Wednesday 9th November saw a number of the team converge on Toddington TMD to complete the lowering of D6948 back onto her bogies after completion of the work that necessitated the lift. The work order had included the repair of a main reservoir air leak caused by a holed pipe under the cab at No.1 end, changing of dampers and rubbing pads as well as the opportunity to give the traction motor brushes a check, clean and replace (if required). With these tasks completed, and under the watchful eye of Tech Officer (and GG Chairman) Paul Good, D6948 was eased back onto her bogies before being shunted from the David Page shed and back into the Diesel Shed so that the remaining elements can be completed. This will include plugging the electrical feeds back in from the traction motors and, re-securing the brake chains and bogie straps.
Once the elements under the loco are complete, there are some maintenance tasks to complete within the engine room over the winter shutdown before we can look at a ‘B’ Exam and Fitness to Run assessment, but it is hoped to have D6948 ready for action for the new season in 2023 – after a frustrating 3 years.
37215 has completed it’s duties in 2022 for the time being, finishing with the Sunday of the ‘Mixed Traffic Gala’ at the end of October. ‘215’ has continued to run soundly since the generator repairs in the early part of the year, completing her scheduled ‘Driver Experience’ days in September/October as well as the booked duties during the same period. 37215 was also to step in for the Volunteer Fish and Chip train earlier this month when ‘Peak’ 45149 was withdrawn at the last moment. At present, it is likely that ‘215’ will play some part in the ‘Purple’ timetable days after Christmas (usual caveats on serviceability/crew availability apply, of course) before being ‘winterised’. There are a few maintenance tasks to complete including having the buffers sent away for overhaul and repair, but the loco should be ready for the start of the 2023 season.
Finally, with Christmas on the horizon, when you are completing any online shopping, why not use the ‘Easyfundraising’ app to help The Growler Group raise money while you shop. It costs you nothing to sign up, or when you shop, but means the the retailers will donate money to the group based on your outlay. It works with a lot of major retailers (online) as well as on car/house insurance amongst other things. If you can’t physically get to Toddington to wield a spanner, then this is an extra, easy way to help the group keep the locos in tip-top condition. You can also do this through Amazon Smile, as well!
