How can we nearly be 6 months into the year already? Frightening, but June sees the GWsR timetable start to build to the high point of the season and an increase in diesel running. After not being rostered throughout April, giving other locos the opportunity to build up the post-Winter miles, with D6948 still out of traffic, 37215 will see 6 days of use throughout the month which will include our Ale and Cider Festival over the 12 – 14 June. For the full number of days the 37215 will be in operation go to our ‘Loco Roster’ tab.
The impending arrival of June also means that we are only 8 weeks or so away from our annual Diesel Gala. This year sees us building on the successes of last year and will see a huge increase in what we have on offer with no less than 3 guest locomotives along with shunter experiences and an intense timetable. For all the latest info go to https://gwsr.com/whats-on/cotswold-diesel-gala-2026/
We will also be running our pre-Gala Night Shoot at Toddington MPD on the Thursday evening before the main Gala. Tickets are going quickly (no ticket = no entry) so in order to secure yours, and see the requirements for the event, go to https://gwsr.com/whats-on/cotswold-diesel-gala-2026/
We will also have a stand at the Cotswold Festival of Steam at the GWsR over the May Bank Holiday (23 – 25 May). Along with the limited edition Jack Russell prints, we will also have a limited number of copies of the wonderful new books by Michael Rhodes entitled ‘The Class 37 Album’ available for sale.
As previously mentioned, we will also be attending the North West Rail and Transport Collectors Fair at Crewe Alexandra FC on Sat. 13th June. Along with the above and our usual merchandise, we will hopefully also have some spares for sale.
D6948
The Green Machine remains out of traffic as it receives a myriad of repairs. Over recent weeks the exhaust has had one of the connecting bellows removed as this had been leaking oil onto the generator casing. The securing clamp was also in need of restoration so this was also removed and awaits cleaning an repair. The loco has also had some leaking gaskets replaced – most notably on the feed pipes for the heat exchanger. These pipes were removed, cleaned and the gaskets replaced. However, the big job has been the removal of B1 piston and liner after a substantial coolant leak was identified after an oil sample test back at the end of 2025.
With the liner cleaned and degreased, the piston was also cleaned and both were inspected for any damage. The piston rings were also inspected and any damaged ones removed and new ones fitted.
Weds 13th May saw a group of us assemble under the instruction of ex-GG Tech Officer, Paul Good, to look at refitting the liner, piston and head. It was hoped the weather would play ball as it had been very changeable in the days preceding, but we weren’t to lucky and would get peppered by all seasons in the space of several hours! However, we weren’t to be deterred!
With the lifting bracket attached and secured to the top and bottom of the liner, the liner was wheeled down the yard on a trolley towards the A-Frame gantry where D6948 was already waiting. Once attached to the chain the liner was hoisted up above the loco roof.
Despite being peppered with hail stones, the liner went into the block with relative ease and it was hoped that the piston would likewise and we could be well on the way to completion before lunch. However, things don’t always go to plan….
Once the liner was in place it was fine tuned into the right position before being secured to stop it dropping into the sump when the piston was eased in to position. It was then time to hoist the piston up and over the loco. Arms were starting to get sore with the constant running of the lifting chain….it would be nice to have an electric gantry! So, we decided to share the duties more readily so that fatigue could be kept to a minimum.
With the piston hoisted over the roof of the loco it was slowly lowered into the engine room to the waiting Jon C and Paul, who had gone back into the loco after checking the rings were in place properly.
The piston was lowered carefully under Paul’s guidance to ensure that the piston would drop through the liner in the correct position and the rings didn’t get caught or damaged. Sadly, one of the rings decided not to play ball and, as the piston was jockeyed into position, it decided to pop out of position and wedged the piston in the wrong position. After a bit of brute force we were able to free the piston and winch it back up and out of the liner to line up and try again. This coincided with a pretty brutal rain shower so Paul signalled lunch and, after covering everything, we headed back to the mess room.
Having been fed and watered, complete with slices of Mrs Cronin’s delicious sponge (a Wednesday Gang tradition!), we all wandered back down the yard to try again.
Take 2 started and the piston started to drop in without problem however the piston rings were probably going to catch again so a specialist clamp was fitted to constrict the rings and allow the piston to slide in freely before removing the clamp and all owing the rings to spread out in the correct position.
This attempt went without hitch and the base of the piston made contact with the con-rod in the correct place. In the above picture you can see the base of the liner (top centre right) and the piston protruding through it. The base is resting on the top of the con-rod (see the yellow ‘A’ and the string hanging down) – success. It was decided not to fit the bottom of the piston until next time so that fine tuning can be done.
However, with everything in situ, Paul decided that we may as well fit the head and seal the chamber. So, back to the shed to hoist it onto the trolley and then down to the A-Frame to lift it into position.
With the head hoisted up and over the loco, it was lowered into the loco before a new gasket ring was fitted. However, when lowered the head didn’t sit properly and, even with several blows with a rubber mallet, it didn’t want to budge. It was raised and lowered a couple more times before the gasket was checked and found to be warped. A spare was at hand and so this was fitted with a similar result. Cue frustration! However, after removing it again and stressing it using the rubber mallet, it fitted cleanly into the recess in the head and the head dropped down in the perfect place. Several exhalations of relief and it was time to move everything back into the shed. A job well done.
Hopefully the loco will be fighting fit for the Gala in July.
