GWSR General Discussion and Operations

That ageing demographic does also pose dangers for the host railway when that "private group owned" stalwart of the locomotive fleet then comes up for disposal, great if it gets donated to the host railway, but what if that is not the case and it then goes on the open market - can the host railway afford to buy it, if not its then lost to the host?

My question is what planning is being done by those host railways to retain use of such locos - I'm thinking of buying into those groups for say a controlling share (or even ensuring enough shares are donated), first refusal on any sale agreements etc. etc.

 

The weather keeps deteriorating our running in boards. They are made of a large sheet of ply with a moulding round it, and plywood letters. They seem to last 5 years, then you start again. You can't get wood of the quality the GWR used.

I have assembled enough original 12 inch cast letters to have replicas cast in Aluminium as a first step. What do other GWR people do to achieve more durability for their running in boards, while keeping them authentic (-looking)?

 

Have you tried using resin-impregnated plywood?

Andy

 

Or waterproof MDF (medite tricoya). Can be immersed in water without damage.

Bob.

 

Ordinary Ply is not really suitable for permanent use outside. Try Marine Ply which should last for decades if properly painted. After all they build boats with it !

Pine treated (tanalised) to Class 3 or 4 will also last a very long time, especially if painted. Readily available from your local building supplies merchant.

Mike

 

Middleton has used it for painted coach panels for a few years now and seems to be living up to all that is claimed of it. Certainly a lot better than plywood if the edges are protected from damage (as it is relatively soft.) As for timber framework, why not use Pitch Pine? About three time the price of the bog standard stuff but does the job.

 

You can get the quality of wood the GWR used. You just need to look in the right places (not somewhere like B and Q). With marine ply the types of glue that are used are designed to be soaked in water. With ordinary ply it isn't so when it gets wet the glue holding the layers together comes apart and it all starts to break up. There is different types of marine ply too at different costs. Look for something where all the layers are hardwood not just the outer layers.

I have got mine from Timbet http://www.timbmet.com/ so you can see on their website what they have. Consider also the resin-impregnated plywood although that might still not like it if the edges get wet.

For the wood for the frames, better to go for hardwood than softwood if you want it to last outside. Probably Sapele would be the best choice. I get all my hardwood from http://oscarwindebank.co.uk/ which is near Chippenham in Box (next to Box tunnel.)
The advantage of them is that you can wander round their yard and look at what you want and select the exact bits you want in the dimensions you want and they will happily move a pile with their forklift if you cant access a piece. They also have offcuts in the building where the office is which are individually priced with chalk and marked with the type of timber. I would go for something like Sapele as Oak still rots. Timbet stock all this too but you have to tell them what you want and they go and get it. Timber usually comes in 1", 2" 3" thick etc and a variety of widths so you need to work out what you need before you go and they will either deliver or cut it for you so you can get it in your car. You should check any bits you get are straight, not twisted and free from any splits.
Not sure what you have access to woodworking wise but ideally you need a sawbench and a thicknesser to cut it to the sizes you want.

 

I would also consider Idigbo as a timber as it is now a prime choice for doors/ door linings and window frames. Fairly cheap. Not much movement and easy to work with hand tools and kind to machinery.

 

Thanks, guys, I will forward this to our guys making the running in boards. Very helpful indeed.

 

I visited the railway on Friday last for the diesel gala, and although I've been to the line many times it was the first time since they have extended to Broadway and I have to say I was truly impressed with the standard of work, the station building looked superb to me also the coaches seamed in much better repair than the last time I visited, truly well done all

 

Overheard an interesting conversation on the platform at Toddington this morning: one person saying to a volunteer in a rather accusatory way: "Are you new here? *I've* never seen you before." Said volunteer was able to list off their CV demonstrating several years of commitment to various departments of the railway. It seemed like an odd conversation to be having in public.

(I was tempted to introduce myself, because I suspected I could identify the Nat Pres member from the given CV)

 

Seems a very strange thing to ask? I would have thought that any extra help would be more than welcomed , had some one been out in the sun too long

 

http://gwrboardroom.blogspot.com/2018/08/passenger-numbers-to-end-of-july.html
Although this summer hasn't been ideal for visiting some UK heritage railways, given the very high temperatures and the associated discomfort sitting in non-aircon stock or standing on baking hot platforms, the above link gives details of the massive increase in passenger numbers since the re-opening of Broadway Station at Easter (when the weather was cold and wet!). It's early days yet of course and no doubt the "Broadway Effect" will ease off after a while, but its great to see such an upsurge in traffic, and the income generated is sorely needed. Work is also continuing at Broadway of course and an old weighbridge hut is being rescued from Usk station site and being brought back to Winchcombe for rebuilding (I know the original is at Winchcombe and already restored but this one will go elsewhere on site!)
http://haylesabbeyhalt.blogspot.com/2018/08/no-doughnuts-at-usk.html

 

Some volunteers seem to get like this. Probably because they like feeling self-important.

 

It was a bit odd, I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to say! AFAIK he wasn't a volunteer, just a member. People being surprised at how long I've been a volunteer is fine (I like to joke I can get my retiree pass at 24!) But I was somewhat baffled by his apparent indignation that he hadn't seen me before, I'm here enough thanks!

 

Being young doesn't help here as people assume you haven't been around for long when in fact you can be the most senior person around.

 

We didn't think he sounded like a volunteer, but we were hiding in the waiting room at the time.

Almost all the volunteers we spoke to all day were very friendly and helpful; going through the train to warn people about short platforms, for example. It was nice too to be able to use the first class compartments for no extra cost. On the other hand, I have to admit I didn't think that the extension was a particularly interesting ride, especially when sitting on the western side of the train. The ticket price seemed rather expensive compared to other railways, and it felt as if the timetable had a lot of "padding" in it to extend the round trip time to three hours - even with the adjusted times, trains from Broadway seemed to be pulling into Toddington five minutes early and then having to wait 20 minutes for their departure. It was pretty poor, too, that the booking office clerk gave us a printed timetable without telling us that the timetables have been modified since it was printed! Luckily I'd seen a warning on the website already.

 

Each to their own of course, but I think the line to Broadway is quite scenic, certainly after Laverton. Everyone has their own opinions on fares of course, but our commercial department very closely monitor the fares on other heritage railways, and I note for instance that our prices are very similar to the GCR, which is a shorter railway and IMHO has slightly less to do both on and off the railway than us, and a few quid cheaper than the SVR which seems about right to me.

There has been lots of discussions about timetables, and yes you're right, no one likes hanging about, passengers or staff, and this should be reflected in next year's timetables.

 

The SVR costs £21 on the day. Today at Toddington my companion was charged £23 for a day rover...which is odd because your website says the price should be £18. I think I will send a letter of complaint.