Crewe

Two engine frames have just left Crewe on Alleys trucks.

 

When u say Crewe where about have they left from? Due to bridges in the area they often can look like they are leaving only to return back if they are just moving between the old diesel depot and HC. Have you got anymore info?

 

Waterman delivery for Peak Rail ???

 

Came out of the horse landings to the main road and turned left towards Nantwich.

 

Had a report of 35022 going into the LNWR Heritage Company workshops today but not of anything departing.

 

Wish I'd took a photo now. If it helps both frames looked the same so same type of loco and in need of overhaul !

 

If they both looked identical the only thing I can think of is JHs two Merchant navys coming down from Rileys to Crewe. Can't see why they would be leaving the DMD tho. Unless they have gone to the heritage centre after realising there wasn't space at the DMD?

 

What happened to the NG16 Garratt he was supposed to be overhauling?

 

That is quite possible as the only real destination if they turned left is towards the heritage centre.

 

The eye witness report I received was of 35022 on a low-loader turning into the drive to the new workshop (former DMD).

With regard to the heritage centre, how much of a presence does the London & North Western Railway Heritage Company have their now? The only connected locomotive that appears to still be present (correct me about status and location if I am wrong) is WD 0-6-0ST HE 3777/1952 "68030". That being said one of the recently acquired Railfilms carriages, Mark II FO 3188, was pictured there a week or so ago,

 

The NG16 is now at Dinas

Cheers Dave

 

With regard to how much of a presence LNWR Heritage have at the Crewe Heritage Centre, they still occupy the boiler shop and the corrugated building alongside the main exhibition hall but no longer have part of the exhibition hall itself. They also have a small industrial 0-4-0 diesel shunter, plus the Cowans Sheldon rail crane and a small number of other rail vehicles on site. The WD 0-6-0ST and red CCT van are due to depart soon for a new home. This should then leave only locos belonging to the Crewe Heritage Trust, Class 03, Class 47 (D1842/47192), Class 87 and APT plus the Crewe diesel Group's Class 47 (47712) and the Class 37 Group's locomotive and support vehicle.

 

So the diesel shed has become a steam shed, and the steam museum has become a diesel museum..

 

The LNWR Facebook noted the departure of the 4F a little while back as the last completed overhaul at the site and said LNWR are now only working on boilers there.

 

Crewe Heritage Centre was never intended to be purely a steam museum but more of a general heritage centre for the town of Crewe, with railways as one aspect of its history, albeit the larger portion, with emphasis on signaling with the presence on site of two of Crewe's signal boxes. Hence the displays on the towns buildings and other industries such as Rolls Royce and Bentley, and in recent years Whitby Morrison vehicles. Whilst it is intended to continue to host visiting main line locomotives, there will be the opportunity to have a large locomotive on display in the main exhibition hall in the coming years and there are several options being looked into at the present time.

 

Thanks 'Wadebridge' for your various clarifications and updates regarding the current situation.

Crane ADRC96719 is thus presumably an asset of the LNWR Heritage Company rather than the LNWR Heritage Trust and as such has passed to Mr Hosking. Presumably it will stay at the heritage centre and be used for lifting boilers etc arriving / departing the workshop by road.

The telegraphic code 'CCT' is and was used in various different ways to describe both 4-whl, 6-whl and bogied vans. It would be very interesting if a number can be put to the 'maroon' 'CCT' to depart shortly. Is it:-

1) 4-whl 94429 http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=3150

2) bogied 86253 http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=2122

both of which could be described as maroon.

A third bogied 86568 http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=2133 is presumably still blue.

A haulier recently mentioned moving a 'cattle van' from the Heritage Centre to Peak Rail. I am not sure what was being referred to so it is possible that one of the three above may have already left. Confirmation / clarification would be welcomed.

Has the 0-6-0ST 'Austerity' departed yet?

 

My apologies for the delay in responding but this is the current status of the various non passenger coaching stock vehicles at the Heritage Centre is as follows;

1) 4 wheel 94429 is shortly to be moved to the Churnet Valley Railway.

2) Bogied 86253 now carries BR(S) Green livery with Okehampton Car Carrier roof boards and is owned by the Exeter West Group.

3) Bogied 86568 retains BR Blue livery and is owned by LNWR Heritage.

The 0-6-0ST departed on Tuesday May 24th and should now be at the Churnet Valley Railway.

The 'cattle van' probably refers to the GWR Fruit D Van which was part of the Waterman Heritage Trust collection and was amongst the early departures for Peak Rail.

 

Many thanks Wadebridge for your detailed and very informative response to my recent queries. These have been very much appreciated.

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