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25 year bash for the GWR 175?

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by London Midland Guard, May 4, 2009.

  1. London Midland Guard

    London Midland Guard New Member

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    In 2010 it'll be 25 years since the 175 celebrations of the Great Western Railway. What are the chances of the National Railway Musuem York allowing 6000 KGV to travel (via road) to Didcot and the group who own KEI to take their loco to also to Didcot line up with KEII ? And maybe get a great gathering of GWR locomotives like all the operational Castles, Manors, Halls to Didcot for one massive long week of GWR Celebrations? Bring along City of Truro and Loade Star to!

    On a side note, could 6000 steam again? and is City of Truro Network Rail certified? I understand the logic behind leaving Loade Star in York out of the way as it reportedly has the orginal Swindon paint on it, but 6000?

    London Midland Guard.
     
  2. ovbulleid

    ovbulleid Member

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    when you say GWR 175, 25 years on, surely that would be called GWR 200?
     
  3. London Midland Guard

    London Midland Guard New Member

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    Well............Yes 'GWR 200' would be alot better than GWR 175 + 25! #-o \:D/

    LMG.
     
  4. gz3xzf

    gz3xzf Member

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    Tell me if I am singing from the wrong hymn sheet, but surely next year will be GWR175; 2035 will be GWR200? 8-[
     
  5. Roobarb

    Roobarb New Member

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    Yes indeed, next year will be GWR 175. (Unless I missed 25 years since last involved in a GWR anniversary).
     
  6. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    This is confusing because the GWR 150 was celebrated in 1985? #-o <BJ>
     
  7. London Midland Guard

    London Midland Guard New Member

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    So I was right to start with then? ](*,)

    London Midland Guard.
     
  8. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Truro was restored to mainline standards but believe it lacks OTMR currently, unfortunatly i very much doubt KGV will steam again, theres already one, soon to be two duplicates operating, plus if you wanted to go mainline it would need the drastic height reduction surgery that 6024 had, can't see the NRM being keen to hack off the chimney and safety valves.
     
  9. London Midland Guard

    London Midland Guard New Member

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    Didnt it run DIT into NRM a few months ago after coming up from Swindon ? But they did removed the safety valve cover and something else.

    LMG.
     
  10. MrHillingdon

    MrHillingdon Well-Known Member

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    6000 won't be going by road to Didcot as the site doesn't have any road access.
    I believe the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway are planning a bit of a bash next year to mark the anniversary.

    Regards,

    Paul
     
  11. London Midland Guard

    London Midland Guard New Member

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    Quite correct, not directly anyway. Isnt there a place calle Milton or something a little way towards Swindon on some industrial estate.

    The locomotive would go via Rail from NRM to the Loading/unloaded site at York then Road to Milton then Rail to Didcot.

    Good on the G/WR but it isnt really Didcot is it?

    LMG.
     
  12. Ann Clark

    Ann Clark Member

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    No you were not. 2010 should be GWR 175. 1985 + 25 = 2010.

    Ann
     
  13. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    That move was by low loader, surely would of been some pics if it had been by rail, the Swindon Works/Museum site is no longer rail connected.
     
  14. London Midland Guard

    London Midland Guard New Member

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    The locomotive ran on NR to NRM York. Not all the way from Swindon of course Swindon works lost it rail connection how many years ago?

    Anyway could it happen/would it happen and if not why ?

    LMG.
     
  15. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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  16. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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  17. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    GW 150 was in 1985 so 2010 is GW 175.

    As for a gathering at Didcot, although the loco depot is a good setting, the problems (& cost) of getting visiting locos/stock in & out of this site are likely to be greater here than almost any GW relevant preservation site/line you can think of (except for the minimal number of items which are in current NR registration & could arrive/depart by rail).
     
  18. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    but as with everything in life where there is a will there is a way
     
  19. London Midland Guard

    London Midland Guard New Member

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    My initial thinking that 1985 was the 175yrs since the GWR was formed throw me out for the 2010 bit. 1985 GWR150 I remember all the books now #-o #-o #-o

    The whole thing is a big no then.

    Apart from the G/WR thing are the SVR/WSR planning anything?

    How about getting 3802 or 3803 on the mainline with 80 4 wheelers and a toad ? =D>

    LMG.
     
  20. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    Nobody is saying that the whole thing (ie a GW 175 celebration or 2) is a no but some of the ideas being floated here are hairbrained & show a basic lack of knowledge about the modern railway scene.

    Many things have changed since 1985 both on the National Network & the heritage scene. In particular any National Network involvement is much more onerous now than in 1985. This makes transfer of exhibits to a site such as Didcot where rail transfer is the only way considerably more difficult than it was in 1985.

    Some things have changed for the better - there are far more items of restored stock now than in 1985.

    There are also now far more Gala type events chasing a relatively small (and possibly diminishing) enthusiast following whilst the key heritage railways now make most of their turnover from joe non enthusiast public - would an expensive one off celebration now attract enough paying visitors to underwrite its considerable cost & is there an organisation willing to take the risk involved as well a putting in considerable time to organise it? - remember BR themselves took quite a part in the 1985 celebrations.

    I think the best celebration you can hope for is a couple of good GW themed galas on established GW orientated lines/sites where a good core of GW items are already on site & there is sufficient budget to import more.
     

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