotswold Festival of Steam on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. We are excited to announce that as well as producing a range of general release models (that you can pre-order through your preferred Dapol Stockist) we will also be producing a Dapol exclusive model of 2874 with a financial donation being made to The 2874 Trust for each completed sale of this model.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD81zpERmxyiPmzg3UH6VoZN_WUX9ju-4xDhpYxB0JlLcQl2HIXl_AJNnjsLiXpn1Ep6Mk6RijHRABx35_UM0xwHmCXCrBgnXWRgm3TEKKeSydbCKVEoo6sAtpeGju1YxLaQhub2x04XthOXu6L51za1aFsgCCj5mG6_kViq-OaRcE-amun1HhKmR2-c/s3084/2874_-_LPC8c_035STEAM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="3084" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD81zpERmxyiPmzg3UH6VoZN_WUX9ju-4xDhpYxB0JlLcQl2HIXl_AJNnjsLiXpn1Ep6Mk6RijHRABx35_UM0xwHmCXCrBgnXWRgm3TEKKeSydbCKVEoo6sAtpeGju1YxLaQhub2x04XthOXu6L51za1aFsgCCj5mG6_kViq-OaRcE-amun1HhKmR2-c/w640-h394/2874_-_LPC8c_035STEAM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>2874 - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of The 2874 Trust</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>2874 Dapol Exclusive Model</b><br /><br />Dapol in conjunction with The 2874 Trust are producing a model of 2874 which will be available exclusively through Dapol. At this time we are deposit free expressions of interest for DCC Ready, DCC Fitted and DCC Sound Fitted versions of this model. You can make your interest known by filling in the attached PDF from and either e-mailing it or posting it back to Dapol. We will contact you for payment when the models arrive. Dapol will make a financial contribution to The 2874 Trust for each completed order.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The model of 2874 will have the following characteristics: Great Western Railway Green, with "Great Western" lettered on the Churchward 3500 gallon tender, original style chimney and safety valve bonnet, port hole windows in the top of the spectacle plate and inside steam pipes.<b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TZaMB_f-COZg32fJBQ8jpQS_RomPgQVKSzhy7PagXJWSIEqgZjBkhgaEjpGOfLnr2PbyuXtBX1YPo4U7IB9FaRhPebB4DiRT3SIE-5PgFq1p8I61yGDUavmXtlM6AHLF2Uc7Fj8kJ4O1gi2_aT-AgoRfrO60PeDOB0uHCVS57cugD5j2g3Hm_1mM/s1400/8d725312bb6295156461ec874fa8893e.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1400" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TZaMB_f-COZg32fJBQ8jpQS_RomPgQVKSzhy7PagXJWSIEqgZjBkhgaEjpGOfLnr2PbyuXtBX1YPo4U7IB9FaRhPebB4DiRT3SIE-5PgFq1p8I61yGDUavmXtlM6AHLF2Uc7Fj8kJ4O1gi2_aT-AgoRfrO60PeDOB0uHCVS57cugD5j2g3Hm_1mM/w640-h474/8d725312bb6295156461ec874fa8893e.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>To express your interest, please fill out the PDF form which is available to download from the Dapol website <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0644/3971/4015/files/2874_Interest_Form.pdf?v=1683626539" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>You can return your expression of interest by post to: Sales Manager, Dapol Ltd, Gledrid Industrial Park, Wrexham, Chirk, LL14 5DG. or by e-mail to <a href="mailto:sales@dapol.co.uk" target="_blank">sales@dapol.co.uk</a>. The title of your e-mail must be <b>2874 Expression Of Interest</b><b></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SNbHFc11zrI" width="650" youtube-src-id="SNbHFc11zrI"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@preservedrailway" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span>GWR 2-8-0 2884 Class 3850 - Video </span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@preservedrailway" target="_blank">preservedrailway</a></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>28xx / 2884 Prototype</b><br /><br />The GWR prototype 2-8-0 locomotive 2800 (originally No 97) was built in 1903 and underwent two years of trials before further production began which resulted in 84 of the class being built. The design was much in advance of its time and this class and the slightly modified 2884 class were built from 1938 until 1942. They remained the standard freight design on the GWR for the rest of the Company’s existence and were used on the heaviest freight trains.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxHhDsbVHeETXD3JF1LmJSGuHt5ueH1dSpdqGyHU3BuicnAKMcNfsRjjUA4OVMuBuvyNiDZx5D1amMNDzJtWwfyOc5-Gd0ik8oQCfi2ItIGOEqoiyXIeubt0B4vjYvOh88heTDJk3Ud2lOIaPGXnJCTRAobgnwFCwdg4oTqCb5hnhjpGgfivmkcwHGpE/s1921/737b7175a8ded5ee96bbe9b0199c225c.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1921" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxHhDsbVHeETXD3JF1LmJSGuHt5ueH1dSpdqGyHU3BuicnAKMcNfsRjjUA4OVMuBuvyNiDZx5D1amMNDzJtWwfyOc5-Gd0ik8oQCfi2ItIGOEqoiyXIeubt0B4vjYvOh88heTDJk3Ud2lOIaPGXnJCTRAobgnwFCwdg4oTqCb5hnhjpGgfivmkcwHGpE/w640-h364/737b7175a8ded5ee96bbe9b0199c225c.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Ben Brooksbank - A '2884' 2-8-0 fresh from repair, outside Swindon Works - CC BY-SA 2.0</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Model Features</b><br /><br /><b>General Specification</b> <br /><br />Many original GA drawings were used in the development of these accurate and authentic models.<br /><br />Building on the many developments from the Dapol Mogul and Manor Class models including Dapol's award winning slide in PCB in the boiler for tool free DCC fitting and sugar cube speaker enclosure (for sound models) and conductive drawbar providing tender wheel pick-up and connections for high bass speaker. <br /><br />The locomotive will have all of the usual refinements that are expected to be found on all Dapol models including: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A diecast compensated chassis </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Detailed cab interior </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The front pony truck is also sprung and operates on a cam so the model will negotiate R2 curves with ease</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Churchward top feed boiler </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Original and later Boiler support/motion bracket</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Churchward vertical drop & curved drop Footplates </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Churchward (tapered) & Collet (Straight) sprung buffers </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Smoke boxes with inside or outside steam pipes GWR & BR smoke box doors (with separately added number plate)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagZ9mqbi0zfjppH2Q0dx2e3c6-CmZbRXA3Aqghj23JHHfLNxppdNpehIhng1jONMYmtvVrk6y06SWuB50ra-y_Xrlpnur1OVTrPVTZXRkH_5TmWqU_IDf453hefk3Tj1LB0B7EZBdIsGfayzshgg63lqQMpg73v09fBzQSE4xSC6xmu0aEIKWZA89yb8/s4950/2874TYSMM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3525" data-original-width="4950" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagZ9mqbi0zfjppH2Q0dx2e3c6-CmZbRXA3Aqghj23JHHfLNxppdNpehIhng1jONMYmtvVrk6y06SWuB50ra-y_Xrlpnur1OVTrPVTZXRkH_5TmWqU_IDf453hefk3Tj1LB0B7EZBdIsGfayzshgg63lqQMpg73v09fBzQSE4xSC6xmu0aEIKWZA89yb8/w640-h456/2874TYSMM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>2874 - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of The 2874 Trust</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Technical Specification</b><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A slide in PCB offers simple ‘tool-free’ installation of a NEXT-18 DCC decoder and a ’no-solder’ speaker connection. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>This board slides through the smoke box door and connects directly to the locomotive mother board. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The tender to locomotive drawbar includes reliable electrical connections moulded within the close-coupling push-fit coupling. This eliminates wired plugs and unreliable wiper style connections. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The locomotive and tender have electrical pick-up on all driving and tender wheels </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>An optional base reflex speaker can be fitted into the tender. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Firebox glow (synchronised with sound*) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Dapol’s proven slow speed mechanism and high torque motor </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Enhance your driving experience with our feature RealDrive* </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>* Factory fitted models only</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EaJkzkVO1Ug" width="650" youtube-src-id="EaJkzkVO1Ug"></iframe></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span>GWR 2-8-0 2884 Class 3850 </span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span>- Video </span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@preservedrailway" target="_blank">preservedrailway</a></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@preservedrailway" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Proposed Liveries <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-008 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 2874 Great Western Green is exclusively available from Dapol, all other models are available to pre-order from your preferred Dapol stockist</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-001 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 2831 Lined Great Western Green </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-002 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 2804 Great Western Green </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-003 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 2854 Great Western Green</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-004 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 2884 Shirt Button Green </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-005 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 3819 GWR Green </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-006 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 3802 BR Early Emblem Black </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>4S-009-007 - OO Gauge 28xx / 2884 2851 BR Late Crest Black</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Recommended Retail Price <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>DCC Ready: £189.99</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>DCC Fitted: £224.99</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>DCC Sound: £299.99</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Project Update</b><br /><br />The Project is in the design phase at the moment. We will provide updates when they are available included the CAD images. We anticipate the 28xx/2884 models will be in shops towards the end of 2024.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabXrmB6e9QjjI49OP3WFe2GcFJcchEqY5S62TFvQE8Kvj1GD0dYzeqDGUucbmAZNr13O2iNQq-VvagkkvBFhtua1zIYiZV63oLjqf942V__pwJMqRK4LkoQfH9mjXvQTjXaLJgeXrY26P_zfnbw3obAaOSDs0PYVSsThTnjxeCuA6D0-7OSWlANaR/s2048/352509996_3675537962675810_6936395746400785160_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabXrmB6e9QjjI49OP3WFe2GcFJcchEqY5S62TFvQE8Kvj1GD0dYzeqDGUucbmAZNr13O2iNQq-VvagkkvBFhtua1zIYiZV63oLjqf942V__pwJMqRK4LkoQfH9mjXvQTjXaLJgeXrY26P_zfnbw3obAaOSDs0PYVSsThTnjxeCuA6D0-7OSWlANaR/w452-h640/352509996_3675537962675810_6936395746400785160_n.jpg" width="452" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>For further information and deatils, please visit the <a href="https://www.dapol.co.uk/blogs/news/new-oo-gauge-28xx-2884-2-8-0-locomotive-announced" target="_blank">Dapol</a> and <a href="https://www.2874trust.org/" target="_blank">The 2874 Trust</a> websites. <b> <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>News from the footplate <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Over the past year, great efforts have been made to try and increase the number of operational footplate crew, which gives the department a bit more flexibility and a small degree of relief for the roster clerks! The summer season is a particularly challenging time of year with the purple timetable in operation due to three crews being required for each day of running. We're delighted to report that Jonathan Windscheffel has now passed out as a driver. Well done Jonathan!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y4SaphAjfl-wzO-zsMuMKkhRgrUai48g6fvAUK6qSR-GVtzGCLhwJihNffauuU-Zz32BkzcCwtjLwxU4LEmkjnMyzZm9ugI841cVbln85-8D5BsLATJ1MsR2bg2mEPhPrzPh5Ht1lg-B7Ni2uZoqv3m3uk1KEYj48pelltzcIAlEukY_TF_y7D6khDE/s4000/Driver%20Jonathan%20Windscheffel%20with%20Andy%20Meredith%20-%20Picture%20Andy%20Meredith.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y4SaphAjfl-wzO-zsMuMKkhRgrUai48g6fvAUK6qSR-GVtzGCLhwJihNffauuU-Zz32BkzcCwtjLwxU4LEmkjnMyzZm9ugI841cVbln85-8D5BsLATJ1MsR2bg2mEPhPrzPh5Ht1lg-B7Ni2uZoqv3m3uk1KEYj48pelltzcIAlEukY_TF_y7D6khDE/w640-h480/Driver%20Jonathan%20Windscheffel%20with%20Andy%20Meredith%20-%20Picture%20Andy%20Meredith.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Jonathan Windscheffel (L) with Andy Meredith next to 35006</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> - Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Andy Meredith</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>GWRT £1.5m Stanway Viaduct Appeal <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>On a completely different subject, please consider donating to the GWRT's £1.5m appeal for Stanway Viaduct if you can.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Further information about the appeal can be found on the Stanway Viaduct Appeal page. See <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/donate/stanway-viaduct-appeal" target="_blank">here</a> for details.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HrhPBYJpwn8" width="650" youtube-src-id="HrhPBYJpwn8"></iframe><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <i></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Journey Through Steam Roadshow Valuation Day on track for 1st October <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury to attend special valuation event</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Visitors invited to bring Steam & Diesel era railwayana along to be valued</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Special event organised by Broadway Museum & Art Gallery and the GWSR</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Three valuers including the author, railway historian, and BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury are all set to attend a special event to value railway memorabilia on Sunday 1st October 2023. The event, organised by Broadway Museum & Art Gallery, in partnership with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) and GW Railwayana Auctions (GWRA) is to take place at Lifford Hall, Lower Green, Broadway, WR12 7BU between 10am & 3pm. <br /><br />Visitors are invited to bring steam and diesel era memorabilia along to be valued including railwayana such as: locomotive name and works plates, station totems and signage, signalling items, railway posters, paperwork and ephemera, plus any rolling stock or miniature railway related items.<br /><br />As visitors to Broadway and the local area will know, the hugely popular ‘Journey Through Steam’ exhibition which has been extended until the 12th November 2023, resulted in Broadway Museum and the GWSR winning the 2023 ‘Heritage Railway Interpretation Award’ sponsored by Morton’s Media, publishers of Heritage Railway magazine. The award was presented at the Heritage Railway Association Awards ceremony in Birmingham, on Saturday 11th March 2023. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you’re a fan of all things antiques and collecting railwayana in particular, then this is an event not to be missed. For further details about the event, please visit </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> or contact <a href="mailto:marketing@gwsr.com" target="_blank">marketing@gwsr.com</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWRAR0cNTd8lImpI9D21N6A7Czady6I9_DgbJ-Cno0wcaOs8d_3f_z7FB_J0-llTma30-bnh6LxhQa3mkeyyxptAz2NIyPHFOTjUkVjizhGkGAlVNclSK3mzQHhIAc3A4WFpm5KxrxFLYXwINGrX130ZPEv0k5WwwAvgu3YYTmB3fC0yOSWxi5qHuFRI/s1790/2023-06-02%20JTS%20Auction%20roadshow%20posters%20A4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWRAR0cNTd8lImpI9D21N6A7Czady6I9_DgbJ-Cno0wcaOs8d_3f_z7FB_J0-llTma30-bnh6LxhQa3mkeyyxptAz2NIyPHFOTjUkVjizhGkGAlVNclSK3mzQHhIAc3A4WFpm5KxrxFLYXwINGrX130ZPEv0k5WwwAvgu3YYTmB3fC0yOSWxi5qHuFRI/w456-h640/2023-06-02%20JTS%20Auction%20roadshow%20posters%20A4.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><b></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched in February for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">DMLL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DinmoreManorLocomotiveLtd" target="_blank">Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">CSPL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/210501460479549" target="_blank">Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL)</a> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">2874 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252001025152964" target="_blank">The 2874 Trust</a> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">35006 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2573929766251460" target="_blank">35006 Group</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">76077 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/76077loco" target="_blank">Standard Locomotive 76077</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">CWR - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087621331159" target="_blank">Cotswold Wagon Restorations</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">CFOS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">THL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/322920307766027" target="_blank">The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the making</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks... there's much more on the way.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> <br /></span></div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com0Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-36712019938840516182023-05-17T15:00:00.005+01:002023-05-17T17:21:18.542+01:00Off to the races... and beyond!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3n3IVRBs_xZue8Co-b4Ph3yajg_WkTvHBw0m0XaKSgU904gEEpYQGPBLBknflsOciSGz_5_VN4fo8UVNiyT-_3Ef_MT6KkZSEvEAcJmBllaFrvBnC82M4ZgKYijDlrzFcRMD8ljkxef2DLOjKGYSZALLjtkhZzIMYVKGrNmx6VZWH2UsSFVS019d/s2048/March_RT_AdeS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3n3IVRBs_xZue8Co-b4Ph3yajg_WkTvHBw0m0XaKSgU904gEEpYQGPBLBknflsOciSGz_5_VN4fo8UVNiyT-_3Ef_MT6KkZSEvEAcJmBllaFrvBnC82M4ZgKYijDlrzFcRMD8ljkxef2DLOjKGYSZALLjtkhZzIMYVKGrNmx6VZWH2UsSFVS019d/w640-h360/March_RT_AdeS.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span>Under starters orders! 35006 & 7820 prepare to depart for the Cheltenham Festival - Photo courtesy of Ade Showell</span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Good afternoon one and all and I trust that you are keeping well and enjoying the Spring sunshine, long may it continue! Although saying that, I can see some clouds approaching, thus I've probably gone and jinxed it now! Perhaps I should telephone Michael Fish and ask if there's a hurricane on the way? Anyway, that's enough talk about the British weather.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Time certainly flies by (or should that be steams by) when you're having fun and the past few months have been very busy for the steam locomotive department, mind you, I'd be hard pushed to find a time when we're not busy with one thing or another. It was a case of 'all-hands on shed' to get things spick and span for the start of the 2023 season which fell on the first weekend in March. The final week before we started operating involved a fair amount of cleaning, tinkering, testing (not to be confused with playing!) and the mandatory boiler inspections and any outstanding steam tests/exams.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Storing our locomotives in a dry and covered steam shed has many benefits as I've mentioned before (most notably protecting the engines and us from the elements during the winter months!). However, one very minor issue in the grand scheme of things is that dust and detritus from the shed quickly builds up on the fleet over time, due to the ongoing maintenance and restoration projects. Therefore, it's very important that we try and stay on top of the cleaning activities.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVWb8PoyZR6Udeh8pLWDqLAVMUaaA5r_jzFFn3tDVg5FUM54avKNv6mVMp9zkBJ5NZM6frV88uRImNrPJWPu1cvUzog9j2RrjqSiJBBIWx6jYgbYU32eSul5L64O7E8B5mUeqX38MlQYVGlDV3hzX4YNyEpdgVzblUGnJ_8RcMYRTH7bT80FiUClo/s4032/20230228_094819%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVWb8PoyZR6Udeh8pLWDqLAVMUaaA5r_jzFFn3tDVg5FUM54avKNv6mVMp9zkBJ5NZM6frV88uRImNrPJWPu1cvUzog9j2RrjqSiJBBIWx6jYgbYU32eSul5L64O7E8B5mUeqX38MlQYVGlDV3hzX4YNyEpdgVzblUGnJ_8RcMYRTH7bT80FiUClo/w640-h312/20230228_094819%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">7820 'Dinmore Manor' rests inside the DP shed - </span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>28th February 2023</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Cleaning a locomotive is very much a manual affair and unlike some depots and facilities on the mainline railway network, we do not have a flash wash plant at our disposal. Despite my best efforts, unfortunately the showers in our changing area wont quite fit a locomotive in (something to add to the agenda for the next management meeting I think!). I personally find cleaning rather therapeutic and on a glorious sunny day it's good to stand back and admire the fruits of your labour, and spot the bits that you've missed cleaning (as they tend to stand out somewhat). However, on a very wet and miserable day, your efforts almost seem pointless and pretty futile but we do try our best all the same. It all adds up.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>To new volunteers in the department with no prior experience of steam locomotives, the prospect of cleaning a locomotive can be a little daunting, although in reality it's actually more straightforward than you initially might suspect. What I tend to say to new members is to think of it as a bit like washing your own car or bike for example - it's essentially the same sort of process but simply on a much larger scale. It's important to treat our locomotives with care and respect as one would with your own possessions. Our fleet of engines are the stars of the show for visitors so they need to look their best. <br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdGdbhgTYV5MGXzhjosnOVMbAvJVNlORKtF2thOscd4JGS9xeopJI1r8NzrSPf5Gk5Rqbap5FCqdWocWrz-YeqN0EIQN_-jVQEAmdOHOHCtzllEJGL2ELYE4ypTRDC9zxKbWKlWQUi0sLVB1Kjav4BEqaeEjMzFYGRlzXEKWTb2UFD0NrhuWOggMk/s2084/20230228_142519%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdGdbhgTYV5MGXzhjosnOVMbAvJVNlORKtF2thOscd4JGS9xeopJI1r8NzrSPf5Gk5Rqbap5FCqdWocWrz-YeqN0EIQN_-jVQEAmdOHOHCtzllEJGL2ELYE4ypTRDC9zxKbWKlWQUi0sLVB1Kjav4BEqaeEjMzFYGRlzXEKWTb2UFD0NrhuWOggMk/w376-h400/20230228_142519%20(3).jpg" width="376" /></a></div>David giving 35006 a polish - 28th February 2023</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>In terms of how we do cleaning, well, we use wash & wax for the locomotive paintwork (boiler barrel, roof, cab sides and tender), and kerosene to clean below the running plate (wheels, motion, locomotive frames, buffer beams). All the above is generally done in a wipe-on wipe-off approach to leave a good shine behind and to prevent streaking. Having a hosepipe handy with good water pressure on tap certainly helps with washing things down afterwards. It's important that any areas where crews will be walking or stepping on are made thoroughly dry at the end to minimise the risk of anyone slipping.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>The running plates and smokebox area are cleaned with a damp rags or a towel and carefully dried off once complete - both areas are also painted, hence the care required. The running plates tend to need a lot of work due to the amount of dirt that accumulates over time and recently we have been using traffic film remover which helps cut through the really stubborn stuff. The brass-work, nameplates and numberplates are cleaned either using Brasso or Peak - I find the latter works better as Brasso has a tendency to leave white marks behind which has to be cleaned off. The footplate is also given a good sweep and the loco controls and pipework receives the same Brasso/Peak treatment where applicable.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxEhrzVIxjYjB6Cw_oBsnHJBiftTu1t3oqwMTZoucK7f_hIkMJ4q0n-a4clj6JmFBuFSF83RZuemWN3AGunvec-5TBkW5FfhWZGuHQ2kxqB1vYyo7DOTcEateBgi5THBILgRmOAfReDMhLC6Eqf6pd0TMnuW57scNv277swqfyF4ldHLvcri4E3Bh/s2048/336026546_3625314114459359_3171437999937081241_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxEhrzVIxjYjB6Cw_oBsnHJBiftTu1t3oqwMTZoucK7f_hIkMJ4q0n-a4clj6JmFBuFSF83RZuemWN3AGunvec-5TBkW5FfhWZGuHQ2kxqB1vYyo7DOTcEateBgi5THBILgRmOAfReDMhLC6Eqf6pd0TMnuW57scNv277swqfyF4ldHLvcri4E3Bh/w480-h640/336026546_3625314114459359_3171437999937081241_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><i>A clean and tidy footplate on 35006 - Photo courtesy of Gwendolyne Wood </i></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>To give a really good shine, we apply coats of polish to the locomotive paintwork which really stands out in the sunshine.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Top Tip: Clean and re-oil the locomotive motion at the end after the engine has been disposed. Otherwise it's deja-vu! </span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GrlzyLz81zjpzC93OOXtwcIVLOP3u4IdbX5L0DHLFYjrH-vw18Kde34-yJ7qQ1i1JpsTChRdBzBDtQqpmk-fwO8hyG_JietXQ-lPTvw2fNU15uWiK9EoUu7suSbC2SfWJzFs5BZu7zYG_e6MfXEmqTqnXdMJzeF-9kyHGcvqwcxb0RYDX4qWcNSj/s4032/20230228_143415%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GrlzyLz81zjpzC93OOXtwcIVLOP3u4IdbX5L0DHLFYjrH-vw18Kde34-yJ7qQ1i1JpsTChRdBzBDtQqpmk-fwO8hyG_JietXQ-lPTvw2fNU15uWiK9EoUu7suSbC2SfWJzFs5BZu7zYG_e6MfXEmqTqnXdMJzeF-9kyHGcvqwcxb0RYDX4qWcNSj/w640-h312/20230228_143415%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>John giving 35006 a polish - </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>28th February 2023</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>To clean and polish a locomotive</span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> properly you really need a small team of people to help with each engine, and cleaning the fleet regularly helps with the workload. It's only when you get up close with these magnificent machines that you realise how much needs to be done. One day I felt a real sense of achievement when I'd cleaned the driver's side of 7820, only for it to dawn on me that I still had the fireman's side to do. There's a lot to be said for model railways! I say in jest!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Meanwhile, our friends from the diesel department and permanent way had been out and about on ballasting duties.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZeCrn2_gjsc" width="650" youtube-src-id="ZeCrn2_gjsc"></iframe></div> </span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> <br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzeroW5u6wH5vSU1BasKS49lQLujL7n_ro37AlcWVk_sPMFEDG75PXrlU4PNzD-vBgJoFOrCFJw60jWGEJBDA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>7820 being readied for her boiler inspection - Video courtesy of Mike Solloway - 2nd March 2023<br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>With the home fleet being readied for service and inspections on Friday 3rd March, I thought I'd head down to assist as I usually do on a Friday. Unfortunately, I was in for an eventful morning and just getting down to Toddington turned out to be a rather challenging and nerve-wracking experience all in itself. As I was driving away from a roundabout on the A46 southbound I heard an almighty bang inside my car, followed by some serious resistance whenever I tried to accelerate, along with a rather uncomfortable droning noise - not particularly reassuring when you're travelling at around 50mph at the time on a dual-carriageway! With next to no power, my car quite evidently in 'limp mode' and sounding like a Flymo mower under the bonnet (I initially thought it was a car behind me with a dodgy exhaust), I managed to make it to shed!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Suffice to say, I didn't stay around long and after taking a few photographs below I decided to see if I could make it back home and to the local garage (sods law my MOT was due only a few days later). Trying to accelerate up a hill with next to nothing is not particularly pleasant. However, I survived the return journey and I'm still here to tell the tale as it were! </span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> <br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxht4dyUbcrZltldjN3DrZ_z7-jJDWJkrItG230s_MHzdSWeojUI-_2kWJH-pjdYOjZ0ffz3UDW1Ff57SpbgKC3jUoOmdS8W_NLLhny4WrjJcdpsPcTiMLR30J9S6xOTGMFiFI4dhdqs3j8hlXcVl_9WY1CBEyIlepuc8aIQcb7-WRnaNhYdaCgEmJ/s3716/20230303_075300%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3716" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxht4dyUbcrZltldjN3DrZ_z7-jJDWJkrItG230s_MHzdSWeojUI-_2kWJH-pjdYOjZ0ffz3UDW1Ff57SpbgKC3jUoOmdS8W_NLLhny4WrjJcdpsPcTiMLR30J9S6xOTGMFiFI4dhdqs3j8hlXcVl_9WY1CBEyIlepuc8aIQcb7-WRnaNhYdaCgEmJ/w640-h336/20230303_075300%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Things are steaming up on shed! </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>- 3rd March 2023</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDJ9uA7CSMtEopZfCmSmAeUJ1CZedFaNYPduH4MTUrG25VBD3ntte9fHUi1pUBWHf3iUUiSwO94bCFKKpNtlXC2bpZytcfhH7DPeGRAGPnn2XoJSjBUbfDEEeVVRUMsDpSJDia7Ja1O8Nl-YiGt9MMsglVAOrBIAsNhEWrN2WHjabE5lmE_gEoCQC/s3655/20230303_082137%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3655" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDJ9uA7CSMtEopZfCmSmAeUJ1CZedFaNYPduH4MTUrG25VBD3ntte9fHUi1pUBWHf3iUUiSwO94bCFKKpNtlXC2bpZytcfhH7DPeGRAGPnn2XoJSjBUbfDEEeVVRUMsDpSJDia7Ja1O8Nl-YiGt9MMsglVAOrBIAsNhEWrN2WHjabE5lmE_gEoCQC/w640-h344/20230303_082137%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Chris Smith in charge of 7903 'Foremarke Hall' - 3rd March 2023<br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWhgmqMVBXn4iJck-ir7KXBTzMsJrGgoSLZMNWloUrCuI4OzF50Lv0QcNkVnqxok2DmY9EmogjgkPEIREuFu0mWesjfHYVGplO-R-HIiqZa1N3ss_rUhpS_wqj2ezKMOGeGtW9-ABxlUzX7ALFtveqyiXmD9_FKlKDqsfteWQg-RaCROdLSx4q3U8/s3481/20230303_082821%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3481" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWhgmqMVBXn4iJck-ir7KXBTzMsJrGgoSLZMNWloUrCuI4OzF50Lv0QcNkVnqxok2DmY9EmogjgkPEIREuFu0mWesjfHYVGplO-R-HIiqZa1N3ss_rUhpS_wqj2ezKMOGeGtW9-ABxlUzX7ALFtveqyiXmD9_FKlKDqsfteWQg-RaCROdLSx4q3U8/w640-h360/20230303_082821%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>7903 'Foremarke Hall' - 3rd March 2023</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>I'm pleased to report that the home locomotive</span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> fleet passed their tests with flying colours and 7820 operated the first service trains on the 4th & 5th March. 35006 & 7903 spent the weekend out on test runs to ensure that all of the winter maintenance tasks had been successful. If only the same could be said of my car, which required a new turbo diverter valve amongst other things. So much for 'German Reliability' and all that - a penny-farthing would seem a more reliable option at this point! Onwards and upwards as they say and let us move on to something rather more exciting... horses!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Speaking of horses, the second week of the month saw the arrival of some visiting horsepower in the form of No. 75014.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4YL4zvY-3xlelLUvn6SM2Tu8RVri9xm59IjQYARCgzvtgqwqep3vDli7Jz5gDEd3E-kQBjpPkIUTkZ8tsO9TtDF0EFxFZXeUYUkxQm7LW4O2B91oG0UBejEEo3VWI8TXKdOdjjTB1zUyRV2KlimlbwcJt2OY-WK-EK0kYfPGN9wV08kIoCYGwl4E/s1200/335262801_152514727683071_4207522442908681386_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4YL4zvY-3xlelLUvn6SM2Tu8RVri9xm59IjQYARCgzvtgqwqep3vDli7Jz5gDEd3E-kQBjpPkIUTkZ8tsO9TtDF0EFxFZXeUYUkxQm7LW4O2B91oG0UBejEEo3VWI8TXKdOdjjTB1zUyRV2KlimlbwcJt2OY-WK-EK0kYfPGN9wV08kIoCYGwl4E/w640-h426/335262801_152514727683071_4207522442908681386_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><i>BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No. 75014 'Braveheart' arrives at Toddington - Photo courtesy of GWSR<br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>The third week in March heralded the return of the Cheltenham Festival between the 14th & 17th which is always a great event for both the railway and festival goers. We saw a lot of visitors and many happy smiling faces (even before the odd drink or several had been consumed!). Don't worry, we don't drink and drive as far as our steam locomotives are concerned, well, other than being under the influence of tea and the odd bacon roll anyway! Hmm I wish I hadn't just typed that as now I'm hankering for my fix of bacon. Sadly, I've just been down and checked the fridge and there's none.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JVrWKwoIcDY" width="650" youtube-src-id="JVrWKwoIcDY"></iframe></div>7820 'Dinmore Manor' - Video courtesy of Kevin Jarvis</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRSDCJhPWgzHJIKqV_eUio8TM8c9s0adoXpHAcBKufOt6s3MHEf4qF7aedYp2-VHGq8FWPu2ti1rMKo6_hZ1TpXLWCuxR1beh9a_URze0zuDvoc3a4yCp2xo0VfbpiMHZeNcZAJKJvOD5yJBWIhmlxejYvcNcdjkCWz6WjlvzqIckzuaeVmvo5qJF/s2048/March_RT_DR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRSDCJhPWgzHJIKqV_eUio8TM8c9s0adoXpHAcBKufOt6s3MHEf4qF7aedYp2-VHGq8FWPu2ti1rMKo6_hZ1TpXLWCuxR1beh9a_URze0zuDvoc3a4yCp2xo0VfbpiMHZeNcZAJKJvOD5yJBWIhmlxejYvcNcdjkCWz6WjlvzqIckzuaeVmvo5qJF/w640-h640/March_RT_DR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span>35006 & 7820 prepare to depart for the Cheltenham Festival - Photo courtesy of Dominic Roe</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>This year's Cheltenham Festival brought a little bit more attention to the GWSR as we were very fortunate to be visited by ITV Racing, along with Charlotte Hawkins and Mark Hayes. Quite a lot of work 'off camera' went into organising the visit. </span><i><span><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHi33NjLjFgW5SssmRp44Sq_NrGRTcn3zXA7msK6J78BK01oMJQOrKPkBcSOCub4og6h0uDO3HAf4VsWOqOP9N9OFTqaRKNMV5Uxia5I1FgiesiGPzpnV93cI_oAcUIAPg0EzkCd_WdbBGpi5woXEwc8-7fKJSz1Yb4Qa33NWsrjpAn5WmnuA17jN/s2048/335849850_869805257445214_8249207710113603402_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHi33NjLjFgW5SssmRp44Sq_NrGRTcn3zXA7msK6J78BK01oMJQOrKPkBcSOCub4og6h0uDO3HAf4VsWOqOP9N9OFTqaRKNMV5Uxia5I1FgiesiGPzpnV93cI_oAcUIAPg0EzkCd_WdbBGpi5woXEwc8-7fKJSz1Yb4Qa33NWsrjpAn5WmnuA17jN/w640-h480/335849850_869805257445214_8249207710113603402_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i>Charlotte Hawkins & Mark Heyes - Photo courtesy of GWSR</i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5MGrf6t1Lsvmj8vZN2XqC5ry95d5XHBbJYQLByguqQYHFdDskccqVMCJC7DiwSad0Hk023ADXLN7JBu4fAnwT9ZzRq6p8UFDBvXjdw2qop4DKdL-DPccdiU7M0aqR1NoUegGOa8FmJUoya8epNXhXC0S7eKHWs8NQHWEDLZFX2nteCip39oSCPXm/s2048/336655884_124999573863356_2646180322036262989_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5MGrf6t1Lsvmj8vZN2XqC5ry95d5XHBbJYQLByguqQYHFdDskccqVMCJC7DiwSad0Hk023ADXLN7JBu4fAnwT9ZzRq6p8UFDBvXjdw2qop4DKdL-DPccdiU7M0aqR1NoUegGOa8FmJUoya8epNXhXC0S7eKHWs8NQHWEDLZFX2nteCip39oSCPXm/w640-h480/336655884_124999573863356_2646180322036262989_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span>All aboard P&O - Ed, Ade, Charlotte, Jamie & Gwendolyne - Photo courtesy of Jamie Christie</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WRulBR7b7mM" width="650" youtube-src-id="WRulBR7b7mM"></iframe></div>ITV Racing on the GWSR at the Cheltenham Festival - Video courtesy of ITV</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Here's a selection of photographs taken by our resident photographer and The Cornishman editor, Jack Boskett.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivebIaLy086WKkVj6A2mtxf1AMxeEriipMmYSTYz_2zt3ETlXX5aixdJxNprUQy_L1Db76R-f0lSF888hPjOs-5WAYmfgG2-BqVSqabI0NtnkY9t2oewd_XFfZ9tXHUTwGNkajuzu58VtBCk3-k1GdIkEM-o3iMa3JX28zd_B8JUnb8GBJheVP4S4k/s2048/335685724_186912674051083_8845051478084218826_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivebIaLy086WKkVj6A2mtxf1AMxeEriipMmYSTYz_2zt3ETlXX5aixdJxNprUQy_L1Db76R-f0lSF888hPjOs-5WAYmfgG2-BqVSqabI0NtnkY9t2oewd_XFfZ9tXHUTwGNkajuzu58VtBCk3-k1GdIkEM-o3iMa3JX28zd_B8JUnb8GBJheVP4S4k/w640-h426/335685724_186912674051083_8845051478084218826_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>35006 'P&O' powers out of Greet Tunnel heading south to Gotherington and Cheltenham Racecourse<br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgT9l1_3BHn0LDux78h6plS6vXHWCG28vynsXRGeySGwgW8UvbE2N84HqtIfPQQvlWHnAGGM7pckxlXFNGbRQljY_GHAWUxWxynz1fQoSR6lkGqN2cKYllt1ftRbvFvHU4LokrjrGejEAMr4HSMq7AKl9tl4yf6gw0v_h0qUwKVNSBsupHmW6g8J8/s2048/335660994_1246031299671789_3388356193148685232_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgT9l1_3BHn0LDux78h6plS6vXHWCG28vynsXRGeySGwgW8UvbE2N84HqtIfPQQvlWHnAGGM7pckxlXFNGbRQljY_GHAWUxWxynz1fQoSR6lkGqN2cKYllt1ftRbvFvHU4LokrjrGejEAMr4HSMq7AKl9tl4yf6gw0v_h0qUwKVNSBsupHmW6g8J8/w640-h426/335660994_1246031299671789_3388356193148685232_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i>Paul at the controls of 35006</i><br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-oqh6A4_v_v18IX9Qt8FreMF-NZ5T8912hw_jYzBbdYY5AbOhdv0ws_YMJR2U8nlF-v3BvWu-E2Nik5D4y8P1_BbRlygph6OGiT0snI1Nl6Df3j5jIf28JxOcyQzkkrVKzoEo2UPZd7ya8JNbZ2fGNFqQkQ6E05KoSd0YforSa_x1gyj8zNvnRnp/s2048/336363390_184470437652796_4661403484483557893_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-oqh6A4_v_v18IX9Qt8FreMF-NZ5T8912hw_jYzBbdYY5AbOhdv0ws_YMJR2U8nlF-v3BvWu-E2Nik5D4y8P1_BbRlygph6OGiT0snI1Nl6Df3j5jIf28JxOcyQzkkrVKzoEo2UPZd7ya8JNbZ2fGNFqQkQ6E05KoSd0YforSa_x1gyj8zNvnRnp/w640-h426/336363390_184470437652796_4661403484483557893_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Approaching Cheltenham Racecourse - A race between P&O and the helicopter?<br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcaJxiQvYtkkPX6p_k-5lWZumU-oceAV5LuISXNjQjvn9JyopKKtJZQd23Seh3yiG1f2eEA0KEQ4znBE_G3VumPHcPjfItRsVKd88d0LYnmMsMpTbGO_EvOg8EM21qIXZcd1qCWltGtUT6-FPTLnbDUS1DpRqadtyaWOqAEFu4JQgyTiLzkdaKCO-/s2048/335625508_1505730333163946_4826615799719852512_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcaJxiQvYtkkPX6p_k-5lWZumU-oceAV5LuISXNjQjvn9JyopKKtJZQd23Seh3yiG1f2eEA0KEQ4znBE_G3VumPHcPjfItRsVKd88d0LYnmMsMpTbGO_EvOg8EM21qIXZcd1qCWltGtUT6-FPTLnbDUS1DpRqadtyaWOqAEFu4JQgyTiLzkdaKCO-/w640-h426/335625508_1505730333163946_4826615799719852512_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>More money in the meter, or should that be coal!</i><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGfBa1jaJbezCHRvr-Qy8JhVMCSSx-pPI427IvIOoW0iz9DetU43RhHvIWPKEBsZom2pejUhESkcxmmghWZZE01ymkNObq2Ce0owgmmK_EQnsa0l8XDhNGAGvtP2p0eG6JvaXisd2ZrRQLgJxATr5l8-Ap8eS4z5fWVgM3DlNOSKy61VFN5iZri_C/s2048/335709328_1948719495482698_2705653055410258898_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGfBa1jaJbezCHRvr-Qy8JhVMCSSx-pPI427IvIOoW0iz9DetU43RhHvIWPKEBsZom2pejUhESkcxmmghWZZE01ymkNObq2Ce0owgmmK_EQnsa0l8XDhNGAGvtP2p0eG6JvaXisd2ZrRQLgJxATr5l8-Ap8eS4z5fWVgM3DlNOSKy61VFN5iZri_C/w640-h426/335709328_1948719495482698_2705653055410258898_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Bryony on firing duty aboard 7903 at Toddington</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpsKnC0Q5pZTZe7KC9cfEmVfHjvtW6O6t5mtlQ-j2tT1BeKn6qwIaMlQQ4WsccxdWOXi_XRr6hhb2Ku4a3zeJ6u8gS-x6MPZ-IVz9I897WDdkj3YfRVgwE9n4i6IfLjq4_Mkiclgu0qozNmmic-TGnlz9TxwMjcqd5VjxavmDJBhvBgYrzMOQzAds/s2048/336171273_3372587503008287_4363945487729340754_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpsKnC0Q5pZTZe7KC9cfEmVfHjvtW6O6t5mtlQ-j2tT1BeKn6qwIaMlQQ4WsccxdWOXi_XRr6hhb2Ku4a3zeJ6u8gS-x6MPZ-IVz9I897WDdkj3YfRVgwE9n4i6IfLjq4_Mkiclgu0qozNmmic-TGnlz9TxwMjcqd5VjxavmDJBhvBgYrzMOQzAds/w640-h426/336171273_3372587503008287_4363945487729340754_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7820 en-route to Cheltenham Racecourse on Gold Cup day<br /> </i><br /></span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpO68UMOiYn-5Uw_xn59YAi0Ag70mc7yv4CxsgSGSJLVGRyOTCROO5hATcZBqS0fUh0R95dQOqvREP2zKrs2z7AfkkNzGdtRP2-7HZAfQ-NLzdgpkO2PL4MSozun7lMGR5cVfC4T8OUCYJh9wUzsDKfrhvX8LJZNwFN8TiVf6hYQYoEizWNdtqjO7/s2048/336362157_543580584312353_6685239583033900673_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpO68UMOiYn-5Uw_xn59YAi0Ag70mc7yv4CxsgSGSJLVGRyOTCROO5hATcZBqS0fUh0R95dQOqvREP2zKrs2z7AfkkNzGdtRP2-7HZAfQ-NLzdgpkO2PL4MSozun7lMGR5cVfC4T8OUCYJh9wUzsDKfrhvX8LJZNwFN8TiVf6hYQYoEizWNdtqjO7/w640-h426/336362157_543580584312353_6685239583033900673_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><i>7820 runs through Greet en-route to Cheltenham Racecourse on Gold Cup day</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79sBNHTI0ieyoTQ61LvTmO7pRzrHLnM_LF_Vd1W_jtm-mXandDWf6M0Jf2bjDy2Sj8KH7Uywxwjd918xOOTLM8WyZOT6EQOYYJNqdfFC3-kgJ1842ZyMd75Dzf3WD1GGLFk8O2zwHMt2Vsmee1DbEM8pFQD2SIcHMZolExRFhvf7S1IhaqWAqFKUK/s2048/336526071_611095104213998_5756986161729151728_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79sBNHTI0ieyoTQ61LvTmO7pRzrHLnM_LF_Vd1W_jtm-mXandDWf6M0Jf2bjDy2Sj8KH7Uywxwjd918xOOTLM8WyZOT6EQOYYJNqdfFC3-kgJ1842ZyMd75Dzf3WD1GGLFk8O2zwHMt2Vsmee1DbEM8pFQD2SIcHMZolExRFhvf7S1IhaqWAqFKUK/w640-h426/336526071_611095104213998_5756986161729151728_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>John with 7903 at Cheltenham Racecourse</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7w17Dh0Ar7hFWnuQH1hNtLFb5Ty057SMYSgfGYzsL4x9FU7sltU6vdCI6EFM8isfdZrn8Ygq1Y_ngWdf9D_CiN1e2JBttj4Rk8ttUKXasJXSbbNVYQaF9_IMvYQUYRdIGP-Rdt9YkkR_ksvG-TYg-E-gnx5IY4GFoQwFBVbrTz6_ckPrcB5UgsaQb/s2048/336363751_215400961035407_7190557942412440278_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7w17Dh0Ar7hFWnuQH1hNtLFb5Ty057SMYSgfGYzsL4x9FU7sltU6vdCI6EFM8isfdZrn8Ygq1Y_ngWdf9D_CiN1e2JBttj4Rk8ttUKXasJXSbbNVYQaF9_IMvYQUYRdIGP-Rdt9YkkR_ksvG-TYg-E-gnx5IY4GFoQwFBVbrTz6_ckPrcB5UgsaQb/w640-h426/336363751_215400961035407_7190557942412440278_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>7903 at Cheltenham Racecourse</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS97GfbwyQSfFmzQ--ERvWPMk4Db1TrJc0IzlBww4cEQ89g5k1O9MyesCj0e9XfU9zgJRwFIrnfPBf8ouzkTYbgwHY7E3vXVJBT6nnnS7pj6043SklRnSHlrgAkXklOUY-8qltQHa2BrnT9YTQ-QSsfZbV_bw1D4kGs2UMumdfLHbL4_QSUlq8Q3Dd/s2048/336525094_1293926891185299_7479929408504930680_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS97GfbwyQSfFmzQ--ERvWPMk4Db1TrJc0IzlBww4cEQ89g5k1O9MyesCj0e9XfU9zgJRwFIrnfPBf8ouzkTYbgwHY7E3vXVJBT6nnnS7pj6043SklRnSHlrgAkXklOUY-8qltQHa2BrnT9YTQ-QSsfZbV_bw1D4kGs2UMumdfLHbL4_QSUlq8Q3Dd/w640-h426/336525094_1293926891185299_7479929408504930680_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>7903 runs round the coaching stock at Cheltenham Racecourse</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNb5rpqWAVRMwoeyKfb5gNx0E_rPPL9ade_r_-hbSUH9-0LBmvFfFNu1jfIB47OWf3xASFEtYaIc3X1D6mdz5msORg9BvFdj1nHU87bRfow9qh-AII5VbETnwAH1HYt48x5CtRtH7p_ZEokCwlEMrPtTfrTyLVjn69rGQ0A45Fp1jya_LtaT1tRDm/s2048/335444929_209079555040893_5251126232739532876_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNb5rpqWAVRMwoeyKfb5gNx0E_rPPL9ade_r_-hbSUH9-0LBmvFfFNu1jfIB47OWf3xASFEtYaIc3X1D6mdz5msORg9BvFdj1nHU87bRfow9qh-AII5VbETnwAH1HYt48x5CtRtH7p_ZEokCwlEMrPtTfrTyLVjn69rGQ0A45Fp1jya_LtaT1tRDm/w640-h426/335444929_209079555040893_5251126232739532876_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7903 passes the signal-box at Cheltenham Racecourse <br /> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1J6vLkQYO7pD6P_MefXWix3NgArd0ymAQ2UIivlXmxLHT1s2YMjqT_I4nyoFc65ZIg86F20AkrQdBDAorYqSvsDOeBgnARPiIptTfbmS8Z_I2bEHtxeqDnEHyDdjzwev45E78N_rd0QhLSz-K4Xx2Et14qEq7hI1ySde_Uf5Ev5tlJg-RwS5E2vw1/s2048/336387383_1602690243539392_1924910452269167597_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1J6vLkQYO7pD6P_MefXWix3NgArd0ymAQ2UIivlXmxLHT1s2YMjqT_I4nyoFc65ZIg86F20AkrQdBDAorYqSvsDOeBgnARPiIptTfbmS8Z_I2bEHtxeqDnEHyDdjzwev45E78N_rd0QhLSz-K4Xx2Et14qEq7hI1ySde_Uf5Ev5tlJg-RwS5E2vw1/w640-h426/336387383_1602690243539392_1924910452269167597_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A view of Cheltenham Racecourse taken from Cleeve Hill<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrwK004KIJO96ImkQ-dX5pdQoStQ0rld6GxUR8R0aewt9lxsqNQJZXmt_p_o6-uEM40aln-nBMEhPC6K_tRPPW2l_JLhniRWGpZDaKSBUa6Jv59yRYnyaiucm_YXI1IZkAs4CzLD6SIecQfRSCOFrBoQtWmKGRXocgstZzMgQ0Fb_rbzPWaaWxIeh/s2048/336487465_123844253981482_6379704559772622165_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrwK004KIJO96ImkQ-dX5pdQoStQ0rld6GxUR8R0aewt9lxsqNQJZXmt_p_o6-uEM40aln-nBMEhPC6K_tRPPW2l_JLhniRWGpZDaKSBUa6Jv59yRYnyaiucm_YXI1IZkAs4CzLD6SIecQfRSCOFrBoQtWmKGRXocgstZzMgQ0Fb_rbzPWaaWxIeh/w640-h426/336487465_123844253981482_6379704559772622165_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The best view from high up in the air!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMx1eyGt5DBxzCjMhPQuM7QwFz7dB2kwoTVP8NmC-UHuGQiciq5sY54-UE7u87fVhsbS-angjuBIn-k9Hn9UwHc_a1r41aLNpAvCfmLYbsDUZJHSHKmL05xTYMrhi8zxpt8n9-SlQcLwVMvXFbdBsltR5Z6vzgUJ3nkGUq6VmHzJ4YiojDM07BjfU/s2048/336647397_792054052251090_2593015829889080377_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMx1eyGt5DBxzCjMhPQuM7QwFz7dB2kwoTVP8NmC-UHuGQiciq5sY54-UE7u87fVhsbS-angjuBIn-k9Hn9UwHc_a1r41aLNpAvCfmLYbsDUZJHSHKmL05xTYMrhi8zxpt8n9-SlQcLwVMvXFbdBsltR5Z6vzgUJ3nkGUq6VmHzJ4YiojDM07BjfU/w640-h426/336647397_792054052251090_2593015829889080377_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7903 works through Gotherington with a ECS move from Cheltenham Racecourse to Toddington<br /> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqXZCezSjzhBm6ACzBYtTbTAJ_VQqApJcCDjLw6cP7-c-BPfNqX6MnLTf1v4cBg7IpCPDmkti_v4-8bn8asdliRm7G_xk35QaM9QJllK8HIY3Huj-kNw4hUngfJdEeZIKx3E4T8gw9sJZ3_txgeAYhxtMZ_9T-uatW1ouZWyHbz5xZ3KaPKRvuKR0/s2048/336521093_746457390477059_8681587985127625250_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqXZCezSjzhBm6ACzBYtTbTAJ_VQqApJcCDjLw6cP7-c-BPfNqX6MnLTf1v4cBg7IpCPDmkti_v4-8bn8asdliRm7G_xk35QaM9QJllK8HIY3Huj-kNw4hUngfJdEeZIKx3E4T8gw9sJZ3_txgeAYhxtMZ_9T-uatW1ouZWyHbz5xZ3KaPKRvuKR0/w640-h426/336521093_746457390477059_8681587985127625250_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Rather full of happy racegoers!<br /> </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqzJ50zP_Axx96jwrpshOJx7xzdTHWUmxWop0UEObI6JcYJjgDKss-2G6iEGp1i7D1f4fgiS3h4D9QrzUa7P1whf9x_sP3gf-v0Qyke7yE65YbX8xxXXMhyBFidqhxTQB1RVnWwoC1w1eTglGau2fMshHqoaNNiPpnpNHGujRIZZkaPUM4tw1ykGf/s2048/336550734_604221231223547_6020834931188618548_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqzJ50zP_Axx96jwrpshOJx7xzdTHWUmxWop0UEObI6JcYJjgDKss-2G6iEGp1i7D1f4fgiS3h4D9QrzUa7P1whf9x_sP3gf-v0Qyke7yE65YbX8xxXXMhyBFidqhxTQB1RVnWwoC1w1eTglGau2fMshHqoaNNiPpnpNHGujRIZZkaPUM4tw1ykGf/w640-h426/336550734_604221231223547_6020834931188618548_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>You couldn't have asked for better weather!<br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ufb0HSjCAzg" width="650" youtube-src-id="ufb0HSjCAzg"></iframe></div>As the light fades, the last 'At The Races' festival train heads out of Cheltenham Racecourse Station for Broadway on the 17th March 2023, with Modified Hall No. 7903 at the helm - Video courtesy of GWSR </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMB6ob3aIG2zFiYPRhqBG0La7LcACZaa4iqWd-5--S2NMbvnrlYAhjROgJ3nJfQspdcGt__w1c-cPAKP2_egq7U4kR-nIC2rzIjriLLxXpnLbs-M45Tsb-WD8cSMWFsNkeL_CgHuVuL2pznnp5MvIFGQR22J9HypZOC6KWRaPaezluGF-YlEcFW0i8/s2048/332141290_1244210343136963_6448514850238691408_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMB6ob3aIG2zFiYPRhqBG0La7LcACZaa4iqWd-5--S2NMbvnrlYAhjROgJ3nJfQspdcGt__w1c-cPAKP2_egq7U4kR-nIC2rzIjriLLxXpnLbs-M45Tsb-WD8cSMWFsNkeL_CgHuVuL2pznnp5MvIFGQR22J9HypZOC6KWRaPaezluGF-YlEcFW0i8/w640-h480/332141290_1244210343136963_6448514850238691408_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No. 75014 'Braveheart' being shunted in Toddington yard - Photo courtesy of Andrew Stratford.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>With the Cheltenham</span><span> Festival in full swing, work on-shed continued with getting 75014 together and ready to run. All visiting locomotives to the GWSR must have a fitness to run exam (FTR), a steam test, and be weighed before they can enter active service. On Thursday 16th March, test runs were carried out between Toddington and Winchcombe to ensure all was well. Ben and Tom from the Paignton & Dartmouth, along with John & Ben took charge of the fun filled activities.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uM10T86nkMbfkNJWPHAeuaJrufghsmviG9h70pzqPH4XQDGEAf1Csyzowpl6qYikuXLXqLuhbeHx3sS1ttccL2zFBFC5rLABU75tmO2LVO0-OpXuZ0r2wjFFLsh6swjhqAThGSbVCfudXPJ8r0_h8PN8fpuIuIHRF_3R6Fm7hCnXxBmVep3TzvVr/s2048/336656012_1389089445244367_5256512686829074330_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uM10T86nkMbfkNJWPHAeuaJrufghsmviG9h70pzqPH4XQDGEAf1Csyzowpl6qYikuXLXqLuhbeHx3sS1ttccL2zFBFC5rLABU75tmO2LVO0-OpXuZ0r2wjFFLsh6swjhqAThGSbVCfudXPJ8r0_h8PN8fpuIuIHRF_3R6Fm7hCnXxBmVep3TzvVr/w640-h480/336656012_1389089445244367_5256512686829074330_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> <i>Look at those happy steamers! - Photo courtesy of Steve Parker<br /></i></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/my7LaACveD0" width="650" youtube-src-id="my7LaACveD0"></iframe></div>75014 sets off on a test run to Winchcombe - Video courtesy of Steve Parker</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B7td04qcapQ" width="650" youtube-src-id="B7td04qcapQ"></iframe></div> <span> </span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>In restoration news, further progress had been made by mid-March on 3850 with both the tender and locomotive.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDHDH1MJs-7AVh-d25o_E_zHa5dVJknPUoVbDk2riFOqslD8LhH88Q6JsAgAg6NVx19gGFj0S1txV7ow-Hha7OnqjcGWfmKwnKR-YC7VCRUsbpzavEONI9_JXE0HQQtlry3Gi12vPiWYJN8WiTki0MWNL8rGDrlU_trHRJZuq1b0qkS6_X0qYUBI4/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.04_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDHDH1MJs-7AVh-d25o_E_zHa5dVJknPUoVbDk2riFOqslD8LhH88Q6JsAgAg6NVx19gGFj0S1txV7ow-Hha7OnqjcGWfmKwnKR-YC7VCRUsbpzavEONI9_JXE0HQQtlry3Gi12vPiWYJN8WiTki0MWNL8rGDrlU_trHRJZuq1b0qkS6_X0qYUBI4/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.04_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Tender brake hangers re-hung with tie-bars - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9I4qyNtgRbFDVYKravd4zhvVhForv2RvGFPsr8901TtJgpcqGBmpzln3J00A0syxvng9Z8u8QsYi9wZpCiXRpe7Rj9l4WZp3l_CSZ5D17yA8NBuzUt9Jgf09Ny2_z3H1oWaoNlDVfjUWJN9AFC-E3rOLViM5eyblpj5fdffimqPdcC51ZaLqFDlW/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9I4qyNtgRbFDVYKravd4zhvVhForv2RvGFPsr8901TtJgpcqGBmpzln3J00A0syxvng9Z8u8QsYi9wZpCiXRpe7Rj9l4WZp3l_CSZ5D17yA8NBuzUt9Jgf09Ny2_z3H1oWaoNlDVfjUWJN9AFC-E3rOLViM5eyblpj5fdffimqPdcC51ZaLqFDlW/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Tender rear buffer beam sanded and filled - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8Y09d5h10hJmWAvXemtPPddlZ2SZYVQO_aWbqCT1Etw3kKs3lxZfbgdHPpUCQ6YvyxTi5pTQRAfwxqAgagrAjTHOasUYccJ9an41TMm7CuJv419vUVLpSSn6ENGz-LXKbeN5IoX2zl5CINgA_KSUV24gBM4kwPOIA_xpbrgkGl9xUzqRjCi6PORU/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.05_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8Y09d5h10hJmWAvXemtPPddlZ2SZYVQO_aWbqCT1Etw3kKs3lxZfbgdHPpUCQ6YvyxTi5pTQRAfwxqAgagrAjTHOasUYccJ9an41TMm7CuJv419vUVLpSSn6ENGz-LXKbeN5IoX2zl5CINgA_KSUV24gBM4kwPOIA_xpbrgkGl9xUzqRjCi6PORU/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.05_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></b><i>More black top coat applied - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHkrUGmbQ_z1O9dpI0Bm61XfBND1Q6oP1ha2GmOaevmL-lFG1slQpd-8SL3uUnTR5p6xMwYiPF1gPdKL25Qb-DNXgE2S5ohPx9ChOqmuAsWPnARuVU72t42m3BpFJFvzYu_4CHhdNm8pZXC72MzkfADqpQZeJ5GRfrszFusp-rXG9K8v8EI0NpJsB/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHkrUGmbQ_z1O9dpI0Bm61XfBND1Q6oP1ha2GmOaevmL-lFG1slQpd-8SL3uUnTR5p6xMwYiPF1gPdKL25Qb-DNXgE2S5ohPx9ChOqmuAsWPnARuVU72t42m3BpFJFvzYu_4CHhdNm8pZXC72MzkfADqpQZeJ5GRfrszFusp-rXG9K8v8EI0NpJsB/w360-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.06.jpg" width="360" /></a></div></b><i>The driver's side water valve was fitted - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpn6ZVE5Zu3MPF2UgvCTwt8jieoPavgNhIJgnFFbis6yfIPiuhPDsx3pDtuCWmtuT2VxOxXCxdLeZfY-6AQaieqyqnEMCtjRnsifMc2wWhK_j9X6i-J9IxxRbsiZ2GHAN0HdVH_hjZnCxTOudRgKCm67qd6byEzF_wsMQ5gofxGT9wKCXzHxiUqz_/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.05_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpn6ZVE5Zu3MPF2UgvCTwt8jieoPavgNhIJgnFFbis6yfIPiuhPDsx3pDtuCWmtuT2VxOxXCxdLeZfY-6AQaieqyqnEMCtjRnsifMc2wWhK_j9X6i-J9IxxRbsiZ2GHAN0HdVH_hjZnCxTOudRgKCm67qd6byEzF_wsMQ5gofxGT9wKCXzHxiUqz_/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-11%20at%2019.18.05_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kIcznirQALkEzNPtlviCe4wshvSHBcfbnxhKzHPPrDFdyNVAskL3Yzw10v5S4lHDEyaqLbPXUra2r7eHxAUie-TP8CPXzcVhp7mUshy4bL9TCgveuJnXMIl-3WgUPcklTjx19bQJVHwgAGejDBqTd67uYBYDNR6tliRVI2aOtTZaRionb8NtN069/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-16%20at%2013.12.43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kIcznirQALkEzNPtlviCe4wshvSHBcfbnxhKzHPPrDFdyNVAskL3Yzw10v5S4lHDEyaqLbPXUra2r7eHxAUie-TP8CPXzcVhp7mUshy4bL9TCgveuJnXMIl-3WgUPcklTjx19bQJVHwgAGejDBqTd67uYBYDNR6tliRVI2aOtTZaRionb8NtN069/w480-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-16%20at%2013.12.43.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></b><i>Progress continued with the fitment of the axle-boxes - Photo courtesy of Mike Solloway</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>News from the footplate <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>In more recent department news we're delighted to report that Ed Brooks has now passed out as a driver. Well done Ed!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0kiM9ntgo5qR9sduWiwKn_gGehrgGMy0-icOwyQUoaUaStsZJtQjodUca4SkmzQdgxKVPMKAiYMEW6aZhPjRoNlapMI36Vkp5fSou7ZllDDRL1-hg9pIvtnSLkKd02srcRovwYkNSHLVXQ_RAV8OA7qkKuME46TeIqdVkBfQOvNaTb9KpFaUP3D/s2048/343386767_263845026074217_3006470053463797427_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0kiM9ntgo5qR9sduWiwKn_gGehrgGMy0-icOwyQUoaUaStsZJtQjodUca4SkmzQdgxKVPMKAiYMEW6aZhPjRoNlapMI36Vkp5fSou7ZllDDRL1-hg9pIvtnSLkKd02srcRovwYkNSHLVXQ_RAV8OA7qkKuME46TeIqdVkBfQOvNaTb9KpFaUP3D/w480-h640/343386767_263845026074217_3006470053463797427_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Right away driver! - Photo courtesy of Ed Brooks / Ray O'Hara</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>GWRT £1.5m Stanway Viaduct Appeal <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>On a completely different subject, please consider donating to the GWRT's £1.5m appeal for Stanway Viaduct if you can.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Further information about the appeal can be found on the Stanway Viaduct Appeal page. See <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/donate/stanway-viaduct-appeal" target="_blank">here</a> for details.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HrhPBYJpwn8" width="650" youtube-src-id="HrhPBYJpwn8"></iframe><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <i></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i><b> <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched in February for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks, there's another two months worth of stuff on the way so please stay tuned!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>PS I'll leave you with the legendary Michael Fish - <a href="https://youtu.be/NnxjZ-aFkjs" target="_blank">15th October 1987 hurricane forecast</a><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com0Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-53662682297011669842023-04-14T15:45:00.005+01:002023-04-14T17:31:24.978+01:00Anyone fancy a ride with a U-Boat?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisllbGLNCdPb_-w2b2fNeJBZ9I_uPEziAaY_umFz9O37ukhi39Z4I3gkslesze7u1pLrUUTvvtSHAce3yHFIr176H3xWXuBRuAAzusQ_Qiswgl2at9xRMrWc1qN_7ePt-Ss7u-mEQB-G2KNIXY5tudntEU8AfzZoBP41CLExME6nMUpZMzsR--Yb39/s5813/31806.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3875" data-original-width="5813" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisllbGLNCdPb_-w2b2fNeJBZ9I_uPEziAaY_umFz9O37ukhi39Z4I3gkslesze7u1pLrUUTvvtSHAce3yHFIr176H3xWXuBRuAAzusQ_Qiswgl2at9xRMrWc1qN_7ePt-Ss7u-mEQB-G2KNIXY5tudntEU8AfzZoBP41CLExME6nMUpZMzsR--Yb39/w640-h426/31806.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Maunsell SR ‘U’ Class 2-6-0 Mogul No. 31806 - Photo courtesy of Kenny Felstead</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Following a couple of rather hectic days in the steam department over the past week, I am now back and armed with my trusty keyboard once more. I wouldn't advise trying to type with a shovel as the results are below par at best and would be rather costly - My current desktop is on its last legs and much like our steam locomotives, could rightly be considered as 'heritage' by modern standards, although it's not quite in the same league as the Commodore 64! Anyway, unlike the title asks, we're not going to be submerging ourselves as part of a re-enactment exercise and so those of you with a claustrophobic disposition needn't fear. Without further ado, I can now confirm our fifth and final visiting locomotive.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A 97-year-old Southern Railway (SR) 2-6-0 light passenger steam locomotive is to join the roster of visiting engines for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s (GWSR) Cotswold Festival of Steam in May. The locomotive in question is SR ‘U’ Class 2-6-0 Mogul No. 31806, and is appearing courtesy of the Swanage Railway and JMB Locomotive Services. The visit of 31806 is subject to completion of scheduled maintenance, thus all fingers are crossed! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXfFTW1-XcvbiioDfRjQMky1z2dgKrXtpPpnqyDKFcKnbqUfR2MMN2tYCi77yM7pbkJkrgluK9_tDjW1rrphRkv8G02R-SwFKNA_xypoEXP1drTcBouW1gPIjsSaFDQl6bEBuI0S16bJJJxgjCJknl-wHQTl0CjZYpnKRCZytrc50szifo9dKuiRs/s5078/31806%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3385" data-original-width="5078" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXfFTW1-XcvbiioDfRjQMky1z2dgKrXtpPpnqyDKFcKnbqUfR2MMN2tYCi77yM7pbkJkrgluK9_tDjW1rrphRkv8G02R-SwFKNA_xypoEXP1drTcBouW1gPIjsSaFDQl6bEBuI0S16bJJJxgjCJknl-wHQTl0CjZYpnKRCZytrc50szifo9dKuiRs/w640-h426/31806%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Maunsell SR ‘U’ Class 2-6-0 Mogul No. 31806 - Photo courtesy of Kenny Felstead</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The visit of ‘U’ Class 31806 ensures that once again, the railway’s resident SR rebuilt Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 locomotive No. 35006 ‘Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.’, has some Southern Region company for the prestigious event in 2023. Visitors to last year’s Cotswold Festival of Steam will remember the sights and sounds of SR rebuilt West County Class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’, which like 31806, appeared thanks to the support of our Swanage Railway friends.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnMHwvOAQqDsRt9WxY3aU0yi31YXwYoOboPOGFm8MVXI9SyEhDr-2VJs-72wX0D8y6M0bWIxZwc11qCXvJgFVrOtO_GNMGCjdguj5wK_6Z9Vi_1mf6LPJye89CdVGJc3ZExYf6oBJ_kVo5s5-ZuZygLAGg-w5lgbv3N9WMhRxiCheESlkRdNFa_0J/s2048/34028_1.jpg"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnMHwvOAQqDsRt9WxY3aU0yi31YXwYoOboPOGFm8MVXI9SyEhDr-2VJs-72wX0D8y6M0bWIxZwc11qCXvJgFVrOtO_GNMGCjdguj5wK_6Z9Vi_1mf6LPJye89CdVGJc3ZExYf6oBJ_kVo5s5-ZuZygLAGg-w5lgbv3N9WMhRxiCheESlkRdNFa_0J/w640-h480/34028_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnMHwvOAQqDsRt9WxY3aU0yi31YXwYoOboPOGFm8MVXI9SyEhDr-2VJs-72wX0D8y6M0bWIxZwc11qCXvJgFVrOtO_GNMGCjdguj5wK_6Z9Vi_1mf6LPJye89CdVGJc3ZExYf6oBJ_kVo5s5-ZuZygLAGg-w5lgbv3N9WMhRxiCheESlkRdNFa_0J/s2048/34028_1.jpg"></a></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A pair of Bulleids! - 35006 ‘Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.’ & 34028 ‘Eddystone’ on shed – 6th June 2022</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Time for a little bit of history on the Southern’s link with Cheltenham and ‘U’ Class No. 31806. <br /><br />The SR reached Cheltenham via the former Midland & South Western Junction Railway from Andover via Swindon, Cirencester and Andoversford. At Cheltenham, the SR trains originally used the former Midland station at Cheltenham Spa but latterly Cheltenham St. James, the SR locomotives being serviced at Cheltenham Malvern Road depot. 31806, which is known to have visited Cheltenham, is one of Richard Maunsell’s attractive and successful light passenger engines introduced in 1928.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF85x-PqIn8PRFgDp5zc6X8OWRsJRGHDDwedV47aoIY5wOQlUMkG6QPvgAru-tBA9GVduOelf2ZuF_Gf9ZfLnjySii9sa1pSxKJ3R6VTbSJHwhS14q8DU4K7r7fyi9IWMyhp2J25HFLVJ6XdtEZH4QkLqGNDt5Apa4v0EYWJRDrVYknJGswQTUpT0t/s4608/31806%20goods.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF85x-PqIn8PRFgDp5zc6X8OWRsJRGHDDwedV47aoIY5wOQlUMkG6QPvgAru-tBA9GVduOelf2ZuF_Gf9ZfLnjySii9sa1pSxKJ3R6VTbSJHwhS14q8DU4K7r7fyi9IWMyhp2J25HFLVJ6XdtEZH4QkLqGNDt5Apa4v0EYWJRDrVYknJGswQTUpT0t/w640-h480/31806%20goods.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Maunsell SR ‘U’ Class 2-6-0 Mogul No. 31806 - Photo courtesy of Kenny Felstead</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The design took many principles from Churchward’s GW locomotives including long-travel valves. The first 20, including 31806, were rebuilds of Maunsell’s ill-fated ‘River’ (‘K’) Class 2-6-4Ts, with the ‘U’ Class’s development and construction being accelerated in part as a result of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sevenoaks_railway_accident" target="_blank">Sevenoaks railway accident</a> on 24th August 1927. The 50 members of the class were built (or re-built) at Ashford, Brighton and Eastleigh. 31806 was re-built at Brighton in 1928 from a 1926 2-6-4T – ‘K’ Class No. A806 ‘River Torridge’. The class gained the nickname ‘U-Boats’ after the submarine warfare of the First World War and in reference to their 'go anywhere' nature - the 'U's operated widely across the Southern Region. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9sSAJMTaCu8" width="650" youtube-src-id="9sSAJMTaCu8"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Sevenoaks Railway Accident - Video </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><i><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhoenixHistory" spellcheck="false" target="_blank">Phoenix History</a></i></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdGo0-Hr6KE1qFehv9GoBmtwvf9iEfpjIdMHHv-GLEV22i3VO0MFHfCTEdlmq-TYq5TVpLoeWPzbROUgf_T243r-xV00mK2hCS2IVrEKJc9bgi2X5bNUyZmUd8mQLKBt3lEYU3FXSf9_DbleKuPTcWPJezmKJPbg8j5T-uG1WpTV26D7lBdEbjIvP/s1252/337446690_190771383734531_297204161039751271_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdGo0-Hr6KE1qFehv9GoBmtwvf9iEfpjIdMHHv-GLEV22i3VO0MFHfCTEdlmq-TYq5TVpLoeWPzbROUgf_T243r-xV00mK2hCS2IVrEKJc9bgi2X5bNUyZmUd8mQLKBt3lEYU3FXSf9_DbleKuPTcWPJezmKJPbg8j5T-uG1WpTV26D7lBdEbjIvP/w552-h640/337446690_190771383734531_297204161039751271_n.jpg" width="552" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Maunsell SR ‘U’ Class 2-6-0 Mogul No. 31806 - Photo courtesy of Ethan Waller</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Locomotive A806 entered service in 1928 and by nationalisation it had spent time at Nine Elms (9E, circa 21st March 1932) Basingstoke (BAS, 1939), Redhill (RED), and Guildford (GFD) sheds. The ‘U’ Class numbering was rationalized when the final batch of ‘U’s were constructed between 1932 & 1934, which resulted in the ‘A’ prefix being dropped and replaced with a ‘1’. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMolkTQpl27tWfaRrunqAX2P-82aW2Fg7UkSj8tDmrItVM8Ik1VSYj03HsAKwWHBx9QDhUOA8JmM0Gza1Jxcm2MWYIaASlEjAkrAM3_1uFeMRoAUYIqOTCipQ_Nbsh8XqYEbnQ3gSQStf_5153Wq3SBZ9_C9MGat6mDAIX-Ed2mlc5BdnMc1pq52X/s4284/31806_arriving_at_Highley_3_(8089811806).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2144" data-original-width="4284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMolkTQpl27tWfaRrunqAX2P-82aW2Fg7UkSj8tDmrItVM8Ik1VSYj03HsAKwWHBx9QDhUOA8JmM0Gza1Jxcm2MWYIaASlEjAkrAM3_1uFeMRoAUYIqOTCipQ_Nbsh8XqYEbnQ3gSQStf_5153Wq3SBZ9_C9MGat6mDAIX-Ed2mlc5BdnMc1pq52X/w640-h320/31806_arriving_at_Highley_3_(8089811806).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>31806 arriving at Highley - Photo © </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mw-mmv-source-author"><span class="mw-mmv-author"><a class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/37804979@N00" rel="nofollow">Tony Hisgett</a></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY 2.0</a>) - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/djSpcU" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/djSpcU</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Records indicate that A806 left Ashford Works paint shop on the 1st September 1932, wearing the number 1806. By December 1934, the locomotive had acquired the rather distinctive ‘half height’ smoke deflectors. <br /><br />In 1945, 1806 underwent minor repairs at Guildford (GFD) and the loco remained there until after nationalisation. It left the paint shop on the 1st April 1949 renumbered as 31806 and wearing BR Mixed Traffic Black livery. In 1953, a new 4000-gallon tender was fitted replacing its original as-supplied 3500-gallon tender. 31806s BR motive power depot allocations since 1948 also included; Basingstoke (70D), Faversham (FAV), Nine Elms (70A) and Stewarts Lane (BAT).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNukV-CXYxFQ69bLT8mtYDHQ_rT8YW5_OoM0YN-OzV83b2f77Nj3qqHBbjxMUWHQH7rdhM8YSQ5KhqAXlGOWG2X3dACnMWvysxUIwXzUhKTqGCEkRVY_JcSSSRRQzQxh5s-e5dkNJGKRL5xH2aOtEKORFbA_mxZfByq4CsqWbXubEr6m3coSkYNyer/s4592/geograph-2881891-by-Peter-Trimming.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3056" data-original-width="4592" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNukV-CXYxFQ69bLT8mtYDHQ_rT8YW5_OoM0YN-OzV83b2f77Nj3qqHBbjxMUWHQH7rdhM8YSQ5KhqAXlGOWG2X3dACnMWvysxUIwXzUhKTqGCEkRVY_JcSSSRRQzQxh5s-e5dkNJGKRL5xH2aOtEKORFbA_mxZfByq4CsqWbXubEr6m3coSkYNyer/w640-h426/geograph-2881891-by-Peter-Trimming.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>SR U Class No. 31806 at Alresford, Hampshire. Seen about to run round its train, following the arrival from Alton - Photo © </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/34298" title="View profile">Peter Trimming</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2881891">geograph.org.uk/p/2881891</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U3KA-990llM" width="650" youtube-src-id="U3KA-990llM"></iframe></div><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Return of a Mainline U Class - 31806 Test Run 13/04/18 - Video </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><i><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@frontlinesteam8430" spellcheck="false" target="_blank">FrontLineSteam</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>As the 1960’s was approaching, it was evident that a number of the class were suffering from cracks in the light weight frames and worn out cylinders. In September 1957, having covered nearly 836,000 miles, 31806 travelled to Ashford Works where it was fitted with a ‘new front end’ which comprised of a new blast pipe, chimney and BR type 4 cylinder blocks. In addition, its tender was swapped back to the same 3500-gallon type which it had been supplied with in 1928. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The locomotive retuned to traffic on the 1st November 1957. Records indicate that the last modification made during its SR/BR career was the fitment of the Automatic Waning System (AWS). This work was carried out at some point between 1957 and April 1963 when it returned to Guildford (70C).</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhNnHYu3il2gi4WjfLbmRpf7ePEchi8eH1SoTlPSahHWPnaOBu8Leh6wmfIvXeyyLVsmSi3bHYmebbbviKZqmVWfYBOV2OIW8AwhMyfsm6eywOCj749z_O7qioLE-fvl36RWh_l27wKTbZpQ69eqRokwzbwIFeFTv_QDlok5ouizpi3G1cmYXpysZ/s1024/geograph-7365231-by-Bob-Walters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhNnHYu3il2gi4WjfLbmRpf7ePEchi8eH1SoTlPSahHWPnaOBu8Leh6wmfIvXeyyLVsmSi3bHYmebbbviKZqmVWfYBOV2OIW8AwhMyfsm6eywOCj749z_O7qioLE-fvl36RWh_l27wKTbZpQ69eqRokwzbwIFeFTv_QDlok5ouizpi3G1cmYXpysZ/w640-h426/geograph-7365231-by-Bob-Walters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>U class 2-6-0 No. 31806 at Ropley depot on the Mid Hants Railway (MHR) - Photo © </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/42548" title="View profile">Bob Walters</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7365231">geograph.org.uk/p/7365231</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/8334/8088069099_4fb04c3951_3k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="800" height="467" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8334/8088069099_4fb04c3951_3k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>31806 at Kidderminster - Photo © </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mw-mmv-source-author"><span class="mw-mmv-author"><a class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/37804979@N00" rel="nofollow">Tony Hisgett</a></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY 2.0</a>) - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/djHtae" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/djHtae</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Its successful career ended when it was withdrawn at Guildford shed on the 5th January 1964 after 34 years & 7 months of service, by which time it had covered nearly 1 million miles. Later in 1964, it was sent to Woodham’s Scrapyard at Barry, South Wales where it remained for over 12 years. <br /><br />The locomotive was rescued by John Bunch for preservation at the Mid-Hants Railway in October 1976. Restoration commenced in 1979 and 31806 was returned to service in April 1981. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I9Fynw4sGo0" width="650" youtube-src-id="I9Fynw4sGo0"></iframe></div>31806 & 61306 "Mayflower" power through Hampshire - Steam Dreams Excursion 20/06/2021 - Video </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><i><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheSouthernerYTChannel" spellcheck="false" target="_blank">TheSoutherner</a></i><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>After 10 years of service at the Mid-Hants Railway, its boiler ticket expired and the locomotive remained out of service pending overhaul. 31806 eventually re-entered traffic on the railway in 2011. In 2014, it moved to its current home at the Swanage Railway and forms part of the railway’s resident fleet. The ‘U-Boat’ has proven to be easy to maintain, efficient and is very popular with the locomotive crews and visitors alike.<br /><br />The engine is the oldest of the four ‘U’ Classes in preservation and the only ‘River’ rebuild still in existence.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cnlRK4c53FlqSnBxEyM9hp6HZGK-AuHjXr9SzjS4IXhKFh8lZISQ5HqyvCrM1pdSCQqWFh8BHSGfQTLmpP1XGXC3KLBFei957IkcAE13R8wLX4XTSN2GrovfVyi1MzU7pVLU70bwmVrldbDGVeENG7ihlZ_L9Of2j0TlKtX2qRfGoch8qFVGVj1_/s1600/64006369dcf34820e303cab9_Untitled-1-p-1600.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cnlRK4c53FlqSnBxEyM9hp6HZGK-AuHjXr9SzjS4IXhKFh8lZISQ5HqyvCrM1pdSCQqWFh8BHSGfQTLmpP1XGXC3KLBFei957IkcAE13R8wLX4XTSN2GrovfVyi1MzU7pVLU70bwmVrldbDGVeENG7ihlZ_L9Of2j0TlKtX2qRfGoch8qFVGVj1_/w640-h212/64006369dcf34820e303cab9_Untitled-1-p-1600.webp" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Tickets for the Festival are available online at <a href="http://www.gwsr.com" target="_blank">www.gwsr.com</a>. With up to eight steam locomotives running, it will offer an action-packed timetable of trains, including goods trains and shunting demonstrations. The locomotive and carriage & wagon workshops will throw open their doors for rare behind-the-scenes visits and there will be plenty of other activity at the railway’s stations. The opportunity to travel between the only operational ‘U’ is not to be missed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The ‘U-Boat’ is
the fifth visiting engine to be confirmed. Four other visiting locomotives
have been confirmed for the event: Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No. <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledgebase/steam-locomotive-braveheart-to-join-the-gwsr-fleet" target="_blank">75014
<i>Braveheart</i></a><i>, </i>appearing courtesy of the Dartmouth Steam Railway,
Great Western Railway ‘Castle’ Class No. <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledgebase/a-castle-of-steam-in-the-cotswolds">4079
<i>Pendennis Castle</i></a><i>, </i>appearing courtesy of the Great Western
Society at Didcot Railway Centre,<span>
</span>L&Y ‘Pug’ No. <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledgebase/a-pug-load-of-shunting-in-store-for-the-cotswolds" target="_blank">11243</a>,
appearing courtesy of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Trust based on the East
Lancashire Railway, and Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledgebase/standards-at-the-double-for-flagship-gwsr-steam-gala-in-may" target="_blank">78019</a>,
appearing courtesy of the Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group and the Great
Central Railway.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_k9_NZRNEIfnIu1QsuIIlN_KQCXR4RsLDJVPruNO2TRhSFBXGVV33z5G5RgyGHJpd3pHnd2SWbgx4Rs8voY5QRxm9AdwcqER93w7wjs6_0wh8HHEjV0p44CyxNY0XZgfFFFy9TMG0HwRbrDTwhD7r-Nc-n904lowaFGEncU6uUMb4-oHui3YhuLn/s1081/337440947_1376617983136545_8956219126868198370_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1081" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_k9_NZRNEIfnIu1QsuIIlN_KQCXR4RsLDJVPruNO2TRhSFBXGVV33z5G5RgyGHJpd3pHnd2SWbgx4Rs8voY5QRxm9AdwcqER93w7wjs6_0wh8HHEjV0p44CyxNY0XZgfFFFy9TMG0HwRbrDTwhD7r-Nc-n904lowaFGEncU6uUMb4-oHui3YhuLn/w640-h426/337440947_1376617983136545_8956219126868198370_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Maunsell SR ‘U’ Class 2-6-0 Mogul No. 31806 - Photo courtesy of Ethan Waller</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>CFoS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Further information about 31806 can be found here: <a href="https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/locomotives-stock/sr-2-6-0-u-class-no-31806" target="_blank">https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/locomotives-stock/sr-2-6-0-u-class-no-31806</a> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched earlier this year for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A general steam department blog update is to follow in due course. Recent loco announcements have jumped the queue. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>A</i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>ll published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com1Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-9047713667230063462023-04-05T19:45:00.000+01:002023-04-05T19:45:00.144+01:00All good things come in twos!<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsaLARwZkvok6Z2jE3v7xYj8tgsv90_qgR68J6ELD4EuvhSCi5CGx8X5JoEZ8_B0yABnjV6HydleSDrlE5ZbMzQ3Yd6pcsuvYHy7RCCCdMYSM5VNOZvLO5P0T0KN178EJLQWUUiqtz4QSw1r1i1Cbppxt_ItfOAWcPdMyVzKWIC9tTcgVD1vmPFo3/s1280/78019_1%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsaLARwZkvok6Z2jE3v7xYj8tgsv90_qgR68J6ELD4EuvhSCi5CGx8X5JoEZ8_B0yABnjV6HydleSDrlE5ZbMzQ3Yd6pcsuvYHy7RCCCdMYSM5VNOZvLO5P0T0KN178EJLQWUUiqtz4QSw1r1i1Cbppxt_ItfOAWcPdMyVzKWIC9tTcgVD1vmPFo3/w640-h480/78019_1%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 78019 - Photo courtesy of Peter Hackney</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>To allay any potential fears that I have been missing in action over the past month or so, I can confirm that I have not been living under the proverbial rock, which would be rather uncomfortable to say the least! I've been merely juggling a number of GWSR related 'hats' so to speak, or to coin the phrase 'the spinning of multiple plates!' - Sadly, I don't have a turntable at my disposal to spin, thus a few plates will have to suffice in this particular instance. Towards the end of February I was approached by the railway's resident Press Officer, Ian, to see if I would be interested in joining the PR & Communications team. As you might have guessed, Ian's proposition was dully accepted and I now have another hat!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>My days now usually consist of multiple emails and a fair few Zoom meetings, but it's all good fun and helps keep things chuffing along the track. When I'm not chained to my keyboard I do get let out for good behaviour and I'm still very much an active member of the steam department. I jest of course, but a top tip for any budding volunteer is to make sure that you don't sit still for too long otherwise you may find yourself commandeered for other purposes. PR activities and particularly those in relation to gala planning have taken priority of late, hence why it's been a bit quiet on the steam department blog front. I will endeavour to keep you updated on activities as and when I can, so please don't worry folks.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y0Vew5wRruCe6oIN1DHUVZh1d0L3M2We2u_O7YOWUi2fiS63lts9TiZKKmCa3N4LerdN1uZ9x51HgIO95WO2-jYHcAXLQ8FOcs9N4YzzBbTqwSNjCe8-7RAvXkpmQV678OHJKl7Z826tK_cDjnCM3kg3fepxtz7vWjAyBeNxJhE7g7AZa0rNnQg7/s3441/20230404_105124%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3441" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y0Vew5wRruCe6oIN1DHUVZh1d0L3M2We2u_O7YOWUi2fiS63lts9TiZKKmCa3N4LerdN1uZ9x51HgIO95WO2-jYHcAXLQ8FOcs9N4YzzBbTqwSNjCe8-7RAvXkpmQV678OHJKl7Z826tK_cDjnCM3kg3fepxtz7vWjAyBeNxJhE7g7AZa0rNnQg7/w640-h365/20230404_105124%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No. 75014 'Braveheart' prepares to depart Winchcombe - 4th April 2023</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Having already announced a Great Western Railway ‘Castle’ class, a British Railways Standard class 4 and a former Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway ‘Pug’ tank locomotive for the ‘Cotswold Festival of Steam’ (12-14 May 2023), I can now confirm the fourth visiting locomotive. The opening photograph is a bit of a giveaway but a versatile and popular 69-year-old British Railways mixed traffic 2-6-0 is to join the roster. <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The locomotive in question is BR Standard Class 2MT 2-6-0 Mogul No. 78019, and is appearing by courtesy of the Great Central Railway, the Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group and the Charles Newton Trust. 78019 will be operating at the May festival alongside its previously announced bigger brother - BR Standard Class 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75014 ‘Braveheart’, adding to an already impressive line-up.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxRY0LpEXKU" width="650" youtube-src-id="hxRY0LpEXKU"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>78019 working the local service out of Quorn on GCR D6535 on the rear - Video </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@frontlinesteam8430" target="_blank">RawRails</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The BR Standard 2 2-6-0s were derived from the earlier LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 moguls, of which 65 were constructed at Darlington Works between 1952 & 1956. They were assigned the 78XXX number range (78000–78064) and predominantly designed for light passenger work. From a mechanical perspective, they were virtually identical to their Ivatt predecessors, with some changes made to the controls and cab to enable the locomotives to fit within a universal loading gauge. Grease lubrication points were added along with the use of BR standard injectors and clacks. <br /><br />The locomotives were fitted with BR3 3,000-gallon tenders, which, like the Ivatt moguls, featured a tender cab to improve visibility and crew protection when operating tender first. A further improvement with the tender involved using Timken roller bearings on the wheelsets. The locomotives gained a reputation amongst crews for being very sure footed and soon received the nickname ‘Mickey Mouse’ (as did their LMS Ivatt brethren). Speaking of LMS Ivatts, readers will remember that 46521 visited us last year for CFoS 2022 and then stayed with us throughout the summer holidays. We did have fun! <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWefc8N9oe39pgRxXwGuSI9y5C86tImr-ekBesnoxZcuT7vooRmdTsJFbbvdYkhS2qHZ4drM-gqGH2h0o7YnzH7iQ5fjKoe1C16MIx-6ss3r1-NJSzP7q__rO1ra91RF-IMMpcBCXWgyLuGpeFXnVRBQlM0wIO9hVQnrfU05--e3cNyZX4uIahsjg6/s972/78019_2%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="961" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWefc8N9oe39pgRxXwGuSI9y5C86tImr-ekBesnoxZcuT7vooRmdTsJFbbvdYkhS2qHZ4drM-gqGH2h0o7YnzH7iQ5fjKoe1C16MIx-6ss3r1-NJSzP7q__rO1ra91RF-IMMpcBCXWgyLuGpeFXnVRBQlM0wIO9hVQnrfU05--e3cNyZX4uIahsjg6/w632-h640/78019_2%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" width="632" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 78019 - Photo courtesy of Peter Hackney</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>All 65 locomotives were in service by the start of 1957, with up to 10 being allocated to the Western Region (WR) between 1955 and 1966. Standard 2s could be found at Hereford (86C), Machynlleth (89C), Oswestry (89A), Worcester (85A) and Gloucester. Between 1962 and December 1965, a small number were allocated between Gloucester Barnwood (85E/85C) and Gloucester Horton Road (85B), including: 78001, 78004, 78005, 78006 & 78009. Barnwood shed closed on the 4th May 1964, which resulted in 3 being transferred to Horton Road - records indicate that these locomotives were: 78001, 78005 & 78006. Before and after the merger of the Gloucester sheds, one of the Standard 2s regular workings was the goods on the ex-Midland branch from Stonehouse to Stroud, Dudbridge, Woodchester and Nailsworth. The class were also used on passenger workings between Hereford and Gloucester and beyond. <br /><br />Gloucester Horton Road shed was closed to steam on the 1st January 1966. Withdrawals of the class started in late 1963 with the final examples being withdrawn in May 1967.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpr01JOg_8FquSKLwUvWG_wqGWtYgvvAzlRHJMUIUAYeeb48WQlBK2L4hJr3-KjsArcgCSojAtW8OI5G_EbZFlCszyzNVjhDM_Y7BFkDrzY78_0Iot1LZFN5U8K6sXxooxfplfQrqmgLS3L_1qLytb05L0an3KJFRplUhZyL1WeF1OkGAb8unRT0M/s1280/78019_3%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1280" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpr01JOg_8FquSKLwUvWG_wqGWtYgvvAzlRHJMUIUAYeeb48WQlBK2L4hJr3-KjsArcgCSojAtW8OI5G_EbZFlCszyzNVjhDM_Y7BFkDrzY78_0Iot1LZFN5U8K6sXxooxfplfQrqmgLS3L_1qLytb05L0an3KJFRplUhZyL1WeF1OkGAb8unRT0M/w640-h370/78019_3%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 78019 - Photo courtesy of Peter Hackney</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>78019 was completed at Darlington in March 1954 and spent its early years in the North East and North West. Between 1954 and May 1963 the locomotive spent time at Kirkby Stephen (51H), Springs Branch (Wigan) (8F) and Northwich (8E). In late May 1963, 78019 was allocated to Willesden (1A), alongside a small group of 78XXXs to work empty stock trains out of Euston until the end of steam there. After spending some time at Crewe South (5B), 78019 was withdrawn from BR service in November 1966 - Like many of the BR Standard classes, the Standard 2s sadly had a very short life in active service. In hindsight, it was very short sighted, but the writing was on the wall with dieselisation picking up pace. <br /><br />The locomotive was sold to Woodham’s yard in Barry, South Wales and remained there until March 1973. 78019 was purchased by Charles Newton and initially moved to a private site, before being transferred to the Severn Valley Railway where it sat for over 20 years. In 1998, following a deal between Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group Ltd and 78019’s owner, Charles Newton – where joint equal ownership was agreed, the locomotive moved to Loughborough and restoration began. 78019 was returned to steam on the Great Central Railway in 2004 and appeared at its Summer Gala.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFK8RBkKwZlhBfzodIYzipUrYZ7p9pAiUtIe4k9Xq8rNWgwQMYOvTvB6j8Z7FPPBJh-33Z5HQPD1opKpUBlFctjCPh4aR_FUIxVoFi9GAZLnVVGKvzQWVylKaTEOEC_NGAgvu5wKmFDu32hG6k9-19PDJiNvqJp2fQIrbUr4xplMG8Nr7JxkrZxtN/s1280/78019_4%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1280" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFK8RBkKwZlhBfzodIYzipUrYZ7p9pAiUtIe4k9Xq8rNWgwQMYOvTvB6j8Z7FPPBJh-33Z5HQPD1opKpUBlFctjCPh4aR_FUIxVoFi9GAZLnVVGKvzQWVylKaTEOEC_NGAgvu5wKmFDu32hG6k9-19PDJiNvqJp2fQIrbUr4xplMG8Nr7JxkrZxtN/w640-h454/78019_4%20Peter%20Hackney.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 78019 - Photo courtesy of Peter Hackney</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Since being returned to steam, the Standard 2 operated successfully for ten years and went through routine maintenance, proving itself to be both an economical and capable locomotive. The boiler ticket expired in May 2015 and 78019 was subsequently put through heavy overhaul at Loughborough, with some work including the boiler being carried out at Tyseley.<br /><br />78019’s overhaul was completed during 2022 before being returned to traffic again in November in time for the railways ‘Last Hurrah’ Gala, where it worked alongside sister locomotive no 78018.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" s3pctj3rtlq="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S3PcTj3RTlQ" width="650 youtube-src-id="></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Great Central Railway welcomes back 78019 at the 'Last Hurrah' Gala 20/11/22 - Video </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@frontlinesteam8430" target="_blank">FrontLineSteam</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>78019 is notable for being involved in a rescue effort when 78018 got stuck in a snowdrift at Bleath Gill near Stainmore Summit at 5am on the morning of the 24th February 1955. 78018 had departed Kirkby Stephen with a 4:20am goods train, made up of 20-ton wagons of limestone and minerals. The incident was the subject of the 1955 British Transport Film documentary ‘<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdrift_at_Bleath_Gill" target="_blank">Snowdrift at Bleath Gill</a>’ directed by Kenneth Fairbairn. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ugIoMD495E" width="650" youtube-src-id="-ugIoMD495E"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Snowdrift at Bleath Gill (1955) - Video </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@britishfilminstitute" target="_blank">BFI</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Tickets for the Festival are available online at <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/galas/steam-gala" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/galas/steam-gala</a>. With up to eight steam locomotives running, it will offer an action-packed timetable of trains, including goods trains and shunting demonstrations. The locomotive and carriage & wagon workshops will throw open their doors for rare behind-the-scenes visits and there will be plenty of other activity at the railway’s stations. The opportunity to travel between two visiting ‘Standards’ is not to be missed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6IfPeFi3wvlzlWg0IeQINsHAS3XHKhbghejj9PilruOgXH_ACkB3He3OxHgnIHJvBG4B5uctVWevhjJZ_xsA2nb15FwNcoQ30yJRA4gIFPX9QXdJBMLf8UwqA1oF41SR5I7JgHokEsmxixSrKC22mKwzvsO-Csani-3_KpDSXF0KOzCrXElv5WFj/s1600/64006369dcf34820e303cab9_Untitled-1-p-1600.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6IfPeFi3wvlzlWg0IeQINsHAS3XHKhbghejj9PilruOgXH_ACkB3He3OxHgnIHJvBG4B5uctVWevhjJZ_xsA2nb15FwNcoQ30yJRA4gIFPX9QXdJBMLf8UwqA1oF41SR5I7JgHokEsmxixSrKC22mKwzvsO-Csani-3_KpDSXF0KOzCrXElv5WFj/w640-h213/64006369dcf34820e303cab9_Untitled-1-p-1600.webp" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>CFoS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Further information about 78019 can be found here: <a href="https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/the-railway/locomotives/78019-2/" target="_blank">https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/the-railway/locomotives/78019-2/</a> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched earlier this year for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks, further news and announcements are on the way!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A general steam department blog update is to follow in due course. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p></p>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com2Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-65632260158341587132023-02-27T12:19:00.003+00:002023-02-27T13:55:57.821+00:00Ready to Steam!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7sL1zAxCNLn1NuNeHf8v957OTnmrM24JUU053SQrqylMlA7vKAmskeRDbW8Vyw1Pb8c3-hj7OqqGSEv75h8bT_l8xN6apCwSY-wv4gdhAGAeH4tiWttjrbvvir27iMJ7d7rJvYhPWFzThrw6z8xxXpHqL75ZmChea284VDJ24pLTijT-TET4GKkF/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-25%20at%2016.54.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7sL1zAxCNLn1NuNeHf8v957OTnmrM24JUU053SQrqylMlA7vKAmskeRDbW8Vyw1Pb8c3-hj7OqqGSEv75h8bT_l8xN6apCwSY-wv4gdhAGAeH4tiWttjrbvvir27iMJ7d7rJvYhPWFzThrw6z8xxXpHqL75ZmChea284VDJ24pLTijT-TET4GKkF/w640-h480/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-25%20at%2016.54.18.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>7820 inside the steam shed after being reunited with her tender - Photo courtesy of Mike Solloway</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">As I'm writing this, we've only got a few days to go before our 2023 operating season commences on Saturday 4th March. It really is amazing (or to use a rather more pertinent word in the context of heritage railways, 'worrying') how fast time passes us by! It only seems like yesterday that we shut-up-shop as it were for the much needed winter downtime. At first you think you've got plenty of time to get all the various maintenance jobs sorted out, but in reality it's actually quite the opposite when you take a look at the rather lengthy job sheets for each locomotive. The phrase '<i>These things are sent to try us!</i>' comes to mind at this point, closely followed up by '<i>There's no rest for the wicked!</i>'. Oh what fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fortunately, recent weeks has seen great strides made with various outstanding jobs and the steam shed has been particularly busy on Saturdays with large working parties putting in a sterling effort. Our three operational locomotives (35006, 7820 & 7903) have all passed their required 'Cold Exams' and, at the time of writing, have either been through or are about to undergo a mandatory '</span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>In-House Steam Test' or 'Hot Exam'.</span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> The smell of burning coal and steam is in the air!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Saturday 25th February was a busy day on shed with work being undertaken in all areas of the department. It was a particularly good day for the DMLL group with regards to both 7820 & 3850 as a large number of jobs were carried out. Work was also undertaken in relation to 2874 and 76077. The increasing amount of daylight certainly helps our efforts. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Some of the jobs & tasks carried out over the past week or so are listed below along with some relevant photographs. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>7820</b> <br /></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">7820 shunted and coupled back to her tender.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tender and boiler filled.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tender spring adjusted.<br /></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cab received a thorough clean.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Smoke-box re-oiled to look much cleaner. </span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">A number of defects sorted. </span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Damaged steam heat valve swapped out.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">New coat of paint applied to cab handrails. <br /></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tool check and inventory completed ready for traffic at the weekend.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>3850</b></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b> </b>3850 new smokebox door pin underway in the machine shop.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tender brake gear being worked on, along with front footplating and buffer beam being filled and sanded.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tender footplate painted underneath and reassembled with added spacers and strengthening brackets. </span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sanded and repainted the fronts of the water tank.<br /></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Preparations made to re-wheel 3850 in the not to distant future. <br /></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The boiler is now fully tubed and is soon to be filled with water for the first time since 2015.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>76077</b></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Back head cladding received undercoat</span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>7903</b></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Final fettling on 7903 safety valves. </span></li></ul><p><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>35006</b></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Re-fitment of the speedometer and generator following maintenance.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Re-fitment of damper door mechanism / linkage. </span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Re-fitment of mud-hole doors and washout plugs following a 'Cold Exam'.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Maintenance carried out on safety valves. </span></li></ul><p><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>2807</b></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Work on cylinder cladding undertaken.</span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Continued work on the boiler </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>crinolines.</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Ongoing work in preparation for the return of the boiler early next month (8th March). </span></span></li><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Boiler hydraulically tested with no issues identified and pressure maintained. <br /></span></span></li></ul><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdPB9g9vTfh3H5m2Dfjj3ld3UlQPa1wNR-d1I-Ubz9gvwpU3oyGs0R1sQkGrS6rJNmmr3Hl8O0L78W7HWDP-qWIBuVjh5JvItvHyz0q8R47NtvoXM9Ypo0AmfsIouJa-Wavnhe1tgVnMZBGQQVLrOyszFMLM6MSLKKiebj2dpwDl-Lhl2ttmYD3yG/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-25%20at%2016.54.18_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdPB9g9vTfh3H5m2Dfjj3ld3UlQPa1wNR-d1I-Ubz9gvwpU3oyGs0R1sQkGrS6rJNmmr3Hl8O0L78W7HWDP-qWIBuVjh5JvItvHyz0q8R47NtvoXM9Ypo0AmfsIouJa-Wavnhe1tgVnMZBGQQVLrOyszFMLM6MSLKKiebj2dpwDl-Lhl2ttmYD3yG/w640-h480/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-25%20at%2016.54.18_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i>7820's cab - Photo courtesy of Mike Solloway</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjma8MJOmWAzRbicxGdIRRaLogVvTbnhXozBJHnY4QkZlj8ql566CZUYufhve0NehCUgmb6NBXsGbPJvBUzWDfRPuOTOogESaZi8gwqKzjlthxFxSmHWcpt6p_F_6rFTeC6LawBUWuRB2jT9RuaoMgIk_VHru5nm3vtx_ubKT1UVTOUmPC1yAx_9fr9/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.44_6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjma8MJOmWAzRbicxGdIRRaLogVvTbnhXozBJHnY4QkZlj8ql566CZUYufhve0NehCUgmb6NBXsGbPJvBUzWDfRPuOTOogESaZi8gwqKzjlthxFxSmHWcpt6p_F_6rFTeC6LawBUWuRB2jT9RuaoMgIk_VHru5nm3vtx_ubKT1UVTOUmPC1yAx_9fr9/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.44_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Work on 3850's tender - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNXOsWV-bZPgij2NaGZgRe_bYevHT258zuBOma3zgXPFhFAthWWqfzKy9tbJgZgCrwvueZ187ufs0ZZ0CFEhPmhhca6EZBkTkTXNNr1CbsgILTLUXf76pphrTn7FGYyCBrk2-QD7Livp8zJt8yTNETzYqHZDtcJv4414zKSCixuUSLOzx9vOK307O/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.44_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNXOsWV-bZPgij2NaGZgRe_bYevHT258zuBOma3zgXPFhFAthWWqfzKy9tbJgZgCrwvueZ187ufs0ZZ0CFEhPmhhca6EZBkTkTXNNr1CbsgILTLUXf76pphrTn7FGYyCBrk2-QD7Livp8zJt8yTNETzYqHZDtcJv4414zKSCixuUSLOzx9vOK307O/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.44_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Work on 3850's tender - </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i><br /><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbbKxjC-ze-D02ZG9ZQ5ZpxGz-b5r2rsR23TAKYD1lD4KJwJNTPBIw3RGe7dNW1O5b4TUp9W5yJgY_XUtM1EiNcPHuSnj21o3mCdjpO1dPJhdoEv0s3vj_7--gNezlVtqUH2AQjCl_0U7fC-bJq5fxe4EzfP07-UDPNyfpCVoe7dDvuKW5g388Meg/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.44_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbbKxjC-ze-D02ZG9ZQ5ZpxGz-b5r2rsR23TAKYD1lD4KJwJNTPBIw3RGe7dNW1O5b4TUp9W5yJgY_XUtM1EiNcPHuSnj21o3mCdjpO1dPJhdoEv0s3vj_7--gNezlVtqUH2AQjCl_0U7fC-bJq5fxe4EzfP07-UDPNyfpCVoe7dDvuKW5g388Meg/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.44_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Work on 3850's tender - </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i><br /><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfBvX1bn8oWuUbz2oYxhPqu5vhGbEDW3plWg3TKI4PmRCtPXAnHG4nihtSAPjVYMGx9R6AobSrWS6tk7RzeHYa55FTCzRCYUSbjw2cYos8TOMChvJWii2ACiRj2wEgDl13qKz8IjJonkwCqIi6a9DtN0NRJDQmbK4n3YSGkyQ9sLegAi67WbrsUK9/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.43_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfBvX1bn8oWuUbz2oYxhPqu5vhGbEDW3plWg3TKI4PmRCtPXAnHG4nihtSAPjVYMGx9R6AobSrWS6tk7RzeHYa55FTCzRCYUSbjw2cYos8TOMChvJWii2ACiRj2wEgDl13qKz8IjJonkwCqIi6a9DtN0NRJDQmbK4n3YSGkyQ9sLegAi67WbrsUK9/w360-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.43_3.jpg" width="360" /></a></div></i><i></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Work on 3850's tender - </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGZaxPa_UMkYgRrwkd5MHdLS9uj2wbWmdkAYEYxtgbXrR-nE8tri6tv-Y0PLCVSnyIzVr7FoxKZ1OGCIPl_mcybqxVuKlB3dtQmokzPDZ2ob7cYTd8Y2VsyExe2_xkK66DwSaPDFSr7HB7Fk5gT3NMnt5zRS-GyJ6-4P6kh12giBAhKlTbTNlD7Wb/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.43_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGZaxPa_UMkYgRrwkd5MHdLS9uj2wbWmdkAYEYxtgbXrR-nE8tri6tv-Y0PLCVSnyIzVr7FoxKZ1OGCIPl_mcybqxVuKlB3dtQmokzPDZ2ob7cYTd8Y2VsyExe2_xkK66DwSaPDFSr7HB7Fk5gT3NMnt5zRS-GyJ6-4P6kh12giBAhKlTbTNlD7Wb/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.43_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Work on 3850's tender - </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5U45Q3X7JOlIn_JaENSEwZOeO-p2n3Ub8xJJi1O2QfErhx3DEoECS2SszjttCMS_enZedCJ9pYbyWa-DQVrKNoDV59C8rvNgdsDzKC4EVVE04OeLm6WRmHvMgO6iJFYzRQGUsmQjGraauZJsHqligykHbBJifh0ea7GIsI7wfgVkVvUfpEXmom_D/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5U45Q3X7JOlIn_JaENSEwZOeO-p2n3Ub8xJJi1O2QfErhx3DEoECS2SszjttCMS_enZedCJ9pYbyWa-DQVrKNoDV59C8rvNgdsDzKC4EVVE04OeLm6WRmHvMgO6iJFYzRQGUsmQjGraauZJsHqligykHbBJifh0ea7GIsI7wfgVkVvUfpEXmom_D/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-26%20at%2007.35.42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Work on 3850's tender - </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYHWah-egpKmy4UkZJ6NUwzYA4hNAgrhQBhNtG1l53eY4l49odd1NgO7JNQPy3VDXQ1CEfINjniBhi0TbJ31w24UPwh0NGr33scJc8s_ac-5But13e8A50j4gldMid4vPQoaHS7znwgYOT6laB7k4tGKfo2lT7k0OFWq4dtGbA70MVAdol_gofWH2/s4032/333303008_906645564014582_7586037183590327300_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYHWah-egpKmy4UkZJ6NUwzYA4hNAgrhQBhNtG1l53eY4l49odd1NgO7JNQPy3VDXQ1CEfINjniBhi0TbJ31w24UPwh0NGr33scJc8s_ac-5But13e8A50j4gldMid4vPQoaHS7znwgYOT6laB7k4tGKfo2lT7k0OFWq4dtGbA70MVAdol_gofWH2/w480-h640/333303008_906645564014582_7586037183590327300_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></i><i> </i><i>76077 back head cladding having undercoat - Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale<br /></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ffBYbRYt5OeOt2Gf1LXBTTgDy8A9HstrvBCz2Cx3kZz9nVAebe5t3ckWKSrdFr6Lb7tW2lsmTtOiTa46PWD74tHjAP0uL1SO7Opx4R5VpnP5naJPjJIvMBjaKLJpVNFnUq_xeEKJGvwDxgWhigGUuWDaRg3CgL0dUeM4OA3qf3NI5PwnK8ah-iMq/s4032/332089325_1503936423448513_4899230782725972929_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ffBYbRYt5OeOt2Gf1LXBTTgDy8A9HstrvBCz2Cx3kZz9nVAebe5t3ckWKSrdFr6Lb7tW2lsmTtOiTa46PWD74tHjAP0uL1SO7Opx4R5VpnP5naJPjJIvMBjaKLJpVNFnUq_xeEKJGvwDxgWhigGUuWDaRg3CgL0dUeM4OA3qf3NI5PwnK8ah-iMq/w640-h480/332089325_1503936423448513_4899230782725972929_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i>3850's tender receiving attention to its paintwork - Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjJ0wgCxLsHHbFTYEkoKI_VYwKR0tRZE4h15vHa8KDO9ZIIYdzcpBazX8N-5yjHfWRXwEwVlbsjgmwbkH85pm1d6Qx776u_EfKHfyS2v2ZwZCVl9xQyN6uXXvZI9smG5D7abqoCYOn5pXZL3bEf-0eNOwJ-xSgI84O0AAX3JK8IsAZKDW0TfLaA4b/s4032/333309751_1363487721107218_4576705205627024616_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjJ0wgCxLsHHbFTYEkoKI_VYwKR0tRZE4h15vHa8KDO9ZIIYdzcpBazX8N-5yjHfWRXwEwVlbsjgmwbkH85pm1d6Qx776u_EfKHfyS2v2ZwZCVl9xQyN6uXXvZI9smG5D7abqoCYOn5pXZL3bEf-0eNOwJ-xSgI84O0AAX3JK8IsAZKDW0TfLaA4b/w640-h480/333309751_1363487721107218_4576705205627024616_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>3850's wheelsets - </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i><br /><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZZmpzURJjr-gaboQ9MhnTJ2JN5_anzs9_os3Ui9nm-ySf5Ze4TNRlzNcQSwrJ6Te8OjYeSdUixz7iPdl7Rgzdf2VtBR4eA1KJiw-DMw23hOu0C5mr7FTsazTl4k0t423vj9g2w0KcwNoMgj1n89NAWOrACjIfDFDFPjjyx4KH6H0Fjh9wH9FCIcF/s4032/333601096_1946380212389376_999789018987020843_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZZmpzURJjr-gaboQ9MhnTJ2JN5_anzs9_os3Ui9nm-ySf5Ze4TNRlzNcQSwrJ6Te8OjYeSdUixz7iPdl7Rgzdf2VtBR4eA1KJiw-DMw23hOu0C5mr7FTsazTl4k0t423vj9g2w0KcwNoMgj1n89NAWOrACjIfDFDFPjjyx4KH6H0Fjh9wH9FCIcF/w640-h480/333601096_1946380212389376_999789018987020843_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i>3850's wheelsets - </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i><i> </i><br /><i> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ET0TjDnI4y7L-geMHppBAJlNcpxYONmx1OZtCBEauQk-2bNzNfDY3S2dmn9Dtlu0f74HmxBd9wxCOLI4Kai5zVB4o9q_UGiTqs25HWCtBpavAzUonlDaHKCuMjnucGekhMw9qhgax0CrKfugUFZMLisIyb4cTgWKqk1Il4ilRFgwsA5SKggh_BNQ/s4032/332068405_878706380058239_1509611653064899821_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ET0TjDnI4y7L-geMHppBAJlNcpxYONmx1OZtCBEauQk-2bNzNfDY3S2dmn9Dtlu0f74HmxBd9wxCOLI4Kai5zVB4o9q_UGiTqs25HWCtBpavAzUonlDaHKCuMjnucGekhMw9qhgax0CrKfugUFZMLisIyb4cTgWKqk1Il4ilRFgwsA5SKggh_BNQ/w480-h640/332068405_878706380058239_1509611653064899821_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></i></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> 2807's cylinder cladding being worked on - </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mQgbgFIf9CcBAwfwYQvLGoP-kB1We6XarShb0cg1J2Obe4338woUYExGYLAvHIV0UxTCc46xJlH2NCCV6abYGYBkhzYlP-tqOj6B73L1TgNRooA7Cru2S23LwLFwF3-M7AcE-wyn3xC4gbyajCVtquF5qn9Tgs69ro8Jl1nkbK0karAKqXiDKjlk/s4032/332389564_1259986401343206_2738665568740054448_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mQgbgFIf9CcBAwfwYQvLGoP-kB1We6XarShb0cg1J2Obe4338woUYExGYLAvHIV0UxTCc46xJlH2NCCV6abYGYBkhzYlP-tqOj6B73L1TgNRooA7Cru2S23LwLFwF3-M7AcE-wyn3xC4gbyajCVtquF5qn9Tgs69ro8Jl1nkbK0karAKqXiDKjlk/w640-h480/332389564_1259986401343206_2738665568740054448_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The front end of 2807 - </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i><i> <br /> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-YoY3FHv-cgkBhKoRozD4k5OgsbLijC3yMWbejrq5Rukt6g8f_8DVkNf1b9qRIFAKPdzbfaYgRDlY8I4VBI81a0yFYcMQdv4N9gHF82udAXgN37EFP8U_CYFT5McoZH2rd_cXog5GtQ5j33bGUsBCiiut7JcEj9XVkSsm1Z2RCVmgss4gcrOw2if/s4032/333701620_137741939202989_2572921628833826354_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-YoY3FHv-cgkBhKoRozD4k5OgsbLijC3yMWbejrq5Rukt6g8f_8DVkNf1b9qRIFAKPdzbfaYgRDlY8I4VBI81a0yFYcMQdv4N9gHF82udAXgN37EFP8U_CYFT5McoZH2rd_cXog5GtQ5j33bGUsBCiiut7JcEj9XVkSsm1Z2RCVmgss4gcrOw2if/w640-h480/333701620_137741939202989_2572921628833826354_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i>2807 boiler crinolines - The boiler is due back on 8th March - </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc70_5ZoWwMDevPeT6OcnFNWiaLAD0noyXPHffRDde9TGcLY-BLtt1KgLMX7XYG_qMQZ9qcLRXFg6r1X7eCBioAVYGis7jyavxQZu5ATnEFW4xUYC5wtNO7qXlHWCJoZRHVG31bGBFRuYhVTpu5z1S359MKQTiB0mzTihdIhVAT8koRG7ptx5swPp/s4032/332078008_866370421118528_102041136175766847_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc70_5ZoWwMDevPeT6OcnFNWiaLAD0noyXPHffRDde9TGcLY-BLtt1KgLMX7XYG_qMQZ9qcLRXFg6r1X7eCBioAVYGis7jyavxQZu5ATnEFW4xUYC5wtNO7qXlHWCJoZRHVG31bGBFRuYhVTpu5z1S359MKQTiB0mzTihdIhVAT8koRG7ptx5swPp/w640-h480/332078008_866370421118528_102041136175766847_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7820 looking resplendent after a thorough clean, wax, and polish </i><i>- </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i><i> <br /> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wlYPiqXQUn4xaSUsFFUAvuXcVBmjphS8K_NqDvBABZQFKmkDJ0Z7qxPo-AGx28qQ19AT6ECqnKMKB2xIosCI7-kXNK70xy47oh__TtL3BqYBaiq-mRYR0brgyc5-zR3sY-CaN7OfFVw1-y9je0oVM-kByEUqJ4JyWY6kAMEO-u4jh_k7oCcrX_b4/s4032/333623627_1256579481564036_2373990944746108342_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wlYPiqXQUn4xaSUsFFUAvuXcVBmjphS8K_NqDvBABZQFKmkDJ0Z7qxPo-AGx28qQ19AT6ECqnKMKB2xIosCI7-kXNK70xy47oh__TtL3BqYBaiq-mRYR0brgyc5-zR3sY-CaN7OfFVw1-y9je0oVM-kByEUqJ4JyWY6kAMEO-u4jh_k7oCcrX_b4/w480-h640/333623627_1256579481564036_2373990944746108342_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>7820's cab</i><i> </i><i>- </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i><i> <br /> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjLRH-heq-gZFmoQZmv2l--5NEx9qwk9ESvfoH7DEyfC8jhZuuR-ySg44i7kfsktsJ4h6ZA1LJwjWmLONlvG_dCw9G0j7D0eulRA4V8PnwtArLqZ-GEqrM0uVXZDHTg8NERa72Y7_kEjUVBc5300geoQ4vpBi7vLfu__4Oz6ILU_AEdnWTLm1DfFR/s4032/333508893_1350778619103502_5199535347648935693_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjLRH-heq-gZFmoQZmv2l--5NEx9qwk9ESvfoH7DEyfC8jhZuuR-ySg44i7kfsktsJ4h6ZA1LJwjWmLONlvG_dCw9G0j7D0eulRA4V8PnwtArLqZ-GEqrM0uVXZDHTg8NERa72Y7_kEjUVBc5300geoQ4vpBi7vLfu__4Oz6ILU_AEdnWTLm1DfFR/w480-h640/333508893_1350778619103502_5199535347648935693_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></i><i>7820's cab</i><i> </i><i>- </i><i>Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i><br /><i> </i><br /><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHAuqavtOHQsNHJ3ptD5nJTEgnvjrNZagM1McHXdtQWCBGemqQgsjGl7qsO1IRXQev8ZqzQ1ZsypnxKZ91EXe3W1Xa20abA_sQ3jKgYwOpUb6-pJLve9CpC51wkfQoTQsJMTsKpGMaxFDX2JQMk2s-BICOG5cCwfF0k4cOffB2XMArpt3XQGy3Bxz/s4032/20230223_105822%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHAuqavtOHQsNHJ3ptD5nJTEgnvjrNZagM1McHXdtQWCBGemqQgsjGl7qsO1IRXQev8ZqzQ1ZsypnxKZ91EXe3W1Xa20abA_sQ3jKgYwOpUb6-pJLve9CpC51wkfQoTQsJMTsKpGMaxFDX2JQMk2s-BICOG5cCwfF0k4cOffB2XMArpt3XQGy3Bxz/w640-h312/20230223_105822%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>3850 up on the jacks - 23rd February 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilNYDKgEPB-TtdERJ1_V9RyFCDx0enoIiBsuGxgMg40yGVHMDKnHdeC9vgExuwSnfKqQ-3G2FRW7n4gKzIcAu8kDib1HicRDXLiYMovsZzLAKgBS_AhhiVtO0UR8109F7OcEAuH1UyV20fP6SqYBrA_iVS-zz0Q9IsxQpeYWnaHvbOO__MCoysKGo/s4032/20230223_105850%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilNYDKgEPB-TtdERJ1_V9RyFCDx0enoIiBsuGxgMg40yGVHMDKnHdeC9vgExuwSnfKqQ-3G2FRW7n4gKzIcAu8kDib1HicRDXLiYMovsZzLAKgBS_AhhiVtO0UR8109F7OcEAuH1UyV20fP6SqYBrA_iVS-zz0Q9IsxQpeYWnaHvbOO__MCoysKGo/w640-h312/20230223_105850%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7903 looking rather smart </i><i>- 23rd February 2023</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGqyUWaJe0XUoKf3iJCH-OWKVHN2_hJZQ3fnEDRCYrMBp_irIcYhUPSzJJM_xVMJeEK6dSEb9yW6-EC33MqF9Lfu4GOHgPVCyd-qCwIImvQNCB8pqewyrgDLp2caokwlfQoSb6c4_YD46QarQXlZWeD0ZJMBhDtyZzv3h-iWRr-fB3a7jQsEPQa8o/s1921/20230217_152407_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1921" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGqyUWaJe0XUoKf3iJCH-OWKVHN2_hJZQ3fnEDRCYrMBp_irIcYhUPSzJJM_xVMJeEK6dSEb9yW6-EC33MqF9Lfu4GOHgPVCyd-qCwIImvQNCB8pqewyrgDLp2caokwlfQoSb6c4_YD46QarQXlZWeD0ZJMBhDtyZzv3h-iWRr-fB3a7jQsEPQa8o/w640-h312/20230217_152407_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Matthew & Bob reattach the speedometer and damper door mechanism / linkage - 17th February 2023 <br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ledNKRIDMBZ9UOtVimoD7n8OIaG5fc-RdSvtOm6JbuYqJN5dNYfVf0gLcZcGIsFVM6zQG8GAQhSvjVv3C8HhglhmBjT_hKFaAsxPw40JbVmlmhgtmLJo56zA1CTU84f4FCKaz3v-VbJYFkBehG74rfj1PmUphFqZvsG-peD8I1G8RZJTAP-1jmPJ/s4032/20230223_153149%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ledNKRIDMBZ9UOtVimoD7n8OIaG5fc-RdSvtOm6JbuYqJN5dNYfVf0gLcZcGIsFVM6zQG8GAQhSvjVv3C8HhglhmBjT_hKFaAsxPw40JbVmlmhgtmLJo56zA1CTU84f4FCKaz3v-VbJYFkBehG74rfj1PmUphFqZvsG-peD8I1G8RZJTAP-1jmPJ/w640-h312/20230223_153149%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>35006 being prepared for her In-House Steam Test the following day (24th) - 23rd February 2023<br /> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4R6wLp_R98fvuveZwFIZbWg8Q515BPdt21uMk539izaEjaN6zdC3hA-DVzNW-UGiLsghWdB015rqU4xKE0_sgI1aju09N1l3tG2Is3nMNmXjMU_oESIMEy9tDCOf2ZeYAqcrZPo6pWjb0rSidHkU6pwyiH9TcwpQcDrTG9BiD30vwXUaoyG_aH0H/s3757/20230223_155204%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="3757" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4R6wLp_R98fvuveZwFIZbWg8Q515BPdt21uMk539izaEjaN6zdC3hA-DVzNW-UGiLsghWdB015rqU4xKE0_sgI1aju09N1l3tG2Is3nMNmXjMU_oESIMEy9tDCOf2ZeYAqcrZPo6pWjb0rSidHkU6pwyiH9TcwpQcDrTG9BiD30vwXUaoyG_aH0H/w640-h330/20230223_155204%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i>As Brian Blessed would say... P&O's alive! - The heatings been switched on! - 23rd February 2023</i><br /><i> </i><br /><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm6N6VKZcd85uZlWODryd29vB3gL1BznQRzXjbeRUBbf8QWXAAsK7YTQPkOLozAS8_x3dWIVEqUF6w0SCB8zTt6VGUNiZ_iWY2W1QAvw12U-v1nt9vLyqqFncOxmUslPGeADw4GzRA6IfVIat6Y4aIwApKDeY2L5_W_7Xet4J3DNXVp16GzuO1-J_/s1440/333172149_1344933463014776_7869062683738285451_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm6N6VKZcd85uZlWODryd29vB3gL1BznQRzXjbeRUBbf8QWXAAsK7YTQPkOLozAS8_x3dWIVEqUF6w0SCB8zTt6VGUNiZ_iWY2W1QAvw12U-v1nt9vLyqqFncOxmUslPGeADw4GzRA6IfVIat6Y4aIwApKDeY2L5_W_7Xet4J3DNXVp16GzuO1-J_/w640-h480/333172149_1344933463014776_7869062683738285451_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i> Test Underway - It would appear that the kettle has boiled! - 24th February 2023 - Photo courtesy of Jamie Christie</i><i> </i><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW6BZvQLa9Iquiam_Pn2yOGw2ajnTeqtEsdRf4wTFccMRhFph138o3vvApkOFmPwUh7XmmaxC4JV2sxrNlVOW6iiZiJ6NivfHyJb6w25AtihDpylRYX6d49TP1YQWOT3RhL0jLwn8H2LAU8DLBufFeRuGenPg8zNkLtRgHFw1gEyQRvf612QsX7WZ/s1200/333709957_709877870845493_3305306502311972577_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1200" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW6BZvQLa9Iquiam_Pn2yOGw2ajnTeqtEsdRf4wTFccMRhFph138o3vvApkOFmPwUh7XmmaxC4JV2sxrNlVOW6iiZiJ6NivfHyJb6w25AtihDpylRYX6d49TP1YQWOT3RhL0jLwn8H2LAU8DLBufFeRuGenPg8zNkLtRgHFw1gEyQRvf612QsX7WZ/w640-h384/333709957_709877870845493_3305306502311972577_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Steaming, Cleaning & Oiling - Getting P&O ready for our 2023 season - Photo courtesy of GWSR</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>7820 will be the first to operate services on Saturday 4th March, with 7903 & 35006 also out testing on the same day. </span><i> </i><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i> </i><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUO5Rl2syxF_hiJNzDkS0VAF2glcmaD-TKkuNp7DS1-7dTSf6bVjmi-9B-Rz6hIAuTXrqBrf1VyvY5Fj77d5zrwbQUNdXPw0FxSIg8YeKvq9Wk-0rs1ujYBKQ5qmWAWQ4xJ-HeFTfjvmcg66l9GJwt999aUd4-COAtlcMGz_0Be6FpXzPY2FQsavK/s852/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="852" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUO5Rl2syxF_hiJNzDkS0VAF2glcmaD-TKkuNp7DS1-7dTSf6bVjmi-9B-Rz6hIAuTXrqBrf1VyvY5Fj77d5zrwbQUNdXPw0FxSIg8YeKvq9Wk-0rs1ujYBKQ5qmWAWQ4xJ-HeFTfjvmcg66l9GJwt999aUd4-COAtlcMGz_0Be6FpXzPY2FQsavK/w640-h350/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>CFoS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched earlier this month for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>I think now is as good a time as any to leave you with this rather apt song: <a href="https://youtu.be/NNiTxUEnmKI" target="_blank">The Final Countdown</a> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks, further news and announcements are on the way!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com2Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-30703381980309081892023-02-16T17:45:00.001+00:002023-02-16T17:45:00.158+00:00Pug, Pug, Glorious Pug!<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA58CCh2RzKrC1nDREcGUmLZxcKy1CoVxFJBKNl6O9DNlXeNOpVCyXfSy2JJBe8ARN7Nx5yuTAZAul6hPVVsbi5lXzOVos3dTI1poNKBi0IRWofIidlxlZpD_hgqEkTtHB15dGk0Q06JBMu734n5cwoM-BQCe-XDXazdU5f_-6iKhTp-BTkVNTsMvq/s2048/330985418_896277221574575_3907594270836503675_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA58CCh2RzKrC1nDREcGUmLZxcKy1CoVxFJBKNl6O9DNlXeNOpVCyXfSy2JJBe8ARN7Nx5yuTAZAul6hPVVsbi5lXzOVos3dTI1poNKBi0IRWofIidlxlZpD_hgqEkTtHB15dGk0Q06JBMu734n5cwoM-BQCe-XDXazdU5f_-6iKhTp-BTkVNTsMvq/w640-h430/330985418_896277221574575_3907594270836503675_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>L&Y Pug No.11243 - Photo courtesy of Callum Porter</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you've read the title of this blog and are expecting a rendition of 'The Hippopotamus Song' by 'Flanders and Swann' then I'm afraid to say that you're in for a bit of disappointment. Alas, my singing talents are long gone and thus some mere words of apparent wisdom will have to suffice instead. Hopefully some of you will be content with this but I fear others may well be asking 'Please, sir, I want some more', and no you won't be getting a rendition of that either, despite having played a certain Oliver Twist in a school production umpteen years ago. 'Oh what the Dickens?!' I hear some of you cry.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>On a more serious note and moving on from the subject of mud and hippopotamuses (there's certainly plenty of the former around at the moment!), I'd like to talk about the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) Class 21 0-4-0ST steam locomotive, more commonly referred to as the trusty '<i>Pug</i>'. A locomotive with wide appeal to both railway modellers and enthusiasts alike. Just two 'Pugs' have survived into preservation out of a total of sixty produced between 1886 & 1910. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>With thanks to The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) and the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Trust, we’re pleased to confirm we’re welcoming L&Y Pug No.11243 for this year’s Cotswold Festival of Steam (CFoS) as our third guest. Resplendent in its immaculate new LMS livery, it will be out and about shunting wagons around Winchcombe and on some short passenger trains too, so plenty of opportunities to ride behind and see this diminutive but characterful loco at work. These pugs didn’t quite make it to Gloucester, but they were regulars at Bristol and are representative of the types of small wheelbase locos seen working Gloucester docks and beyond. There's something for everyone at CFoS. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq3m242i44CTQYaHclc3eA_HgF-tqP4L6iImGy7qXyL0bNgrM7WotGtRN7m6EOwQ0njTjcVc0bWosG8_u0tbLSnxOdcX73rFEfQYNqdL-QbgcApXrZ8yMKNBpG-mCppaDekNsoR96z52NjlnwzoZGOASlrD1VMH6j8QwIsoRLbEPvzjP2ai8VAe0J/s1024/geograph-2224416-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1024" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq3m242i44CTQYaHclc3eA_HgF-tqP4L6iImGy7qXyL0bNgrM7WotGtRN7m6EOwQ0njTjcVc0bWosG8_u0tbLSnxOdcX73rFEfQYNqdL-QbgcApXrZ8yMKNBpG-mCppaDekNsoR96z52NjlnwzoZGOASlrD1VMH6j8QwIsoRLbEPvzjP2ai8VAe0J/w640-h398/geograph-2224416-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>An L&Y 'Pug' 0-4-0T at work in Goole Docks - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/44502" title="View profile">Ben Brooksbank</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2224416">geograph.org.uk/p/2224416</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Class originates from the purchase of three saddle tank locomotives that were ordered from the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire in 1886. These tanks had the Serial No.s 1176-1178 and L&Y No.s 916-918.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>From 1891, J. A. F. Aspinall, a mechanical engineer who served as the Locomotive Superintendent of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) ordered a further 17 locomotives, this time to a modified design. The modifications included: enlarging the cab, extending the tank over the smokebox, shortening the wheelbase to 5' 9" (1.75m) and raising the boiler pressure to 160 lbf/in2 (1,103 kPa). These locomotives were constructed in three batches at Horwich Works between 1891 & 1895. Aspinall's successors, Henry Hoy and George Hughes, ordered 40 more locomotives in three batches.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>L&Y Pug No.11243 (19) was one of the final batch of 20 to be built in 1910 as part of Lot No. 65 - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>(Serial No.s 1092–1111, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>L&Y No.s</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> 2, 3, 8, 12, 17, 19, 28, 43, 56, 64, 71, 75, 118, 226, 271, 298, 481, 517, 613, 614, LMS No.s 11238–11257).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The final locomotive was delivered in July of the same year, some four months before the first 'Pug' retirements started.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HxjPJ71H3Tk" width="650" youtube-src-id="HxjPJ71H3Tk"></iframe></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>L&Y Pug shunts at Castlecroft - 18th June 2022 - Video </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@preservedrailway" spellcheck="false">preservedrailway</a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) gave the locomotives the power classification 0F and they were constructed for work in busy harbour and dock environments. These environments had sharply curved sidings which necessitated small locomotives with short wheelbases. The 'Pugs' were specifically designed to work in the docklands areas of Fleetwood, Goole, Liverpool and Salford. In later years they began venturing further afield, reaching places such as Bristol, Bangor, Crewe, Derby, Widnes, York and Swansea. Upon nationalisation, only 23 'Pugs' remained in service.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>As mentioned earlier, withdrawals commenced in 1910, with two going in that year (917 and 918), four in the 1920s, and thirty-one in the 1930s. After the formation of British Railways (BR), those left were withdrawn between 1957 and 1964. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzdkIp0DZRYaQKK2wyUnblWpT_Jp5VAWfjIszAzVlNpiJc1zprSltOYcSOw9XMZ7jt2Hl_w8NqqahzwKG43Wr7CqFuADXzLKgx7Okkzv1iy55h3FUGJrMQyZ6rFQPltWrwTJp60LywltXFOv15a0WgmKlsXicxdMwfjiOVQ-k-0NHG1soVqx7YEkP/s1024/geograph-2224499-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1024" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzdkIp0DZRYaQKK2wyUnblWpT_Jp5VAWfjIszAzVlNpiJc1zprSltOYcSOw9XMZ7jt2Hl_w8NqqahzwKG43Wr7CqFuADXzLKgx7Okkzv1iy55h3FUGJrMQyZ6rFQPltWrwTJp60LywltXFOv15a0WgmKlsXicxdMwfjiOVQ-k-0NHG1soVqx7YEkP/w640-h380/geograph-2224499-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i>Bank Hall Locomotive Shed: No.11246, one of the ex-Lancashire & Yorkshire 0F 0-4-0Ts employed in the various Goods Yards in Liverpool. Note the simple 'spark-arrester' - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/44502" title="View profile">Ben Brooksbank</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2224499">geograph.org.uk/p/2224499</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Our visiting 'Pug' No. 11243 (L&YR 19) was allocated to Newton Heath shed in 1921 and was withdrawn ten years later by the LMS. No. 19 was one of several pugs sold in the 1930s and it was purchased by contractors John Mowlem in 1931. The locomotive was given the name 'Basset' and used on a contract to extend Southampton Docks. Research reveals that it was sold two years later to locomotive dealers 'George Cohen & Sons Ltd', although there is apparently no record of it ever having been in service with them. It was sold to the 'United Glass Bottle Manufacturers' in 1935, where it was renamed ‘Prince’ at the company's works in Charlton, London. It stayed there for the remainder of its working life.<i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XeP_ZhduHICOWJbhbz0RkT4L4BMTXzqpUojMFw8VM51QOLTU2H-Oo1g_lp-Ku4ZcIVCEz5lfdKCIx4CHK3MkTYLdJJWxewzsNcVkS67hNvqNrwC_iTtRGmY53XqJ1nWlS6u3YxBQ7ZdZthvudDfEJW__e5VQc7LYn_u250p9FFM-xGmlBVvzAWeV/s640/geograph-6429361-by-Chris-Allen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XeP_ZhduHICOWJbhbz0RkT4L4BMTXzqpUojMFw8VM51QOLTU2H-Oo1g_lp-Ku4ZcIVCEz5lfdKCIx4CHK3MkTYLdJJWxewzsNcVkS67hNvqNrwC_iTtRGmY53XqJ1nWlS6u3YxBQ7ZdZthvudDfEJW__e5VQc7LYn_u250p9FFM-xGmlBVvzAWeV/w640-h428/geograph-6429361-by-Chris-Allen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><i>Sister L&YR 'Pug', Oxenhope Station - Inside the museum shed of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The locomotive is a Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway class 21, 0-4-0ST, known colloquially as a 'Pug'. It was built at Horwich works in 1901. She was withdrawn from traffic in 1964 and was the first locomotive to arrive at the KWVR in 1965. She is currently awaiting an overhaul - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/4264" title="View profile">Chris Allen</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6429361">geograph.org.uk/p/6429361</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The locomotive was acquired by </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Trust in 1967 after 36 years of industrial service. A trial steaming was undertaken at Haworth which revealed that extensive restoration work was required. As a consequence of this, the 'Pug' became a static exhibit, firstly at Oxenhope and subsequently at 'Steamport Southport' - The site of the former L&Y shed. A final steam event took place there in February 1998 which featured the loco repainted as local No. 51231 (an engine that was withdrawn in 1959). Sister 'Pug' No. 51218 was also present for the occasion.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>'Steamport Southport' (previously known as Southport Derby Road MPD) was closed at the turn of the 21st century. As a result of the closure, a number of items of rolling stock were relocated to the newly formed Ribble Steam Railway at Preston, this included 'Pug' No. 19. The loco remained on public display restored to exhibition condition until early 2020 when it was relocated to the East Lancashire Railway. In March 2020 it was put on the railway's 'Lanky' gala display as No. 51241. During the coronavirus pandemic, the L&YRT trustees decided to arrange a detailed investigation as to the overall condition of the 'Pug'. It was discovered that the boiler was in a good condition, as were the locos mechanicals.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Due to the positive outcome of the investigation, the trustees decided to progress with restoration to full working order and active service. This was agreed under a contract with the East Lancashire Railway which started in February 2021.<i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AgjGOZYiB3A" width="650" youtube-src-id="AgjGOZYiB3A"></iframe></div>East Lancashire Railway Autumn Steam Gala 15/10/22, L&Y Pug 19 ‘51241’ shunting at Ramsbottom - Video </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@lancashirerailproductions3589" spellcheck="false">Lancashire Rail Productions</a></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>A number of tests on the loco and its boiler were carried out in early 2022 and a final steam test took place on the 29th April, which was successful. No.19 hauled its first ever passenger train on the 18th June at the East Lancs Railway.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Since June 2022, the 'Pug' has operated services on both the Ribble Steam Railway and the East Lancashire Railway.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Wk06nrpRgVFgJQaL21E4m3boOm-ZhbDpjO2EodG5sCA4QtMMJxWBfMkveRdEjhy4aIytr8sGsnteheVA-zmmGeLvc93_p_LwpRfAV1HKxwMqbj8cydjvg75FNKY1FgX8TUDgPPRcw3gZ9skJAw5GhuJcdmSGuVNPWSgnrnwoTxqW2G5YilY4d3-r/s852/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="852" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Wk06nrpRgVFgJQaL21E4m3boOm-ZhbDpjO2EodG5sCA4QtMMJxWBfMkveRdEjhy4aIytr8sGsnteheVA-zmmGeLvc93_p_LwpRfAV1HKxwMqbj8cydjvg75FNKY1FgX8TUDgPPRcw3gZ9skJAw5GhuJcdmSGuVNPWSgnrnwoTxqW2G5YilY4d3-r/w640-h350/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>CFoS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Further information about the 'Pug' can be found here: <a href="https://lyrtrust.org.uk/our-collection/projects/19-0-4-0-saddletank/" target="_blank">https://lyrtrust.org.uk/our-collection/projects/19-0-4-0-saddletank/</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Find out more about the L&YR Trust here: <a href="http://www.lyrtrust.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.lyrtrust.org.uk/</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched earlier this month for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks, further news and announcements are on the way!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com2Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-8390860490779239072023-02-14T15:15:00.012+00:002023-05-16T16:58:46.136+01:00Spring is coming!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwXFPXxhmw7BoG_VgDuuDSHfOQJfHhAQuRQ_rVLwSPzgsIDMclUAX8Ya0aESeI_Tc82LCESbLVioRffHWLNJyfKBGN0ogagJodTAwXVmsC0dcukk-WLrn78DrllH-LwTsdwchvbQTr-EfPB1wbXIuiVHDnbsIt2MEjiQUaC2_G3IbVQgne6e_HDE8/s4032/20230203_154253%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwXFPXxhmw7BoG_VgDuuDSHfOQJfHhAQuRQ_rVLwSPzgsIDMclUAX8Ya0aESeI_Tc82LCESbLVioRffHWLNJyfKBGN0ogagJodTAwXVmsC0dcukk-WLrn78DrllH-LwTsdwchvbQTr-EfPB1wbXIuiVHDnbsIt2MEjiQUaC2_G3IbVQgne6e_HDE8/w640-h312/20230203_154253%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Looking across the steam shed at Toddington from P&O - Yes, I know I've missed a bit on top of the boiler barrel!<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>It's mid-February as I'm writing this and spring is just over a month away, with the official start of the season in the Northern Hemisphere being on Monday 20th March. However, judging by the coverage of thick fog outside my bedroom window (naturally, I'd prefer to see a plume of steam!) and with little signs of life, I am yet to be convinced it is coming. My furry feline friends in this residence aren't showing any inclination of venturing out into the frozen wastes either for that matter, evidently preferring a state akin to hibernation next to a nearby radiator instead. Oh it's such a hard life for them!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Anyway, back in the land of the living (or should that be the land of the awake) things are progressing well in the steam locomotive department, in readiness for the start of our new operating season on Saturday 4th March. 35006, 7903 and 7820 have all recently passed their required 'Cold Exams' and will be put through 'In-House Steam Tests & Hot Boiler Exams' shortly. I have my fingers crossed that all will be well and everything goes to plan as it's quite a nervous time. <i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHcQNotCJ_FYI1yQj7CXevCZiM3NzWow-XeQ0EwI6lf1QXzcJSaqpyDqcPxOxY6Wv-R-rwGczDaIexsrxm_OJzfRAcF29qhAmWZeLo3tT4KNY_FBH2I81582d8DmkSVpY-UhmcxFHLDvIuS3uidEO-ceEkXqv-OEFTo17pYzggB2kL4rhurZwxgMX/s4032/20230203_150703%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHcQNotCJ_FYI1yQj7CXevCZiM3NzWow-XeQ0EwI6lf1QXzcJSaqpyDqcPxOxY6Wv-R-rwGczDaIexsrxm_OJzfRAcF29qhAmWZeLo3tT4KNY_FBH2I81582d8DmkSVpY-UhmcxFHLDvIuS3uidEO-ceEkXqv-OEFTo17pYzggB2kL4rhurZwxgMX/w640-h312/20230203_150703%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Chris Ardy next to a cleaner looking 36006, 7820 is on the right</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>One of the benefits of the downtime over the winter period is the fact that the locomotives spend far more time inside the shed then they ordinarily would during the operating months. Besides Winter Maintenance, this allows time for much more thorough cleaning to take place. Running steam locomotives regularly on a heritage railway is an </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>invariably dirty process and it's important to try and stay on top of cleaning as much as is feasibly possible. Whilst cleaners are rostered on operating days, there is only so much you can achieve in the allotted time - It's usually a few hours at best.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAPc0oLm4H1yj0fsFQDXS7rdWDl261C3EwR8tkHlfc-W4f8IlyekoQ2dWVw0WNuyhzI8Jgph88tvozzz0WDfX1RoBhEid-aWpUlLdyldrrbLATlmiOuuF8d2wK3Sx2CUbCtksT8KnzrOYZWgUILOxnMja1DWUxs9Gf-QgVWTApEQ1wxKy3r2w2e8a/s4032/20230203_154652%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAPc0oLm4H1yj0fsFQDXS7rdWDl261C3EwR8tkHlfc-W4f8IlyekoQ2dWVw0WNuyhzI8Jgph88tvozzz0WDfX1RoBhEid-aWpUlLdyldrrbLATlmiOuuF8d2wK3Sx2CUbCtksT8KnzrOYZWgUILOxnMja1DWUxs9Gf-QgVWTApEQ1wxKy3r2w2e8a/w640-h312/20230203_154652%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The reassembled drivers-side motion undergoing a clean</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>As many of you readers will know, Toddington Shed is not only where we store and maintain our operational locomotives, but also where some of the major restoration projects take place. Restoration and maintenance work inevitably creates a lot of dirt, dust and detritus which slowly builds up over time on the locomotives on shed, much like classic cars for example. The cleaning process is very similar in many respects to a car, with buckets, rags, sponges and soap required.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENjni9cp69kcVo8RatALaAdGb-yHKbPKgbNLvzQ3UOXU0_gtdoGaczca6euOX9ZH0SfZ5elRPVnBGzEWFSqTxyh7esbLpLGWCAvg2OkT15JCwGZPASfd53xhPeiWL6suihkh6JcVuqvqRiq2CTvJ5dFEB8eKGcql4K0iQuaowlc2vk5C3H8OYsSdq/s4032/20230203_142632%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENjni9cp69kcVo8RatALaAdGb-yHKbPKgbNLvzQ3UOXU0_gtdoGaczca6euOX9ZH0SfZ5elRPVnBGzEWFSqTxyh7esbLpLGWCAvg2OkT15JCwGZPASfd53xhPeiWL6suihkh6JcVuqvqRiq2CTvJ5dFEB8eKGcql4K0iQuaowlc2vk5C3H8OYsSdq/w640-h312/20230203_142632%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This is the result after a fair amount of elbow grease!</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>To say that I couldn't really feel my arms the following morning would be a bit of an understatement! Many people rave about going to the gym week-in week-out, but in my experience, volunteering in this department gives you more than enough exercise to render a gym membership surplus to requirements (although I appreciate everyone is different). I've never really seen the appeal of running on a treadmill seemingly travelling nowhere. With cleaning and working on these great pieces of British engineering, you can see the fruits of your labour as time progresses, which to me is priceless. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiong23fUz1rM1vcLI4ydg2ut6fHsgmXDh19jZ-KSj4qsZuBhWoYV5ye6oUA8CGoRC035vt_3pxLpZPYSHylHf1FZgHRSFnyXg_AVo68GdltRcSA79hLDkQ1U0zyExIIanZcdgxyufi8t8LDBQpmW-z5l72vGFkP92dl0Gg6uO1jvUNmamfNHBkKaSD/s4032/20230203_150606%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiong23fUz1rM1vcLI4ydg2ut6fHsgmXDh19jZ-KSj4qsZuBhWoYV5ye6oUA8CGoRC035vt_3pxLpZPYSHylHf1FZgHRSFnyXg_AVo68GdltRcSA79hLDkQ1U0zyExIIanZcdgxyufi8t8LDBQpmW-z5l72vGFkP92dl0Gg6uO1jvUNmamfNHBkKaSD/w640-h312/20230203_150606%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The cylinder block cladding looking a bit cleaner!</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Whilst myself and Chris Ardy were cleaning, Steve, Bob, Chris and Jack continued with maintenance on the loco following the cold exam. This included the refitting of the washout plugs and mud-hole doors, amongst other tasks. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>We also experimented with some heavy duty 'Tar & Glue' remover which seemed to work well removing the stubborn dirt. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A good day by all accounts with the drivers-side of P&O looking a bit cleaner than before. Only the rest of the loco to do!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzR_JV0zc5H241rZUR4S9Utl5THDW9P37MsarMPkXuh01JeOQ7PjAuK5vy17cqeLe9JwBS5FK56ShkHNw6GSRSI8V6HP43EvxNnOe4WN3Io53VX88aUSgokEFbqkvtoQ3EpGy3OgjlqJOnSVjgMNR9zafy45yKuRqqqWCyc-H1SAqogilF7lGwpRZ/s4032/20230203_155244%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzR_JV0zc5H241rZUR4S9Utl5THDW9P37MsarMPkXuh01JeOQ7PjAuK5vy17cqeLe9JwBS5FK56ShkHNw6GSRSI8V6HP43EvxNnOe4WN3Io53VX88aUSgokEFbqkvtoQ3EpGy3OgjlqJOnSVjgMNR9zafy45yKuRqqqWCyc-H1SAqogilF7lGwpRZ/w640-h312/20230203_155244%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>In wagon news... The tank is now reunited with its chassis and is progressing well</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>7903 is undergoing winter maintenance and as previously mentioned, she passed her cold insurance exam and is being boxed up ready for an in-house steam test. Part of that work included fitting two new Safety Valves to the Safety Valve base. These will have final adjustment once she is in steam.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YGEsMrTFMfXB5R_d6o7TmPMnOg9NWQenzv6n4ea568G-0G09zGgRwxLLVsrV0xfXDKU7q_XzqV5R6ouS6BGHpQqrO6MJIsLo9oVgMyjaXI_hiD86UAHuw81N_LOyCHrFBIbLcDF1EDjC25KBSVlXtb9R8awoOLEWkm_ryETsgkO_BW2n2PKqlhx-/s4032/IMG_1676.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YGEsMrTFMfXB5R_d6o7TmPMnOg9NWQenzv6n4ea568G-0G09zGgRwxLLVsrV0xfXDKU7q_XzqV5R6ouS6BGHpQqrO6MJIsLo9oVgMyjaXI_hiD86UAHuw81N_LOyCHrFBIbLcDF1EDjC25KBSVlXtb9R8awoOLEWkm_ryETsgkO_BW2n2PKqlhx-/w480-h640/IMG_1676.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>New Safety Valves - Photo courtesy of John Cruxon</i><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Whilst this has been going on the Coupling rods have been off and the Crosshead’s split to have new lubrication felts fitted. The right hand coupling rod has had the thrust face on the rod built up with white metal to take out some excessive slide play. The picture shows the face built up and awaiting final machining. This has now been done and the rod has been refitted.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE4zxcKVL1j-TTUSQNTGMLUkh8N89uYedhkfTatZZAM9-CKK5QPPWUiDFcDVx2pxd0r_iJcU-2_lWAZavXFo_7u-s-6O587WMzeHoAauxH-BGwQEjU6JoYxzpVheU_zEb-CpK5mFtu2fXurFaRNN-X0NMDjt8T47gKcTZEiNfoOL84pjtsci7MI2-/s4032/IMG_1670.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE4zxcKVL1j-TTUSQNTGMLUkh8N89uYedhkfTatZZAM9-CKK5QPPWUiDFcDVx2pxd0r_iJcU-2_lWAZavXFo_7u-s-6O587WMzeHoAauxH-BGwQEjU6JoYxzpVheU_zEb-CpK5mFtu2fXurFaRNN-X0NMDjt8T47gKcTZEiNfoOL84pjtsci7MI2-/w480-h640/IMG_1670.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><i>Right hand coupling rod thrust face - Photo courtesy of John Cruxon</i><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span>Now for something a bit different.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><br />This is a genuine Swindon works trolley that the Steam Dept. acquired years ago. It is very manoeuvrable as the middle set of wheels are set lower - The trolley rocks on that wheelset with the only the front or rear axle being in contact with the floor at any one time. It had become very tired and damaged and was unfit for use. However the Wednesday gang took it on and have used it as a stop gap job. It has new replacement timber decks, courtesy of the old Garden Centre, and two new wheels on the middle axle. The frame has been straightened up and then a quick coat of black Smoothrite applied to finish it off.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84hlLjFwCbLLBAgtDbRV8Ht8Q17pOXRGN1uo-76TyFzDGmD7U5lxMy9QTY76uGXIvs3mAY8BEslPwn72CJl98GYclG3Zb1vnIRCrbcPJvNTrTTLlQ0Ta0KQoGCbFt460R3IQPB54pt5azGvCHIleeXCkRqmhp3wAw-frR_K1D9Dc4-jDNL2GC_li/s4032/IMG_1675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84hlLjFwCbLLBAgtDbRV8Ht8Q17pOXRGN1uo-76TyFzDGmD7U5lxMy9QTY76uGXIvs3mAY8BEslPwn72CJl98GYclG3Zb1vnIRCrbcPJvNTrTTLlQ0Ta0KQoGCbFt460R3IQPB54pt5azGvCHIleeXCkRqmhp3wAw-frR_K1D9Dc4-jDNL2GC_li/w480-h640/IMG_1675.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>Swindon Works Trolley - Photo courtesy of John Cruxon</span></span></span></span></span></i><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span>Last week we said our final goodbye to GWSR stalwart 4270 after many years of extemporary service. She was loaded and transported to The Locomotive Storage Company Ltd (owners and operators of The One:One Collection) site in Margate by Allelys Heavy Haulage. Fortunately, there were people on-site to witness her departure and arrival in Kent. <i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-iMyVmKwuA1fp_9ay86Oi-MY8xkwBo3ISiz2SR5Fh4ljMbLufFlR6ENIDOhnr_RXzEkPUuKjeHaHPFWvJvXrTP-jkQ151K5fFMTOVYYKufIQrafBlRYsaH4Vk6iywElxKtsGBcB3636b54W0q_f5GBMgTjuBADxB44_S1f-eJY8TvaFu15LY6LyU/s4032/20230203_091537%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-iMyVmKwuA1fp_9ay86Oi-MY8xkwBo3ISiz2SR5Fh4ljMbLufFlR6ENIDOhnr_RXzEkPUuKjeHaHPFWvJvXrTP-jkQ151K5fFMTOVYYKufIQrafBlRYsaH4Vk6iywElxKtsGBcB3636b54W0q_f5GBMgTjuBADxB44_S1f-eJY8TvaFu15LY6LyU/w640-h312/20230203_091537%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>4270 stabled in the yard at Toddington not long before her departure<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTz4FBuWX5lAP28ln5Pwlya2PUVYnKw8g6YSLH3yzIoq-2RmQDkUE9MUEr6VNBYePn4Q1vXVEsorDA7kCaHhq7kiZGn7j2I_J4IHH6h311HeuplYlUswCpW4d92WBMYcj2PLTyuKz9-5ieVIuRCaB1ONAu7QeItVRpX2a8oNY9uugWNmWDT4ff_0X/s2043/4270_AHH_Cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="2043" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTz4FBuWX5lAP28ln5Pwlya2PUVYnKw8g6YSLH3yzIoq-2RmQDkUE9MUEr6VNBYePn4Q1vXVEsorDA7kCaHhq7kiZGn7j2I_J4IHH6h311HeuplYlUswCpW4d92WBMYcj2PLTyuKz9-5ieVIuRCaB1ONAu7QeItVRpX2a8oNY9uugWNmWDT4ff_0X/w640-h160/4270_AHH_Cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>4270 ready to go - Photo courtesy of GWSR</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oLo-oqHyvBE" width="650" youtube-src-id="oLo-oqHyvBE"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>4270 departs Toddington for Margate - Video courtesy of Philip Young</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>
</span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="408" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fofficialhornby%2Fvideos%2F1373940910070791%2F&show_text=false&width=476&t=0" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="650"></iframe></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>
</span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>4270 arrives safely at Margate - Video Hornby Hobbies Ltd</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>You may remember in one of the recent blog entries that I mentioned the fact that 35006's speedometer and associated generator had been removed for maintenance. Some of this work has been carried out by Andrew Meredith.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>It was discovered that water had got into the system which likely caused problems with the speedometers operation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The speedo was dismantled and all the components were checked over accordingly. The wheel diameter box down to the generator plug were rewired as the existing cabling looked like old lawnmower wire which was soaking wet and corroded. Andrew sleeved the connections and drilled and fitted a split pin in the bottom of the plug so any water can run out.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Once reassembled, the speedo was checked by using a lathe running at several speed settings and it performed well. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9RuSqqi5av1C3gJiz-vCevNUNzVpSvrQRlOSTATxxmIwOkX-jjc8Wetya8TBVGm-kG7Hh-xk7y_kF0auQwW4_h3rh1AuNOERPPsFhc7P1RX7KCS8EJB0HYYUJ_vp6_Z2jBX-fbNE1uPln2oSoP90Z-TfSFjfeoTQdGOmUC8SZh5m6fuoVI_Jp610/s2000/329593411_579901614003592_8343841545883662693_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9RuSqqi5av1C3gJiz-vCevNUNzVpSvrQRlOSTATxxmIwOkX-jjc8Wetya8TBVGm-kG7Hh-xk7y_kF0auQwW4_h3rh1AuNOERPPsFhc7P1RX7KCS8EJB0HYYUJ_vp6_Z2jBX-fbNE1uPln2oSoP90Z-TfSFjfeoTQdGOmUC8SZh5m6fuoVI_Jp610/w640-h480/329593411_579901614003592_8343841545883662693_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Andrew Meredith</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMk8CtlmhIdZi4hOSDmrWjPomMtvGSRqUDLP4oEVGm_l_qlbuSevkvyy-qSXxxVctXxg4ndiY-ByYZML47WOBbEcz3ZdvpsLLb6I2F7dWj0cTzsi4wsi5q10OfKntgA28BQp5aTBulOWciebOEOA2gK1B8XXO0P2Y22_Ax3tUCx1rU0pZWnDrtx7-/s2000/329538858_742257860824117_7045246385139312363_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMk8CtlmhIdZi4hOSDmrWjPomMtvGSRqUDLP4oEVGm_l_qlbuSevkvyy-qSXxxVctXxg4ndiY-ByYZML47WOBbEcz3ZdvpsLLb6I2F7dWj0cTzsi4wsi5q10OfKntgA28BQp5aTBulOWciebOEOA2gK1B8XXO0P2Y22_Ax3tUCx1rU0pZWnDrtx7-/w640-h480/329538858_742257860824117_7045246385139312363_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Andrew Meredith</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV7q0F_opA7gTLzEZBHvJLWFtBtdTnsGN9IwNs88egkyc8ej8-g53Q9uqMxJM0mefYUOy0X-tYFmr0BGXOb_PMYTlfk0pedyqVOV0h54zWqqbE-y1ckgj0Yn6jPzFY6HTr3B_qF0wMkLS4iqdITvIVH-RIZgZJyamCWlPCAdVeVvpnsu0o-L04hjD/s2000/329542813_931807121517085_8806926945375181239_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV7q0F_opA7gTLzEZBHvJLWFtBtdTnsGN9IwNs88egkyc8ej8-g53Q9uqMxJM0mefYUOy0X-tYFmr0BGXOb_PMYTlfk0pedyqVOV0h54zWqqbE-y1ckgj0Yn6jPzFY6HTr3B_qF0wMkLS4iqdITvIVH-RIZgZJyamCWlPCAdVeVvpnsu0o-L04hjD/w640-h480/329542813_931807121517085_8806926945375181239_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Andrew Meredith</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Last Friday was another day spent performing maintenance and cleaning on P&O, whilst work continued on 3850 and 2807. I gave the tender a good clean and tackled the fireman's side of the loco. The top of the boiler still needs doing!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>If anyone has any suggestions about how we could turn the loco on its side or upside-down to clean, then I'm all ears. It would certainly make the task in hand a little easier for those of us including myself who are rather 'vertically challenged'.<i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7o49sI2pDP-XAH4MGhu46Zxxl96cj3n1XbFm78VLM_ttO_UiIkI9OXb_3f1E_L-5kdvpsckoDj6-6TIfIIU6iyElzDoK4zp18fxQV_0uPRZLX6bzCR9olXyTlQD0CjEPgzKqpITkauswtYioxPCxGSZKtMhMYRKLhhEOyjjNOraZ49SQNgnZ8HE/s4032/20230210_151837_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7o49sI2pDP-XAH4MGhu46Zxxl96cj3n1XbFm78VLM_ttO_UiIkI9OXb_3f1E_L-5kdvpsckoDj6-6TIfIIU6iyElzDoK4zp18fxQV_0uPRZLX6bzCR9olXyTlQD0CjEPgzKqpITkauswtYioxPCxGSZKtMhMYRKLhhEOyjjNOraZ49SQNgnZ8HE/w640-h312/20230210_151837_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Bob working on the damper mechanism on 35006<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk17D3_R5IKO8o7RXsDhJFf04cyy6roVAg6fT4_r9V13oq9XaKhilEXSYk4kkLY5Dq3hXWQR-eLRtu3GPB_x7OBFOxg5-hvxZwQIngbwlxMcB2Sf1NaHUhJW7Ngfm44HKIsbX1bLmTScu_fpUJmiFv41d6bEDRVHBNDLbNF7I7zwDlhIADVIz-4BC0/s4032/20230210_150318_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk17D3_R5IKO8o7RXsDhJFf04cyy6roVAg6fT4_r9V13oq9XaKhilEXSYk4kkLY5Dq3hXWQR-eLRtu3GPB_x7OBFOxg5-hvxZwQIngbwlxMcB2Sf1NaHUhJW7Ngfm44HKIsbX1bLmTScu_fpUJmiFv41d6bEDRVHBNDLbNF7I7zwDlhIADVIz-4BC0/w640-h312/20230210_150318_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Steve refitted the plugs underneath the Thermic Siphons on 35006<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNwaMjaggPhpjkYixAQ4EY2SNc10dt25ibEO1AZC8XZlRLdvsu8Qzu5nnMygPSuPU0Xqnel180F-e-q2npSHLwISoqV-MaplU6WVJlSyzECKOejF_mV3UIF40iH1HTB4jJQbkBIKoXSo7STQRpNWdcEAzbAiF3uTI8pvxGh8uc3Q5OVBEfcTTx9jQ/s4032/20230210_155425_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNwaMjaggPhpjkYixAQ4EY2SNc10dt25ibEO1AZC8XZlRLdvsu8Qzu5nnMygPSuPU0Xqnel180F-e-q2npSHLwISoqV-MaplU6WVJlSyzECKOejF_mV3UIF40iH1HTB4jJQbkBIKoXSo7STQRpNWdcEAzbAiF3uTI8pvxGh8uc3Q5OVBEfcTTx9jQ/w640-h312/20230210_155425_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Work on 2807 is progressing well and her boiler is due to arrive shortly.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Last week, a final internal examination was carried out on 3850's boiler at Riley's to the satisfaction of the boiler inspector, with tubing due to commence later in week. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6tTPrHIllJm9YjYBwuRW8ophCBryN-2pYJnuNOQSZpGLoatV9t6vRSreiX_5ruG1kIYaM6EpKSgn7q-9o8ZLZ0U63ibvd5g2bZNLBD6ZhBDEsWktZK9FWPSZ43Ixg-gr8nqed-8Sfexx0tUramWD_s8hbMzR1Bib5ANBZhhbgMymfPoU7e2hW9nE/s960/329674105_5842535655827149_3933669281037628778_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6tTPrHIllJm9YjYBwuRW8ophCBryN-2pYJnuNOQSZpGLoatV9t6vRSreiX_5ruG1kIYaM6EpKSgn7q-9o8ZLZ0U63ibvd5g2bZNLBD6ZhBDEsWktZK9FWPSZ43Ixg-gr8nqed-8Sfexx0tUramWD_s8hbMzR1Bib5ANBZhhbgMymfPoU7e2hW9nE/w480-h640/329674105_5842535655827149_3933669281037628778_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>3850's boiler at Riley's - Photo courtesy of DMLL</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaSWDxMaa75h7-jaUHmBWq87YHRVNOhdnwmXWe_G_2fCUSrbBUFZ0PcCGehRFvS4QrCc6ZarSJdyvjgjtitc1TW1ePqJpZxW9P_PldhutJWHll9P6Zy8S1Nl82kySDgk6_QohTvdRXAmb7X35scx3peqoXZg2OFZzbUO6Qm9fFEy8qR-XH4q9SEEl/s2048/329558844_560356129444750_2854416788356874801_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaSWDxMaa75h7-jaUHmBWq87YHRVNOhdnwmXWe_G_2fCUSrbBUFZ0PcCGehRFvS4QrCc6ZarSJdyvjgjtitc1TW1ePqJpZxW9P_PldhutJWHll9P6Zy8S1Nl82kySDgk6_QohTvdRXAmb7X35scx3peqoXZg2OFZzbUO6Qm9fFEy8qR-XH4q9SEEl/w640-h480/329558844_560356129444750_2854416788356874801_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>3850's boiler at Riley's - Photo courtesy of DMLL</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Saturday was a busy day for 2874 and DMLL, with maintenance carried out on </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>7820's tender fireman's side water valve.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>First reach under the recently greased tender and remove the valve; spend a couple of hours removing the crud; then simply lubricate and reassemble. Well done Keith and David. Here are a few photographs showing the process. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtS7AFydIXk0WpKrx9zYkL0I8deJKXYuf2zoP6SZ0g_x5PkXHf5JRVAsW3-h78tuGv1OykGxVhXrKml0YvYmwr0TD6nUKBaj30PMy6VhykwsUoqQQJDXYS1XR6uYT41i6JIue6YZMHsxfeECLWk4wE2q2xY0N3YNYDT0PDUfx7rYPjUcBTyQRgkZP/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtS7AFydIXk0WpKrx9zYkL0I8deJKXYuf2zoP6SZ0g_x5PkXHf5JRVAsW3-h78tuGv1OykGxVhXrKml0YvYmwr0TD6nUKBaj30PMy6VhykwsUoqQQJDXYS1XR6uYT41i6JIue6YZMHsxfeECLWk4wE2q2xY0N3YNYDT0PDUfx7rYPjUcBTyQRgkZP/w360-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44_4.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>7820's fireman's side water valve being removed - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfFxWe_atbH766ZyooFKA4l-e6-JpPdtqEW91Ae7GWdHK_I2UyoAsmX0wE5UO6wmIuUbe1xvl26WF6nk88AjJ0GY9s1C8J1xV-uge-tQbevV10D3XiANv1oZ5sIyaBL-q5JLqoWVXzG2l7ZOOjxrE8XaJalskKtSiWI4g_9E0UAT5Y4UA2-Aq6sa1/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfFxWe_atbH766ZyooFKA4l-e6-JpPdtqEW91Ae7GWdHK_I2UyoAsmX0wE5UO6wmIuUbe1xvl26WF6nk88AjJ0GY9s1C8J1xV-uge-tQbevV10D3XiANv1oZ5sIyaBL-q5JLqoWVXzG2l7ZOOjxrE8XaJalskKtSiWI4g_9E0UAT5Y4UA2-Aq6sa1/w360-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>Easy does it and it's off - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgrDQboTOk3QXtTx4spwZHJEQ1gfO4E8m0-ba2G72fMXhCnw6ZcPlgoamCVRyEPLtTwyvpaqcBnGBaeda87TvG6XTTOXQSWkRxv-zIRFVDWlVtI13xsPfAmps2mImdpvF63yPUPgy5ctM2hMF-xPFeZoTDA2oJBLhAuWVSJyQC25SaX2DTvdkfiU7/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgrDQboTOk3QXtTx4spwZHJEQ1gfO4E8m0-ba2G72fMXhCnw6ZcPlgoamCVRyEPLtTwyvpaqcBnGBaeda87TvG6XTTOXQSWkRxv-zIRFVDWlVtI13xsPfAmps2mImdpvF63yPUPgy5ctM2hMF-xPFeZoTDA2oJBLhAuWVSJyQC25SaX2DTvdkfiU7/w360-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44_3.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>Cleaning and lubrication underway - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkIZwoV-iY90N8l1YY3xWm2C6kzol1voFlDX4F3fws6m18QwNt6PF6kQEyec69GveWQePm49cES3WMtdOO3zX09oglxR5CL7FI_AYrAF5XjOfeJpZtlXKkqsNmreLdHTfB4KY3_7srvq-xGwJqPbXwR2bOyIVUYx0ZtCrth2aMjs5kl-F-qf7Du14/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkIZwoV-iY90N8l1YY3xWm2C6kzol1voFlDX4F3fws6m18QwNt6PF6kQEyec69GveWQePm49cES3WMtdOO3zX09oglxR5CL7FI_AYrAF5XjOfeJpZtlXKkqsNmreLdHTfB4KY3_7srvq-xGwJqPbXwR2bOyIVUYx0ZtCrth2aMjs5kl-F-qf7Du14/w360-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-02-12%20at%2010.01.44_2.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Looking much better - </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>There were 11 on site working on projects with good progress readying the 'Manor' for the annual exam, collating nuts and bolts for T1761, painting the tender footplate and 2874 running plate. In addition the workshop team were refurbishing a water valve. Further jobs to be done include painting a second topcoat on the repaired toolboxes and more footplate painting. No rest for the wicked as they say!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdZolrn3wB94sdCm-6II5aKA63NBUWavfqjVYJpgeW2_4XJz35dqc9guttfWHEYr9KbfGx3zfwii8G-ri4ul5vD4DiH_WzrKYlwSoN2aPHziAnNM36LxK0t1qYsmZn6QP7MYrzc96_nOb-Zi-1v7iq8YDv0FWl88fgDaqLFTlwE7q5Nd6irFvlr2Z/s852/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="852" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdZolrn3wB94sdCm-6II5aKA63NBUWavfqjVYJpgeW2_4XJz35dqc9guttfWHEYr9KbfGx3zfwii8G-ri4ul5vD4DiH_WzrKYlwSoN2aPHziAnNM36LxK0t1qYsmZn6QP7MYrzc96_nOb-Zi-1v7iq8YDv0FWl88fgDaqLFTlwE7q5Nd6irFvlr2Z/w640-h350/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>CF</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span>oS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>By popular demand, "Journey Through Steam" at Broadway Museum has been extended until 12th November – Open 10am-4pm daily. Further information can be found here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/events/journey-through-steam" target="_blank">Journey Through Steam</a><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqq9SEniFrLf_wvhZ-oGxoQQG7-ED0jIfT_6ljE4jQJ3Ov3C0uHzUEjmmVHkwstfNnIyLMvQgqNYUNQa1BT5mYyXt_lP2bxQP53Ubi1cXpKUjVdPmKAWZLBcuju15Q4BUdk1H3NiyQZEGKlItqh1VmlDvgohfH-c19KJOOQDnPZKvIxRT1H30dcJO/s1575/330333030_863357891396409_3066755083495963248_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1575" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqq9SEniFrLf_wvhZ-oGxoQQG7-ED0jIfT_6ljE4jQJ3Ov3C0uHzUEjmmVHkwstfNnIyLMvQgqNYUNQa1BT5mYyXt_lP2bxQP53Ubi1cXpKUjVdPmKAWZLBcuju15Q4BUdk1H3NiyQZEGKlItqh1VmlDvgohfH-c19KJOOQDnPZKvIxRT1H30dcJO/w640-h360/330333030_863357891396409_3066755083495963248_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</i><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Important Note</b>:
New websites were launched earlier this month for both the GWSR and the
GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old
GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by
visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a>. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks, further news and announcements are on the way... maybe Tilly will be awake by then!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sGYqP7t-SlytasYLWJ7jhSkecXOiGvvhKHnxg2UpzYirFqTAOgntJQ2XIEvCzOH1KXmVf8PKjNWYE9wXXwSiWyTXGBAg5Rqmb4M32AKAtrP46ODg89W-x3FHnnQ6-UHWw7Vx-cvQHQyKDWh3Ew6BKjx1R8XOamZUiaw-Ef3FnKUE8QIKMKt29Sp4/s2960/Screenshot_20200113-222945_Gallery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2960" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sGYqP7t-SlytasYLWJ7jhSkecXOiGvvhKHnxg2UpzYirFqTAOgntJQ2XIEvCzOH1KXmVf8PKjNWYE9wXXwSiWyTXGBAg5Rqmb4M32AKAtrP46ODg89W-x3FHnnQ6-UHWw7Vx-cvQHQyKDWh3Ew6BKjx1R8XOamZUiaw-Ef3FnKUE8QIKMKt29Sp4/w640-h312/Screenshot_20200113-222945_Gallery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com7Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-2660714696419865202023-02-01T19:23:00.001+00:002023-02-02T13:24:38.619+00:00Fancy building a sandcastle?<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG6M2TDNMN7FWUjf6-6XtfTuQx4F87EzD0tfA3gGCFufBKrP-1O9pcV-0HYs2_ZSXG5WOysbpQTdXu1yWbgI6rkWm_44fcTaIRpsWbeE_Tf_y7F5S52BLjE8RTMGwU_ncLgDvIdlVKRFw2rpUuiI0jUjedDkej6jFXa47w75euAXrLR5dOjBkRIlo/s850/4079_Pendennis_Castle_at_Didcot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="850" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG6M2TDNMN7FWUjf6-6XtfTuQx4F87EzD0tfA3gGCFufBKrP-1O9pcV-0HYs2_ZSXG5WOysbpQTdXu1yWbgI6rkWm_44fcTaIRpsWbeE_Tf_y7F5S52BLjE8RTMGwU_ncLgDvIdlVKRFw2rpUuiI0jUjedDkej6jFXa47w75euAXrLR5dOjBkRIlo/w640-h386/4079_Pendennis_Castle_at_Didcot.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>GWR 4079 Pendennis Castle taking water at Didcot, 29th May 1977. Prior to shipment to the Hamersley Iron railway in Australia - Photo © <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Murgatroyd49" target="_blank" title="View profile">Murgatroyd49</a>
(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>)</i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">If you've read the previous blog entry you will recall that I mentioned about going off to the beach. This was a subtle hint about what our next visiting locomotive is, or to be more specific, what class of locomotive it is. If you visited a sandy beach last summer then you more than likely observed young families armed with the trusty bucket and spade. Many summers in my youth were spent at the beach, both in Blighty and overseas, with Looe, Mevagissey and Santa Ponsa being of notable mention. With the all important tools in hand, I attempted on multiple occasions to construct great fortifications complete with ramparts and the obligatory moat. I am of course referring to the building of sandcastles which, in my opinion, is a mandatory task as far as beach holidays are concerned, not forgetting the delicious ice cream!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">Sandcastle construction isn't an exact science, although getting the correct mix of sand and water right to ensure the best consistency for building was always a learning exercise. Knowing my luck, someone has probably written a book on this very subject, however I have yet to come across such a publication. If anyone is aware of said resource then I'll be delighted to hear from you. My endeavours on the beach were beset with challenges, as I was against the weather, the clock, and most importantly, more often than not against the approaching tide. Attempts to increase the size of the moat or add additional walls of sand were often in vain. I was simply delaying the inevitable and my many hours of construction was reduced to a soggy and indistinguishable mess. I laugh at it now but this wasn't particularly amusing at the time!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52139075256_64959f669a_4k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="800" height="410" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52139075256_64959f669a_4k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4079 Pendennis Castle at Swindon (1964) - Photo </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span><a class="owner-name truncate" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/28083135@N06/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1675169743024_2190" title="Go to Kevin Lane’s photostream">Kevin Lane</a></i></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> / Michael Brown - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2nrmozo" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/2nrmozo</a></i></span></span></span><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">It will be of no surprise to you now to hear that a member of the 4073 Castle Class will be visiting us, and we're very pleased to announce that this engine is none other than 4079 'Pendennis Castle', courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52272036290_7c0188eb70_h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="800" height="398" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52272036290_7c0188eb70_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span>4079 Pendennis Castle shortly after leaving Tyseley on trip to Didcot, 29th May 1977 - Photo </span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span>
<a class="owner-name truncate" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/126693116@N06/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1675008048866_2188" title="Go to John Whiteley’s photostream">John Whiteley</a> - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2nD6Rg1" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/2nD6Rg1</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>4079 'Pendennis Castle' was the seventh of 171 Castles constructed and was completed at at Swindon Works in February 1924. The loco was part of the first lot of 10 Castles built by the GWR between 1923 and 1924 (Lot 224: Nos. 4073–4082, delivered August 1923 to April 1924). The Castles were a Charles Collett design with origins dating back to the highly successful Star Class of 1907, which introduced the basic 4-cyinder 4-6-0 layout with a Belpaire firebox and long-travel valves. This later became a characteristic of GWR express passenger locomotives. Collett designed the Castles to supplement the Stars and replace them on the heaviest express services. The solution was to take the basic Star layout and enhance it by using an extended frame along with a larger and lighter No. 8 boiler, </span></span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>allowing a bigger grate area and a side window cab. </span></span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>As a result, tractive effort increased to 31,625 lb, whilst staying within the 20-ton axle limit. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>The well proportioned and attractive locomotive 4079 was named </span></span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>'Pendennis Castle' after the fortifications at Falmouth.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52123261893_1efa78add9_4k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52123261893_1efa78add9_4k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>A Timeline Events photo charter with GWR Castle Class 4079 Pendennis Castle at Didcot Railway Centre - Photo </i></span></span></span><span><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span>
<a class="owner-name truncate" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_fitzpatrick/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1675169322797_2215" title="Go to Paul Fitzpatrick’s photostream">Paul Fitzpatrick</a> - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2npXkPc" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/2npXkPc</a></i></span></span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTBU5b9McnQI_nV3Rul1JhdaWmA5oQw7mJKVbgnZvrH_OALvtGIt0ExdauMG6ISUYi7wKmvghu1yx8B9V5CcLWhKHcQhI0oSP1U1dQ7yHK-tpNyMJvTbuC6DyUv7Z2SivmYrRL4nuixITojIFCdPIz8ZXx7D1gvW4kdqcU4puXsw4sh4Cr1KR4-nW/s5056/geograph-7306723-by-Gordon-Hatton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3363" data-original-width="5056" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTBU5b9McnQI_nV3Rul1JhdaWmA5oQw7mJKVbgnZvrH_OALvtGIt0ExdauMG6ISUYi7wKmvghu1yx8B9V5CcLWhKHcQhI0oSP1U1dQ7yHK-tpNyMJvTbuC6DyUv7Z2SivmYrRL4nuixITojIFCdPIz8ZXx7D1gvW4kdqcU4puXsw4sh4Cr1KR4-nW/w640-h426/geograph-7306723-by-Gordon-Hatton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><i>'Pendennis Castle' at Didcot Railway Centre - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/4820" title="View profile">Gordon Hatton</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7306723">geograph.org.uk/p/7306723</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Avid railway enthusiasts will know that ‘Pendennis Castle's’ claim to fame dates from 1925 when the GWR lent the locomotive to the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). This was to carry out trials against Sir Nigel Gresley's large new <span>Pacifics, </span></span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">exemplified by No .4472 ‘<i>Flying Scotsman</i>’. Working 16-coach trains on the East Coast main line (ECML) from King's Cross to Doncaster, and King's Cross to Grantham, the loco thoroughly out-performed its larger competitors and covered itself in glory (not forgetting copious amounts of soot!). 4079 made the ascent from King's</span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span> Cross to Finsbury Park in under six minutes, an achievement that the Gresley Pacifics were unable to match. The exploits of the loco were the talk of every schoolboy in Britain.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>Later in the same year, the GWR decided to send 'Pendennis Castle' to the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. It was stood alongside 'Flying Scotsman' adorned with a notice proclaiming it to be 'The most powerful passenger express locomotive in Britain'. I doubt that the LNER would have been too pleased about this at the time, though.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dVIleBbiM5Y" width="650" youtube-src-id="dVIleBbiM5Y"></iframe></div><span><span>GWR Pendennis Castle 4079 - Hamersley Iron Pilbara Railway - Western Australia - 23rd July 1984 - Video </span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@railwayarchives" spellcheck="false">Railway Archives</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">4079 was initially allocated to Old Oak Common locomotive depot (which sadly no longer exists) and operated on routes to South Wales and the West Country. When the 'Big Four' were nationalised in 1948 to form British Rail, the loco moved and was allocated to Hereford<i>. </i>Between November 1948 and 1964 it had several allocations including: Gloucester, Stafford Road, Bristol Bath Road, Taunton, Swindon*, and St Phillips Marsh, which was to be its final shed allocation before it was withdrawn in May 1964. * Whilst allocated at Swindon, the engine was put into storage for nearly a year.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M-vN3nZXlV-bgUj4KpHSXFLR85I-tR9GFzmoib_MDFwZd2lLgYhx3CwjoC4CSCbdCWPXvGfYpqUKMXCtgNFJqecq4IciTRn2SFeGOE4XIxn9YeBHfo6Jd3GAX3iow_15FoImyNjbz8WHqL1BjcAbLNB7dOWi9L3gg9aSDTWguRwGKmPw8gVCxNnq/s1500/328540823_3429799783964390_3044554230588223280_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M-vN3nZXlV-bgUj4KpHSXFLR85I-tR9GFzmoib_MDFwZd2lLgYhx3CwjoC4CSCbdCWPXvGfYpqUKMXCtgNFJqecq4IciTRn2SFeGOE4XIxn9YeBHfo6Jd3GAX3iow_15FoImyNjbz8WHqL1BjcAbLNB7dOWi9L3gg9aSDTWguRwGKmPw8gVCxNnq/w640-h426/328540823_3429799783964390_3044554230588223280_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><i>Ian Allan: Rail Tour 8/8/65 - Newly preserved Collett 4-6-0 No. 4079 Pendennis Castle at Shipton-under-Wychwood on the return leg of this untitled out-and-back tour from Paddington to Worcester - Photo </i></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>© Mike Morant</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">On 9th May 1964 a special train was arranged by the Western Region (WR) to run from London Paddington to Plymouth. This was to commemorate the run of <i>'City of Truro' </i>on the 9th May 1904 when it was officially recorded as reaching a speed of over 100mph. At the time, it was said to be the first time that a steam locomotive had achieved this milestone. Upon arrival at Westbury, all was not well with </span></span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>'Pendennis Castle', where it was discovered that it had melted its firebars due to the heat of the fire. This was blamed on the provision of coal with an unusually high calorific value, which caused the fire to burn white-hot as the locomotive's speed exceeded 90 mph. British Rail had intentionally sourced the coal.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>It is understood that this specially screened coal was supplied as a well meaning gesture in the knowledge that the Castle would be deliberately pushed as close to 100 mph on its last scheduled service - A fitting send-off in many respects. It was reported that the locomotive achieved a speed of 96 mph before it was removed at Westbury. There were no other Castles available at Westbury with the nearest being at Taunton, thus it was left to 'Capel Dewi Hall' to take the train onto Taunton. Research suggests that the final leg of the journey to Plymouth was put in the capable hands to 7025 'Sudeley Castle'. Following withdrawal, 4079 was purchased from British Rail for preservation by Mike Higson.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGd0s2-mKufkeNR-MKbcQNaxJL4W1A11-NWwGuqZfKNu4f6TJzf1tABK8IPmQENNvskH8bGdcH5qLkxdAAKZJRp0bcf8loQCproCBuQZ_bX8kvAC-aRy6JSmCAYb6DohQe8cYAM9ytsoCd5OORDC1lD9pO4ODmBCdMzhC2z90zqek2O_qQMacEzC6a/s926/GWR_4079_Pendennis_Castle_at_Chester_General.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="713" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGd0s2-mKufkeNR-MKbcQNaxJL4W1A11-NWwGuqZfKNu4f6TJzf1tABK8IPmQENNvskH8bGdcH5qLkxdAAKZJRp0bcf8loQCproCBuQZ_bX8kvAC-aRy6JSmCAYb6DohQe8cYAM9ytsoCd5OORDC1lD9pO4ODmBCdMzhC2z90zqek2O_qQMacEzC6a/w492-h640/GWR_4079_Pendennis_Castle_at_Chester_General.jpg" width="492" /></a></div></i></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>GWR 4079 Pendennis Castle at Chester General before hauling the return Birkenhead Flyer to Birmingham, 4th March 1967 - <span><span><span>Photo © 8474tim </span></span></span><span><span><span>(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>)</span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span> </span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span>The locomotive put in an appearance at one of the Great Western Society's (GWS) first open days in 1965. By 1967 she had been sold to Sir William McAlpine and the Honourable John Gretton, having been relocated to the former GWR depot at Didcot (this was shortly before the GWS established the Didcot Railway Centre). Whilst GWS was assembling its collection at Didcot, the engine did the odd excursion before making its next public appearance in 1971. In 1972, it was moved to Market Overton, Rutland and then further relocated to Steamtown, Carnforth by 1975 - The former LMS depot.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46969874324_6addadf8f4_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46969874324_6addadf8f4_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><i>Pendennis pulls away from Newport near Caerleon on 6th April 1974 - Photo </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span>
<a class="owner-name truncate" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25640353@N05/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1675170744401_2157" title="Go to Andrew Bell’s photostream">Andrew Bell</a> - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2eyyTeo" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/2eyyTeo</a></i></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span><i><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDKJ0G5gBh5Ccsx-cfHOyKuA_BLbH77icA6-0UVLTedeIyz8mqj-jPoD3ALWQ8Th0byPvJWR-2jo3hZK3SdO6uKa-u-W-vobPoz_Z92RzvxICBLV444v3o7gIZ85sZkOCJ94TsCf_6mIwK-KITEXyyWWlZ8FVCk7UIno0xWZbW0gBu6ZwzIoRCpRr/s3900/GWR_Collett_%20Castle%20_Class_4-6-0_No.4079_-_29914581092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="3900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDKJ0G5gBh5Ccsx-cfHOyKuA_BLbH77icA6-0UVLTedeIyz8mqj-jPoD3ALWQ8Th0byPvJWR-2jo3hZK3SdO6uKa-u-W-vobPoz_Z92RzvxICBLV444v3o7gIZ85sZkOCJ94TsCf_6mIwK-KITEXyyWWlZ8FVCk7UIno0xWZbW0gBu6ZwzIoRCpRr/w640-h426/GWR_Collett_%20Castle%20_Class_4-6-0_No.4079_-_29914581092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span>GWR Collett "Castle" Class 4-6-0 No.4079 "Pendennis Castle" with single chimney, 2-row superheater and Collett 4,000 gll tender in 1923 GWR lined green livery. Pictured at Carnforth Steam Museum, 05/75 - Photo </span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span>
<a class="owner-name truncate" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/camperdown/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1674989459270_11097" title="Go to Hugh Llewelyn’s photostream">Hugh Llewelyn</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>)</i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">In 1977 the locomotive was sold once again, but this time to owners and a location far from her home territory - Hamersley Iron - one of the largest iron ore producers in Australia. The intention was for 'Pendennis Castle' to be used on excursion trains on the company's 240-mile ore-carrying railway in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. 4079 left England on the 2nd June 1977 after its farewell run at the head of the <i>Great Western Envoy</i> from Birmingham to Didcot and back on the 29th May. The loco was shipped to Sydney aboard the cargo ship <i>Mishref</i>, having been loaded at Avonmouth Docks. Once 'Down Under' on the 12th July 1977, she was cared for by the Pilbara Railways Historical Society, formed by Hamersley employees. The loco worked many excursion trains through the Chichester Ranges.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eWMinDnsnOs" width="650" youtube-src-id="eWMinDnsnOs"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Pendennis Castle, Dampier, Western Australia - Video </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellFreeway" spellcheck="false">Mitchell Freeway</a></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m-UrRi2Ig3s" width="650" youtube-src-id="m-UrRi2Ig3s"></iframe></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Flying Scotsman and Pendennis Castle in Western Australia 1989 - Video </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@railwayarchives" spellcheck="false">Railway Archives</a></i></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">Whilst in Australia, a highlight for the 'Castle' was being reunited with her old LNER rival 'Flying Scotsman' in Perth in 1989. This was the climax of a tour during the country’s bicentennial celebrations, which also involved Australian legend '3801'. Unfortunately, due to increasing traffic on the Hamersley railway combined with operational difficulties, 4079 was stored out of use for several years. Her final run took place on the 14th October 1994. Since 1978 the loco had carried the name 'River Fe' (River of Iron) and by the mid-90s, Hamersley Iron were looking at possible options, due to an uncertain operational future for the loco, twined with the fact that the boiler ticket had expired and repairs were deemed uneconomical. The key concern was to find a new home along with a secure future, factoring in her English heritage.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/4653/25605332397_becd9056cf_6k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4653/25605332397_becd9056cf_6k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span>Great Western Castle class No. 4079 "Pendennis Castle" pictured inside Didcot shed, during a Timeline events photo charter - Photo </span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span>
<a class="owner-name truncate" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/42802953@N03/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1675008369670_2226" title="Go to Andrew Edkins’s photostream">Andrew Edkins</a> - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/F1E2fe" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/F1E2fe</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>In the early days of 2000, the decision was made to offer 'Pendennis Castle' to the Great Western Society (GWR). In exchange for this. the society agreed to pay for the repatriation of the loco, and to restore her to full main-line running condition. The Castle was formally presented to the GWS by Hamersley Iron on the 19th April 2000. It was moved from Dampier to Perth by road, before being shipped to Avonmouth Docks on the 24th April 2000. After a voyage lasting 10 weeks, 'Pendennis Castle' returned to British soil in the 8th July 2000, some 23 years, 1 month and 8 days after she left for Australia. An interesting fact is that it became only the second locomotive after Flying Scotsman to circumnavigate the glove, having travelled to Australia via the Suez Canal and returning via the Panama Canal. Quite an achievement!</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51988220996_1179a1f1be_3k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="800" height="403" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51988220996_1179a1f1be_3k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><i>4079 was ready to run to the Port of Fremantle for its return to the United Kingdom - Photo </i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<a class="owner-name truncate" data-track="attributionNameClick" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/20941012@N05/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1675170283451_1967" title="Go to 8888transportpix’s photostream">8888transportpix</a> - <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2nd2dRS" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/2nd2dRS</a></i></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmcuc4SBvtxhCxS5YYuXIG5FK8oOXSjrBobS32Kpa9IfZ8k7aNQgX1DqEMfMWjaOegqRfXjKEdlle3nwUg1i593y5Xd0l4PAE5SjymTzptYBoaRyA3HuH6lA3MzwAV4Pu5ig7VFbK0CDpd6TdUDnE_0SHgdChRan8vc-vCgYE0xPlhF-0L_zB3Md3/s4048/GWR_Pendennis_Castle_Didcot_Restoration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3040" data-original-width="4048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmcuc4SBvtxhCxS5YYuXIG5FK8oOXSjrBobS32Kpa9IfZ8k7aNQgX1DqEMfMWjaOegqRfXjKEdlle3nwUg1i593y5Xd0l4PAE5SjymTzptYBoaRyA3HuH6lA3MzwAV4Pu5ig7VFbK0CDpd6TdUDnE_0SHgdChRan8vc-vCgYE0xPlhF-0L_zB3Md3/w640-h480/GWR_Pendennis_Castle_Didcot_Restoration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span>GWR 4079 Pendennis Castle undergoing restoration at Didcot - Photo © </span></span></span></span></span></span><a class="extiw" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Chowells" title="en:User:Chowells">Chowells</a><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span><span><span><span>(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>)</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Once back at Didcot Railway Centre, restoration work on the loco had started by the mid-2000s and the tender was completed in 2015. The restoration project took longer than anticipated due to the tired state that the loco was in when it returned from Australia. Its last major overhaul was reportedly completed in 1987 after taking well over 2 years to complete. 'Pendennis Castle' was returned to steam for the first time in August 2021 and officially relaunched at a special event at Didcot Railway Centre on the 2nd April 2022. Also present for the occasion was Great Western Railway's Class 57 No. 57604, which shares the same name. Next year marks the centenary of 4079 so it'll be a year of significance. </span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zosR2DgqmHY" width="650" youtube-src-id="zosR2DgqmHY"></iframe></div><span>Pendennis Returns | Didcot Railway Centre - 'Launch of Pendennis Castle' 02/04/2022 - Video </span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></span></span></span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheSouthernerYTChannel" spellcheck="false">TheSoutherner</a></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>It's been several years since a member of the Castle Class has visited us at the GWSR, so to have 4079 will be a sight to behold. Those of you who are well acquainted with the railway, particularly in preservation, will know that over the years we have had visits from a number of engines from the class, including; 5051 </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>Earl Bathurst (</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>Drysllwyn Castle) in 2010, 7029 Clun Castle in 1995, and 5080 Defiant </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>(Ogmore Castle)</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span> in 1990. Fingers crossed for more Castles in the future. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMzn8kgRPhykapem2vuX0FInrME_GldmsL-l9WviY9io-wZ7OzGySzMU6AdJpmntfzEnFJi4PhAPc67U8azxfxJZ1OdNuvZyox1JKObwbnTFNo7mAwNS9Coalj2vOY-iVPhAhKWArsJ0GsmWgvOxO8Yd77Njc0S1SjFOZGFbA-7ZhyUzErA6Ve4d6/s852/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="852" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMzn8kgRPhykapem2vuX0FInrME_GldmsL-l9WviY9io-wZ7OzGySzMU6AdJpmntfzEnFJi4PhAPc67U8azxfxJZ1OdNuvZyox1JKObwbnTFNo7mAwNS9Coalj2vOY-iVPhAhKWArsJ0GsmWgvOxO8Yd77Njc0S1SjFOZGFbA-7ZhyUzErA6Ve4d6/w640-h350/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">CFoS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span>In home locomotive news, further progress has been made with 7820 & 35006.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span>Winter maintenance and work is ongoing to prepare Dinmore Manor for her 'Cold Exam'.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-RHMyzLTvJhyOdjcPbFOjD1DuIjPb361PLhUa0K-bY357jry74U_kpGrE_VgwRuQeuRZ8trKiY-RJp2fRep53lhRwrokjjQMREiJy3efvdR_b3ATlnzp_x0GRudW9TIHAf3VZH6_SUJByNVq4zx1wd4HRlalsk3JfzEoA0Q53F4RFahLDCyF2Bep/s1599/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-28%20at%2014.29.21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-RHMyzLTvJhyOdjcPbFOjD1DuIjPb361PLhUa0K-bY357jry74U_kpGrE_VgwRuQeuRZ8trKiY-RJp2fRep53lhRwrokjjQMREiJy3efvdR_b3ATlnzp_x0GRudW9TIHAf3VZH6_SUJByNVq4zx1wd4HRlalsk3JfzEoA0Q53F4RFahLDCyF2Bep/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-28%20at%2014.29.21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>Dinmore Manor's tender undergoing cleaning and maintenance - Photo courtesy of Keith Smith</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span>The tender has been given a thorough clean both internally and externally to remove any built-up muck and detritus. Additional work included greasing and re-oiling underneath, applying a coat of bitumen in the coal space, and cleaning out the water tank. A fairly ugly dent in the fireman's locker lid was discovered and subsequently bashed out. Both locker lids were wire-brushed down due to a lot of rust and surface damage, which was followed by the application of green primer. These will need a layer of undercoat and black glossing. Most of the required work on the tender is now complete.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY2iFU2uTE6RpQXX_SlagcJexTy6XLGBgoqu0UrLr4lztT97L1kslsqacTqarFGQuZ0xj-kkSWsnmy6-XckxriRULzWqunx8BgGSqr5wQs8v2Q-5yOA7dmeHSRgyrNyaUfxar2SeVLAd5q5BKLSnLj4fYGpiAChp6nt1alBQ3CDIXPpAvGiCZgjXC/s1599/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-28%20at%2014.30.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY2iFU2uTE6RpQXX_SlagcJexTy6XLGBgoqu0UrLr4lztT97L1kslsqacTqarFGQuZ0xj-kkSWsnmy6-XckxriRULzWqunx8BgGSqr5wQs8v2Q-5yOA7dmeHSRgyrNyaUfxar2SeVLAd5q5BKLSnLj4fYGpiAChp6nt1alBQ3CDIXPpAvGiCZgjXC/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-28%20at%2014.30.06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>Photo courtesy of Keith Smith</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">P&O's drivers side connecting rods have now been refitted after being re-white metalled, ready for the loco to undergo a 'Cold Exam' - This exam is carried out annually by a boiler inspector and required before any steam testing takes place. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpHQWNa1dATift54E0JsJG6rJJUvKbWGy86Xk5_UkkPR9_XU6wBQoqy79flMGmrpLLgpwW0I_QMzscsjK0ZU6niBR4and-jDRA4FuhAvEuE6xb6Mh9GwoZVEUsllbKf041zuMh5VnO452XAKu8qlEX-Zaw7-OkggH_bERq3azjjxLB3cOJk5JXqpm/s2048/328091776_871015077468922_697548006891031403_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpHQWNa1dATift54E0JsJG6rJJUvKbWGy86Xk5_UkkPR9_XU6wBQoqy79flMGmrpLLgpwW0I_QMzscsjK0ZU6niBR4and-jDRA4FuhAvEuE6xb6Mh9GwoZVEUsllbKf041zuMh5VnO452XAKu8qlEX-Zaw7-OkggH_bERq3azjjxLB3cOJk5JXqpm/w640-h480/328091776_871015077468922_697548006891031403_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>Bob, Chris and David at the helm - Photo courtesy of Steve Parker</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQCc1Ksp2Ne1jf3XZN4GaMr2U3VXb5LU6pHKjrjmzsreNkzESPGNeT1Ep6Qp1pGQJmDQH0LW50F9w4vkWqqbLNhn_ZHBUEVUSb6gkbHdG6pVmmbCell2qj40bNjaMVRR97ASJ-cGcpSFvbxJzH_GXhcn_-1o4Xv-o-ZjeST-sLsvutoHUfkfAx9Uk/s2048/327964928_724552372357875_4896223867080928251_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQCc1Ksp2Ne1jf3XZN4GaMr2U3VXb5LU6pHKjrjmzsreNkzESPGNeT1Ep6Qp1pGQJmDQH0LW50F9w4vkWqqbLNhn_ZHBUEVUSb6gkbHdG6pVmmbCell2qj40bNjaMVRR97ASJ-cGcpSFvbxJzH_GXhcn_-1o4Xv-o-ZjeST-sLsvutoHUfkfAx9Uk/w640-h480/327964928_724552372357875_4896223867080928251_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>All back together</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> - Photo courtesy of Steve Parker</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i> </i><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span>I started this blog with the subject of Castles (albeit those of the sandy variety!) and so I'll finish with this video of 5043 '<i>Earl of Mount Edgcumbe'</i>. I was never fortunate to see a steam locomotive at speed on family jaunts up & down the M5.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A4r5SklgMCU" width="650" youtube-src-id="A4r5SklgMCU"></iframe></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><i>GWR Castle Class No. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe races alongside the M5 motorway in Devon with the returning Cornishman railtour which ran from Bristol to Plymouth and back. 28th April 2012 - Video </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bigben5051" target="_blank">bigben5051</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Important Note</b>: New websites were launched earlier this week for both the GWSR and the GWRT, thus any pre-existing bookmarks to the main blog page via the old GWSR website will no longer work. The new websites can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a> (GWSR) and <a href="https://www.gwrt.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.gwrt.org.uk/</a> (GWRT).<br /><br />All of the departmental blogs can now be found on a new main blog page here: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/knowledge/blogs</a>. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span>Until next time folks, further news and announcements are on the way! <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></div></div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com3Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-82501057920217576632023-01-28T18:30:00.006+00:002023-01-29T14:31:13.788+00:00Has anyone seen Braveheart recently?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-UXD6evpkygwE4aaoLVrRYIVuBBajZh7aWyp0eHhxVSbn4yNvE3nC0diKGGIga445axCMcoMnJtDdOKAs3_G3ecsEQagrwKBQw2VojWXz13HK9z0Yiq-yLAyF8TqJqPbidr7nFXrX6H1ZSR0Eu9yYbfEI_xs_RsKzOKBkog4ncy7RzF3oPiTBw7h/s4096/327707726_1265294777355674_1217998538137437814_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2792" data-original-width="4096" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-UXD6evpkygwE4aaoLVrRYIVuBBajZh7aWyp0eHhxVSbn4yNvE3nC0diKGGIga445axCMcoMnJtDdOKAs3_G3ecsEQagrwKBQw2VojWXz13HK9z0Yiq-yLAyF8TqJqPbidr7nFXrX6H1ZSR0Eu9yYbfEI_xs_RsKzOKBkog4ncy7RzF3oPiTBw7h/w640-h436/327707726_1265294777355674_1217998538137437814_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 4 '4-6-0' No 75014 - Photo courtesy of Kenny Felstead</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Upon reading this blog title your first thought may well have been "Why is he asking about Braveheart?". Well, there is in fact good reason for this. Now I could say that Sir William Wallace will be making an appearance at the railway this year, although that would be quite an achievement, considering the fact that the man himself shuffled off this mortal coil on 23rd August 1305. However, if you're an avid viewer of either 'Doctor Who' or 'Outlander', then we're led to believe that time travel is indeed possible. Personally, I'd prefer to travel in the Tardis as opposed to running at a large block of stone and hoping for the best - I'm ever the optimist as some of you know, but I do have my limits! I would give Platform 9 ¾ a try.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>"Is Mel Gibson paying us a visit then?" I hear you ask, who directed, produced and starred as the protagonist in the 1995 historical drama film 'Braveheart'. Sadly, I hate to disappoint folks, but I understand he has other plans at the moment. Therefore, I think it's about time that I cut to the chase as it were. If you've been following our social media channels over the past week then you'll be no stranger to the fact that </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>BR Standard Class 4 '4-6-0' No 75014 has appeared, not to mention the rather obvious photographs posted up on here. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>75014 is named 'Braveheart' after the aforementioned film. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDp_j839GYwpYfTvsNgBBMf-rLcUKY-41ZABkN9cJbPjpMneS_BlGCRNFM5aJsTdILmiSzW4zfM7UGXeZPa5yauqIfMQ653ciK60Sm_GrP99SyupLcYwGtFKIEu5WptIMXXpaJfrxWeh15JZGu_TMq55m-b_ZLHSIpJz44owX1rMRaC91XegKaSYM/s4096/327703921_569246631777126_7207510601274368142_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2730" data-original-width="4096" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDp_j839GYwpYfTvsNgBBMf-rLcUKY-41ZABkN9cJbPjpMneS_BlGCRNFM5aJsTdILmiSzW4zfM7UGXeZPa5yauqIfMQ653ciK60Sm_GrP99SyupLcYwGtFKIEu5WptIMXXpaJfrxWeh15JZGu_TMq55m-b_ZLHSIpJz44owX1rMRaC91XegKaSYM/w640-h426/327703921_569246631777126_7207510601274368142_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>BR Standard Class 4 '4-6-0' </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>No 75014 </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>- Photo courtesy of Kenny Felstead</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>For those of you not au fait with the likes of social media, you've probably worked out by now that 75014 'Braveheart' will be heading up to see us, and thus we’re pleased to announce the 'Standard' as our first guest loco for the Cotswold Festival of Steam (CFoS) between the 12th & 14th May 2023, courtesy of the Dartmouth Steam Railway. BR Standard Class 4s were regulars around the Gloucester area in steam days, and this is third time lucky for us, as she was originally scheduled to visit for the 2020 gala, and we all know what happened there! Anyway, onwards and upwards folks! <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Not only will 75014 be visiting for our gala, she will also be calling GWSR home from the start of the season until the prestigious CFoS event. Don't miss your chance to see her on a rare trip away from her home railway! I must confess that I'm more than a tad excited about this as I am ever so slightly biased towards BR 'Standards'. Hopefully, one of these days we'll host my favourite of the three Standard 4 variants, this being the mighty 2-6-4 Tank. I have raised the subject of either 80135 or 80136 with my cousin who just happens to be a Fireman on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), although 80135 is currently undergoing restoration. Either way, it's a class of loco on my lengthy 'Bucket List'.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1_tZ5xgZPGjBrva-bZ5gYNy1ld56-9KRwnO-caFw2sRuQgzynIoo9QxuPfdRjMKH9-PBwbUFXya6W6w--ujOZBsZ7l9SuNqe3N3DMqNN_bwnEDgGx7FYnX4Jw2wWRU6_o1eMbgR-XeAhDQ63FZgwkLrg44jK6_b6AsOAs8lUhx5LFrvn_IhKYRq-/s800/geograph-5858823-by-David-Dixon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1_tZ5xgZPGjBrva-bZ5gYNy1ld56-9KRwnO-caFw2sRuQgzynIoo9QxuPfdRjMKH9-PBwbUFXya6W6w--ujOZBsZ7l9SuNqe3N3DMqNN_bwnEDgGx7FYnX4Jw2wWRU6_o1eMbgR-XeAhDQ63FZgwkLrg44jK6_b6AsOAs8lUhx5LFrvn_IhKYRq-/w640-h480/geograph-5858823-by-David-Dixon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preserved steam locomotive 75014 'Braveheart' stands next to the signal box at Kingswear, terminus of the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The 'signal box' is a new build that houses the company's offices and isn't actually used for signalling - This is controlled from a little box at Britannia Crossing - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43729" title="View profile">David Dixon</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>)
- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5858823">geograph.org.uk/p/5858823</a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r9epDRD44PQ" width="650" youtube-src-id="r9epDRD44PQ"></iframe></div>Paignton & Dartmouth Railway 75014 ‘Braveheart’ 30/09/22 - Video </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>© Wheels in Motion</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">75014 was one of 80 BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 locomotives built between May 1951 and May 1957 at BRs Swindon Works (75000–75079). They were given the power classification of 4MT and supplied with either a BR1B, BR2 or BR2A tender, the latter two being the most common in use with the class, along with a Route Availability of 4 (RA4). The class were designed for mixed traffic work on secondary routes where the BR Standard Class 5 and their predecessors, the 'Black Fives', were too heavy. The characteristics of the class were very similar to those of the GWR Manor Class, and to all intents and purposes, they were essentially a tender version of the Standard 4 2-6-4T. It's a perfect fit for the GWSR.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The arrival of 75014 will neatly fill the gap following the expiry of Churchward 2-8-0T 4270's boiler certificate in January.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9RG2VFr7Q-FEsyMVySgh8OkRRpyODkEsl5v_uPvYXsISS0TLKCZ8B_420Hz1mlqijBfItluLmfc42Pz9bTDFayQgKJR9eFENrrKHTye8aagWso05wXnfJURVXVG3mANDXGKVO1lw0apKazx2k2CbLd7iG6MRXiQ7CGCgtJNucgtq0akHJsMebrbg/s800/geograph-5858619-by-David-Dixon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9RG2VFr7Q-FEsyMVySgh8OkRRpyODkEsl5v_uPvYXsISS0TLKCZ8B_420Hz1mlqijBfItluLmfc42Pz9bTDFayQgKJR9eFENrrKHTye8aagWso05wXnfJURVXVG3mANDXGKVO1lw0apKazx2k2CbLd7iG6MRXiQ7CGCgtJNucgtq0akHJsMebrbg/w640-h480/geograph-5858619-by-David-Dixon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>75014 'Braveheart' leaves Churston Station, headed for Kingswear - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43729" title="View profile">David Dixon</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5858619">geograph.org.uk/p/5858619</a></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the mid-1950s these useful BR mixed traffic engines started putting in appearances around Cheltenham and, as previously mentioned, Gloucester. The engines were distributed throughout Britain except on the Eastern Region (an order for ten - which would have been 75080-89 for the ER - was cancelled). Gloucester Horton Road and Barnwood sheds had allocations of them for a time, as did Worcester, Tyseley, Cardiff Canton and Bristol Barrow Road, the engines working regularly through the area. Swindon's allocation occasionally worked pick-up goods services between Andover and Cheltenham on the Midland and South Western Junction Railway (M&SWJR) route. They were well travelled locos.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSvXjzWIaJn2QIJUa2tkok1inyh__ooJ4TZQeh-LxOvo5V_sl6IVpm_yh_cd-fczWdEx_EFFoc7wCtAF3bmAXsVutrjFnTyTxAsz4tkBgTiyyLIhc7xBsil-Dx5P8vmODSpZSAD1m2pRYsIJjGEyPxwJIiVKdeZVP9EPn5qiA21sXjwcHGvinD9Qt/s4320/geograph-5428767-by-Michael-Dibb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSvXjzWIaJn2QIJUa2tkok1inyh__ooJ4TZQeh-LxOvo5V_sl6IVpm_yh_cd-fczWdEx_EFFoc7wCtAF3bmAXsVutrjFnTyTxAsz4tkBgTiyyLIhc7xBsil-Dx5P8vmODSpZSAD1m2pRYsIJjGEyPxwJIiVKdeZVP9EPn5qiA21sXjwcHGvinD9Qt/w640-h480/geograph-5428767-by-Michael-Dibb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">75014, having set back onto the carriages, sets off towards Paignton. Seen from the level crossing - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/41544" title="View profile">Michael Dibb</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5428767">geograph.org.uk/p/5428767</a></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">75014 was out-shopped at Swindon in December 1951 and was initially allocated to Patricroft. Between September 1953 and May 1967, the loco was allocated to a number of Motive Power Depots (MPD) including; Llandudno Junction, Chester, Mold Junction, Bletchley, Stoke and Croes Newydd. Of particular note is the fact that she was allocated to Tyseley in 1964, so it's plausible that she might then have worked over what is today the GWSR. After just 15 years of British Rail service, she was withdrawn from duty in December 1966 and sold to Woodham Brothers for scrap. 75014 made its way to Barry scrapyard in October 1967 where it languished until February 1981. In a dilapidated state, the loco was bought by a syndicate based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where it was restored and subsequently returned to steam in 1994. This was the first time the engine had steamed in preservation since being withdrawn in 1966. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAF0GLP6k5FOrKVsMfpNshOggZqY-oljXFX9jxJ2Qhfz9RMQvW0Ez4VnFgAPdATv0KNrlYAcdlwflm4WnXDIgcQ5yAy3PdsN43c9PIVIdvqaSMPIIK4NkhLuli-AmWHda16wkmY5F8u8h9GFUOX2J-v2Hdj7k-KBnFCisb7pq3QlVVLNRjeDRnGiU/s640/geograph-7314303-by-Chris-Allen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAF0GLP6k5FOrKVsMfpNshOggZqY-oljXFX9jxJ2Qhfz9RMQvW0Ez4VnFgAPdATv0KNrlYAcdlwflm4WnXDIgcQ5yAy3PdsN43c9PIVIdvqaSMPIIK4NkhLuli-AmWHda16wkmY5F8u8h9GFUOX2J-v2Hdj7k-KBnFCisb7pq3QlVVLNRjeDRnGiU/w640-h428/geograph-7314303-by-Chris-Allen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>No. 75014 Braveheart is arriving at Kingswear ready for the return to Paignton - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/4264" title="View profile">Chris Allen</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7314303">geograph.org.uk/p/7314303</a></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cubTWEW85Ns" width="650" youtube-src-id="cubTWEW85Ns"></iframe></div>Main Line 1997 WCRC Inverness to Glasgow 75014 - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Video </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>© Derek Penny Main Line Productions</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Between 1995 and 1998, it operated the popular summer 'Jacobite' trains between Fort William and Mallaig. After missing a year, it returned in 2000 where it was given the name 'Braveheart' in recognition of the Mel Gibson film which was predominantly shot in the West Highlands of Scotland. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The syndicate decided to sell the loco in 2002 and the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company were fortunate to become the new owners. The locomotive arrived at its new home during the same year and its boiler ticket expired in 2004. As a result of this, a major overhaul was required. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte51fgDUgduZB6nrU8ZXvuDM0OjwYy_LslJzR3c0lg-ipDkJt8Hme4w8AgM9j17pxljIQmpL56jfLO4nsWKpPaHk5vedV3H9YjYW6VoA3eEapmqfgXw_3gUifYx8vfDW85OtsX4De7AXAs-dK5w_9xIEJqn2JpiR7keVKODAqd1-i4ZVcx7Co1mUJ/s2379/geograph-2421710-by-Stuart-Logan_m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1929" data-original-width="2379" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte51fgDUgduZB6nrU8ZXvuDM0OjwYy_LslJzR3c0lg-ipDkJt8Hme4w8AgM9j17pxljIQmpL56jfLO4nsWKpPaHk5vedV3H9YjYW6VoA3eEapmqfgXw_3gUifYx8vfDW85OtsX4De7AXAs-dK5w_9xIEJqn2JpiR7keVKODAqd1-i4ZVcx7Co1mUJ/w400-h324/geograph-2421710-by-Stuart-Logan_m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>West Highland Railway line near Bad Abrach - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/59596">Stuart Logan</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2421710">geograph.org.uk/p/2421710</a></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vhm7e7Cf6dw" width="650" youtube-src-id="Vhm7e7Cf6dw"></iframe></div></i></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>61264 & 75014 in the West Highlands in September 2000 - Video </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>© Matt Fisher</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The overhaul took several years, particularly in relation to the boiler, requiring many new parts, including a complete new boiler barrel. The loco was eventually returned to service in December 2016. Trials had been conducted earlier in the year in August but its entry into service was unfortunately delayed as a result of problems being discovered with superheater elements. Braveheart is a regular performer and has become a mainstay of steam services on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. Interestingly, a 'OO gauge' model of 75014 in its early BR guise with a BR2 tender is available from Bachmann. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADAicPKp_6cL10KC3W1qI1bf1Tfs4MZfpxH9u5eBqP424o93dXokj6-x87seVUWnX0-5L_RbLX22Kr5JkFzdRlWXhNK5Vys0Nmfb42evqKI2vu1SvHe4cOLaORHg_XvnVVUxEWstm7XI-BkPWDuuOrZaoR3GjvqonHloiXG1aYfhr3jRd2a8djFx0/s2000/geograph-1696081-by-David-P-Howard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADAicPKp_6cL10KC3W1qI1bf1Tfs4MZfpxH9u5eBqP424o93dXokj6-x87seVUWnX0-5L_RbLX22Kr5JkFzdRlWXhNK5Vys0Nmfb42evqKI2vu1SvHe4cOLaORHg_XvnVVUxEWstm7XI-BkPWDuuOrZaoR3GjvqonHloiXG1aYfhr3jRd2a8djFx0/w640-h480/geograph-1696081-by-David-P-Howard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>75014 BR Standard Class 4MT 4-6-0 leaving Grosmont tunnel and passing by the engine sheds on the NYMR - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43368" title="View profile">David P Howard</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1696081">geograph.org.uk/p/1696081</a></i></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">With progress on our very own 'Standard 4' moving along well (76077) this will be another excellent opportunity for the loco crews, fellow steam department volunteers, and of course, our valued visitors to experience a 'Standard 4' up close and personal once again. Many of you will remember the visit of 76017 from The Watercress Line for the Cotswold Festival of Steam event back in May 2017. 76017 is now under new ownership having been moved to Southall last year.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The good news is that we're only a month or so away before the start of our 2023 operating season. Come on sunshine! <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG4XcRdT3Kp_GRbSX1lIi0fKVpNGwSg0oM6-y9Ia_G2irqZhmYbjutwuJsAKrBZpGCgLdBRiv6Gaf7WMDcxUScahZFrg5T-q5zNZYXuGI3Zskm30wD-x7KSmMaH7FamqH5J5Je3PZcXouqKwSk85TPFCtjuJ3jkeyVu_GyHLb2uDEkoEaooNY-0gm/s2732/geograph-7000753-by-Derek-Harper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2209" data-original-width="2732" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG4XcRdT3Kp_GRbSX1lIi0fKVpNGwSg0oM6-y9Ia_G2irqZhmYbjutwuJsAKrBZpGCgLdBRiv6Gaf7WMDcxUScahZFrg5T-q5zNZYXuGI3Zskm30wD-x7KSmMaH7FamqH5J5Je3PZcXouqKwSk85TPFCtjuJ3jkeyVu_GyHLb2uDEkoEaooNY-0gm/w640-h518/geograph-7000753-by-Derek-Harper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>75014 crossing the Broadsands Viaduct - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/5089" title="View profile">Derek Harper</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7000753">geograph.org.uk/p/7000753</a></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzatMDnlPhzbiTaNCczCeAAwQz_PwFEIf_AG0Ga8DSmokx90I8gSVc96pNMLwHKPBMGriMQTtb9jSpcACUDCexbWPfAUisEpbFmZIeKOJd5TfNr8WC2o8br8zvj9_K5pFY-xkyzyWNwwkgvH5ry6TBYxlQ5FTayvcblVr1mC8BnlgEiVo0FAvqUFw/s1024/geograph-7232064-by-Bob-Walters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzatMDnlPhzbiTaNCczCeAAwQz_PwFEIf_AG0Ga8DSmokx90I8gSVc96pNMLwHKPBMGriMQTtb9jSpcACUDCexbWPfAUisEpbFmZIeKOJd5TfNr8WC2o8br8zvj9_K5pFY-xkyzyWNwwkgvH5ry6TBYxlQ5FTayvcblVr1mC8BnlgEiVo0FAvqUFw/w640-h426/geograph-7232064-by-Bob-Walters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>BR 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75014 'Braveheart' waits in a siding alongside the
Paignton & Dartmouth platform to head a departure later on - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/42548" title="View profile">Bob Walters</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7232064">geograph.org.uk/p/7232064</a></i></span></span></span> <br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As we're on the subject of BR Standard 4s, here is a selection of historic photographs with most featuring our 76077.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1it6MzM_SFinx6LljlvFRP_MLrM28V6h0c9VgrPpTHQ3UOxDMRdPy9Ib0fI7v9bKGsoy3dRvXYBo95M4fJcYIixNpH_BoScA5hmZmALcFVe_SN7tRTAp9NW_49Oe6gco7qahk0OlQpSZ3lll-CLq9lqWjxJZOJl5VQrCG6YtmhGiCtSrYKS9LXSr/s9921/76077_1966-04-28_Winwick-ROneg-1406-192-(ZF-8710-49330-1-004)%20copyright%20Rail-Online%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8086" data-original-width="9921" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1it6MzM_SFinx6LljlvFRP_MLrM28V6h0c9VgrPpTHQ3UOxDMRdPy9Ib0fI7v9bKGsoy3dRvXYBo95M4fJcYIixNpH_BoScA5hmZmALcFVe_SN7tRTAp9NW_49Oe6gco7qahk0OlQpSZ3lll-CLq9lqWjxJZOJl5VQrCG6YtmhGiCtSrYKS9LXSr/w640-h522/76077_1966-04-28_Winwick-ROneg-1406-192-(ZF-8710-49330-1-004)%20copyright%20Rail-Online%20copy%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span>76077 at Winwick Junction 28th April 1966 - Photo </span></span><span><span><span>© </span></span></span><span><span>Rail-Online</span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span> </span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRDzyKHi0-kHmTRlWmdqGOyBjyh2cowtlrxsiwrpFA7Zv0KXsXxY529ipnsHiibxn28vFzK0P9qO18b8SiINW3tIaKu4hZudOhdbJKINo9JSZ_C8de7pVHxgXCzolIF3ZlpiOEL4FtT0cC40Ans7GdfgQ9VpPvo4P5eTnivpkCSpeRfGmH327yVjV/s3930/TSLL004%2076077%201967-04-14%20St.Helens-ROneg-1406-788-(ZF-3448-03346-1-003)%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3930" data-original-width="3929" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRDzyKHi0-kHmTRlWmdqGOyBjyh2cowtlrxsiwrpFA7Zv0KXsXxY529ipnsHiibxn28vFzK0P9qO18b8SiINW3tIaKu4hZudOhdbJKINo9JSZ_C8de7pVHxgXCzolIF3ZlpiOEL4FtT0cC40Ans7GdfgQ9VpPvo4P5eTnivpkCSpeRfGmH327yVjV/w640-h640/TSLL004%2076077%201967-04-14%20St.Helens-ROneg-1406-788-(ZF-3448-03346-1-003)%20copy%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>76077 shunts at St Helens 14th April 1967 - Her last year of operation - Photo </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span> Rail-Online<br /> </span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsNet9C6mSJ26uVUk0nlWqMzFKTSjTnooTRmobDihMgQGror4svqHebaWT6G6lm7JwLg3IlJ5_bk0BCJ8F7L4IxX5PGJSqE34gRSc57pHktaA9qM1TYOf5iNpBqZlsuvx9_1mnBPxVNrIhMItWiS6qu-W7_7WvC1Tb2t0LtSOrH9nWziwy87Gktiu/s2714/TSLL009%2076077%20at%20Widnes%20Dock%20Junction%205%20August%201967%20J%20Tolson%20copyright%20Colour-Rail%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="2714" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsNet9C6mSJ26uVUk0nlWqMzFKTSjTnooTRmobDihMgQGror4svqHebaWT6G6lm7JwLg3IlJ5_bk0BCJ8F7L4IxX5PGJSqE34gRSc57pHktaA9qM1TYOf5iNpBqZlsuvx9_1mnBPxVNrIhMItWiS6qu-W7_7WvC1Tb2t0LtSOrH9nWziwy87Gktiu/w640-h426/TSLL009%2076077%20at%20Widnes%20Dock%20Junction%205%20August%201967%20J%20Tolson%20copyright%20Colour-Rail%20copy%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4th August 1967 and 76077 is in charge of the LCGB Widnes & Warrington Brake Van Tour - Four months later the engine was withdrawn - Photo </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span>J Jolson, Colour-Rail</span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpQnOOqIh62Xj1Ee8LWeCJMrG5sKsSesO4YDHhtUWJ3WNM0BEYBPAXm5kmmZ58bXe2oJKnhH_kGb27RuR06hSRO7_VX3uPVBcvBItP0f02wnyYDmidX0WXalp6PcnHyywewoOVYK12zwGQlPFtxR-T1HHTWlGI-Xr23hDI2lAuzL4J9CmnJEGFXg5/s3271/TSLL046%2076078+76084+76077%20Sutton%20Oak%20MPD%2003-07-66%20(76084%20Loco%20Ltd%20by%20A%20Ives)%20467%20(1)%20copy%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="3271" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpQnOOqIh62Xj1Ee8LWeCJMrG5sKsSesO4YDHhtUWJ3WNM0BEYBPAXm5kmmZ58bXe2oJKnhH_kGb27RuR06hSRO7_VX3uPVBcvBItP0f02wnyYDmidX0WXalp6PcnHyywewoOVYK12zwGQlPFtxR-T1HHTWlGI-Xr23hDI2lAuzL4J9CmnJEGFXg5/w640-h400/TSLL046%2076078+76084+76077%20Sutton%20Oak%20MPD%2003-07-66%20(76084%20Loco%20Ltd%20by%20A%20Ives)%20467%20(1)%20copy%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Home sweet home - Sutton Oak Depot 3rd July 1966, 76078, 76084 and 76077 - Photo </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span> A Ives, 76084 Loco Ltd<br /> </span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-GBC0xIw8o_cG1ZBeC1RHrC3o8LyOHDN4sy7I8h9j1jh--AasytQ4zeD7V0_j-Ly1PZ4oCBowqrg5oqkPctgyOtRgH4AopVpC0O4Yu5GG1AQe3a7qu_k1K1Oq19QeV8SrXXGJLmHrdPMKMhpfjtVieS9zcaCwx6NhpGe_8Oy1NPyYJr01-ciJpqq/s4825/TSLL05~1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3621" data-original-width="4825" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-GBC0xIw8o_cG1ZBeC1RHrC3o8LyOHDN4sy7I8h9j1jh--AasytQ4zeD7V0_j-Ly1PZ4oCBowqrg5oqkPctgyOtRgH4AopVpC0O4Yu5GG1AQe3a7qu_k1K1Oq19QeV8SrXXGJLmHrdPMKMhpfjtVieS9zcaCwx6NhpGe_8Oy1NPyYJr01-ciJpqq/w640-h480/TSLL05~1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Birth place - Horwich Works in 1957 with 76089 nearing completion - Photo </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span>British Railways / Science & Society Picture Library</span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbC8r2-f0HQcAZ0EGc5n_jGNFatw8We59-zx7sC6v48YSA2CKXPWe9dHGlmwEbuUFobtLLblGrRTXEPydfrvXnL1zuw5ud0bia-mDYcAo94333Hhjbx0NKmluW4pym-p_hw0KuQ8lS2PhGCQ9kh_kZgXeT82pi2FFHrjrFslsb-JMJdklTgAFnzkw/s4712/TSLL06~1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3018" data-original-width="4712" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbC8r2-f0HQcAZ0EGc5n_jGNFatw8We59-zx7sC6v48YSA2CKXPWe9dHGlmwEbuUFobtLLblGrRTXEPydfrvXnL1zuw5ud0bia-mDYcAo94333Hhjbx0NKmluW4pym-p_hw0KuQ8lS2PhGCQ9kh_kZgXeT82pi2FFHrjrFslsb-JMJdklTgAFnzkw/w640-h410/TSLL06~1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Rare sight of 76077 with passenger stock, albeit an ECS at Manchester Exchange, 3rd August 1957 - Photo </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span>© </span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span>N E Preedy/KRM</span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5SB-D2A51Wcl_ZZ0p--zbA-oarO1sbe4AplMwxMZHUNTQ-cwRPOhmkd1t06x_JKBGmZh9fvjtezH9tVgsNHDq8iWm6sfTMjYAhMeMSsviQ5MscVEJOrIIYaSO3jXU-YG4PgyHYU-bBEx0PmhNs5CpBY2_wPCUqH5P0gGOGRJbE6eyeljO1vOaMf1/s1280/Newsround%20tenders%20Colour%20Rail%2076056%20Swanage%2027%20Jul%201963%20T%20B%20Owen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5SB-D2A51Wcl_ZZ0p--zbA-oarO1sbe4AplMwxMZHUNTQ-cwRPOhmkd1t06x_JKBGmZh9fvjtezH9tVgsNHDq8iWm6sfTMjYAhMeMSsviQ5MscVEJOrIIYaSO3jXU-YG4PgyHYU-bBEx0PmhNs5CpBY2_wPCUqH5P0gGOGRJbE6eyeljO1vOaMf1/w640-h426/Newsround%20tenders%20Colour%20Rail%2076056%20Swanage%2027%20Jul%201963%20T%20B%20Owen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Tender subject - Will 76077 have a BR1B such as this attached to 76056 at Swanage on 27th July 1963? - Photo </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span><span>©</span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span> T B Owen</span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span> </span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>Additional photographs of 76077 and its restoration will be covered in a future blog instalment</span></span><span><span>, so please stay tuned. </span></span><i><span><span><br /></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As mentioned earlier in this blog, here's a date for your diaries and an event not to be missed - CFoS 2023. Keep an eye out on here, the GWSR website, and on our Facebook pages for more loco news. Further announcements coming soon.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlWQSFWmAcAkxMYNRbpc0hBbim3Om_B0LQ70aAsGM-XtnfZiq9XA0y6zHrEWHL69vcGPXZw0eMARzRfRHt8CLFTyWMVUsI7p-TMPHoRr_wO--8XUK20CkV-iVpuqyIQ5I8R0XkHj4cNn16TWAxqBmfMjdSW10oXauVtG30RCcRb5gqXZuEeNdbrTS/s852/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="852" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlWQSFWmAcAkxMYNRbpc0hBbim3Om_B0LQ70aAsGM-XtnfZiq9XA0y6zHrEWHL69vcGPXZw0eMARzRfRHt8CLFTyWMVUsI7p-TMPHoRr_wO--8XUK20CkV-iVpuqyIQ5I8R0XkHj4cNn16TWAxqBmfMjdSW10oXauVtG30RCcRb5gqXZuEeNdbrTS/w640-h350/326523106_1244466472948329_5224252096421086635_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Relevant Facebook pages for the Cotswold Festival of Steam and 76077 can be found using the following links: <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">CFoS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">76077 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/76077loco" target="_blank">Standard Locomotive 76077</a></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguareRciYa6HjcKdrgoWZ5ZopCYvZ9BQnn7FYQ4qmNzTDAThWuq_H4En7nWXuQkrj1qfuyQArChqWitupZuv58losh8ZsuE3aTxfv6CpZAdML_G5sA9y-MmVwiJtU4e7xul0RRWSdquoiXYHlNbEWRciSrFgXT_HWKjl4VBTnMKFW5pqrC-FTfrq5v/s1024/geograph-5561989-by-Roger-Cornfoot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1024" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguareRciYa6HjcKdrgoWZ5ZopCYvZ9BQnn7FYQ4qmNzTDAThWuq_H4En7nWXuQkrj1qfuyQArChqWitupZuv58losh8ZsuE3aTxfv6CpZAdML_G5sA9y-MmVwiJtU4e7xul0RRWSdquoiXYHlNbEWRciSrFgXT_HWKjl4VBTnMKFW5pqrC-FTfrq5v/w640-h488/geograph-5561989-by-Roger-Cornfoot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>75014 hauls the 'Pines Express' to Minehead - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/8800" title="View profile">Roger Cornfoot</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5561989">geograph.org.uk/p/5561989</a></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGSq05r3lzkDbnY5pGpzRg78eGLLDg0gWc5dzS6hJ2XuZA_Nyb9AEIaAN7X8LO_nGkxZ5HQdmCpt9GHBArMJ8I7sbB0eOBXvAJomImcx9vCBj28YbKWLr2ryTjP5fdjgGm4NCtFQ58XAc_EoeX9GGtlKFR0Z3NenKAI4xD1Z1UfhEPmhGHg8RHBJg/s1024/geograph-7020515-by-Stephen-Craven.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGSq05r3lzkDbnY5pGpzRg78eGLLDg0gWc5dzS6hJ2XuZA_Nyb9AEIaAN7X8LO_nGkxZ5HQdmCpt9GHBArMJ8I7sbB0eOBXvAJomImcx9vCBj28YbKWLr2ryTjP5fdjgGm4NCtFQ58XAc_EoeX9GGtlKFR0Z3NenKAI4xD1Z1UfhEPmhGHg8RHBJg/w640-h480/geograph-7020515-by-Stephen-Craven.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>75014 crosses Waterhead Viaduct - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/6597" title="View profile">Stephen Craven</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7020515">geograph.org.uk/p/7020515</a></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Seen as I started this blog asking if anyone had seen Braveheart recently, I'll leave you with a certain <a href="https://youtu.be/1NJO0jxBtMo" target="_blank">trailer</a> to finish off.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>"There's a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it."</i><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Until next time folks... oh, and by the way, it looks like we're off to the beach!<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com6Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-59718988000331147842023-01-25T17:45:00.004+00:002023-01-25T18:05:45.314+00:00A special day for Dapol, DMLL and the GWSR<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C3XKEs3Mcjj8cWJa2zup-wM9J4kq_P8Q6_ZCDC3rKarBEahE_N1DlL1S9oPSa85blFQX3_08oPKNQ8OwZSLOSbZZj9H5TNTNoBeFmCmFNwoIfAowmmQYy9kKZCX4XAnK4T9FGvRSceijUbZI23wmZxaR7Fgco_HQxnnv6SBB56dO88jSIkRU0-RB/s2048/327446089_528525015765177_8036187135421218939_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C3XKEs3Mcjj8cWJa2zup-wM9J4kq_P8Q6_ZCDC3rKarBEahE_N1DlL1S9oPSa85blFQX3_08oPKNQ8OwZSLOSbZZj9H5TNTNoBeFmCmFNwoIfAowmmQYy9kKZCX4XAnK4T9FGvRSceijUbZI23wmZxaR7Fgco_HQxnnv6SBB56dO88jSIkRU0-RB/w640-h426/327446089_528525015765177_8036187135421218939_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i>Mike Solloway (DMLL), David Holmes (DMLL), Richard Webster (Dapol), Kenneth Sims (DMLL), Richard Winstanley (GWSR), Joel Bright (Dapol) & David Foster (DMLL) - Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett<br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><b><i> </i>JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM DINMORE MANOR LOCOMOTIVE, DAPOL LTD AND THE GWSR PLC <br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><b>Tuesday 24th January 2023</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><b> </b><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;">Thanks to the tremendous generosity of British model railway manufacturer, Dapol, both Dinmore Manor Locomotive and the GWSR have been presented with significant donations by Joel Bright MD of Dapol, which have resulted from the sales of the Limited Edition model of 7820 Dinmore Manor (only 500 models of 7820 were made) and with very few still available now is the time to get yours, they are only available from Dapol via their online shop.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />All 3 versions feature 7820 Dinmore Manor in lined black, her original and current livery.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />She first emerged from Swindon in 1950. 7820 was the first of the 10 BR (WR) Manors and has visited ten heritage lines during her current boiler ticket, proving extremely popular with crews, volunteers and the public alike.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />The limited edition model version has been extremely popular, with the sound version featuring 7820 recorded running on the GWSR recently.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />Both Kenneth Sims, Chairman of Dinmore Manor Locomotive, and Richard Winstanley, Finance Director of GWSR, were present to receive the presentation cheques from Joel Bright MD of Dapol.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />Joel Bright said <i>"Dapol have been proud to be involved with the project and have enjoyed working closely with Dinmore Manor Locomotive. We hope that our donations will support both DMLL & The GWSR. Our exposure in the market and reputation has certainly been enhanced by this project and we hope in the future to co-operate again on other projects."</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDfYwYAtfZWcY4L6KwvuQ648Aaqw5VeJUOA6PjcHAdh6VPXyV0m9dpBr6bTaspfKsvLlmsLzjRrCVWUrCWBxSAAP0fNogwHDPr383-rl_GP6woMKPWIIRvqxvuS88PJ6GWX_U0FXtRreHPkpE0Q62pnG0yZ-IS4arzpfSpmEUgoh8lE9HPreRcnN7/s1280/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDfYwYAtfZWcY4L6KwvuQ648Aaqw5VeJUOA6PjcHAdh6VPXyV0m9dpBr6bTaspfKsvLlmsLzjRrCVWUrCWBxSAAP0fNogwHDPr383-rl_GP6woMKPWIIRvqxvuS88PJ6GWX_U0FXtRreHPkpE0Q62pnG0yZ-IS4arzpfSpmEUgoh8lE9HPreRcnN7/w640-h426/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i>Joel Bright (Dapol) & Richard Winstanley (GWSR) </i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i>- Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</i></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />It is likely that DMLL will use the monies to help with the soon to be completed 10 year overhaul of their other loco 3850, and with 7820 out of traffic at the end of 2023, for her 10 year overhaul, the funds will be a welcome boost to the finances and ensure 3850 is back during 2023. You can still see 7820 running on the GWSR during 2023.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />Richard Winstanley, GWSR Finance Director, said <i>“The funds will equally find a good home at the GWSR, and we are grateful to Dapol and DMLL."</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />Kenneth Sims, in thanking Dapol for their generosity said <i>“We are delighted that this piece of co-operation has been a commercial success for Dapol and we are happy that so many people share our enthusiasm for Dinmore Manor by investing in one of these superb models."</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />Covid caused severe delays in the production of Dapol’s Manors, with the original scheme being negotiated, prior to The Covid outbreak, between Joel Bright of Dapol and David Holmes a DMLL and GWSR active volunteer and volunteer trustee of ex GWR 28xx 2874.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />DMLL were, in part, able to thank Joel and Dapol when Joel and colleague Richard (head of product development at Dapol), were invited to attend DMLL’s shareholder day on the GWSR last year and both had an enjoyable day with copious bacon baps, lunch and the chance to both drive and fire 7820 over part of the line.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />Both DMLL and the GWSR are extremely grateful to Joel and the team at Dapol for their generosity and unstinting support of the heritage railway movement in general.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA51zb_ox9femVlJgOWIXmKwasdiTrq-XdNSSc-hs7iTzMqyor1ofRndDsWoXh8YDSZdwf4CKcUtgb-KUB5KDIbGqnZf6W5xAMvysabD3t7tzVf2Isyz1R-nWDAmjWukG_-WHBZ2UgfZhFvSxtfCCtA-xS8UMV7y0Jm8hzddo0fOALu0Gps6SF9vn-/s1280/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA51zb_ox9femVlJgOWIXmKwasdiTrq-XdNSSc-hs7iTzMqyor1ofRndDsWoXh8YDSZdwf4CKcUtgb-KUB5KDIbGqnZf6W5xAMvysabD3t7tzVf2Isyz1R-nWDAmjWukG_-WHBZ2UgfZhFvSxtfCCtA-xS8UMV7y0Jm8hzddo0fOALu0Gps6SF9vn-/w640-h426/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><i>Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett</i></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;">Dapol Press Release: <a href="https://www.dapol.co.uk/blogs/news/model-success-for-oo-gauge-dinmore-manor-locomotive" target="_blank">https://www.dapol.co.uk/blogs/news/model-success-for-oo-gauge-dinmore-manor-locomotive</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;">GWSR Press Release: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/model_success_for_Dinmore_Manor_locomotive.html" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/model_success_for_Dinmore_Manor_locomotive.html</a> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;">To get your limited edition model of 7820 Dinmore Manor go to:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br /><a href="https://www.dapol.co.uk/collections/steam-locomotives-2?q=Dinmore+Manor" target="_blank">https://www.dapol.co.uk/collections/steam-locomotives-2?q=Dinmore+Manor</a><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />Telephone: 01691 774455</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />For more information about 7820 Dinmore Manor go to: <a href="https://www.dinmoremanor.co.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.dinmoremanor.co.uk/</a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><br />For more information or to plan your visit to the GWSR go to: <a href="https://www.gwsr.com/" target="_blank">https://www.gwsr.com/</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;">Telephone 01242 621405</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"></span></span></div><p></p>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com0Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-8538250167970211972023-01-16T17:00:00.028+00:002023-06-29T11:27:30.003+01:002023 - A Year of Signficance<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38d0U59Ji8JRgJ7kzkUqXUacj096nEsvQJgxOVnQnS7vlxjgMhSnU04irRzJ0HQa0MXTTgH8cLAUMVWtPtAgqoijYYymQre1NV6Og9SAJeJ9fHnkyJao64JJ3ecBPufQjjyeTNOmTnwteDKOitmoMXuHQ1SWkQp58lXIEMLVXaBvmro-02YK1PzED/s2048/4270_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38d0U59Ji8JRgJ7kzkUqXUacj096nEsvQJgxOVnQnS7vlxjgMhSnU04irRzJ0HQa0MXTTgH8cLAUMVWtPtAgqoijYYymQre1NV6Og9SAJeJ9fHnkyJao64JJ3ecBPufQjjyeTNOmTnwteDKOitmoMXuHQ1SWkQp58lXIEMLVXaBvmro-02YK1PzED/w640-h480/4270_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4270 at Toddington Station - 17th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Firstly, I'd like to wish all of you readers a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2023. If you've been following this blog for a while now you'll be no stranger to the fact that 2022 was a rather eventful year for both the railway and the steam department, culminating in a hugely popular festive season with the well patronised Santa & Mince Pie Specials. As much as I love galas and the special events which the railway puts on each year, nothing quite beats the run up to Christmas and the period through to the new year. You won't be surprised to read that I did rather over indulge somewhat!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">On New Year's Day I set myself a target of getting my collapsed temple of a body shipshape (or should that be 'Footplate Ready'!) by the start of our 2023 operating season in March. Whether this is actually achieved remains to be seen, however I am of the optimistic persuasion, so there is at-least a glimmer of hope. That being said, one cannot ignore the proverbial elephant in the room so to speak, and this of course being the stockpile of mince pies stashed away in the freezer. 'A box a day keeps the doctor away!'. I don't think I've got that quite right? I'm sure it was apples the last time I checked. Anyway, I will endeavour to keep you posted on my progress and the railway is a great source of exercise.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bbrc_yqx-xc" width="650" youtube-src-id="Bbrc_yqx-xc"></iframe></div></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7903 'Foremarke Hall' heads through the wintery countryside - Footage courtesy of Dan Wigg</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The festive trains went down a treat with all of our visitors both young and old, and were made even better with the arrival of the white stuff. It all adds to the excitement and I hear that the reindeer were pleased with the snow covered runway. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The cold winter weather does present the department and wider railway with a few challenges though, particularly ice!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOU4YYdFWajrtbNwlZzcf99Q7D-xuwZVEp99SAsvu5S-3tzPgfeWEIkMDAF-keEncOTpf5OpeqAQKRJuQEguflbEnrzRpa9PKy-SH9sabLQ4PrMoYQXsWKVKKcSXpU441XtnXGNOnQb8J3p83e9cHhItFGyCgWi6J6H5utu2hKXVcvi-bvD6jUMYMK/s2048/320504428_2561788488002011_763562420394753138_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOU4YYdFWajrtbNwlZzcf99Q7D-xuwZVEp99SAsvu5S-3tzPgfeWEIkMDAF-keEncOTpf5OpeqAQKRJuQEguflbEnrzRpa9PKy-SH9sabLQ4PrMoYQXsWKVKKcSXpU441XtnXGNOnQb8J3p83e9cHhItFGyCgWi6J6H5utu2hKXVcvi-bvD6jUMYMK/w480-h640/320504428_2561788488002011_763562420394753138_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>An icicle hanging from one of 4270’s injector overflow pipes - Photo courtesy of Steve Parker</i></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gNaoiRGyOi83c5s_q0k8bJ9FZSdHrnlr7vFlgjFB1UyXQAR465TNklVJn1ir9FZjnEGnlGOVHN6LS_Eh2o95dc-zEaJyfmuQOhfVTUo4JcuH1JKIMknOXLgEXn82PGYk7UsySv0qFIcZYVk3nRwQcnnT3xM8xpWM2f_e7C2FYBwsEE_KITqnCZAK/s2048/4270_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gNaoiRGyOi83c5s_q0k8bJ9FZSdHrnlr7vFlgjFB1UyXQAR465TNklVJn1ir9FZjnEGnlGOVHN6LS_Eh2o95dc-zEaJyfmuQOhfVTUo4JcuH1JKIMknOXLgEXn82PGYk7UsySv0qFIcZYVk3nRwQcnnT3xM8xpWM2f_e7C2FYBwsEE_KITqnCZAK/w640-h480/4270_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4270 at Winchcombe Station - 17th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQVuKawNhfoxKkEcpV2Qnt51H3ewb161pYBG881ifYjmPYXV1qg0UARwQIlb5B1QWD2Bkew9Ih1t8EAIolqbivXdsSM51f391DgHA4gwYM6n4rqMbVf502cOArXgZooDNovmkcZ6aADQ2mOakaK4j2F83Zw9MaPJZ2ebtb3WOIPg1ATOn5bWDmCyM/s2048/4270_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQVuKawNhfoxKkEcpV2Qnt51H3ewb161pYBG881ifYjmPYXV1qg0UARwQIlb5B1QWD2Bkew9Ih1t8EAIolqbivXdsSM51f391DgHA4gwYM6n4rqMbVf502cOArXgZooDNovmkcZ6aADQ2mOakaK4j2F83Zw9MaPJZ2ebtb3WOIPg1ATOn5bWDmCyM/w480-h640/4270_3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Hmm, oh look, more delicious food! - 17th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span><br /></div><br /> </i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SRSs3MGJhUoVrhxK48FRkVaRVgO4q1AVmNZSuuXeDEvTouZc-1pr2gupf1_6CF6oobmm6OHf6ml4H1obTzB-9vpi7Bj_rzIR7Sc2yFU67a84QRTcFPhuz3AK3367YxYc3oAtVZ1puT9M6bZ9kjGvFtnNj2naDwc8U-hrTSkzm8-ckDe2ciKsQ6bO/s960/4270_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SRSs3MGJhUoVrhxK48FRkVaRVgO4q1AVmNZSuuXeDEvTouZc-1pr2gupf1_6CF6oobmm6OHf6ml4H1obTzB-9vpi7Bj_rzIR7Sc2yFU67a84QRTcFPhuz3AK3367YxYc3oAtVZ1puT9M6bZ9kjGvFtnNj2naDwc8U-hrTSkzm8-ckDe2ciKsQ6bO/w640-h480/4270_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>'Chef' Briscoe - Would sir like a helping of coal with your sausage? - </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of Ray O'Hara</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">We cannot talk about railways without mention of 'The Railway Children', the classic film from 1970 which I've seen countless times and is usually broadcast at some stage over the festive season. I'd say it's a film which ages like fine wine and is compulsory viewing as far as I'm concerned. Who can forget 'Bobbie' (Jenny Agutter) running down the platform upon sight of her Father amidst a cloud of steam and smoke - 'Daddy! My Daddy!'. A very moving scene indeed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The following clip of the end of the film featuring the aforementioned scene in question needs no further introduction. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nVbT3t0j11M" width="650" youtube-src-id="nVbT3t0j11M"></iframe></div><br />It's pretty remarkable to think that this film is now over 50 years old and at the time of its release, on the 21st December, our very own 4270 was itself over 50 years old. Sadly, as much as we might like it, time is a constant and never stands still. Another unforgettable character was of course, Mr Perks, played brilliantly by Bernard Cribbins who died last year. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>“If you just excuse me young man, I’ve got a lot to do cos the station master is having his haircut in Leeds you see? And Perks must be about it!” <br /><br />“Perks? Who’s Perks?”<br /><br />“ME, SIR! I’M PERKS!”</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As per the above, I give you exhibit A. Fun fact, we have a fireman by the name of Mr Perks, as some of you may know.<i> </i><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Etd2dB2vU8E" width="650" youtube-src-id="Etd2dB2vU8E"></iframe></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As many of you will no doubt be aware, a sequel film was released on the 15th July 2022, titled 'The Railway Children Return'. I must confess that I haven't seen it as yet, thus I am unable to pass comment. I'm sure I'll get round to it eventually.<b> </b>Personally speaking, I think certain films should be left as they are and stand-alone, but I guess these days I'm probably in the minority on that one. Today, everything seems to revolve around 'Franchises', 'Reboots' and 'Sequels'.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d3_FlPSbabpflQbWymg39QWia5GnOOc3cMR_AQndzfDs6P6D7kWwBN35b5dTT78qbtb733IP5zoCI7ZRRNBTiQsb7ow-u1CEyBA7PqFujS9uyvsGbzAIT-4fj4iYYVD04EAa-gFjkYSIYiCAMeXzT3en6VmTzYGDcKRonFJycaZJkUgA4qlmO0wn/s2048/319901559_741577184051663_7552314709123178232_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1688" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d3_FlPSbabpflQbWymg39QWia5GnOOc3cMR_AQndzfDs6P6D7kWwBN35b5dTT78qbtb733IP5zoCI7ZRRNBTiQsb7ow-u1CEyBA7PqFujS9uyvsGbzAIT-4fj4iYYVD04EAa-gFjkYSIYiCAMeXzT3en6VmTzYGDcKRonFJycaZJkUgA4qlmO0wn/w528-h640/319901559_741577184051663_7552314709123178232_n.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><i>Ade with a couple of young visitors on the footplate - </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> Gwendolyne</i><br /> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-d3Ds72B-X0IjhrYdVwqx04OKdyt4n8be6uKK44yCpNXQmrDwDc5WEjSotgcZrIbnOdl06gqbaUlRDlKT54OQeavg4TT_FgrCBfDu4vw18BAGVnBLZ56J-y7rKnHKj456eKQf8VjNyxJ0rD_yJxEaiDSFEUYPbp1QddI_yE73KsBFVdRBA7hebeP/s2048/319056981_10160269037746427_9122756569237565977_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-d3Ds72B-X0IjhrYdVwqx04OKdyt4n8be6uKK44yCpNXQmrDwDc5WEjSotgcZrIbnOdl06gqbaUlRDlKT54OQeavg4TT_FgrCBfDu4vw18BAGVnBLZ56J-y7rKnHKj456eKQf8VjNyxJ0rD_yJxEaiDSFEUYPbp1QddI_yE73KsBFVdRBA7hebeP/w480-h640/319056981_10160269037746427_9122756569237565977_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><i>The sun sets in the distance as 4270 heads away from Cheltenham Racecourse Station </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> Gwendolyne</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /> <b> <br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Wednesday gang to the rescue! </b><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Our Colleagues in Carriage and Wagon were doing some maintenance on a wagon for carrying rail. The vehicle had to go into C&W for inspection and maintenance ready for some track relaying this winter. One of the tasks they needed to perform was to withdraw the two drawhooks and check that they were fit for use. Unfortunately, they were both in need of attention. The first drawhook was bent which needed straightening. The second drawhook was worse and was in fact unfit to be repaired. A third drawhook was removed from a similar vehicle and that was found to be straight and in relatively good condition. However, as they are a safety critical item we need to ensure they are free of cracks. As it is a fairly common process for the steam dept and we have the right kit for straightening things, it's called a Flypress, the Wednesday gang agreed to help. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">We firstly straightened the bent one. There is quite an art to this, getting it straight without looking like a dogs hind leg, and John Hancock of John Hancock Engineering is a dab hand at this. Ably assisted by Martin Clarke they soon had it straight. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirut_3TPwnMP-u4Oui_W5paDd-0WnYz2XnbZYMyMwzOTH4UuK78lfNtggixZuvG4g0pNmJFnldeLphQKoiryMfA8o1YXJyqa3VQU5wNL3S9bRg4CSsTRj09Cc-MRPJ7BfgWdLGoht9VI0Ao5p9NCrJzyqZnCR3S-4668ynFmhs8yyCc2WDm1qAfXaI/s4032/IMG_1654.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirut_3TPwnMP-u4Oui_W5paDd-0WnYz2XnbZYMyMwzOTH4UuK78lfNtggixZuvG4g0pNmJFnldeLphQKoiryMfA8o1YXJyqa3VQU5wNL3S9bRg4CSsTRj09Cc-MRPJ7BfgWdLGoht9VI0Ao5p9NCrJzyqZnCR3S-4668ynFmhs8yyCc2WDm1qAfXaI/w480-h640/IMG_1654.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next was cleaning it and Flawfinder testing. It’s a three part test, first a degreaser to clean it, followed by a red dye. The final spray turns white and if there any cracks the red dye will bleed through. Fortunately we were in luck.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZXdLfVkFz1yiew6REKKqrjFm4xHGsE2mgC9bLLVvpgDsjI3locUjTrFxTfram0csMEeGK4TsJojJXUgbN0n6qbiAOCRlXNiZOGeFuvm_rNk-cJPkXh-aB8F1PV46qRddOz68kLzGK5fZqDkIVASizSlU5_Nzwnd_gf_7FNR9f1Fqf7VRr0OO1Cdv/s4032/IMG_1646.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZXdLfVkFz1yiew6REKKqrjFm4xHGsE2mgC9bLLVvpgDsjI3locUjTrFxTfram0csMEeGK4TsJojJXUgbN0n6qbiAOCRlXNiZOGeFuvm_rNk-cJPkXh-aB8F1PV46qRddOz68kLzGK5fZqDkIVASizSlU5_Nzwnd_gf_7FNR9f1Fqf7VRr0OO1Cdv/w480-h640/IMG_1646.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second drawhook was also cleaned and tested the same way and we were in business both drawhooks fit to go.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38MQ_AIg9ChZ4mMs4v393Hott6BGXl9yNwA28UPXS0m1fno0oVonrGHejyX3N4dk_tYO8s5YKh3kTCnk_r3XOxrFKsprTr4XOz94U7BXLpQHa3vaxgbHrPD2RUvHb5_Blq1OXqf0OK5u9va1-MJhmXTjFsLFoDmrbsndR3BOzr1xSTqFSr9qwu9Ur/s4032/IMG_1655.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38MQ_AIg9ChZ4mMs4v393Hott6BGXl9yNwA28UPXS0m1fno0oVonrGHejyX3N4dk_tYO8s5YKh3kTCnk_r3XOxrFKsprTr4XOz94U7BXLpQHa3vaxgbHrPD2RUvHb5_Blq1OXqf0OK5u9va1-MJhmXTjFsLFoDmrbsndR3BOzr1xSTqFSr9qwu9Ur/w480-h640/IMG_1655.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>John H in the middle, Martin Clarke on the right and Ian Grant on the left - Photo courtesy of John Cruxon</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>The New Year sees us in full swing... </b><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">2023 is a significant year for a number of railway reasons. The 1st January marked 100 years since the commencement of 'The Railways Act 1921', also known as the 'Grouping Act', whereby over 120 railway companies were grouped together to form form four larger companies, known as the 'Big Four'. The newly amalgamated company covering the Western Region was of course, the 'Great Western Railway' (GWR), which retained its name that dates way back to 1835. 2023 marks the end of Churchward 2-8-0T </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270's service, at over 100 years old, having been constructed in 1919.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f9eY8J5g1I1cVWLQN_LmK8fEPBmcrAiN3m4rDt0ApgVnnJNxBwmC9wNw5NkKBB9DPetd8FWJzPj0KiX86epH1djBubMaALQbCCD3qsYvk5EhbOscwFuhbdtmx_QKOixgrWPIR-wfTKx1HjoF00kmJrXM1164eex-XiaBVTfzqah6u9HjpXR69hQe/s2048/323332756_735367857640716_3622189150474547379_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f9eY8J5g1I1cVWLQN_LmK8fEPBmcrAiN3m4rDt0ApgVnnJNxBwmC9wNw5NkKBB9DPetd8FWJzPj0KiX86epH1djBubMaALQbCCD3qsYvk5EhbOscwFuhbdtmx_QKOixgrWPIR-wfTKx1HjoF00kmJrXM1164eex-XiaBVTfzqah6u9HjpXR69hQe/w640-h426/323332756_735367857640716_3622189150474547379_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">A rather shiny looking numberplate. If only my car looked this good! </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">This year also marks 100 years since the construction of the first Collet designed GWR 4073 Castle Class locomotive.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Monday 2nd January 2023</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Monday was the last running day of our 2022 operating season and that duty fell to 35006, 4270 & 37215. It was a fitting end for 4270 as we were blessed with glorious weather and many visitors, enthusiasts and photographers were present. The lucky crew to have the honour of 4270's final day in service were Paul Richardson, Jonathan Perks & Matthew Palmer. Andrew Beale and Andrew Bartlett were rostered to cover the lunch-break on 4270 and then take on 35006. I was not going to miss this day for all the tea in China, so I signed on early and gave the crew a hand with the preparations.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The morning crew for 35006 were John Cruxon, David Jenkins, Ed Brooks & Andrew Briscoe. It was rather busy on shed!</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD1ymGF1-RGTkB1oXW18hU-Du18nopPjFbwyDVOV4w1dxURn1JQaB9qVIsejFTJV_xJSS_gnVmH1u5KTb6mwiLaSojxNWxBSRX6_K1eIcd1IYdMBnCfnDPh96r3Q531uj9rB3P3tL7P_6sSk-6CP35XRgqoDgKK2pTXagfU8-hTkpFApcU8uW9DYs/s2048/322194011_1827689954259450_2340131514380231078_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="945" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD1ymGF1-RGTkB1oXW18hU-Du18nopPjFbwyDVOV4w1dxURn1JQaB9qVIsejFTJV_xJSS_gnVmH1u5KTb6mwiLaSojxNWxBSRX6_K1eIcd1IYdMBnCfnDPh96r3Q531uj9rB3P3tL7P_6sSk-6CP35XRgqoDgKK2pTXagfU8-hTkpFApcU8uW9DYs/w296-h640/322194011_1827689954259450_2340131514380231078_n.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>Your blogger was spotted on 'wood duty' - </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Paul Richardson</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It took a little while before the fire could be lit on 4270 due to the sheer amount of ash and clinker that needed to be removed from the firebox. I assisted Matthew and Jonathan with this task as having three on the job made things slightly easier. We got as much out as we could by raking the grate and using the fire irons. At one point we resorted to filling several buckets by hand after pulling a load forward underneath the fire-hole doors. Not fun when everything around you is still pretty hot from the previous days outing! However, we got there in the end and the grate was left reasonably clean. </span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCTSSSNZk_MfbBFHbeDn8pvwXMxHfrxQjzuCjIMbRogfZ2n-cYXUs86jMOpgUaCTl4_0s-I97--VQS3XC9Ez90jfbQ3NvV3gN2DMlXT_vkg2jh87qZQtsSfvH3l-UTNGLTX6l60gxs9TyaFCCnVwIYeWFmOrgOfnFyHIiyjY1V71ehMqMZduF8RIh/s4032/20230102_070727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1860" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCTSSSNZk_MfbBFHbeDn8pvwXMxHfrxQjzuCjIMbRogfZ2n-cYXUs86jMOpgUaCTl4_0s-I97--VQS3XC9Ez90jfbQ3NvV3gN2DMlXT_vkg2jh87qZQtsSfvH3l-UTNGLTX6l60gxs9TyaFCCnVwIYeWFmOrgOfnFyHIiyjY1V71ehMqMZduF8RIh/w296-h640/20230102_070727.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>Jonathan Perks getting the fire going in 4270 </span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Paul Richardson<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo51fun5yS7hf2eXpGn40eRaBL7t4a5-bF7tMPwCjoUBbNm-H_xbiHNe6vwlFfkOH8lO-zfCz-Hg1cB38A1hXxVR_zP7pFMz8pZyBFasbOPFGtg2uWw--oUC0j2KtmewH8PXJ91CWSZs3PDNZV-wb2y6Ucw4x3_EbMv_dZGnyIsGedXSLwjFQTgL6/s1992/20230102_070730_Edir.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="1860" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo51fun5yS7hf2eXpGn40eRaBL7t4a5-bF7tMPwCjoUBbNm-H_xbiHNe6vwlFfkOH8lO-zfCz-Hg1cB38A1hXxVR_zP7pFMz8pZyBFasbOPFGtg2uWw--oUC0j2KtmewH8PXJ91CWSZs3PDNZV-wb2y6Ucw4x3_EbMv_dZGnyIsGedXSLwjFQTgL6/w598-h640/20230102_070730_Edir.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>Behold, he has seen the light! You are the chosen one!</span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Paul Richardson</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whilst this was going on, Paul continued to oil, check and prep the loco to ensure it was ready for the off. Matthew emptied the smokebox and gave the bodywork a good clean. I decided to tackle below the running board and cleaned the connecting rods & motion, after which I applied a new coat of motion oil. I had to be rather careful when I did this as Paul was armed with a hosepipe underneath the loco emptying the ashpan. Fortunately, I didn't receive an impromptu shower and I did wonder if this was because I had recently provided the crews with tea and Jaffa Cakes! They went down well. </span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270 is due to leave us soon for Margate where it will be kept safe pending overhaul. It will be clean and dry, and on display in the One:One Museum which is situated in the former Hornby factory. Further info here <a href="http://www.theonetoonecollection.co.uk/" target="_blank">The One One Collection</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIePOqoj8fVi8wAJlKKzjDpePa1nMeYQ46lGgNhqWDyKwuF-gfx4gLMxAqk684AvZV61xo_tgdbDy4aLEC654tYMWZR1q7UcpLNx7r7ON6QyIIBV-qJqMpJKB2gHTmbLhSs32fv8Uzi5X2T8u54lpb2TntneZFlSfr7Yfdl-G4pBzLDfWhiMne5aj3/s4032/20230102_080831%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIePOqoj8fVi8wAJlKKzjDpePa1nMeYQ46lGgNhqWDyKwuF-gfx4gLMxAqk684AvZV61xo_tgdbDy4aLEC654tYMWZR1q7UcpLNx7r7ON6QyIIBV-qJqMpJKB2gHTmbLhSs32fv8Uzi5X2T8u54lpb2TntneZFlSfr7Yfdl-G4pBzLDfWhiMne5aj3/w640-h312/20230102_080831%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>35006 prepares to head off shed to collect coal and water - 2nd January 2023</i><br /> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21w-BbLN_o6TyA0TunBmlwFm5DWHeU6phnTXL5Ip4XoNSiwj8hUEtccSXRnAVs1KBAJtfhwvguRL0LST1sBN5cy8bBq-lYlUoS32NOc0TFSIxMGR7vzLBIvyF6RGbAFG7H5tUbUYDBpx6Wj6JC68nWIDlK2E6p7XvSfUuUsqlBoA7bRy_e8LaMG5y/s4032/20230102_081001%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21w-BbLN_o6TyA0TunBmlwFm5DWHeU6phnTXL5Ip4XoNSiwj8hUEtccSXRnAVs1KBAJtfhwvguRL0LST1sBN5cy8bBq-lYlUoS32NOc0TFSIxMGR7vzLBIvyF6RGbAFG7H5tUbUYDBpx6Wj6JC68nWIDlK2E6p7XvSfUuUsqlBoA7bRy_e8LaMG5y/w640-h360/20230102_081001%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>4270 heads off shed for the last time to collect coal and water </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qlyS01bmfGBLTLCKHQN7AcGPS5_UA4DJUluojJM3-JkjZ4ao2ciFnQwQvBKekoLI146JVZAxz-u8E3g_zo10c5b1LJjT6TjKXn83cru5AGSClQ6_unmZs9jbvzc_evOlM2IgWuHprUH8wGTW172vgNxz64ErVEtky350qjLb2ictMXRrAXXWohCr/s4032/20230102_082608%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qlyS01bmfGBLTLCKHQN7AcGPS5_UA4DJUluojJM3-JkjZ4ao2ciFnQwQvBKekoLI146JVZAxz-u8E3g_zo10c5b1LJjT6TjKXn83cru5AGSClQ6_unmZs9jbvzc_evOlM2IgWuHprUH8wGTW172vgNxz64ErVEtky350qjLb2ictMXRrAXXWohCr/w640-h312/20230102_082608%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>35006 in position to be coaled up next to the old ash pit </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44h_6PSzeniGWB3j5Jr9FYsk5ZGwCqa4wwr_5l_QvfWZHH84yCi-kWHUekjc0MkbwnDlTEIcnD0widHlXG1ZzGUsPZQoXUQVhM2KVBbSZPnvSh_jMFayXuc4JML4DT8KSV6eiNOs-r4-p99hfeW4UTCKVRq64JMlgbgi71KiQ8PfitKhjBCuebwU4/s4032/20230102_084101%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44h_6PSzeniGWB3j5Jr9FYsk5ZGwCqa4wwr_5l_QvfWZHH84yCi-kWHUekjc0MkbwnDlTEIcnD0widHlXG1ZzGUsPZQoXUQVhM2KVBbSZPnvSh_jMFayXuc4JML4DT8KSV6eiNOs-r4-p99hfeW4UTCKVRq64JMlgbgi71KiQ8PfitKhjBCuebwU4/w640-h360/20230102_084101%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>With 35006 now clear, 4270 heads round to be coaled </span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGXxm2-CGzHJNLigTZLrEFSCLYvm6WzfWVUXEnAkg0DfA4hT8tLzoSRvDSpuKYHxjIiBybGcnhVdpPKL2lropx_ND0wxqFMEIj0hcRBr6LRDucywfP3G-AlFOw4sadxtjytOwc-Egm7M2bERY_WRRftFxxF7ub_dmUoJmyhdHcNyELa8HAoh8ntJs/s4032/20230102_084820%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGXxm2-CGzHJNLigTZLrEFSCLYvm6WzfWVUXEnAkg0DfA4hT8tLzoSRvDSpuKYHxjIiBybGcnhVdpPKL2lropx_ND0wxqFMEIj0hcRBr6LRDucywfP3G-AlFOw4sadxtjytOwc-Egm7M2bERY_WRRftFxxF7ub_dmUoJmyhdHcNyELa8HAoh8ntJs/w640-h312/20230102_084820%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While being coaled and with the sun rising, a suitable headboard was attached to the loco </span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhaV7z0BmU84oMv8u4NL4hSQM5mq0rbG-F3W7GAr0fSjtUqw3Sgx2l7Kgl71JPVhM6fLhhSLBFN4sDsM_2MB8KPU_slitG_eqHw9Y4rpdcSPkg836yjMhrrbYy4eG7ozpOslOv7ZJTV0GrEHQsBehIzjWumnhqnPTGltvrEYCBjYCXEfHH5ELQCmg/s4032/20230102_085032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhaV7z0BmU84oMv8u4NL4hSQM5mq0rbG-F3W7GAr0fSjtUqw3Sgx2l7Kgl71JPVhM6fLhhSLBFN4sDsM_2MB8KPU_slitG_eqHw9Y4rpdcSPkg836yjMhrrbYy4eG7ozpOslOv7ZJTV0GrEHQsBehIzjWumnhqnPTGltvrEYCBjYCXEfHH5ELQCmg/w640-h312/20230102_085032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #f1c232;">Conversation is exchanged whilst Steve loads some coal with the JCB - </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>2nd January 2023 <br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbeCuLqyt2jx9Ejt6gOSnEQloFhqs7dIRuSHqbFgkjNa1Hb0y4NCLJSd0rnBFpaEMFy1GSJoqkjGJ6RVXjScJFn3RnzPAfYG042lvCTrTphbHHo78pyvJlk1KMWESBaeROFY0AkHZqIgCXjFUz_sq-tm5RtitsfQXv-Cv5R1pooAZVbcXL1fOoa4p/s4032/20230102_101014%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbeCuLqyt2jx9Ejt6gOSnEQloFhqs7dIRuSHqbFgkjNa1Hb0y4NCLJSd0rnBFpaEMFy1GSJoqkjGJ6RVXjScJFn3RnzPAfYG042lvCTrTphbHHo78pyvJlk1KMWESBaeROFY0AkHZqIgCXjFUz_sq-tm5RtitsfQXv-Cv5R1pooAZVbcXL1fOoa4p/w640-h312/20230102_101014%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A while later, 4270 returns to Toddington after taking its train to Broadway </span></span></span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>2nd January 2023 <br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-OyY2PpPpIaTayfx1hbS9ibSxmDx2GpFhiWk8MiG5RBp_n8QMY3HlrJXCfrP8hTWN3LqtOcDlzHi0_cOJ1wk7ej-RyyGlzNc9yJxl7DcfPNhemNTPodhpyxJFtNrGwjfOujwEZOSSvTTZ0xHBv4xpN9NGtalHXdG-ZjDgmDKzxUXdnxSp-XSU7nU/s4032/20230102_101237%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-OyY2PpPpIaTayfx1hbS9ibSxmDx2GpFhiWk8MiG5RBp_n8QMY3HlrJXCfrP8hTWN3LqtOcDlzHi0_cOJ1wk7ej-RyyGlzNc9yJxl7DcfPNhemNTPodhpyxJFtNrGwjfOujwEZOSSvTTZ0xHBv4xpN9NGtalHXdG-ZjDgmDKzxUXdnxSp-XSU7nU/w640-h312/20230102_101237%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Stand well back from the platform edge as you may get wet! Matthew & Jonathan look on in amusement - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHaNol1L8zB5XgbrTuD-1YQMQqabGB9TnbG9e0oQiiHQvdZDBxSoBKcnv7GpitkHl9YOZcnuWkDRvuu8QrLGa3aOr1k8h3-Wgz7JaZq3Qgi8GmznNmsDyaXv0eU7KxN58XPyLQzK43UDvq0XzgJzKjzr3MmElXlt403FMNmGma5CwFEq9oDkvwRr7/s4032/20230102_101904%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHaNol1L8zB5XgbrTuD-1YQMQqabGB9TnbG9e0oQiiHQvdZDBxSoBKcnv7GpitkHl9YOZcnuWkDRvuu8QrLGa3aOr1k8h3-Wgz7JaZq3Qgi8GmznNmsDyaXv0eU7KxN58XPyLQzK43UDvq0XzgJzKjzr3MmElXlt403FMNmGma5CwFEq9oDkvwRr7/w640-h312/20230102_101904%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>...and we're off, on our way to Winchcombe - 2nd January 2023<br /> </span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmiU5820HRtI7lT-qmFNMpJZySi_eS6DEnCy1r9orh7YvA2PlzAajRN-TNAx-qSpe0BgwX3mjJwD10Nt13uQsO9THG1La4iZm9WSDRNrVtO9bTXuf0mmsfjhThbGc3uWIXhcqcL8YtSrGklgpQNNzlZZzKbbRw9uZAi0p7tZQAKdtVT_FSqErgmU3/s4032/20230102_104713%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmiU5820HRtI7lT-qmFNMpJZySi_eS6DEnCy1r9orh7YvA2PlzAajRN-TNAx-qSpe0BgwX3mjJwD10Nt13uQsO9THG1La4iZm9WSDRNrVtO9bTXuf0mmsfjhThbGc3uWIXhcqcL8YtSrGklgpQNNzlZZzKbbRw9uZAi0p7tZQAKdtVT_FSqErgmU3/w640-h312/20230102_104713%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Look who bagged the front window of the first coach :) - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ODvH_FXwM7CGtQkQ6V4XTug4cAS7P8qJKp1QM90j--F4JXrEh5mNIOJoYB0yrzKZrT6l7U2dMqSojY1AIuyNn-bNObAD5lTJGNIS1b5EnxiEVWwF1A2kZ6LJVylulqphhNZ3rMSys-zCPPcLMvbxQwUWsRuwj1yaw_d_Gs0YY1H8MAfE2UZzALza/s2048/323781380_795465101938578_5311224129822015278_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ODvH_FXwM7CGtQkQ6V4XTug4cAS7P8qJKp1QM90j--F4JXrEh5mNIOJoYB0yrzKZrT6l7U2dMqSojY1AIuyNn-bNObAD5lTJGNIS1b5EnxiEVWwF1A2kZ6LJVylulqphhNZ3rMSys-zCPPcLMvbxQwUWsRuwj1yaw_d_Gs0YY1H8MAfE2UZzALza/w640-h426/323781380_795465101938578_5311224129822015278_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Tony Boston takes the token from Matthew at Cheltenham whilst your blogger looks on - 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1VJ5lxia5Rsi2kDZa4QAhJcZBy-nvmFil7ICk-k32b2Itgeygicc-7a5xjyZ53oSEGu8U4adCExCj4QLkTf-Nq6OjuvFZ1v4g-H0jEbQTPE_fIOb0UZDgfIlHXsglKKfp6a-CGUivIuAOFlSvPkEaN2QhUlAcZXlxDIi0CRDueC7-pwN5oxkwERC/s4032/20230102_110056%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1VJ5lxia5Rsi2kDZa4QAhJcZBy-nvmFil7ICk-k32b2Itgeygicc-7a5xjyZ53oSEGu8U4adCExCj4QLkTf-Nq6OjuvFZ1v4g-H0jEbQTPE_fIOb0UZDgfIlHXsglKKfp6a-CGUivIuAOFlSvPkEaN2QhUlAcZXlxDIi0CRDueC7-pwN5oxkwERC/w640-h360/20230102_110056%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 heads down the platform to take on water - 2nd January 2023</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EKpD-eHzsXpGBt5Xmi7A0zc2vnNHDbeTf0Q_IdDV5v2lhIuri5aAaeRBEDAXRxv99ryZCccFvKf88Ae8VTe4mJNP_sIjs22GeMWBcqk-SVRjnM7bsJ5WGJNXNwtVDfxnCkwp3nvMKcHY6yuBuwWJdGmyhAaH7b4emycnhnagvOGdxenT0ltd-r5v/s2048/323416361_862454344827788_8299441941326651228_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EKpD-eHzsXpGBt5Xmi7A0zc2vnNHDbeTf0Q_IdDV5v2lhIuri5aAaeRBEDAXRxv99ryZCccFvKf88Ae8VTe4mJNP_sIjs22GeMWBcqk-SVRjnM7bsJ5WGJNXNwtVDfxnCkwp3nvMKcHY6yuBuwWJdGmyhAaH7b4emycnhnagvOGdxenT0ltd-r5v/w640-h426/323416361_862454344827788_8299441941326651228_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto" lang="en">Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin... Jonathan Perks enjoys an audience whilst he fills 4270 with water </span><span><span><span><span>- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBTOKb-mTYeBXuDv7hbTEjABvD1veWrV8Sp2nc_fwb3eZVbSYeR4hU6GpSIH7yyLA_dMuKZPm4jkOonCrjU-8pxh6OdvLwBVTMxJaL_ASSTo6O03YwcxDvwBlL0OfRzV0wUiy8SKXbH7YzFmt98GRcpUuS-15kTAkhXMZiM0luMXhp2XuZBIPKe-n/s4032/20230102_110934%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBTOKb-mTYeBXuDv7hbTEjABvD1veWrV8Sp2nc_fwb3eZVbSYeR4hU6GpSIH7yyLA_dMuKZPm4jkOonCrjU-8pxh6OdvLwBVTMxJaL_ASSTo6O03YwcxDvwBlL0OfRzV0wUiy8SKXbH7YzFmt98GRcpUuS-15kTAkhXMZiM0luMXhp2XuZBIPKe-n/w640-h360/20230102_110934%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 heads round the coaching stock at Cheltenham - 2nd January 2023<br /> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5ggb68gSNE0BshbrkxMlty8qq_7KGjKU0RGo7zbCfC2UtVTnaOAd0zoanXHOSJ0ZKzY5Rtm81PBEcK2_88LVKhKpgLYRuYzAlzQ0OZIUKMEAAzH1BbEYr7qGlqsoTVFF9AcRSjCWbvXTYvTreu5n8vfkX1uieNrfTvcAEJ-9_2luEiybgsWT1iHr/s2048/323408378_575865717697174_871083374699932652_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5ggb68gSNE0BshbrkxMlty8qq_7KGjKU0RGo7zbCfC2UtVTnaOAd0zoanXHOSJ0ZKzY5Rtm81PBEcK2_88LVKhKpgLYRuYzAlzQ0OZIUKMEAAzH1BbEYr7qGlqsoTVFF9AcRSjCWbvXTYvTreu5n8vfkX1uieNrfTvcAEJ-9_2luEiybgsWT1iHr/w640-h426/323408378_575865717697174_871083374699932652_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Approaching the end of the platform and signal-box at Cheltenham </span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXOCew4FNLoOEOxifPlXaEcg7_t3Wa7oCNvf-0zYhiaZXhzG7by18mgD1XJ6C4_vrH6SbIg4FJKPB7GXD14MlQ-as0pCbyX5_WM4kkgf4KUtJtQNMkEmEyZWBiLoVEfW6lJvm5xMc9acryOnGpIozCPmc7ROlKgU4IQ7cIlbg1P55uXV9oor7FzdI/s2048/323421332_1286977238536506_318822739734295447_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXOCew4FNLoOEOxifPlXaEcg7_t3Wa7oCNvf-0zYhiaZXhzG7by18mgD1XJ6C4_vrH6SbIg4FJKPB7GXD14MlQ-as0pCbyX5_WM4kkgf4KUtJtQNMkEmEyZWBiLoVEfW6lJvm5xMc9acryOnGpIozCPmc7ROlKgU4IQ7cIlbg1P55uXV9oor7FzdI/w640-h426/323421332_1286977238536506_318822739734295447_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Back on the stock </span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQEpZtp1J2jQolqtVd9ZRx_wBEqcBYNDxHnQjiYHwEOV_57W2oVrnItRj7Zpf1E1Unf_WAFnNbWqy7dl8zHg62x9B0PkjzEI-JB4xZ9U0Q-dGyaUYDbDddo6hW-zSglkZWRj376H6MUhRvCTNfZCdXOJl5-2rWfL8JLC54wAljLm5N8hWa58q8ctD/s2048/324142761_507991984764851_1720628320109806754_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQEpZtp1J2jQolqtVd9ZRx_wBEqcBYNDxHnQjiYHwEOV_57W2oVrnItRj7Zpf1E1Unf_WAFnNbWqy7dl8zHg62x9B0PkjzEI-JB4xZ9U0Q-dGyaUYDbDddo6hW-zSglkZWRj376H6MUhRvCTNfZCdXOJl5-2rWfL8JLC54wAljLm5N8hWa58q8ctD/w640-h426/324142761_507991984764851_1720628320109806754_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The dream team with 4270 (L-R) Matthew, Jonathan & Paul </span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAcFjF34Gw776ibd8NTOSF-e1arww-xLWMhvRFQiNPwbBsMCC4YOpfrGiABrifRDK_p_ZO4vIPtr9-9CyvvN_Hf60_r4h7t7D1SMq1aROscI8fxEip_KF3JbY8zQHFDIyJnnAL82DjNzOzmarJMbtCAjhooHlMu1ETPrbxnHcUuluOrk_ETMI--hr/s2048/323691211_534915351920472_902657372079727372_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAcFjF34Gw776ibd8NTOSF-e1arww-xLWMhvRFQiNPwbBsMCC4YOpfrGiABrifRDK_p_ZO4vIPtr9-9CyvvN_Hf60_r4h7t7D1SMq1aROscI8fxEip_KF3JbY8zQHFDIyJnnAL82DjNzOzmarJMbtCAjhooHlMu1ETPrbxnHcUuluOrk_ETMI--hr/w640-h426/323691211_534915351920472_902657372079727372_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Paul attends to the Farewell message </span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp-iboxVJX67v-JY7XZT66yumlX_KD_R02pr9pvXvoBB2rgBYfaMSYWcLWfxS5ESCqSsS-eew2pJ3nUR6XZ34rdDYTicQGpSa3lpnMVT6NJIVHpsVxByHM7aj4ChfgSeLBnv4XyAYOJzeCE9NHmn3MvkV5tCTkyuJazh-4OQzUVg6BAnKW-II57yJ/s4032/20230102_111455%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp-iboxVJX67v-JY7XZT66yumlX_KD_R02pr9pvXvoBB2rgBYfaMSYWcLWfxS5ESCqSsS-eew2pJ3nUR6XZ34rdDYTicQGpSa3lpnMVT6NJIVHpsVxByHM7aj4ChfgSeLBnv4XyAYOJzeCE9NHmn3MvkV5tCTkyuJazh-4OQzUVg6BAnKW-II57yJ/w640-h312/20230102_111455%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our resident Press Officer (Ian) takes a close up of Paul (see previous photo) </span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>- 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0x-vqP5Wo9mENaA16n7x3OanQxBRbYetc1nhuYBdFUZxqWseFfy7kBdqp3Va_TwS9ow2uJtFs9A-aDqRGoXroVNMhwZ5KErLk9oPNX36g0V_5EJH0dnPIxsKT8yZiWwnEUYiVMT4r0Utb2BOMl45XI5NgmAWMlDVcS5dhwrDZJNe48UeTjKFWV6L/s3518/20230102_111331%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3518" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0x-vqP5Wo9mENaA16n7x3OanQxBRbYetc1nhuYBdFUZxqWseFfy7kBdqp3Va_TwS9ow2uJtFs9A-aDqRGoXroVNMhwZ5KErLk9oPNX36g0V_5EJH0dnPIxsKT8yZiWwnEUYiVMT4r0Utb2BOMl45XI5NgmAWMlDVcS5dhwrDZJNe48UeTjKFWV6L/w640-h356/20230102_111331%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 looking resplendent in the late morning sunshine - 2nd January 2023 <br /> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHw2gIe7W0I2BefRPFPkDT5WnRVF4aKRCENYdnH99RvI666hbI8OatvrqZMw1mDfbYEFeA7OhjpscBsiE1GXvCptMd6kA0Ph-TyANnA7-y2yODllNQuImcTqmFe2TxLd6p0fsA49roeJRt9PyLP8B8BhWG42hOhZEt2gOCDKE7kL5dZH3-mPRIxRb/s4032/20230102_114151%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHw2gIe7W0I2BefRPFPkDT5WnRVF4aKRCENYdnH99RvI666hbI8OatvrqZMw1mDfbYEFeA7OhjpscBsiE1GXvCptMd6kA0Ph-TyANnA7-y2yODllNQuImcTqmFe2TxLd6p0fsA49roeJRt9PyLP8B8BhWG42hOhZEt2gOCDKE7kL5dZH3-mPRIxRb/w640-h312/20230102_114151%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Now back at Winchcombe. we await the arrival of 35006 - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdRzYAWbQwgpoCD54iiT6k1rPpFPXj4CHuRSwf66fmMnoPIfd5G9AB6rvv24GfpY5wfh2OpEZP57BvZQsV8ml3RO_rn7KWH1zooGwZmNNDKn4smGkJNxHiW1nHb_RkJFVScsV-_WED4nM_NzELUtknkVGcBxp8vUY-AliGsJSxHO2bpiNn2DT8R1g/s4032/20230102_114210%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdRzYAWbQwgpoCD54iiT6k1rPpFPXj4CHuRSwf66fmMnoPIfd5G9AB6rvv24GfpY5wfh2OpEZP57BvZQsV8ml3RO_rn7KWH1zooGwZmNNDKn4smGkJNxHiW1nHb_RkJFVScsV-_WED4nM_NzELUtknkVGcBxp8vUY-AliGsJSxHO2bpiNn2DT8R1g/w640-h312/20230102_114210%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 basks in the sunshine whilst the Gunpowder Van attracts some attention - 2nd January 2023<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP7iO2_NpAB4TR5aEBdvwD1PGGoDeb3PPjqFDMD1jq_yvdjqTsQEZctm8BROFVBx4XCzRcJRIl228dg6F4ijTWr-n95DwW2TsTBzK8DIGg3BrDQ9Dthd9IfbHsWwMG6HM_bnXl_9f_EoUu6_3I_kuJbcQ7pGg2qV4JjVJCkyVAltHUYU18MhxlZet/s4032/20230102_114344%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP7iO2_NpAB4TR5aEBdvwD1PGGoDeb3PPjqFDMD1jq_yvdjqTsQEZctm8BROFVBx4XCzRcJRIl228dg6F4ijTWr-n95DwW2TsTBzK8DIGg3BrDQ9Dthd9IfbHsWwMG6HM_bnXl_9f_EoUu6_3I_kuJbcQ7pGg2qV4JjVJCkyVAltHUYU18MhxlZet/w640-h312/20230102_114344%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Another photo of the dream team! - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoqk1ZNUhmMEB7Yx3WX0HAu3pDnpGV2bLw71_Im59HXHOyKiXymlYeSv7qAbBGHBtwfxz5tNtgJ_JhXfFOnmlF6yI4laafet7PNBphnDy-rKp6M-HPyUYnl7dGJ_1vodMuXGh8pS4_lHxXcDIwOzPK_OYCVZDF8C-GacZfD4Lv6brnqSUJosyxL7L/s4032/20230102_114447%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoqk1ZNUhmMEB7Yx3WX0HAu3pDnpGV2bLw71_Im59HXHOyKiXymlYeSv7qAbBGHBtwfxz5tNtgJ_JhXfFOnmlF6yI4laafet7PNBphnDy-rKp6M-HPyUYnl7dGJ_1vodMuXGh8pS4_lHxXcDIwOzPK_OYCVZDF8C-GacZfD4Lv6brnqSUJosyxL7L/w640-h312/20230102_114447%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Caption competition anyone? - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibV2ZCJtPQc8DMNWO7HqL5JGNhUk7Ou5yL86Nd9j2SGHgLQQ03JPgq0111n3IbkMQm8qtDGBwAYwhelaAiuwUIiYwHQ8HoBfFOjOpaaH1PEbUGjSr8xpVW7jdF44S4s2AtTdJ-BgJJDcPLyoafh6jyNBIfdo8AKw5h9el9Z_hN8h8Z2bc6h78qfWP/s4032/20230102_114743%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibV2ZCJtPQc8DMNWO7HqL5JGNhUk7Ou5yL86Nd9j2SGHgLQQ03JPgq0111n3IbkMQm8qtDGBwAYwhelaAiuwUIiYwHQ8HoBfFOjOpaaH1PEbUGjSr8xpVW7jdF44S4s2AtTdJ-BgJJDcPLyoafh6jyNBIfdo8AKw5h9el9Z_hN8h8Z2bc6h78qfWP/w640-h360/20230102_114743%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>35006 arrives at Winchcombe - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF2d47FKlwD7rxr6XMvV_nl2vIKFo6LJYVDCwNHTmDVs8sq9vGjadma6ds7uS1VNI_HNSJeA95lh3A3d6W8vd-TOmMAADe3_zyJsidpPDYx2ntY1nrChRWy1pf0fxOBuDwCefq_YHHjzTPjdWyPWl7SdyI2iuO7VB5VinPXfcdHdyA1aIIZSOVM5d/s4032/20230102_120359%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF2d47FKlwD7rxr6XMvV_nl2vIKFo6LJYVDCwNHTmDVs8sq9vGjadma6ds7uS1VNI_HNSJeA95lh3A3d6W8vd-TOmMAADe3_zyJsidpPDYx2ntY1nrChRWy1pf0fxOBuDwCefq_YHHjzTPjdWyPWl7SdyI2iuO7VB5VinPXfcdHdyA1aIIZSOVM5d/w640-h312/20230102_120359%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Now back at Toddington, the relief crew take over to cover the lunch-break. No less than three Andrews on the footplate! - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p943Ur1J5H6a8zTs3lePKSmgX1PPhFApOmiXRO7fK2bwBOTl8TlEe1mAQURiY7zqZaberBxTvofeCOVA436MM-1q4tFx90hwaqbz1LYQ4fqdjCXb_rT1Rdj_6V7V1MqeAsFNtfaI-mEVVDqCe4zzOLPVpzfMOBTPmiTGjDh_BmOYLz9u73vx2Sio/s2048/322495888_839437640620057_4083178599300528442_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p943Ur1J5H6a8zTs3lePKSmgX1PPhFApOmiXRO7fK2bwBOTl8TlEe1mAQURiY7zqZaberBxTvofeCOVA436MM-1q4tFx90hwaqbz1LYQ4fqdjCXb_rT1Rdj_6V7V1MqeAsFNtfaI-mEVVDqCe4zzOLPVpzfMOBTPmiTGjDh_BmOYLz9u73vx2Sio/w480-h640/322495888_839437640620057_4083178599300528442_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Looks like there's decent pressure on the gauge, always a good sign! - 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Andrew Briscoe <br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>It was at this point that I took a break myself and would later join 35006 after lunch.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTxOCS3L9_yQL8lrLBmbM_4HhTLegqyU4r70ikNGTf7QTVrfvIZYroj-9CQZLghnykIjLvdh13ll5SpGoeO0AtHICjq0dkunzvNoewgrg-qaecag4bml6HqoF8NX33ClPDro4J-ZWXBwuqO7QVOKSX6WT7A77Dq7WlwGFJUsZlFlj1ihx9j3ZIUx/s2048/323627267_3176619162648506_5953578389726587872_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTxOCS3L9_yQL8lrLBmbM_4HhTLegqyU4r70ikNGTf7QTVrfvIZYroj-9CQZLghnykIjLvdh13ll5SpGoeO0AtHICjq0dkunzvNoewgrg-qaecag4bml6HqoF8NX33ClPDro4J-ZWXBwuqO7QVOKSX6WT7A77Dq7WlwGFJUsZlFlj1ihx9j3ZIUx/w640-h426/323627267_3176619162648506_5953578389726587872_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 runs round the stock at Broadway Station </span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMetasyRQDrwuwRXZ5sCgzbE_JGTbJqKc9P9HKZgUZE9mu8fmpt-tD9LcjkEmhge93K2GPILMMZ_zvi37_RJtTopXSuWGkxPP87uE0Jo-GEBN-Jsw5v6mxALaQreo2DvxpX-8ag5nhu7qaqJQeTYX80mNcthAD6gse3ThbbrGKeBG4wn1QtM3l8hY/s2048/323631433_535014728690426_696536134460146703_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMetasyRQDrwuwRXZ5sCgzbE_JGTbJqKc9P9HKZgUZE9mu8fmpt-tD9LcjkEmhge93K2GPILMMZ_zvi37_RJtTopXSuWGkxPP87uE0Jo-GEBN-Jsw5v6mxALaQreo2DvxpX-8ag5nhu7qaqJQeTYX80mNcthAD6gse3ThbbrGKeBG4wn1QtM3l8hY/w640-h426/323631433_535014728690426_696536134460146703_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A busy scene at Broadway Station as 4270 approaches - </span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pPQz1kpn8FLh9-5yLXnA43QriQ4ZQkucgZheksUMmu2cr4W38AuBDQN-2a0kFB8BZVsH9V0N8WA9-7wn4ojojfbsirLu5TgFMIlteX24HBhHK-BUg5lUZL8F_k0QxOtYEEDrS7wX5B6dQAsDoowz1u0BddNhW9akYrOpWExDb54fX4gdCJU4GBx-/s2048/323936704_937484464292792_3983131682221574537_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pPQz1kpn8FLh9-5yLXnA43QriQ4ZQkucgZheksUMmu2cr4W38AuBDQN-2a0kFB8BZVsH9V0N8WA9-7wn4ojojfbsirLu5TgFMIlteX24HBhHK-BUg5lUZL8F_k0QxOtYEEDrS7wX5B6dQAsDoowz1u0BddNhW9akYrOpWExDb54fX4gdCJU4GBx-/w480-h640/323936704_937484464292792_3983131682221574537_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>35006 at Toddington Station - 2nd January 2023 - </span></span></span></span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> Gwendolyne</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLShwi4rVvuKqvtV8hOCYskRRVmyB18UxbDjJWky_pt0pvC4xLgBAnvRkRgCO0uRKddOEXfGSVaYF_KGajgNfHvtFwd79SjtGL-We90zA_DtvxzS-IbavefEXqDwNF_YsfSVtNqxQQeiW1-j3ZrfNz0dzcEPEiko5PJbf86pObMIsmohwnF04VJFF/s4032/20230102_134415%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLShwi4rVvuKqvtV8hOCYskRRVmyB18UxbDjJWky_pt0pvC4xLgBAnvRkRgCO0uRKddOEXfGSVaYF_KGajgNfHvtFwd79SjtGL-We90zA_DtvxzS-IbavefEXqDwNF_YsfSVtNqxQQeiW1-j3ZrfNz0dzcEPEiko5PJbf86pObMIsmohwnF04VJFF/w640-h312/20230102_134415%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Having arrived at Broadway Station, 35006 prepares to run round the stock - 2nd January 2023<br /> </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65nCf9ZnZ-Gu_gS6Zd8cQ0QPcDuIS5PJ3lu9lkW5_er8GWW6zeS_nPdFzK0rezj-sstYnSFju75l2-Uhep6WCU6dYYStLhdA3kD2T2hUsunvBDRpwsdhNz4sMfjzMji9kH_M33VR1p8poLrAdZc5C9p5ktqYQ28I0DrMrAayhtUEfi3AvPSnlrt55/s4032/20230102_135233%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65nCf9ZnZ-Gu_gS6Zd8cQ0QPcDuIS5PJ3lu9lkW5_er8GWW6zeS_nPdFzK0rezj-sstYnSFju75l2-Uhep6WCU6dYYStLhdA3kD2T2hUsunvBDRpwsdhNz4sMfjzMji9kH_M33VR1p8poLrAdZc5C9p5ktqYQ28I0DrMrAayhtUEfi3AvPSnlrt55/w640-h360/20230102_135233%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>35006 heads past Broadway signal-box - 2nd January 2023<br /> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxBoG8PwTKmL1ebZZ8PYHo5WzsRgZMJsGGVtIo4PdAT11xNP6dChWcuto-5WukaJ4LbG386tKiaIMoy_Jg08SHf1BWF6rxN9gb46ZkmyZcZ4HR0g6oGSR6sgoxsegF5gK4AzHEflsx7Qs5eta_5A4UH57q_wNdoB0m1LQGmHXCBHCieCpVtIM89Dd/s4032/20230102_135854%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxBoG8PwTKmL1ebZZ8PYHo5WzsRgZMJsGGVtIo4PdAT11xNP6dChWcuto-5WukaJ4LbG386tKiaIMoy_Jg08SHf1BWF6rxN9gb46ZkmyZcZ4HR0g6oGSR6sgoxsegF5gK4AzHEflsx7Qs5eta_5A4UH57q_wNdoB0m1LQGmHXCBHCieCpVtIM89Dd/w640-h312/20230102_135854%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Broadway Station in the afternoon sun is very picturesque - 2nd January 2023<br /> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvIQiouMBp6oORs2Wn_VBH15yKVyPgBDEzl3_RbeKETln6O55kKbv6Qung7lFlaRaIYlPCwKGH89_qulTChN1Caf4VqqQKmgZLS1twfMQXAkybg52h5HBdFxRy3EnCGB4bYjWYr5r-mqIxELx8t4CylE0XeWK4aUO-f4PuwZAfiRQZXnrCL719zRb/s4032/20230102_140222%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvIQiouMBp6oORs2Wn_VBH15yKVyPgBDEzl3_RbeKETln6O55kKbv6Qung7lFlaRaIYlPCwKGH89_qulTChN1Caf4VqqQKmgZLS1twfMQXAkybg52h5HBdFxRy3EnCGB4bYjWYr5r-mqIxELx8t4CylE0XeWK4aUO-f4PuwZAfiRQZXnrCL719zRb/w640-h312/20230102_140222%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A few minutes to go before we head back to Toddington - 2nd January 2023 <br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGbQ7y1_lv7EEhyWMZDmM53TJ0vlCEMcLofqpcMaY9G8iVvpoE2ooQ3OBC0_kBc-1Ck9mj_Zx6zDnohA53bSArFKuVxxIGouhGWgPJ7jrI5XKGxdyhTUxsLN63sIZHe5OzmDEjDZNFr_VHmtJ25Cc9xT2HWA7_JEYRpRC6a_0xVgbh_LCIFrZiw_c/s4032/20230102_140542(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGbQ7y1_lv7EEhyWMZDmM53TJ0vlCEMcLofqpcMaY9G8iVvpoE2ooQ3OBC0_kBc-1Ck9mj_Zx6zDnohA53bSArFKuVxxIGouhGWgPJ7jrI5XKGxdyhTUxsLN63sIZHe5OzmDEjDZNFr_VHmtJ25Cc9xT2HWA7_JEYRpRC6a_0xVgbh_LCIFrZiw_c/w640-h312/20230102_140542(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsq5oxizOqHmoxmPyl187loWMtIl3EWeApRIpRLydx6tpfwy9tR9UeB_EQhcWR7rLHkD2jxZDp0R9Efc45_yQrlFBfJPGVR-iLZJ-HWLIV3B8qVmtdSm4cqp6b_Maaay2b5ZhV9Yl-uCxFgLxCFj5W-ZLFJ6gMfgWNaG0f4HtiZaAcB5pZZC2ylsD/s4032/20230102_142629%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsq5oxizOqHmoxmPyl187loWMtIl3EWeApRIpRLydx6tpfwy9tR9UeB_EQhcWR7rLHkD2jxZDp0R9Efc45_yQrlFBfJPGVR-iLZJ-HWLIV3B8qVmtdSm4cqp6b_Maaay2b5ZhV9Yl-uCxFgLxCFj5W-ZLFJ6gMfgWNaG0f4HtiZaAcB5pZZC2ylsD/w640-h312/20230102_142629%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Driver Andrew Beale takes a break from the footplate at Toddington Station - 2nd January 2023</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOw25beqO2dsHUGRho8KlCvn5NIN28IYq35oNYmSJO4RLWXbxIrVrJ4G6_r2H7E3XBa3hfcOsKDXA64mfL1RhAAR5eF8Fr1zAokRFQ0de9I-sQh4SSaHI5x_kl8gOQuQiXGBAfc1qSIeK3wwY6rrE-FSEqc0xV7KzPTbW_hyLkHSn0rWDYuWIzNHa/s4032/20230102_142845%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOw25beqO2dsHUGRho8KlCvn5NIN28IYq35oNYmSJO4RLWXbxIrVrJ4G6_r2H7E3XBa3hfcOsKDXA64mfL1RhAAR5eF8Fr1zAokRFQ0de9I-sQh4SSaHI5x_kl8gOQuQiXGBAfc1qSIeK3wwY6rrE-FSEqc0xV7KzPTbW_hyLkHSn0rWDYuWIzNHa/w640-h312/20230102_142845%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of my favourite locations for photographing locomotives - 2nd January 2023</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIIHM7isDe6PC3vXGv3iSdXC5GNNNnbfOFMyHBmGxFvbffEvjB2tFtqiFUlsPe23vnhIUebYKOCWgtNEUpn8k4a02PoOscVeTpdsoyRP6QxwC6XKaznWTlwloZyAX75VNMj2hb_ufbN_3o7sIBdI5bNRyfw2S1gA5SwsIyPSJMRwMprYSgfp6uPFH/s4032/20230102_142936%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIIHM7isDe6PC3vXGv3iSdXC5GNNNnbfOFMyHBmGxFvbffEvjB2tFtqiFUlsPe23vnhIUebYKOCWgtNEUpn8k4a02PoOscVeTpdsoyRP6QxwC6XKaznWTlwloZyAX75VNMj2hb_ufbN_3o7sIBdI5bNRyfw2S1gA5SwsIyPSJMRwMprYSgfp6uPFH/w640-h312/20230102_142936%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>35006 waits 'for the off' to head south to Winchcombe - 2nd January 2023<br /><span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Shorty before 15:00, 4270 approached Toddington Station before her last trip up to Broadway. I joined some of my fellow Steam Department members aboard the train and 37215 was attached to the rear.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> The day had gone by without a hitch. </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIq6F_WObJCJWGzy3wf5oURrgCUXddPqm_YJ5u0FPuuyjiEFJNezGnP2_24quhwrjPWiCImkmxsW5fQwSpyHFiahoGf421gIjGy_BxgLVkjFCnI81HfvhQDS4TJokcI2nZXkZLPN6QziqkuJewk9i963v5kDF8h-kzlnTZktGkYZFSCn1gwJExrtS/s3527/20230102_145750%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="3527" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIq6F_WObJCJWGzy3wf5oURrgCUXddPqm_YJ5u0FPuuyjiEFJNezGnP2_24quhwrjPWiCImkmxsW5fQwSpyHFiahoGf421gIjGy_BxgLVkjFCnI81HfvhQDS4TJokcI2nZXkZLPN6QziqkuJewk9i963v5kDF8h-kzlnTZktGkYZFSCn1gwJExrtS/w640-h314/20230102_145750%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After exchanging the token at the signal-box, 4270 approaches Toddington Station - 2nd January 2023<br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFqjg9xjhnWnZ1ZXAp8Zzl9Cu29Hfe1qywKgx3FZ8gm5H0mtEQMdCeZCNJTqufbf-FH2eMksUKVVUJlVi2iUz2NpJmo7eKXwm0H1dDVVCQm64eUYuP4aIZlVSAONVdjEai83CBrr4b_N0aE7C3eMcU0cVjSIT__3n9W1I269PP-SyhTemzMcMAQEF/s2048/323695709_1587741881671213_8374778635602907856_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFqjg9xjhnWnZ1ZXAp8Zzl9Cu29Hfe1qywKgx3FZ8gm5H0mtEQMdCeZCNJTqufbf-FH2eMksUKVVUJlVi2iUz2NpJmo7eKXwm0H1dDVVCQm64eUYuP4aIZlVSAONVdjEai83CBrr4b_N0aE7C3eMcU0cVjSIT__3n9W1I269PP-SyhTemzMcMAQEF/w640-h426/323695709_1587741881671213_8374778635602907856_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Over 100 years old and still going strong! - </span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y4gxd64O_4J6dzoZ2SAQwMf2p4R_d2glwc9a76X8yIRPnGNMaAPI7mNOsn5DeEsE6CJiJd_6p13c9SH44tjPD3D-IqS0cbqVldRRC2kGPpwlTaFhEZV7SGBlJhabi5ZpZsIQM-FqAxbXwhyn_EeNM9IYlo0qhmdV48sazEB54U5k5J757j3JeqIE/s2048/324402847_696624068583189_5181076421114059249_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y4gxd64O_4J6dzoZ2SAQwMf2p4R_d2glwc9a76X8yIRPnGNMaAPI7mNOsn5DeEsE6CJiJd_6p13c9SH44tjPD3D-IqS0cbqVldRRC2kGPpwlTaFhEZV7SGBlJhabi5ZpZsIQM-FqAxbXwhyn_EeNM9IYlo0qhmdV48sazEB54U5k5J757j3JeqIE/w640-h426/324402847_696624068583189_5181076421114059249_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We couldn't have asked for a better day! - </span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Once back from Broadway, 4270 was detached from the rear of the train and 37215 took us down to Cheltenham and back. Travelling by train in the evening is very atmospheric and nostalgic at the same time. Great scenery helps, too!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZktqFbd_8QO1aZcjEz065KnXMJNAv1SazsGHaDofAb8LAgtMnacyHV8vS96K7LaZ4g96mQIuB1LwWjby3_tu7GdNDiyF2Jdcahn01LCzjuq4IfUpJdDx17ty5DMq_k7w0B--wOv-3iyR1aMJ3dWzQXKBRaTNVcxVF70KMbygedaq5Jw_GJiRa9yrS/s4032/20230102_163829%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZktqFbd_8QO1aZcjEz065KnXMJNAv1SazsGHaDofAb8LAgtMnacyHV8vS96K7LaZ4g96mQIuB1LwWjby3_tu7GdNDiyF2Jdcahn01LCzjuq4IfUpJdDx17ty5DMq_k7w0B--wOv-3iyR1aMJ3dWzQXKBRaTNVcxVF70KMbygedaq5Jw_GJiRa9yrS/w640-h312/20230102_163829%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>A rather idyllic scene with the station lamps at Cheltenham Racecourse - 2nd January 2023</i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrkH2gOOzcpwj32EcKfpP_6ylJX0NOEUT7ayotoDVByC97zdkLbUovKy_xvgEKioFiB36qnhDUjNZPQyimtZSR-0cWVvraSF1e9zdrXM2baIqI13GxNwstUshY8dX3I6pIhDZEBNteP2xtzcvMRTlL-B5cD1pwBJFvVvsuTn4qE5eFZM_BPqO5siX/s4032/20230102_164551%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrkH2gOOzcpwj32EcKfpP_6ylJX0NOEUT7ayotoDVByC97zdkLbUovKy_xvgEKioFiB36qnhDUjNZPQyimtZSR-0cWVvraSF1e9zdrXM2baIqI13GxNwstUshY8dX3I6pIhDZEBNteP2xtzcvMRTlL-B5cD1pwBJFvVvsuTn4qE5eFZM_BPqO5siX/w640-h312/20230102_164551%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>37215 runs round the stock before the return trip to Toddington - 2nd January 2023<br /> </i> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Meanwhile, back up at Toddington... </span></span></span></span><i><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumwHKqvqQ240cuw6tCoDitlvSl9HRJvzbD730-NCYX2XPyKQkQOeXwc6UsMV_c6NF1Liz8Q0wqHKkV3qTeAnfLh_IQOQqmrZ1OuXJh3fOcrJR-W0ArUTd7SBOui6tjMV8Dt43q3a4HK9igRBUS7-Ia_YZaTqoM1an8RPazOsZNJUT6SiDiWv_5neJ/s2048/322390729_648021207100426_7214894432817473343_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumwHKqvqQ240cuw6tCoDitlvSl9HRJvzbD730-NCYX2XPyKQkQOeXwc6UsMV_c6NF1Liz8Q0wqHKkV3qTeAnfLh_IQOQqmrZ1OuXJh3fOcrJR-W0ArUTd7SBOui6tjMV8Dt43q3a4HK9igRBUS7-Ia_YZaTqoM1an8RPazOsZNJUT6SiDiWv_5neJ/w640-h296/322390729_648021207100426_7214894432817473343_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 returns to shed for the final time after her last day in service </span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Paul Richardson</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegT6IKPRLQzBt_JVPSuI6cyFVREofE_jWhlkyC-o00SW7DLbXF5VpLaPeLq_Nr9mA-1_OKvWxNJg-myS1hdEbnvIkmBQgcmag1EPS3HQmCPwI-91e9fyhl_V3p7CuHhKZ81x7ugIUyUxzytsid98fVjGCHjBEXeO5nql24dRMOfsgynRAtO7X0zV_/s2048/322473178_1157751968207418_6917977126985024704_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegT6IKPRLQzBt_JVPSuI6cyFVREofE_jWhlkyC-o00SW7DLbXF5VpLaPeLq_Nr9mA-1_OKvWxNJg-myS1hdEbnvIkmBQgcmag1EPS3HQmCPwI-91e9fyhl_V3p7CuHhKZ81x7ugIUyUxzytsid98fVjGCHjBEXeO5nql24dRMOfsgynRAtO7X0zV_/w640-h296/322473178_1157751968207418_6917977126985024704_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Shed at Toddington - </span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd January 2023 - Photos courtesy of Paul Richardson</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ZDbwEg42g0KNkZynncWZC-MWmd0Ab28fLZbb0IIwtcj4MzFDRq4Lr0PImdSxPI6pQyFo7R9FVN2k-AVK4pGOQOf50GzDiljzy1hun-yYv9Uj1HKjpRNYNGwmVkfHhZe80R_PYaH-T8FUZZh-iZ-kaU0dCeSmv4JbjH2jEPHOqLM9zcDIxlMubvg/s979/323874202_907503113946846_2307064869146177982_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="945" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ZDbwEg42g0KNkZynncWZC-MWmd0Ab28fLZbb0IIwtcj4MzFDRq4Lr0PImdSxPI6pQyFo7R9FVN2k-AVK4pGOQOf50GzDiljzy1hun-yYv9Uj1HKjpRNYNGwmVkfHhZe80R_PYaH-T8FUZZh-iZ-kaU0dCeSmv4JbjH2jEPHOqLM9zcDIxlMubvg/w618-h640/323874202_907503113946846_2307064869146177982_n.jpg" width="618" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tZVJ6TqPfBcvuBC1KsJUKgEqequxP7cnJjlGtU9SL-UebKPtwtT-K55NxTyW2aicQfjnc_GkYHtKcDsjTI5Rd1IDTDXhCAqYbOgc9cUyRHSfoHTeiVVtaprfncZl-2O8_3fabxC1IsgPq3LGY-JrsHuRkhbfReFIqT0PYgobk2Yh58EZ87kcxltZ/s2048/321205467_529232728966668_4827477035756206611_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tZVJ6TqPfBcvuBC1KsJUKgEqequxP7cnJjlGtU9SL-UebKPtwtT-K55NxTyW2aicQfjnc_GkYHtKcDsjTI5Rd1IDTDXhCAqYbOgc9cUyRHSfoHTeiVVtaprfncZl-2O8_3fabxC1IsgPq3LGY-JrsHuRkhbfReFIqT0PYgobk2Yh58EZ87kcxltZ/w640-h296/321205467_529232728966668_4827477035756206611_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">'Farewell 2/1/23' - </span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2nd January 2023 - Photo courtesy of Paul Richardson</span></span></i></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszimT6g-R0YgFcVSxtzwBk4W-HTtdGCa9PheXekrzRt_bcoTxRFxaXatyhZuub6DXXsHEtxTcccVJWr3JdIlASRyBklkQuGUDtDktv21ge9PnlSa6HXH5ZESZvcwf3VCBjTFJD9gVqnbUSKUYTagk_nyw_n_Tm8Ks8Jz0an0LOwOPOpjfWM0SYPLt/s4032/20230102_175040%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszimT6g-R0YgFcVSxtzwBk4W-HTtdGCa9PheXekrzRt_bcoTxRFxaXatyhZuub6DXXsHEtxTcccVJWr3JdIlASRyBklkQuGUDtDktv21ge9PnlSa6HXH5ZESZvcwf3VCBjTFJD9gVqnbUSKUYTagk_nyw_n_Tm8Ks8Jz0an0LOwOPOpjfWM0SYPLt/w640-h312/20230102_175040%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4270 rests inside Toddington Shed after her final day in service - 2nd January 2023</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNHfVo4XMuQLBxcU-H56--m8dW-0cfSL44AxffC-84zjyq_Qg0EecBO2TEMMO6xWsSOkRFoa4tYWObeaqDaJjHnvcLbNwhOGM8gcb8mP-NGnHk5uN82HnHvmsktHbkoyjMw5b8PAdr9OAVefyrghyxSwD1bR3LOiyg9hPcFNOZuxd1Un1sZtE4aQO/s2048/323863003_520158476751381_1991702135292468492_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNHfVo4XMuQLBxcU-H56--m8dW-0cfSL44AxffC-84zjyq_Qg0EecBO2TEMMO6xWsSOkRFoa4tYWObeaqDaJjHnvcLbNwhOGM8gcb8mP-NGnHk5uN82HnHvmsktHbkoyjMw5b8PAdr9OAVefyrghyxSwD1bR3LOiyg9hPcFNOZuxd1Un1sZtE4aQO/w640-h480/323863003_520158476751381_1991702135292468492_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4270 rests inside Toddington Shed - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Here's a short film of the last day of running for 4270 on the 2nd January 2023. <i> <br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8zk1usvjDSo" width="650" youtube-src-id="8zk1usvjDSo"></iframe></div><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As we move in to the middle of January, now I think it's time to see what else has been happening this month. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LNHQx9yA1F-8rwnzOBZcF0NRw8ajkURPQPdFqqlyvdgGxU_G0yDrfebAq4McDhY4A3JJu2o2_SOBh9DVr95cO9lyFGzo1WtMHKNv3tsWTm2Ktndni1KmtOrAuz4Djv1O7KMJN7MuslFx9TZlkOpF45UswLwIOPt2uUTNYgxqgzNwRDjRkdRpEf2z/s2048/322386875_718229349630777_3001398086043835143_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LNHQx9yA1F-8rwnzOBZcF0NRw8ajkURPQPdFqqlyvdgGxU_G0yDrfebAq4McDhY4A3JJu2o2_SOBh9DVr95cO9lyFGzo1WtMHKNv3tsWTm2Ktndni1KmtOrAuz4Djv1O7KMJN7MuslFx9TZlkOpF45UswLwIOPt2uUTNYgxqgzNwRDjRkdRpEf2z/w480-h640/322386875_718229349630777_3001398086043835143_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></b></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7820 is now back on home turf after her holiday - 5th January 2023 - </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">of Mike Solloway</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b> <br /></b></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Friday 6th January 2023</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b> is</b> generally a busy day on shed, even though we're not actively operating trains at this time of year. This was my second visit to the railway following the last day of the 2022 operating season on Monday 2nd January. Volunteers from several of the loco owning groups and wider department were on-site - The DMLL & P&O groups to name two of them. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8SqHmnWerG27WgItgau0sgU9ACifZzv9gqKIha1JeMhCluDumwHA-Jc4BEm6EnBIeaG1kdH3J3LIATZDSuCpkPk5GpRj4z9zYZRvTWt9lU7ZHK4eYy3jPkcIClXjkceybFPS5Z_JHioQAViqMULG6HP7KcOFAKu6eF2NgVfdb6UJ_9cvsCAI5pew/s4032/20230106_084840%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8SqHmnWerG27WgItgau0sgU9ACifZzv9gqKIha1JeMhCluDumwHA-Jc4BEm6EnBIeaG1kdH3J3LIATZDSuCpkPk5GpRj4z9zYZRvTWt9lU7ZHK4eYy3jPkcIClXjkceybFPS5Z_JHioQAViqMULG6HP7KcOFAKu6eF2NgVfdb6UJ_9cvsCAI5pew/w640-h312/20230106_084840%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>4270 inside Toddington Shed a few days after her final day of active service </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- 6th January 2023</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf_s9XnRjXhhkvUXSUG1CX2WAzkTtM4ybC8_9gHvolMtxr2sv6H90Ly1io3o7Lu-HUqJmiLHWFA2XX7yyRZzGwBwn011vKcC8-asRu2-cVmnlZSpIawJXJXuNPsrhTMC3w6A3NEBzIVViWkoI7dSZn5wMHTAKVLASMHNj9QTdvSh5JAiKKoZP3thr/s4032/20230106_084818%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf_s9XnRjXhhkvUXSUG1CX2WAzkTtM4ybC8_9gHvolMtxr2sv6H90Ly1io3o7Lu-HUqJmiLHWFA2XX7yyRZzGwBwn011vKcC8-asRu2-cVmnlZSpIawJXJXuNPsrhTMC3w6A3NEBzIVViWkoI7dSZn5wMHTAKVLASMHNj9QTdvSh5JAiKKoZP3thr/w640-h312/20230106_084818%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>35006 'P&O' inside the shed before being shunted outside later that morning</span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- 6th January 2023</span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhzuZcpFyTv_OtcSzWEq9-7YPlRAMGShIpNZGBqXGNRBHW_xTmbN40S0z54vezoKtZSCZaKiXInHaDeshgoozUaz-XCdGqtbjujhLYGrKheNS1XcY2Y94nxyvY0x5OahkK8o0mFMxCM6f0NFW00KcwCnnBerM7RIATPTd8nGeHa-vQYivtZHsxDwf/s4032/20230106_141627%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhzuZcpFyTv_OtcSzWEq9-7YPlRAMGShIpNZGBqXGNRBHW_xTmbN40S0z54vezoKtZSCZaKiXInHaDeshgoozUaz-XCdGqtbjujhLYGrKheNS1XcY2Y94nxyvY0x5OahkK8o0mFMxCM6f0NFW00KcwCnnBerM7RIATPTd8nGeHa-vQYivtZHsxDwf/w640-h312/20230106_141627%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>7820 back on shed after returning from the SDR. David and I spent the day cleaning her connecting rods, frames and wheels (further cleaning was done the following week) </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- 6th January 2023</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO3OQ3En5M6YXuEGerKUav-IkcSzwYhro8YFuV8jpM2jQWjjHY64Mk8qXeOEGkrj26euF-M_2jM_es0b3ln1sXjn_gHZ4I8Fm2MSU-fgZcz4_Qid3tYZs-bMmulU5A_2QCgbWq4JiDfixjvCZ-Qfbfrn0mJ8mxZ19Bp6uWsZDhunUIO_WniwvrZ45/s4032/20230106_141720(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO3OQ3En5M6YXuEGerKUav-IkcSzwYhro8YFuV8jpM2jQWjjHY64Mk8qXeOEGkrj26euF-M_2jM_es0b3ln1sXjn_gHZ4I8Fm2MSU-fgZcz4_Qid3tYZs-bMmulU5A_2QCgbWq4JiDfixjvCZ-Qfbfrn0mJ8mxZ19Bp6uWsZDhunUIO_WniwvrZ45/w640-h312/20230106_141720(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Winter maintenance and boiler washout on 35006 - 6th January 2023</i></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday 7th January 2023</span></span> </b></span><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco6kmNa8TG034F4E6NNqoadg5r2e_2Yo9mM4Su2tD1pjnkNE5zzgxGjhx8TKoKbzcfchf6Z8GCjK7sPef2RugoAvOMpD4_zqoYfmgKRSEKVdw166ijyycDX_26ag_JyOEVFCF7uGUKYh3W0RO4z01RVNMTV8S3i7mjrxX0X-2BPiFyPmzl7tWssxR/s1599/2807_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco6kmNa8TG034F4E6NNqoadg5r2e_2Yo9mM4Su2tD1pjnkNE5zzgxGjhx8TKoKbzcfchf6Z8GCjK7sPef2RugoAvOMpD4_zqoYfmgKRSEKVdw166ijyycDX_26ag_JyOEVFCF7uGUKYh3W0RO4z01RVNMTV8S3i7mjrxX0X-2BPiFyPmzl7tWssxR/w640-h360/2807_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The 2807 gang hard at work - 7th January 2023 - </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTvx4Ejd6DePTDmI96fnq4jJ6x9hP-hY9B-WAeJmBSOd5uasGPp5WlaO4GNL9VfTldAiS68Wtkmlz665JsVaIPONnw77RfVaMxuDlVMkt5PMX0_Ux7mI49SLiCfVnuAdQjlxKuwlHG37GJfyar7f9CIG4t4Jw6dR1Yo760mZWkB3oZWbM77y0WZ6x/s1599/2807_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="899" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTvx4Ejd6DePTDmI96fnq4jJ6x9hP-hY9B-WAeJmBSOd5uasGPp5WlaO4GNL9VfTldAiS68Wtkmlz665JsVaIPONnw77RfVaMxuDlVMkt5PMX0_Ux7mI49SLiCfVnuAdQjlxKuwlHG37GJfyar7f9CIG4t4Jw6dR1Yo760mZWkB3oZWbM77y0WZ6x/w360-h640/2807_2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>2807's ashpan after being lowered onto the shed floor - 7th January 2023 - </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFMi-t0d9F_zZgSa4CFr9QLUAhpteBysFVOwmdqYi8NaeVKp-9zg6G_DneRWYNEwGScrcAr3hcWA822Dm61NS0tLD__cTUFWHX4x4Tk5VNQG5VPz0TuiOeZgjxYISxpw277VVAiTl-Mepu55DnBNJZ_mS4lN0n9SMzQBrCN1uczUkiRYtgIEPrCu2/s1600/4270_1_M.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFMi-t0d9F_zZgSa4CFr9QLUAhpteBysFVOwmdqYi8NaeVKp-9zg6G_DneRWYNEwGScrcAr3hcWA822Dm61NS0tLD__cTUFWHX4x4Tk5VNQG5VPz0TuiOeZgjxYISxpw277VVAiTl-Mepu55DnBNJZ_mS4lN0n9SMzQBrCN1uczUkiRYtgIEPrCu2/w640-h360/4270_1_M.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 being cleaned and prepared for her eventual departure - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7th January 2023 - </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5hqruFP2Cr9t4kFCIdSMYktUO8TcVDmsLNO1NXCTNvc9gFrXhJrJBZI_I-fJNzjBBnZRX6vZuNpkAKecY6n2dCrwOP1WQgLv74YGO0NZPBmeT-CbAi9Q71hfZvhccq6bUKmSsNrdHR4rAbWf40Ooi6hJFLn4s171oMQrQ4h4-8wv2cH83AOqU3Mc/s1600/4270_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5hqruFP2Cr9t4kFCIdSMYktUO8TcVDmsLNO1NXCTNvc9gFrXhJrJBZI_I-fJNzjBBnZRX6vZuNpkAKecY6n2dCrwOP1WQgLv74YGO0NZPBmeT-CbAi9Q71hfZvhccq6bUKmSsNrdHR4rAbWf40Ooi6hJFLn4s171oMQrQ4h4-8wv2cH83AOqU3Mc/w640-h360/4270_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270's smokebox being given a thorough clean and once over</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7th January 2023 - </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Kenneth Sims</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYAYhKh-60uxKtEqfbn1JUyLcJ1HtOzlTsmtqmDhdULhU8UQFLkiWTMj_uS0nD-BR0r570umdM8weQq21xmNoEPsF5CAbP3GnUQuxyokxLI9hrKQlQzas_AqFVrQE23J6VLZTkUTYKR6yBHTMLRLzoxbYt6fxWrvlS9xYfs95PZoewJpCkE5t25C0/s1600/7903_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYAYhKh-60uxKtEqfbn1JUyLcJ1HtOzlTsmtqmDhdULhU8UQFLkiWTMj_uS0nD-BR0r570umdM8weQq21xmNoEPsF5CAbP3GnUQuxyokxLI9hrKQlQzas_AqFVrQE23J6VLZTkUTYKR6yBHTMLRLzoxbYt6fxWrvlS9xYfs95PZoewJpCkE5t25C0/w640-h360/7903_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7903 inside the shed for Winter maintenance</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7th January 2023 - </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Kenneth Sims <br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Friday 13th January 2023</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A busy day on shed once again, particularly for the P&O group, who removed the drivers side connecting rods. Luckily there were a considerable number of members available to get involved as a fair amount of elbow grease was required. </span></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRNhAyQEfLDnpgip_SAYLu4_rmq3qOy2sl5M1LAujmozZsOjQa3LwW8qPObwf1NvfIlxdAvEtdiZmJk4YnByIQ7O5a5qT1CvBc7OJMITSf6zrgRPXRxchXbg1NZmtmgu__9KnKZLH57GrIXPKA_UriqjUG81L78nm6OdxfFA5sda_14NW8_uTm27-/s4032/20230113_120034%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRNhAyQEfLDnpgip_SAYLu4_rmq3qOy2sl5M1LAujmozZsOjQa3LwW8qPObwf1NvfIlxdAvEtdiZmJk4YnByIQ7O5a5qT1CvBc7OJMITSf6zrgRPXRxchXbg1NZmtmgu__9KnKZLH57GrIXPKA_UriqjUG81L78nm6OdxfFA5sda_14NW8_uTm27-/w640-h312/20230113_120034%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7820 was given a good wash and clean, particularly with regards to the bodywork, nameplates, numbers, running boards and smokebox - Much more to do! - 13th January 2023</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before 35006's connecting rods could be removed, the speedo equipment needed to be taken off by Steve.</span></span> </span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jcjF2xwXPNrCw6dzRY3m-vn2yQ1nt3H6z81Q4P6mdsgYVsXebQSArG7xD9MRN7rZIHec2S8rfX9qSFW-jwdT9kcxli_Wp9JGercG9vC1RsL0bdtzhBWby2lZM_JONMKB2snJrRSsMNA3lUSl6VVzXhlfL2jVaGmTyWiiUXRbR8WZ49wUbzFRiPbT/s2453/20230113_115927%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="2453" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jcjF2xwXPNrCw6dzRY3m-vn2yQ1nt3H6z81Q4P6mdsgYVsXebQSArG7xD9MRN7rZIHec2S8rfX9qSFW-jwdT9kcxli_Wp9JGercG9vC1RsL0bdtzhBWby2lZM_JONMKB2snJrRSsMNA3lUSl6VVzXhlfL2jVaGmTyWiiUXRbR8WZ49wUbzFRiPbT/w640-h512/20230113_115927%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>35006's speedometer and associated generator after being removed for maintenance - 13th January 2023</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhy2lRFcn-HvFOH0bwqkq2v01veOAFZgG47hvLQJIXcLzZjTcX5xSbBIdMwuaAF87yO2BOMbSCCyoP5ILfWzXzcqoSlKWnHBnVax00PKV3jMq2SAcXHX0aLThcaT-0u1A-GeUYaVof1_2Y2s9r6L6Sq3yy_IT1UsRfI-LCAoQ2czNHHmW-JtlfwZL/s4032/20230113_120234%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhy2lRFcn-HvFOH0bwqkq2v01veOAFZgG47hvLQJIXcLzZjTcX5xSbBIdMwuaAF87yO2BOMbSCCyoP5ILfWzXzcqoSlKWnHBnVax00PKV3jMq2SAcXHX0aLThcaT-0u1A-GeUYaVof1_2Y2s9r6L6Sq3yy_IT1UsRfI-LCAoQ2czNHHmW-JtlfwZL/w640-h312/20230113_120234%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Bob, Jack & Steve come up with a plan of action. Adjustable trolleys were used to help support the weight </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> - 13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Axk2WsCTFiMxUUs3y_jzVWSJ3jJ6S-xBJksKLORZbu0Zswnxq9-iuub-DPiPRCHEy3LXCv_Cg-wG5DAck8Hb9pTOGD-njmeYAhb9bXorL75HCz9Olgei3jwOpzS0D692zWLcFCLuBwhlUjdMVuU_PRwplvUQJIZJd42bap2jLEVU8cg5mibOWMbj/s4032/20230113_120722%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Axk2WsCTFiMxUUs3y_jzVWSJ3jJ6S-xBJksKLORZbu0Zswnxq9-iuub-DPiPRCHEy3LXCv_Cg-wG5DAck8Hb9pTOGD-njmeYAhb9bXorL75HCz9Olgei3jwOpzS0D692zWLcFCLuBwhlUjdMVuU_PRwplvUQJIZJd42bap2jLEVU8cg5mibOWMbj/w640-h312/20230113_120722%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Easy does it! To say these components are heavy would be an understatement!</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> - 13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZcHmRih_A4ttCBNSEY-wN3q-8YvHsLaSB6sfEsE_0rhMGfHRy_Oal4WWPTwLD_N9tnyRQuG37elN2OPM_o510uUgfpz5FdqTxcjfHMe3WhsZ93_roOE0G7ok2qZSHpxwSbXtCeE3OwY5cQcTJ9f19LEVOWJxs_jH8VzQb7xtrY_ElAAaFZGmhjB-/s4032/20230113_121824%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZcHmRih_A4ttCBNSEY-wN3q-8YvHsLaSB6sfEsE_0rhMGfHRy_Oal4WWPTwLD_N9tnyRQuG37elN2OPM_o510uUgfpz5FdqTxcjfHMe3WhsZ93_roOE0G7ok2qZSHpxwSbXtCeE3OwY5cQcTJ9f19LEVOWJxs_jH8VzQb7xtrY_ElAAaFZGmhjB-/w640-h312/20230113_121824%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>With one of the main rods removed it was on to the next... </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jhuAkirfWXZFqlDhLS6hrUnO6aoLHPpY_4C5pZLXzL0laHpm8QxQ1ho8Kwsa3vNHe7IhyXKNZLtcKXEvVBKCQkO5m1WoNlJW_4KkYcaZvci_CvrWcCAHKEm5ph2gyNOXF-ivsaF4z11_MUsTyeFwTMTwiX1Gfbuk7fDQiT1ISZ7xZbeDagGxCf4B/s4032/20230113_121849%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jhuAkirfWXZFqlDhLS6hrUnO6aoLHPpY_4C5pZLXzL0laHpm8QxQ1ho8Kwsa3vNHe7IhyXKNZLtcKXEvVBKCQkO5m1WoNlJW_4KkYcaZvci_CvrWcCAHKEm5ph2gyNOXF-ivsaF4z11_MUsTyeFwTMTwiX1Gfbuk7fDQiT1ISZ7xZbeDagGxCf4B/w640-h312/20230113_121849%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Chris surveys the scene - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq35Ay1H9b0diJotOAR2Ycaq9PplEqefnskvT-EM1efJG3lNCeTya4N9y1eqaZdfh71MNr8MrJKK3SPgXqOHlXJ7CYkHQcIUwrCiKxo3TvR_KWkBlwTePeYx4auvLzvteFbWTkU-lr5LPXSkfmELWLw0Vn2LXY-GGxvoL4RioTcoqjeIRW5lk6EZ5/s4032/20230113_122156%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq35Ay1H9b0diJotOAR2Ycaq9PplEqefnskvT-EM1efJG3lNCeTya4N9y1eqaZdfh71MNr8MrJKK3SPgXqOHlXJ7CYkHQcIUwrCiKxo3TvR_KWkBlwTePeYx4auvLzvteFbWTkU-lr5LPXSkfmELWLw0Vn2LXY-GGxvoL4RioTcoqjeIRW5lk6EZ5/w640-h312/20230113_122156%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Getting things positioned correctly - 13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJhlgQ8GpHOf0X5VMdIaJ4M0ZASYYvYrOVaQCLw3NIMgTU9u3jbqmvyLmBtnqv0NH1yvp_IFFbRFIJfiHM2daSM9dLFDQxdEM128EL5vhyxJpuQR9M0WTPD__7DFsReFI_rKvYzvVmm8Z0ZoOz1QnIY_VyVM1kMfXzTqdeFJ_5ZhSM3lpW_r3qUPy/s4032/20230113_123126%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJhlgQ8GpHOf0X5VMdIaJ4M0ZASYYvYrOVaQCLw3NIMgTU9u3jbqmvyLmBtnqv0NH1yvp_IFFbRFIJfiHM2daSM9dLFDQxdEM128EL5vhyxJpuQR9M0WTPD__7DFsReFI_rKvYzvVmm8Z0ZoOz1QnIY_VyVM1kMfXzTqdeFJ_5ZhSM3lpW_r3qUPy/w640-h312/20230113_123126%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The team check that everything is good to go - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwjBqyo-ec_i7QWS-qY9qqi5EFWuZmeSoq77JklvibU3vrvA1szJWtuIdatFKDdQcMO-KUo7R2l5BqFfzM9ojPYRTMP8mnpO57NFjNXjgbMd7ztM0BFEEkpIlppCe4Crk7Y51fH6d-zSKdipALSO_JS0nrSV_TCUBP7UDTUw3VS0cirXC4qnP70tc/s4032/20230113_123135%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwjBqyo-ec_i7QWS-qY9qqi5EFWuZmeSoq77JklvibU3vrvA1szJWtuIdatFKDdQcMO-KUo7R2l5BqFfzM9ojPYRTMP8mnpO57NFjNXjgbMd7ztM0BFEEkpIlppCe4Crk7Y51fH6d-zSKdipALSO_JS0nrSV_TCUBP7UDTUw3VS0cirXC4qnP70tc/w640-h312/20230113_123135%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdaAJAjJ-qyUOlVhy8HSJRoKI1QY7gfyRLqBON8R_8Hiydg1Ak78Bq6qUS6e7sXlXzTxCHOa7ziDQ1UbR7slcNjdiimjumJggkikIOF7oDLv4jnP1AO-rPo8OZvOA7Cw8SLNbLqDqU0hZPMgwaCOAsHUmi4R-YeSC72rYU4WBklNWPodRqwAAEZ6z/s4032/20230113_123908%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdaAJAjJ-qyUOlVhy8HSJRoKI1QY7gfyRLqBON8R_8Hiydg1Ak78Bq6qUS6e7sXlXzTxCHOa7ziDQ1UbR7slcNjdiimjumJggkikIOF7oDLv4jnP1AO-rPo8OZvOA7Cw8SLNbLqDqU0hZPMgwaCOAsHUmi4R-YeSC72rYU4WBklNWPodRqwAAEZ6z/w640-h312/20230113_123908%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The sun is streaming in and things are progressing well - 13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRKS2J4YzcmvMpTuHpqx8OJdUP1nrD8hplAz6FDHpf7yvoQ_wdkVT5HgnKp2xdidAYW5QlwdERrlqUiaEbJh2q2sExwy5b8Hc5M3ONm7jhG2jxR7B1ngf4UiXnKgaxss9_rhvLmPIL9sqUeQVG55VxxAhpRwXSdW4vmP1NANag_EVLnSxxPJWxPgC/s4032/20230113_124055%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRKS2J4YzcmvMpTuHpqx8OJdUP1nrD8hplAz6FDHpf7yvoQ_wdkVT5HgnKp2xdidAYW5QlwdERrlqUiaEbJh2q2sExwy5b8Hc5M3ONm7jhG2jxR7B1ngf4UiXnKgaxss9_rhvLmPIL9sqUeQVG55VxxAhpRwXSdW4vmP1NANag_EVLnSxxPJWxPgC/w640-h312/20230113_124055%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It's not often that you get to see the driving wheels in their entirety. The rope is present to ensure that the remaining components stay in position - 13th January 2023 <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1stQ_6XJmdI0SDR89Nkn8JqIYde84tyALIMikb6VUmr85xict9jJi-b2VNYkEGJsBQIbUv3w_oxQ1uyHuWYVz8ND4x26s93SzhJCkenub6aCTyS-WlpwFKZZErQ95ziLpVpjOwq6712LwQOD55-8pYPuK3gy2z4kP64JrTWpZiaA8f6X2LhVjb9KC/s4032/20230113_150352%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1stQ_6XJmdI0SDR89Nkn8JqIYde84tyALIMikb6VUmr85xict9jJi-b2VNYkEGJsBQIbUv3w_oxQ1uyHuWYVz8ND4x26s93SzhJCkenub6aCTyS-WlpwFKZZErQ95ziLpVpjOwq6712LwQOD55-8pYPuK3gy2z4kP64JrTWpZiaA8f6X2LhVjb9KC/w640-h312/20230113_150352%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>35006, 7820 & 7903 inside Toddington Shed - 13th January 2023</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The removed connecting rods will be cleaned and put through maintenance (re-bushing & re-metalling where required) before they are refitted to the loco.</span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Saturday 14th January 2023</b> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Toddington Shed was a hive of activity on Saturday 14th January. It's always great to see so many folk involved in the various projects. There's always something which needs doing in the department, whether it's a big job or a small one.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqCwdDxvMQK7rSeu3N6G3lqRNisLR-kFbyyBh24i_Y-tAaY__gEKAhIvrjT8kjss6X7HMEg1pVLu-Dr2IWMkPKgvvCokW9rfOrtupV6aiEu0ZvETpKAT_-E1zgt3OEgN2HV5llxAZTfA5zbXBiczH47QYd1t5rFVfvdZpk3Xrrvif3dx4TDryF8nA/s2048/325791971_683452573240353_8119302360374031145_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqCwdDxvMQK7rSeu3N6G3lqRNisLR-kFbyyBh24i_Y-tAaY__gEKAhIvrjT8kjss6X7HMEg1pVLu-Dr2IWMkPKgvvCokW9rfOrtupV6aiEu0ZvETpKAT_-E1zgt3OEgN2HV5llxAZTfA5zbXBiczH47QYd1t5rFVfvdZpk3Xrrvif3dx4TDryF8nA/w640-h480/325791971_683452573240353_8119302360374031145_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Bev & Dave (new double act?), along with Jeremy, really got stuck into cleaning underneath 4270 - 14th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIwia78SRQkLbiq0Dzu_ENVNgWHSxKY6hvLOpWyJDpvGFv0iYXTGjpUHKsjReZweDhcHiWM5IVsz4tXuIrhk_yki-oFIeY5JmZWG54cijEPzN91QZhCv0HNayOclOG-yjRWUcIV5A21WRssA3M3i-9aiTeZNfy0e7BMZ4oPW5Tk96w8WGeBrxH5bV/s2048/325695070_1222949288595368_6386432499846090339_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIwia78SRQkLbiq0Dzu_ENVNgWHSxKY6hvLOpWyJDpvGFv0iYXTGjpUHKsjReZweDhcHiWM5IVsz4tXuIrhk_yki-oFIeY5JmZWG54cijEPzN91QZhCv0HNayOclOG-yjRWUcIV5A21WRssA3M3i-9aiTeZNfy0e7BMZ4oPW5Tk96w8WGeBrxH5bV/w640-h480/325695070_1222949288595368_6386432499846090339_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Ongoing work on 7903 </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> - 14th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7903 was having attention to its valve rings and packing’s. <br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86OYmRDMbUTu6oI0saEaCAMijHps8m-8nDMb3gbPhb2dhsWzLY3fCvjRUlR3xqxvxd67FGmT7mPXrgZBWTQ6S0hk2D9cfBYOMq0O3TJwr2GVlj_d0Br4jB84MpvE-ILasm1MtDvj0vPO34E8AAku_uLpfU7vQdNJzzpe5yvPihl7tHSKYGdwVEZpR/s2048/325848230_479598981027967_4965096711087839287_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86OYmRDMbUTu6oI0saEaCAMijHps8m-8nDMb3gbPhb2dhsWzLY3fCvjRUlR3xqxvxd67FGmT7mPXrgZBWTQ6S0hk2D9cfBYOMq0O3TJwr2GVlj_d0Br4jB84MpvE-ILasm1MtDvj0vPO34E8AAku_uLpfU7vQdNJzzpe5yvPihl7tHSKYGdwVEZpR/w640-h480/325848230_479598981027967_4965096711087839287_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>35006 with her drivers side connecting rods removed - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>14th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45SF4D2T9fWzrHBY-XzKwMRcoxfyCGxB8abxy1N7yxEL5FLPatejQC_6pqjavRzNnilpdNLZY3-j78B3PboHYRmv6KnidJjCDRinO1VVmkcRNhlTuGbVkRl0kAOAgHKa04Y74cyHkHfa7msC4j6RBK-8CHIRvfw3mrzZ0NtpLcEeA-KpWVACDFtI7/s2048/325754183_872603503948260_1278889373583117102_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45SF4D2T9fWzrHBY-XzKwMRcoxfyCGxB8abxy1N7yxEL5FLPatejQC_6pqjavRzNnilpdNLZY3-j78B3PboHYRmv6KnidJjCDRinO1VVmkcRNhlTuGbVkRl0kAOAgHKa04Y74cyHkHfa7msC4j6RBK-8CHIRvfw3mrzZ0NtpLcEeA-KpWVACDFtI7/w640-h480/325754183_872603503948260_1278889373583117102_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The shed floor has been given a good blasting with our new cleaner - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>14th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvon9aOgLwkS1AlncxIrmOqs5kYXq7QueF5r_lDnkBGPApnNjLOrBS488udM7uEhMeC4b_Hx0FYRtTpQPD-4fC_konJ9EJNIc6WZfeYlE42cUvtOewj-QJnjzDaf6-iQLU6r9rqB66pHR06D-xkR8JfAC0-H6cUnJ2IkWS4JpCDRUopn21yn3maKQF/s2048/325787782_540081858063401_5733107651472511947_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvon9aOgLwkS1AlncxIrmOqs5kYXq7QueF5r_lDnkBGPApnNjLOrBS488udM7uEhMeC4b_Hx0FYRtTpQPD-4fC_konJ9EJNIc6WZfeYlE42cUvtOewj-QJnjzDaf6-iQLU6r9rqB66pHR06D-xkR8JfAC0-H6cUnJ2IkWS4JpCDRUopn21yn3maKQF/w480-h640/325787782_540081858063401_5733107651472511947_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Looking down shed roads 8 & 9 - One of 35006' connecting rods can be seen in the middle - 1</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchQY9oLsW6K_WgZiut8Bv1MbrbFmo2bOWkcWAbhbKoilHZJAcry-nBdxG4E5_hhgNliftF463-oNBtz5CuvZ8XzHf9ZYqCGHXCHk-YWM2WNZyYLFDw8zuYnvm_kdAl1MbS4sp1zFjycPMz-zsC6aY1wC9VlK0AgAOXdAz4RAdJthoEE-Vh96qaVbk/s2048/325867627_1202145764037913_1671027993633865233_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchQY9oLsW6K_WgZiut8Bv1MbrbFmo2bOWkcWAbhbKoilHZJAcry-nBdxG4E5_hhgNliftF463-oNBtz5CuvZ8XzHf9ZYqCGHXCHk-YWM2WNZyYLFDw8zuYnvm_kdAl1MbS4sp1zFjycPMz-zsC6aY1wC9VlK0AgAOXdAz4RAdJthoEE-Vh96qaVbk/w640-h480/325867627_1202145764037913_1671027993633865233_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>The second (and final) radius rod being polished for 76077 - </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>1</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb8Cij9rgaH4c9nCblMh3oeapCtBRRfnvrCSbwqpnV6HfukBnKrx9PkQQ9UHMDjHFR6LuKxcdNC-t9HMXUQpWwV00lY2H5XBdSCGuV0Xo5ebe6yYXQ0x33VQPpZBRZjidWSY1_ooLfsjSUnZkZhVnr3ea-gR-0HD94hEFf0cAB58THXd2CPcoe-vg/s2048/325802936_715307073275981_5655580103479180158_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb8Cij9rgaH4c9nCblMh3oeapCtBRRfnvrCSbwqpnV6HfukBnKrx9PkQQ9UHMDjHFR6LuKxcdNC-t9HMXUQpWwV00lY2H5XBdSCGuV0Xo5ebe6yYXQ0x33VQPpZBRZjidWSY1_ooLfsjSUnZkZhVnr3ea-gR-0HD94hEFf0cAB58THXd2CPcoe-vg/w640-h480/325802936_715307073275981_5655580103479180158_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>New firebox blackhead cladding for 76077 </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>- </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>1</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>of Andrew Beale</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19c_eRaaFJqy8PA9mkOPIruepvF4M2aebqqtyJkZt3XQyjvojFv6FOkewrgw7GSFrGCYjYRlmlZJYz2mgQx4CJIjQyle9s6eqpDNImiPjVX5Vz-xW7DlDuDUsnJ5N2LHKzxPBLFpEYBcAlwWmF60Cia0otpX_piv6kFoZbk4weQLoz2Aw-Oz8WBxu/s2048/325734805_897760314696993_8817655426515348297_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19c_eRaaFJqy8PA9mkOPIruepvF4M2aebqqtyJkZt3XQyjvojFv6FOkewrgw7GSFrGCYjYRlmlZJYz2mgQx4CJIjQyle9s6eqpDNImiPjVX5Vz-xW7DlDuDUsnJ5N2LHKzxPBLFpEYBcAlwWmF60Cia0otpX_piv6kFoZbk4weQLoz2Aw-Oz8WBxu/w640-h480/325734805_897760314696993_8817655426515348297_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">New boiler crinolines for 76077 - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">1</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">of Andrew Beale</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Crinolines - The framework of hoops used to support cladding over a boiler. <br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVj0NUNtrrIt3dgmxA45Bc6ie8olSEpgxTWhB4Bla7EGFMu3b35xLEcqHB0HY1wyYwgxR-8O22HT_Xqho8ci1AOrMBUpGP3zGVIMA7RTzw_7PZuDdHx6G0yfoazn8BK_F55PXy00kQzaDLKFYW3AEoSnE3wUQZjuJRvrPCiDmorYf-iv_muHHUVHs/s2048/325789179_689466002729519_6495607856355753336_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVj0NUNtrrIt3dgmxA45Bc6ie8olSEpgxTWhB4Bla7EGFMu3b35xLEcqHB0HY1wyYwgxR-8O22HT_Xqho8ci1AOrMBUpGP3zGVIMA7RTzw_7PZuDdHx6G0yfoazn8BK_F55PXy00kQzaDLKFYW3AEoSnE3wUQZjuJRvrPCiDmorYf-iv_muHHUVHs/w640-h480/325789179_689466002729519_6495607856355753336_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Superheater elements for 3850 ready for pressure testing </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">1</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4th January 2023 - Photo courtesy </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">of Andrew Beale</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The 2807 group were busy working on the new tender chassis. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR groups which are worth following.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">DMLL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DinmoreManorLocomotiveLtd" target="_blank">Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">CSPL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/210501460479549" target="_blank">Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL)</a> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">2874 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252001025152964" target="_blank">The 2874 Trust</a> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">35006 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2573929766251460" target="_blank">35006 Group</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">76077 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/76077loco" target="_blank">Standard Locomotive 76077</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">CWR - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087621331159" target="_blank">Cotswold Wagon Restorations</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">CFOS - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldFestivalofSteam" target="_blank">GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Page</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">THL - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/322920307766027" target="_blank">The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the making</a><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">I will leave you with Rod Stewart and his rendition of Tom Waits' <a href="https://youtu.be/U2wZso64vmo" target="_blank">Downtown Train</a>. Until next time folks... stay safe. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com11Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-51926202102310443712022-12-15T19:30:00.009+00:002022-12-16T21:03:43.901+00:00Here comes the snow!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WA4mDWxQ4oyvY_58ByWqoY2f1DHyIMEICN-RYZW0R1y5tZKcQfyRHm1CSlpqOby0ERAWIe-xLr8Sgd51xOmJJIOu2qjPkWMrtB4SxaVP2p5KgCUUaPz3DOgHJQlBod_4_2gQpOh8uINoXDyfaDTWnrjUYOrfRqKpdMVh6orlbwrGTKOTK9M_bLVf/s2048/7903_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WA4mDWxQ4oyvY_58ByWqoY2f1DHyIMEICN-RYZW0R1y5tZKcQfyRHm1CSlpqOby0ERAWIe-xLr8Sgd51xOmJJIOu2qjPkWMrtB4SxaVP2p5KgCUUaPz3DOgHJQlBod_4_2gQpOh8uINoXDyfaDTWnrjUYOrfRqKpdMVh6orlbwrGTKOTK9M_bLVf/w640-h480/7903_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>7903 'Foremarke Hall' approaches Toddington Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C&W elf </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Alex Caulfield</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>When it comes to wintery weather in Britain, and particularly that of the snowy variety, the adage 'blink and you'll miss it' would ordinarily be rather appropriate when based on previous years. However, when I took a look at the long range forecast a week or so ago, it appeared as if we just might be in for a festive treat, and one that even Rudolph the reindeer could get excited about - The prospect of snow! Sure enough, as I'm writing this on a Sunday afternoon, the snow has been falling rather steadily since the early hours. I do have some sympathy with the loco elves who signed on at 05:30.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k-CgA0qT5Ew" width="650" youtube-src-id="k-CgA0qT5Ew"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>A snowy day on the GWSR - 11th December 2022 - Video courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler</i></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, Lapland has way more snow than we do, but you really can't beat travelling by steam train to visit Father Christmas, surrounded by the picturesque Cotswold landscape, especially when it's all covered in the white stuff. It's unbeatable. The good news is that it looks like the snow will be hanging around for a short while, but I've probably gone and jinxed it now. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK94lGoZ_szEjEL-Oq3LjUtADoovgUPZds_DjNPr88TjmF6nZC3D-xSGgl0FIT9eIWvOXDKfN-09m8SX6KHI7hppSmS8HFRwNgiXK1zVqoq5AcPiNrwL2cNR613CwKDblyWf18fYs3TdLgLH5NpnlTtUscd73fDPK62knm_zkopbAeOo2CUt-toClp/s2048/Photo_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK94lGoZ_szEjEL-Oq3LjUtADoovgUPZds_DjNPr88TjmF6nZC3D-xSGgl0FIT9eIWvOXDKfN-09m8SX6KHI7hppSmS8HFRwNgiXK1zVqoq5AcPiNrwL2cNR613CwKDblyWf18fYs3TdLgLH5NpnlTtUscd73fDPK62knm_zkopbAeOo2CUt-toClp/w640-h480/Photo_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I'm sure he's about to phone and ask where the snowmen are? </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>- 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQvYg9HG0eZVGh_vZvi9XrdkkvqtaMiNXUO2fKtj7owls7xadWENMbrSz4Slt-vNq0c4w0Mpa7MSH2-akGlVqhrnAnEX0G2-K-Fc7UvWdqYSBkxjW8BI49f6ef2593M9fL0r7ZFpTkro17Z2uL16IBe3bYh2hkSeRDRalgMdjwMUHCniZLl6PWbrW/s2048/Photo_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQvYg9HG0eZVGh_vZvi9XrdkkvqtaMiNXUO2fKtj7owls7xadWENMbrSz4Slt-vNq0c4w0Mpa7MSH2-akGlVqhrnAnEX0G2-K-Fc7UvWdqYSBkxjW8BI49f6ef2593M9fL0r7ZFpTkro17Z2uL16IBe3bYh2hkSeRDRalgMdjwMUHCniZLl6PWbrW/w640-h480/Photo_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Perhaps the snowmen are taking cover in Greet Tunnel? I hope the Yeti hasn't got to them! -</span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson</span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRhgEYBF-zOmFJdS6MIJuZGU7nvAYXAN7tUtt6j21JlbwJKni6slk3cwqSuAlk_4b09QiIM2RO4RM02ciNC-JH-VcB7E0mwb3_py9Huj5narsdYVjJKJaqL4q9nGexNxXos5aQmK2A47aD0jsvGVvva20sO5rf8lT2MBlPX6pYO9iHVEoiifLAMBl/s4032/4270_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRhgEYBF-zOmFJdS6MIJuZGU7nvAYXAN7tUtt6j21JlbwJKni6slk3cwqSuAlk_4b09QiIM2RO4RM02ciNC-JH-VcB7E0mwb3_py9Huj5narsdYVjJKJaqL4q9nGexNxXos5aQmK2A47aD0jsvGVvva20sO5rf8lT2MBlPX6pYO9iHVEoiifLAMBl/w480-h640/4270_2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span>4270 awaits the signal to proceed at Winchcombe - </span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler</span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The subject of snow reminded me of this film which was produced by Geoffrey Jones in 1963 following the 'Big Freeze'. </span> <br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cl4pJwcE7JI" width="650" youtube-src-id="cl4pJwcE7JI"></iframe></div>Film of the conditions of the railway after the heavy winter of 1962-3, and the slow return to normality - Video </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">©</span></span></i></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> BFI </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">I'm reliably informed that elf Liam had a go firing today, and that boiler management was conducted in accordance with the Derek Smith ‘pirate’ method. 'Arrrrr!!' or to be more specific, 'Arrr!! The tide’s gone out!!' - It's a big learning experience.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">I've been fortunate to have a go with the shovel on a few occasions over the past year, and to say that I found it rather challenging would be a bit of an understatement. Whilst I could get the black stuff through the fire-hole doors, it didn't necessarily end up in the right place. In my defence, I could argue that at least it didn't going flying off out of the window!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbseQw5G77TroKF2-AzsFA116nWxQrYUfttjwp0_EDV3SWX4O_wfVvE12KGQnWGeY1vOLt1MZ-PKkaYoddj-VO1g9YTtwCa3r7PxFDZrwq8-vzezxp2TdGbjQAmrVjbfPR5i3PXtmQiOiE4QehobbJ_jYZ1xE_Cc_i5_g8gxloXOUvFcGcmxKqhevG/s2048/4270_111222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbseQw5G77TroKF2-AzsFA116nWxQrYUfttjwp0_EDV3SWX4O_wfVvE12KGQnWGeY1vOLt1MZ-PKkaYoddj-VO1g9YTtwCa3r7PxFDZrwq8-vzezxp2TdGbjQAmrVjbfPR5i3PXtmQiOiE4QehobbJ_jYZ1xE_Cc_i5_g8gxloXOUvFcGcmxKqhevG/w640-h480/4270_111222.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270 stands at Winchcombe Station - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler</span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKvGFr3hciMQrV4PQDXABv097Lol9-Rr0zJCGH6WDoPOTuiYH9k4cNHfBb4POK8vtPV87oBmVwbaa8dt1jwEA4dW8dxsoS994cCkpPcn89Np2C3oO6agVZhk676cUHja3ES5-B5HFIwfxMAnsahcjeFKIgiqMTO2gpVWqVyvNwdmx7IH-OWjU8wry/s2048/Photo_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKvGFr3hciMQrV4PQDXABv097Lol9-Rr0zJCGH6WDoPOTuiYH9k4cNHfBb4POK8vtPV87oBmVwbaa8dt1jwEA4dW8dxsoS994cCkpPcn89Np2C3oO6agVZhk676cUHja3ES5-B5HFIwfxMAnsahcjeFKIgiqMTO2gpVWqVyvNwdmx7IH-OWjU8wry/w640-h480/Photo_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">7903 adds some colour to the scene at Winchcombe </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>-</span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">When it comes to firing, many members of the department make it look like a fine art, as if it's almost second nature. This of course, comes with practice, and a hell of a lot of it. It's all very well and good if everything goes to plan, but in my experience, you only really learn when you have to deal with and react to unexpected situations. Much like driving a car, you have to expect the unexpected and always be very vigilant. In many respects, it's quite like a hazard perception test.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Some things are done in a certain order, whilst others are not. It all really depends on the situation at hand at the time...<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uMPEUcVyJsc" width="650" youtube-src-id="uMPEUcVyJsc"></iframe></div>André Previn on The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show - 25th December 1971 - This was Episode 7 from Series 6</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The musical guests were Los Zafiros, Glenda Jackson, André Previn and Shirley Bassey. A variety of sketches finished with Ernie's latest play called 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' starring Francis Matthews as King Richard.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHepaa3hA_tD5XPubQDuLWIs77cyZQFB336c30r7VWoD8LcbJSJ47UXw4VMrB-si5bapj5zHPKnivUwe39YcUCoPwgaZe9D5wD2S-AuPXb17XcEnVk1FCtFGVensXJe5WAM3EODMoF6QHrvD9z9PBlNkDJXmOpfl-We8ExzXfnT7XkBa9HX74HyC-5/s2048/4270_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHepaa3hA_tD5XPubQDuLWIs77cyZQFB336c30r7VWoD8LcbJSJ47UXw4VMrB-si5bapj5zHPKnivUwe39YcUCoPwgaZe9D5wD2S-AuPXb17XcEnVk1FCtFGVensXJe5WAM3EODMoF6QHrvD9z9PBlNkDJXmOpfl-We8ExzXfnT7XkBa9HX74HyC-5/w640-h480/4270_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>4270 at Toddington Station - </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield</span></span></span></i><br /><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozhR15sPeoHRCYjAXlP52XifD-f6JFAQVfjehuh0KqfMV-vGZ48DAFfTpsPFN1ypGfcBAMe-Z1F1BsiuBf-ttmAJ_YmAdaX8mcox69c2hOBsqjPrQUvBDrUt7jiKj6OxN64POrBWdr6xSTrJg8J4k-2bpEP1CwVq3m1Z5qhKnM-UCTLne67dC0vVn/s1920/Grumpy_Points.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozhR15sPeoHRCYjAXlP52XifD-f6JFAQVfjehuh0KqfMV-vGZ48DAFfTpsPFN1ypGfcBAMe-Z1F1BsiuBf-ttmAJ_YmAdaX8mcox69c2hOBsqjPrQUvBDrUt7jiKj6OxN64POrBWdr6xSTrJg8J4k-2bpEP1CwVq3m1Z5qhKnM-UCTLne67dC0vVn/w360-h640/Grumpy_Points.jpg" width="360" /></a></div></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The steam department get involved with all things, even a grumpy point. I don't think it's a fan of snow! <span><span><span>- </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler</span></span></span> <br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR5GF3K5Dx4yDyQ-9ntQ0EN2_dN5e3qhAwJJxaOgiYm-67pmoU-ljJI2gjgUmtcURiY39xPrV-8_kNRUKV8uu631m9PplDzArpHEdw2X1Pv21SfuAELpzzFZ4Uh5gwM89VAvD_cKa1tFw97eJFSv_jd0bHIVq1XPnZwjqHR82yjq8YqXHf1Fmp24Y/s4032/7903_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR5GF3K5Dx4yDyQ-9ntQ0EN2_dN5e3qhAwJJxaOgiYm-67pmoU-ljJI2gjgUmtcURiY39xPrV-8_kNRUKV8uu631m9PplDzArpHEdw2X1Pv21SfuAELpzzFZ4Uh5gwM89VAvD_cKa1tFw97eJFSv_jd0bHIVq1XPnZwjqHR82yjq8YqXHf1Fmp24Y/w480-h640/7903_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It'll be warmer on 7903's footplate than down here! -</span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>'On Shed' Activities</b></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now amidst all this talk of snow and Father Christmas, I think it's about time we covered a few departmental updates. </span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95IHKXS-fp2cYJy6Fzq_Vc8iZfeuXm12L2bDipXBfL636wdMC1-1obJ_j8Txgh1lv26rg-clqfifOQiNDvp786HTGI38-R9W1UAMcQUk0LLAsWAw_cDU_PjZoeVpMLafbWAnPe9Q50LgoLFAMVeMqRc4elDAkhG2GM4EcEI49PzcvUJ3Vyv79ISL-/s1635/img172%20Pilots%205095%20at%20Rattery%20%20%20%20%205%207%2055%20RC%20Riley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1635" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95IHKXS-fp2cYJy6Fzq_Vc8iZfeuXm12L2bDipXBfL636wdMC1-1obJ_j8Txgh1lv26rg-clqfifOQiNDvp786HTGI38-R9W1UAMcQUk0LLAsWAw_cDU_PjZoeVpMLafbWAnPe9Q50LgoLFAMVeMqRc4elDAkhG2GM4EcEI49PzcvUJ3Vyv79ISL-/w640-h404/img172%20Pilots%205095%20at%20Rattery%20%20%20%20%205%207%2055%20RC%20Riley.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7903 pilots 5095 'Barbury Castle'</span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> at Rattery - 5th July 1955 - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon / <i>R.C. Riley</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Wednesday Gang (or should that be the Wednesday Elves!) turn their hands to almost anything from chopping wood for lighting locos, to disposal of engines that have been in service and everything that goes in between and more.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzI9bbtAbbZkGMYKJxdf7Rt6KtPQEjmVjShwU4NDfiazZSlTLAvGqfAa-nAXQnH3kYrxRAEwYIcdG6aton-_VytpqSSHH_M5wuf71e9tR6Jf2eOXb7X2xoofgLdGWg4Mf7rAKHq7ARP1uoeHrsr4y9ZzOT4IDEsKYiSEY3EIOAJ0EZtnd7bv0yY0w/s4032/IMG_1614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzI9bbtAbbZkGMYKJxdf7Rt6KtPQEjmVjShwU4NDfiazZSlTLAvGqfAa-nAXQnH3kYrxRAEwYIcdG6aton-_VytpqSSHH_M5wuf71e9tR6Jf2eOXb7X2xoofgLdGWg4Mf7rAKHq7ARP1uoeHrsr4y9ZzOT4IDEsKYiSEY3EIOAJ0EZtnd7bv0yY0w/w480-h640/IMG_1614.JPG" width="480" /></a>
</div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Fireman elf Martin Clark takes charge of the pressure washer - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon</i><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I have previously shown on the blog, we do all sorts of cleaning up tasks as maintaining an oily, mucky environment that BR sheds tended to be is not satisfactory to the Elf & Safety brigade, and to be honest, quite rightly too! Our new super duper pressure washer really takes the muck off and we are treating outside as well as in the shed. Above you can see elf Martin Clark of the Wednesday gang pressure washing the unloading road. This was to clean out the rail flange slots which had filled up with muck - When we had the heavy rain, the road flooded and sent water into the shed! A few hours with elf Chris Smith and others helping out soon had the task sorted.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyYc0ZbtNGQJp7QeXKGSGXZe_N1GduFZAf_Ft8WyqxYnf8XPoTsEv1-i5SCZWuLOtecIHY5JLIN6SMWGKQx_0u5iGO74EsFlRns1FPqo4xpQLcXsUSbOvc_XwiInoBfDbZ8cAUX6uFkaDdsHdrGI9pjjfax64o1vTlPj5V5S-2mOp1P-urW7CUw32/s4032/IMG_1624.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyYc0ZbtNGQJp7QeXKGSGXZe_N1GduFZAf_Ft8WyqxYnf8XPoTsEv1-i5SCZWuLOtecIHY5JLIN6SMWGKQx_0u5iGO74EsFlRns1FPqo4xpQLcXsUSbOvc_XwiInoBfDbZ8cAUX6uFkaDdsHdrGI9pjjfax64o1vTlPj5V5S-2mOp1P-urW7CUw32/w480-h640/IMG_1624.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Driver elf Chris Smith gives the lamps some attention - </i></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon</span></span></i><br /></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQoMpDXNu144L7vUvI3nnwD2-TmpAVEYyYVk80jrOEax0nKk1VMndjuNDai8AsNYct_8QJT29-kub_rldJyWRMNLA_VvxyXq6O3w6vNj1MtvwCx24zbfhHpupowNNm1QvK2PMFFMXNN40DzOw6IS256fS-y11zqybwKHw4gF8x95oqY6PBoRETnpf/s4032/IMG_1619.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQoMpDXNu144L7vUvI3nnwD2-TmpAVEYyYVk80jrOEax0nKk1VMndjuNDai8AsNYct_8QJT29-kub_rldJyWRMNLA_VvxyXq6O3w6vNj1MtvwCx24zbfhHpupowNNm1QvK2PMFFMXNN40DzOw6IS256fS-y11zqybwKHw4gF8x95oqY6PBoRETnpf/w480-h640/IMG_1619.JPG" width="480" /></a>
</div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>A closer look at the lamps - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second and third pictures show some loco lamps with another regular Wednesday man, elf Chris Smith, giving them some tender loving care. These are made of tin plate soldered together and in recent times some of the crews have been lacking in flame control (with the lamps). This not only badly soots the lamps up, but can in fact release the solder and the lamps fall apart. So, during the winter, Chris will be giving them some maintenance, but in addition we will be producing some instructions to post by the loco rack. As an aside, these lamps are becoming not only expensive but rare, so we have to preserve them as much as the locos themselves. John informs me from his own personal perspective that he knows for a fact that some of these lamps have been in regular use for over 25 years.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6dByxjMiQlfZz9C44DCnuqlsm_fo2IG3aufXalj6qi6GEw7FxugRJa1KpYzpN15Y5-BICGbXso-SgBWMeJEU4bg-32mPZjpukwNsDszSsBhq-oNDMeHTNxZ_LRoq6evUbJ8uwHvGMKUJHr89hkohjCX5IWAKd5UXEq6mZ0AbHfgmE7DMkxFGB2U7/s1652/7903%20&%204903%20April%2063%20%20in%20OOC%20shed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1652" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6dByxjMiQlfZz9C44DCnuqlsm_fo2IG3aufXalj6qi6GEw7FxugRJa1KpYzpN15Y5-BICGbXso-SgBWMeJEU4bg-32mPZjpukwNsDszSsBhq-oNDMeHTNxZ_LRoq6evUbJ8uwHvGMKUJHr89hkohjCX5IWAKd5UXEq6mZ0AbHfgmE7DMkxFGB2U7/w640-h410/7903%20&%204903%20April%2063%20%20in%20OOC%20shed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7903 & 4903 in Old Oak Common shed (81A) - April 1963 - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQgpgsDNFoxe3eEFaxJ1mtdf65H2nn3A2NpvD8zua7n2wI5L5VFygpMwmshcUXBoacHhdkXi6JszZc1wCj6mDS5hLU2paP9fhE7kxAUOvPK27upm2DqN2yJ2cZQUOpREz3ZarXQ6F3OrB4YCvu_fvDllRZ1wyuCqvbRgLbw8wzmwmiY1vQ-mF_TKv/s1252/47073053114_c9ee960103_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1252" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQgpgsDNFoxe3eEFaxJ1mtdf65H2nn3A2NpvD8zua7n2wI5L5VFygpMwmshcUXBoacHhdkXi6JszZc1wCj6mDS5hLU2paP9fhE7kxAUOvPK27upm2DqN2yJ2cZQUOpREz3ZarXQ6F3OrB4YCvu_fvDllRZ1wyuCqvbRgLbw8wzmwmiY1vQ-mF_TKv/w640-h420/47073053114_c9ee960103_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>7903 at Old Oak Common shed (81A) in the early 1960s - </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>Photo </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">© Patrick O'Brien <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2eHFGG3" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/2eHFGG3</a><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsENbQCmCJ4jkVgk4U8fNbchTIGc-FtnopprSX9YiJHl3a-tAJ_6mdv2S2COUBMokfMhoW5BIcTUds0kjD6qn0qzG2HGzasVbELl2ejURJ8YR4AHSnnAvYSqkTrVq0V_7sb_gBwz3aVysyseldNFmb9BzvJ3Q2Rw010UYJSf7d10pnMQ5AoFjXe0d/s3959/geograph-5527383-by-Gareth-James.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2969" data-original-width="3959" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsENbQCmCJ4jkVgk4U8fNbchTIGc-FtnopprSX9YiJHl3a-tAJ_6mdv2S2COUBMokfMhoW5BIcTUds0kjD6qn0qzG2HGzasVbELl2ejURJ8YR4AHSnnAvYSqkTrVq0V_7sb_gBwz3aVysyseldNFmb9BzvJ3Q2Rw010UYJSf7d10pnMQ5AoFjXe0d/w640-h480/geograph-5527383-by-Gareth-James.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">View towards Great Western Railway locomotives No. 6023 King Edward II and No. 7903 Foremarke Hall during the Old Oak Common open day </span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">- 2nd September 2017 - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/32787">Gareth James</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5527383">geograph.org.uk/p/5527383</a></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving on to 3850, work on her overhaul is progressing well and here's a DVD film about the project from few years ago.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RDcVltGz1XU" width="650" youtube-src-id="RDcVltGz1XU"></iframe></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>A DVD to highlight the work being carried out to return Ex GWR locomotive no 3850 to operational condition as a result of its heavy general overhaul. Some great shots of it working on the GCR, Llangollen, and WSR, plus information about what needs to be repaired and replaced as part of the overhaul For more information as to how you may be involved follow the links on the DVD or go to <a href="https://www.dinmoremanor.co.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.dinmoremanor.co.uk/</a> - Please Note: 'Club 3850' is now closed.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Video </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">© Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd & On Track Productions</span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An update from the 35006 Group, courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWJfZv7D_qT5D61Jx1qa5fet8MsEtgpdQZNyeu3iKnrVcjbJI1-M05cXFE9H_7keiUo5iAI43ijrhmwR7xLvwoKbwOzedxr0uPNrkM79270RyI-cuZyQbHqooGe5CjmUuosMBGxLY0SgyJX5qDtTcSYMHsVUmluoq3Ug3mSY6B3KET9VTEIOBaWu4/s4032/Alex_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWJfZv7D_qT5D61Jx1qa5fet8MsEtgpdQZNyeu3iKnrVcjbJI1-M05cXFE9H_7keiUo5iAI43ijrhmwR7xLvwoKbwOzedxr0uPNrkM79270RyI-cuZyQbHqooGe5CjmUuosMBGxLY0SgyJX5qDtTcSYMHsVUmluoq3Ug3mSY6B3KET9VTEIOBaWu4/w640-h480/Alex_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Cleaner elf Alex giving 35006's smoke deflectors a thorough clean - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker </i></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further progress has been made on the groups' storage van, this being the ex-LNER Army goods van No. 47109. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04Uuhf_bysrHSFDRSu_xApAgiju6QUcbrnxomvbjy8ghJkUyQT7VvVKYseHALFHHdgRkc5om728nHgsYlpT5jwi5ar1_4ale0_ZzBYPRmuN6Xg4N_9r_jYGiLe_2mbDAb7wvu6BwnT0HYpvy0cczOJPy5F-C9MK9pAIWyldCfaprdNRws7b1LMCO9/s4032/IMG_3215.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04Uuhf_bysrHSFDRSu_xApAgiju6QUcbrnxomvbjy8ghJkUyQT7VvVKYseHALFHHdgRkc5om728nHgsYlpT5jwi5ar1_4ale0_ZzBYPRmuN6Xg4N_9r_jYGiLe_2mbDAb7wvu6BwnT0HYpvy0cczOJPy5F-C9MK9pAIWyldCfaprdNRws7b1LMCO9/w480-h640/IMG_3215.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The new T&G boards initially fitted to the North Cotswold side. The next job will be to paint them - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker<br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgxnEiq7jH62Yvk42TgYh3uSkA1w0gQJbkTlUokqPAeW8GIKwEWkWLK89FdVkO_hFO-YDMwsEhZ-KH_zKRbcsUYaNVDhsk-IwdpumyV4KTNwRA7S-M1NkGwEtvaPlFfBK172BGNmUBOo8EpgLRSdINTn4XqHLrfLsp5vCufnKcxFkTVBP7lMtPJrw/s4032/IMG_3211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgxnEiq7jH62Yvk42TgYh3uSkA1w0gQJbkTlUokqPAeW8GIKwEWkWLK89FdVkO_hFO-YDMwsEhZ-KH_zKRbcsUYaNVDhsk-IwdpumyV4KTNwRA7S-M1NkGwEtvaPlFfBK172BGNmUBOo8EpgLRSdINTn4XqHLrfLsp5vCufnKcxFkTVBP7lMtPJrw/w640-h480/IMG_3211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The metal fittings from the above van following the application of the first topcoat of paint </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the C&W blog there is a picture showing the same end of the van before the boards were replaced, see <a href="https://gwsrcarriageandwagon.blogspot.com/p/wagons.html" target="_blank">LNER ARMY 47109 Goods Van</a> for further details. Another picture of the van can be seen: <a href="http://www.ws.rhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=6383" target="_blank">here</a>. Oh look, some more of the white stuff. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnzK7GvGj_LPW8ByJNwW9ePq70Yl734pfFoDxpjHgUxO0nug53iA0LU73uieW7WEYHw8EEAk1683HCaCBB3IYBqdqFZb1NWIc_zIlAOYCpCq-MJSC1jC5DsE7IT9kkXyE8cQ3J2UQ11HI74g_Iy2doxlNrVQTHwyMKynPeiNsSjtuQ4DQNOai6rFP/s2048/Photo_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnzK7GvGj_LPW8ByJNwW9ePq70Yl734pfFoDxpjHgUxO0nug53iA0LU73uieW7WEYHw8EEAk1683HCaCBB3IYBqdqFZb1NWIc_zIlAOYCpCq-MJSC1jC5DsE7IT9kkXyE8cQ3J2UQ11HI74g_Iy2doxlNrVQTHwyMKynPeiNsSjtuQ4DQNOai6rFP/w640-h480/Photo_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Father Christmas has made it aboard the footplate and he's even wearing his 'Blues' as well! I wonder if he had a go with the shovel or the regulator? </span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qvG6Fvc_N_69yIKA6976ypLBSKexY9maWvTgKqNdaonBcSiwbVla2CFDPL0rtXJ_clzVwc8ZneCx94jus6F8CznQ-9489f32rRUIZ-GSh84RujwYaW0-PRchqdOwIKWZMXeAXL8DjgCTj9LqLODwmL1WWr0EA-ljuIjsgmimWwCyJj7oPGILkxQs/s2048/4270_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qvG6Fvc_N_69yIKA6976ypLBSKexY9maWvTgKqNdaonBcSiwbVla2CFDPL0rtXJ_clzVwc8ZneCx94jus6F8CznQ-9489f32rRUIZ-GSh84RujwYaW0-PRchqdOwIKWZMXeAXL8DjgCTj9LqLODwmL1WWr0EA-ljuIjsgmimWwCyJj7oPGILkxQs/w480-h640/4270_3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4270 heads past Toddington Signal Box - </i></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C&W elf </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alex Caulfield</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>I did debate for a moment about building a snowman, but the cat didn't seem overly enthusiastic about the idea, oh well.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>Judging by the number of footprints below, the loco elves have been very busy... <br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfr_TTJM38q9Y5QeY-Zieeyo9ivTXiDsc4hGNxOu1TTowt8ayrTJu4CZn9_-qUZ9JUHHa-5fshLsBIj97FG9P5cIP-Twsc5D49Aj_iWWS3euF7CqL34h89czE_ABNzyDefkTbmwCkp2Fw9HQ10MJjuHGbP79pMzhWtniBaX8764YWcKEMGUdJj7-b/s2048/Photo_6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfr_TTJM38q9Y5QeY-Zieeyo9ivTXiDsc4hGNxOu1TTowt8ayrTJu4CZn9_-qUZ9JUHHa-5fshLsBIj97FG9P5cIP-Twsc5D49Aj_iWWS3euF7CqL34h89czE_ABNzyDefkTbmwCkp2Fw9HQ10MJjuHGbP79pMzhWtniBaX8764YWcKEMGUdJj7-b/w640-h480/Photo_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>4270 & 7903 'On Shed' at Toddington - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>A few frozen days and nights later and the snow is still very much with us... How long will it continue I wonder? </span></span></span></span><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSSAM8ayZ0_fmoMKy2ThH-UEJbaWV_jSoKAFpAlKy_AJTgiZ2upGotxSg1Wg__Fj3aQlTPShE47WLudyifBJvQ2nDbWziiOu8PSw9hPr6KEsE9ULfFGQjPScwpFABkjB9Px9S9VLil2nTp3vikdjRgowxopAfHy7wVbenS6qrkBcHcEUOr-HLp_EH/s960/Snow_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSSAM8ayZ0_fmoMKy2ThH-UEJbaWV_jSoKAFpAlKy_AJTgiZ2upGotxSg1Wg__Fj3aQlTPShE47WLudyifBJvQ2nDbWziiOu8PSw9hPr6KEsE9ULfFGQjPScwpFABkjB9Px9S9VLil2nTp3vikdjRgowxopAfHy7wVbenS6qrkBcHcEUOr-HLp_EH/w640-h480/Snow_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> You could say 'Frozen In Time' - An idyllic view with Toddington Signal Box </span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>- 15th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Mike Solloway</span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbinB0-_zypJca6wtBvnJwf858sdtdTTLPjE5uB-P9Kt6_4KRz_gnCOLHLZHsZhVkTOP6Gt8QKzy68bNIkiNmOc0PsumKSTnnvSSjJaI8CVRyXi42-TCKPOpCLm6EZOji7A51nd3R9fei6bruXeC05vk1TVhwO5YDoDet0347e2m0Sks7RXLqltFI/s2048/Snow_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbinB0-_zypJca6wtBvnJwf858sdtdTTLPjE5uB-P9Kt6_4KRz_gnCOLHLZHsZhVkTOP6Gt8QKzy68bNIkiNmOc0PsumKSTnnvSSjJaI8CVRyXi42-TCKPOpCLm6EZOji7A51nd3R9fei6bruXeC05vk1TVhwO5YDoDet0347e2m0Sks7RXLqltFI/w640-h480/Snow_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>The wintery scene at Toddington Yard - 15th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Mike Solloway</span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span>If only I could install this in the living room... although, on second thoughts, doing disposal would be 'fun'! <br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWrRKYxzFiOt993PlJy4NwRQwgOVpJrp6jvoWUyjm1xKNVp-Rm2Egv7WTzDgH7PEhkiHKCeC-vzQozsW-xM7I4WKo8wyyqHOhEZIL_7zgQMrMFGMH28EHVHNznVDU0yHOCcKyjXXnNRnC2vpC-ARvEbxaCo79AiIi-FKl87o2Jw5Oo_OTNscR7Yuj/s3543/35006_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="3543" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWrRKYxzFiOt993PlJy4NwRQwgOVpJrp6jvoWUyjm1xKNVp-Rm2Egv7WTzDgH7PEhkiHKCeC-vzQozsW-xM7I4WKo8wyyqHOhEZIL_7zgQMrMFGMH28EHVHNznVDU0yHOCcKyjXXnNRnC2vpC-ARvEbxaCo79AiIi-FKl87o2Jw5Oo_OTNscR7Yuj/w640-h325/35006_1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">If you're travelling home for Christmas, stay safe, and do have a good one. I'll leave you with <a href="https://youtu.be/LVKB5Q8UAUk">Driving Home for Christmas</a>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Until we meet again... preferably in front of the fire. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Alex (the sooty elf!).</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com7Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-52875476649634107352022-12-08T18:00:00.028+00:002022-12-12T16:38:37.131+00:00Raising The Standard<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipubvNUQDwzuUFi2l-nzbAU_bkj8RvMrAiNiU1fqRvL4FpsgRNtSbhlXOnCCY_fDMJ6kIq-B4RSAiBC678Dp4oiJ4S5sfu_A4e1MLC3fSYmDxROryDeXaa5dGmWO3ivaXOtRAxTIKzA5onSm_YGUkSf3320nyFZH_PEilCj05M4Hk4Duwwagga_u1h/s2016/4270_7903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipubvNUQDwzuUFi2l-nzbAU_bkj8RvMrAiNiU1fqRvL4FpsgRNtSbhlXOnCCY_fDMJ6kIq-B4RSAiBC678Dp4oiJ4S5sfu_A4e1MLC3fSYmDxROryDeXaa5dGmWO3ivaXOtRAxTIKzA5onSm_YGUkSf3320nyFZH_PEilCj05M4Hk4Duwwagga_u1h/w640-h360/4270_7903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4270 & 7903 'On Shed' at Toddington flying the flag for Santa - 4th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of Simon Edmunds</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">With the 'Santa Specials' in full swing, I thought we'd alight at a different station and join a rather interesting project. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">In railway parlance, the word 'standard' or 'standards' in its plural form often refers to a multitude of things. We could talk about the standards by which our locomotives and pieces of rolling stock are maintained, or perhaps, the fact that our railway must operate to certain agreed standards, rules and regulations. Now as riveting as the latter may well sound as a topic for discussion, you're no doubt pleased or relieved to hear that this particular subject is beyond the scope of this article - Spoilsport! I hear some of you cry! I'm sure us department members are due a mutual improvement class (MIC).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As avid steam railway enthusiasts though, when we talk about 'standards', the first thing that probably comes to mind are the 999 locomotives constructed by British Railways between 1951 and 1960. In many respects, you could say that this was the 'last hurrah' as far as steam locomotive building in Britain was concerned, with its ultimate demise only hastened by the controversial British Railways' modernisation plan of 1955. I am rather intrigued as to why BR didn't round things off with 1000, despite further orders. The materialisation of another standard would've been quite fitting in my opinion. If anyone happens to know the reasoning behind the odd number, I'd be more than happy to be enlightened as to the fact.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B83BcycTSp9Xs7sN5ywQk1hpN0obLG2kZpIWW5tWLTY4CpGydPJZ7_bngdlmR-fPk0cpypo4pC8ke_elCQC4LUE80XbosRNxYBNYAtlZz0YGg0kkKTkGquNVILue27rc48I5jMzoSQ4dfWHpx7nU9kmia8_98KjpPxBSHNvoL3xPvUbfDIGPZZDy/s2043/92203_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="2043" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B83BcycTSp9Xs7sN5ywQk1hpN0obLG2kZpIWW5tWLTY4CpGydPJZ7_bngdlmR-fPk0cpypo4pC8ke_elCQC4LUE80XbosRNxYBNYAtlZz0YGg0kkKTkGquNVILue27rc48I5jMzoSQ4dfWHpx7nU9kmia8_98KjpPxBSHNvoL3xPvUbfDIGPZZDy/w640-h312/92203_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">BR Standard </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Class 9F No. 92203 </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Black Prince' at Toddington - 5th August 2010</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">To be slightly pedantic for a moment, we mustn't forget the ex-WD Austerity 2-8-0s and 2-10-0s that were constructed between 1943 & 1945. Both types were regarded as the 'Standard Austerity' classes after their renumbering in 1949/50.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> <br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FfWAPRrYISs" width="650" youtube-src-id="FfWAPRrYISs"></iframe></div></i></span></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why am I talking about standards? Well, being a Western Region heritage railway we mustn't forget that Swindon Works had the honour of constructing the final standard. This was to be the the last steam locomotive ever to be built by British Railways, with R.A.Riddles' BR Standard Class 9F No. 92220 'Evening Star' rolling off the production line in March 1960. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_QTIDX3pJjfZBF_SDcHz0nF8rCpth-hL2Libgw6LXn48BGGEgoPJBetShBqeLWYBytHFtbbsuhnuiRWNJ4uKOr_zc6SYqfXq8DwLkIu8NE4ssb9C7eUOMF62EB2hQtR-LEGnN-LUwwdfk3P_DuGsOze4VEeMl5jkEl6VUSLhFJgylPhViKfbvglX/s4032/D6948_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_QTIDX3pJjfZBF_SDcHz0nF8rCpth-hL2Libgw6LXn48BGGEgoPJBetShBqeLWYBytHFtbbsuhnuiRWNJ4uKOr_zc6SYqfXq8DwLkIu8NE4ssb9C7eUOMF62EB2hQtR-LEGnN-LUwwdfk3P_DuGsOze4VEeMl5jkEl6VUSLhFJgylPhViKfbvglX/w640-h312/D6948_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A sign that times are changing? EE Type 3 Diesel D6948 lurks in wait behind 35006 & 4270 - 2nd December 2022 </i></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The GWSR has played host to a number of BR standard locomotives throughout the years, with visitors including; Britannia Class No. 70013 'Oliver Cromwell', Standard Class 4 2-6-0 No. 76017, and one of 9F 92220's classmates No. 92203 'Black Prince'. One locomotive which is often overlooked however, is Standard Class 4 2-6-0 No. 76077, otherwise known as 'The Forgotten Standard'. This particular locomotive was rather camera shy back in active BR service and is a member of the GWSR's home fleet. She is currently undergoing restoration with the goal of returning to service in 2026. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Out of the 999 BR Standards constructed, the Standard Class 4s were the most numerous and had the most variants. </span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5LwrJItGmz0HhagV6YiwAWxkxGgRdAgV4MSlxOdQWV-J0WFKOIIUj1sc8zLJS9HBnKyryjuKkQQOQR16SVXnamlX1Eh2BheZRMI-fLLv50p3EHX-Y1oRXSxSkVaaazMeZ_s8-KwXf01wHuxRla7DuNu-UD_zyeizJ_If8gaZT2VFKwrzLLOW5bWH/s568/Table_1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="568" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5LwrJItGmz0HhagV6YiwAWxkxGgRdAgV4MSlxOdQWV-J0WFKOIIUj1sc8zLJS9HBnKyryjuKkQQOQR16SVXnamlX1Eh2BheZRMI-fLLv50p3EHX-Y1oRXSxSkVaaazMeZ_s8-KwXf01wHuxRla7DuNu-UD_zyeizJ_If8gaZT2VFKwrzLLOW5bWH/w551-h121/Table_1.png" width="551" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">An interesting fact about the Standard 4, and specifically the 4-6-0 variant, is that it can be regarded as BR's version of the Great Western Railway’s (GWR) 7800 ‘Manor’ Class - The standard having a similar power output and dimensions. Both locomotive classes were constructed at Swindon Works, which resulted in them being tested against each other to gauge their performance. As a result, the draughting</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> on the 'Manors' was improved to enhance their steaming abilities. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopZ-C7A-kYGkbegPcPBlQxr0xm8C3xI0OFDzG79CeAFgQ_wkDT5O5s-enwzc8pIUoPT9zfI6l977KqEWR1aLDM-zosZkT5NsST_OOmNERrOaOKNaIZPrMMAKhAbbVxTASsyUm88Re54uieFz_dnzLridOMNR0DxpRahQWy3frx-lIsz__k6A23ouL/s3264/92203_2%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopZ-C7A-kYGkbegPcPBlQxr0xm8C3xI0OFDzG79CeAFgQ_wkDT5O5s-enwzc8pIUoPT9zfI6l977KqEWR1aLDM-zosZkT5NsST_OOmNERrOaOKNaIZPrMMAKhAbbVxTASsyUm88Re54uieFz_dnzLridOMNR0DxpRahQWy3frx-lIsz__k6A23ouL/w640-h480/92203_2%20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">BR Standard </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Class 9F No. 92203 </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Black Prince' at Toddington - 30th December 2007</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">The BR Standard locomotives were designed and constructed in an effort to standardise locomotives from the existing collection of older machines, many of which dated from the pre-grouping era. The designs were heavily influenced by LMS practices, however they also incorporated modifications and ideas from the other three companies of the 'Big Four'.</span></span></span></span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #f1c232;">As far as the tenders are concerned, these were also constructed to new designs. There were 14 variations in total classified under three types, these being either BR1, BR2 or BR3. The ex-WD Austerity locos used the tender type BR5.</span></span></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714365459_b61242120a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51714365459_b61242120a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">76077 on LCGB Warrington & Widnes brake van railtour 05-08-1967 - Photo © Editha H <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2mMPD9F" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/2mMPD9F</a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">I am now going to hand over the keyboard to the very capable hands of Ian Crowder, our public relations officer, who is going to introduce you to Standard Class 4 2-6-0 No. 76077. I have added a number of photographs and a video to complement his article. Further news on 76077 will be published here in due course, but for now, it's over to you Ian...<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Setting Standards</b></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">There was a steam locomotive at Toddington that had been around for over 30 years, but pretty much out of sight and out of mind. The locomotive had lain in bits on wagons up the North Headshunt and was only noticed by the more observant of passengers in passing trains. It is now well on the way to steaming again, but there’s not a lot of it to see at Toddington.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6qsy1T0HNVribkbLyqXcL5FtYr5POGmcvziJH1us_BkHhk7EtqoLOylQBzXtuF_8q6HeyobEQ5-g9HppiX-NKcGsbv6nKgBtsgzOqrkIzKV7026XQcpWqgo_Xydvw9ciLsviDXxsHWhVp_yrcdaVhVDCNCMJZPG9esU6LOfNs7zzCYJGtrTxMzEH/s1024/76077-and-20002-head-north-through-Winchester-14-April-1964-I-DuncanStephen-Mourton-collection.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6qsy1T0HNVribkbLyqXcL5FtYr5POGmcvziJH1us_BkHhk7EtqoLOylQBzXtuF_8q6HeyobEQ5-g9HppiX-NKcGsbv6nKgBtsgzOqrkIzKV7026XQcpWqgo_Xydvw9ciLsviDXxsHWhVp_yrcdaVhVDCNCMJZPG9esU6LOfNs7zzCYJGtrTxMzEH/w640-h426/76077-and-20002-head-north-through-Winchester-14-April-1964-I-DuncanStephen-Mourton-collection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">A fascinating image of ‘foreign’ Sutton Oak-based 76077 heading north through Winchester on 14 April 1964 with what is believed to be 20003, one of the Bulleid-Raworth co-co electric locomotives (later class 70) in tow from Eastleigh Works. The head code suggests the destination is likely to be Farnham electric depot via the Mid-Hants route (I Duncan / S Mourton collection)</span></span></span></i></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">That locomotive is, of course, Standard class 4 2-6-0 no. 76077 which was bought from Woodham’s Barry Scrapyard in 1987 by Chris Hinton. He and members of the department quite quickly dismantled the engine but work stopped and hence the engine’s mortal remains found themselves on wagons and stored.<br /><br />Long story short, the engine’s components, apart from the boiler, were sent to Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough where progress on this ex-Barry hulk has been rapid by any measure. So, how did the sudden revival of interest in the engine suddenly come about?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL0m0zz8lwMSsWDzR6ucGa4_C5twGAHyqNtadyBuSk6tdpqT32Kl1a9Y6TEjBIcv-uR5DoN9KeKXo94QTrn3pchXBKvyDESAL_pTA7F49c3d9D4wqFFJl_xsp9Tl24MLgOa1Bj7guBMw76BRM2cH8pLQfBRL-ei5eLfSBwatkxMkx7r-I6uGLfAeI/s640/geograph-7306442-by-Chris-Allen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL0m0zz8lwMSsWDzR6ucGa4_C5twGAHyqNtadyBuSk6tdpqT32Kl1a9Y6TEjBIcv-uR5DoN9KeKXo94QTrn3pchXBKvyDESAL_pTA7F49c3d9D4wqFFJl_xsp9Tl24MLgOa1Bj7guBMw76BRM2cH8pLQfBRL-ei5eLfSBwatkxMkx7r-I6uGLfAeI/w640-h427/geograph-7306442-by-Chris-Allen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">No. 76017 arriving at Ropley - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/4264">Chris Allen</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>) - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7306442">geograph.org.uk/p/7306442</a></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Many readers will recall the visit of sister 76017 from the Mid-Hants Railway for the Cotswold Festival of Steam back in 2017. The engine was, to say the least, popular especially with engine crews and shed volunteers. Easy to maintain, oil up, drive and fire (so long as you can fire left-handed!) everyone agreed: “What an ideal engine for our line!”<br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Dv6xIvEWhw" width="650" youtube-src-id="4Dv6xIvEWhw"></iframe></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>BR 'Standard 4' Class 2-6-0 No. 76017 (visiting from the Mid-Hants Railway) double-heading with SR rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class 4-6-2 No. 35006 "Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co." during the 'COTSWOLD FESTIVAL of STEAM' on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in May 2017 - Video </i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">© <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SatNavDan" target="_blank">SatNavDan</a></span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Some members of the department got together and negotiated with owner Chris Hinton and the net result was that ownership was transferred to a brand-new company: Toddington Standard Locomotive Limited, with four directors: Chris Irving (Chairman); Andrew Meredith (Engineering); Richard Winstanley (Finance) and Ian Crowder (Marketing), as well as Chris Hinton as a founding director and his long-time friend Rob Merrick who acts as team secretary. Since then, more have joined the team including Steve Everett (who has taken over as Finance Director although Richard Winstanley remains a director), Simon Edmunds who looks after the website and social media and Dawn Southwell who is share registrar and retail manager.<br /><br />Fortunately, Chris Hinton was able to collect a huge number of components for the engine which has certainly simplified the restoration. Even so, some significant parts were missing – for example, the reverser and gearbox. A component sponsorship scheme has however, been successful in raising over £50,000 to pay for new, or refurbishment of existing, parts including the £15,000 cost of the reverser gearbox!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKP6Dv5kuJ2-nWxqfNAo4bsUWGeAF2pFOySFOoqpxvimn_IH25J-EDVFCXgM1I98YSA2Ma2u-NAnZ6VxR2-WDIh-HdRz-kW8KFrO6scSQgP5fudldravbcs_XuUX6y12LJQIalQoRWW4RtYRjqJl53y_V_lXN_8nTYmhlh6h7q0pCMvlwShZmYcu4/s803/76077_HughLlewelyn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="803" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKP6Dv5kuJ2-nWxqfNAo4bsUWGeAF2pFOySFOoqpxvimn_IH25J-EDVFCXgM1I98YSA2Ma2u-NAnZ6VxR2-WDIh-HdRz-kW8KFrO6scSQgP5fudldravbcs_XuUX6y12LJQIalQoRWW4RtYRjqJl53y_V_lXN_8nTYmhlh6h7q0pCMvlwShZmYcu4/w640-h445/76077_HughLlewelyn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>BR Riddles Standard Class "4MT" 2-6-0 No.76077 with BR2 tender at Woodham's Scrapyard, Barry, 07/68. Scanned photograph taken with a Kowa SET camera - Photo © Hugh Llewelyn <a href="https://flic.kr/p/dQEQ4z" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/dQEQ4z</a></i></span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">76077 looks much like a locomotive once again rather than a giant Airfix kit and, since the beginning of September, is once more a 2-6-0 thanks to the coupling rods from the ill-fated 76080 (scrapped at Barry) now fitted. The cab is albeit temporarily in place sporting a cabside number created by Andy Beale: and it certainly wowed those who attended the Shareholder open day at Loughborough in September. Nevertheless it has been decided that the original cab sides are a bit too far ‘gone’ and are being replaced with new metal: meaning that the cab will be almost entirely brand new.<br /><br />Other major new work has included complete replacement of the rear drag box, most of the front drag box, rebuilding and repairing derailment damage to the pony truck, a brand new smokebox assembly complete with chimney, door and door furniture to say nothing of hundreds of volunteer man-hours rubbing down, filling, painting, re-filling, re-painting and finishing! The frames were re-wheeled last year (and you can see a <a href="https://standard76077.com/wheels-reunited-76077-a-2-6-0-once-more-in-milestone-operation/">time-lapse of the re-wheeling here</a> – scroll to the bottom of the page for the video) and as mentioned earlier, the coupling rods have now been fitted. Special thanks are due to the machine shop team who have produced (and continue to produce) numerous components for the engine using raw materials and drawings supplied by Andrew Meredith.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-IEJN-AwVWfOKPXq9ia0PsPzC8yXRN-Duf3N0A1wzbD1ZRzr2KIv_TRdt5H2uY3Q42UVRkBWG9LmpiA8mxzHWEt4Ra0OKUwVainU1MWT2zvULQ8ZEpZIn0pd7mjiHE-UpAoE_iT7n5l4sJZFjaEgCK_KKgdSaeEJGZ8mgCHmm_7WOuEgew1mmckx/s1024/76077_varleyroger2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-IEJN-AwVWfOKPXq9ia0PsPzC8yXRN-Duf3N0A1wzbD1ZRzr2KIv_TRdt5H2uY3Q42UVRkBWG9LmpiA8mxzHWEt4Ra0OKUwVainU1MWT2zvULQ8ZEpZIn0pd7mjiHE-UpAoE_iT7n5l4sJZFjaEgCK_KKgdSaeEJGZ8mgCHmm_7WOuEgew1mmckx/w640-h426/76077_varleyroger2002.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Withdrawn 76077 stands at Springs Branch shed, Wigan. 1967 - Photo ©</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> varleyroger2002 <a href="https://flic.kr/p/dgHHhj" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/dgHHhj</a></i> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Next major task is machining of the valve and cylinder bores, after which the overhauled pistons, slide bars, valves and motion can start to be assembled. Fortunately, in 1964 this Sutton Oak (Lancashire) allocated engine was overhauled at Eastleigh; and new valve liners were fitted at Swindon (shame they didn’t do the cylinders at the same time!). Given the engine only worked three years after overhaul many components that remained on the engine at Barry (such as slide bars and expansion links) were in pretty good order.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also in good order considering the many years it has been stored, is the boiler which was fitted to the engine at Eastleigh in 1964. The boiler in fact, is one of the earlies having been built in 1952 at Doncaster, first fitted to 76007 and then overhauled and fitted to 76012. It was overhauled a third time for 76077 and work included replacing a large number of the original Monel metal stays with copper ones whole the remaining Monel stays were re-nutted. Of interest, 76077’s original Swindon-built boiler is now fitted to sister 76079.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yd6vcFe4tGcfpaH1ICvSoTnnlxv7d0b9ZoV-WlGSjaMcbU1o4K_qX7DJ3RjURoa49F3bztLENaLy6zPvlh1Pos34ye0oBagATlCaaZbu4sxbd078zQZ26u73hcs79CiA0xX1S-PXH8a2_cUSXMyZqQxwgWHxELsQihsAhwARVKaSDQVXgs3_QrJx/s1024/TSLL047-76077-travelling-north-through-Wellingborough-Midland-station-with-petrol-tanks-on-Friday-17th-April-1964-pic-Richard-Dunkley-copy-1024x689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1024" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yd6vcFe4tGcfpaH1ICvSoTnnlxv7d0b9ZoV-WlGSjaMcbU1o4K_qX7DJ3RjURoa49F3bztLENaLy6zPvlh1Pos34ye0oBagATlCaaZbu4sxbd078zQZ26u73hcs79CiA0xX1S-PXH8a2_cUSXMyZqQxwgWHxELsQihsAhwARVKaSDQVXgs3_QrJx/w640-h430/TSLL047-76077-travelling-north-through-Wellingborough-Midland-station-with-petrol-tanks-on-Friday-17th-April-1964-pic-Richard-Dunkley-copy-1024x689.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>On her way home from the SR following overhaul at Eastleigh, 76077 heads north through Wellingborough Midland station with a train of petroleum tanks on 17 April 1964 (Richard Dunkley)</span></span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></span>
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boiler remains at Toddington and an inspection in 2021 found it to be in generally very good shape with relatively little work to return it to working order. However, it has been decided that to ensure the boiler’s longevity that if we can, we’ll replace the front barrel section (rather than patch the front bottom) and fit a new front tube plate rather than repair the existing one. However, although the front corners of the outer wrapper will need patching the copper firebox itself is in excellent condition. This work will help to ensure a quick turnaround when the engine is withdrawn after its first ten-year ticket expires. The cost of the boiler work is estimated to be around £150,000 and it will be contracted out.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile the boiler will be moved shortly (if it hasn’t already happened) either inside or just outside the David Page shed so that we can start to trial fit the cladding which has been beautifully made by the ‘Norfolk Tin Man’ – who made the cladding for 7820 Dinmore Manor. Thus, when the boiler has been overhauled it will be a relatively quick job to fit the cladding once the boiler has been reunited with the frames.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3-jrIWjx5fwtPPnU6LDuafWLl58a30zgU_Iv1go21mO99U31RP8ATIV__r6NACjJxUyREFtI6oJeHVuF9Xf6jT95o6MOqB6fomIJPX5kLi_S9C-hTNoAuLPYCI5JGozdmpsj1UXOs2MRRCMu5rmVfqse8MP0WVrzkGz2c1t5VQoJ3JllGH7czCb1/s1024/76077_JohnFreeth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1024" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3-jrIWjx5fwtPPnU6LDuafWLl58a30zgU_Iv1go21mO99U31RP8ATIV__r6NACjJxUyREFtI6oJeHVuF9Xf6jT95o6MOqB6fomIJPX5kLi_S9C-hTNoAuLPYCI5JGozdmpsj1UXOs2MRRCMu5rmVfqse8MP0WVrzkGz2c1t5VQoJ3JllGH7czCb1/w640-h461/76077_JohnFreeth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the scrap line at Wigan Springs Branch shed, shortly after closure, Standard 4s 76077/80/84 await removal to Barry Scrapyard on Wednesday 13 December 1967 - Photo ©</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> John Freeth <a href="https://flic.kr/p/qGqP5A" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/qGqP5A</a></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, there is one pretty essential component missing: the tender. This is now attached to 76017 (so it has already run on the GWSR!) because that engine’s original was sold (as with many other tenders at Barry) to Briton Ferry Steelworks to be used as a billet carrier. The intention is to initially run with a hired-in tender and in due course, to build a new one. An agreement Chris Hinton reached with Tyseley Locomotive Works many years ago, to provide a full set of platework for a new tender will still be honoured. That was because Chris Hinton had acquired a Hawksworth tender chassis which he passed to Tyseley – that went on to form the basis of a new tender that is now running behind Castle no. 5043 <i>Earl of Mount Edgcumbe</i>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfZOBmvW4TnKETwVQBB7XPE5ADcxiS7gHEdz18RFhQemLRqe-XtFBTPNFKkmlOaVIY9TxDvOU1kCXOKuwa89o7rBesMcqxJKqf6Ziaxa5FdksZls-SOi0YNZxzcFNEnUVm1hLNBI3PJJnTPLxq1Tol0cgJWo9KuQQMWFly-kGKvKxy44hsvBuXypM/s1125/76017_IanCrowder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1125" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfZOBmvW4TnKETwVQBB7XPE5ADcxiS7gHEdz18RFhQemLRqe-XtFBTPNFKkmlOaVIY9TxDvOU1kCXOKuwa89o7rBesMcqxJKqf6Ziaxa5FdksZls-SOi0YNZxzcFNEnUVm1hLNBI3PJJnTPLxq1Tol0cgJWo9KuQQMWFly-kGKvKxy44hsvBuXypM/w640-h480/76017_IanCrowder.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>76017 with 76077's tender at Southall, having travelled by rail from the Bluebell Railway - 8th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder </span></span></span></i></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The original tender that ran with 76077 was a BR2A (3,500 gal). However some of the class ran with BR1B (4,750 gal) tenders and there is a strong engineering argument – not least that the correct axles and axle boxes for the larger tender are already in stock, from a Class 40 diesel. In addition there are other BR1 tenders being built for other restoration projects, providing the opportunity to share experience, CAD drawings and manufacturing costs. You can read the engineering argument for fitting the BR1B tender to 76077 <a href="https://standard76077.com/the-elephant-in-the-room-by-tslls-engineering-director-andrew-meredith/">in this feature written by Andrew Meredith</a> for The Toddington Standard magazine.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having said that, it has recently come to light that BR2A wheelsets and axle boxes survive on another heritage railway and should we be able to acquire them, then that would significantly reduce the cost of building a BR2A compared with the BR1B (the smaller roller bearing axleboxes and wheelsets for a BR2A would otherwise have to be specially and expensively made).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazfIszroWotsQOV2FckCH8nUcX7u83LpdGW5KjKeCQOI-3Dzo2IXGcYywNVkVwmHRcdCm3_dsmmF7zHFUMZyZxr75Q-x3pByQk1XQpmVAxD0aKrE9ENZBbzf8ojUct9946TB1Jqryh8n9IRrZytvO2bwQ0miED-cGom-13SFsbs3madZOb49ewThT/s1024/76077_DallamDave.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazfIszroWotsQOV2FckCH8nUcX7u83LpdGW5KjKeCQOI-3Dzo2IXGcYywNVkVwmHRcdCm3_dsmmF7zHFUMZyZxr75Q-x3pByQk1XQpmVAxD0aKrE9ENZBbzf8ojUct9946TB1Jqryh8n9IRrZytvO2bwQ0miED-cGom-13SFsbs3madZOb49ewThT/w640-h426/76077_DallamDave.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">76077 runs through Dallam in 1964 with a Presflo cement train - Photo ©</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> Dallam Dave <a href="https://flic.kr/p/fLyMzt" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/fLyMzt</a></span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, to the 64,000-dollar question: when can we expect to see the engine steaming again? The team is aiming for 2026, which will be 76077’s 70th birthday and the project is well on target to achieve that. Of course there remains an awful lot to do, not least the boiler and in 2023 a major push will be made towards raising the £150,000 needed. Meanwhile, regular working parties at both Toddington and Loughborough are helping to make good progress and to an extremely high standard. The combination of using the engineering expertise of Locomotive Maintenance Services with the support and effort of volunteers is working well, with the result that this must be one of the fastest restorations in the heritage sector.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">To my mind this is an exciting project that will quickly be rewarded with the engine hauling trains on our 14-mile line. If you aren’t already a shareholder you can become one for as little as £10/month or you could join one of our working parties. A work programme will be published shortly on the 76077 website. </span></span></span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6G3DzQeCXQFY-P4_JCzi3lENqVck33wN04du-CHpOAUV0MzMzUacjIlJ_6EhPvvWollRq9po6eoFRTTUBaQ_F1CtyCBzPJw2fjs0h9pYLdF1M46vIKSFi1ChYfU3y0oydu9YprolyndQjgLm9cbvgxTgM0OfYR2X7SMV0Fl2tQrmIK4T2drHXm7y/s602/76077-awaits-her-supporters-on-3rd-September-2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="602" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6G3DzQeCXQFY-P4_JCzi3lENqVck33wN04du-CHpOAUV0MzMzUacjIlJ_6EhPvvWollRq9po6eoFRTTUBaQ_F1CtyCBzPJw2fjs0h9pYLdF1M46vIKSFi1ChYfU3y0oydu9YprolyndQjgLm9cbvgxTgM0OfYR2X7SMV0Fl2tQrmIK4T2drHXm7y/w640-h426/76077-awaits-her-supporters-on-3rd-September-2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The classic ¾ photo pose, 76077 awaits her supporters on 3rd September 2022 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder</i></span></span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Find out more at <a href="http://www.standard76077.com">www.standard76077.com</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>A brief history</b><br /><br />· Built Horwich, 1956 </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Allocated to 8G (formerly 10E) Sutton Oak, St Helens</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Overhauled Eastleigh in 1964 </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Valve liners fitted 1964 </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Sutton Oak closed as a depot in June 1967, 76077 along with 76079/80/84 reallocated to Wigan Springs Branch (8F)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Withdrawn December 1967, one of the final four members of the class</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Transferred to Woodham’s, Barry in 1968</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Heavily cannibalised while at Barry</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· Bought by Chris Hinton 1987 and moved to Toddington in May that year</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· 1990 loco stored</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· 2018 loco removed from storage, frames sent to LMS, Loughborough</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· 2018 Toddington Standard Locomotive Limited formed and acquired 76077</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· 2020 overhaul of pony truck completed</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· 2021 frames re-wheeled, boiler inspection carried out, smokebox temporarily fitted</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">· 2022 76077 becomes a 2-6-0 once again with coupling rods fitted; cab temporarily fitted </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Last members of the class </b><br />All built at Horwich <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLJXxspM4Q5TwmSn2NX0i5ga9lMuzPJhZ7kaOkIZIk4VbFMI2k9PvGNoSniz95Caa2aukj2jXRc-Pyyp9WqHR8a79VjA_LJ9YcJShCt_mPB0U5iY_7As-hIQKncPaKw79ilHuo5TDFhmlvoQJ0lFA74Ug9zyXLcUGvb0j6Y18xcDSntYghTdIi2MF/s613/76077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="613" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLJXxspM4Q5TwmSn2NX0i5ga9lMuzPJhZ7kaOkIZIk4VbFMI2k9PvGNoSniz95Caa2aukj2jXRc-Pyyp9WqHR8a79VjA_LJ9YcJShCt_mPB0U5iY_7As-hIQKncPaKw79ilHuo5TDFhmlvoQJ0lFA74Ug9zyXLcUGvb0j6Y18xcDSntYghTdIi2MF/w640-h164/76077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span> <div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn3OrJ38Q1QYcUSI_C0gyZSzvCALzoGFFEa6vH9q_HR3cSFwVQuyzSEN0sVPch2R4fAufq-4qiHBg4B6tqtK-7_nfvox4822CBoNLQCLsl07ZYGHP4JKKoukeWLIZXGDpJ3bofpLeDC7agroYqNHdQhO1617u54c0fbIuJ4wdRw0_gWztc9gNQnEw/s2047/76077_RonPerry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2047" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn3OrJ38Q1QYcUSI_C0gyZSzvCALzoGFFEa6vH9q_HR3cSFwVQuyzSEN0sVPch2R4fAufq-4qiHBg4B6tqtK-7_nfvox4822CBoNLQCLsl07ZYGHP4JKKoukeWLIZXGDpJ3bofpLeDC7agroYqNHdQhO1617u54c0fbIuJ4wdRw0_gWztc9gNQnEw/w640-h422/76077_RonPerry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>76077 at Warrington Bank Quay 05-08-1967 - Photo © Ron Perry <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2knBw2x">https://flic.kr/p/2knBw2x</a></i></span></span></span></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">With my keyboard now safely returned, let us continue for a little while longer. A few comments on the previous blog entry raised the subject of the late Terry Wogan, who sadly died on the 31st January 2016. He was known for numerous radio and television programmes over the years<span style="font-family: inherit;">, with 'Wogan', 'Eurovision', 'Blankety Blank', 'Children in Need' and of course, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Wake Up To Wogan' being of notable mention. Very occasionally he could be found covering a railway subject or interviewing someone with some sort of connection to railways, one such individual being Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">To railway enthusiasts both young and old, Rev. </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Awdry is best known for being the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. On the 30th March 1988, Awdry was one of the guests on Terry's 'Wogan' talk show. This was Episode 38 from Series 8.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oam-5rSK7p8" width="650" youtube-src-id="oam-5rSK7p8"></iframe></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The Reverend Awdry explains not only how he got the inspiration for his "Thomas The Tank Engine" books, but also how he has to make them appeal to parents as well as children. Among the other guests are Lord Plumb and the Pet Shop Boys".</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Listeners to Radio 2 between 1993 & 2009 will be familiar with 'Wake Up to Wogan' and Terry's wonderful ability to put the listener at ease, and often cause bouts of uncontrollable laughter, which made the morning commute more tolerable. A particular segment that gained widespread appeal amongst the regulars, otherwise known as 'Terry's Old Geezers or Gals' (T.O.G.s) was the day's 'Janet & John' story. Here's one of the aforementioned stories which I think is rather appropriate due to the subject: <a href="https://youtu.be/Wd6qgSYFrxw" target="_blank">On A Steam Train</a>. Now I must warn you that this contains a degree of adult humour. :)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Terry hung up his microphone following the final 'Wake Up to Wogan' show on the 18th December 2009: <a href="https://youtu.be/lHkPndMLv0E" target="_blank">Terry Signs Off</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wbp61USw3GFk4sd2trb3ph0h6M0thS-dwPvH0EvkRlNYCTCvxL04Ipp6RpUZMQvNatyaYUu6VhmsxOw7roCq3N-eN65UWP8_2en1GOvQVC30_knR5TE6mdcppthIpxxDb5txHzLGLVzLJwrQLVHltn7kXCrPBCXTTjw41tFiCbLktPgy5RYEH1g5/s4032/4270_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wbp61USw3GFk4sd2trb3ph0h6M0thS-dwPvH0EvkRlNYCTCvxL04Ipp6RpUZMQvNatyaYUu6VhmsxOw7roCq3N-eN65UWP8_2en1GOvQVC30_knR5TE6mdcppthIpxxDb5txHzLGLVzLJwrQLVHltn7kXCrPBCXTTjw41tFiCbLktPgy5RYEH1g5/w640-h312/4270_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>4270 & 7903 stabled inside the DP Shed at Toddington - 2nd December 2022</i> <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">With only a couple of weeks to go until Christmas (blimey, is that all!), work continues apace at the railway as you would expect. With the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, we'll be operating services throughout the festive period. Much like the GWSR, Christmas is a time for family, friends and acquaintances to come together, from far and wide, from different backgrounds, and from different professions. How long the in-laws stay is another matter though! <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I mentioned about winter maintenance in an earlier blog, and whilst this is indeed ongoing at the railway, it would appear that the locomotives are not the only things that require attention! It is often said that 'your body is a temple', alas the body belonging to your humble author has seen better days of late. Unfortunately, I can only attribute this to the increased consumption of mince pies recently, my own fault, I'll admit. However, I doubt any amount of maintenance is going to solve this rather pressing issue anytime soon, thus I guess I'd be better off waiting for my own 'Resurrection'. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hear Easter is a bit earlier next year? A few more months of my self-inflicted suffering to go then... oh look another pie! <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWev3LMdY8E0Vxd7H2-j5yqcc_4j0koaVaEUlcGjj1Vtza7HvcrbWFGY3Oy1lQIaRdfwR1Fcm5xvuRxauUWRJZPMIjw3Xd71jM3WTQd60JNYmJqNPV01jevvLvTuBZOP1dHP1aIVkW_rNLmcQi9eq60KZO06rLH9AvZ3PNGiV8K7_uwbsImW6vheL4/s4032/7903_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWev3LMdY8E0Vxd7H2-j5yqcc_4j0koaVaEUlcGjj1Vtza7HvcrbWFGY3Oy1lQIaRdfwR1Fcm5xvuRxauUWRJZPMIjw3Xd71jM3WTQd60JNYmJqNPV01jevvLvTuBZOP1dHP1aIVkW_rNLmcQi9eq60KZO06rLH9AvZ3PNGiV8K7_uwbsImW6vheL4/w640-h312/7903_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>7903 'On Shed' at Toddington shortly before we lit her up - 2nd December 2022 </i></span></span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I suppose we could discuss New Year's Resolutions, but then again, we all know how those tend to work out. Anyway, fingers crossed, I'll have another blog instalment for you before Father Christmas descends down your sooty chimney! <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seasons greetings to you all and try not to indulge yourselves too much, oh who am I kidding! Do have some fun folks. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alex (the sooty one... and no, before you ask, I'm not Santa). <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll leave you now with an excellent live performance from Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1972 with <a href="https://youtu.be/tn9p_mTHEEM" target="_blank">Friendship Train</a>.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i><br /></span></span></span></div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com8Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-42333458008439628972022-11-29T18:30:00.035+00:002022-11-30T17:04:38.971+00:004270 - A Legend In Steam - Part 1<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FqPNDhTAYc0uMjZj6yHmDfZ4xcgxXjZ9gzOXqJB-H2Id6YtBYR_WkHkwd3jH84oJlOQtjb4xm6ZkWuoaCZb0rkxsEq5o0QtCRsAxRfkoEvPwasLXyNje_F2KUfNwSncCDPv9MilMyIKwHb8ZmQqohqhzNjsOzGDM_xb6YcDsyGWnEXZfhMvgfvmu/s4032/4270_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FqPNDhTAYc0uMjZj6yHmDfZ4xcgxXjZ9gzOXqJB-H2Id6YtBYR_WkHkwd3jH84oJlOQtjb4xm6ZkWuoaCZb0rkxsEq5o0QtCRsAxRfkoEvPwasLXyNje_F2KUfNwSncCDPv9MilMyIKwHb8ZmQqohqhzNjsOzGDM_xb6YcDsyGWnEXZfhMvgfvmu/w640-h480/4270_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270 at Toddington Station on a photographic charter - 19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Ian Butler</span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The adjectives 'iconic', 'heroic' and 'legendary' or words of a similar nature, are, in my opinion, ones which are generally overused. They seem to be particularity prevalent in today's modern society. However, in the context of railways and specifically, locomotives and named trains, I believe that they are more than appropriate descriptors. Our railways are full to the brim with things which could be described as 'icons'. Locomotives such as 4472 'Flying Scotsman', 3440 'City of Truro' and 46100 'Royal Scot' need no further introduction, not forgetting the famous 'Cornish Riviera Express' services.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Outside of the railway press and the enthusiast sphere, it's these well known icons which typically receive all of the spotlight in the mainstream media. We mustn't forget though, that the railways came to be out of a necessity to transport commodities, and to find a better and more efficient method than the humble horse and cart. Of course, the railways date back to the early wagon-ways of the 16th century, with Richard Trevithick's first steam railway locomotive arriving in 1804.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Whilst today, our railways transport millions of passengers a year, it still transports a huge variety of freight. It's these freight trains which have shaped the country over the past two centuries and played a huge role in the great Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. Over the years, these trains have often operated without fanfare, with little to no fuss or complaint, seen us through wartime and through thick and thin, and yet, despite all of this, rarely attract the same appreciation and attention that their famous passenger counterparts do. These are the real unsung heroes and icons! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hgADqjHCtBywQ2ZjE0qREJVkERwzNMtodQt5tstip8XtNlhAPaxS-fMh-TyMRMkEiXJ0tLSsN4gD9agDUugcMZK77wRHtoo135m4HOFqRjS-BfLeWVrrwx0QdxEucf87GNmJGxpi5b4bC-11bRI7ppSlahDrlXtHt_gSHNOsdO6xRu2lRd8Nbh61/s2048/4270_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hgADqjHCtBywQ2ZjE0qREJVkERwzNMtodQt5tstip8XtNlhAPaxS-fMh-TyMRMkEiXJ0tLSsN4gD9agDUugcMZK77wRHtoo135m4HOFqRjS-BfLeWVrrwx0QdxEucf87GNmJGxpi5b4bC-11bRI7ppSlahDrlXtHt_gSHNOsdO6xRu2lRd8Nbh61/w640-h480/4270_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270 at the head of a freight service </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">on a photographic charter - 19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Bryony Exton</span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Freight trains wouldn't get very far without the all important steam locomotives to haul them, and it'll be pretty obvious by now that the main subject of this particular piece is none other than 4270. This engine has a special place for many of us within the steam department, not only because of her age, her significance, or widespread appeal, but because virtually all of us, past and present, have worked on her in one way or another - Whether that be as a cleaner, fireman, or driver (and in several instances a combination of all three over the years!). Many members of the department have successfully 'Passed Out' to various footplate grades with the assistance of 4270. The 42xx being the first steam loco I ever cleaned.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Along with fellow GWSR locomotives 2807 and 2874, 4270 represents the 'Old Guard' and is an 'Elder Statesman' on the railway, one which is much loved and well respected. The '42' being a world away from the modern traction around today.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9MUuBUccnRJ484lr2fADMBxlbZV0yXclZVjbyxq7jEqprOw6orzTKMvlxyj86fF_20Ybc8b7y_cxnqtZcssLBVjeZy_2Q8FWRQGe2_XDNRzVDTMuondCEB2jU2QypcgSP21xVSd4KoPAlE4FMesSXsMjYZj7pcjJdKC0iNXiQzsSrWNxZpVc8GSZ/s3017/4270_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="3017" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9MUuBUccnRJ484lr2fADMBxlbZV0yXclZVjbyxq7jEqprOw6orzTKMvlxyj86fF_20Ybc8b7y_cxnqtZcssLBVjeZy_2Q8FWRQGe2_XDNRzVDTMuondCEB2jU2QypcgSP21xVSd4KoPAlE4FMesSXsMjYZj7pcjJdKC0iNXiQzsSrWNxZpVc8GSZ/w640-h550/4270_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>4270 'On Shed' at Toddington - </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Ian Butler</span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4270 was completed at Swindon Locomotive Works in 1919 and is a member of the GWR "42xx" class of tank locomotives featuring a 2-8-0T wheel arrangement. The class was designed by the GWR's chief mechanical engineer (CME) G. J. Churchward with introductions starting in 1910. 4270 came from an order of 24 locomotives (Lot No. 213) out of a total of 105+ produced. The 42xx class is notable for being the only 2-8-0 tank engines to run on the railway network.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">An interesting fact is that in the same year of 4270's production, The Cenotaph in its original wooden and plaster form was designed and constructed. This was replaced a year later with the Portland stone memorial that we all know today.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XcuPZvVVIDZtCmuMhu8C0K1BAZiGI0IXpoXOqPa15NzY0r-rFSCPL4yVg26VS7y_wzqEPxckHN7EcKtjp_zD_JhQtjg25q_MtEYTBUMESzJpyV7_xmW1RV0gcpNlCXxUV6l_TnxEwRZ3g29DvnoTMzlohNU7dRJ7IeotfJCVaUoFTzD2JqgnvdeO/s3264/4270_13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XcuPZvVVIDZtCmuMhu8C0K1BAZiGI0IXpoXOqPa15NzY0r-rFSCPL4yVg26VS7y_wzqEPxckHN7EcKtjp_zD_JhQtjg25q_MtEYTBUMESzJpyV7_xmW1RV0gcpNlCXxUV6l_TnxEwRZ3g29DvnoTMzlohNU7dRJ7IeotfJCVaUoFTzD2JqgnvdeO/w640-h480/4270_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>4270 'On Shed' at Toddington before the painting was finished. 7820 & 8274 are stabled alongside - </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of David Holmes</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With
'The Great War' and the Second World War that followed 20 years later,
the railways stepped up to the plate and assisted heavily with the war
effort, particularly when it came to freight trains, munitions
production, and getting supplies and personnel to where they were most
needed, whether that be on the 'Home Front' or for onward transport to
various destinations overseas. The following vintage railway film was
produced by the London, Midland & Scottish railway (LMS) in 1946, on
behalf of all the British railways to portray all the work the railway
industry accomplished during World War II </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="369" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7L9CvaMYet4" width="443" youtube-src-id="7L9CvaMYet4"></iframe></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>Two months after the end of the war in Europe, it is understood that
4270 was transferred to the London Division and specifically Slough
depot (141 / 81B) on the 3rd November 1945 - Notably one of the few 42xx
to leave South Wales.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4270 spent time at Ebbw Junction, Aberbeeg, Cardiff Canton and Cardiff East Dock before being withdrawn in 1962. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbvKViWK-Clqr1nVy5E2tCEzJKgOsda2tL4bQjcNrCwgNHX_GedjJagsDTONkcALUUzTm9ahAsnhIT-rJhmsbe6uA0cTLK57HlRyRBuaszSxU-OXdJDsq8hA3Zmvngm9CBeGfiAWcGEuDCSPIdqAlcdslcoscbWeAcpI2-5F4h6yXP9Ojj8ZwNNrx/s2048/4270_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbvKViWK-Clqr1nVy5E2tCEzJKgOsda2tL4bQjcNrCwgNHX_GedjJagsDTONkcALUUzTm9ahAsnhIT-rJhmsbe6uA0cTLK57HlRyRBuaszSxU-OXdJDsq8hA3Zmvngm9CBeGfiAWcGEuDCSPIdqAlcdslcoscbWeAcpI2-5F4h6yXP9Ojj8ZwNNrx/w640-h480/4270_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270 at the head of a freight service </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">on a photographic charter - 19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Alex Caulfield</span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The locomotive made the short journey from Cardiff to Barry scrapyard where it languished until July 1985. The engine's restoration started at Toddington in mid-2003 before
it moved elsewhere and later returned to the railway in 2013. Once the restoration had been
completed, 4270 made its debut at the Cotswold Festival of Steam (CFOS) in 2014 and has performed on a regular basis ever since, both on passenger services and specially organised freight workings & galas. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">During their mainline careers the "42xx" class were allocated to heavy freight work, mainly in the South Wales coalfields. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxQPsnaM-qZjuG5b6X4CJqcql4S585OMSQbU1Qz8fUT1JmTXWtFk49G_oF_QiOBCDKB8sZzf-YngSAXRLmNl0Oi_htiM6bIZwa9eVd0R9Xnba5VUaSnh6yweWa15Fnvtc-xDCUgQUmB9lHvTJ6-chGSjhXXx5iZSzj10Snp-P9_X5DiB33A2yJSvf/s2048/4270_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxQPsnaM-qZjuG5b6X4CJqcql4S585OMSQbU1Qz8fUT1JmTXWtFk49G_oF_QiOBCDKB8sZzf-YngSAXRLmNl0Oi_htiM6bIZwa9eVd0R9Xnba5VUaSnh6yweWa15Fnvtc-xDCUgQUmB9lHvTJ6-chGSjhXXx5iZSzj10Snp-P9_X5DiB33A2yJSvf/w640-h480/4270_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">4270 departs Toddington with a freight working and is about to pass one of the coal docks, along with some superbly presented wagons, appropriately filled with the 'Black Stuff' - Photo courtesy of Mark Young <br /></span></i></span></span></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgput1ILM2awJxUCKAAM9AKruZ8FY1LQ5BLwpPhIczNVLPjp-8tHrIvfpi3quNzdDu_YEO8GQCVqxMAMYEuJUXRYzaXOOrADTXO17w1NRsyzPaGalsM0a1LWoXDd_SeBVLvX4MZHiOuiA2EAOhS7hDwtC-B4DCNtezpBteHuhGjrybn8tF0q6agPGhK/s2048/4270_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgput1ILM2awJxUCKAAM9AKruZ8FY1LQ5BLwpPhIczNVLPjp-8tHrIvfpi3quNzdDu_YEO8GQCVqxMAMYEuJUXRYzaXOOrADTXO17w1NRsyzPaGalsM0a1LWoXDd_SeBVLvX4MZHiOuiA2EAOhS7hDwtC-B4DCNtezpBteHuhGjrybn8tF0q6agPGhK/w640-h480/4270_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4270 rumbles along with the freight -</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> 19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Alex Caulfield</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the freight train heads off into the distance, now is as good a time as any for a brief interlude seen as I mentioned the London Division earlier. Southern Region aficionados will be pleased to hear about a few developments on the P&O front, or to be more specific, 35006, plus one of the dogfish ballast wagons. The latest update comes courtesy of Steve Parker. </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQekzIvRopWjg7mH6v-6sUhYjTeX6YhqcQxoODcpSLTf0HBI4KEDuRNncOt5VdQZ2nmgrtTxamKHtvgqWWUuJa-TEISNfR_0hqHHvZD0SedVzsF2k4jsc7I--c_Ou6E2ehc4zLegELuCXKdA7-qGJce7xWH5D7aCuEIciS6QxR7WTdNQABQeLqoqX/s4032/IMG_3153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQekzIvRopWjg7mH6v-6sUhYjTeX6YhqcQxoODcpSLTf0HBI4KEDuRNncOt5VdQZ2nmgrtTxamKHtvgqWWUuJa-TEISNfR_0hqHHvZD0SedVzsF2k4jsc7I--c_Ou6E2ehc4zLegELuCXKdA7-qGJce7xWH5D7aCuEIciS6QxR7WTdNQABQeLqoqX/w480-h640/IMG_3153.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The leaking blower
valve has been machined and now refitted, hopefully stopping the leakage
for a while - </span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steve Parker</span></span></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9GXroPvykuqldqedWFIqmdzYoKpXyShQXt17Yofdl80wg7g9yakUcZ1fJcaE0SHB5p6NWaiKQpuzvt-2nnSdIUWKrSkK8fkfh6eh6_Bwn2ElmyiYyTVMpOsgIn3lh4JaZT-6aRh1_5tpdhvjvrdEcQvgZvh-ezlFhxZF4KPPSQSPtOQm6NC9ERVH/s4032/IMG_3157.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9GXroPvykuqldqedWFIqmdzYoKpXyShQXt17Yofdl80wg7g9yakUcZ1fJcaE0SHB5p6NWaiKQpuzvt-2nnSdIUWKrSkK8fkfh6eh6_Bwn2ElmyiYyTVMpOsgIn3lh4JaZT-6aRh1_5tpdhvjvrdEcQvgZvh-ezlFhxZF4KPPSQSPtOQm6NC9ERVH/w640-h480/IMG_3157.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cab side panels which were removed to enable us to fix a steam heat pipe leak have now been refitted, a right so & so to align the bolt holes - </span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steve Parker</span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4uCWlYinyznI47geBM_e_4No1fzkDrCNz-NlJCmMmACsuVybFWdo8NTtIOif0GVSuddb52BDNhpcfA3vLmBDD2lb7DKG1e2Cp5tX96uTbyL2SUGbw7kd085eG_Nx9c6TcrM7ZMjrTilqS9fJ9_Er4zQbbyUp94DHRAXjFOkxoxrNOcrcijREB30w/s4032/IMG_3161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4uCWlYinyznI47geBM_e_4No1fzkDrCNz-NlJCmMmACsuVybFWdo8NTtIOif0GVSuddb52BDNhpcfA3vLmBDD2lb7DKG1e2Cp5tX96uTbyL2SUGbw7kd085eG_Nx9c6TcrM7ZMjrTilqS9fJ9_Er4zQbbyUp94DHRAXjFOkxoxrNOcrcijREB30w/w480-h640/IMG_3161.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hand rail guard has been made and fitted to the dogfish ballast wagon - </span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steve Parker</span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></i><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G9EYWFglFtrdUP7tyZNXnKIq4rDjOWF3fmUwB-AV-n_1orJ01forMm6LFgqrNzjyFAfyYrFnpYSpufJtW6_jcl-B7QWUWUf7DOnalXylc4f4u-gU3F5fLdlMSW9ZfPfw7a4Hclf_pdsMpeWPi8gqj9O1JxZZ0xHdGjG_zWnYexAq32G7APZwfUE7/s4032/Jack_B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G9EYWFglFtrdUP7tyZNXnKIq4rDjOWF3fmUwB-AV-n_1orJ01forMm6LFgqrNzjyFAfyYrFnpYSpufJtW6_jcl-B7QWUWUf7DOnalXylc4f4u-gU3F5fLdlMSW9ZfPfw7a4Hclf_pdsMpeWPi8gqj9O1JxZZ0xHdGjG_zWnYexAq32G7APZwfUE7/w640-h480/Jack_B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jack Boskett, our resident photographer and editor of 'The Cornishman', selling his pictures at Tewkesbury Abbey - Note the rather superb photograph of a certain 'Merchant Navy' amongst others! - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steve Parker</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Given that the freight train has now arrived back at Toddington Station, it's time for us to climb back aboard the brake van.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG8fw2jw4-IUShCIDvfk-3UAdlL2Vesxo8VI95zSuTRbFfQjtQLHTIUaDCjKWWZ-b5vZWgWM7iTTOHCecEMdY_i_0BLDf6IE8cX2wvF-JHhxSfhErq8aq-QHpmcv0MO8q8uBeqVsa4NieYlXJS-LvzPKuyZuCyfISJXV0KEivXhN3XF70v315vcXV/s2048/4270_6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG8fw2jw4-IUShCIDvfk-3UAdlL2Vesxo8VI95zSuTRbFfQjtQLHTIUaDCjKWWZ-b5vZWgWM7iTTOHCecEMdY_i_0BLDf6IE8cX2wvF-JHhxSfhErq8aq-QHpmcv0MO8q8uBeqVsa4NieYlXJS-LvzPKuyZuCyfISJXV0KEivXhN3XF70v315vcXV/w480-h640/4270_6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270 at Toddington Station on a photographic charter - 19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of </span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Alex Caulfield</span></span></span></i><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4270 came into existence at a very different time, a different age, and in many respects, belongs to a bygone era. A time devoid of the likes of social media, mobile phones, computers, and where many aspects of life were distinctly analogue when compared to our modern digitalised age. It is very easy to look at history with 'rose tinted' spectacles but at-least with 4270 and our heritage railway, we can get some degree of semblance to those days past. In preservation, 4270 has given us many years of joy, escapism and entertainment. We are all eternally grateful for her service and dedication. </span></span></span></div></div><p><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk9eikc2yroabDXe9qdq1CzBXvyP-cFJpG6SJYcDtD4ZYTlv9kaEarv1lV3O_FPyQFqIDPrAYJ10wiynBnbvGIdNXC6n9FyT5N1jiSnXeKITka--qfNV73mme_JCaexU5G8s28aPcXUvjCxmZFC2tO4G4_kX0OkWlhubW6U5cLI9q9hGllMxuuUCp/s2148/4270_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="2148" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk9eikc2yroabDXe9qdq1CzBXvyP-cFJpG6SJYcDtD4ZYTlv9kaEarv1lV3O_FPyQFqIDPrAYJ10wiynBnbvGIdNXC6n9FyT5N1jiSnXeKITka--qfNV73mme_JCaexU5G8s28aPcXUvjCxmZFC2tO4G4_kX0OkWlhubW6U5cLI9q9hGllMxuuUCp/w640-h582/4270_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4270 stabled inside the steam shed at Toddington</i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we must ask the question, do we regard 4270 as a 'Centurion' in addition to being a 'Centenarian'? Both terms are among several English words derived from the Latin word for one hundred: <i>centum</i>. The Cambridge Dictionary defines centurion as an officer in the army of ancient Rome who was responsible for 100 soldiers. Given that the Romans constructed roads and structures that were built to last (The Colosseum in Rome being one such example), and the fact that 4270 will have been at the helm of hundreds of trains, I believe the term </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">'Centurion' is rather befitting for the engine. </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's amazing to think that this fine locomotive has been around for over 100 years, a significant achievement as far as steam locomotives go. Over the years she has seen countless things in an ever changing landscape, and has had an impact on so many people, both directly and indirectly. Much like our late Queen Elizabeth II, 4270 has remained ever-present and a constant in our lives, in various states of tune. But fear not, as she's not quite done with us all just yet! </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5huf_NcandA2-nFSrVWvuVf6VtpmVe33os9quf0MYKlMlgqUJDXarKMcLtrM5eHHShjl3wYWmTPtfysVbJwxPfy32pmG6petAJIpiyo8w0BMc3VKgek2E0ACbz2ARcehzOs9Q8by0ANkI4_iOyIp7rt9a9YhCKWqWvz2hFER29F1K8aapgJbRvCCI/s2048/4270_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1212" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5huf_NcandA2-nFSrVWvuVf6VtpmVe33os9quf0MYKlMlgqUJDXarKMcLtrM5eHHShjl3wYWmTPtfysVbJwxPfy32pmG6petAJIpiyo8w0BMc3VKgek2E0ACbz2ARcehzOs9Q8by0ANkI4_iOyIp7rt9a9YhCKWqWvz2hFER29F1K8aapgJbRvCCI/w378-h640/4270_3.jpg" width="378" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">4270 at Toddington Station on a photographic charter - 19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Bryony Exton</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span>The wonderful thing about railways is that they connect people and places from far and wide, across the length and breadth of the counrty. They link rural towns and villages to the large industrial and economic cites. They transport people and freight to destinations all over the land, but most of all, they bring communities together. In the heyday of Steam, many railway towns and railway works had their own football and rugby teams, who regularly staged their own events and tournaments. Sport offered a brief respite from the heavy industrial work which was commonplace to the railway family.<span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span><span>Train travel to sporting events is nothing new and has its origins in the mid 1920s, when the Great Western Railway operated some 50 'Football Specials' from Wales to London for the 1927 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Today, both football and rugby services operate frequently to major fixtures, with the 'Six Nations' being another tournament of note. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrym1f3AcNgrLugo6bIcNDysEffpdSYjomW0UdtE5oZZxf1k0QBUOxBv9Lj6ZlaPhdiNEpttibW2KdklOzxN0DIwq0Yc6j96BSkysCHkP_xmqykbibgR--jh0cdSi1JplPU-Ks1EcPi0vH1EbDMtScd990JshTkYDW_TmrYuP7VqwzCImhEdv7zIyM/s2048/4270_8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrym1f3AcNgrLugo6bIcNDysEffpdSYjomW0UdtE5oZZxf1k0QBUOxBv9Lj6ZlaPhdiNEpttibW2KdklOzxN0DIwq0Yc6j96BSkysCHkP_xmqykbibgR--jh0cdSi1JplPU-Ks1EcPi0vH1EbDMtScd990JshTkYDW_TmrYuP7VqwzCImhEdv7zIyM/w640-h480/4270_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;">4270 approaches 'Greet Tunnel' with the freight service -</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> 19th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Bryony Exton</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">I mention the 'Six Nations' tournament in particular not only due to the railway connection, or for the fact that I follow Rugby Union and the 'Home Nations', but because I was moved and saddened to hear the news last weekend that the Scottish Rugby legend Doddie Weir had died of motor neuron disease (MND). It is another stark reminder about the value of life, the preciousness of life, and in Doddie's case, the fragility and often cruel nature of life. Doddie was a gentle giant, much adored by his family, his peers, and the country, both on and off the pitch. His contribution was truly priceless. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Doddie was a larger than life character, always smiling, always positive, and despite adversity he never gave up. He was an avid campaigner very keen to raise support and awareness of MND. Someone who will be greatly missed by many. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoeFfDHwxbFTtlde47CI_vBScLnltMOebhNHTT2hsX7qjab3-sWU-864eS9IM6wltbYHMqK_meIZifGSguUpIm7DTfoAaPhZqLZFt_dJtpXVMrlV7IqlBW_HRhN2BUbdwbfNPi_ufMQuqCKq6E3ySLAh_e8OGgeyoFnDmqIRGxIPxf0akohU7sGxU/s3264/4270_12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoeFfDHwxbFTtlde47CI_vBScLnltMOebhNHTT2hsX7qjab3-sWU-864eS9IM6wltbYHMqK_meIZifGSguUpIm7DTfoAaPhZqLZFt_dJtpXVMrlV7IqlBW_HRhN2BUbdwbfNPi_ufMQuqCKq6E3ySLAh_e8OGgeyoFnDmqIRGxIPxf0akohU7sGxU/w640-h480/4270_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4270 at Toddington in 2014 on what is believed to be her first official outing following restoration - Photo courtesy of David Holmes<br /></span></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">As much as we love and care for our steam engines and our heritage railway, it's just as important that we look out for and care for one another, especially during these cold winter months and the festive period. Whilst Christmas is a joyous time for many, sadly this isn't always the case for everyone. You needn't look no further than the situation in Eastern Europe at the present time. Who'd have thought that after 100 years, 4270 would still be operating with conflict ongoing.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b1XfpTD1Qv-Ifw9SovEiBrZ4D1h8yJxpICeDLMhbEDSKPZ3VILoFMZUpw76zKzHpvSiUMG1cCBM-1Bx_5EyN8gs93uTV0KNL-jlIoyk-cEF5oeJ4fRqc-sVa-snB37_qLivhbmrHs_Z_kwIEZfyIcl6QbnF1q4OP8vNTcjC3fbI4wb8vEAQe3sKK/s1024/4270_14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b1XfpTD1Qv-Ifw9SovEiBrZ4D1h8yJxpICeDLMhbEDSKPZ3VILoFMZUpw76zKzHpvSiUMG1cCBM-1Bx_5EyN8gs93uTV0KNL-jlIoyk-cEF5oeJ4fRqc-sVa-snB37_qLivhbmrHs_Z_kwIEZfyIcl6QbnF1q4OP8vNTcjC3fbI4wb8vEAQe3sKK/w640-h480/4270_14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span><span>4270 arrives at Winchcombe Station with a southbound freight circa 2014/2015 - </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo courtesy of David Holmes</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some would rightly ask, how does one become so attached to an inanimate object? Well, much like humans and pets, put simply, steam engines can also be considered as family members. Whilst they are not living beings in a cognitive or biological sense, they are very much alive from an engineering and mechanical perspective. If you look after a steam locomotive and treat it well, it will return the favour with many miles of faultless running and exemplary service. Although a steam engine cannot converse in the same manner as you and I, it can communicate through sounds and smells.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It will be a day of mixed emotions when 4270 departs us for pastures new in the new year, as it will mark an end to our long custodianship, for now at-least anyway. Who knows what the future holds for her, but with the recent photo charter event and the Santa weeks' still to come, it's important that we give her a fitting send-off. Here's to the next 100+ years!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNU560IcLsLR5Kp33BzdmL471GA-FjjrZZ4Gjd6Pxg0Nz4ZQu_McKLrpy8toYZrxM-prFIgBZo9yNk70XExTcDNe580PDsOB8-JbipkCNdgjwFxyLcOLTyoPPf-ey9VR7Ni3I9txo9FJTDl-Pz_QDoRS1_bjOiSmj0RG1_PLs-99P-vC74myBxkW_/s2048/4270_Santa_PR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNU560IcLsLR5Kp33BzdmL471GA-FjjrZZ4Gjd6Pxg0Nz4ZQu_McKLrpy8toYZrxM-prFIgBZo9yNk70XExTcDNe580PDsOB8-JbipkCNdgjwFxyLcOLTyoPPf-ey9VR7Ni3I9txo9FJTDl-Pz_QDoRS1_bjOiSmj0RG1_PLs-99P-vC74myBxkW_/w640-h296/4270_Santa_PR.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4270 stands at Winchcombe Station with a Santa Special - 27th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Paul Richardson</span></span></span></i></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Stay tuned folks as another instalment on this great bastion of GWR engineering will be coming in the not too distant future. 4270 will be continuing to operate services over the festive period and into early January 2023 (please check first).</span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>4270 - A true centurion and c</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>entenarian</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> of our times, an icon, one of our very own gentle giants, and a legend in steam. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>As for Doddie Weir, well, in my view and I hope you'll agree, he was an inspiration and a hero for humanity.<br /><br />Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>I'll leave you with the late Eva Cassidy and a rather fitting song given its railway references. <a href="https://youtu.be/91lWHOR0Z1Q" target="_blank">'People Get Ready'</a> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><br /><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p></p>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com14Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-16910631543603218752022-11-19T19:00:00.005+00:002022-11-22T19:43:24.852+00:00Does anyone have a 'Magic Carpet' going spare?<div><p><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjxGUozAk-P134K-p9bbazjbgn485YC4tmhanHiVxCnVr8TfjjWvV-upv6Wror4yX8J54Ky333kM1BTNUfTjoOi3w4tZRR7O2cPw9Bzkyx03OXJyiBNuYXEY3DvJfFBP_Aqvz2ksSDDLynVz6FHB5DQVa6-ysmHMJzUH3CoJNbaYO8Nz5neJcA8QX/s4032/35006_7820_HiRes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjxGUozAk-P134K-p9bbazjbgn485YC4tmhanHiVxCnVr8TfjjWvV-upv6Wror4yX8J54Ky333kM1BTNUfTjoOi3w4tZRR7O2cPw9Bzkyx03OXJyiBNuYXEY3DvJfFBP_Aqvz2ksSDDLynVz6FHB5DQVa6-ysmHMJzUH3CoJNbaYO8Nz5neJcA8QX/w640-h312/35006_7820_HiRes.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">7820 'Dinmore Manor' & 35006 'P&O' being prepared for service at Toddington - 25th October 2022</span></span></i></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the outside, especially to those relatively unfamiliar with the heritage railway industry, it would be very easy to surmise that the vast majority of our time is spent 'Playing Trains' more than anything else. However, the reality in an operational steam department is actually quite different. Anyone with a model railway can attest to the fact that 'playing trains', or as it's more jokingly referred to as, 'testing', forms a mere fraction of the overall puzzle so to speak, or should that be layout to be more precise. It's quite a complicated affair.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now of course, we'd all love to spend all day playing trains on our full size layout, week in, week out, and the operation of steam trains is quite rightly considered to be one of the most 'glamorous and fun' jobs on the railway. Nevertheless, there are a myriad of less glamorous jobs within the department which must be done in a timely manner and at regular intervals to ensure that our fun of playing trains is not impeded. If the more mundane tasks were consistently deferred or ignored, then this would cause a 'domino effect' for us all.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sooner of later we'd hit the buffers (metaphorically speaking!) and everything would grind to halt, and by extension, so would the wider railway, thus having a big impact on our very important and valued visitors. It is therefore imperative that the whole department works as one big team to make sure that everything runs as effectively and efficiently as possible. As the saying goes - "Teamwork makes the dream work!"</span></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl72JJ8bcyLbXnbUBAYSE4yczURPAyjbQ7DxxQk3v7oKol8ph9siGfVXYhbnUda9m_9ayXtboZaXtElBGx3nM1zBe8I7O-V1QfkYic2O5jnOi39V_ccpH8_5tPINiWqxeoLnqBEBN2ZFFF7fS5Ppsnn1MZUZQSufEDkqHtPDSDL1DarXQS4mwEXCWi/s4032/7903_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl72JJ8bcyLbXnbUBAYSE4yczURPAyjbQ7DxxQk3v7oKol8ph9siGfVXYhbnUda9m_9ayXtboZaXtElBGx3nM1zBe8I7O-V1QfkYic2O5jnOi39V_ccpH8_5tPINiWqxeoLnqBEBN2ZFFF7fS5Ppsnn1MZUZQSufEDkqHtPDSDL1DarXQS4mwEXCWi/w640-h312/7903_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 7903 'Foremarke Hall' on shed at Toddington - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It doesn't matter whether you're a new member, one with years of experience, operational footplate crew - be that drivers, firemen or cleaners, management, support staff, or those heavily involved with restoration projects, we are all members of the same department. First and foremost, the needs of the department come first and it's important that everyone gets involved, stuck in, and mucks in (I mean this quite literally). The washing machine certainly receives some abuse!<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aside from special events and galas, the run up to Christmas is one of the most important times of the year. Why the title reference to 'Magic Carpets' I hear you ask? Well, more on that particular subject is to come very shorty. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The Steam Dept can turn its hands to most things, both big or small!</span> </span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYtGC6GfM-KT9x3wa27Ae9Yr_T6Q7fe5m8y-Z4wDBiRxzj3ZGJTTLyIPUFRv3sc0UAUpurGGEjnvuLagBY4YOdEJNnZZvWmZ8RxTT5R13NfTm2aLpFow4Mv_5QlQ-SGY_4iFkhchYgyfZ65MeJXxepobXXOM-4KrhK8Qc-AcfFSp2N_nuyfmkSGBb/s4032/IMG_1607_Mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYtGC6GfM-KT9x3wa27Ae9Yr_T6Q7fe5m8y-Z4wDBiRxzj3ZGJTTLyIPUFRv3sc0UAUpurGGEjnvuLagBY4YOdEJNnZZvWmZ8RxTT5R13NfTm2aLpFow4Mv_5QlQ-SGY_4iFkhchYgyfZ65MeJXxepobXXOM-4KrhK8Qc-AcfFSp2N_nuyfmkSGBb/w480-h640/IMG_1607_Mod.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Playing with the dog!' - Photo courtesy of John Cruxon</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here you see John Hancock, Mark Webber and Eddie Arnold fitting a new spring to the P Way dogfish. Once it was all fitted, the dragbox height was then checked to make sure the waggon sat level.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyPE0d9_y2OV9UlnUKB_QphgTzfMC10rPDmAkUcRJowghi183jzw5T5NuwmMLC_ZT1DmguclLDepPlH3EoC_4BgGiBnjMS73ZxSGQOYZZStJzK_rG3eB7YlYVVEQNcrd244bQyj_RBgvI3YToQLcyNKzp6_c2Esj1vVdxXUrAHaW43hYulLOa-nIq/s4032/IMG_1605_Mod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyPE0d9_y2OV9UlnUKB_QphgTzfMC10rPDmAkUcRJowghi183jzw5T5NuwmMLC_ZT1DmguclLDepPlH3EoC_4BgGiBnjMS73ZxSGQOYZZStJzK_rG3eB7YlYVVEQNcrd244bQyj_RBgvI3YToQLcyNKzp6_c2Esj1vVdxXUrAHaW43hYulLOa-nIq/w480-h640/IMG_1605_Mod.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can't beat a good wash! - Photo courtesy of John Cruxon</span></span></i></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Here you see two of our regular Wednesday gang members, Fred Ardy in the pit and John Longhurst up top giving No 8 road outside pit a thorough clean. The yellow Steam Cleaner is in the background and if you look carefully, the new high pressure “Patio Cleaner type attachment” on the floor to the right of the cleaner is a new acquisition. The situation is we are having a major effort to clean area’s more effectively and this new kit works a treat. Whether we like it or not, Steam Engines are messy and leave a lot of mess so our housekeeping has to improve. The old steamer would do it but it took forever! This new machine blasts it off in no time. 4270 peeks out of the shed watching the activity.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />...roll on Friday, or should I say 'Shuntday'!</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friday 18th November brought about a good reorganisation and a clean of the shed. With 7820 being away on her holidays for the winter, we were afforded some additional space within the shed to relocate various restoration projects and reposition certain pieces of associated railway equipment. Having further available space inside during the winter months is a godsend as it allows more items to be kept from the elements.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bring up the aforementioned 'magic carpet' at this point as having one would've certainly made things a lot easier and less time consuming. Instead of shunting, we could have floated things around the shed with aplomb. I hear Aladdin is an avid user of such a contraption, but sadly I've yet to see one in the wild myself!</span></span></span><p><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2kKmBwkZle9byL0De9oU-UeYRgfY3RPo9JgmY16lCC8UzlsTi2jaW_Hpl51rZuj-nHL3j5l4Cz_ANoPd_hMfdPrK0e_lWdPBWOfKwXazImorOXvslBfBuKxwhfLx_Wkzb_vTGfRUGUBUHDZZSaNT__iThwSTwaaKSimrcZKQDGsB7vGoSM5rfrq4/s4032/7903_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2kKmBwkZle9byL0De9oU-UeYRgfY3RPo9JgmY16lCC8UzlsTi2jaW_Hpl51rZuj-nHL3j5l4Cz_ANoPd_hMfdPrK0e_lWdPBWOfKwXazImorOXvslBfBuKxwhfLx_Wkzb_vTGfRUGUBUHDZZSaNT__iThwSTwaaKSimrcZKQDGsB7vGoSM5rfrq4/w640-h312/7903_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">7903 on shed at Toddington in the early morning sunshine - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />The first task was to extract 7903 from shed No 9 road and place her over the outside pit on No 8 road. As a result, we then had access to 3850 who'd been stabled at the rear of the shed for some time. She was very carefully removed.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI7Z7YpgfiAFe2jkfe4oCxFTSLNsKtgY42j-bTfDTrQ4CveSnbbHBgXyUD9khJaWKDiSS-p_3gfniwBCIn3YupKNOywdrTH7BMHMpa_Vmxo2wHJK2S9atouaQn1NGzOlQAeKPhhdEHI7D5IugfRDg-JUJ7zSY_M3k8tFVB2MZdyGbjqbY2MUGvqns/s4032/20221118_094322%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI7Z7YpgfiAFe2jkfe4oCxFTSLNsKtgY42j-bTfDTrQ4CveSnbbHBgXyUD9khJaWKDiSS-p_3gfniwBCIn3YupKNOywdrTH7BMHMpa_Vmxo2wHJK2S9atouaQn1NGzOlQAeKPhhdEHI7D5IugfRDg-JUJ7zSY_M3k8tFVB2MZdyGbjqbY2MUGvqns/w640-h312/20221118_094322%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The photographs above and below show 3850 as of Friday morning - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySDi5EBH9pyW8CFHy4mYv4Vb1A6cG09dfhNQJEcsNr76Fw2Q77XWUgcMSdChkEul_6XKEQcIJJ_cSriEbrtxyFvtQuBi-JdjX9PkVtYvYrtPp6RMmg111SGwcXpeMSYggSsfOa-arnbgpskaDkLecGD7tfh5SpbE6W82vFsTrBXJKAQIStARtVcaB/s4032/20221118_094352%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySDi5EBH9pyW8CFHy4mYv4Vb1A6cG09dfhNQJEcsNr76Fw2Q77XWUgcMSdChkEul_6XKEQcIJJ_cSriEbrtxyFvtQuBi-JdjX9PkVtYvYrtPp6RMmg111SGwcXpeMSYggSsfOa-arnbgpskaDkLecGD7tfh5SpbE6W82vFsTrBXJKAQIStARtVcaB/w640-h312/20221118_094352%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The eventual goal was to reunite 3850 with shed No 7 road and specifically the jacks, to allow further restoration work to continue. In order for this to be facilitated, both 2807 and D6948 needed to be removed from shed No 7 road. The '37' has been in the steam shed for some time receiving some much needed repairs, which required the use of the jacks to lift the body from its bogies. I'm pleased to report that things are looking good for 2023 and the latest update can be found here:</span> <a href="http://gwrdieseldept.blogspot.com/2022/11/is-it-nearly-winter-already.html">Is it nearly Winter already??</a> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzV92XD2DPmvsjW-BEp1pVVBIWH8aUe_TvhfDD-9DOCGHW_rQdD5SitB5-pVbNxte-t_v5nV0VOOTEG68f4Eat0iXmA2earqzyeA1w92Byn8Ud3OCEVQz6Z3SJNP-ix5kG02NDtgGhy8zJC6PFh3niB8pbX71wu8TXtBDSEedCUpjAFm-uRPg7IQZ/s4032/D6948_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzV92XD2DPmvsjW-BEp1pVVBIWH8aUe_TvhfDD-9DOCGHW_rQdD5SitB5-pVbNxte-t_v5nV0VOOTEG68f4Eat0iXmA2earqzyeA1w92Byn8Ud3OCEVQz6Z3SJNP-ix5kG02NDtgGhy8zJC6PFh3niB8pbX71wu8TXtBDSEedCUpjAFm-uRPg7IQZ/w312-h640/D6948_1.jpg" width="312" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A 'floating' 37? The state of play as of 26th August 2022 - Note the rather dirty shed floor!</span></span></i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br />Moving back to the present time. 2807 was removed from shed No 7 road and duly shunted over to No 10 road in front of the diesel shed. This meant that access could be gained to the '37' which was recently reunited with its bogies. Further work is required, thus the diesel could not be moved under her own power. A shunter was sent in to extract the Type 3.</span> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraXLwrJPNjCjNelxr49zxkkEZGAxkrSvTC8DIIJnMNaZmC-w8-IpikmXfYlp-OAsyhOp68ds-XshadCNpKF16Y6-L4Ahlljahq5gp9oqFydnlc5yQkmoky_xRh7kwSiPGBn7ohcqUmdERUZWDPZwfbb-FTPBWCYuik8QODn7yMAxCs9fePGOwssyS/s4032/D6948_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraXLwrJPNjCjNelxr49zxkkEZGAxkrSvTC8DIIJnMNaZmC-w8-IpikmXfYlp-OAsyhOp68ds-XshadCNpKF16Y6-L4Ahlljahq5gp9oqFydnlc5yQkmoky_xRh7kwSiPGBn7ohcqUmdERUZWDPZwfbb-FTPBWCYuik8QODn7yMAxCs9fePGOwssyS/w640-h312/D6948_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mark Young gets the shunter ready, 2874 can be seen on the right - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujlrU13msdG8i5DgwMYZChAzittBB4WKYkxuvb-UJvxej0_AnAxZvvmg0nWPgd_IkeXP5brOeCFrVLYDwrsxZS7Vt3M0XcgnhiPB1PZ-__3uU335lXWjeWiWjEym5V4vwZZyEGoRJSPPwaqZE0AFTzvjhgy09lCjMgPg9JcT_7SOmW-biVQm8sgfv/s4032/20221118_125516%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujlrU13msdG8i5DgwMYZChAzittBB4WKYkxuvb-UJvxej0_AnAxZvvmg0nWPgd_IkeXP5brOeCFrVLYDwrsxZS7Vt3M0XcgnhiPB1PZ-__3uU335lXWjeWiWjEym5V4vwZZyEGoRJSPPwaqZE0AFTzvjhgy09lCjMgPg9JcT_7SOmW-biVQm8sgfv/w640-h312/20221118_125516%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">With the 'Big Green Machine' removed, we were left with a completely free shed No 7 road. Thus, the opportunity was taken to give the far end beyond the indoor pit a thorough clean. Having not used the new cleaning equipment before, John Cruxon gave me a crash course in its operation (don't worry, nobody was injured!). However, I will admit that one or two folk may have got a little wet. I'm keen to give the machine a new name, how about 'Cleany McCleanFace'? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmFBhiEkfbxq3PaKxt0ZbKIL5Yjqy5NaOESE2ZKf5VoAEm5e2PVuafIrvUjugxl9KsU33Z6GhAHcCxG9jcRgRiWzbbk8FnctALnc_wCTRA8CNwZPXKRUnpvWiaAsp0Fsn6o6d1Resu6nrhH_uwGGPSLTTOBSXQnPjJnX1dnLUWu-44Bdnafx7rkEX/s4032/20221118_115055%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmFBhiEkfbxq3PaKxt0ZbKIL5Yjqy5NaOESE2ZKf5VoAEm5e2PVuafIrvUjugxl9KsU33Z6GhAHcCxG9jcRgRiWzbbk8FnctALnc_wCTRA8CNwZPXKRUnpvWiaAsp0Fsn6o6d1Resu6nrhH_uwGGPSLTTOBSXQnPjJnX1dnLUWu-44Bdnafx7rkEX/w640-h312/20221118_115055%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">How shed No 7 road looked following a good clean. 3850's tender can be seen behind P&O.</span></span></span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new cleaning equipment took a bit of getting used to initially but I soon got the hang of the “Patio Cleaner type attachment”. A bit of adjustment was required to the detergent output, as we rather quickly ended up with something akin to an industrial scale bubble-bath. You're always learning when you work on the railway!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiKOug7TwK1ulvqXH-yQdWyvqDEx6nrX3nSLmAERTA50AfvfmQYFkGm5945Cir5v5jmrJokpLV218Tov4-wON9ESYS4_q0_WCzMgSGH55oTGf67nwJF2XuWeJmSess0iNHj-mBHkEM2FnZ4JTAFRDW_9PAMa6fY8uPrLwqhgjMqepYeiVtKdglMTZ/s4032/20221118_124939%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiKOug7TwK1ulvqXH-yQdWyvqDEx6nrX3nSLmAERTA50AfvfmQYFkGm5945Cir5v5jmrJokpLV218Tov4-wON9ESYS4_q0_WCzMgSGH55oTGf67nwJF2XuWeJmSess0iNHj-mBHkEM2FnZ4JTAFRDW_9PAMa6fY8uPrLwqhgjMqepYeiVtKdglMTZ/w640-h312/20221118_124939%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's not often you see an empty shed No 7 road! - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH8HtBb0zu1wnkR5dIrgGVwv3c27hLWEsdhE5VzQqpUDsWhhe5H6wlfx_GQdhComodzAkQmoBtphNiDJNpcepCkhY-yIE7Q_n2A_HNISZt9FRZAPGQ6zu6ZlaFoqCSjZI4jY66MRJ_Cc0XoJ8UIik-OxCUw7rUZswwBqhoQr-BDQ6vjqenLQgSP_Z/s4032/20221118_125050%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH8HtBb0zu1wnkR5dIrgGVwv3c27hLWEsdhE5VzQqpUDsWhhe5H6wlfx_GQdhComodzAkQmoBtphNiDJNpcepCkhY-yIE7Q_n2A_HNISZt9FRZAPGQ6zu6ZlaFoqCSjZI4jY66MRJ_Cc0XoJ8UIik-OxCUw7rUZswwBqhoQr-BDQ6vjqenLQgSP_Z/w640-h312/20221118_125050%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>By this point, 3850 had been brought round to shed No 7 road - The cleaner floor was drying out.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The floor cleaning was a team effort and an awful lot of crud and detritus was removed in the process. A fair bit of shovelling was required and we filled up two buckets with debris, fortunately no one 'kicked the bucket' so to speak. In between the sunken rails was thoroughly cleaned and we used a number of brooms to try and remove as much of the excess surface water as we could. I have to say that Steve was very adept with the hosepipe, wasn't he David H? Thank you to everyone who helped out as it wasn't a particularly easy job.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyw7Ork9Hu1hiAfoqXVQdDva_Y5KpAuz2qcnhRDQiCq8AQ9FccjbKC1HO7KzogkLTc_KFdq67oiZr-HZU_JRzrIFyXlMLIork7S4CkqFSDWqR6BAuNeIkmtY7KMaPEIe7VMS36RLMQ1HiK4-gEKwg8PTOljOtII5xIJPk2nNsn3HHz02ItFjR4fTlv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyw7Ork9Hu1hiAfoqXVQdDva_Y5KpAuz2qcnhRDQiCq8AQ9FccjbKC1HO7KzogkLTc_KFdq67oiZr-HZU_JRzrIFyXlMLIork7S4CkqFSDWqR6BAuNeIkmtY7KMaPEIe7VMS36RLMQ1HiK4-gEKwg8PTOljOtII5xIJPk2nNsn3HHz02ItFjR4fTlv=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Simon Edmunds on 'light-up' duty with Ade on 4270 - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />Following a relatively short lunch break, 4270 was taken out of the shed and prepared to be lit-up by Simon and Ade during the afternoon - The 42xx being rostered for a 'Photo Charter' and 'Charity Santa' at the weekend. Luckily the sun was still shining at this point, even if it was a little on the chilly side. 2807 and 7903 were shunted into shed No 9 road. Later on, 3850 was reunited with her smokebox having been with 2807.</span></span> <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLgKfeO2VswmqoafWEmnPrleyvQqH-oTAfsI-2c5IkXOoI-zZN60K5Nmipzi8HKfKgguQBd67KK7deujKWoVMiYndPGVVUAwrJ0kQ8jfT0_MdrOoUgl3nHrrEGf_a1mqoXuaKJUyhl8e-KRwThbciwPiS8LSnqavpGR8ZxtQX4v3dGpiae6gtcBOJP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLgKfeO2VswmqoafWEmnPrleyvQqH-oTAfsI-2c5IkXOoI-zZN60K5Nmipzi8HKfKgguQBd67KK7deujKWoVMiYndPGVVUAwrJ0kQ8jfT0_MdrOoUgl3nHrrEGf_a1mqoXuaKJUyhl8e-KRwThbciwPiS8LSnqavpGR8ZxtQX4v3dGpiae6gtcBOJP=w616-h640" width="616" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3850 with her smokebox reattached - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFs8CvE6c-XMJOkDolKFbtmZFSVtk6cQc0ov22xkhJqbV6DwXZUNUlXbgGoTMpKcfhoxruKJmgm_tcUPySx9cianK0VDYyt-EfF28Ya0Hdq02F3U-jDfkbPBlZMhXnAhdYfsON2ipUdKPp9RFazZv0XnnquzyMsfRJmUvXsIFT9H_xUN05DaRPQgQ8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFs8CvE6c-XMJOkDolKFbtmZFSVtk6cQc0ov22xkhJqbV6DwXZUNUlXbgGoTMpKcfhoxruKJmgm_tcUPySx9cianK0VDYyt-EfF28Ya0Hdq02F3U-jDfkbPBlZMhXnAhdYfsON2ipUdKPp9RFazZv0XnnquzyMsfRJmUvXsIFT9H_xUN05DaRPQgQ8=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Simon's got the warming fire going as 4270 starts to slowly warm up by early evening - 18th November 2022</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTPHtgpppj2omP_0PxHydsdXEV4UuAge1FXvTabA6zP3lkNJNJcWWDWMGx6hs1aNsVG-cNvLV3I-ZrowYZAFcNeafczNvPpqqfbvxJVx8Yq6w3xjSBUmn0OBlHlUqycuZl7F76ik4DOi4HYFI-ReZX3GEH6iw55STzB-24K-NkKFxqiHLtztBNqaqh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTPHtgpppj2omP_0PxHydsdXEV4UuAge1FXvTabA6zP3lkNJNJcWWDWMGx6hs1aNsVG-cNvLV3I-ZrowYZAFcNeafczNvPpqqfbvxJVx8Yq6w3xjSBUmn0OBlHlUqycuZl7F76ik4DOi4HYFI-ReZX3GEH6iw55STzB-24K-NkKFxqiHLtztBNqaqh=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></div></span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>3850 now back where she belongs and reunited with her smokebox. Her wheelsets can be seen underneath - 18th November 2022<br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM6fW1LCe-S70JBoJM_6w12xn1uYHDQ0Rn_SYyEJP1jMo3HzK5edUN_OaZCbnuAkjZcQ9ZV2P7kRfmhpDtOgNtgAMs0ra7JlbHuN0acrBzZKYOeL7NPykf_jvKbt-mtlg8wGYTvQbSXt_7dOWzkP51wL-wj0NzxmUHTDpiaLtwL-QK9Nqqhdgia2_/s4032/20221118_165109%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM6fW1LCe-S70JBoJM_6w12xn1uYHDQ0Rn_SYyEJP1jMo3HzK5edUN_OaZCbnuAkjZcQ9ZV2P7kRfmhpDtOgNtgAMs0ra7JlbHuN0acrBzZKYOeL7NPykf_jvKbt-mtlg8wGYTvQbSXt_7dOWzkP51wL-wj0NzxmUHTDpiaLtwL-QK9Nqqhdgia2_/w644-h314/20221118_165109%20(2).jpg" width="644" /></a></div></i></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>An overall view of the shed. L-R 7903, 2807, 35006, 3850 & 2874 - 18th November 2022 </i><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Like a lot of days on shed, things are planned out to a certain degree so that everyone knows what's going on. You could say that it's a bit like choreography in dancing. Sometimes things go swimmingly whilst on other occasions it can be more of a challenge and obstacles have to be overcome. But like I said at the start of this piece, it's the team that you have around you which makes all of the difference. A rather successful day or two by all accounts in my book. <br /><br />Until next time folks, I'm off to 'play trains' once more, albeit of the model variety this time. Do keep warm!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alex (the sooty one!).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />P.S. If anyone happens to have a magic carpet or knows where I might be able to acquire one, then please shout!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</span></span></span></div> </div></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com8Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-89142945835537158252022-11-13T19:00:00.002+00:002022-11-22T19:42:04.198+00:00A Hall to 'Marke' a poignant weekend of remembrance<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LA56i8zyLhTrhL6awveVNP0IgEY_2QnI1vFJg1Hz_VgvlxXxLOodjqFtFt2KReAiuuC1YNmnIeIvv5_NXk42Ib_pX9rRfW3qe-NPB6LB3NfuTO246qvz4guMBvoy5G51plRZY534QdmCITyWZ1t_7Li-Kifenzqmq-kzi6j1r2jicN1w7p8wmHi9/s4032/7903_111122.jpg"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LA56i8zyLhTrhL6awveVNP0IgEY_2QnI1vFJg1Hz_VgvlxXxLOodjqFtFt2KReAiuuC1YNmnIeIvv5_NXk42Ib_pX9rRfW3qe-NPB6LB3NfuTO246qvz4guMBvoy5G51plRZY534QdmCITyWZ1t_7Li-Kifenzqmq-kzi6j1r2jicN1w7p8wmHi9/w646-h314/7903_111122.jpg" width="646" /></a> </span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>7903 'Foremarke Hall' at Toddington after returning from the first round trip - 11th November 2022</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Early November heralds the return of the 'November Meeting' at Cheltenham Racecourse, which tends to fall on either the second or third weekend of the month. To add to the occasion for racegoers, the GWSR puts on steam hauled 'November Race Specials'. These are non-stop express passenger services that operate between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse, with a morning round trip and another in the evening. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">This weekend turned out to be a rather more poignant affair given that steam trains would be operating on the 11th November, or as it's more importantly known, 'Armistice Day', to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France. Due to the way that the dates fell, this would be the first occasion in six years whereby we'd be running trains on the 11th, with the last time being way back in November 2016.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjDzW1rZW-j_LzH-ZIkibq__oi7M9Fzpm-A2wrXLk0pElVsg0CCEAv2al9pMoRlq82VB4EzJgKexS1aM7_pKfejHFNbzeZxAKUz8mtfu7uA_qq7Z8xHRKStqTgo7QJQHH1ZIv8K9FatmFZ02eFte0shpp_vJbgQjNDMS_tApBcqfryNq1OQ8K7Gd9Q"><img height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjDzW1rZW-j_LzH-ZIkibq__oi7M9Fzpm-A2wrXLk0pElVsg0CCEAv2al9pMoRlq82VB4EzJgKexS1aM7_pKfejHFNbzeZxAKUz8mtfu7uA_qq7Z8xHRKStqTgo7QJQHH1ZIv8K9FatmFZ02eFte0shpp_vJbgQjNDMS_tApBcqfryNq1OQ8K7Gd9Q=w643-h312" width="643" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>7903 'On Shed' at Toddington following preparation and a thorough clean - 11th November 2022</i> <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">I arrived and signed on shortly before 06:30 ready to assist the rostered morning crew. The rostered crew for the first round trip being John (driver), Ade (fireman) and Liam (fellow cleaner). One of the benefits of the November Race Specials is that the timetable allows for more time in the morning before the engine needs to be ready to head off shed. Compared to gala weekends and days when we operate the purple timetable, the additional preparation time is certainly appreciated by the footplate crews and beats the 04:00 start I had during the Mixed Traction Gala. I don't mind the early starts! </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were fortunate in that 7903 had already been disposed earlier on in the week and therefore the ashpan didn't need much attention. Great, not so dirty overalls then! As a consequence, more time could be spent giving Foremarke a thorough clean. Given that it was the 11th, we were keen to mark remembrance in some way. Luckily, we came across a Poppy which we were able to easily fix to the tender, along with the customary 'At The Races Express' headboard. <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7dpxLAdLo6dKiXRi-TSOncNEIbh26y1E4TJUrnLMnEQkivGiijVuO6CBfWkw01NjnSgTajZXYXbRm-Y9O1LKSt_KA_VcBmYTPxOz4YzhkCmQVuLFEHafXtqBpXv2a2yPAPlNjNNooL0762_bcw3lefIX0HtXZakm3uRrou_RXBCer49i8azTdV6cu"><img height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7dpxLAdLo6dKiXRi-TSOncNEIbh26y1E4TJUrnLMnEQkivGiijVuO6CBfWkw01NjnSgTajZXYXbRm-Y9O1LKSt_KA_VcBmYTPxOz4YzhkCmQVuLFEHafXtqBpXv2a2yPAPlNjNNooL0762_bcw3lefIX0HtXZakm3uRrou_RXBCer49i8azTdV6cu=w557-h434" width="557" /></a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A view of the rear of 7903's tender complete with 'At The Races Express' headboard & Poppy. BR Class 55 'Deltic' No. 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' can be seen stabled on the left - 11th November 2022</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i> <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now some of you might be wondering why the headboard and poppy are at the rear at this point. The reason for this is due to the fact that 7903 faces north on the railway. The first service of the day runs southbound from Toddington to Cheltenham and therefore operates 'tender first'. As a consequence, the embellishments needed to be facing in the direction of travel (or to put it more simply, so that the visitors can see them!). </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">With the loco now ready and good to go, John and Ade headed off shed and approached Platform 1 at Toddington. I was very kindly invited out on the footplate and so Liam and I met 7903 once she had arrived at the station. It was great to see a good number of very smartly dressed racegoers ready for the train. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB7ty9LjfKduf9_xu3Pao0O3ISXxzkziHLHJ2TqyzkFxLUgKXGsZYTB8XHtwZkPFjFsluezraPmAE_vN6RLAuEh0EQDRdRp8B72oQ4xOdaTesE4fDJHad4J0TOPoyjJnw9eGrFQiBgfRfGkAirJ7lfem13E4s2_AHD9xwXJzcRd3cnAbnxZtQMlr_7"><img height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB7ty9LjfKduf9_xu3Pao0O3ISXxzkziHLHJ2TqyzkFxLUgKXGsZYTB8XHtwZkPFjFsluezraPmAE_vN6RLAuEh0EQDRdRp8B72oQ4xOdaTesE4fDJHad4J0TOPoyjJnw9eGrFQiBgfRfGkAirJ7lfem13E4s2_AHD9xwXJzcRd3cnAbnxZtQMlr_7=w636-h309" width="636" /></a><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>After receiving the 'tip' from the guard to proceed, 7903 approaches the coaching stock in Platform 1 at Toddington Station - 11th November 2022</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 'tip' from the guard is when a signal is given to the footplate crew to say that it is safe and clear for the engine to approach and buffer-up to the coaching stock. Being a Great Western locomotive, the driver's position is on the right hand side of the footplate, thus the guard cannot easily be seen from that location. As a result, it is the fireman's job (Ade) to be on the lookout for the appropriate signal from the guard. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once on the footplate and with a good 30-40 minutes before we were due to depart, it was time for that all important tradition - Breakfast on the shovel! Not to mention a few cups of tea to wash it down with for good measure. There's nothing quite like a bacon sandwich that has been cooked on the footplate. You can keep your oven grill!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's amazing how fast time flies when you're having fun, let alone eating, and that was just us aboard the footplate. I know the racegoers were in good spirits before we left and I gather a number of beverages were available! Anyway, with a blink of an eye, we were given the off and well on our way to Cheltenham. I haven't been on many non-stop trains at the railway but it's a great experience and it gives the steam locomotives a good chance to stretch their legs for a change. <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgsEOLS3PBcdziwyYKcRzVaNegqhulK2w4pdFJDPlblAmGEQenCyTKFAR8JZ0iTynKhj_A1wuOBYV-GSnLFeqkHJfABPLKcfZUOuw6sGamleT8Ot_4Hcb2Y3pejybXudykeZnqwtTajIMLG_bi2Gp51qLCKspCbYTBvBz0Ha6C5n78gMURIRSHNlB"><img height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgsEOLS3PBcdziwyYKcRzVaNegqhulK2w4pdFJDPlblAmGEQenCyTKFAR8JZ0iTynKhj_A1wuOBYV-GSnLFeqkHJfABPLKcfZUOuw6sGamleT8Ot_4Hcb2Y3pejybXudykeZnqwtTajIMLG_bi2Gp51qLCKspCbYTBvBz0Ha6C5n78gMURIRSHNlB=w643-h312" width="643" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Using a steady hand, Liam cooks us some breakfast, kindly provided by Ade - 11th November 2022</i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">We pulled into Platform 1 at Cheltenham Racecourse Station at around 10:55 and duly uncoupled 7903 from the coaching stock whilst the racegoers alighted from the train. Shortly before the hour, a bugle could be heard in the distance from the racecourse. When the clock moved to 11:00, John blew the whistle to mark the start of the two minutes silence. This was a very poignant and moving occasion for us all, to gather our thoughts, our reflections, and to remember all of those servicemen and women who gave their lives in conflict both at home and overseas. At 11:02 the whistle was blown again and the bugle sounded once more to signify the end of the silence.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few minutes later, John carried out the 'run round' of 7903 to the other end of the train. Liam helped me reattach the coupling and vacuum pipe between the loco and the coaching stock, whilst Ade moved the headboard and poppy from the tender and kept an eye on the fire. It's not the easiest job to couple up and reattach the pipes to the stock due to the confined space, but luckily we weren't using steam heating on the first round trip so that was one pipe less to wrestle with! Here's a photo of Ade & Liam with 7903 taken shortly before we were due to head off with the return trip back. <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN8_pKxLP0KYLH71PNyvzaQVePWVqMJQZy_T2_TiGSV6GgxCCN90pL2DcH_IHRJGRxxg5Xphp_IKhpGFSmDAZm0-0h77gssqYHCTO_9XGyOm3SM4jPCniwL3psp63XpsY4jXtbjsLKRtFS2tLY-34kg0uz1HImcL96LEbRQfmKrbUIZIAEwOyxx5FK"><img height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN8_pKxLP0KYLH71PNyvzaQVePWVqMJQZy_T2_TiGSV6GgxCCN90pL2DcH_IHRJGRxxg5Xphp_IKhpGFSmDAZm0-0h77gssqYHCTO_9XGyOm3SM4jPCniwL3psp63XpsY4jXtbjsLKRtFS2tLY-34kg0uz1HImcL96LEbRQfmKrbUIZIAEwOyxx5FK=w639-h310" width="639" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ade & Liam with 7903 at Cheltenham Racecourse Station - 11th November 2022</i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><p><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">I couldn't think of something more fitting to be doing on a day such as this, particularly given that both of my grandfathers served in the Second World War and both also had a keen interest in all things railway (especially steam). Sadly, they are no longer with us but I'd like to think that they are looking down on us with fondness at what they have left behind. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">If someone had said to me a few years ago that I'd be riding on the footplate of a steam locomotive on 'Armistice Day' then I wouldn't have believed them. It's a day that I'll never forget and one made all the better with great company and support. It's that 'Keep Calm and Carry On' spirt that keeps us going through the good times and the bad. Life may be difficult at times, but nothing can compare to living through war or conflict. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have given their lives. It is understood that over 20,000 members of the 'Railway Family' were lost during 'The Great War'. </span> <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzJzyWzSkvwAUo5VkihLEgEMLWlL6flHwnVPC_MOQKzFGcc4LlcMVfmFOMsH0BB7RDeqPuHRYZWeA7Lb7sHr52jbgebnuNLDlYOAY0LvEi7S6tOlbD9rDTRl4nTG_iG0KK95SiY3PNDfVMlySIbTYjuG3oChHAxv5NJL2bK8M4NyEazNig6s1rZ1a/s2816/geograph-3074638-by-Derek-Bennett.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzJzyWzSkvwAUo5VkihLEgEMLWlL6flHwnVPC_MOQKzFGcc4LlcMVfmFOMsH0BB7RDeqPuHRYZWeA7Lb7sHr52jbgebnuNLDlYOAY0LvEi7S6tOlbD9rDTRl4nTG_iG0KK95SiY3PNDfVMlySIbTYjuG3oChHAxv5NJL2bK8M4NyEazNig6s1rZ1a/w659-h440/geograph-3074638-by-Derek-Bennett.jpg" /></a><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Railway Industry Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire - Photo © <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/22254">Derek Bennett</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>)</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our railway runs through an idyllic landscape with the surrounding hills, rolling fields and many picturesque Cotswold properties. We have beautifully adorned period stations, signal boxes, and iconic pieces of railway infrastructure in Greet Tunnel, Stanway Viaduct and Three Arch Bridge, to name but a few. We have superbly maintained locomotives, coaches, wagons and facilities, but for all these wonderful things, we would be nothing without our volunteers - A number of whom have either served or continue to serve in the armed forces and civilian services. It is thanks to their support, dedication, time, enthusiasm, pride and workmanship, not forgetting those from the generations before them, that we are so lucky. For it is the people that make the railway, it is the people that define a nation and it is the people who shape the world that we live in today.</span></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrHXoghGzCF7fe9IXKngWvDbu9hHlywNii25G50dTIslbbC1q1XwlsiwyyGK5zt0YVo63A0meqLOO2h_11ZuFE6doI-nvX05-tCi5nwI5T0pFhIQH_3Q2wnIBLWN4gwsSkorPyEdiJUDe7fIzkaH3uXbZGqx9i9ozKEL1c5hCwUIwLlSD0DkKSdmH9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrHXoghGzCF7fe9IXKngWvDbu9hHlywNii25G50dTIslbbC1q1XwlsiwyyGK5zt0YVo63A0meqLOO2h_11ZuFE6doI-nvX05-tCi5nwI5T0pFhIQH_3Q2wnIBLWN4gwsSkorPyEdiJUDe7fIzkaH3uXbZGqx9i9ozKEL1c5hCwUIwLlSD0DkKSdmH9=w610-h457" width="610" /></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><i>"At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them". - Photo courtesy of Dan Wigg</i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />It is a fact of life that people come and go, new friendships and acquaintances are made, and sadly, due to the passage of time, the generations move on. Life is precious and fleeting, but we will never forget and we will always remember.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>"When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I bring this piece to a close on the evening of 'Remembrance Sunday', I'll leave you with this which needs no further introduction: <a href="https://youtu.be/7iM5dymBBI4" target="_blank">Edward Elgar - Nimrod (Enigma Variations)</a><br /> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alex (the sooty one!). </span></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><i>All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.</i> </span></span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com13Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-42971195245523661562022-11-11T15:34:00.001+00:002022-11-13T17:35:06.631+00:00Heading south for the winter<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0maBZMxRJ6UpJkYcthDqUukTADzak14A1MC-WnsJUJITejupudK5qdUjJWFnp78Zq91Dr2WcLawIBC9y5rBTG7ZqaiKGZ0Sly31VhEHfGpE-cBrh8_jEuyCHnHmUSf9F5c28Ec7prWc0mVyZPBTlGUXot4y-p3N3nxZ-Hp2Ie0HViH7RCLK46ZcG/s4032/46521_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0maBZMxRJ6UpJkYcthDqUukTADzak14A1MC-WnsJUJITejupudK5qdUjJWFnp78Zq91Dr2WcLawIBC9y5rBTG7ZqaiKGZ0Sly31VhEHfGpE-cBrh8_jEuyCHnHmUSf9F5c28Ec7prWc0mVyZPBTlGUXot4y-p3N3nxZ-Hp2Ie0HViH7RCLK46ZcG/w597-h289/46521_2.jpg" width="597" /></a><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>35006 arrives at Winchcombe with a southbound service to Cheltenham. 46521 waits to head north - 23rd August 2022</i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;">As much as I'd like to say that I'm about to board an Airbus A380 and head 'Down Under' to see one of my favourite overseas locomotives, specifically New South Wales C38 class locomotive No. '3801', sadly this isn't the case and I must be content with YouTube videos and another one of my old VHS videos (as mentioned in the last blog entry). The VHS video in question can be viewed here <a href="https://youtu.be/NgPU5KjdT1I" target="_blank">3801: A Legend In Steam</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;">On a brighter note, 7820 is the one who's actually heading south for a winter holiday (not 'Down Under') and much like last year, will once again be taking charge of the 'Polar Express' trains on the South Devon Railway (SDR). The Manor was prepared for her departure during the week following our Mixed Traction Gala. The photographs below show the locomotive after being shunted into position for collection. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1aRYjzKTl6VVyapoPU1Q2Brg051ecvDZ1hDBFPoeQ8VCsj522Mq3VBxR1mPUk0Zta7DcrUIskWs0zZeyKk9KfShVRCvlvajEyVpJXiVxmMXxqoeAZdjyhugvMz--np64I-91a6bn2RTHY9Q2Nmt3m85RIGrHEUw7ykGqbyr2kQTqxWamZOulXSAs/s4032/7820_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1aRYjzKTl6VVyapoPU1Q2Brg051ecvDZ1hDBFPoeQ8VCsj522Mq3VBxR1mPUk0Zta7DcrUIskWs0zZeyKk9KfShVRCvlvajEyVpJXiVxmMXxqoeAZdjyhugvMz--np64I-91a6bn2RTHY9Q2Nmt3m85RIGrHEUw7ykGqbyr2kQTqxWamZOulXSAs/w609-h297/7820_1.jpg" width="609" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>7820 'Dinmore Manor' being prepared for her winter holiday - 5th November 2022 <br /></i></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-ztXY2wsSNEKbehPtLlmfNilmBfIJUulMumQUy6ftOouhswb_yLp247bTSeRcdYTimadroc_dbtHCdrnqls8wYyWTmITX5V4v2NLlHHBuxJ9jR7m3UXm03MPCD3Jj94FSI13u5DsxU6WqL_Z8lJNPDGmjAtC-FkHzvWff1v64c-oS22jyhxPDWus/s4032/7820_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-ztXY2wsSNEKbehPtLlmfNilmBfIJUulMumQUy6ftOouhswb_yLp247bTSeRcdYTimadroc_dbtHCdrnqls8wYyWTmITX5V4v2NLlHHBuxJ9jR7m3UXm03MPCD3Jj94FSI13u5DsxU6WqL_Z8lJNPDGmjAtC-FkHzvWff1v64c-oS22jyhxPDWus/w610-h297/7820_2.jpg" width="610" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Operating and maintaining steam locomotives is a constant endeavour and is by no means an easy task. The preparation, loading and subsequent transportation of them however, is a completely different challenge altogether. I was involved with the departure of 92203 following the 'Cotswold Festival Of Steam' back in June, and to be more precise, the separation of the tender from the locomotive. Oh what a day that was! <br /></span></div><p><span style="color: #f1c232;">The sheer size of a locomotive can be quite unbelievable at times and seeing them running on the railway with a rake of MK1 coaches or appropriate wagons formed up as a goods train never gets old. It's only when one of these beasts needs to be transported by road, that you really begin to appreciate their magnitude and presence. The term 'Hand Of God' is often uttered in model railway circles, if only such a thing existed in 4 ft 8+1⁄2" scale things would certainly be a darn sight easier. I've tried praying, but the big man upstairs hasn't responded. Thus, a significant amount of elbow grease and heavy equipment will have to suffice for now!</span></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsoWwqU7eYCJRacMSfGW9yKIo-TJNZEtXprD9MfBfoIV1t-DN-o1sQogL_bmy1QnijQ-Ivk6tCZ9MszSXh5sNfVgjYlzk_8khTihChHtjleWfoOtuI5cHxQ0b6EJltNRv_qkqeTfHii03XaDRJIvB8TrKb6fLhSRYHSEt_T3xjw2Lkb5RfGzwyijK/s2374/92203_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2374" data-original-width="1959" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsoWwqU7eYCJRacMSfGW9yKIo-TJNZEtXprD9MfBfoIV1t-DN-o1sQogL_bmy1QnijQ-Ivk6tCZ9MszSXh5sNfVgjYlzk_8khTihChHtjleWfoOtuI5cHxQ0b6EJltNRv_qkqeTfHii03XaDRJIvB8TrKb6fLhSRYHSEt_T3xjw2Lkb5RfGzwyijK/w340-h411/92203_3.jpg" width="340" /></a><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;">As many of you probably know, there are a number of heavy haulage companies operating in the country who assist the railway with the various locomotive transfers as and when required. One of them just so happens to be based a few miles down the road from me and features in the 'Train Truckers' TV series. </span></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;">Watching a locomotive negotiate narrow village streets or travel around roundabouts of different sizes certainly makes for compelling viewing. I'm not ashamed to say that I'll happily wait to let the truck out to see what mighty engine or piece of rolling stock happens to be on the trailer. However, I will confess that it can be a little disconcerting to see a steam locomotive in your rear view mirror or approaching you down a hill. </span> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKHI0PEB1_jhmzzdmLnoww0FC78IIowmrSilmguux4_jZRg3FQYsRRj4sQwwwuTM8qgWhT4S3PcW9m3MXzIVD-ORNJBi9xOrPSfERxHUVsWMGjwOGPVFawmrXgbw9nUWybXT--u25l8Jo_kIOCPSsuYIRNjKwv4ADyVpasqx-b9CNlXLvHOerMw4Z/s4032/92203_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKHI0PEB1_jhmzzdmLnoww0FC78IIowmrSilmguux4_jZRg3FQYsRRj4sQwwwuTM8qgWhT4S3PcW9m3MXzIVD-ORNJBi9xOrPSfERxHUVsWMGjwOGPVFawmrXgbw9nUWybXT--u25l8Jo_kIOCPSsuYIRNjKwv4ADyVpasqx-b9CNlXLvHOerMw4Z/w625-h304/92203_1.jpg" width="625" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">92203 'Black Prince' being loaded and secured ready for her trip back to the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) - 14th June 2022</span></i><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl54nrdWrcl7zLK-J1EBnE5n6206C5SK2GCzNsmuWyhhrf78hvdGQnWRHBTrNU9uZEASezwQeAFEnIruejZ4Nfhq-7iQF6foVm432XBKFs48LEgb8X03TPdiL94F3Vh3bQmzH6eEECvwph0nZw-CxUYeKnrS5gM3rEcbvsxqVA0fIpE-CApVK1stgY/s4032/92203_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl54nrdWrcl7zLK-J1EBnE5n6206C5SK2GCzNsmuWyhhrf78hvdGQnWRHBTrNU9uZEASezwQeAFEnIruejZ4Nfhq-7iQF6foVm432XBKFs48LEgb8X03TPdiL94F3Vh3bQmzH6eEECvwph0nZw-CxUYeKnrS5gM3rEcbvsxqVA0fIpE-CApVK1stgY/w633-h309/92203_2.jpg" width="633" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">It's an absolute privilege to be involved with such fine pieces of British engineering and I find myself in awe of these machines every time I see them. I guess that's one of the reasons why I keep coming back month after month! Nothing really beats the sights, sounds and of course, the smells of steam. They transport us back to a time when things were very different (for better or for worse) and as we're living through a period of constant change and technical advancement, these locomotives really need to be cherished and valued. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">It's easy to forget that in reality, we don't actually own these locomotives (despite what it may well say on the paperwork!), but we are merely custodians trusted with their continued care and upkeep, so that future generations can hopefully gain as much knowledge, insight and enjoyment out of them as we all do now. If the number of recent coach parties and school visits are anything to go by, the future is looking rather bright. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEyaaL3w6j1-ylF34yO0f08EBxfS1Ja88uGs44674H1Sm4nNwX9W0v_5Na8eMn6pdICVrxKHoKfmj2i3iTRTyD1gUAVAz38cwWbcoYxSRKBKcoTvkbjoTJDdjRanpRUyMtuijcnk8eHhQfKpsq2MkcO41T2O76Gm0wmX6ztQlaPQMX9DWLRelUGg3/s4032/46521_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEyaaL3w6j1-ylF34yO0f08EBxfS1Ja88uGs44674H1Sm4nNwX9W0v_5Na8eMn6pdICVrxKHoKfmj2i3iTRTyD1gUAVAz38cwWbcoYxSRKBKcoTvkbjoTJDdjRanpRUyMtuijcnk8eHhQfKpsq2MkcO41T2O76Gm0wmX6ztQlaPQMX9DWLRelUGg3/w613-h298/46521_1.jpg" width="613" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>46521 on shed at Toddington not long before her return to the Great Central Railway (GCR) - 26th August 2022</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9FQMJdrgvDyZqXT5GiaA-P7DMhlEMi_OO_TJHovKwYia97kO3CH5n7KXZbHJfouxMIiWvh4laGabL6LgR_zOTmrtiI8bc2pluKmVNZxD_7OarX1Lo3Npquz2_GVNcry_LNlHJ0WBfM-4fnZuubEmGI4vGBRrEw6qoQwYE3YRnVEZzGNcDWAA1Xbr/s4032/35006_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="673" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9FQMJdrgvDyZqXT5GiaA-P7DMhlEMi_OO_TJHovKwYia97kO3CH5n7KXZbHJfouxMIiWvh4laGabL6LgR_zOTmrtiI8bc2pluKmVNZxD_7OarX1Lo3Npquz2_GVNcry_LNlHJ0WBfM-4fnZuubEmGI4vGBRrEw6qoQwYE3YRnVEZzGNcDWAA1Xbr/w328-h673/35006_1.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>The fire seems to be doing its job on 35006... keeping the all important tea warm!<br /> </i></span></div><span style="color: #f1c232;">Anyway, on to more productive matters. I think it's time for a bit of restoration news and how about <b>2807</b>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEH9aPL4Ykaz9UWFVDXPOT9v4AN7r7gqhXG-hduoytDJVrvHRpNzRELQRVqL3oGAkPOahvFJF3Kdkwo0NZ0XquGLUWaLY39_droYO4XYKYF-vDNy7tmmHK8DJR8J8yVpdlvx3G4VvcY6Xm7yRS0-dK-iyFiGHizKLXhDJPrt8wDc9NB8d1XY15Y14/s1008/2807_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1008" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEH9aPL4Ykaz9UWFVDXPOT9v4AN7r7gqhXG-hduoytDJVrvHRpNzRELQRVqL3oGAkPOahvFJF3Kdkwo0NZ0XquGLUWaLY39_droYO4XYKYF-vDNy7tmmHK8DJR8J8yVpdlvx3G4VvcY6Xm7yRS0-dK-iyFiGHizKLXhDJPrt8wDc9NB8d1XY15Y14/w634-h406/2807_1.jpg" width="634" /></a></div></span><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">Here's a general view of the situation at week ending 5th November. - Photo courtesy of Graham Bondi</span></i><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The tender frames have been returned to ‘flat-pack’ status and by this I mean, laid out flat (this makes the fitting of parts as easy as possible). The previous week they had been clamped vertically *. The serviceable spring hangers have been fitted with another four new ones being cast soon. The horn guides have been fitted on the left hand frame, and (in the distance) the support brackets for the front steps have been temporally bolted on ahead of riveting. Close inspection of the centre of the photograph shows the two steam pistons fitted to their crossheads. There is a problem here: the machined surfaces of the crossheads are not quite parallel with the piston rods. It is very likely that they will have to be returned to Tyseley for further careful machining.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">* Earlier on in the restoration
process when working on the tender overhaul, it became apparent that the
front 3 metres of the frames would have to be replaced.</span><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">On the right can be seen the front end of 2807’s bottom half. The smokebox is not 2807s – it is for 3850 and was sent with 2807 for her outing to Lancashire where Riley’s checked it against their boiler. 2807s boiler is progressing up there and the group have recently received a short video of the barrel being riveted. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Speaking of 'heading south' as per the title, we now turn our attention to the Southern Region and <b>35006</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOHNnKUwBtgkYA4fL9OvByNq2Sbp_4Sza5l7Og-ZpipFimzWuKrJKhRwjZ2hpgkXkegjMu_H90PJMDgDWbVn23UcNvSTNzijgJwQM5gDI_IByMYLwDb40nfl3JQVphl5ciiRQcstNX7Qob8hd7lPiiSLC1jnga8UGMlFmecgNhjJoFRbFuF9BMmAV/s4032/35006_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOHNnKUwBtgkYA4fL9OvByNq2Sbp_4Sza5l7Og-ZpipFimzWuKrJKhRwjZ2hpgkXkegjMu_H90PJMDgDWbVn23UcNvSTNzijgJwQM5gDI_IByMYLwDb40nfl3JQVphl5ciiRQcstNX7Qob8hd7lPiiSLC1jnga8UGMlFmecgNhjJoFRbFuF9BMmAV/w622-h303/35006_4.jpg" width="622" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">35006 sporting a look more akin to something out of 'Mad Max' rather than 'Merchant Navy'! </span> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Now I could say that this is the newly improved 'convertible' P&O which is able to provide the footplate crews with some additional air conditioning during those infrequent hot summer days of operation, but then that would be skirting from the truth somewhat. It looks like this at the present time for very good reason. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The cab-side panelling has been removed on the fireman's side purely as a means of gaining access to some of the internal workings behind (as illustrated in the photographs), specifically an annoying leaking pipe joint on the steel steam heat pipe (bottom right). The pipe in question has been removed going forwards so that the joint can be remade using stag jointing compound and plumbers hemp, which sounds like a fun job! </span> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvp4YISFhLl1rQXjUDTg77sxfGKbeGrCZof4P57hpKDXgcirYMzgxogKIyhv0tcRCoO8AToOO6_thWKWZPyLq6-vZV9PcyNmaZANehp5oMPYlOL22Ac88ftdu2QE7N-08bkrOALNJkxDLp65jXfbDqyL9UycNMDw6GdoBit0wO1lTdWVLnQmuCyKo/s4032/35006_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvp4YISFhLl1rQXjUDTg77sxfGKbeGrCZof4P57hpKDXgcirYMzgxogKIyhv0tcRCoO8AToOO6_thWKWZPyLq6-vZV9PcyNmaZANehp5oMPYlOL22Ac88ftdu2QE7N-08bkrOALNJkxDLp65jXfbDqyL9UycNMDw6GdoBit0wO1lTdWVLnQmuCyKo/w307-h630/35006_5.jpg" width="307" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">When we think of the Southern Region, London's Waterloo Station is probably one of the first places that comes to mind. This is rather appropriate given that it was one of P&O's main calling points back in her mainline service career with the Southern Railway (SR) and then British Railways (BR), not forgetting visits to the nearby Nine Elms Depot (70A). P&O spent her entire working life based at Salisbury Depot (72B). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0y_ATRgewA4PmwPb-nBheGlwM0bNCRN_MfNrM-g3S6M_ZbKxKO85bZKFYAjWBjo-bNifGowi8F8rOHw_y27RyR23Tj5TgXhftV1wiCDMMr5_ow0nICAnqQnk9996Pyfchd-Z3E85PPwM1rymK6ayj8PhKNmookgSfPIx5S0haeUliaJrwQIGmpOA/s640/geograph-4349780-by-Andy-Parrett.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0y_ATRgewA4PmwPb-nBheGlwM0bNCRN_MfNrM-g3S6M_ZbKxKO85bZKFYAjWBjo-bNifGowi8F8rOHw_y27RyR23Tj5TgXhftV1wiCDMMr5_ow0nICAnqQnk9996Pyfchd-Z3E85PPwM1rymK6ayj8PhKNmookgSfPIx5S0haeUliaJrwQIGmpOA/w585-h391/geograph-4349780-by-Andy-Parrett.jpg" width="585" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Two of Oliver Bulleid's 4-6-2 'Pacific' locomotives are seen here at the end of the Waterloo platforms. 34040 'Crewkerne' & 35006 'Peninsular and Oriental S.N. Co.' - </i></span><span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo ©</span> <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/36406" title="View profile">Andy Parrett</a>
(<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc-by-sa/2.0</a>)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">I happened to come across some colourized footage of Waterloo Station dating from the 1930s. <a href="https://youtu.be/A-jb8ydfsqw?t=335" target="_blank">See Here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Moving back to things on home turf, here's a view of the main steam shed looking in the opposite direction. Having a large space such as this is invaluable, especially during the winter months with the shorter days and increased possibility of inclement weather. There's only so much you can achieve in the driving rain or snow! I'm sure those who own classic cars or bikes with a garage (preferably heated!) can relate to this. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKr_Il8pqfY6cvSX_ICMtpkHuW8no7uMuwtvQZELJZdVcbe6VC2M76jgAk0t-Cznu5ZZcmbcsq-OmhZUix2Miy5G4GaE30h54XRe8LZFv34miAgHPLirB4ajWvi_SXENrRTqC9nud1ySvz88sxghtOFYePPy5MXWPjH_5xzrGYLsIKVQivXMN4545/s2048/DP_Shed_051122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKr_Il8pqfY6cvSX_ICMtpkHuW8no7uMuwtvQZELJZdVcbe6VC2M76jgAk0t-Cznu5ZZcmbcsq-OmhZUix2Miy5G4GaE30h54XRe8LZFv34miAgHPLirB4ajWvi_SXENrRTqC9nud1ySvz88sxghtOFYePPy5MXWPjH_5xzrGYLsIKVQivXMN4545/w639-h479/DP_Shed_051122.jpg" width="639" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><i>The view inside Toddington 'DP' shed. 4270, 7903, 3850, 35006, 2807, 2874 (just in shot on right) and D6948 on the jacks. (Wheelsets are 3850’s) - 5th November 2022 - Photo courtesy of Andrew Beale</i></span><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Earlier in this instalment I talked about seeing locomotives in your mirrors, and on that note, I'll leave you with the following photograph. For the avoidance of any doubt, my car was stationery and not running at the time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi33hr4mi2mAP7k8DEcBdGKd-0rWCGQkm7EmBQ85tUE85osuTh0egKEV9yv15dSXOhyF2ZDeVHUhdoZu2HK4HMHyU0hZz5HAijxIL3J7e_Yu-qfSi29jW1xlphSdRXMvUT5h0K1NG4Jih-uT9WuyRlBc1AGQnpDClIUL9ePdL9vBWBOdi8dfN4Rgc/s4032/20210924_180539%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi33hr4mi2mAP7k8DEcBdGKd-0rWCGQkm7EmBQ85tUE85osuTh0egKEV9yv15dSXOhyF2ZDeVHUhdoZu2HK4HMHyU0hZz5HAijxIL3J7e_Yu-qfSi29jW1xlphSdRXMvUT5h0K1NG4Jih-uT9WuyRlBc1AGQnpDClIUL9ePdL9vBWBOdi8dfN4Rgc/w633-h309/20210924_180539%20(2).jpg" width="633" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>I'm not quite sure where the coal goes in this one? Any ideas folks? D6948 at Toddington.- 24th September 2021</i><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Until we meet again at the coalface... it's goodbye for now. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #f1c232;">Alex (the sooty one!). <br /></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #f1c232;">P.S. In food related news</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">, I'm pleased to report that my stockpile of mince pies is slowly increasing!</span></p></div></div></div><p></p><p><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited. </span></i><br /></p>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com13Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-18729902295566067082022-11-05T20:34:00.004+00:002023-09-05T10:35:23.238+01:00Full Steam Ahead!<div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Long term followers of this blog would be forgiven for thinking that we’re all still sat around enjoying the mulled wine and mince pies, but alas, a whole ten months has passed us by. The snow, Father Christmas and the mince pies are all but a distant memory, the disappearance of the latter being a particular disappointment to me. Absence makes the heart, or should that be stomach, grow fonder!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">A little about me. I have had an interest in railways from an early age ever since watching a collection of VHS videos about Steam Trains belonging to my late grandfather. Films such as 'A Steam Train Passes', 'Steam On The Settle & Carlisle', and '3801: A Legend In Steam' from the 'Great Trains' series dating from the mid to late 1980s just might sound familiar to some of you. Not forgetting of course, the heavily used Duplo train-set that my parents bought me in my formative years (which broke down!). Unfortunately, the motor in the locomotive had failed and Duplo kindly sent out a brand new diesel. I must stress that a steam locomotive option wasn't available at the time! </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's one of the aforementioned VHS videos on YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/a12H63J6gC0" target="_blank">Steam On The Settle & Carlisle</a><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly, if it runs on rails then you can pretty much guarantee that I'm interested in it, whether that be steam, diesel or electric. I come from an IT support and retail background with aspirations to join the mainline, so it was only natural that I would get involved with the heritage railway movement in one form or another at some stage. I applied to join the GWSR Steam department back in January 2020 and after almost three years down the tracks, with a global pandemic thrown in for good measure, I find myself still here and strangely attached to the place! I can't really fathom why that is however? <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />If I’m not cleaning, disposing, or lighting up an engine, I can usually be found drinking tea or scoffing food of some description, normally out of my rather distinctive blue picnic bag, which some in the department believe is akin to Doctor Who’s Tardis – I’m pleased to report that there have been no sightings of the Daleks or Cybermen just yet! Anyway, I digress and we must move on to more important matters at hand. I was recently asked to contribute to this blog and so hopefully, if you’re still reading, you’ve got an appetite to continue further. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruiiiJvFVwr1mii2UZC9oICLn1qHD_b5TeMm4DN1PsR9-s5QjdyCMn0xNiwyGa4cGgLrRyuu24SrLJ3FT4z1TQodWkfw9LDEiQGvCO6u6I_Akewv00Ut9dMYtv05-SwzZAl1Hp5GH7o32pLLlgWum7JdXiDOrTEh-NcM7_iWoq_FeTweW-pg8izSd/s1380/7820.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruiiiJvFVwr1mii2UZC9oICLn1qHD_b5TeMm4DN1PsR9-s5QjdyCMn0xNiwyGa4cGgLrRyuu24SrLJ3FT4z1TQodWkfw9LDEiQGvCO6u6I_Akewv00Ut9dMYtv05-SwzZAl1Hp5GH7o32pLLlgWum7JdXiDOrTEh-NcM7_iWoq_FeTweW-pg8izSd/w534-h260/7820.jpg" /></a></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>7820 ‘Dinmore Manor’ being prepared on shed – 1st July 2022</i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Summer has sadly come and gone for another year, complete with heatwaves, fires and ice cream, and that’s just on the footplate! You’ve got to have your wits about you though, as you may end up with an impromptu shower, courtesy of the fireman armed with the pep pipe! The past ten months have been a busy time for the railway and especially the steam department. We opened for services in mid-March with the race trains, which were a roaring success, and brought a much-needed return to a sense of normality, for both crews and visitors alike after the trials and tribulations of the past couple of years. It was great to see so many back in the saddle, so to speak. The odd tipple or should that be several, certainly added to the entertainment for the racegoers!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lRSLe-SID5XoaWJwhNmTb7cMLzEfX3z54MTGR8yRSanIo02PsXFp1bg-9c0A-0mrCIxJXX3oiKu0sD50J8p8RfmJN3S8Dy2A4NJDuvgkYIQgvlNTCkFnIQCdRsdizcbP0_LEArJKquPhXxOJVivDxACz9nQ34VIDplSp9N8Zv8byATDw-T1jgg6G/s1380/92203_1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lRSLe-SID5XoaWJwhNmTb7cMLzEfX3z54MTGR8yRSanIo02PsXFp1bg-9c0A-0mrCIxJXX3oiKu0sD50J8p8RfmJN3S8Dy2A4NJDuvgkYIQgvlNTCkFnIQCdRsdizcbP0_LEArJKquPhXxOJVivDxACz9nQ34VIDplSp9N8Zv8byATDw-T1jgg6G/w535-h260/92203_1.jpg" /> </a><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>47109 ‘Joyce’, 92203 ‘Black Prince’ & 34028 ‘Eddystone’ on shed – 29th May 2022</i> <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Early June saw return of the ‘Cotswold Festival of Steam’ (CFOS) with no less than nine engines in steam. This year’s theme being the ‘Somerset & Dorset Remembered’. Many months of planning, long hours, dedication, and sleepless nights for a great number in the department resulted in a truly spectacular event. Judging by the smiles from visitors, both young and old, all of the effort certainly paid off. A personal highlight for me was being given the opportunity to light up 92203 for its steam test prior to the gala. This was an interesting experience due to the 9Fs surprisingly shallow firebox, which took me by surprise upon first glance. Incidentally, ‘Black Prince’ was the first steam engine that I saw when I first visited the GWSR back in 2007. Oh, how time flies!<br /> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n2MA1Bibfllr04-TxoKd9vGuCx4L1Zj3-0yS_Eg8OcHpqKRyFXIe9Ewp-II2qKMwvrF-sO6fbIS4bqh0CrcR0uGzpR9xzArBf_Cy0rtG-rbfJ5IszEMx6f2rahVDN5q4qZxwmmWzwjQEPBcHVy5zD4HkD-H7jSATczPzZRmAw63czHMufccNlmMI/s1380/92203_2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n2MA1Bibfllr04-TxoKd9vGuCx4L1Zj3-0yS_Eg8OcHpqKRyFXIe9Ewp-II2qKMwvrF-sO6fbIS4bqh0CrcR0uGzpR9xzArBf_Cy0rtG-rbfJ5IszEMx6f2rahVDN5q4qZxwmmWzwjQEPBcHVy5zD4HkD-H7jSATczPzZRmAw63czHMufccNlmMI/w542-h264/92203_2.jpg" /> </a> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>BR Standard 9F 92203 ‘Black Prince’ prepares to leave shed – 2nd June 2022</i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />One of the joys of a gala besides all of the hustle and bustle in the department, is having visiting engines and their representatives at the railway. It is a great opportunity to learn, share ideas, knowledge, and not forgetting the obligatory friendly banter. It’s what makes it all so worthwhile. With five visiting engines on shed, as a loco department, you could say we were very spoilt for choice. <br /><br />This year we were fortunate in that we had 46521 to stay with us for the summer months and as much as we love our home fleet, it’s always exciting to have something different to get to grips with. Being a Swindon built machine and having spent the first 10 years of its operational BR career allocated to the Western Region (based at Oswestry and Brecon), the GWSR was a rather fitting location for the Ivatt to take a summer holiday. Eagle eyed readers may recall that 46521 visited us previously for the </span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">‘Cotswold Festival of Steam’</span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> back in 2016, not to mention that the loco also had a starring role in the 90s sitcom ‘Oh, Doctor Beeching!’ carrying the name "Blossom".</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ed1RmFTNp136eD3ifo_YNtqofSyHJsS2khcxs441Sr7JRgneNwZSdkfGAvW5Esev6KX4ASesqaM6n-TznI-8TSlKXiVAS_YQNqQAfViD_LGG_DoQRfUZgGQFxhe3QZFWjA06Jj3ji6c1N9tMdJ0fUAAxCDXuzbhAYhZ6euNWZnLgBTl8kRCQLWhr/s1380/41312_1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ed1RmFTNp136eD3ifo_YNtqofSyHJsS2khcxs441Sr7JRgneNwZSdkfGAvW5Esev6KX4ASesqaM6n-TznI-8TSlKXiVAS_YQNqQAfViD_LGG_DoQRfUZgGQFxhe3QZFWjA06Jj3ji6c1N9tMdJ0fUAAxCDXuzbhAYhZ6euNWZnLgBTl8kRCQLWhr/w548-h267/41312_1.jpg" /> </a><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T 41312 & LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 46521 on shed – 2nd June 2022</i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />An interesting fact with warming fires on 46521 is that unlike Western engines, the fire is placed down the front under the arch. <br /><br />The summer months also meant the return of the ‘Fish & Chip Specials’ which are always well patronised. One of these days I’ll hopefully manage to get a seat on board and it’s ‘Cod & Chips’ for me if anyone’s asking? You’ve probably noticed that I’ve raised the subject of food once again, but in my experience of being a member of the steam dept, good sustenance and copious amounts of tea are mandatory requirements for optimal function, much like coal and water are for steam engines! <br /> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIqqInE5MwmLVBQ7SQ_n7y_mEfMl7a_1QQOkKMeXBjFVYUMXy1QBD4quS3MleWQ9WJC_LODNkna1chqpFLGSMqnCPlGHepXjw0JblzmwYW6cxmWcit2pbNGCmDa90456GZgcSv_oQAKe0P4EN0TAFNVJAyBrlDFmrwN-plHVd_uG4LYFV_Rg_p1zp/s1598/46421_1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIqqInE5MwmLVBQ7SQ_n7y_mEfMl7a_1QQOkKMeXBjFVYUMXy1QBD4quS3MleWQ9WJC_LODNkna1chqpFLGSMqnCPlGHepXjw0JblzmwYW6cxmWcit2pbNGCmDa90456GZgcSv_oQAKe0P4EN0TAFNVJAyBrlDFmrwN-plHVd_uG4LYFV_Rg_p1zp/w550-h268/46421_1.jpg" /></a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 46521 warming up on shed. Smoke can be seen so I must have been doing something right! – 24th June 2022</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnMHwvOAQqDsRt9WxY3aU0yi31YXwYoOboPOGFm8MVXI9SyEhDr-2VJs-72wX0D8y6M0bWIxZwc11qCXvJgFVrOtO_GNMGCjdguj5wK_6Z9Vi_1mf6LPJye89CdVGJc3ZExYf6oBJ_kVo5s5-ZuZygLAGg-w5lgbv3N9WMhRxiCheESlkRdNFa_0J/s2048/34028_1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnMHwvOAQqDsRt9WxY3aU0yi31YXwYoOboPOGFm8MVXI9SyEhDr-2VJs-72wX0D8y6M0bWIxZwc11qCXvJgFVrOtO_GNMGCjdguj5wK_6Z9Vi_1mf6LPJye89CdVGJc3ZExYf6oBJ_kVo5s5-ZuZygLAGg-w5lgbv3N9WMhRxiCheESlkRdNFa_0J/w551-h413/34028_1.jpg" /> </a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A pair of Bulleids! - 35006 ‘Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.’ & 34028 ‘Eddystone’ on shed – 6th June 2022</i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />As June progressed it was time to say a fond farewell to some of our gala visitors. 47109 ‘Joyce’, 34028, 41312 and 92203 all returned to their respective home railways, and whilst their visits were only fleeting, their time with us will not be forgotten in a hurry. Who could have envisaged that two Rebuilt Southern Pacifics would be working together crossing Stanway Viaduct? A truly magnificent sight to behold and one to be remembered for years to come. It certainly went down well judging by the sheer number of YouTube videos and photographs on the various social media channels! <br /> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN-zGifFs7PgPw36vHP3NXuFGbHRuzyV-HQ2i_QaEzRd7wQkVf31JRkt3Aqk6fOu4QF1UDV2RDzxgTCRD8sIFbZhBoqjpp0Md7NCJZaU93jMaJD70EUgKkhwrgpEmCsxW1n5CN8oZOPLNquCy06Rz8bGieCWTXUZt9XOFOTenRC8sqjOtNtocaHrZ/s1598/41312_2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN-zGifFs7PgPw36vHP3NXuFGbHRuzyV-HQ2i_QaEzRd7wQkVf31JRkt3Aqk6fOu4QF1UDV2RDzxgTCRD8sIFbZhBoqjpp0Md7NCJZaU93jMaJD70EUgKkhwrgpEmCsxW1n5CN8oZOPLNquCy06Rz8bGieCWTXUZt9XOFOTenRC8sqjOtNtocaHrZ/w582-h283/41312_2.jpg" /> </a><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T 41312 loaded and ready to depart – 7th June 2022</i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyhHSebF3OIx0rH5-vnEDo7cqMZI2xqyVAXif4EKUQ0kVjQhaQuCHYhiKBsuJzB1WIDfUJAOrrDT-jlUmvcUOyt3IfNi-wvGM4Yq4R32pchEJd_kewGPcpZeocZ7kiZStQZJXz62kObqt0gy1TI6Wd0b2wmEPRvFaQb0uqGnSBL73y1QpAbqRuHDc/s1598/34028_2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyhHSebF3OIx0rH5-vnEDo7cqMZI2xqyVAXif4EKUQ0kVjQhaQuCHYhiKBsuJzB1WIDfUJAOrrDT-jlUmvcUOyt3IfNi-wvGM4Yq4R32pchEJd_kewGPcpZeocZ7kiZStQZJXz62kObqt0gy1TI6Wd0b2wmEPRvFaQb0uqGnSBL73y1QpAbqRuHDc/w581-h283/34028_2.jpg" /> </a><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Southern Rebuilt West Country 34028 ‘Eddystone’ heads off shed – 7th June 2022 </i><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />The ever popular ‘Steam Footplate Experience’ days resumed during the same month with both 35006 and 7820 taking charge of the various turns. 7903 has since operated a few of these experiences over the past couple of months. I assisted with cleaning and preparation duties on a number of days. All the locomotives performed extremely well and were greatly appreciated by all concerned. A testament to the efforts of both the steam department and the railway as a whole. I gather the ice buns are rather good, especially with a sprinkling of coal dust! Sadly, I've yet to sample them, although saying that, I was very fortunate to receive a cooked breakfast on the one occasion. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pZTzTXwFkfd9dxQXCyQ-Ph8i_V209GB4vd4O203WWtD1o24BKeN0QMzi8j3Jh1tC66W4ZeX67n0ESQXJzmnAIlJ3lok-1jOply5IqeqJ4Cb_gwdpgzYgpKwESgWrtYk7tUkWo7_Byhh0ZVQGekG6ezCNq6UJa0y_d7C6GbtC3lbi8BVsm4pUJE_o/s4032/7903_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pZTzTXwFkfd9dxQXCyQ-Ph8i_V209GB4vd4O203WWtD1o24BKeN0QMzi8j3Jh1tC66W4ZeX67n0ESQXJzmnAIlJ3lok-1jOply5IqeqJ4Cb_gwdpgzYgpKwESgWrtYk7tUkWo7_Byhh0ZVQGekG6ezCNq6UJa0y_d7C6GbtC3lbi8BVsm4pUJE_o/w586-h286/7903_1.jpg" width="586" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>7903 'Foremarke Hall' at Cheltenham Racecourse station - 14th September 2022</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">More recently, maintenance has been carried out on various members of the home fleet, with 35006, 4270, 7820 and 7903 either going through exams, boiler washouts and/or the necessary steam tests. As I write this, I'm happy to report that our Mixed Traction Gala at the end of October was another highly successful event, which was well attended and both our steam a diesel departments played as starting role, ably assisted by all the departments on the railway.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImR83vgsDq9QX6T3XLPCdbUvD7_bqZWZdm-jLlN2_oUcPwUGN5l2u_323X7X57pb4_ZPZZakVkMU7E9T11yXcUEbEVnjaO51UaV6c1VCP9Dto7YHj0Rz3DJN0OeWfaJhEkYwEKHPptEKyF5TflzC4SFAXElX2z32B8MdjENlKDsVONeKc7A_qvPx2/s4032/4270_Fade_301022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImR83vgsDq9QX6T3XLPCdbUvD7_bqZWZdm-jLlN2_oUcPwUGN5l2u_323X7X57pb4_ZPZZakVkMU7E9T11yXcUEbEVnjaO51UaV6c1VCP9Dto7YHj0Rz3DJN0OeWfaJhEkYwEKHPptEKyF5TflzC4SFAXElX2z32B8MdjENlKDsVONeKc7A_qvPx2/w608-h296/4270_Fade_301022.jpg" width="608" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>4270 stabled outside the goods shed at Toddington during the Mixed Traction Gala - 30th October 2022</i><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">With the winter months now with us, our regular services have come to a close for the season. We now turn our attention to the 'Santa Express' trains and our 'Mince Pie Specials' during the festive break. It looks like Father Christmas is going to be in for another busy year once again, maybe we can tempt him to join the crews aboard the footplate? Watch this space!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whilst the nights have drawn in and the temperature has dropped, this doesn't mean all things have gone quiet on the department front, quite the opposite. Much like any heritage railway operating steam locomotives, a department such as this never sleeps as there are always important jobs to be getting on with. Our winter maintenance period has begun and great progress has been made over the past year with the various locomotive restoration projects. More on these to come in future instalments, so please stay tuned and ensure you look both ways before you cross the line to the next entry. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='459' height='382' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dze8dMgDSKmrjq8K5SZgBI5pUK-cUk4DIWGednNQrelqGIZEegaR-z4gl3borjcj_ERwcKn2Wdllsv1li-s4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">35006 heads off for her next turn during the Mixed Traction Gala - 30th October 2022</span></i><br /></div></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until we meet again, I’m off to rummage in the freezer as I’m sure there may be a mince pie in there… I can but hope! </span> </span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #f1c232;">Alex </span><span style="color: #f1c232;">(the sooty one!).</span></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192536614390673706noreply@blogger.com16Toddington, UK51.948516 -0.53240323.638282163821152 -35.688653 80.258749836178851 34.623847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-8482891593039702232022-01-17T19:58:00.000+00:002022-01-17T19:58:15.410+00:00Catching Up<span style="color: #ffd966;">Sometimes you blink and suddenly three months have passed without you even realising! When you have barely been at the railway during that time as well, beyond getting caught in a blizzard and guarding a few Santa trains, the time definitely seems to fly by. <br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhLX5zZt9tJvZ79h2Y5LO2vnqqYO4A23cKhupFpK7xBv_1oD-otmdIyBmAxZKxaBLaCvS67G3je6aGWGNs6VBi1y0nL4WHh-3XBvtQu6mE6kTlgDrKkc6nzKJGB4xAw7UVe-JsIl0wR6UU6GWoRsC9bt7bPTD2SjEYqjuAVAmPC7P58ZUTc3La_yVd=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Roger braves the blizzard to check 4270. 7903's crew were hiding</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #ffd966;">So, what’s been happening? Well, the GWSR steam dept is currently in the thick of its winter maintenance programme. Long time readers will know, the railway shuts from New Year to March, and the department and owning groups set upon their engines to work on general annual maintenance, plus any of those jobs that take a little bit longer to get done. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpMWKCdLhopVOVboCMREuDqbkoCwWgnRiR8iZiK9agpIrWXRQ2Hzom0YG_mMmeY-7_bp61-gBreB2vlTyN732K49B0xg3Y24qb5ntHAz0-fHWD3_wNbJ5xHbQhDxR9GSnNepRwMOnBU1vH3iV5C72B_C8uGVLd6C_5lH1yyBwQm8-rYSCX5Y5gN3Ql=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">It certainly felt very festive for the first Santa trains of the year</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="color: #ffd966;">November’s Gala was a terrific success, and the promised “memories from the Gala” should hopefully still be created and published as planned. This member of Team Blog is currently dealing with a more than stressful house move which has drained the creative spirit, so bear with me. <br /><br />Cheltenham Racecourse once again opened to the public, so our standard November race trains ran smoothly, just before the south end of the line closed for a very large crane at Winchcombe. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4P79YoB31Ty8Pt7UpB8-gfKCbOe5WquMhVBse4uWVpeRM68u1-4Jtks9QxmmsYhUKFqtae6Yo9B_ZJ5Thghz6vLP7G39Qm1v6FzJ3sIm58cf-yJaUbpXHd49JhmMvBQj7ccML-ZHnpBhT6oXjp4vmM9i4UcV6ibf-oS6cFnsYKYnmet-rCaI7BNpl=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Winter always makes for some stunning pictures</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #ffd966;">This meant that the usual Santa’s from CRC couldn’t run again this year. The slightly significant detail that the crane was sat over the points at the south end of Winchcombe station meant we needed to run with our compatriots in the Diesel department in order to get back from the North Pole. From a guard’s perspective, it made for a nice break from the norm. From the footplate, we’ll I’m not actually sure as the universe saw fit to deprive me of my Santa footplate time, for once not just because of Covid!</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmzfqfvjDl7v4YDY_fnJyw3K4b9VKjCJnINpIXQV2i2F1rWCEUxy0c28txJHIcRiVrpeVy7Q7JUKPF62VoLhGPo1_6eg1T2RtP0KMr9DTAknr6zlIGczG2NLp4XVwqYO2WYh1DwydIta-979JqrkW7wyj7213RuQZjGVnlKBPjlqB_WM6sSM68ERs3=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">7903 awaiting the off</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="color: #ffd966;">The Santa trains themselves were a great success, and were very much enjoyed by the crew who enjoyed the complimentary hot drinks and mince pies. Upon the cancellation of the post Christmas trains, I heard a rumour that that week’s crews got even more mince pies than normal, which I presume were heartily enjoyed! For now, we settle and let the engines enjoy their holiday. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYJIlGUklPpljPPphNoKDDrvfRsQFMh_uaUO95eNKY_q7f_p3k2AnW29gezXlEmdb5HPl5yDmsaTaixwLOxVCbjSYileiqZfC2-LvZ9pDyflshRSGdQ8bAnOdUkffh6UpV-w1IWHyu4v3Vr3usunf6MdNOXokw7ONv9JDc9ICeSqjXrYvy-08gumBu=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Mince pie anyone?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #ffd966;">Readers, I shall confess now I’m not sure when the next update will be posted. Whilst hopefully the aforementioned house move bears fruit, it will eat up my weekends for the foreseeable, potentially until we are back running again, and I very kindly gave my spies time off for good behaviour! If any more spies fancy popping out of the woodwork, they know where to find us!<br /><br /><br />A belated Happy New Year everyone, here’s to 2022!<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #ffd966;">Bryony</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-66645668535100432722021-11-10T19:27:00.002+00:002021-11-12T13:23:07.703+00:00Back to business<p><span style="color: #ffd966;"> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">If there is one thing this guard learnt before joining the Steam department, it’s that the department seemingly runs on tea and bacon sandwiches. This therefore put me in good stead once I had joined the department and we were running again last year. A stop at Cheltenham and the ‘tip’ for the handbrake is usually followed up with a “tea?” call, and delivered with a smile once the loco has coupled back on. Now that the kitchen carriage is reattached to train 1 post Covid, bacon sandwiches are also offered if there’s time before the first train of the day. It’s all about teamwork, am I right?</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-558270e0-7fff-a1f7-022f-56c6639ed2bc"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All jokes about favours being acquired aside, finally being out on the footplate brought a whole new appreciation for how hard a working day can be. It was the standard “you think you know until you actually do it”. Even now I’m trying to wrap my head around how and when everything is supposed to happen, and I’ve experienced first hand how having something simply appear when you don’t have time yourself can make a big difference to the next trip, especially if you’re tight on time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bribing” our retired blogger into writing the post about his successful assessment as a driver had its perks though, as I was out on the opposite footplate on the day of (on the 5.30 start so mentioned) and I have only been on a footplate once since, so had very little to talk about! Balancing a roster in two operational departments can be hard work, so thank you roster clerks (I know you’re both here)!</span></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgff4ucWP89JDGZgBlVxBZ0jMSpa0_uP5N5LUIDyJ-WMPyinrAFGtfHvuQ4wbPhgIpTOEHm18ADhdJ56rmiCm-wpBptPcGt3esK_TtGx-ipQK_ESqpRUrO2brI0PUIx-EmpTEmGkR1c8S7802xaewdQqJM46RtBNEg24V3_BeAT0oQSYrcbPZqNVlKD=w320-h240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It does present good photo opportunities</td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple of people have stepped forwards about timings for the arrival of the now retired mess coach; one source said they had been reading old “Cornishmans” and found mention of it being installed in around 1995! It has now officially left Toddington for the final time and arrived at its new home at The Station Kitchen in West Bay, Bridport (thank you social media)! One of our drivers came across the coach in its new home. It seems to be settling in nicely. </span></p></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEmBNUbQzLYsknTrRgCysJT7MiA9zJ2sPOOVQqV21JK_KBrrL_YeNKaEDCWv3rrOL8Q5qMXnVsrxM2cYq1Fasfm0P2eZvmMdw7PJirLLZpK67HbRK7Sfi2EkqtVDkt0F9T1gBothgFmKIUVZXrISt2FiTfKCN-a46TeHb2XmE0AwIIEH9NIEPgnoo0=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">The carriage formerly known as 'Tina' </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #ffd966;"><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-558270e0-7fff-a1f7-022f-56c6639ed2bc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since opening the full timetable again post Covid, things have pretty much gone back to business as usual. One thing that has changed, however, is 76077. The owning group held their first shareholders open day a couple of weekends ago, which I hear was a great success. </span></p></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv9KNFbj-Z18DGKyfGL_k1auvS9OMISKNbt-h6f0-rdvuBoOChSLVJvjqru2Vlhbr_RtHM1Z3gbAmXKN2C6VugI-JehsBk7zCmeL8-Z0_JPGTegv0xCHRHVI2-KVjYKIH_9HtrPJAoydHF4RMu04d2eCfK8-2ps3RAwt2kic0ZeppTyT9IVN5Zgjzu=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Things are starting to feel a little more real for 76077</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #ffd966;"><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-558270e0-7fff-a1f7-022f-56c6639ed2bc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">For all of our restoration and overhaul projects at the moment, the sight of things going back on rather than being taken off is a relief. 2807 is due back on her wheels imminently (I keep waiting for the joyous email to pop into my inbox) and since 3850 had its cylinders flipped back in early summer, it’s slowly coming back together nicely. (Dear owners reps, I hope I didn’t just jinx anything, don’t come after me!)</span></p></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJYYeBSCtdsxzFLGYfzHnFqkmZ9Qi1qH6b9eZthANxTGmNy5XATqeALfPVkjkAdhxm1HotRxc5mO2fe3ceYnrIBjN5g7RAIRqYLSZ4dylEspJSOSb9lLblwm-GKpr9r_HL6K8lSArzXcENaSY4LfZHzJL9bPCeU3Ul-p-kLxckfYi-Mgcm3Sqj0erZ=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Up, up and away</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #ffd966;"><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-558270e0-7fff-a1f7-022f-56c6639ed2bc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe there have been more than a few trips to see boilers recently, so everyone keep their fingers crossed!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GALA NEWS</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In case you missed it, the 40th Anniversary Gala was last weekend, and the next blog will be 'Memories from the Gala', so stay tuned.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apologies for disappearing for two months, life got in the way (as it does). Hopefully we can be slightly more regular in the coming months.</span></span></p></span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-31982168912893888622021-09-09T19:23:00.000+01:002021-09-09T19:23:15.566+01:00Hanging Up My Shovel?<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="color: #ffa400;">Byrony's closing words on her last blog post were "Perhaps I can convince our former blogger to come out of retirement for a post.... Stay tuned!". Bryony's method of choice to convince me to come out of retirement to write a blog article was to bribe me with a bacon roll when I was on a footplate and she was on a guard turn. Not a bad strategy at all, and it appears to have worked, because here I am.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Since retiring from writing the blog, I have been learning to drive steam locos on our line, with a few lengthy covid enforced interludes... I probably hold the dubious distinction of having taken the longest time to get through driver training from start to finish. My driver training didn't get off to an auspicious start, my instructor, promptly threw up his hands in horror and retired from driving steam locos altogether in a desperate bid to get out of having to teach me again. That appears to have become a recurring theme, my first four lessons were all with different driving instructors, though the first was the only one who gave up driving as a result.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">I learned a number of things along the way:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1) Oiling up a steam loco in the morning is a thankless task, after you have finished clambering around the waggly bits in between the frames to get at all the oiling points, you usually emerge wearing more oil than OPEC exports in an entire year.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">2) What seems like a perfectly flat section of line to a fireman is in fact constituted of myriad subtle gradients which can quickly slow you down or speed you up. Frequent micro-adjustments of the regulator are required to achieve a constant speed.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">3) Braking... not as simple as it is on a car, getting a train to stop is easy, getting it to stop in the right place is not too difficult, getting it to stop smoothly in the right place, is nigh on impossible. My first driving report said "Stops were either smooth or accurate". The report was accurate, if not too smooth!<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">4) The fireman doesn't necessarily do things that I would have done as the fireman, I have now learned to ask the fireman to take the hand brake off before departure. I also keep a close eye on the water level and pressure gauge at key points along the line.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">5) The driver is the closest thing to a responsible adult on the footplate... the buck stops here.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"> We have had a little difficulty getting availibility from inspectors recently, so the training manager speculatively had the 28th of August pencilled in as a training turn for me with inspector Meredith. The plan, if the various driving trainers agreed was to convert it to an assessment nearer the time, otherwise it would have just become another training turn. Somewhere along the way, without the training manager requesting it, it got changed to being an assessment. I'm still a bit curious as to how that happened.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Eventually, the three surviving driving instructors seemed to agree that continuing on to assessment on the 28th was the right thing to do. I suspect that they were seeing that as the only possible way out of having to give me any more lessons.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">How did the day of the assessment go? It was an 06:30 book on time (better than the 05:30 I suppose), but even so, I decided to spend the night before in one of the GWSR's pods (volunteer accommodation) to spare me from the commute in the morning. The day itself was going swimmingly, all the way up until about 05:45 when Tom, the rostered fireman rang me and said that he had had a bad reaction to his covid jab and could I find another fireman to stand in for him? Normally this would be a bit of a showstopper, the only way to proceed would be for the inspector to drive, me to fire and my driving assessment would simply have had to be deferred until another day. As luck would have it though, I had brought a spare fireman along with me. My wife Eleanor is also a fireman, and she had her blues, rule book etc with her (for a firing turn on the 30th, we were staying on site for the whole bank holiday weekend for various reasons). She kindly agreed to stand in, thereby saving the day.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Having overcome the missing fireman obstacle, yet more hurdles were strewn in my path... when I signed on, I discovered two more temporary speed restrictions (TSR's) had appeared. I knew where the first one was from the description, the second one I thought I knew, but had to have a quick check of appendix B of the rule book to confirm that I was right. With the loco (35006) oiled up under the watchful gaze of inspector Meredith and steam raised by Eleanor, I was all set to depart from the pit when John appeared asking if I minded pulling Foremarke Hall out of the shed and dropping it off on the pit before heading off. Just in case you are not familiar with 35006, it's not your average shunting loco. Mercifully 35006 was facing away from the shed, so there was no need to run up and down the yard a few times to clear the cylinders of water before closing the drain cocks and entering the shed to fetch Foremark Hall out. It all went OK of course, but it was an extra piece of work that I didn't really want to start the day with.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">We ran up and down the line a couple of times, including on the last trip dragging a diesel to Broadway from Toddington and then being dragged back by it. This brought a lot of extra factors into play, such as re-doing the brake test when the diesel had been attached and remembering to put up a red tail lamp when being dragged back (as well as putting the reverser into the drift position and not raising or destroying the vacuum brake). Eventually, inspector Meredith decided to put me out of my misery and told me that I had passed. </span></span><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9Pa7Cv8sY0/YTngIo_3MtI/AAAAAAAAXdk/r4PNuwSgqw4MvelPIMa0aLc4J3fpvp88ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Passing%2BOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9Pa7Cv8sY0/YTngIo_3MtI/AAAAAAAAXdk/r4PNuwSgqw4MvelPIMa0aLc4J3fpvp88ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Passing%2BOut.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The obligatory congratulations handshake photo with inspector Meredith (photo courtesy of Eleanor)<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you to Steve O, Jamie C, Mark Y and Neil C for the driving lessons, thank you too to inspector Meredith for passing me out and thanks especially to Eleanor for providing the steam. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What of the future? Well it seems a little churlish to say this (don't tell the training manager), but I decided quite a while back that I prefer firing steam locos to driving them. I will carry on driving of course and for a little while at least will concentrate on honing the skills of a driver (you never stop learning), however I won't be hanging up my shovel completely. I'll be joining that happy little band of drivers who volunteer to take firing turns as well as driving ones. There is of course the added bonus that on occasions I may end up rostered as driver with Eleanor as my fireman, ideal if the covid restricted timetables ever have to return as we are already in a bubble of our own.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ray </span></span><br /> </p>GWSR Steam Loco Depthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15301824328985463142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898564293519649545.post-85150187882018338372021-09-03T10:47:00.000+01:002021-09-03T10:47:42.941+01:00Another monumental momentYou wait years and years for big things to happen, and then two come along within 6 months!<br /><br />Okay, so technically this is an extension of one that has happened already… The opening of the Goods Shed has meant that our stalwart mess coach ‘Tina’ has been lying dormant for nigh on four months. As happens anywhere, rumours have been flying as to what its fate would be. The good news is that it’s been sold and will be restored again, although I’ve heard differing stories as to what - to be confirmed. The bad news is it meant that it needed to be dug out of road 2, where it has lived for the last….. again, stories differ as to when it arrived and became the mess coach, so I’m going to err on the side of caution and say 16+ years! No doubt a stalwart of the steam dept who lurks in the comments section will inform me. <br /><br />Anyone who has visited the GWSR will know Tina is not alone on Road 2, so Steve, Mark and Mark got their heads together to organise a “super shunt” and rearrange everything in the yard. Keith spotted that their planning meeting on the mezzanine looked rather familiar to a scene from the ‘Lion King’, and with some encouragement from me (who didn’t have a camera handy) snapped a few shots. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qSkh4xoFhA/YTEuktcfV0I/AAAAAAAAAr8/mA55qbnHt-AOfJl_DEm9qZ05er8xI1C4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8523.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything the light touches, etc etc... cue the music</td></tr></tbody></table>Despite the persistent drizzle, the team got to work and made a start moving the DMU stock and wagons out of the way. Shunting is not easy as there is a lot to think about, and things weren’t being moved one at a time, so both Mark H and Steve were on ground whilst Mark Y drove the shunter. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wOvPPQcCCM/YTEvO-LyJFI/AAAAAAAAAsE/N-R2maVt3S0cW3dQRZG7zQazqPB8BK8QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8501.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling the DMU back</td></tr></tbody></table><div>I nipped off to check on 35006 who was being filled with water, and by the time I came back, the road looked a lot different than it normally does!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxiXOX3Woq4/YTEwEFtjQfI/AAAAAAAAAsY/TiQSuUl1mm0bgoWOtpNIdYd-toTI8lTOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8502.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An empty road 2!</td></tr></tbody></table>The next thing to do was to get ready and see what would happen when they tried to move the mess coach. “Getting ready” happened on two accounts; the shunting team did all the necessary work, meanwhile a conveniently timed tea break meant the viewing gallery suddenly filled up - I believe it was deemed ‘a Guard of Honour’ was needed so of course everyone needed to be present. <br /><br />There had been some speculation about whether or not the wheels would move, having not moved in 16+ years, but when Mark H and Steve gave the signal, move they did!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhUvuuQij4E/YTEv9usplNI/AAAAAAAAAsU/pfYTOCUHvugXuk7MJQgzrDlLjUCYat8JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8506.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKxrxBYRlRA/YTEwL6-0udI/AAAAAAAAAsc/XTv_pLQPG0E5hdKZPa_nuHMNmYAFiVYlACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8512.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddington, we have movement!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Tina herself was present, watching from the two windows in the middle whilst in a training session<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUljsdsT6oc/YTEwY4lgNyI/AAAAAAAAAso/9cr2ZdgZbeQMO_7RtHP1Nz2d8s-wfPXSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8515.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">The guard of honour had significantly decreased once the initial excitement wore away</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Omrmz0Nmn9o/YTEwaVY4ugI/AAAAAAAAAss/F5qo_WW7vvIPrtvJsmFrhS3-0hpTLzargCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8516.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One long shunt for mess coach...</td></tr></tbody></table>Bob very kindly let me join him in the signal box to capture the best view - thanks Bob!<br /><br />A full video has been captured, I’ve just got to figure out the best way to share it! The coach was moved into the parlour road, awaiting movement to Winchcombe to visit Carriage and Wagon - no doubt it’ll appear on their blog when it visits. <br /><br />I did neglect to get any more pictures as I was rostered out in the afternoon to chaperone some footplate passengers; an emotional afternoon as the dept said a ‘last hurrah’ goodbye to one of our own, who passed away December ‘19. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIMqQKMYAnM/YTEyp2-y1jI/AAAAAAAAAs8/Cj91yyNqM0c9G0erEEA0VOw6wVXD2EhnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/JAK_2589%255B2%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit - Jack Boskett</td></tr></tbody></table>We also have some more new firemen! Fellow blogger Tom passed his assessment in late July, and was swiftly followed by Steve and Roger. Congratulations all!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLKFj-xsWP8/YTHuGzeWgSI/AAAAAAAAAtI/jT_vPfg0C_Ij9-dytq8JmINhK7laGOP_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/PHOTO-2021-09-03-00-43-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2000" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLKFj-xsWP8/YTHuGzeWgSI/AAAAAAAAAtI/jT_vPfg0C_Ij9-dytq8JmINhK7laGOP_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PHOTO-2021-09-03-00-43-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MK6NAPDUWS0/YTEvtLuorNI/AAAAAAAAAsM/PvCZR2QwNF0YqMXtqxSaOn8BizGQeJ1UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/52b6fb73-e428-48e6-b49d-b0703ec905a1.JPG" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wds0QxphWG0/YTEwOfbUXYI/AAAAAAAAAsg/zqr6SVZvGuIM4haMcW9C-IthKCtGEvGSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8525.JPG" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Engineering and bank holiday content is coming! Perhaps I can convince our former blogger to come out of retirement for a post.... Stay tuned!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bryony</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4