Bill Carslake celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday 28 August with a ride on locomotive 5322 at Didcot Railway Centre. Afterwards Bill said it was a “Great day”.
In the 1950s and 1960s Bill was a steam train driver based at Newbury. He had joined the Great Western Railway at Glyn Neath in the 1940s and then moved to Gloucester. When he married he moved to his wife's home town of Newbury, and drove trains on the branch lines from Newbury to Didcot and to Winchester, as well as the main line to Westbury.
After the Newbury to Didcot and Winchester branch lines closed in the 1960s, Bill left the railways and worked for the Milk Marketing Board, then on the buses and finally for the ambulance service.
Signwriter David Kynaston from Llangollen spent a week at Didcot at the end of August lining and lettering the 1891-built Dean 4-wheel brake third coach 416 at Didcot.
The 19th Century Coach had recently been restored by volunteers at Didcot and carried passengers for what is thought to be the first time in more than 70 years, at the Railway Centre late last year.
The coach has four passenger compartments, each with a door on either side lettered THIRD in gold leaf. The guard's compartment has a door similarly lettered GUARD each side. There is also an extremely ornate GWR symbol each side in an art nouveau style. Each panel of the coach's wooden body is of course elaborately lined.
On 28 August David was assisted by fellow signwriter, Mark Josling, from Pinner.
More information about David's work can be found at: http://www.davidkynaston.co.uk
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
The locomotive team at Didcot is planning a quick overhaul of prairie tank No. 4144 over the coming winter. The boiler needs to be retubed and restayed, but hopefully not much more attention will be required. To allow this work to begin, the boiler was lifted from the frames on Sunday 15 August.
At about 2.30pm on Thursday 12 August work started on the new Steam Railmotor Shed (The Charles Whetmath Building), with the digging of the first hole for the foundations.
The previous couple of days had seen the plant and machinery transported to site from the West Yard, and the final marking out to ensure that the building is erected on the correct alignment.
Although we do not yet have all the funds necessary to complete the building, what we are able to erect is a basic structure which will be sufficient to house the railmotor when it arrives in fully restored state next year.
More Information about the Steam Railmotor and Trailer Project and the shed can be found on the Steam Railmotor Project website.
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
If incentive is required then we can provide one! All profits from the Heavy Freight Mob's Black Python real ale bar on Saturday 28 August will be put towards the quick re-entry into service of a Didcot favourite - Prairie tank No. 4144.
The locomotive team at Didcot is planning a quick overhaul of No. 4144 over the coming winter. The boiler needs to be retubed and restayed, but hopefully not much more attention will be required. It is currently planned to lift the boiler from the frames on Saturday 14 August.
The Black Python will be open throughout the Bank Holiday weekend with profits from Sunday and Monday going to support their more usual worthy causes of 3822 and 7202.
One of the iconic names from GWR history, White Ball, where City of Truro's legendary speed of 102.3mph was recorded in 1904, is now commemorated at Didcot. A vintage Somerset County Council road sign has been restored and set up close to the broad gauge area at the railway centre.
The village of White Ball in Somerset is about a mile from Burlescombe, just across the border in Devon, where the bridge rail for Didcot's broad gauge trackwork was discovered in the 1980s, so it is appropriate to record the name in the same vicinity.
The Rev. Edward Carter of St Peter's Church, Newlands Avenue, Didcot, did a sponsored turn of 3650 on the turntable on Sunday 1 August. The event raised hundreds of pounds for St Peter's.
Rev Carter commented, “Everything went very well. After the service lots of people came along to cheer me on, which was very nice. I was a bit nervous at first, but as soon as I got a bit of momentum going, the loco started to move. It was very satisfying.”
Following a successful steam test work has progressed on 6023 King Edward II with cladding and pipework being fitted to the complete boiler.
A milestone was reached on Saturday 24 July when the boiler was gently reunited with the frames using the 50t gantry in Didcot's lifting shop.
This epic restoration from scrapyard condition is now in its final stages. For the record, the team who fitted the boiler were: Peter Turner, Karl Buckingham, Pete Gransden, Dennis Howells, Tony Johnson, Nick Crook, Mike Rudge, Martin Walker, Richard Varley, James Bushnell and Phil Neale.
You can follow progress with the final stages of recommissioning on the project website and on Phil Neale's Photopic site.
As ever funds towards the groups big 'final push' are more than welcome.
Download the King appeal form (Word format)
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
The total refurbishment of the Society's 1940 built GWR Diesel Railcar is nearing its final stages.
This vehicle is one of only two examples remaining, and the only one in running order. It is powered by two 9.6 Litre 8-Cylinder AEC engines through a Wilson epicyclic gearbox.
Externally it has been almost completely repanelled and repainted. Since then much work has been undertaken on its mechanical and electrical systems and the final stage is the interior refurbishment.
The interior has been repainted and the seats have all been re-upholstered in GWR green shell pattern and await re-fitting. On Saturday 17 July green linoleum is shewn being fitted on the floor of the large saloon. The small saloon has already been completed, with the newly upholstered seats installed.
A re-liveried locomotive was unveiled on 20 June to mark the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway.
First Great Western teamed up with the Great Western Society to launch Class 57 No. 57604 ‘Pendennis Castle’, which had been repainted in original Great Western Green.
The repainted Class 57 was unveiled at Didcot Railway Centre alongside a much older engine of the same name, which is currently undergoing restoration work at the centre.
57604 ‘Pendennis Castle’ was built in 1965, as part of a fleet of 512 similar locomotives. It was renumbered as a Class 47 in the 1970s and, in 2004, was fitted with a different engine and reclassified as a Class 57 giving it the capability to haul the sleeper service between Paddington and Penzance. It was named Pendennis Castle shortly after starting this service.
The steam locomotive No. 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ was, when new, pitched against an LNER A1in a series of trials in 1925, and proved the better of the two. The GWR then sent the locomotive to the second Wembley Exhibition in October 1925 where she was displayed next to Flying Scotsman.
During an almost faultless 40-year career she clocked up 1.75 million miles and remains in its original condition. She was sold by British Railways in 1964, and was eventually bought by the world’s leader in finding, mining and processing the earth's mineral resources, Rio Tinto. The company shipped it to Australia in May 1977, where she was used to haul tourist trains before the need for a complete overhaul saw her withdrawn in 1994.
The cost of repairs was high and she was donated to the Great Western Society at Didcot, who agreed to repatriate it. Shipped back to England in 2000, a lengthy restoration project is still ongoing and it is hoped the Pendennis Castle will be back in use in a few years time.
First Great Western Operations Director, Kevin Gale, said: “It is very exciting to be able to celebrate our heritage in this way. A huge thanks goes out to the Didcot Railway Centre for their support and agreeing to host the event. It is a great contrast of the history of the railways, while looking forward to the future and what exciting developments lie ahead”.
Drew Fermor, Pendennis Castle restoration team leader at Didcot Railway Centre, said: “We were delighted when we found out that FGW’s Pendennis Castle was coming to meet ours during the 175th anniversary year of the original Great Western Railway.
It is fantastic that FGW has continued this long tradition by giving the name to one of its locomotives and even more so to see it in a highly appropriate livery this year.”
Great Western Society chairman, Richard Croucher, said: “We still have more work to do on our Pendennis Castle but we hope that, when she is complete, the two locomotives can perform together out on the main line as a living demonstration of both the fascinating history of the Great Western Railway and the vital contribution that it still makes to our modern society.”
The Steam Railmotor project has been given an award by The Transport Trust for restoration work being undertaken on Railmotor 93.
The Trust give these restoration awards to projects that are current, rather than complete, to encourage and recognise work in progress. The awards are not restricted to railway related items and amongst others receiving awards this year were projects as diverse as helicopter restoration and rebuilding a mobile cinema.
On Monday 14th June Society Chairman Richard Croucher and Vehicle Project Manager Graham Drew attended the Trust's award ceremony at London's Camden Roundhouse, on behalf of all the Project Team. The award was presented by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
It now seems that the expected visit on Saturday 19 June of No. 4965 ‘Rood Ashton Hall’ with the Red Dragon railtour will not take place.
The tour remains scheduled to be hauled by No. 4965 from Solihull to Didcot. The Hall was originally due to come onto Didcot shed for servicing and remain there for the day before hauling the return leg but it is now expected that the Hall will return immediately to Tyseley.
However, as a result of the re-organisation of the railtour, we are expecting LMS Princess class pacific No. 6201 ‘Princess Elizabeth’ to visit us, once again, on the afternoon of Friday 18 June in preparation for taking over the Didcot-Swansea leg of the railtour early on Saturday morning.
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
On Saturday 29 May Didcot Railway Centre is expecting a visit from LMS Princess class pacific No. 6201 ‘Princess Elizabeth’ hauling the now rather inappropriately named Britannia Banker railtour from Tyseley. (The tour was originally to have been hauled by Britannia class pacific No. 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ but this locomotive is unavailable).
The train is scheduled to arrive at Didcot Station at 12:35 and leave at 15:45, so the locomotive should be at Didcot Railway Centre from about 12:50 to 15:20.
Broad Gauge Locomotive ‘Fire Fly’ and visiting prairie tank No. 5521 are also expected to be in operation on that day.
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
Didcot Railway Centre finished its highly successful nine day GWR175 Extravaganza with perhaps a less noted, though no less noteworthy, achievement on Sunday 9th May.
For the first time, at Didcot, we fielded an all female crew when a train on the main demonstration line, hauled by Pannier Tank No. 9466 driven by Marie Saville and fired by Ann Davies, came under the control of guard Ann Middleton. As an added bonus, Sarah Sewell was present on the platform in her capacity as trainee Station Staff.
It's not just fun for the boys at Didcot Railway Centre!
Whilst the GWR 175 Extravaganza was taking place a Didcot, it was announced, on May 4, that the Great Western Society is to be given the remains of: Prairie Tank No. 4115, Churchward 2-8-0 No. 2861 and 2-8-0 Tank No. 5227, together with a 3000 gallon tender; by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
This follows on from the acquisition, from the same source, in 2005 of 7927 ‘Willington Hall’ and an 8F boiler as part of our project to build a replica Hawksworth 4-6-0 ‘County’ class locomotive - 1014 ‘County of Glamorgan’, with some of the Hall parts also going to the Llangollen based project to build a replica Grange - 6880 ‘Betton Grange’.
The existence of the ‘Barry Ten’ – the last ten locomotives to leave the famous South Wales scrapyard of Dai Woodham – led some to think that recovered key components could form the basis not only of the new Hawksworth ‘County’ 4-6-0, but also several other locomotives including a new Churchward ‘County’ 4-4-0 and a 4-4-2 ‘County Tank’ (The Three Counties Project), as well as a 47XX 2-8-0.
The Council of the Great Western Society sees these locos as seed corn for the future as well as being a useful source of spares.
There are no immediate prospects of any work beginning on a ‘County’ 4-4-0 or ‘County Tank’. However, following an article in 2002, floating the possibility of building a 47XX 2-8-0, quite a large number of people came forward to offer help and assistance – both physical and financial – but for various reasons the timing then was not ideal. In many respects the present timing is not ideal either, but there is widespread feeling that the opportunity to embark on construction of a 47XX should be grasped whilst there are people willing to contribute to the project and the Barry Ten locomotives are still available. It is clear that the Society does not currently have the resource to tackle a project on this scale and if it is to take place then it will need to be on a separately funded and organised basis (See separate story below).
The GWS would like to acknowledge the efforts made by the Vale of Glamorgan Council with regard to the remaining Barry Ten locomotives and thank them for the support they have shown the Society.
If assurance is needed that this has been a wise move, one only has to think back to 1970 when auto trailer No. 212 was acquired for preservation. At the time the idea of restoring such a cannibalised hulk seemed like wishful thinking, yet today with fully restored Steam Railmotor No. 93 poised to emerge, it is revealed as the visionary move it was.
We believe that there will be interest in both the 47XX and Three Counties Projects and invite those interested to come forward by contacting the GWS Chairman Richard Croucher at Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 7NJ, or by e-mail to chairman@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
The GWR 47XX large-wheeled 2-8-0 is a locomotive with almost universal appeal. Churchward’s final masterpiece, just nine of which were built between 1919 and 1921, were designed for fast goods work but were frequently used on passenger services – especially holiday expresses on summer Saturdays – a role that was honoured in the late 1950s by the application of British Railways lined green passenger livery to the whole class. It is in this guise that most enthusiasts remember these imposing engines with great affection.
The idea of building a new 47XX 2-8-0 was floated in an article in 2002. Recent speculation in the press has rekindled interest in such a project and people have naturally looked to the Great Western Society as the organization that could possibly undertake the task.
In a similar vein to the GWS Saint Project, which has utilized parts from a ‘Hall’ class 4-6-0, any scheme to build a new 47XX could make extensive use of GWR standard parts from other remaining ex-Barry locomotives that have little or no chance of being restored in their own right. Thee GWS has secured an option to acquire prairie tank No. 4115 and Churchward 2-8-0 No. 2861 as parts donors for a 47XX 2-8-0. No. 4115 would yield three of the four 5ft 8in driving wheel sets needed together with the extension frame assembly, whilst No. 2861 would provide an outside-steam-pipe cylinder block which can be modified to suit the 47XX, as well as the pony truck. The 4,000 gallon tender which came to the GWS with Maindy Hall could be used with a 47XX following a thorough overhaul, but many other parts, not least the boiler, would have to be manufactured.
When Churchward put No. 4700 into traffic it carried a standard Swindon No.1 boiler, the same type used by the 28XX class, as well as ‘Hall’ and ‘Grange’ 4-6-0s. However, testing soon showed that a larger boiler was needed for these engines and the new No.7 was created specially for them – no other locomotives carried this boiler and it is considered that the great majority of people would prefer to see a new 47XX carry the No.7 boiler.
GWS chairman Richard Croucher said: “We know that it is technically feasible to build a 47XX 2-8-0. Many of the parts are available and even the unique No. 7 boiler can be built in the UK. We also know that many, many people would like to see a 47XX running once again.”
“Whilst the GWS would be happy to coordinate such a project, as well as contributing the experience gained on other new builds and the extensive research and preparatory work already carried out for a 47XX, the Society does not currently have the capacity or resources to undertake another major locomotive project. For this reason we propose creating an entirely new team to tackle this project as a stand-alone entity outside the GWS, which may be incorporated as a charitable trust. The physical work of building the locomotive could be undertaken at Didcot or elsewhere – we have a completely open mind at this stage.”
“As the appeal of the 47XX extends far beyond the traditional GWR sphere of interest we are hoping that many people not previously involved with the Great Western Society will support the project,” Richard added. “But, before we can move forward with this we need to know that there is a good prospect of raising sufficient funding for the project, that we will be able to source and coordinate all the necessary skills and – most importantly – that we can assemble a project team composed of people able to devote the considerable amounts of time and expertise that the project will require.”
“To get the ball rolling I would like to ask everyone who may be prepared to support the 47XX project just to make contact, either by writing to me, Richard Croucher, Chairman, Great Western Society, Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 7NJ, or by email to chairman@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk. At this stage all you need do is write a couple of lines saying how you think you could help – perhaps by making a regular or one-off donation, contributing a skill such as draftsmanship or engineering, or best of all by becoming a member of the project team. Please do not send any money at present.”
“If there is sufficient support for the idea we propose to call an open meeting later this year at Didcot at which all interested parties can attend to learn more about the project, the work done so far and the diverse ways in which it will be possible to help. Our invitation to pledge support will remain open until 31 December 2010; at that time we will judge whether the project is viable based on the support indicated.”
One thing is certain: this call to action is the last realistic chance to make a 47XX project happen. If the task is not commenced in the next year or two there just won’t be enough people with the interest and commitment to see it through. So this really is make or break. There has been a lot of talk about building a 47XX over the years and now it’s time to turn words into actions. Will we see a 47XX run again, or will Churchward’s final triumph be consigned forever to history? It’s your choice.
The visiting locomotives are starting to arrive in time for next week's GWR Extravaganza.
5029 'Nunney Castle' and Bill Parker's prairie tank, No. 5521 were already on shed at the weekend 24/25 April, where they were photographed next to some of the resident locomotives.
By Wednesday 28, 7827 'Lydham Manor' from Paignton and Mike Little's 0-4-2 tank No. 1450 had also arrived at the Railway Centre, and are pictured being given a final brush-up.
3717 'City of Truro' was delivered to the west yard at Didcot on Wednesday and is waiting to be shunted across to the Centre as is Dennis Howell's Pannier Tank No. 9466 which arrived in the west yard on Thursday.
By the opening day of the extravaganza, on Saturday 1 May, we should be in a position to enjoy the spectacle of 14 GWR designed locomotives in steam, and as many again on static display. Along with all the other attractions it should be quite an event.
Shunting of locomotives and rolling stock to get everything into position has been going on for the last week or so as final preparations are made, and it is becoming clear that this is going to be the gala event of GWR 175!
See the GWR 175 page for more details of the event.
After passing a hydraulic test on 15 March, the boiler of 6023 ‘King Edward II’ was ready to contain fire once again - for the first time in 48 years.
Therefore on 28 March project leader Dennis Howells & GWS chairman Richard Croucher jointly lit the first fire. The boiler was allowed to warm through with pressure building slowly over the following week.
After many steamings to fine tune the boiler it was time for the official steam test. This took place on 12 April, the boiler was brought round above working pressure to lift her safety valves and passed the test successfully.
Now the group can work towards reuniting the boiler with the frames.
You can follow progress with the final stages of recommissioning on the project website and on Phil Neale's Photopic site.
As ever funds towards the groups big 'final push' are more than welcome.
Download the King appeal form (Word format)
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
As a fitting start to our GWR 175 celebrations, Didcot Railway Centre has been awarded a 'Red Wheel' plaque by the Transport Trust, recognising the Centre as a transport site of special significance.
The plaque, which is mounted on the outside of the Great Western Trust museum, was unveiled by Sir William McAlpine on Good Friday.
The award is part of a major new transport heritage initiative to commemorate Britain’s rich and globally important legacy in the development of transport. The Red Wheel programme will eventually mark hundreds of sites of special historic interest with a distinctive Red Wheel plaque and will be administered by The Transport Trust, the hub of the transport preservation and restoration movement in Great Britain.
The Didcot plaque reads: ‘Didcot Railway Centre – 1932 Great Western Railway Engine Shed complex, now developed to preserve the spirit and style of the GWR for future generations’.
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
A replica 2nd class broad gauge coach, which has been rebuilt at Didcot, entered traffic at Easter.
The vehicle was originally built by British Rail to run with replica Broad Gauge locomotive 'Iron Duke' during the GWR 150 celebrations in 1985. With a body constructed in softwood, it suffered quite badly from wet rot in the intervening 20 years before arriving at Didcot on loan from the NRM. It has now been completely rebuilt, from the chassis upwards, in 'iroko' hardwood by Pete Silver and the Fire Fly team.
The coach was relaunched into service by Helen Ashby, Head of Knowledge and Collections at the National Railway Museum on Good Friday. Broad gauge trains, including this coach, are next scheduled to run during the first weekend (1 - 3 May) of Didcot's GWR 175 Extravaganza.
Didcot Railway Centre will feature in a series of programmes presented by Dan Cruickshank on Great British Railways to be broadcast on National Geographic channel during May. The programmes are being made by ITN Factual, and filming took place at Didcot on Saturday 20 February
One of the programmes concentrates on Brunel and apparently involves Dan Cruickshank and Steven Brindle, author of a biography of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, speculating on why the broad gauge ended up just a quarter inch wider than 7ft and also discussing the spartan conditions offered to 3rd class passengers at the beginning of the railway age, as exemplified by our open broad gauge coach
Another programme in the series will cover the role of railways during World War I, and for this episode Dan Cruickshank spent some time on the footplate of locomotive 5322 with Alex Beasley and Pete Gransden. 5322 served in France during 1917 and 1918 hauling supplies from Calais to the Western Front, and is restored in Railway Operating Division khaki livery.
The programmes featuring Didcot are to be broadcast on the National Geographic channel at 21:00 on Wednesdays 5 and 12 May.
Introductions Days will be held at Didcot Railway Centre on 27 March and 17 April, between 10am and 3.30pm when young people aged 15 and over can find out more about joining the Great Western Society and becoming volunteers.
Future arrangements will be explained and new volunteers will be introduced to those who have been coming to the Centre before. There will be a guided tour with the opportunity of discussing both the work being carried out by the restoration groups and the activities involved in the running of the Centre.
It may be possible for volunteers to help with one of the activities and projects during the day.
For more information or to book your place call Roger Orchard on 01235 817200 or email info@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Or why not have a look at our Young Volunteers' page?
In the 1930’s speed on the railways was always headline news. All the UK’s railway companies found some reason to boast of their speed and technological achievements, so no wonder every boy wanted to be an engine driver. Now bring that thought though to 2009 and the world is no different, but its F1 that is making the claims. Every F1 team boasts of their capabilities and every boy wants to be an F1 driver.
So why not feel the passion and see the technology and majesty of the speeding steam locomotives of the 1930’s and enjoy the story of F1’s longest serving independent F1 team by joining us on the unique Steam and Speed day out experience.
Dates for this event in 2010 are:
To book your place or for more details see the Steam and Speed page.
What has happened to that GWR narrow gauge slate wagon that we waited so long for?
It was there one day and gone the next. Well, as it turns out a bunch of teenagers came on site stripped it down and carted it all away! Before I hear that someone has called the police I can assure you that it’s all OK - a team of A Level Design Technology students from Reading School, under the management of GWS member and teacher Drew Fermor, has taken on the restoration of the vehicle in conjunction with the Great Western Trust.
The students all have an interest in engineering and design and they are led by fellow GWS member, Reading School student and No. 1014 project volunteer Iain McDonald who agreed to be project supervisor. The school have managed to organise a gap in the students' teaching schedule to enable them to work on the wagon on Wednesday afternoons.
The wagon itself has been subjected to very close scrutiny and the consensus was that it was VERY rusty – the chassis itself was largely rusted to the point of no return, the floor was more hole and iron oxide than floor and that it was going to be a big job to put it to rights. The decision has been taken to recover as much of the wagon as possible including the cage on top, the wheel sets, axle boxes, couplings, etc and build a new chassis from scratch. The strip down took two working sessions and this lightened the wagon to the point where it could be lifted by 8 young, strong people (or rather 7 young, strong people and a teacher!) and taken to its new restoration site, which is behind the frames of No. 4079 in the Locomotive Works.
The students have now been introduced to the joys of the wire brush attachment on the angle grinder, the scraper and paraffin in order to clean up all of the salvaged components. The axle boxes have all been finished and are looking fantastic. A coat of rust preventative paint has begun to be applied to the parts that have been cleaned. The steel order for the new chassis components has been placed and should be delivered shortly.
The honour of being first locomotive to steam in 2010 went to Pannier Tank No. 3650.
Details of all our Steam Days and other openings can be found on the 2010 Calendar, or you can download a printable copy of the Didcot Railway Centre 2010 Leaflet if you prefer.
We look forward to welcoming you to Didcot in the coming year.