On 1st May 2021 the oldest working GWR loco returned to passenger carrying duties at Didcot Railway Centre. No. 1340 “Trojan” is an 0-4-0 saddle tank built by Avonside Locomotive Co of Bristol in 1897. It started life on the Newport Docks, which were transferred to the Great Western in 1923 as part of the… Read More The oldest GWR loco in service
Just found some excellent images of Leominster’s Elevated Signal Box. The station is now a shadow of its former self, with just 2 platforms, and a part time ticket office. It once had 5 platforms – 2 mainline & 3 branchline – for the East & West bound branch lines lines to Bromyard, Worcester &… Read More Leominster’s elevated signal box
I found an envelope of old GWR papers at a recent car boot. Accident reports & letters from/to the Great Western Railway regarding staff injuries. Mostly dated about 1927. I’ll scan and post more soon, however this one stuck out. “With regard to injury… in handling lard” . Thankfully it’s not a problem we encounter… Read More Beware of Lard
The project to build the 81st ‘Grange’ class GWR 4-6-0 is moving along rapidly, with a hydraulic test expected on the boiler in the next few weeks. The Great Western Railway built 80 Granges, none survived the end of steam. The locos were reported to be popular with crews and reliable performers. In 1998 the… Read More Betton Grange, almost in steam
The SVR Autumn Gala features goods trains and all night running of passenger trains. Due to a few operational issues the goods ended up waiting, as just like in steam days, passengers had priority over general goods. This one ended up sitting in Bewdley station as the light faded. Thanks for reading. Please like and… Read More More Autumn Gala
Coming shortly – a mostly rail-centred blog, with some transport issues thrown in. No doubt my early memories of the numerous oil trains running past my garden to the Thame depot had an influence, until we moved away just before my 5th birthday. I watched the tracks being lifted through Winchcombe some years later, and… Read More The Journey Begins
