4079 Pendennis Castle Overhaul

I apparently saw that train through Tackley with my, former Swindon Works employed, father sadly I have no recollection of it being not yet 2 at that stage. We went to Didcot together for the event to celebrate her home coming in 2000 and hopefully with a following wind (and no covid!) I can get to Didcot with him in the summer to see her again in his 85th year!

The Didcot blog is about her again this week https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/product.php/78/going-loco and looking for more info on John Gretton I found this https://www.macearchive.org/films/atv-today-30101974-steam-locomotive-pendennis-castle

 

Look at those beautiful polished tyres and cylinder head covers. That is how I remember it from Didcot in the 70s. Was that how it would have been in 1924?

 

It's probably a well-known story, but not to me: Why did 4079 go to Australia? And how did it come back?

Tom

 

She went because she was bought by Hamersley Iron of Western Australia to run excursions on their private lines - some 240 miles! And she came back because Hamersley Iron were no longer wanting to run her and presented her to the GWS.

https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/67/4079-pendennis-castle

 

Thanks Jim

Tom

 

Didn’t those at the top originally want a certain LNER A3? And 4079 was a bit of a secondary prize? This isn’t a dig at 4079 btw it’s just from what I’ve read about it’s move from various sources, and now the old grey matter seems to remember that perennial issue with GW loco’s gauging!
There was a fellow who I remember from my SVR days who recalled a few heads out of windows on the approach to Carnforth from Market Overton seeing if it would fit.

 

Judging from this:
It appears that blingy wheel rims, cylinder covers and smokebox door bosses were for other railway lines. I think the GWR relied on competent performance to get the attention

 

Judging from this:
It appears that blingy wheel rims, cylinder covers and smokebox door bosses were for other railway lines. I think the GWR relied on competent performance to get the attention[/QUOTE]

Please explain those lovely embellishments practiced by the shed master at Aberystwyth and his counterpart in Shropshire with Charlie Collett’s 78xx then

 

By boat, same way it got there in the first place

 

I cannot imagine that being an issue in Australia!

 

It's been confirmed that on 2 April, the official steaming day of Pendennis Castle at Didcot that the other Pendennis Castle will be in attendance - namely 57 604. I gather suitable photo opportunities of the 2 locos alongside each other will be arranged.

 

Just unearthed some 'snaps' (taken with my then 'camera of choice', my father's pre-war half-frame Zeiss Ikon baby box!) from the same day, including one of 6697 sitting in steam. It was my first visit to Didcot - I went with a couple of enthusiast masters, as a half-day 'release' from Pangbourne College, where I had just started as the only new boy that term. We watched the return working at Appleford Halt and, like everyone else, thought good-bye and that was that.

JS

 

I'm sure I've posted this before at Appleford , but worth another look. Definitely thought it would be the last I saw of it.

My second visit to Didcot come to think of it.


Scott

 

Nice picture Scott. Hanging out of the cab is Matey, aka the late Ray Towel, who at the time was the loco's caretaker.

Peter

 

Are those people on a veranda in the first coach?! Can't imagine that's a sight that would ever be allowed again on NR!

 

I think the Royal Scotsman has veranda car, not sure of the rules about using it though.

 

Running dates for Pendennis Castle:

• 2&3 April
• 15-18 April
• 30 April - 2 May

The above dates also feature Trojan and the Teddy Bear.

Info from: https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/93/locomotive-roster

 

The veranda is less of a problem than the fact it is a wooden bodied coach, I suspect. Exemptions have been made for some teak stock under very specific and strict guidelines in the modern day (e.g. the N2 plus teaks at King's Cross before) but older heritage stock on any mainline is becoming increasingly unlikely.

For the record, I would love to have a go in a Veranda coach on the british mainline. The veranda coaches on the WLLR are a particular delight and everyone should go and visit and experience that for an idea of the joy of seeing the rails behind and the scenery fadilling away...