Author Archive
Bo’ness Diesel Gala
Bo’ness are holding their summer Diesel Gala on Friday 27th July – Sunday 29th July. The current timetable and loco roster can be found Here
33 002
James Whincup’s photos of 33 002 out in action at the recent GCR Mail by Rail Event 08/07/12. 33 002 passes Swithland signal box on the Up Main with the 13:00 dep from Loughborough and 33 002 goes into Swithland Up Loop after its TPO run with the 14:40 dep from Loughborough:
33 103
Dicky White’s photo of 33 103 passing the site of Witton-le-Wear Station on the Weardale Railway 07/07/12:
Watercress Class 50
We all eagerly await 50 027 “Lion” hauling a passenger train on the Mid Hants Railway – Photo James Boylin
Engines at Weybourne
Bill Pizer’s photos of D6732 & 25057 at Weybourne 30/06/12:
37 003 To be Named
37 003 is being prepared for a “Special Event” this coming Friday 6th July, and for those of you that are watching on Facebook, Twitter or Loco Progress she will be doing this back in BR blue. As for the nature of the “Special Event”…. well, now that all the bits have arrived safely in Norfolk to make this event possible, we can at last make this official announcement.
37 003 will, on Friday 6th July, be joining in the Centenary celebrations of the Dereham Neatherd High School by being named
“Dereham Neatherd High School, 1912 – 2012”
She will carry these plates for twelve months as part of the school’s centenary year. We were honoured to be asked to do this for the school, and is testament to the groups prominent presence at the Mid Norfolk Railway and now within the local community.
The outline plan for Friday is as follows, if anybody would like to witness the event. As soon as we have something a bit firmer, you will hear it here first.
37003 plus vac set plus a.n.other loco as train ( 2 x TSO, 1 x BSO and FK). Naming at 1400, runs to Thuxton only where the other loco draws the train back to Dereham.
NO spare seats I’m afraid as its a private charter.
Test run possibly Thurs evening.
Rushden Mail by Rail Event
Bill Pizer’s photos of 31 206 in action at the Rushden Mail by Rail Event 01/07/12:
RHF’s last workings at the NNR 30/06/12
Bill Pizer’s photos of RHF’s last workings at the NNR. 55 019 at Sheringham with the 10.30 ex Holt, approaching Weybourne with the 12.45 Sheringham-Holt, departing Weybourne with the 12.45 Sheringham-Holt, arriving Weybourne with the 13.30 Holt-Sheringham, a worm’s eye view of the 14.15 Sheringham-Holt heading out of Weybourne, heading for Holt with the 15.45 ex Sheringham, nearing Weybourne with the 17.00 Sheringham-Holt:
31 101
Suburban Preservation are pleased to announce that after extensive engine work and bodywork repairs 31101 was started and ran under her own power on 25/6/2012, and a successful test run undertaken on the 26th to Shenton and back. This is the first time she has run since being stopped after the sept diesel gala in 2009. She should be out for the rails and ales weekend on the 14th and 15th July. Photos from Suburban Preservation
33 103 Hire
33 103 leaving Nemesis Rail’s Burton Upon Trent Depot for a period of hire to the Weardale Railway to cover a shortage of locomotives for their train services. Photo Martin Sargent:
SVR 1940’s Weekend
Owing to a shortage of steam locomotives, the SVR were forced to use both D8188 and D821 during their 1940’s event last Saturday. D8059 also worked on Sunday. David Coombs photo of D8188 leaving Kidderminster taken last Saturday:
WSR Diesel Running
The diesel loco allocations have changed slightly on various dates due to crew availability. The confirmed updated allocations are below.
MAJOR EVENTS INVOLVING DIESEL TRACTION
LATE SUMMER MIXED TRACTION GALA
SATURDAY 1ST- SUNDAY 2ND SEPT.
D7017, D9526, D1010 and D832
Diesel Running Dates 2012
July
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th Thomas Weekend. D7017 in use.
Friday 13th. D7017 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Saturday 14th. D832 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Friday 20th. D832 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Saturday 21st. D832 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Friday 27th. D1661 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Saturday 28th. D832 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
August
Friday 3rd. D7017 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Saturday 4th. WSR Rally D7017, D832 and DH16.
Sunday 5th. WSR Rally D7017, D832 and DH16.
Friday 10th. D1661 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Saturday 11th. D1010 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Friday 17th. D6566 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Saturday 18th. D6566 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Friday 24th. D7017 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Saturday 25th. D7017 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
Friday 31st. D1661 on the 11:40 BL diesel diagram
September
Saturday 8th. Camra Beer Festival. D1010 in use.
Sunday 9th. Camra Beer Festival. D1010 in use.
QB Lunch Trains
These are pre-bookable only via the WSR and are midweek lunch diners between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.
Weds 18th July. D6566
Weds 1st August. D6566
Weds 15th August. D6566
Weds 5th September. D6566
Weds 19th September. D6566
Its a SMALL ENGINE SPECIAL at EOR this coming weekend…. Isabel will be hauling her first passenger trains on the branch on 23-24th June, with 03119 (also the first outing for this locomotive on passenger services) working the North Weald to Coopersale shuttle.
Meanwhile the Class 31 (31438) and 37 (D6729) will be operating 3CIG (which will have an additional coach to be a 4CIG!) on the Ongar to North Weald trains. When you get to Ongar, don’t forget to catch the Ongar Carnival on the SUNDAY, and to celebrate the Carnival EOR has a special surprise guest in the parade, and Victory will be on-hand and in steam in the station to welcome and cheer the carnival going past.
Our heritage buses run from the front door of Epping Station, and all of this is included in your great value ticket, which you can book now online: http://eorailway.co.uk/your-visit/booking-online/
WSR Diesel Gala
Ian Gould’s photos of the WSR Diesel Gala, 55022 approaches Watchet with the 11.45hrs Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service 15/06/12 and D6566 leaves Crowcombe with the 13.45hrs Bishops Lydeard to Minehead 16/06/12:
Neil Walkling’s photos of 55 022 ‘Royal Scots Grey’ taken at Williton with the 1255 Bishops Lydeard – Minehead, also taken at Crowcombe Heathfield in poor lighting conditions, sadly not too untypical June.
D832, with D7017 at Bishops Lydeard and newly restored D6575:
Avon Valley Railway
Bill Pizer’s photos of 31 130 arriving at Bitton with the train from Oldland Common and Avon Riverside with the 13.50 ex Oldland Common 09/06/12:
GCR Diesel Gala 19th and 20th May 2012
Phil Seymour’s photos of 33 002 “Sea King” at the GCR Diesel Gala held on May 19th and 20th. The 33 is visiting the GCR for the summer.
York Flyer Railtour
Rob Maynard’s photos of 55 022 at Banbury and York with the recent York Flyer Railtour:
Tony Jones photo of RSG at Coventry during the 180 degree diversion from Campden Road, after a pantograph on a train snagged the wires and brought them down further up the line:
The Return of 50 017 “Royal Oak”
A reminder that 50 017 “Royal Oak” will be out in action on the Plym Valley Railway tomorrow from 1300 hrs.
50 017 will be hauling the Plym Valley’s three beautifully restored chocolate and cream Mk2 coaches, two of which retain their original NSE upholstery, as well as classic Eddie Pond artwork.
The Plym Valley Railway will be offering buffet facilities with food and drink on the platform at Marsh Mills. There will also be a raffle with an appropriate prize, and even some rather interesting commemorative NSE themed items on sale!
Full details can be found on the loco’s website here
Phil Seymour’s photo of 50 017 in its former guise April 2010 – the transformation is Superb…..
Severn Valley Diesels
Bill Pizer’s Photo Round up of recent SVR Diesel Workings:
D821 awaits departure from Kidderminster with the 09.55 to Bridgnorth, D821 is pegged away from Highley with the 11.55 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, D821 heads for Hampton Loade with the 13.30 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, D821 arrives at Arley in a downpour with the 15.40 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster 05/06/12
Different fates await D7029 and 20 177….
WSR Diesel Roster Update
For those who enjoy their vintage diesel haulage the planned passenger diagrams for the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group fleet over the next couple of months are as follows:-
On the 11.40 diagram from Bishops Lydeard:
Friday July 13th: D7017 Saturday July 14th: D1010
Friday July 20th: D6575 Saturday July 21st: D6575
Friday July 27th: D1661 Saturday July 28th: D832
Friday August 3rd: D7017 Saturday August 4th: D7017
Friday August 10th: D1661 Saturday August 11th: D1010
Friday August 17th: D6575 Saturday August 18th: D6575
Friday August 24th: D1010 Saturday August 25th: D1010
Friday August 31st: D1661
The 11.40 diagram gives up to 80 miles of haulage (two round trips) for the price of a Day Rover ticket, cheaper if purchased from the WSR Company website at http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.
For the Late Summer Weekend it’s “Maybach Music” time to mark various Golden Jubilee dates for the diesel hydraulic locos of the former Western Region of British Railways and D832, D1010 and D7017 will be working the diesel diagrams during the two days September 1st and 2nd. This event traditionally alternates steam and diesel haulage through the day and standard fares apply.
And for the “Crompton” fan who also likes food there will be five Class 33 hauled “Quantock Belle” Wednesday lunchtime dining trains this year and according to the DEPG website the planned haulage will be by D6575. Operational dates are scheduled to be Wednesdays 18th July, 1st and 15th August and 5th and 19th September. Passengers will be able to enjoy a three course meal on the way to Minehead and there is an option of a cream tea on the way home. Cost is £26 or £30 with the cream tea which seems very reasonable indeed. Bookings can be made via 01823 433856 or on the website here
Great Central Crompton
Bill Pizer’s photos of the SDDT’s Class 33 “Sea King” currently visiting the GCR. In typical Bank Holiday weekend weather 33 002 nears Quorn & Woodhouse with the 11.00 Loughboro’-Leicester North, arrives at Rothley with the 13.45 Leicester North-Loughboro’, after arrival at Loughboro’ with the 13.45 ex Leicester North and at Woodthorpe with the 16.00 Leicester North-Loughboro’ 03/06/12:
SVR 20’s
Rob Sheffield’s photos of the SVR based Class 20’s.
D8059 and D8188 stand Kidderminster, 8059 on the days booked 09.55 diesel departure and 8188 waiting for the coaching set for 10.35 departure filling in for a failed steam engine praire 5164, only working as far as Bridgnorth where praire 4566 took over the diagram.
D8059 at Bridgnorth waiting the departure time for the 11.55 to Kidderminster.
20 031 at the KWVR
Lewis Mitchell’s photos of 20 031 working the morning Diesel turns on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway on the 4th June 2012 taken at Haworth Top Field:
The Return of 50 017 “Royal Oak”
Dave Cunningham’s 50 017 “Royal Oak” will be making it’s public debut in NSE Livery at the Plym Valley Railway on Saturday 9th June 2012 following many months of extensive bodywork repairs and preparation. The loco will be in action from 1300-1600 with the usual Plym Valley Railway facilities available from 1100. The organisers hope for a good turn out which needs to be a success for the Railway.
Severn Valley – Saturday 2nd June
A Class 50 will be in use this Saturday vice 37906 (ongoing governor repairs).
Bill Pizer’s photos of Slug 6’s recent test run. After receiving attention to its engine governor, 37906 underwent a loaded test run Kidderminster-Bewdley on the 27/05/12 with 50 135 & 50 044 in tow. More work is requried to set the loco up.
0Z38
Bill Pizer’s photo of 57003 with 31466 & 37308 running as 0Z38 to Lydney at Bromsgrove South Loop 29/05/12:
37 190
Richard Allen’s photo of 37 190 undergoing bodywork repairs at Swanwick:
MRC Diesel Gala
Bill Pizer’s photos from the MRC Diesel Gala last weekend. 20 048 approaches Swanwick Junction with the 14.24 Riddings-Hammersmith, 08 590 trundles away from Swanwick Junction with the 14.26 Hammersmith-Riddings and 47 401 arrives at Swanwick Junction with the 15.44 Riddings-Hammersmith 27/05/12:
Preserved Diesels 