West Country class No. 34092 'Wells' heads the 09:05 departure from Cheltenham Racecourse to Laverton service during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Festival of Steam, seen south of Toddington - Saturday 23rd May 2015 - Photo © Gareth James
(cc-by-sa/2.0)
- geograph.org.uk/p/4495582
With less than a week away until the start of our 2025 operating season, it's been all hands on deck to get things shipshape (or rather steam shape) for the year ahead. As I type this, preparations are underway for steam testing and boiler inspections this coming Friday, where the peace and tranquillity of the idyllic Cotswold countryside will be intermittently interrupted by the lifting of various locomotive safety valves. Fingers crossed that we don't come across any hidden gremlins and we'll be all signed off to chuff on down to Cheltenham Racecourse quicker than you can say 'Cotswold Festival Of Steam'. Ahh yes, that old proverbial chestnut will be here once again before you know it. Yipee!
On the subject of our prestigious 'Cotswold Festival Of Steam' (CFOS), the eagle eyed and tech savvy amongst you might have noticed that our first visitor for this year's event has been revealed. The title and opening photograph of this latest blog instalment were indeed a hint, and was not simply me reminiscing about the events of yesteryear and beyond. It is somewhat frightening to think that the title photograph was taken 10 years ago, but alas time never stands still.
We're delighted to confirm our first guest locomotive for our 'Railway 200 Cotswold Festival of Steam' as 34092 City of Wells! * Visiting courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway, it last ran on GWSR metals 10 years ago, on that occasion just missing out on a chance to run alongside its rebuilt big brother and former Salisbury shedmate 35006 P&O.
Locomotive 34092 is part of the 110-strong ‘West Country’ and ‘Battle of Britain’ classes of Southern Railway ‘Pacific’ locomotives, designed by O.V.S. Bulleid and introduced in 1944. These three-cylinder engines were a lighter adaptation of Bulleid’s earlier ‘Merchant Navy’ class, featuring innovative elements such as chain-driven valve gear enclosed in an oil bath and an ‘air-smoothed’ casing, which were intended to reduce maintenance, increase efficiency by consuming less coal, and to simplify preparation for railway crews. Their rather distinctive appearance soon resulted in the nickname ‘Spam Cans'.
However, these design features proved problematic in practice, leading to 60 of the locomotives being rebuilt in the late 1950s and early 1960s with a more conventional design, similar to the ‘Merchant Navy’ class (as per our own 35006).
Eastleigh station, with a Special for Salisbury via Southampton, taken 5 August 1964. View northward, towards Winchester, Basingstoke and London: major
junction on the ex-LSW Waterloo - Weymouth main line. The Special was
probably for Eastleigh Works Open Day. The Locomotive is SR
Bulleid Light Pacific No. 34092 'City of Wells'. Photo © Ben Brooksbank
(cc-by-sa/2.0) - geograph.org.uk/p/2676521
34092
was among those that remained unmodified. Built at Brighton Works in
1949, it was initially allocated to Stewarts Lane (73A) depot in London,
operating services along the Kent Coast line. This included working on routes to Dover, Folkestone, and Ramsgate. In 1961, it was
transferred to Salisbury (72B) before being withdrawn from service in 1964 and
sent to Barry Scrapyard in South Wales. Rescued in 1971 by a
preservation group from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, it
underwent an overhaul, returning to steam in 1979. In 1986, it was
fitted with a Giesl ejector (the same modification as applied to its
sister locomotive, 34064, during British Railways service) which
enhanced its performance and earned it the nickname ‘The Volcano’ due to its powerful exhaust plume.
Today, 34092 is owned by the East Lancashire Railway.
In 1989, 34092 was taken out of service for overhaul following its boiler certificate expiring. This overhaul took 25 years and the locomotive returned to steam in 2014.
In May 2015, while being transported by road from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for the 2015 CFOS 'Speed to the West' event, the locomotive was halted at Junction 30 on the M62 during a weighbridge check. The inspection revealed that the low-loader exceeded the permitted axle load, as the locomotive had not been drained of water before departure. With its boiler still full, City of Wells weighed 86 tons, surpassing the 72-ton limit. Once the boiler was emptied, the journey resumed, and the locomotive successfully reached Toddington - much to the relief of all concerned. At the 2015 festival, 34092 operated alongside fellow classmate 34007 'Wadebridge'.
The Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway's Cotswold Festival of Steam for 2015 was based around the theme of 'Speed to the West', recalling the days when families would take the train to the seaside on their holidays. It, therefore, was appropriate that all three locomotives visiting the line for this gala were regulars on the Great Western Railway's and Southern Railway's named trains to the South West. Video © OnTheFastLine
The locomotive underwent its 10-year overhaul starting in January 2023, following the expiry of its boiler certificate on the 2nd January 2023. This work was completed in just nine months, finishing in September 2023, allowing City of Wells to return to service in time for the ELR's Autumn Steam Gala, held from the 13th to 15th October 2023. The overhaul primarily focused on the boiler and firebox, including retubing and other essential maintenance. Mechanically, the locomotive was found to be in good condition, with only minor work required, such as re-metalling the side-rod bushes. Plans were also made to replace the front bogie wheel tyres as part of its maintenance schedule.
Since returning to service, 34092 has been actively participating in various events and regular operations at the ELR.
Since returning to service, 34092 has been actively participating in various events and regular operations at the ELR.
34092 "City of Wells" final runs | East Lancashire Railway - 'Fare-Wells' 01-02/01/2023 - Video © TheSoutherner
Today, 34092 remains one of the most well-known preserved members of the 'West Country' class, retaining its original air-smoothed appearance. The locomotive stands as an important piece of British railway heritage, representing Bulleid’s innovative approach to steam locomotive design. 34092’s journey, from express passenger duties, to a scrapyard, to a triumphant return to steam, has ensured its legacy as one of the most recognizable preserved locomotives in Britain.
7903 'Foremarke Hall' promoting 'Railway 200' - Photo © Jack Boskett
Tickets for the Festival are available online at https://www.gwsr.com/galas/steam-gala.
With an eclectic mix of 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 picturesque stations.
An enjoyable evening had at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire railway despite the miserable and dull weather on offer. This was a photo charter organised by 30742 charters, involving two Bulleid light pacifics Nos. 34092 Wells and 34007 Wadebridge. Locations include Stanway viaduct and Greet tunnel. The performances of the locos were superb and thanks go to all who were involved in setting up this charter. May 2015 - Video © Andy Edkins
On Friday, I was able to make it down to Toddington for the first time in nearly four months. I did a few bits and pieces on 35006 and 3850, including cleaning the motion on the latter (driver's side). It still needs a lot more work, but it looks better than it did before. Here are a selection of photographs taken on a rather wet and windy day.
35006 & 7903 wait patiently inside the DP Shed - 21st February 2025
3850's motion after a bit of a clean - 21st February 2025
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
Until next time folks, further news and announcements are on the way
Alex (the sooty one!).
* Please Note: All locomotives are subject to availability and changes may be made at short notice.
All published photographs and videos are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
Thanks to Ian Crowder for some additional narrative on 34092's history.
Sources: - BR Database, Railwells, Preserved British Steam Locomotives
