2013 – 37215 racks up the miles

Posted on by Peter_S

37215 ran 1541 miles in service in 2013 , its second highest mileage since it was preserved in 1994. Only the exceptional ‘Year of the Gotherington Landslip’ in 2010 when it worked 1678 miles (although half of which were being dragged as a tail locomotive) in which all GWR services had to be tailed by a diesel locomotive, was higher. This reflects the increase in diesel running in 2013 with 3 round trips between Toddington and Cheltenham being operated Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between May and September. click to continue reading

37215 features in successful Christmas gala at the GWR

Posted on by Peter_S

37215 played a leading role in the GWR’s ‘Christmas Cracker’ gala on the 29th and 30th December covering 72 miles over the two days between Laverton and Cheltenham Racecourse. This year’s Christmas Diesel Day had been replaced by a two day mixed traction event featuring both steam and diesel, due to the lack of steam heat fitted diesels. This was the first time a mixed traction gala has been held on the GWR and was an undoubted success, with many passengers commenting on the relaxed nature of the event and the toasting warm trains in the middle of winter. 37215 covered 55 miles on the front with the added bonus of some extra weight at the back when top and tailing with a steam locomotive giving some extra ‘thrash’ from the front! click to continue reading

D6948 progress update – July 2013

Posted on by Peter_S

Following the re-fitting of body skirts to each end and the removal of headlights and aerial fittings, the last 3 months have been focussed on the rest of the body. Although it means a lot more work in the short term, the decision was taken early on to strip the exterior of the loco back to bare metal to remove any corrosion. This will be followed by re-filling where required before the application of primer, undercoat and top coats, as it was felt that this would ensure maximum longevity for both paintwork and the bodyshell underneath. Coupled with the investment in our new shed, this will help ensure a long life.

After several months of needle gunning and sanding, all West Coast Railways maroon paint has been removed and a coat of primer applied to the noses and bodysides. The roof has just been started upon in early August as has the long job of filling the bodysides ready for painting. Continue reading →

215 in regular use at the GWR this summer

Posted on by Peter_S

37215 has seen regular use this summer on the GWR between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse, both before and after its ‘holiday’ to the West Somerset Railway. The GWR operates a ‘green’ timetable on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in May, June, July and September and on Tuesdays and Thursdays in August, which involves 57 miles of diesel running on 3 round trips Continue reading →