Toddington update - Chcken Curve slip

Anyone looking for the link for the latest update:http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news/chicken-curve-update-7th-november-2011.aspxPleasing to see the progress being made, good to be kept up to date.It will be interesting to see what livery No:45160 will be painted in after becoming well known as 'the' Turkish 8F, the news about Gotherington Loop is encouraging and a step in the right direction.

 

Yes, some good news and visible progress. Whilst we are all impatient to see the line reconnected and running trains right through from Cheltenham to Laverton, it is interesting, and sobering, to see how protracted things like access for contractors over land bordering the railway can be. Whilst it can seem to be obfuscating, such legal correctness is vital, after all, the railway's neighbours are just that- neighbours and it is good to have good relations with one's neighbours. This latest article shows just how much work is involved in putting right something like this. At least progress is being made on chicken curve. Also intersting to see that the Gotherington loop will be brought into use in time for Santa Specials and that the old (and now somewhat tatty) ex Dowty Shed at Toddington will soon be replaced by a bespoke diesel shed. This in turn will lead to better storage of some stock that, in some cases might indeed appear to be less than pristine! (That's not the case with the GWSR diesels I might add!)

 

The latest update on the Chicken Curve landslip has just been posted today on the GWSR website. You can read it here: http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news/chicken-curve-update-25th-november-2011.aspx
In summary, it says that the land access negotiations are continuing, but no conclusion has yet been reached and that the test soil nails have been a success and the data collected from these tests means that the final cost can be reduced. The design for the repair has been completed and contractors have been invited to put in a tender. The completion of land access negotiations will mean that contracts can be awarding and, if enough funding is available, work can then begin. Some positive news to take away then...

 

Sounds like good news on balance, just hope the access negotiations don't prove too protracted or expensive. Good luck fellahs.

 

Just to say that the gwsr website also mentions that Gotherington loop and signal box have been passed fit for use and will see trains passing from sunday 4th (the dining trian) regular passing starts the following weekend. This will only be used on an as and when needed basis. When we next run a gala, this will allow full line freights and such forth, so will be a usefull addition. Even better would be the second platform at Cheltenham racecourse - perhaps the broadway platform gang want a change of scenery?

Secondly, visitors to Toddington may have noticed the demolition of the old dowty tin shed - to the right of the David Page shed. This is to allow the errection of a new, two road diesel shed.
The PLC board would like to make clear that this is being funded in its entierty by the induvidual diesel locomotive groups.

 

I travelled on the Glos-Warks for the first time 10 days ago (having recently moved to Gloucestershire), and was impressed even with the truncated line. Lovely scenery, and very friendly staff. I certainly intend to pay a return visit and (when our finances have recovered from the house move) make a contribution towards repairing the slip. I also like the relaxed attitudes to lineside permits - no PTS, just keep out of the tunnel. I certainly hope to acquire a permit by the time 35006 returns to steam.

I'm intrigued by the re-painting of the 8F. Will it be:-
1) as LMS 8274 - its original number?
2) as BR 48274, which is the number it would have been given if it had stayed in the UK and not been exported to Turkey?
3) as BR 48776, which is the next number in the series? (rather like 90733, 90775 and 60163, and similar to what happened to the Severn Valley's 8F when it was repatriated to the UK in the BR era)
4) keeping its number 45160 and painted in lined-out BR Black? (That would really confuse everyone - just imagine if TCDD 45156 had been repatriated, restored in lined black and re-named The Ayrshire Yeomanry!!!)

Please note : suggestion 4 was offered tongue-in cheek and not intended to be a serious option - just in case anyone was wondering!

 

From the GWSR Website: the Railway has won the Ian Allan Heritage Award for 2011, partly because it has continued against tremendous adversity and people have rallied round to help - and continue to do so. A well deserved award in my (proudly biased) view! Thanks to all who have worked so hard and continue to do so for the benefit of this wonderful heritage line.

 

Although not to do with the landslip I would like to praise the staff on the GWSR. I was there yesterday whilst the missus had an interview for Gloucester Uni so I decided to visit the line and do some lineside photography, the staff at Cheltenham Racecourse were more than happy to provide me with a lineside permit, provided some friendly chat and offered advice on how to get to Winchcombe which was better for photography. Hopefully my missus will get into Gloucester Uni which means we will be moving down that way and if so I will be joining the society, getting a lineside permit and hopefully signing up as a volunteer.

Good luck getting the landslide sorted out guys, your volunteers are some of the nicest people I have met on a steam railway and you deserve to get back up and running soon.

 

I have heard from a reliable source that work on the Chicken Curve slip will start early February.
That is excellent news, well done GWSR.

 

Great news. Let's hope they can re-instate it in time for the summer season.

 

We have all heard feb 6th as a start date. This coming weekend (21/22) there is a volunteers meeting where the PLC chairman is to give a full update. Led to believe that £830,000 has now been raised but another £170,000 is needed to make full repairs that wont need more attention in future. I'm sure that after the meeting the website will carry a full report.
With good weather (and the remaining 170k) a completion over the summer is still hoped for.
Quick update on locos, 2807 and 8274 are undergoing winter maintenance and partial repaints. Repairs to motion and so forth on 2807 make it likely that the new season will start with 7903 with 8274 as spare. Hope that the p&o group do an update soon as its looking very tidy now with all cladding on, painted and lined. Expect an event with 35006 to take place in the spring where it will be shunted into the car park for viewing.

 

Was the 117 unit I saw on its way to the Plym Valley this morning the loaned one being returned from the GWR?

 

Does this mean that they will not be running the DMU service at the northern end?

I heard a number of reports which said it carried few (zero on some trains) passengers.

 

Whilst only an outside observer, I wouldn't have thought the departure of the Plym Valley unit would be a direct cause to end the DMU service. Since that unit was brought in, a further three sets have reportedly moved onto the line (117 3-car ex Mid Hants, 117 2-car ex Storage & 122 single unit also ex Mid Hants) at least two of which I've seen images of in service over 2011.

Perhaps the loan of this unit has been concluded now that the G&WR have some working DMUs of their own? As can be seen by this page, the G&WR fleet is considerably bigger than it was before their troubles.

 

The timetable for 2012 is the same as last year with the home based DMUs on the nothern line.

Stephen

 

But is it actually carrying many passengers?

 

JUST REJOICE. Confirmation from the Glos Warks Railway Website news that the go-ahead has been given for work to start on repairing the Chicken Curve embankment on 6 Feb 12. It is hoped that the line will be reconnected by this Autumn and then we won't have to worry about DMUs from Toddington to Laverton carrying many pax or not. The run-around loop at Laverton is nearly done and, when that's finished, I would expect other motive power to be used as well. I travelled on the Laverton extension last August and found it most enjoyable but there was not a proper second destination of course. It seemed to be well-patronised. Meanwhile, the next destination, Broadway, is coming on nicely as their website (steaming to Broadway) shows with Platform 1 close to completion and thoughts being given to Platform 2. Meanwhile, at Toddington, the space occupied by the old, small Dowty shed has been prepared for erection of a new 2 road diesel shed starting at the end of January. So, all in all, an eventful year planned for the GWSR with one common denominator for all this hard work - our money! So we all know what to do then!

 

Detailed announcement now posted under "latest news" on the GWR website. Detailing who is doing what and over what timescale. Main contractor is George Law who I think were the contractors for the work on the SVR in 2007 after their flood damage.

http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news.aspx

 

Great news! As I now live less than 1 hour away from the GWSR, I shall be looking forward to travelling on the Winchcombe-Laverton section for the first time later this year.

I hope 35006 won't be too delayed, for with 7903 coming out of ticket this year, by my reckoning this only leaves the two 2-8-0s, and with a longer run, I would guess that a two train service will be required after the slip is repaired, which does leave things a bit tight motive power-wise.

 

Magic! Might this news, coupled with the fact that another £170,000 needs to be raised, call for another NatPres donations drive? I'll start the ball rolling...tenner's on its way!