Rolling Stock Movements

About a month or so back MK1 TSO 3440 moved from the glos warks to the ecclesbourne valley railway at wirksworth.

 

*4440

(A GWSR C+W volunteer)

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What condition is it in?

 

As I recall it has no interior fittings, seats frames etc. No idea about the body work as it was covered by a tarp during my time, it's still in blue and grey so hasn't been restored since BR. There's some evidence some restoration was started before being abandoned for reasons I know not, possibly discovery of asbestos but that's purely speculation.

It'll be a big job at any rate hence the decision to let it go as we couldn't see it getting to the top of the pile for many years.

 

MK1 GUV 86828 arrived at the GWSR from the CVR last week for spare parts and storage. Hopefully we'll give it a lick of paint next year if we can squeeze it in.

And today SK 25006 arrived from the Chasewater railway. We believe this is the oldest Mk1 in existence (unless anyone knows better?) This will be a full restoration in time, we're quite pleased to have this bit of history (if it is indeed the oldest).



It was rather dark by the time it finally landed. Bit of filler and it should be fine...

 

Still proudly wearing West Somerset Railway colours? And isn’t it 24006?

Robin

 

Whoops, yes it is - it was a long day faffing around, despite the significant incline downwards the coach still didn't want to roll off the trailer amongst other shenanigans!

And I presume it's still the WSR coat of paint - or what's left of it!

 

Good news (although quite a lot of work will doubtless be required and I know the C&W Dept have had considerable experience in this regard!) as this is probably the oldest BR Mk1 coach and certainly one of the last of the 1st batch, being built at Derby in 1951. The Chasewater livery looks a bit rough. I regret that I don't know anything about the Chasewater Railway so I'll have a Google. ( Having quickly googled and found their website I now know rather more than zero. An impressive collection of industrial steam & diesel locos which look to be in lovely condition, plus some interesting goods wagons and vans. Not really "BR Mk 1 country" then.)

 

Yes interesting railway, they've got a few pre-grouping coaches under very long term restoration which will probably fit in better, eventually. Meanwhile the future livery debate rages on Facebook, NatPres doesn't have a monotony on the subject!

Edit - Just noticed my Freudian slip, I think I'll leave it in.

 

Nice to have a historically interesting vehicle. Isn't one of the issues with very early Mark 1s, though, that the window frames were very prone to leaking, an issue that was to a degree designed out in later vehicles?

Tom

 

This has had the window modifications so it is no longer flush glazed. Much as the historic aspect of the coach appeals to us, I doubt we'll be backdating this particular aspect! It does have an early arrangement of light fittings I'm told, although I'm not up to speed on what they are.

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Why did the WSR dispose of it?

 

No doubt @Aberdare could give us a definitive answer, but a combination of repair cost, coupled with the fact it is an SK not a TSO means that it would always be at the back of the queue for traffic desirability on the WSR.

Robin

 

Does the WSR still run DMU Trailer cars in it's trains?

 

On the SVR the SK's are very popular with families who cry " Just like Harry Potter" when they see them. Maybe these days, Harry Potter is more relevant to heritage railways and their markets than Thomas.

 

Only between DMU power cars!

Maybe.

But after 8 couples / family groups have occupied the coach, other regard it as ‘full’, whereas a TSO loads better.

Robin

 

Indeed, which is why we quite like a mix. We couldn't really justify buying the SK from the railway's budget so a couple of members keen on it bought it instead.

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Has the NRM at Shildon just acquired a SEACOW Ballast Hopper?
Had a report that 982596 has been seen in the yard.

 

Chassis 162588 (LMS registered tank wagon chassis) has moved from Foxfield to GCR (arrived 14/12/17), previously grounded Shocvan body B850498 has been lifted onto it and the whole ensemble will ultimately be restored as another van for the railway’s van train. It won’t have actual shock absorbing equipment apparently but will be made to resemble the right thing.


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Anyone in the Oswestry area last Thursday may have seen a Grampus depart Llynclys Junction for storage pending onward movement to a new home in the New Year (hopefully...)