Milestone for the Group as 215 enters the new shed

Just before 17:00 on Saturday 31st March, 37215 made a little bit of history when it became the first locomotive to enter Toddington’s new diesel shed following completion of tracklaying into the new facility during the afternoon, thanks to the GWR’s permanent way department. The loco was available to test the new trackwork as a result of undergoing ‘de-winterisation’, ‘warm up’ and testing for the season’s programme of driver experience trains on the GWR’s northern section. Following the successful test, 215 was shut down and berthed in its new home.

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37215 gently rolls to a halt at the end of the new diesel shed and becomes the shed's first resident following a successful test of the newly installed trackwork.

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Bill Pizer raises over £1100 for our new shed

Member Bill Pizer has now raised well over £1,100 for the Group’s share of the new diesel shed at Toddington thanks to his successful completion of a sponsored swim at Bromsgrove in March. A truly fantastic effort from Bill and to everyone who has supported and sponsored him a big and heartfelt THANK-YOU  from us all. Most of all thanks to Bill for undertaking and completing this challenge. It will mean that 37215 will have a dry and secure home for the future and perhaps more than anything else, will help secure its future for the long term. Here are some pictures of Bill doing his bit! Continue reading

New diesel shed structure completed

The GWR’s new diesel shed, which the Growler Group (along with the BT4F and 24081 Group) is helping to finance to support the long term care of the locomotives, is nearing final completion. The shed structure was completed on the 29th February and now awaits track laying and installation of the concrete floor, before a ‘move in’ of equipment, stores and the locos can take place. click to continue reading

Our new shed – construction underway!

The new diesel shed at the GWR is now taking shape with erection of the main framework of the building starting this week. Groundworks were completed over the last 2 weeks allowing the shed contractor to move on to site and start erection on Monday 29th January. The pictures below show the extent of progress already made on the six loco berth structure. Continue reading