7903 'Foremarke Hall' approaches Toddington Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield
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.
A snowy day on the GWSR - 11th December 2022 - Video courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler
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.
I'm sure he's about to phone and ask where the snowmen are? - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson
Perhaps the snowmen are taking cover in Greet Tunnel? I hope the Yeti hasn't got to them! - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson
4270 awaits the signal to proceed at Winchcombe - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler
The subject of snow reminded me of this film which was produced by Geoffrey Jones in 1963 following the 'Big Freeze'.
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.
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!
4270 stands at Winchcombe Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler
7903 adds some colour to the scene at Winchcombe - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson
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.
Some things are done in a certain order, whilst others are not. It all really depends on the situation at hand at the time...
André Previn on The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show - 25th December 1971 - This was Episode 7 from Series 6
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.
4270 at Toddington Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield
The steam department get involved with all things, even a grumpy point. I don't think it's a fan of snow! - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler
It'll be warmer on 7903's footplate than down here! -11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler
'On Shed' Activities
Now amidst all this talk of snow and Father Christmas, I think it's about time we covered a few departmental updates.
7903 pilots 5095 'Barbury Castle' at Rattery - 5th July 1955 - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon / R.C. Riley
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.
Fireman elf Martin Clark takes charge of the pressure washer - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon
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.
Driver elf Chris Smith gives the lamps some attention - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon
A closer look at the lamps - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon
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.
7903 & 4903 in Old Oak Common shed (81A) - April 1963 - Photo courtesy of chairman elf John Cruxon
Moving on to 3850, work on her overhaul is progressing well and here's a DVD film about the project from few years ago.
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 https://www.dinmoremanor.co.uk/ - Please Note: 'Club 3850' is now closed.
An update from the 35006 Group, courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker.
Cleaner elf Alex giving 35006's smoke deflectors a thorough clean - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker
Further progress has been made on the groups' storage van, this being the ex-LNER Army goods van No. 47109.
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
The metal fittings from the above van following the application of the first topcoat of paint - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Steve Parker
On the C&W blog there is a picture showing the same end of the van before the boards were replaced, see LNER ARMY 47109 Goods Van for further details. Another picture of the van can be seen: here. Oh look, some more of the white stuff.
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? - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson
4270 heads past Toddington Signal Box - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield
I did debate for a moment about building a snowman, but the cat didn't seem overly enthusiastic about the idea, oh well.
Judging by the number of footprints below, the loco elves have been very busy...
4270 & 7903 'On Shed' at Toddington - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson
A few frozen days and nights later and the snow is still very much with us... How long will it continue I wonder?
You could say 'Frozen In Time' - An idyllic view with Toddington Signal Box - 15th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Mike Solloway
The wintery scene at Toddington Yard - 15th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Mike Solloway
If only I could install this in the living room... although, on second thoughts, doing disposal would be 'fun'!
If you're travelling home for Christmas, stay safe, and do have a good one. I'll leave you with Driving Home for Christmas.
Until we meet again... preferably in front of the fire.
Alex (the sooty elf!).
All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
4270 & 7903 'On Shed' at Toddington flying the flag for Santa - 4th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of Simon Edmunds
With the 'Santa Specials' in full swing, I thought we'd alight at a different station and join a rather interesting project.
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).
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.
BR Standard Class 9F No. 92203 'Black Prince' at Toddington - 5th August 2010
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.
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.
A sign that times are changing? EE Type 3 Diesel D6948 lurks in wait behind 35006 & 4270 - 2nd December 2022
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.
Out of the 999 BR Standards constructed, the Standard Class 4s were the most numerous and had the most variants.
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 on the 'Manors' was improved to enhance their steaming abilities.
BR Standard Class 9F No. 92203 'Black Prince' at Toddington - 30th December 2007
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'.
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.
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...
Setting Standards
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.
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)
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.
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?
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!”
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.
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!
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.
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 time-lapse of the re-wheeling here – 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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.
76017 with 76077's tender at Southall, having travelled by rail from the Bluebell Railway - 8th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder
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 in this feature written by Andrew Meredith for The Toddington Standard magazine.
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).
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.
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.
The classic ¾ photo pose, 76077 awaits her supporters on 3rd September 2022 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder
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, with 'Wogan', 'Eurovision', 'Blankety Blank', 'Children in Need' and of course, '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.
To railway enthusiasts both young and old, Rev. 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.
"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".
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: On A Steam Train. Now I must warn you that this contains a degree of adult humour. :)
Terry hung up his microphone following the final 'Wake Up to Wogan' show on the 18th December 2009: Terry Signs Off
4270 & 7903 stabled inside the DP Shed at Toddington - 2nd December 2022
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!
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'.
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!
7903 'On Shed' at Toddington shortly before we lit her up - 2nd December 2022
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!
Seasons greetings to you all and try not to indulge yourselves too much, oh who am I kidding! Do have some fun folks.
Alex (the sooty one... and no, before you ask, I'm not Santa).
I'll leave you now with an excellent live performance from Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1972 with Friendship Train.
All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
7903 adds some colour to the scene at Winchcombe - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson 
4270 at Toddington Station - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of C&W elf Alex Caulfield
It'll be warmer on 7903's footplate than down here! - 11th December 2022 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ian Butler
