Toddington update - Chcken Curve slip

Headed to the GWSR today for their DMU service from Toddington (steam starts from Winchcombe on Good Friday). Trains seemed reasonably full, the GWSR needs all the money they can get right now, but it was good to see some trains running again after so long.
A few quick snaps, nothing amazing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/totally-transport/sets/72157626288701197/
Any help in identifying the particular types of DMUs in the shots is most appreciated! (Sorry, I'm not that good a DMUs!)

 

You're first shot is 51365 - Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second from the Plym Valley Railway
Shots 3-8 are 51407 - Class 117 Driving Motor Second from the Plym Valley Railway
The last one is 51339 - Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second, ex Barry Island Railway

All are Pressed Steel built and were 3-car sets originally.

Hope this info helps and was the kind you were after

 

Thanks for that, I shall now update the captions accordingly!

 

Steam services all on course to recommence this coming friday over the repaired Gotherington slip and into Cheltenham Race Course Station, the first train for over a year! GWR 2807 expected to do the honours for the first week or so then 45160 taking over. 7903 Foremark Hall is at toddington undergoing reaasembly after axlebox and hornguide overhaul and is expected to do some running in on friday up to Laverton. She will then join the other two engines at Winchcombe very soon.
At Winchcombe a new Mess coach facility has been created and a 9m long pit constructed all since the start of the new year. We have also extended our footplate courses and now offer a saturday course at a more affordable cost. See the link http://www.gwsr.com/enthusiasts/firing-and-driving-courses/drive-a-steam-loco.aspx

 

Just to remind everyone that Steam will return to the Cotswolds tomorrow, with the start of the steam service between Cheltenham and Winchcombe. Please come and run on a railway that hasn't operated for over a year!

Stephen

 

News item and some early pictures here

Once again thanks from everyone at the GWR for all the support we have had over the last year or so. We are getting there!!

Steve
GWSR webmaster

 

Steve, do you happen to know how near you are to raising the £20k or so you need for the initial technical survey at Chicken Curve?

 

I believe this sholuld be done within the next month or so.

Stephen

 

I travelled from Winchcombe to CRC yesterday - trains seemed fairly busy. Unfortunately 2807 faces north, so photo opportunities are limited.

 

Re: Toddington update - VCT to aid fundraising

The Vintage Carriages Trust's locomotive, "BELLEROPHON" is currently on loan to the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway at Ludborough - a place WELL worth visiting after seeing them in action yesterday.

Lincs Wolds are going to donate the proceeds of their operation on May Day Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May, to the G & WR appeal fund and as part of that, VCT have agreed to donate the steaming fee for "BELLEROPHON" to the fund as well.

This is a good example of the smaller organisations in the preservation world being able to help our larger brethren and we are pleased to be able to assist even if only in a small way.

Ludorough is a good place to spend some time - their train services are hourly and as they don't have run-rounds at either end of their line, they run each way with different motive power. This weekend they were running a combination of "Jinty" 47404; "BELLEROPHON" and a pair of Peckett 0-4-0ST's each running one way, then being replaced by another loco. The atmosphere was great, obviously helped by the brilliant sunshine, but do try and visit them next Monday as by doing so you're also helping the G & WR!

Ian Smith
Committee member, VCT

 

The bore holes are being drilled now.

http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news/chicken-curve-update.aspx

Chelt Rail

 

I've finally put my money where my mouth is and stumped up to join the 300 club. Gwsr have done some fantastic worm so far, so I thought it was important I do my bit to. It doesn't need that many people to stump up a grand for the second slip to be sorted.

Geoff

 

Too many of them pesky worms and they'll have another landslip!

 

great news, someone has donated £100,000 to the landslip appeal http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-new...y-appeal-–-and-more-railways-offer-help!.aspx

 

This is wonderful news; we aren't there yet but with people supporting the GWR like this from everywhere with donations large and small then things will get fixed much sooner rather than later. I went to the GCR Gr8 Escape and support for the GWR from people there was quite amazing. Great to see 2807 helping out of course. Fantastic!

 

Fascinating video of a live slip in the US (?)

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=59e_1304374348

At least Chicken Curve hasn't got a river running through it.

 

Special train on the SVR today hauled by "Erlestoke Manor" complete with "Cornishman" headboard and GWR stock. Chap running the Glos-Warks sales stand on the concourse at Kidderminster SVR said that the special was fully booked, so should have raised some useful money.

46118

 

A Quick Update. Geo-tech survey and bore holes completed, the plc board are hoping to have the results back next week. THis will then allow us to prepare tender documents and get contractor quotes. Indications are that due to the tender process and such like it could be october at the earliest before work starts. We are all obviously hoping it will allow us to re-open the full 12 miles before the summer 2012 gets underway. The appeal fund currently tops £650k. Thankyou for all your help. Once the board are in posession of the full costs a final push for funds will be announced.

 

Excellent coverage of the Echills Wood miniature steam event today on the teatime ITV Central regional news, including interviews with Pete Waterman and a gent whose name escapes me from the GWR, both emphasising the need to raise the money to repair the embankment slip at Chicken curve and reconnect the line.
Some good footage of steam operation on the GWR supplied to ITV, but a slight negative was that there was only a somewhat blurred still shot of the actual embankment slip.

In terms of fund raising, the sun was shining and the miniature trains looked packed!

 

The sun shone when the cameras were out, but by god, it rained at other times.

We did however seem to have a hardy bunch of passengers, who just kept riding despite the weather, which was nice.