D1015 'Western Champion'

From the Diesel Electic Group. <BJ>

NEWS and UPDATES. 17/11/2012

''If all goes to plan D1015 will move under it's own power from Tyseley to Old Oak Common on Thursday 22nd November. This is the last phase of a 2 and a half year overhaul which should see D1015 return to traffic in Spring 2013''.

 

Are the Westerns any good? I confess I've never seen one in action. :behindsofa:

 

Well they're quite good looking for a 'box.

 

I've seen them described as 'honorary' steam engines along with Deltics, I'm sure this upsets a few people. Suffice it to say as far as paraffin cans go they rank pretty highly for those of this following (that includes me, I like anything on rails, kettles, paraffin cans or toast racks/transformers - the lot, home and abroad).
My parents used to take my sister and I to Dawlish Warren for our annual 2 weeks holidays during the 1960's (very enlightened, my parents!). For a train spotter from Lancashire this was seventh heaven, sat up on Langstone Rock you could tell the hydraulic's a mile away from their high pitched drone. We saw the last steam in 1962 + 1963 along with the then brand new Westerns, Warships and Hymeks. 1964 saw steam banned west of Exeter, 1965 even the Southern stuff had finished, the wonderful place that was Exmouth Junction shed on the Sunday was no more.
Wonderful train rides to Plymouth featured every year, head hanging out of the first door window behind the loco for maximum effect, much to the dis-approval of my mother. Even more so because my father was doing the same on the opposite side of the carriage (LOL).
Westerns/diesel hydraulics for me have that extra something, as do Deltics, probably the noise, unusual and plenty of it.
Sorry for the nostalga rant, will be looking forward to D1015's return, got a cracking photo of it leaving Bolton on the last (terminal) run.

 

Yep, that pretty much sums it up for me, although I have a soft spot for the Peaks too on the Sheffield - London's and cross-country' services. DH's meant holidays which also helped. I've some old pics somewhere of Warships at Barnstaple and Ilfracombe.

 

I think the appeal of the Hydraulics (Western's, Warships, Hymek's, class 14's) is that although they appeared well into BR ownership as steam was on the way out, they could be regarded as "Great Western" in character in doing things differently to the other regions, when they went, the Western Region lost most of it's individuality(and character) in motive power terms.

That and a 52 has yet to be surpassed in the Diesel loco looks stakes.

 

I look forward to seeing it oop 'ere, maybe over the S&C, see what they are made of. :wink:

 

Even though I have GWR blood, for me its Deltics in 1st place, Westerns a very close second. Not sure why though. I guess for me (given beauty is in the eye of the beholder) the Deltics just look slightly more elegant and powerful - a bit like the face of a proud stately-looking Mastiff or Spaniel dog.......Do you get what I mean, or am I getting my coat?....

 

I think livery helps the Deltics to a certain extent, the two tone green with small yellow panels and Finsbury Park white cab looks the business, the Hymeks carried something similar and were equally attractive before corporate blue arrived.

 

All noise and no grunt with a tendency to fail?

 

As a 70/30 Steam/Diesel enthusiast, Westerns are right up there in my favourite diesels list, along with Warships, Hymeks, Deltics and Peaks. Lovely sound - I'll always remember D1062 replatforming a 8-coach set from 1 to 2 at Bridgnorth. Loco at the north end, propel out south up the gradient and round the curve and then pull back in. I was in the box right by the loco as she went for it. Cor!!!

 

Interesting article in December's Railway Magazine on Westerns concerning the design team. According to Adrian Curtis the author, Sir Misha Black was responsible only in part for the work as head. The actual work is now accredited to one of his team, John Beresford-Evans. This also included work on D800/E5000/E3001. Well worth the short read for hydraulic historians.

 

I wanted 1015 on my wedding train Brian... wish I had now!!

Anyway yes they are good... very good...

 

That Stu is because you are a very astute fella, you can recognise a "superior" bit of kit when you see it. Our Deltics on the ECML were the Concordes of their day. eep: I'll reserve judgement on your Westerns 'til I've seen em up here. :madgrin:

 

Aah, we didn't do bad that day Nick. We enjoyed it.

 

Western on the S&C? Where were you Victor!

Western Cumbria | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

:redface: :redface: :redface: Ah, well, yes, It's like this you see............I don't know.:redface:

But it looks well in that photo. How did it do, did it survive our hills with all those carden shafts spinning round? :evil:

 

It survived the north perfectly well. It was the ECS in the south afterwards that broke it.

 

It's been over the Highland Maine Line and to Kyle successfully enough, Westerns have hills for breakfast.