Oswestry Update

Good news. But what is happening with the Railway's resident Barclay? I know it was having some work done on it over the winter, but does this imply that it's not going to be ready at all this season, or is this a "belt and braces" move?

Thanks

Steve B

 

The work, including retubing, was over running. Best to have a belt and braces approach to enable time out of service for maintenance. The availability of steam at Oswestry is still progressing.

 

Work has started on preparing Henry for the weekend. Photo from the CHR Facebook page.

 

I know not everyone appreciates Facebook but there is a short clip of the test of Henry Ellison at Oswestry
https://m.facebook.com/cambrianheritagerailways/

Just to add that we are trying to accommodate the strong demand for the opening weekend and extra services have been added.

 

There is also a clip atWeston by the Stonehouse Brewery on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cbu_Vn7gtc0/?utm_medium=share_sheet

 

And here is Dave's photo of goings-on at Weston.

 

Is that name new? Can't recall seeing it before...!

 

As 73129 it carried that name. I don't know if it was named as E6036

 

No it wasn't. No 73s were named until the early 1980s by which time they all had been re-numbered in the 73xxx series. 73101 and 73142 were the first two to be named, if my memory serves me correctly in 1981/2. 73129 was certainly named by June 1984 (it also had crests under the nameplate, which seem to have disappeared), by which time 73121 and 73123 were also named.

I hope this helps

 

I remember when I first saw 73101, then still named Brighton Evening Argus, newly decked out in Pullman finery, for the recreated Brighton Belle (at Brighton), more moons ago than I care to recall.

When I asked Chris Greene (who was on the concourse, without bodyguards!) why the indicator board merely announced 'Special Service', he told me it was cheaper to repaint the loco than modify the indicator board.

The colour in the image of E6036 looks just as I remember the class ..... for the first couple of months out of the paint shop, at any rate!

Lovely to see steam at Oswestry. Pity the only way we could see a Cambrian design in use would be to build one from scratch.

 

Today is the day! Official ceremonial for the reopening. Our specially invited guests will declare Weston station open this afternoon and wave away the special train from the new platform. Tomorrow the first public services start.

 

Official Opening

 

What a fantastic achievement! There must be so many happy people........Well Done to All concerned.

 

Public services start today. Henry Ellison is rearing to go and is already moving around the station. I am told there are one or two places during the day for any last minute passengers wanting to travel. Availability really is limited but you may just be lucky.

 

I got lucky. After the Branch Line Society trip to Nantmawr, I dropped in on the off chance and am sat on 144006 waiting for my return trip to Weston.

And, specially for the benefit of @Victor, that’s my 2nd Pacer of the day!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Not my video, but very enjoyable view of the full journey.

 

So goof to see after all these years, must make a trip

 

I had a visit to Oswestry on Saturday and had a nice chat to several of their volunteers. I was impressed with not just the quality of the work at Weston but also the neatness of the area (Knowing how much work has been done there recently I was expecting to see a few remnants of the work, but all was neat and tidy).



PS. Details and updated photos of Locos can be seen at http://www.heritage-railways.com/locosdb/locos.php
(Just search for location: Cambrian)

 

From the website. Trains now available for booking on operating days.

 

Nice to see Oswestry is "Blossoming" ilvaportsta. !