26038 TO BARRY

The Barry Rail Centre with the associated Barry Tourist Railway is a great place to test and commission a locomotive and we are pleased that Tom Clift has decided to bring his superbly restored 26038 to Barry. The quality of the overhaul that has been carried out on this loco makes it the best preserved diesel in the country in my book!
26038 arrived late last night behind 56312 which backed Tom's loco across the boundary of our main line connection. Waiting was our Class 73 loco 73118, which coupled on to 26038 and shunted it gently into our 5-road Barry Main Depot Shed.
At Barry, we have lots of dry storage, pits, workshop facilities for stabling and maintaining traction, rolling stock and rail borne plant. In addition to this we have two miles of running lines for test running and highly experienced, friendly helpful staff to assist. We are really looking forward to working with Tom and his team to iron out the last few remaining mechanical and electrical issues in undertaking a phased testing and commissioning process. This will involve running 26038 hauling 73118 as a test load in the early stages. 73118 would also be available to rescue the loco should there be any problems, which hopefully there won't be! As we run parallel with Network Rail on two sections of our running line, having 73118 available would enable 26038 to be brought back to shed to be attended to should an issue arise adjacent to the Network Rail lines.
As the testing and commissioning progresses, our GATEX stock or vacuum braked stock will be used both to test the train braking systems and of course provide an additional load. There should be some regular weekday running and I will try to keep forum members up to speed concerning this.
If all goes to plan we are hoping that 26038 will be fully commissioned and able to operate some service trains on the Barry Tourist Railway in early May prior to its scheduled 'tour' of other preserved lines this summer.
Whilst 26038 will not be ready to operate over the Easter Bank Holiday, we will be giving tours of the Main Depot Shed where it is kept along with 73118, Turkish 8F steam loco 45166 and the four remaining Barry Ten steam locos (92245, 44901, 2861 and 6686). We also give our passengers a brief history of Barry and the long gone scrapyard on the tour and point out important local historical buildings and landmarks.
Why not pay us a visit? Call 01446 748816 for more information or visit Home Page and follow the links to Barry Tourist Railway.
John Buxton

Here is a link to 26038 at Barry Main Depot: http://flic.kr/p/bH7Vbx

 

photos?

 

Nice one John, I might have to wander down and have a play...if they can spare me at Blaenavon.

regards
Alistair

 

You'd be most welcome Alistair!

In the meantime here is a link to 26038 at Barry Main Depot: 26038 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Kind Regards

John

 

That link is really well hidden! I wouldn't rely on that to bring in much business. I trust you'll post any 26038 workings on here as well?

Of course, it could always be lent to Ali G and friends at P and BR, they're a bit short of working diesels, and their gradients would give it a serious workout......

 

After undertaking a fibreglass repair to one of the cab roofs, we took 26038 for its second test run on the Barry Tourist Railway today. The loco performed very well, had lots of power with the diverts coming in at the right amperage to prevent damage to the traction motors. The brakes also worked very well.
An oil leak was fixed whilst we were out testing and a few other minor adjustments will be made over the next week before we undertake a further test run next Thursday. The loco is also to receive a good jet wash and the roof will be primed and painted over the next few weeks.
Things are looking favourable for the loco to haul its first passenger trains on 6th & 7th May on our railway, top and tailing with a class 73, with the 26 at the Barry Island end and so working up the grade.
The Barry Tourist Railway is proving to be a good testing ground for 26038 in readiness for the loco's appearance at the KWVR Gala.
John Buxton

 

26038 was top and tailing with 73118 on three GATEX coaches today as a test run for its planned and stock Sun / Mon, 6 / 7 May passenger debut. I wasn't able to be present at Barry today so missed the fun, but I gather that everything went well and the opportunity was taken to balance the air brake pressures and fix a few more small air and oil leaks. The locos ran on both of our routes viz. Barry Island to Gladstone Platform and the Waterfront. Just a few small jobs to do next Wednesday and all should then be ready for 26038's passenger debut in preservation.
John Buxton

 

Will it be running in the same formation as it was this week, ie with the Gatex driving trailer next to the 26? If so are there any opening windows on the trailer, so that we can hear the loco working? Otherwise we'll be a long way from it in the few opening windows of the air con Mk2s

 

Just to confirm that trains will run from Barry Island at 11.45am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May. Providing 26038 is passed out to run (as expected tomorrow), the loco will top and tail with 73118 on 2 GATEX coaches and the GLV. It is not possible to allow people to travel in the GLV for safety reasons but we are offering cab rides for an additional £5 one way so you can hear that lovely restored Sulzer engine at close quarters....or the EE lump in 73118 if that's your preference!
John Buxton

 

I am abroad at the moment but have just heard that 26038 is fit and ready to work our passenger trains on the Barry Tourist Railway this coming Sun 6th and Mon 7th May. Fingers crossed that all goes well on her maiden passenger turns in preservation...and just to note that this is the first time she has worked passenger train for 20 years - the last time was for BR in 1992 I believe!
We'll be running on both our routes (to The Waterfront (1 in 60 gradient!) and to the Gladstone Bridge Platform)
I'm coming back to the UK for this......See you at Barry?
John Buxton

 

Good to hear that both routes will be used; will all trains during the day cover both routes, or will alternate departures cover alternate branches (i.e. 11:45 goes down one branch, 13:30 goes down the other etc)?

Also, can you please let us know what the fares are? Many thanks!

 

Return Fares:

Adult £5
Child £3
Family (2 adults & 2 children) £12

All Day Rover Tickets:

Adults £8
Child £5

Cab rides available for £5 extra (one way)

Each train will cover both routes.

For more details of the Barry Tourist Railway, see our website on

www.barrytouristrailway.co.uk

Hope this helps

John Buxton

 

Just back at home after a great day driving at Barry!
Tom's 26038 worked really well all day and looked and sounded superb!
We had a little glitch at the start of the days service which was down to the 73 & GLV, and I must emphasise NOT the 26, but once solved (in 15 minutes), we ran all booked services.
I would like to say thank you to all those of you who came to support Tom and this event, especially this who came from afar. We didn't plan to run to Plymouth Road Platform today but as things were going well in the afternoon and we were a little ahead of time, we did run the last service into Plymouth Road. If all goes well tomorrow, we will try to run a couple more services to Plymouth Road.
I'm looking forward to another good day tomorrow! Even if it rains, the sound of that Sulzer engine will brighten things up!
John Buxton