7903 prepares to head off shed - 29th December 2023
Well, shut the fire-hole door and strike me down with a feather, I guess it's time for another blog update! I did warn you that I had quite the backlog to get through the other day. Even more alarming is the sight of a rather large bright thing in the sky outside, which is seldom seen in rather wet and miserable Britain these days. I wonder if I'm dreaming or I've just happened to wake up in some sort of parallel universe? I've probably gone and jinxed it now and a torrential downpour will arrive at any moment, mind you, the car could do with a good wash anyway. It's currently covered in a layer of soot, and the inside aroma can rather accurately be described as "le parfum de département de vapeur." Personally, I think we should bottle the aforementioned fragrance up and sell it in the railway's shop. I reckon we'd generate a few sales from the die-hard steam enthusiasts around. Eat your heart out L'Oréal Paris and Dior, because I'm coming for you!
Don't worry folks as I've not been on the sauce, and it's only just gone 10 am. Even I have my limits, although I would probably be considered a lightweight by some (quite literally). There would be no point in the steam department using me as some sort of counterweight, considering I weigh about as much as your average garden twig (no offence to any twigs). Anyway, moving to matters much more pertinent, and specifically the last running weekend of the 2023 operating season. The title of this blog may be slightly concerning, however, there is a great deal of truth in it. More on that later.
With 5526 having finished its rostered turns earlier in the week, the final services of the year up to and including New Year's Day were left in the capable pistons of 2807 and 7903. On the 29th December 2023, the rostered crew included Messrs Beale, Evason, Liley, Lamb, and the O'Hara duo. For anyone wondering, 7820 was still away on her winter holidays down at the South Devon Railway (SDR) at this point, and wasn't due to return for another couple of weeks. I arrived at Toddington shortly after 06:00 and got to work cleaning. Naturally, it had rained rather heavily overnight and therefore everything was pretty soaked. When I clean a locomotive, I like to follow a particular routine, unless I'm asked to clean something specific first by the driver or fireman. I usually give the motion some attention before anything else.
Generally speaking, the most neediest parts of the locomotive are cleaned first, or to be even more specific, the area's which are most visible to the visiting public - namely the bodywork, chimney, copper cap, safety valve cover/bonnet and the motion. In wet weather, it's important that any surfaces are made as dry as possible to reduce the risk of slippages. When I first joined the steam department as a cleaner, the idea of cleaning such a large piece of working machinery was a little daunting. However, it soon becomes second nature, and to anyone considering joining, I would think of it much like cleaning your car, but just on a much bigger scale. The cleaning process is frankly rather similar in many respects.
We have a fair amount of documentation available offering people guidance and there's no such thing as a silly question!
A couple of hours later, with the locomotives clean and ready to go, 2807 headed off shed to rendezvous with its set of coaching stock, which was waiting in Platform 1 at Toddington station. This was shortly followed by 7903 heading off.
Unlike on the main running line, the points in yard are not operated by a signal-box, but instead changed manually by hand, using point levers. Some are more temperamental to change than others and it also depends on how recently they have been greased up. Changing points certainly gives you some exercise and it takes me a few attempts with some of them, especially the one point towards the exit of the yard with the 'S' shaped lever (I clearly don't eat enough pies). I'm still recovering from Monday evening's shunting and light-up shenanigans on shed with Mr Pedley. Oh, it was such fun!
Once the in-service locomotives have left shed to operate the day's trains, there are a number of jobs to do on-shed:
- Empty the outdoor pits of ash and clinker following locomotive disposal.
- Empty the bins of ash following the clearing out of smoke-boxes.
- Tidy up the yard area and make sure any steps/platforms are safe.
- Return any cleaning materials to the oil and rag stores.
- Pressure wash the the shed floor and apron / outdoor pits (if it is dry to do so). A hose can also be used.
- Cut up more rags for cleaning and ensure there are enough for lighting-up (fill buckets as required).
- Return any wheelbarrows and stock up the wood store if needed (assist the Wednesday 'Wood Gang').
- Head up to the mess for a cup of tea and hope that there are a few biscuit crumbs left!
7903 prepares to head off shed - 29th December 2023
7903 prepares to head off shed - 29th December 2023
2807 & 7903 running at Toddington - 29th December 2023
End of year Steam on The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with 2807 - 29/12/23 - Video © South Wales Trainspotting Caption below.
"The end of the 2023 running season at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with 7903 'Foremarke Hall' & Newly Overhauled 2807 in traffic, hauling Mince Pie Specials from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse. Featuring onboard shots as well as some taken from the lineside."
Early January was extremely cold, hence why 'freezing our collective nuts off' became the title of this particular instalment. Regular bouts of freezing rain, hail, and ice cold wind all added to the 'enjoyment' on shed. Suffice to say, it would often get to the point whereby I could barely feel my hands or my feet. Frustratingly for me, once this happens, trying to do anything practical or remotely useful becomes very difficult (and that's even with a few layers on and a thick pair of gloves). I really think that it's about time that someone invented the 'hot water boiler-suit'. Any takers reading?
I was back on shed on the 2nd and 5th January, with most of the time spent giving 35006's boiler barrel a good clean.
2807 rests inside the DP Shed at the end of the 2023 operating season - 2nd January 2024
GWSR New Year 2024 - Video © John Keepin Caption below.
"A visit to the GWSR on New Year’s day 2024. The last time I saw No. 2807 in operation was exactly 4 years ago. She had come into service in 2010 after restoration, and the boiler certificate would have expired after 10 years, so between then and late 2023 a lot of maintenance etc had been done, so she’s back in action again.
Until Spring this year it’s not possible to operate north of Toddington because of the repair work being done on Stanway viaduct. At present the plan is to complete it soon after Easter (which is early this year), but as with many things it might depend on the weather this Winter. There is some footage about the A417 Missing Link project at the end." 
"A visit to the GWSR on New Year’s day 2024. The last time I saw No. 2807 in operation was exactly 4 years ago. She had come into service in 2010 after restoration, and the boiler certificate would have expired after 10 years, so between then and late 2023 a lot of maintenance etc had been done, so she’s back in action again.
Until Spring this year it’s not possible to operate north of Toddington because of the repair work being done on Stanway viaduct. At present the plan is to complete it soon after Easter (which is early this year), but as with many things it might depend on the weather this Winter. There is some footage about the A417 Missing Link project at the end."
The following photographs were taken on a very chilly Friday 5th January 2024. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.
Signage above the entrance to 'The Goods Shed'
35006 & 7903 inside the DP Shed - 5th January 2024
7903 had been split for work to be done to her tender - 5th January 2024
A chocked 7903 sits over the indoor inspection pit - 5th January 2024
5526 awaits the date of departure for the South Devon Railway (SDR) - 5th January 2024
A rather smart looking 2807 - 5th January 2024
View of the fireman's side of 35006 - 5th January 2024
View of the driver's side of 35006, with the old ash-pan hopper removed - 5th January 2024
The imposing face of 35006 basks in the morning sunshine - 5th January 2024
Aboard the footplate of 7903 with it's various gauges and controls - 5th January 2024
Moving to the week ending the 12th January 2024, and the 'Manor' of the house had returned to shed.
7820 safely returned to Toddington - 12th January 2024 - Photo courtesy of Mark Harding
After 7820 had been unloaded, it was time to crack on with her boiler washout...
Washout underway - 13th January 2024 - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Sims
Meanwhile, 3850's cab roof received a coat of fresh paint and looked very smart indeed.
5526 loaded on the trailer and ready to head home - 13th January 2024 - Photo courtesy of Andy Smith
News from the footplate
As I reported in the last blog update, Liam Shakles was undergoing his Fireman Assessment aboard 7903, and I'm delighted to report that he passed out as a newly qualified fireman with flying colours. Well done Liam!
Becoming a fireman on the footplate is a significant achievement, which requires copious hours of hard graft and effort.
Inspector Jamie Christie (L) with Liam Shakles - 20th April 2024 - Photo courtesy of Jamie Christie
7820 picks up the token at Toddington signal-box en route to Winchcombe - 14th April 2024 - Photo courtesy of Andrew Fisher
If you are interested in joining the steam department or any department on the railway (I am obviously ever so slightly biased), we regularly hold 'Meet the recruitment team' days throughout the year. The details are shown below.
A very important Steam date for your diary folks! There's less than five weeks to go until the biggest event of the year.
Tickets for CFoS 2024 can be purchased online by visiting: https://www.gwsr.com/galas/steam-gala
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
DMLL - Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd
2874 - The 2874 Trust
35006 - 35006 Group
76077 - Standard Locomotive 76077
THL - The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the making Until next time folks... more from the coalface will be extracted shortly, including 35006's cold eventful washout.
35006 out in the freezing cold - 9th January 2024
I'll leave you with this sketch from the late great Ronnie Barker (Disclaimer: Please note this contains adult humour).
Alex (the sooty one!).
All published photographs and videos are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
About your "le parfum de département de vapeur." comment. There is actually at least one commercial candle maker that makes these
ReplyDeleteAhh right, thank you for that. I will have to do some research.
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