Main Line 163

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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE FRIENDS OF THE GREAT CENTRAL MAIN LINE

MainLine Issue 163 | Summer 2015

£3.00

In this issue:

Witherslack Hall

A Jinty Journey Woodford Halse Shed

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Forthcoming Events on the GCR

A programme of seasonal festivities on the GCR June

5th to 7th - 1940s Wartime Weekend Re-enactors, military vehicles, mock battles and steam trains as the GCR transforms itself into the 1940s era.

10th

- Maharaja Express Salim’s Indian Restaurant staff will swap their stationary kitchen for a galley on the move as they bring some Eastern flavour to the Great Central Railway

13th & 14th - Woodford 50th Anniversary Commemoration Commemorating the closure of the GCR’s locomotive shed at Woodford Halse. Two 9Fs in steam!

19th to 21st - The GCR Model Event The model railway event of the year. Over 60 layouts and 40 traders across all four stations. All scales and gauges and real steam trains too!

21st - Fathers Day Lunch Treat the man in your life to a relaxing lunch as you glide through the Charnwood countryside.

July

10th - Murder Mystery Dining - Full Stop Murder 11th & 12th - Diesel Running Weekend A chance to clock up the miles on our vintage traction.

18th & 19th - Classic Commercial Vehicle Weekend See the giants of the open road as we move back in time. And, of course, see the giants of the iron road.

24th - Murder Mystery Dining - The Last Connection

28th to 30th - Teddy Bears’ Holiday Express Meet Billy and Beatrice for a family fun packed event.

August

4th to 6th & 11th to 13th - Teddy Bears’ Holiday Express Many more chances to meet Billy and Beatrice in the fun packed event for all the family.

7th - Murder Mystery Dining - Awayday to Murder 14th - Murder Mystery Dining - The Going is Fatal 8th & 9th - Miniature Steam Weekend Steam Traction Engines, Road Rollers, Threshers and Saw Benches in miniature and all in action at Quorn & Woodhouse.

16th - Morris Minor Day See the Morris Minors at Quorn & Woodhouse as a reminder of the way of road travel of yesteryear.

28th - Spanish Evening - Luxury Dining in the Spanish Style 29th to 31st - Meet Peppa and George Meet Peppa and brother George in an entertainment for all the family.

September

5th & 6th - Diesel Gala Clock up the miles behind our classic diesel traction.

11th - Murder Mystery Dining - Full Stop Murder 12th & 13th - Sci Fi Weekend A weekend for the weird and wonderful world of Science Fiction.

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY

LOVATT HOUSE, 3 WHARNCLIFFE ROAD, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1SL General Enquiries Telephone: Loughborough (01509) 632 323 Fax: Loughborough (01509) 632 366 Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk email: booking_office@gcrailway.co.uk 2 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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ISSUE 163 SUMMER 2015 ISSN 0264-7028

MainLine From the Chairman Contents From the Chairman Editorial From the Managing Director EGM & AGM Notices Bridge to the Future STEM Projects on the GCR Stations Report Carriage & Wagon Chronicle PWay Progress In the Box S&T Report Mountsorrel Branch GCR Class 2 No.567 Steam Locomotive News Witherslack Hall Building No.2007 ‘Prince of Wales’ A Jinty Journey Diesel Locomotive News Full Steam Ahead at Greenacres Volunteer Coordinator Volunteering at the GCR Woodford Locomotive Shed News from the Line Area Group News Through the Letterbox

4 6 7 9 12 15 19 30 38 39 40 42 45 47 56 60 62 64 70 73 74 76 84 93 95

Andy Fillingham, Chairman, Friends of the Great Central Main Line I was recently fortunate to take a break over Easter in a holiday cottage and after some (expensive!) negotiations with Charlotte, gained agreement to visit the local heritage railway for a day out and travel along the line.

So whilst passing said railway in the latter half of the afternoon prior to our visit we dropped in to check times, have a cup of tea and to see if there were any steam engines for young son James (and his dad) to see.

There was. A very nice Black 5 locomotive and train arrived at the same time as us so James and I wandered down to have a look. The Black 5’s train was not due to leave for a little while so I asked the Fireman leaning out of the cab window if I could briefly bring James on for a look (obviously the steam locomotive indoctrination is continuous!). However, I was told that wasn’t possible because they were too busy, at which point he turned his back on us and started a conversation with his mate. We stood there for several further minutes during which time neither of the crew moved from their seat – not a shovel of coal was lifted or a control touched! As we wandered back up the platform, I thought that the prospect of now handing over £30 plus for a Family ticket had just become rather less appealing.

FRONT COVER: No.92220 “Evening Star”, aka No.92214, in steam (!) at Beeches Road bridge on 18th April, 2015. ALAN WEAVER FRONT COVER INSET: Visiting No.6960 “Raveningham Hall” on the 18th April, 2015. ALAN WEAVER MAIN PHOTO: No.92220 “Evening Star” heads south on a photo charter on 23rd April, 2015. MICHAEL SUTTON CENTRESPREAD: Ring out the old. Ring in the new. Newly reincarnated 9F No.92220 “Evening Star” passes soon to be withdrawn No.78019 at Rothley on 18th April, 2015. IAN LOASBY REAR COVER: Farewell to No.78019. The BR Standard Class 2, seen on the single track section on 18th April, 2015, is now withdrawn for its 10 year overhaul. IAN LOASBY ©2015. Published on 1st June, 2015 by Friends of the Great Central Main Line, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, LE11 1SL www.gcrailway.co.uk/friends Printed in England by Berforts Information Press, Eynsham, OX29 4JB. Tel: 01865 882 588

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The reason for reciting this tale is not to have a go at a fellow heritage railway but because it yet again brought home to me just how vital it is that we are always conscious of the image we portray to our visitors. After all, without sufficient numbers of them, we would quickly not have a railway! I am very proud of our volunteers and members of staff and the fantastic way they welcome and treat everyone who visits the GCR, but it only takes one incident like the one above and we may never see those people again. On top of that, if they then went home and told their friends and family about the reception they received we could lose more potential visitors. Maybe the crew in my story were having a bad day but we need all of our visitors to have a great experience and want to return to see us, preferably with more guests. So please, always remember that a cheerful friendly face will always be better for a visitor than a miserable one – even if you are having a bad day!

Finally, as this edition of Main Line arrives, the start of June, 2015 will see the Railway begin one of its busiest months for events. With three first class but very different offerings, there will be something for everyone, including the Woodford 50th Anniversary Commemorative Gala on the 13th/14th June where, on the Sunday afternoon at Loughborough Central Station, the Friends of Great Central Main Line Spring Raffle will be drawn (please remember to send back your returns if you have not already done so).

Full details of all our events can be found elsewhere in Main Line and on our website so please do try to visit for one of the days. I am sure you will not be disappointed! And if you are one of the many volunteers on one of the days, can I thank you in advance and hope you have great day!

Best wishes, Andy

Witherslack Hall

Page 56

A Jinty Journey

Page 62

Woodford Halse Shed

Page 76

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MainLine is published quarterly on the first day of March, June, September and December Main Line promotes, reports and disseminates information on the past, present and future activities and plans of the Great Central Railway from Leicester North to Ruddington. It provides an informative, educational, entertaining medium and discussion forum on all related issues FOGCML: Members receive Main Line and ensure the continued development of the Great Central Railway.

Please encourage a friend to join.

MAGAZINE INFORMATION: Each quarter 5000 copies are distributed to members and sold to the general public at the Railway’s and Ian Allan shops.

EDITORIAL TEAM: Kay Binder, George Green, Steve Johns, Michael Stevens, Nigel Smith, Dennis Wilcock EDITORIAL ADDRESS: North Cottage, Newton on Rawcliffe, Pickering, YO18 8QA. Tel: 01751 477 012 Email: dennis.wilcock@gmail.com ADVERTISING RATES: Advertisements on colour pages carry a 50% premium. Small advertisements are charged at 25p per word (minimum 20 words). Advertising space must be booked and paid for 2 months prior to publication. Orders, copy & artwork and cheques (payable to FOGCML) should be sent to the editorial address above.

SIZE PER ISSUE PER YEAR (4 ISSUES) Full Page £90.00 £324.00 Half Page £45.00 £162.00 Third Page £30.00 £108.00 Quarter Page £22.50 £81.00 ARTICLES, LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS: The editors welcome items of relevance to the Great Central Railway. Articles should be in Word Format and submitted by email or on disc. Letters should be brief and include the membership number. The editors reserve the right to edit material for clarity and length. Digital images, in colour, should have a minimum file size of 1Mb. Individual photographs may be sent by email.

Multiple images should be sent on disc or via the ftp website www.wetransfer.com. Please include your name and caption details. Photographs may be used on the web sites or other publications of the FOGCML or any of the GCR companies. Photographers must comply with access restrictions on the GCR. If material is to be returned please enclose a SAE. COPY DATE FOR MAIN LINE No.164 3rd August, 2015 The opinions and views expressed in Main Line are not to be interpreted as representing the views or policies of the editors, Friends of the Great Central Main Line or any other company associated with the Great Central Railway. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services provided by the advertisers in Main Line can be accepted by the editors or Friends of the Great Central Main Line.

From the Editor Dennis Wilcock The quarters skip by very rapidly these days. No sooner has one issue of Main Line been put to bed than another one starts.

It has been a particularly busy quarter on the Great Central Railway with events for the family and enthusiast. A super Heroes and Frozen weekend for all the family was quickly followed by all the events over Easter.

Then there came a new venture for the railway, the Railways at Work Gala which gave an insight into one of the many services performed by the railways of the past.

The next quarter will be no less busy with the Wartime Weekend, a Woodford Commemoration, the great Model Event held all along the line and another Diesel Gala. All this is on top of the normal running weekends. No other preserved railway can be so busy.

On the development front the outcome of the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the building of a museum at Leicester North will be known as this issue is published. Look on the GCR website for the outcome! The Bridge to the Future Appeal is close to meeting its £1M target and the long awaited physical work is about to start.

To give the background to the Woodford Commemoration, this issue includes an article on the locomotive shed at Woodford Halse - from its first building to its eventual closure. The imminent return to steam of GWR Modified Hall No.6990 ‘Witherslack Hall’ is marked by a brief article on its history and, of course, there are the usual updates from all the departments around the railway.

GCR activity and contributor interest in Main Line is such that several articles initially destined for the issue have been held over to the next. It is disappointing for authors but their contributions are not lost.

I hope that you will enjoy this issue and be able to read it in somewhat warmer weather than we have had to date in 2015. Of course, there is nothing better to warm you up than a visit with family and friends to the Great Central Railway.

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From the Managing Director of the GCR Bill Ford reveals the performance and plans of the Great Central Railway plc It is with deep regret that we learned that on 5th, March, 2015 Julia, Countess of Lanesborough passed away in Kelso after a severe stroke on 1st March. It was three weeks before the news reached us and this followed a letter confirming the invitation to ask the Countess to re-open the Mountsorrel Line. It is the end of an era, which saw Denis, Earl of Lanesborough working on behalf of GCR long before the formation of Main Line Preservation Group in 1969. Main Line had a major article in issue No.157 Winter 2013, with information supplied by our editor and enhanced and corrected by the Countess. She was really looking forward to visiting the railway and also seeing the magnificent work carried out on the Mountsorrel Branch by Steve Cramp and his team of volunteers.

It was my privilege to act as Chairman for eight years after the formation in May, 1976 of GCR plc, working closely with Denis as our first President.

He was a most remarkable man and his memory will feature in the museum in future years. We must never forget the pioneers and with the Earl’s contacts he did a great deal to involve John King (later Lord King) from Babcock and Wilcox, who carried out major work on rebuilding our early locomotives – all for nothing!

A few days ago we received a letter of resignation from the Board of Dennis Wilcock and at a Board meeting on 24th April, 2015 this was accepted with deep regret. Hopefully, Dennis will continue as editor, a position that he has held with great distinction for many years and his knowledge of all things steam is second to none, with a massive archive which he has built up over time.

Our AGM is fixed for 27th June, 2015 and the auditors carried out their audit review ten days ago after our submission of draft accounts. We are awaiting final adjustments, but the results are encouraging, particularly with regard to the continued strengthening of the balance sheet as our

growth continues in line with budget. The key to success is growth and we depend significantly on the success of the galas and the increasing number of special events held during the course of a year.

Running trains does not cover the costs and we rely on the implementation and success of our events.

The Vintage Steam Gala held over Easter was successful and as I write this on 25th April, 2015, Richard Bruce and his team from Quorn & Woodhouse have organised an increasingly popular vintage bus event, which is gathering in momentum.

One look at the timetable gives shareholders a good idea of the number and breadth of forthcoming events. We certainly have a busy year ahead and there will be little slacking off prior to the start of the Santa season, towards the end of November.

Our investment programme, showing revenue growth and infrastructure refurbishment and expansion is running extremely well. We have managed to continue growth started in 2008 and the turnover for the year has moved up from £2,910,373 to £3,298,303 including revenue grants. In 2008 our turnover was just below £1.5 million and despite the recession, with tremendous efforts coming in right across the spectrum the Board is both happy and grateful for continued expansion. We get numerous letters from satisfied customers, whether it be for the work in the Locomotive Shed, Operations Department, Marketing, Catering and overall improvement in the Carriage and Wagon section.

Our Catering Department, which includes the cafés and the charter business, has now reached an income of £1,103,446 which is up from £1 million last year; that reached for the first time. A more encouraging factor is that the contribution has moved up to a fraction under 35%.

With the fantastic financial support from three separate stakeholders and the charitable money raised, which includes Gift Aid, the overall investment has brought forth a total of £7.7 million.

Obviously none of this has come from operating profits, although the books are now well balanced and though our auditors are more than satisfied, there remains an incredible amount of work to do. Outside of our normal growth we have both the Bridge to the Future project and the impending decision on the museum to work on. The Bridge to the Future is still MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 7

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running very successfully as are our discussions with Network Rail. Elsewhere in Main Line you will see the current figure quoted and also the projection to reach the £1 million. That will safeguard the gap project and we are certain that without the help of Network Rail, we could not have moved forward and prior to electrification this really is our last opportunity to fulfil the 40 year dream. There is, of course, a tremendous amount more to fund before we can connect the two railways and much work is carrying on making that possible. With Lili Tabiner’s expertise and support from the LLEP we expect to receive another grant of £1 million and are also continuing endeavours to bring in more sponsorship money. It is difficult for people to understand the depth of work that must go in to make the whole project a success, especially with such a small team to work on development.

One area where Friends, as well as existing shareholders can be of major help is to purchase shares. I raise this issue almost every quarter, but it remains our biggest single challenge to support the balance sheet. We continue to get a few generous share applications and that money directly improves the financial stability and safeguards our ongoing position and growth.

We are going through exciting times with regard to our locomotive fleet. Hopefully most of you will have visited us either at one of the galas or our special events. After some negotiations we were able to get the National Railway Museum’s support to run 9F No.92214 as No.92220 “Evening Star”. We made it replicate all the correct numbers and even ran it last weekend with a copper chimney! There were a few complaints, but of the many people that we spoke to over the weekend and the reports on Facebook and Twitter the overwhelming majority were positive. It is unlikely that there will be a better opportunity to see “Evening Star” running on a main line, with careful attention to detail. On behalf of everyone our sincere thanks go to the NRM for their continued support of all that we do in assisting them with publicly owned engines. By the time this reaches your front door you will know that we will be using “Evening Star” for two events, the last one being at the Model Event at Quorn & Woodhouse where it will run alongside the huge marquee.

Progress is continuing with GWR No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” and the estimated cost of approximately £450k has been funded by a combination of some money from DCRT and the remainder from the incredible generosity of Michael

Gregory in person. The tender is painted and lined with all the right accoutrements and looks magnificent as the new tender tank is back to the original Hawkesworth design. As long standing Friends will know No.6990 has always been a favourite on the GCR whether the supporter is a fan of Great Western Engines or not. Like No.92214 it is simply one of the best in its class and it will be great to see its return after a number of years of neglect. What we do these days is not only to charge the correct steaming fee, but put that money into a ring-fenced account per steaming which ensures that money is available for its repair at the end of the ticket. There is already in excess of £40k in No.92214’s account and this gives us the financial stability in advance.

Work will now be concentrated on LMS 8F No.48305 to speed up its return to steam when we will have No.48305 and No.48624 in black which I am sure will satisfy the purists amongst us. Running concurrently will be an immediate start on BR Standard Class 2 No.78019 which comes out of its 11 year ticket in May, 2015. It still runs like clockwork and is testament to our engineering expertise and the way it is operated, with both coal and reverse osmosis water treatment which really has cut out boiler problems to the tune of 90%. As we have no severe gradients or curves and GCR was built to Main Line loadings it gives us added advantages on wear and tear and is also the basis of allowing us to run at 60mph for steam testing and 75 mph for diesel testing with the authority of HMRI. We had a very special occasion on the evening of 4th April, 2015 on our Pullman Bar Car. Ted and Irene Coleman have been volunteers at GCR for over 15 years working at the NAAFI style café at Quorn & Woodhouse and on 2nd April 2015 they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary (Diamond Wedding). They received a card from Her Majesty the Queen in honour of this and it was our pleasure to see them enjoying themselves. It brings home the value of our superb volunteer force.

It just remains as always to thank everyone connected with GCR for their volunteer work and also for many of the paid staff who go out of their way working more than they are paid for to keep the company in a healthy state. With an extremely busy schedule ahead and the next Main Line being printed after the AGM we will give you further indications of how things are developing.

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NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line will be held at Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, LE11 1SL on Saturday 27 June 2015 at approximately 12.00pm immediately following the Great Central Railway plc Annual General Meeting for the purpose of considering, and if thought fit, pass: the following Item 28(a) Resolutions: THAT (1) The Constitution of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line be amended as follows: 4. FRIENDS MEMBERSHIP 1.

ORDINARY MEMBERS: Delete ‘16 years’ and insert ’18 years’ (2 places).

2.

LIFE MEMBERS: Delete ‘16 years’ and insert ’18 years’.

3.

FAMILY/JOINT MEMBERS: Delete ‘living at the same address’.

Delete ‘16 years’ and insert ’18 years’.

4.

FIRST CLASS MEMBERS: Delete ‘16 years’ and insert ’18 years’.

5.

YOUTH MEMBERS: Delete ‘16 years’ and insert ’18 years’.

8.

WORKING MEMBERS: Delete ‘, and’ and insert ‘. Each Working Member shall be aged 18 years or above’.

9.

FAMILY WORKING MEMBERS: Delete ‘age of sixteen’ and insert ‘age of 18 years’.

Delete ‘adult’ and insert ‘adult/student’ (2 places).

(2) The amendments to the Constitution agreed at the EGMs held on 26 June 2010, 2 July 2011 and 13 July 2013 be ratified. and the following Item 28(b) Resolution: THAT (3) The Constitution of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line be amended as follows: 23(a). QUORUMS Delete ‘the quorum shall be 100’ and insert ‘the quorum shall be 40’.

By Order of the Committee Lovatt House 3, Wharncliffe Road Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 1SL

S EVANS Secretary

26 April, 2015

Admission will be by this Notice.

PROXIES A Member entitled to attend and vote at the above Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him and such proxy need not also be a Member. The instrument appointing the Proxy must be deposited at Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1SL not less than 48 hours before the time of holding the meeting. A proxy is entitled to speak at the meeting.

The Committee encourages Members who are not able to attend to vote by Proxy (a resolution under item 28 presently has a quorum of 100 Members).

EXPLANATORY NOTES TO THE EGM RESOLUTIONS Resolution 1 The Committee wishes to extend the benefits of youth membership from age 16 to age 18 years. The minimum age for voting rights at General Meetings is raised from 16 years to 18 years to be consistent with this change.

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Resolution 2 It has come to the attention of the Committee that there were insufficient numbers of members present or voting by proxy at the EGMs held on 26 June 2010, 2 July 2011 and 13 July 2013. The Committee therefore seeks ratification of the amendments which were notified to the Members, discussed and agreed at the EGMs by those present. For ease of reference, a copy of the Constitution with the amendments highlighted will be posted on the Friends of the Great Central Main Line pages on the Great Central Railway website (www.gcrailway.co.uk/friends/). Should any Member desire a hard copy of the Constitution with the amendments, they should apply to Friends of the Great Central Main Line, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1SL and a copy will be posted to you.

Resolution 3 The Committee proposes reducing the Quorum for Item 28 decisions at General Meetings from 100 to a more realistic figure of 40, which is more consistent with the usual figure for attendance at General Meetings.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Ninth Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line will be held at Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, LE11 1SL on Saturday 27 June 2015 immediately following the Extraordinary General Meeting and for the following purposes:1. To read and approve the minutes of the Eighth Annual General Meeting held on 12 July 2014.

2. Matters arising from the minutes.

3. To receive the Report of the Committee and approve the Independently Examined Accounts for the year ended 31 January 2015.

4. To elect and re-elect persons to the Committee:Messrs Andy Bennett and Bob Stephens retire in accordance with the Constitution of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line and, being eligible, seek re-election.

The Committee also requests nominations for election to the Committee. Each nomination for election shall be proposed and seconded by Adult Members of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line and shall carry the Candidate’s written consent that they are willing to stand for election. The Candidate shall also provide his/her declaration of any financial interest in the Great Central Railway plc during the previous financial year. “Financial interest” means an interest in Great Central Railway plc as shareholder, employee, contractor, supplier or commercial customer. All nominations for election must be delivered to Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1SL by Saturday 13 June 2015 at the latest. Nominations received after this date will be deemed invalid.

5.

To retrospectively elect Messrs Waters & Atkinson, Chartered Accountants as Independent Accountant to the Friends of the Great Central Main Line and retrospectively to authorise the Committee to fix their remuneration.

By Order of the Committee Lovatt House 3, Wharncliffe Road Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 1SL

S EVANS Secretary

26 April, 2015

Admission will be by this Notice.

PROXIES A Member entitled to attend and vote at the above Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him and such proxy need not also be a Member. The instrument appointing the Proxy must be deposited at Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1SL not less than 48 hours before the time of holding the meeting. A proxy is entitled to speak at the meeting.

Note: Copies of the Report of the Committee and Statement of the Independently Examined Accounts for the Year ended 31 January 2015, together with the Minutes of the Eighth Annual General Meeting held on 12 July 2014 will be posted on the Friends of the Great Central Main Line pages on the Great Central Railway website (www.gcrailway.co.uk/friends/). Should any Member desire a hard copy of the Report and Accounts or the Minutes, they should apply to Friends of the Great Central Main Line, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1SL and a copy will be posted to you.

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Bridgeto theFuture Tom Ingall Reports Let me start this issue with a sincere thank you. Our Money Match March promotion was more successful than we dared to hope. £55,000 was pledged in those few weeks and the entire amount was then matched. Not including Gift Aid, the amount raised for the Bridge to the Future Appeal shot up by £110,000. We sent letters of thanks to as many of you as possible, but with thousands of cheques being received and many more donations made on line, it was impossible to reach everybody. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude – you really rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion.

While construction work has not yet begun on the bridge (a combination of design changes, outstanding legal issues to tie up and other minor matters) there has been substantial progress elsewhere. The revision to the bridge design meant an amendment to the existing planning permission was required. This was submitted and duly approved in March, 2015. The month before we had drill rigs back on the reunification route.

These were taking

soil samples at various locations from the A60 bridge to the canal embankment stub. With the alignment determined, our consultants FJD can now take the data from the ground surveys and complete the design work on the remaining elements. They will also draw up a tender document to invite firms to pitch for the design of the main embankment. This is the single most expensive piece of design work (as it will need a whole host of disciplines) but the contract should be let soon, paid for from the money secured from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership last year. 3D graphics of every structure are also being produced, moving us ever closer to the planning application for the rest of reunification beyond the bridge. We’ll hopefully be able to share those with you in the next issue of Main Line.

The liaison committee encompassing people from both GCR and GCR(N) has met again, this

Bridge Span – The new elevation of the single span box girder Bridge to the Future to be installed across the Midland Main Line. NETWORK RAIL

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time with the permanent way on the agenda. On a tour along the line, discussions took place as to where the actual golden spike will connect the two railways. It’s likely a turnout (set normal for through running on the GCR) will be installed around bridge 322 (which is around the back of the Brush works). This will allow trains coming in from the national network to come to a stand on (relatively) level track and await permission to join the Greater GCR without fouling signalling arrangements behind them.

Bridgeto theFuture

Drilling Rig – Drilling on 24th February, 2015 to determine the ground conditions for the design of the new embankment north of the Grand Union Canal.

ANDY BENNETT

In the last issue we reported on how two tracks would cross the A60 bridge – now we know the parallel lines will extend for some 700 metres. This will mean signalling can be made easier and will really give a

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Reunification Junction – Class 25 D7629 on the GCR(N) section at the approximate point where the chord from the Midland Main Line will join the preserved railway.

TOM INGALL

main line look, but it does mean the repair of the A60 bridge to ensure it is fit for to carry both tracks, is now back in the scope of the reunification project, with a commensurate increase in costs. We’ll also need a good deal more track than originally envisaged! That’s likely to be the case at Loughborough North too.

Options for the remodelling of that end of the site are now being discussed, but again, are at too early a stage to be released.

A really important output for the project, particularly given the investment of public funds, was delivered in March, 2015. Lili Tabiner reports on our STEM day with local schools in

the next article. The importance of establishing the project and the railway as a community resource can’t be over estimated.

Finally, it is wonderful to report the Bridge to the Future fund stands at £900,000. Just £100,000 remains to be raised towards our one million pound target. Now more than ever, every pound donated helps. You’ll practically be able to see the outstanding amount dropping day by day. Can we put the champagne on ice, ready to open in September? As always, thank you for your support.

Bridge Section – A cross section of the box girder bridge with the walkway on the south side. NETWORK RAIL 14 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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STEM PROJECTS on the GCR - Bridge to the Future is inspiring Loughborough students to study Engineering and Science - Lili Tabiner, who took all the photographs, reports.

Murphy, established a programme of activities which demonstrated the range of skills needed to undertake a major infrastructure project such as Bridge to the Future. From Planning, Civil Engineering, Surveying, Construction, Ecology and Project Management, there are many career options open to young people and there is currently a national shortage of skilled engineers.

Students examine the ecology at Hermitage Brook.

Students from three Loughborough secondary schools have taken part in a six week project at the Great Central Railway. The project, based on Bridge to the Future, demonstrated the practical application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects in a real civil engineering and construction setting. Developed in partnership with the Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC), the project aimed to encourage students to study STEM subjects and hopefully take up careers in the engineering and technology industries which are vital to the UK economy. Over the course of the project, students from Woodbrook Vale High School, Charnwood College and Limehurst Academy visited the site of the embankment to study soil samples which had been extracted from the bore holes; conducted an ecology survey to look for evidence of protected species or invasive plants and were given a tour of the site to understand the engineering constraints which Network Rail and its contractors are overcoming to erect the new bridge over the Midland Main Line. In school, students learnt about the history of the GCR and its impact on Loughborough both in its heyday as a part of a national rail network and today as a major tourist attraction. In all 30 students aged 13 -14 years were involved in this pilot project.

GCR and the LEBC, supported by Network Rail, FJD, AMCO, NLG Ecology, Carillion and

The University of Leicester was also involved with special events held at Great Central Railway during National Science Week which included a day demonstrating how the Doppler Effect (named after the Austrian physicist Christian Doppler who proposed the change in wavelength when a source and observer move relative to each other) is used in modern technology. Students replicated a classic science experiment originally performed by a Dutch scientist, Christophorus Henricus Didericus Buys-Ballot, in 1845 that provided the first experimental confirmation of a physical phenomenon called the Doppler Effect.

In the original experiment, Buys-Ballot placed a group of musicians on a train and asked the driver to rush past him as fast as he could while the musicians played and held a constant note. In this re-enactment of Buys-Ballot’s original experiment, musicians aboard the Verandah Coach hauled by the Black Five No.45305 sped through Quorn & Woodhouse station aiming at

A modern application of the Doppler Effect. A Speed Gun checks the speed of the approaching No.45305.

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Students in action at Loughborough University.

Ambassadors from Network Rail, AMCO, NLG Ecology, Carillion and Murphy were on hand to help guide students to identify problems and reach solutions. In the afternoon, the teams built a bridge to engineering specifications with the winning model supporting a magnificent 5kg mass!

During the afternoon, Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education and MP for Loughborough visited the project and spent a long time talking to students about their experiences on the project and underlined the importance of STEM to the UK economy. She later commented, “There was such a fabulous buzz in the room – thank you for inviting me.”

The feedback from the schools has been very a maximum speed of 25 mph. Students used encouraging: “I would just like to add a huge electronic recording equipment to measure the thank you from Woodbrook Vale School. Our frequency of the sound from the train and pupils had a brilliant time and have gained such calculate how fast the train was moving. For a lot from the project. Thank you so much for all comparison, the speed of the train was also the amazing organisation and input from so many measured using speed guns provided by people that made the project run smoothly and be Leicestershire County Council. ASDEC so successful” said Mrs Margot McSwinney, (Advanced Structural Dynamics Evaluation Woodbrook Vale School.

Centre), a technology company based at MIRA gave a practical demonstration of the Doppler “It would be wonderful if this project could take place again over the next couple of years whilst Effect in the newly refurbished Tin Shed at Quorn the building (of Bridge to the Future) continues… & Woodhouse station.

On 26th March, 2015 a grand finale of the six week STEM project was held at Loughborough University. Students spent the day managing a Possession on the rail network which brought together all the practical lessons the students had learnt over the course of the project. Working in teams of five, with specific job roles, students were required to manage a 53 hour Possession with minimal delay to avoid being fined by Network Rail. In order to achieve this, they visited expert workshops, led by real Engineers, Ecologists, Planners, Communications and Project Managers, to gather information relevant to their job role within their team and collectively each team had to inform the local authority of road closures; select the correct machinery for each task; consider any environmental issues and communicate with other stakeholders. Throughout the day, STEM In the Tin Shed at Quorn & Woodhouse a demonstration of the Doppler Effect is given.

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Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough, with some of the students at the end of their GCR experience.

The scale model showing a Possession in action was built by David Millar of AMCO.

it’s a constant cycle of students coming through our schools and it would be brilliant if this cohort of students could mentor the next group – let’s keep the momentum going! Again outstanding folks – the kids loved it and came away buzzing”!

Ian Scarrott, Charnwood College.

The STEM project is one of the many ways the GCR can demonstrate that it is making a major contribution to the economy. Engaging with local schools in a way that will encourage more apprentices and graduates in the STEM subjects is an important criteria for securing funding from the Government such as the £1m Local Growth Fund awarded to Bridge to the Future by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership. GCR is embedding Bridge to the Future into the local community and ensuring that this once-in-a-lifetime project delivers lasting benefit. We hope in the near future that many of the students will return to the GCR as volunteers and apprentices – or take up engineering careers with Network Rail and other companies.

STEM Ambassadors brought the Bridge to the Future project to life, sharing their experience and knowledge with students and showcasing their

STEM profession. From Bio-Medical Engineers to Nuclear Physicists; Product Designers to Software Developers; Civil Engineers to Cardio Physiologists, STEM Ambassadors give their time for free and as professionals give an insight into their world of work inspiring young people to consider a STEM career pathway. New STEM Ambassadors are always welcome to join the elite group of professionals who make projects such as Bridge to the Future a hands-on, real-life experience for Leicestershire students. Interested professionals can visit the STEMNET website to find out more or register at www.stemnet.org.uk/

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Stations Report During the Super Heroes event on 17th February, 2015 No.47406 prepares to run round in front of a crowded Leicester North station.

DENNIS WILCOCK

I have been informed that recent galas have, unfortunately, been hit a little by adverse weather conditions but have still produced favourable returns so we must hope that things will improve during the rest of the year so that a little catching up can take place.

Leicester North Brian Rowe How Time Flies! Here we are again with another Leicester North Station Report and the winter programme already history - behind us - and what could turn out to be a very interesting summer ahead. In fact, by the time the next report is available, The Bridge to the Future could well be a long way towards becoming a reality. Certainly, with the enormous strides that the Bridge Appeal has made over the last few months, hopes are high that the Magic Million will soon be reached, with grateful thanks to all who have contributed.

Before getting down to local affairs, I can announce that, after a management decision, Paul Edeson has been upgraded to the position of Deputy Stationmaster so congratulations, Paul!

Paul reports, “Over the Easter break the station was open and manned for 10 consecutive days which I believe was a 24 year record (unless anyone knows otherwise)! Many thanks must go to the volunteers who worked over the period and we hope that this will become more of a norm in the future.”

No news had been received, at the time of writing, as to whether our latest application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to facilitate the building of the proposed Leicester Railway Museum has been productive but if so, no doubt, an official announcement will be forthcoming.

Mike Dunk, our Maintenance Team Leader reports, “The regular Wednesday maintenance team is now operating at full strength after the winter break, tackling the mowing and strimming together with work on the flower beds. As previously mentioned, with all the interesting and technical work that takes place within the other departments of the railway, it is sometimes difficult to come up with anything interesting at Leicester North! We have had a good show of daffodils and tulips and now the forget-me-nots are bursting into flower. We try to keep the station area tidy with regular litter-picks on The Sidings entrance and along the public footpath, together with keeping the station platform litter free. The recent installation of three new seats (thanks to Leicester City Council for the donation) has meant that a fair amount of work had to be done off-site. All the timber needed replacing and our thanks go to Chris Lang at Rothley Carriage Works who planed all the rough wood. The design of these seats is such that they should give us many years of trouble free service. As always, MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 19

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BRICKYARD MODELS <MODEL RAILWAYS> <BOUGHT AND SOLD>

On 18th April, 2015 Alex Pakes operates the groundframe at Rothley Brook during the Railways at Work Gala. IAN LOASBY

there is plenty of painting work that needs attention and this we hope to pull in with all our regular tasks.”

Rothley Colin Dean, Stationmaster Firstly, I’m happy to report the station tea room has been awarded 5 stars from Charnwood Borough Council for Health and Hygiene. This has meant a few changes to procedures to make sure we comply with new legislation. Anyway, the main thing is that the homemade cakes can continue! Thanks to Linda Poole for sorting this.

Maintenance work over the last few weeks has continued on refurbishing the platform benches with one or two more needing a spruce up before the summer season. Other work has included removing the rotten sleepers holding the bank back near the signalbox. These were installed

RESPRAYS AND RENUMBERING, LOCOS, COACHES, WAGONS WEATHERING REPAIRS AND SPARES Tel: 01636 689 963 Mobile: 07967 956 683 roger.garrett2@virginmedia.com

*We also stock a Wide Range of Tractors and Farm Implements* many years ago when Rothley was planned to have a run round loop and were to allow space for the point rodding. This is still work in progress but the bit that’s been done looks a whole lot better without them! Other work includes re-painting two large flat bed luggage barrows. Unfortunately, these have to be stored outside so they suffer from the weather quite badly.

Mick Townsend is currently in the process of manufacturing a replica Nestlés chocolate machine. As I’ve mentioned before, marks on the wall either side of the Booking Office indicate that at some point in the past Rothley had two such vending machines. Hopefully this will be in place in the next month or so.

Now the summer is nearly here we’re going to have to start painting the outside of the stairway arcade. I don’t Springtime at Rothley. During Easter festivities on 6th April, 2015 the daffodils brighten up the scene.

MICHAEL SUTTON

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Guard Scott Manley consults with Goods Porter Brandon Morley while Quorn & Woodhouse platform staff load trains at the Railways at Work Weekend on 19th April 2015. RICHARD BRUCE

Quorn & Woodhouse Richard Bruce, Senior Stationmaster

think anyone is particularly looking forward to this. We will be working off scaffold and ladders with too many glazing bars to paint!

In order to smarten up the Gents’ loo we’re going to quarry tile the floor. This will cover the current cracked concrete floor and make it easier to keep clean. I’ve just laid a similar floor at home so have now perfected my tile laying skills and am keen to get this done We’re still investigating options for the glazing bars on the canopy. Currently we’re looking to have some caps made to measure which would remove the maintenance overhead of replacing putty and paint on 80 odd five foot long bars.

Hopefully that will prove to be a successful (and cost effective) solution.

Since my last report, two urgent issues have been resolved. Firstly, new flashing has been put on the roof to the Booking Office and repairs have been made to the timbers in the roof space which should once again make the building watertight.

Secondly, we have successfully deterred a bird from perching on the beams near the Booking Office; rolled-up netting has persuaded him to move elsewhere. This means that the porters no longer need to clean walls and platform from bird mess every day and that the public can queue at the ticket window without fear from above!

The restoration team have been hard at work undertaking a major clear-up of the station yard, especially the area between the edge of the car park and our boundary fence which had become an overgrown wasteland. Their efforts last year on the west embankment next to Platform No.2 have made such a difference.

The lease of the adjacent field for car-parking has led us to use the stairs as main entry point for

We’re starting to plan for the busy events in June now with the Wartime Weekend and the Model Event being the two big ones. I’ve just ordered the German beer for the War Weekend so, fingers crossed, the weather is kind to us and we can sell it all!

Quorn & Woodhouse station staff at the Railways at Work Weekend on 19th April, 2015 (L to R: Michelle Baker, Mick Blowfield, Matt Baker, Stephen Bird, Brandon Morley, David Wilding). RICHARD BRUCE MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 21

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Leicestershire Area Group - Members Evenings Come along and enjoy an excellent series of presentations on railways The first Meeting of the 2015-2016 Season is as follows:

11th

Friday September This is a double-headed programme which features scenes from this delightful island‛s historic transport on rail expertly described and illustrated by David Mitchell The presentation also features a selection from his extensive collection of photographs taken during the final decade of working steam on British Railways.

All meetings are held at St. Bartholomews Church Hall, Church Lane, Quorn, near Loughborough, LE12 8DP commencing at 7.30pm on the Second Friday of the month from September to March inclusive Refreshments should be available during the interval. Admission is free, although a collection is held to defray costs. Any surplus is used to fund various projects on the GCR

For further information contact John Calton on 0116 267 6909, Keith Satterly on 0116 253 0990 or Peter Hack on 01509 261 094

Everyone is welcome

many special events. To ensure visitors pay their dues, we have used metal barriers between the foot of the stairs and the Booking Office window.

However, these were intended for use in the yard and are not at all in keeping with the 1940s

atmosphere of the station, so temporary wooden picket fences are on order. These will have a period feel and will be repainted into station colours so that they blend in and do not detract from visitors’ photographs.

Eagle-eyed visitors may have noticed our next wartime project underway. We have acquired a genuine Anderson shelter which is currently being renovated prior to going on display during the course of the year.

The coming of spring has started the year’s gardening offensive. Work is progressing apace to ensure that the tubs, gardens and the Dig For Victory patch all look their best for the summer.

This has been made easier by the installation of a plastic water butt, suitably clad in wood to give a period appearance.

Recent special events have seen visitors in large numbers again with the station being the focal point for three weekends. At Easter, we had the usual mix of road steam engines, vintage vehicles and fairground rides. At the bus rally held jointly with Leicester Transport Heritage At Quorn & Woodhouse Jimty No.47406 shunts the sidings on 18th April, 2015.

GRAHAM WIGNALL

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As No.6960 “Raveningham Hall” awaits its next turn of duty the platform at Loughborough Central basks in the glow of the station’s ‘Crystal Palace’ on 18th April, 2015.

PAUL MARRIOTT

Trust, we had over twenty visiting buses, many restored to superb condition; the stalls and free bus rides being very popular with both the NAAFI and Butler-Henderson being very busy. The Railways at Work Gala allowed us to show off our recentlyfinished goods platform adjacent to the goods shed, with the Jinty fussing nearby. Parcels and newspapers and were handled by the porters onto passenger trains but the pièce de résistance was the Morris Minor in BR livery, beautifully restored by Guards Inspector Matt Baker, which was accompanied by a Bedford truck in the same colour scheme.

In June, we have more busy events for our station and the warmer weather will enable the restoration team to start on their long list of jobs for the summer.

Loughborough Central David Putt Over the last three months a whole host of small jobs have been completed or commenced. Most satisfying is the final completion of the three doors to the Refreshment Rooms and Kitchen. As

reported in the last issue, extensive repairs have been carried out to the frames and doors following a burglary in 2008. Stripping and painting of the doors has now been completed and they finally look smart after seven years!

Also in the Refreshment Room area visitors may notice beneath their feet a smart new set of cellar doors. They also seem somewhat sturdier than their predecessors.

As we have experienced a mild, dry spring, several tasks normally associated with summer have been started or even completed. Some tidying up of the paintwork on the north runningin board and also the roof of the Gents’ has been completed and a start made painting the platform edge. Some of the platform seats have either been partially painted or moved to the workshop for

Northants Area Group - Members Evenings Join us for our first Meeting of the 2015-2016 Season

Wednesday 2nd September – A talk illustrated with slides by Bill Davies. Bill started his railway career at Toton moving to Nottingham Victoria firing the fasts and semi fasts on the GCR. He then moved to Kings Cross where he passed out for driving, later moving to Charing Cross before retiring from Bedford as a driver and manager. Entertainment not to be missed!

All our events are on the first Wednesday of each month starting at 7.30pm at the Weston Favell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, Northampton, NN3 3EP All are welcome so bring your friends and family and help make this a success.

Refreshments will be available For more information contact Tony Hemmings on 01536 514 341 MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 23

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Loughborough Central at night. During a photo charter on 25th February, 2015 the newspaper van is loaded ready for despatch. IAN LOASBY

dragged rather than lifted from place to place thus damaging a newly restored area.

Emporium, Loughborough Central - Chris Shilliam and Peter Scott, Joint Managers major attention. The Lyons Tea enamel sign which has adorned the north end wall of the Gents’ for many years has been taken down and refurbished before being replaced.

The telephone kiosk refurbishment project is proceeding with several important components from the 1950s now in our possession. We will be making some new items but we still need a Button A/B Coinbox. Can anybody help? I would like to thank Chris Elliott from Vintage Telephony and John Penny from Dorset who have helped the project.

The floor of the General Waiting Room has been superbly varnished over a period of several months. Small areas at a time have been cleaned and then varnished. Unfortunately, some areas have had to be done twice as the table has been

As we calm down from the success and excess of the last financial year we are wondering how we can beat last year's figure of a £60K contribution to the GCR. In reality we can't. Or can we? It just depends on donations.

Remember we raised over £15K from one gentleman's collection.

Can you help us? Is it time to downsize? When did you last operate your trainset? When did you last dust off those lamps and bits of railwayana?

When did you last look at your ticket collection?

Your luggage label collection? Read those books?

Every penny we raise goes towards the running costs of the GCR and towards The David Clarke Trust supporting the bridge fund through Gift Aid. The low temperature the weather inflicts at the start of each year is always reflected in the limited income and visitors the Emporium welcomes. But although this pattern has been repeated, far more Gift Aid sales than usual at this time of year, before April and Easter, when sales start to improve, means that we have slightly improved upon the first quarter of last year.

In February, 2015 Gift Aid sales totalled over £2,450, March, £1,000 and April, £550. As in the first two years of Gift Aid, the last Looking south from the foot crossing at Loughborough Central on 8th February, 2015. JOHN A SMITH

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amount reflects the average monthly figure for such sales, this "good start" can easily be seen.

However, inevitably that means that cash sent to the Booking Office hasn't been so robust. In round figures, £1,700 was taken in February and March, and slightly more, £3,700, in April. In addition, over £100 per month has been raised for the Bridge to the Future Appeal. So, the overall total for the first quarter is just under £9,750, a good start to our £40,000 target for this year which would mean, if achieved, (thanks to all who donate and buy - please continue to do so!) £100,000 could be raised in two years. Fingers crossed!!!

we selected three photos which show GCR locomotives of different types that were built around the same time as the London Extension.

They can be seen above the entrance door. They show:

Museum, Loughborough Central Stephen Shaw

GCR Class 9G (LNER Class F2) 2-4-2T Locomotive No.782, built by Beyer, Peacock & Co in 1898 and withdrawn from Annesley in 1947.

Tank locomotives of this class were designed for use on suburban services.

It’s quite remarkable how wide-ranging the museum’s exhibits are. That has remained the case while concentrating on displaying just objects which tell the story of our railway – the original Great Central Railway and its successors.

To give only a few examples, we have built up quite substantial collections of such things as GCR silverware, GCR tools and equipment and GCR stationery. In the last year or two we have been able to add some rather special exhibits such as the train departure indicator and the signal box bells as well.

GCR Class 11A (LNER Class D6) 4-4-0 Locomotive No.859, built at Gorton Works in 1898 and withdrawn in 1945. The elegant looking locomotives of this class were initially allocated to Gorton and Sheffield sheds to operate express passenger trains on the London Extension. They were fitted with 4000 gallon tenders to allow long non-stop runs.

GCR Class 9H (LNER Class J10) 0-6-0 Locomotive No.851, a goods locomotive built by Beyer, Peacock & Co in 1897. Another point of interest about this particular photograph is that it is signed by Harry Pollitt and dated 1899.

Harry Pollitt, Locomotive Engineer from 1894 to 1900, succeeded Thomas Parker and was succeeded in turn by Robinson. He had been Works Manager at Gorton under Parker and was the son of William Pollitt, the General Manager of the Company. All three locomotives pictured In the midst of all this, it’s easy to overlook the represent designs by Pollitt which are fact that, for many, the main attraction is the developments of existing designs by Parker. It locomotive and this was perhaps an aspect of was clearly a period of evolution rather than GCR history that was being neglected in the revolution and family connections counted for museum. We had just two pictures on display of GCR locomotives as such: “Sir William Pollitt” something. and “Butler-Henderson”. The first, GCR Class Returning in conclusion to the theme of variety 8E No.365, designed by J G Robinson and built among the museum exhibits, we have been in 1906, is interesting for being one of only four pleased to accept recent donations as diverse as compound locomotives on the GCR and being a collection of wagon cards found during building named after the former General Manager. The work in Nottingham, a station platform lamp from second is important as being the only surviving Charwelton and exhibitors’ plaques from the GCR passenger locomotive and an example of Road/Rail Steam Rallies held at Quorn & what is generally regarded as Robinson’s most Woodhouse in 1981 and 1982. Some of these have successful express passenger design. been added to the displays already – but not as yet the lamp which will need some careful Amongst the reserve stock are quite a number of historic black and white photos of locomotives, restoration work first. but what to choose and where to stop? In the end MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 25

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A Nottingham City Transport bus advertising the extension of service No.10 to Mere Way from 3rd May, 2015. PHIL STANWAY

Nottingham Society of Model and Experimental Engineers Mike Firth Storage Container and replica mine train Fabrication of the points and track for the storage container is now complete and tracklaying has started. In order to create enough space for access into and out of the container, the area of land near to the ground level tunnel has had to be levelled and cleared and as a consequence, one of our long serving cameos, the narrow gauge mine train has had to be dismantled.

The mine train used to consist of a replica diesel locomotive and five actual mining tubs, gathered from a number of sources, with the rearmost tub protruding from the mine entrance adjacent to the tunnel mouth. This is the only tub remaining at the mine entrance.

We were reluctant to scrap the other four authentic tubs so efforts have been made to relocate them to other heritage sites. Following the closure of Gedling Colliery, in the northern suburbs of Nottingham, the tip site has recently been landscaped and a new country park has been

Peter Rimmell's LMS diesel 10000 during the visit of the NRM on 9th April, 2015. ROY HOLLINGWORTH

created. Graham Tavner, Chairman of the Gedling Miners Memorial Trust, contacted us and we are pleased to report that two of the redundant tubs have been relocated to the Country Park with a view to refurbishment and display at the entrance to the park. They will be painted white, the colour that British Coal used when they were in use and the dates that the pit was in operation, 1898 to 1991, will be welded onto the sides of the tubs.

As we couldn’t find any takers for the remaining two tubs, we have refurbished them and plinthed them at the top end of our site for use as planters during the spring and summer months.

National Railway Museum visit – 9th April, 2015 On a warm and sunny Thursday, we hosted another visit of NRM staff and volunteers to our Ruddington base, the participants all being involved in the NRM’s miniature railway project. For many years there has been a short section of 7¼” gauge railway on the opposite side of Leeman Road to the Main Hall and trains are topped and tailed backwards and forwards along the length of the line by volunteer staff.

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Scenes for the Nottingham Society of Model and Experimental Engineers.

Left: The two retained mining tubs now on a plinth at the Heritage Centre. MIKE FIRTH Below: During the visit from the NRM on 9th April, 2015 “Margaret” is in steam at Little Ruddington on the miniature railway ROY HOLLINGWORTH.

A major project is underway to create a more extensive set of loops, almost half a mile long, around the existing site and contractors have been appointed to construct the new railway. The purpose of the latest visit was twofold. As well as giving the participants experience of driving miniature steam engines, it was also a fact-finding mission to understand some of the challenges of running and maintaining a miniature railway with most of the staff volunteers.

down to reduce the stresses on the boiler, requiring a long shift for the operating crew. As well as driving “Taw”, participants were also able With the exception of special occasions, the York to drive the NRM’s replica Hunslet Quarry tank railway will be run with diesel outline locomotives, as experience has shown, “Margaret” that was also in attendance. “Margaret” is also part of the National Collection and, as far particularly with “Taw”, that the commitment as we are aware, it is the only locomotive that was required to steam such a large locomotive is very actually fully built by NRM staff. It is currently demanding. When running at Ruddington, the fire on loan to the Evergreens miniature railway based is lit early in the morning to allow “Taw” to warm in Lincolnshire who brought it to Ruddington for up slowly and at the end of the running day the the day. engine is left to cool down slowly before blow NRM staff and volunteers on 9th April, 2015 during their visit to Little Ruddington, the NSMEE’s station on the miniature railway at the Heritage Centre. TONY KNOWLES

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Emporium Express No.5 DIARY EXTRACTS FROM A LEICESTER RAILWAY ENTHUSIAST

No1: In the beginning…..

by Tony Cooke

It was all Chris Shilliam’s fault really. After a few pints of Everard’s or half a bottle of decent red wine, a chap’s guard is much lower than it should be and therefore exposed to all sorts of dangers.

Casually, under these circumstances, Chris said, “I need an article for the Emporium in Main Line, -you’ve got a wealth of railway anecdotes so how about you let me have something within a fortnight.”

You get the picture…no pressure then!

For some time, I had the idea of writing about some of the mixed experiences which had come my way during the first 25 years of my life. As this period included a great love for the steam railway scene as it was in the 1950s, I was heavily involved, first as a number-taking spotter, then later as a railway photographer, when it became clear that the days of steam and many rural lines were fast coming to an end.

So, I wondered if like minded individuals would be interested in hearing and sharing some of the peculiar situations which had come my way. Readership reaction to this first effort may well decide if it is to be the last, but hopefully, it may awaken distant recollections of your first contact with the steam railway scene with its unique sight, sound and smell of drifting smoke, exhausted steam and hot lubricating oil.

I was a war-time baby, born in 1942 at City General Hospital with the German air force doing its best to cut short my existence without any delay. Fortunately, their bomb aiming was not up to scratch and some three years later, “the Kid” was taken to London Road Station to wave off an elderly relative (aged all of 20 years!) who had decided to join the Wrens and was travelling via St Pancras and Portsmouth to join up.

With the war effort still in full swing, Leicester Midland was a very intimidating place to a small boy of two foot six inches in height and I had strict instructions not to let go of my minder’s hand.

Beside the lift shaft, the platform was crammed full of barrows loaded up with all manner of interesting packages or piled high with grey mailbags. The platform was full of assorted people, men and women, many in uniform and most hauling heavy suitcases or kit-bags.

Eventually, the train arrived with a good deal of noise, pulled by what appeared to be a very large black dragon - probably called a Stanier Black 5! This seemed to have a belly full of fire and was breathing out dense clouds of smoke and steam. The train was very crowded but with some polite elbow work and a bit of cheerful banter (plus being young, female and attractive of course), the latest addition to the armed forces secured a seat and her suitcase was hauled up on to the luggage rack by willing hands.

The whistle blew, doors were slammed and the last hugs and goodbyes were said. A green flag was waved, the dragon gave a loud competent sounding hoot and then pulled away from the platform under London Road bridge to a forest of waving hands. And a little Kid was hooked on steam trains for ever!

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Carriage & Wagon Chronicle Nigel Croxon painting the wheels set of TTO 23981 on 18th April, 2015.

IAN LOASBY

RBR 1962 - Regrettably the RBR hasn't yet been returned to Rothley so that the fridge can be fitted. The rest of the Western Region set has only needed minor attention and some repairs.

Rothley Carriage Works Chris Lang The very considerable workload at Rothley is being tackled progressively to keep the Railway’s trains running. The list of coach repair and renovation below will give some idea of the work involved.

TSO 4830 - The repaint has been completed and the end doors fitted. Attention has now turned to the interior fit out, with new floors in vestibule areas and new support timbers in the main saloons.

999503 - The Arrowvale Belle has been repainted and all new wood fitted. It has been re-wired and new drop lights with their leather straps installed. It is currently awaiting carpets and work to the whole of the gas systems. It is hoped that the Belle will be back in traffic soon.

VC 70 – The Verandah Coach has had the veranda decking straightened out and the roof has been sealed as this had been causing problems through water ingress mostly via the roof vents. The roof has been repainted and the sides washed as much as four times to get the muck off. Its bogies have settled now and the heights have been re-adjusted. Attention to the coach’s plumbing also continues on one day a week.

RBR 1649 – This coach has seen less work carried out on it lately but its new compressor box has arrived and awaits fitting.

RKB 1525 – This RKB has been away at Nemesis Rail in Burton on Trent to have new B5 bogies fitted. An alternator will also be fitted to aid with low power situations when in use. A repaint has also been carried out as well.

SK 24421 – This coach has entered the paint shop while the seats are away being re-upholstered. The interior fit out is going well with lots of sanding and varnishing of the internal walls.

Cleaning up bogie bolster planks on 18th April, 2015 are, left to right, Mike Lang, Mike Francis and Rob Alcock.

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Looking resplendent in the spring sunshine on 27th April, 2015 the Arrowvale Belle stands outside the Carriage Works at Rothley.

CHRIS LANG

RBR 1695 - This coach has been at Loughborough for some time but has had its overhaul accelerated with the decision to send it to Nemesis.

Aside from all this work on the renovation of the coaches it took a few days to extract the three Gresley coaches from Rothley so they could go to the new carriage shed at Swithland. A large number of carriage wheelsets were in the way!

An emergency repaint of RVP’s LNER Sorter 70294 took place on its west side so that it could take part in the Railways at Work gala. Vandal damage from the spray can was the problem.

As always any offers of help are gratefully received.

Railway Vehicle Preservations Brian Hallett Personnel Changes There have been a few changes to RVP personnel since the last report. Darren Martin has stepped down as Chairman after two years in the post; he remains as a Director of RVP; a new Chairman has yet to be appointed. Tim Pryce has also stepped down from the Board for

personal reasons but remains an active volunteer on RVP projects. Mick Yates has also stood down as TPO Train Manager after many years in the role and like Tim remains an active volunteer on RVP projects. I have taken over from Mick as the TPO Train Manager.

Swithland Carriage Shed After what feels like an eternity, movements are taking place as these notes are being written to see the installation of the pointwork in front of the shed which will allow our vehicles to be placed under cover. If all goes to plan then much of our stock will be under cover before this edition appears in print. A time to celebrate I think?

Our short BTK 62565, has already made it inside the shed, creating space within the main yard at Swithland.

The three Gresley coaches that have been stored in RVP’s back road at Rothley for many years have now been moved out and are ready to move to Swithland. This was no easy task as there were many bogies and wheelsets blocking their departure. These have been moved and many are now resident where the coaches were meaning the headshunt now has some much needed space.

Vehicles from RVP's collection are starting to move to the new shed at Swithland with two box vans and LNER BTK 62565 seen on the left.

On the right are two vehicles temporarily parked to create space elsewhere until RVP's collection arrives. PAUL HARRISON MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 31

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Buffet Car 24278 This vehicle remains in almost constant use within one of the GCR’s main passenger rakes. As a result it is starting to show signs that it will soon need some more TLC to keep it in tip top condition.

Beavertail 1719E Another vehicle that is available for traffic and has seen various party bookings.

Pigeon Van 4050 Available for traffic as and when required for use as a passenger brake van.

Tourist Third Open 23981 Progress on this, our current major project, is now visible with change happening all the time.

The bogie frames from this vehicle have moved to Swithland and have been shot blasted and painted while the wheelsets have remained at Rothley and have been cleaned and painted. They will soon be reunited allowing the bogies to be rebuilt and placed back under the vehicle. Many of the smaller components of the bogies are being refurbished and repainted along with the spring leafs which have been sent away for overhaul.

While this is going on the vehicle has been placed on accommodation bogies inside Rothley shed and work on the underframe continues. This has included the removal of the old racking plates, with new ones being made ready for fitting.

Battery boxes are also in the process of being constructed.

The fund for this vehicle has now passed the £27,000 mark, with just £8000 remaining to enable us to complete the renovation. Anyone wishing to open their cheque book and make a donation will be made most welcome. It would be nice to complete the fund raising for this vehicle as soon as possible so that we can push

RVP’s next major restoration project is the refurbishment of TTO 23981 seen in Rothley Carriage Works on 26th April, 2015. CHRIS LANG

on not only with the restoration of 23981 but also start to plan the funding for the next major restoration job.

Pigeon Van 4149 (Ambulance Van) Our second project is also making rapid progress with the roof now being prepared for a new canvas and then painting. The replacement outer skin should have been ordered by the time this appears in print. Repairs to the body framing are ongoing along with an order placed for replacement knee irons; these are bolted to the body framework and the bottomside to keep the framework rigid. Repairs to the external doors continue along with work on the inside of the vehicle. This includes the painting of the boarding and the re-wiring of the lighting.

TPO Report As mentioned above Mick Yates has stood down as TPO Train Manager after many years in charge.

During this time he has ensured that records have The body of TTO 23981 has been gradually raised from the chassis with wedges without causing too much stress to the framing. BRIAN HALLETT

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been maintained and staff are properly trained and regularly certified to ensure they continue to be competent for the roles they undertake; for this I thank him and I look forward to his continued service and advice in my new role.

Just a brief mention of BR POS 80301. We are waiting for this vehicle to be moved from Loughborough to Rothley which will enable the vehicle to be lifted for insurance quotes to be obtained.

on the Saturday and BR No.78019 and BR No.45305 in use on the Sunday.

One final point to note was that the lineside net now has enough give in it to be opened by just one person. I was just getting used to the idea of using it for a workout instead of going to the gym!

Diesel Brake Tender Our third project! Work continues on this project, mainly away from site in Burton.

The operating set remains and includes the use of The bogies have now been re-assembled and placed back under the chassis making the vehicle LNER Sorter E70294E for the collecting of the mobile once again. A large number of mails and the use of BR 80401 to despatch the components have been manufactured for the mails. The remainder of the set currently comprises BR BPOT 80458 and BR POT 80438. brake rigging and these are being transported to Rothley for trial fitting and the drilling of holes Of the other TPOs in the collection, 80307 awaits its body overhaul/repaint, 80345 “Richard Yeo” to match up with the chassis. awaits inspection following the incident last year RVP Annual Raffle and 80349 is awaiting tyre turning.

John Rudkin reports Since the last report we have had another We are working as fast as we are able to restore vehicle 23981 and our funds are getting low. We operating weekend, this being the Railways at only use paid contractors where absolutely Work Gala in April, 2015. Just before the gala the necessary, using our own band of intrepid Burton lads did their usual checks on the TPO set volunteers for the bulk of the restoration work. and lineside apparatus and rectified any problems For a group of our size we appear to progress found. However, problems were around the quite rapidly on our collection and match cash corner that were out of the control of both RVP raised with volunteer input. Unfortunately we still and the GCR. Just over a week before the gala have to pay for materials! the LNER TPO suffered from a severe attack by those who are often referred to as graffiti artists.

In the hope of raising more money this year we This involved almost the entire length of the have taken the decision to run three concurrent sorting side of the coach (the opposite side to the raffles, with less tickets per raffle (thereby apparatus). The easy option would be to just pull increasing your chances of winning) and the TPO from the event, but not the GCR. At increased the total prize monies to a record £600. short notice the vehicle was moved from Quorn & Woodhouse to Rothley on the Monday before All of this in the hope that you will turn your pockets inside out, raid the piggy bank, take out the gala and all attention diverted to repaint the vehicle and get it back into traffic for the gala, a second mortgage, sell the cat etc etc. which was completed on the day before the gala.

This can only be described as a major undertaking and my thanks go to all those who managed to make this happen. A superb effort by all the departments involved.

The gala ran without a hitch and saw visiting GWR No.6960 “Raveningham Hall” and No.92220 “Evening Star” (aka No.92214) in use Phil Stanbridge and Paul Harrison work on the Diesel Brake Tender fitting recently fabricated parts for the brake rigging. BRIAN HALLETT MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 33

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Please make cheques payable to RVP LTD. You only need to put your name and a contact number on the counterfoils. Each book of tickets costs a tenner but we are quite happy if you can only run to a fiver's worth - as always every penny counts.

Can you please mark your envelope in the top left corner with RVP A, B or C dependent on which tickets you are returning. This will help us with the sorting out this end.

Best of luck! John Rudkin, Promoter

Windcutter Project Update John Brooks With only three people regularly working on the mineral wagons, progress on the overhaul of B279705 has been much slower than I would have liked, even in spite of using a contractor to carry out some of the major body repairs.

However, at the end of April, 2015 the wagon was nearly finished with only some small painting jobs to complete and a set of new axlebox oiler pads to fit before the wagon is ready for use.

Since the last set of notes were written, Steve Goodhand, John Buckland and myself with some additional help from Michael Punter, have applied a second coat of grey gloss to the body and, after cleaning off all the rust and loose paint, painted the frames in gloss black. The vacuum cylinder has been rebuilt with new seals and refitted in the wagon. With the much appreciated assistance of Martin Clarke from the paid staff at Rothley a successful vacuum test was completed which meant we could then weld in the rest of the floor over the centre section of the wagon.

Thomas Hopper made a much appreciated return visit to complete this task for us. Once all the floor was in place the inside of the wagon was painted in car underseal to provide some protection from the weather.

was gratefully accepted. Just before these notes were written Matt spent a Saturday at Rothley putting the numbers and (estimated/guessed!) tare weight on the wagon. Thanks to the research carried out by John Buckland and Phil Hetherington we have managed to identify the original number for the wagon, so it has now become B593104. This identifies it as one of a batch of 500 wagons supplied by the Central Wagon Works and built between 1956 and 1958 to diagram 1/117, which, apart from a few detail differences, is the same as the standard diagram 1/108. Interestingly this batch is recorded as not being fitted with vacuum brakes although there is a footnote that some of the wagons may have been built with vacuum brakes. Our wagon is fitted with vacuum operated clasp brakes and looks to have been so fitted from when it was built.

With B593104 nearly completed our thoughts have turned to the next wagon to be overhauled.

This is likely to be B596329, which we believe to be unique in preservation as it was one of a batch of mineral wagons built in the late 1970s using redundant Palbrick wagon frames which have a slightly longer wheelbase than the standard mineral wagons. The wagon currently resides in the down lie-by siding at Quorn & Woodhouse and a quick inspection in January, 2015 whilst we were servicing the operating wagons suggested that it is in reasonable condition. As yet no date has been fixed for its move to Rothley which will need to be via Swithland Sidings to relieve it of its cargo of cable which was loaded into it some years ago when the area to the north of Loughborough station was cleared of S&T materials. One of the reasons for selecting this wagon for repair is a request from the Operating Department for some

Some time ago GCR Guard Matt Baker offered to paint the numbers on our wagons and this offer John Brooks and Steve Goodhand attend to the successful vacuum brake testing of B279705 on 16th March 2015. JOHN BUCKLAND 34 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Steve Goodhand applying gloss black paint to B279705 on 9th April 2015. JOHN BUCKLAND

A6581 – Shell-BP 20T Class B tank wagon (built by Fairfield Bridge & Engineering, 1948) A recent yard shunt has left this wagon at the south end of Swithland yard which has necessitated the purchase of an additional extension lead. However, work has continued with Tom Lees and Keith Lloyd progressing previously prepared areas of underframe as far as gloss. more Bauxite liveried wagons to go in the mixed freight. Given this wagon’s history we plan to keep it in as near to as built condition as possible, so Bauxite is the only colour it can be.

We still have a lot of wagons which need attention so as always some additional help with the wagon repairs would be very welcome. For more information please contact John Brooks on 07769 723 278 or email j.brooks44874@btinternet.com.

If you are not able to assist us in a practical way, but would like to help financially The David Clarke Railway Trust (DCRT), who are the owners of 36 well used mineral wagons, have a separate account for the Windcutter Project and would be delighted to receive your donation. If you are a UK tax payer your donation can benefit from Gift Aid which means that DCRT can reclaim the amount of basic rate tax you have paid on your donation. Contact details for DCRT can be obtained from the link on the GCR website.

Wagon Restoration Group Phil Hetherington Once again there is plenty to report on the wagon fleet so, without further ado, here it is: A6071 – Shell-BP 20T Class B tank wagon (built by Charles Roberts, 1948) This wagon is basically complete apart from lettering and a few finishing touches such as replica works plates and so on (which have not yet been ordered). We still do not know the month of registration for the star plate which is the main reason for the delay in ordering plates. Our volunteers have decided that they’d like to try to apply the lettering themselves so we shall see how this turns out!

45055 & 45073 – Caledonian Railway 15T Pig Iron wagons (built c1905) These two open wagons were built in the early days of steel underframe construction and with the unusual wheelbase of 8’ 6”. The underframe sections are of pre-formed pressed steel sections riveted together, rather than rolled steel which later became the norm. This method of construction is interesting as it looks rather like the builders were building wooden underframes just days earlier! However, this is also the Achilles heel of these vehicles as, over time, the pressed steel sections have started to rot through and would be quite challenging to replace, at least if authenticity is required. In fact, both 45055 and 45073 have had replacement solebars in rolled steel at some time during what must have been a fairly major works repair. They have clearly led an interesting but hard life!

They became LMS vehicles at the 1923 grouping and may have passed to BR in 1948 but at some point were sold off into Army use. The numbers quoted are Army numbers as the original numbers are not known. There is evidence that the Army down-rated them to 10T. Along with number 45056 these arrived on the GCR in 1985 but have gradually fallen into disuse as their condition has deteriorated. 45055 and 45073 have now been sold and, happily, have returned to Scotland where, hopefully, their historical status as Scottish centenarians will be better appreciated by the locals. They have gone to the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway Museum project which, I must admit, I had never heard of. We wish them well with what will be a challenging restoration project.

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B732357 – BR 22T Tube (BR diagram 1/448, built at Faverdale (Darlington), 1955) Tube open wagons were intended for the transport of steel tubes, as the name suggests, as well as general merchandise. All of the Big Four railway companies had their own designs but the BR standard version is essentially based on the LMS version, but stretched to 32’ over headstocks and with an 18’ 6” wheelbase. Our example has been with us for 25 years now but has been out of traffic for a while. This is all about to change as the PWay Department have decided to adopt it as their weed killer wagon so it has recently been moved from Swithland to Quorn & Woodhouse where Nick Tinsley and his team are planning to repaint it. It has already been fitted with weed killer tanks and a spray bar for its forthcoming role.

B853841 – BR 12T Shocvan (BR diagram 1/218 built at Faverdale (Darlington), 1957) Door number three has had its new marine plywood temporarily fitted to keep the weather out while quotes are being obtained for new door framework timber. It seems that the door fixing bolts will also need replacing as the originals have rotted, in some cases to half their original thickness. These are also being sourced.

B901203 - 55T Weltrol EJC (BR diagram 2/750 built at Ashford, 1964) With the recent improvement in the weather, the repaint of this wagon’s north bogie has resumed.

Five of the six wheels have been painted in gloss as has most of the bogie framework, although some finishing is required underneath and the overhauled vacuum cylinder has yet to be fitted.

DB972608 & DB972681 – BR 21T Rudd open wagons Rudd, DB972018, has been on the GCR for a few years and was mentioned in Main Line No.162.

Two further examples became available in late 2014 and, being extremely useful vehicles, were snapped up, arriving on 4th December, 2014 for use by the PWay Department. Like DB972018, these were also rebuilt from 1950s Coal Hoppers, although I do not yet have details of their former numbers. Since arriving, both vehicles have had a number of missing components replaced. One has had a defective buffer replaced. Considerable effort, involving brute force and heat, has been

required to un-seize the side stanchions which had rusted into their slots through disuse. Both wagons are now ready for use.

DB993412 – BR 24T Dogfish ballast hopper (diagram 1/587, built by Metro-Cammell, 1957) Another new arrival, in early 2015, is this Dogfish ballast hopper. It is generally in very good condition although two of the doors were seized from disuse; these have now been freed off. The vacuum cylinder has also been replaced as the original had suffered an unusual failure; the top of the dome had rotted through due to a combination of stone chips and later paint trapping water on the top. The defective cylinder is repairable and will be refurbished as a spare.

I will end as I usually do, with an appeal for more volunteers. At present both the Quorn & Woodhouse and Swithland teams are depleted to the extent that each only has two regular volunteers so you can see that another pair of hands, even only occasionally, would really make a big difference. We can’t offer you a nice heated workshop but we can offer some good, traditional, old fashioned hard labour! I’m not selling this very well, am I? Anyway, if you’d like to get involved, please leave a message for me on 01727 810442 or contact Tom Lees via www.gcrwagongroup.co.uk

GCR Rolling Stock Trust Clyde Pennington After a 15-year painstaking rebuild, a rare Victorian 6-wheel railway carriage has emerged in the main workshop of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Ruddington. Having been ripped apart by British Rail at their Stratford Works to become a tube store, then involved in a very damaging shunt by overenthusiastic Territorial Army reservists on Exercise, sitting out on a farm in remote Cambridgeshire, the GCR Rolling Stock Trust's restoration team faced a massive challenge.

Today, the 50-seat carriage, built 127 years ago at Gorton by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, has been meticulously rebuilt, is now complete, under-coated, sanded

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MS&LR coach 946, in a dilapidated condition, on arrival at Ruddington in 2000. GCR-RST

injured in May, 1915. That means that it could go on tour to heritage railways that have the right facilities.

down and ready for its final transformation – the application of the striking but short lived French Grey and Dark Oak livery that launched the brand new Great Central Railway in 1899, at the opening of the London Extension from Nottingham to London.

This is a staggering achievement considering the state of the vehicle when first granted to the GCR Rolling Stock Trust in 1998. It was very hard to know where to start, with so much rotten woodwork and rust-eaten metalwork. The restoration team led by Anthony Keeble and Pat Sumner, both with long careers with British Railways, stripped the body to the basics to quantify the repairs and reconstruction needed.

It is their utter tenacity, determination and credit that has brought together the skills needed to transform this one-time wreck into a highly attractive vintage railway carriage.

The Trust is currently applying to the Arts Council PRISM fund for financial assistance in delivering the top coats and Museum-quality finish, enabling the classic vehicle to compete for space in the proposed Museum at Leicester North.

Major works included new bracing of the side panels, replacing the massive but broken transverse leaf spring that give spring to the buffers, rebuilding ten doors, a splicing of new timber chassis members, replacement of all the internal and external panelling and a careful removal of rust, rot and detritus. Then the detailed fitting out commenced with new brass castings and machined parts, and a host of other vital details followed to restore or accurately replicate the originals. Every effort has been made to preserve and retain original material.

We knew we had a task ahead when we started.

What we had not realised was that the restoration would be so complex and take so long. This has not been a simple job – but the end result is really very pleasing indeed, and with the expertise gained we are hopeful that our next restoration project will not be quite as long.

The Trust aims to mark the entry of No.946 into passenger carrying service in September, 2015, assuming the final touches and fitness to run exam are completed to everyone's satisfaction.

The carriage will be available for inspection during normal operating times of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham NG11 6NX Tel: 0115 9405 705. Email: clyde.pennington@live.co.uk

The plan is to offer the completed 50-seat carriage with its fully upholstered compartments as part of the 100th anniversary commemoration of the Quintinshill rail disaster (see Main Line No.162) – the UK's worst ever death toll, in which 227 troops of the Royal Scots Regiment destined for the Gallipoli campaign were killed and many more seriously Nearing the end of a 15 year restoration on 26th April, 2015, 946 is beginning to reveal its Victorian splendour. The first undercoats of brown and grey have been applied. CLYDE PENNINGTON MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 37

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Permanent Way Progress The felled Sycamore that was adjacent to The Cedars Hotel. KELLY BALDRY

repairs to rail defects is also in the process of being arranged.

As always your assistance would be very welcome should you feel able to offer it. Contact can be made through the Booking Office as usual.

Lineside Clearance Kelly Baldry reports

Leicester North to Loughborough Central Section Andrew Higginson The editor is short of space and I am short of time for this edition, so please forgive me if I’m brief this time. Following on from all the tamping work, ballasting was quite a feature of the PWay work programme. This has put us in a more reasonable position to be ready for the hot weather but further ballast has already been delivered in readiness for dealing with more places where the ballast profile is weak. The regular round of re-sleepering is also continuing to good effect, most recently around the 94¼ milepost at Woodthorpe. Materials have been procured for various tasks during the coming months, not least the continuation of connecting up the new Carriage Shed at Swithland Sidings to the rest of the railway. Parts of this work may only be temporary but it will enable valuable historical items to be moved under cover.

The PWay team were again undertaking essential tree works during mid-March, 2015 assisted by volunteers. This was the final stage of bank clearance alongside The Cedars Hotel and involved felling a multi-stemmed Sycamore. The tree had a dead and rotten stem section at its base, and regularly dropped dead branches; its proximity to the hotel car park and conservatory was a safety concern. The Sycamore’s canopy was shielded by nearby conifers, which have been reduced or are scheduled for removal by the hotel.

Tree surgeons advised that the sycamore would become unstable once the nearby conifers no longer provided shelter from the wind. So it had to go!

The tree was felled straight down across the track (following removal of branches crossing into the

Looking forward the regular tasks will continue and the work on the Carriage Shed will be progressed. We are also planning to regulate the ballast that has been dropped and some weld PWay members undertake the arduous task of removing the remnants of the Sycamore on 12th March, 2015. KELLY BALDRY 38 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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On 14th March, 2015 further clearance work in underway just south of Beeches Road bridge.

CLIVE HANLEY

their workshop and two local residents collected the rest for domestic wood burners. So the tree had a good use!

conifers), and then cut into sections. Felling proved to be the easy bit – the hard work was manhandling the logs back up the bank! None of the wood went to waste though as a local business took the larger pieces for a bio-mass boiler to heat

Once the works to remove the oversized conifers are completed – scheduled for autumn/winter, when the bird nesting season is over, guests will have an even better view of the action on the GCR. During the Winter Gala, more photographers than usual used the hotel and adjacent bank, and several commented on the improved look, which now allows better views and photo opportunities!

In the Box - Andrew Higginson with tales from the signalboxes

and results. It will be something to be proud of Our boxes seem to get busier and busier. They and leads to a complete process for training and are certainly open on more days than they are assessment. We are already beginning to put closed. The reasons are various, shunting (for a whole host of reasons), photo charters, plans into place for the next course which will engineering or testing work and, of course, run during 2016. Meanwhile some of our existing Signalmen are continuing to learn additional running a service. It is a credit to those Signalmen signalboxes. Recent successes are Steven who regularly step up to the mark to cover these Chapple in Loughborough, Graham Frost in jobs, whether it’s once a month or once a week Quorn & Woodhouse and Alan Pakes, Pete we couldn’t do it without their commitment. Of Garrard and Ian Althorpe in Swithland Sidings. course, there is a dedicated core who are willing and fortunate enough to be able to offer regular Apologies to anyone I’ve missed, it’s been a busy three months! help. This group changes as faces come and faces go of course. One such was Gordon One of the more remote signalboxes on the GCR. No.92220 Derry, who made a huge “Evening Star” passes Swithland Sidings signalbox on 23rd April, contribution until his recent 2015. JOHN A SMITH retirement. We were very sad, therefore, to hear that he had become seriously ill shortly after hanging up his duster, leading to his death earlier this year. This is reported on in more detail elsewhere. Suffice it to say that our most sincere condolences go out to Gordon’s family.

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Signal & Telegraph Report Leicester North to Loughborough Central Section Steve Evans There has been more progress this quarter at Loughborough with the guttering which is now complete on the Signalbox, Relay Room and Lamp Hut. Handrails have been fitted to the south and north ends of the box and further painting and touching up has been done. Three fire buckets have been installed vertically on the front of the box and the coal and ash bunker is approaching completion.

Preparation has continued for the work week which is programmed for 9th to 17th May. Twenty levers are to be refurbished while 10 spare pivot plates have been refurbished ready for installation.

10 bushes are ready to re-bush with 10 of the 20 pivot plates to be removed so that the lever frame can be rebuilt. The other 10 pivot plates to be removed will be re-bushed for use in the remaining lever refurbishment works in due course. Three new corrugated arms have been made and painted for stop signals; these will be fitted on to the Down Inner Home at Loughborough. More 19¾” long square shank bolts have been fabricated for use in the refurbishment of compensator and crank bases.

The notice board has been restored for Quorn signalbox and is ready to be refitted.

Lever pull plates have been cast and are being painted and fitted. An LNER trespass sign and a GCR ‘Beware of Trains’ sign have been painted ready for installation outside the box.

A start has been made on the two new build groundframes for the Mountsorrel Branch.

Mountsorrel No.1 groundframe will operate the connection from the single line into Swithland Sidings. Mountsorrel No.2 groundframe will operate the connection into the Nunckley Hill development. Materials are on order and a start has been made to refurbish the equipment.

A 48 core fibre cable and a 50 pair telecoms cable have been buried between the Swithland Up Autodistant in Kinchley Lane cutting and the south end of Quorn & Woodhouse station yard.

The work was done by signalling and telecoms staff over a three week period with the able assistance of a digger driven by Steve Barsby.

Typically, 140m of trench was dug in a day, the cable being laid and first fill cover placed by hand.

The trench backfill was then completed and compacted by machine. Finally, the site was tidied by shovel work.

Troughing has been installed in various locations.

Telent provided the manpower and fittings to splice, joint and fully test and commission the cable before handing over to the railway. This included a training exercise for Network Rail for the jointing and termination. The installation has been done with future extension of the cable taken into consideration. The cable will provide better

On 10th April, 2015 Telent instruct Network Rail trainees in the art of fibre cable jointing at the Swithland complex. JOHN DRAKE 40 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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More fibre cable jointing at Swithland with Telent providing the instruction on 9th April, 2015. The newly installed troughing with its cable on the right. JOHN DRAKE

connections for equipment at Swithland and Rothley and will give data connectivity to various locations on the railway such as the Carriage & Wagon Shed at Rothley. It effectively provides a Local Area Network. The voice systems will eventually be transferred to the fibre cable from the existing copper wired cable.

At Rothley the Telecoms gang has been refurbishing the Relocatable Equipment Building (REB) as the Telecoms room. It was donated to us by Telent, having previously been used as a radio equipment room in mid-Wales. It has been

re-panelled inside and refitted.

A server-sized data rack acquired locally has been installed. Re-cabling is being done to give outside connections to the Carriage Shed and signalbox. During the work week, it is intended to move the exchange to the REB. The usual faulting and maintenance has been carried out.

As can be seen from the above, the department is progressing its considerable and varied workload but is always on the look out for additional volunteers to help ease the burden. If you are willing and able to assist, please contact Graham Bannister either at the railway or on 01332 881 412.

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The Mountsorrel Railway Project

Steve Cramp leads the team of volunteers working on the project and sets out the latest progress

The Mountsorrel Station site has been transformed now that track is laid through the platform. We had a battle against time in the end. The Lafarge digger/loading shovel operator Nigel Copson, who has worked to help the restoration of the railway over the past six years, Volunteers pack and line up the track at Mountsorrel station in was retiring in February, 2015 so February, 2015. Note the gauge that ensures the track is in the we had to ensure that the track was correct position in relation to the platform. GRAHAM STOCKS that the final 115m of trackbed hadn't even been laid, packed and completely ballasted before he base ballasted by mid January! retired and we lost the use of diggers and loading shovels. This would be no mean feat considering As you will have seen in the last issue of Main Line, our volunteers were pushing on with much vigour to complete on time but by Nigel's final weekend of helping us, although track had been laid and partially packed, we were still left with the problem of laying 100 tonnes of top ballast.

This meant that the team was in action for long days on both the final Saturday and Sunday. By Saturday lunchtime we had lifted, lined and shovel packed the final section of the track. To drop the top ballast, the digger would load a PWay trolley with around a tonne of ballast, the Wickham would then propel the trolley to the area to be unloaded, the volunteers would then shovel for all they were worth to unload the ballast around the track and then repeat again for the next load. Once we got into our stride, we had each loading/unloading cycle down to only four minutes!

Top ballast being unloaded at Mountsorrel station in February, 2015 from a PWay trolley whilst another group lift and pack the track. GRAHAM STOCKS 42 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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The sand drag and buffer stop under Bond Lane bridge just beyond Mountsorrel station.

The bank in the background shields Mountsorrel Quarry from sight. A similar sand drag will be built on the branch at Swithland.

GEOFF JAMES

into the new demonstration shunting sidings and the small Mountsorrel Railway museum that will form part of the Heritage Centre project (see Main Line No.159).

This was repeated around 100 times to ballast the full section of track and there were some very tired arms by the time we had finished on the Sunday evening! Nevertheless, the completed track is to a very high standard.

Our next task was to build the sand drag at the end of the line which is there to stop a runaway train should it occur. This was built to a standard design using fixed down sleepers to form a frame which is then filled with sandy gravel. Another sand drag is to go at the GCR end of the line at Swithland. These are required because of the steep gradients on the branch line rising at 1:61 from the GCR to the summit at Nunckley Hill and falling at 1:70 down to Mountsorrel Station.

This is much steeper than the 1:176 ruling gradient on the GCR main line.

The branch line received a spot visit from two Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) inspectors in April, 2015. With only half an hour’s notice, we were able to give them a full tour of the line explaining the work already undertaken and the many tasks still to complete. The inspectors were very pleased with the very high standard of the restoration.

At the time of writing in mid April, 2015, the point isn't quite finished with alignment still to be fine tuned before screwing down and ballasting.

Our next job will be to install the sand drag point at the GCR end of the branch line at Swithland.

A big thanks goes Graham Banister and the GCR's S&T volunteers who are working with us to build ground frames and to fit facing point locks for the two new points.

Work has started on the Heritage Centre site at Nunckley Hill with our good friend Steve Barsby digging out the roadway and building the site road entrance. The main contract for the Heritage Centre and station platform has been awarded to Carlin Construction of Nottingham and work is due to start on 4th May, 2015. The build phase is six months and we are looking to be able to open the site in January, 2016.

Besides track laying, our volunteers have also been working on many other areas of the project.

Further sections of boundary hedge have been laid at Mountsorrel Station and the Nunckley Trail. A new Holly boundary hedge has been planted by our volunteers at the north end of the

Track work has now shifted to Nunckley Hill. Our volunteers have installed a new point into the branch line at the west approach to what will be Nunckley Hill station. This will lead The switches for the new point at Nunckley Hill are carefully positioned on 28th March, 2015. STEVE CRAMP MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 43

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Point closure rails are lifted into place at Nunckley Hill on 4th April, 2015. STEVE CRAMP

Heritage Centre site. The bushes for this were sponsored by the site's neighbour. Some further planting has taken place around the Nunckley Trail to increase the biodiversity of the site.

However, I am sorry to say it isn't all good news. In April, 2015 our small tool shed was broken into and £2700 worth of track laying power tools were stolen, despite them being stored in a special van tool safe which was also stolen. This included a Cembre Impact Wrench worth £1600. If you know of a heritage railway that has been offered one of these recently, I would be keen to hear about it.

Great care had been taken to store the tools as securely as possible but when you are faced with a situation where the safe is stolen as well, it is difficult to know what else to do! These tools had been funded by our own volunteers and are essential to the continuation of our work so losing them in this way was a real blow. Nevertheless, we are pushing on as best we can. Needless to say tools are no longer stored in the shed. They are now all stored off site and brought to the railway for use at each work party. This is a pain due to their weight and bulky nature but whilst there are people who are prepared to steal at all costs, this is what we will have to do.

Although things are still moving on rapidly, the loss of tools, the extensive workload still ahead and the need to raise the remaining £8,000 for the junction sand drag siding, mean that the planned opening of the branch line has had to be put back again from July to, hopefully, October, 2015. A date should be firmed up by the end of April after this issue of Main Line goes to press, so keep an eye on the Mountsorrel project website at www.mountsorrelrailway.org.uk for the latest news.

If you would like to donate to our appeal for the sand drag siding at the GCR end of the line at Swithland, then thank you very much. Please send your donation cheque, made payable to DCRT (The David Clarke Railway Trust) and write Mountsorrel Railway on the back, to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW. If you are a UK tax payer please also download a Gift Aid form from the project website www.mountsorrelrailway.org.uk and send it with your donation. This way the tax man will add a further 25% to your donation at no cost to you.

The point at Nunckley Hill which will lead to the demonstration sidings. The Heritage Centre will be on the top of the rise seen in the distance on 18th April, 2015.

The point awaits the fitting of a check rail to the right hand side, final alignment and the installation of a ground frame.

STEVE CRAMP

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GCR Class 2 No.567 Project

GCR 567 Loco Group

Andrew Horrocks-Taylor, Chairman and Project Manager of the GCR 567 Locomotive Group gives an update on progress

FRAMES ORDERED!

The group is very pleased to announce that the locomotive frames are now on order from I D Howitt Engineering Ltd of Wakefield with delivery expected over the approaching summer. There will be enough components supplied for the frames to be quickly assembled.

No.567 can then officially be categorised as existing; 125 years after being first built in December, 1890 and 84 years after withdrawal from LNER service in September, 1931. A significant milestone for the new-build project.

Frame Manufacture Ian Howitt has extensive experience in the engineering of locomotives and was involved in significant aspects of the construction of No.60163 “Tornado” with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. During a visit to his workshops in Wakefield by three No.567 management group members, a number of other railway projects were visible, notably; two sets of frames, one for a Midland Railway tender and the other for a narrow gauge locomotive. Ian took us through his intentions for the frames of No.567 which are a little more complex, with initial flame cutting, dressing, machining then bending, final machining after which a good layer of red oxide is applied ahead of delivery to Ruddington. There are also doubler plates that need to match the bend and a number of stretchers, plus front and rear dragbox components of the same plate thickness.

Ian has agreed a price on the basis that the schedule is not interrupted by marketing

The computer generated model of the frames now on order from I D Howitt of Wakefield showing all the parts, with the exception of the crank axle, that are included in the manufacturing order. The building of the frames represents the first major step in bringing No.567 to life. 567 COPYRIGHT

activities and so has kindly requested not to be contacted by the general public for permission to film or photograph the manufacture. This will be recorded via the management group or by Ian in person.

The frame drawings have been the significant task to get to the point of commencement of manufacture. The frames are the main integrating item for the locomotive's main elements. Mistakes are not allowed and so the team decided that, to check the geometry, a professional draughtsman, John Herbst, would be contracted to check against a 3D CAD model that referenced back to the original Victorian Kitson Arrangement drawing. This has all been carried out, the tolerancing scheme greatly simplified and stage drawings provided in flat cut form as well as bend format to professional standard using earlier outline extracts from volunteer Barry Newcombe. Checking was carried out by Design Manager, Alan Bullock, and approved by Chief Engineer, Mike Fairburn.

This means that we have good drawings to check conformance at each stage of manufacture as well as the final delivered items - essential if all is to smoothly fit together when delivered.

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Cylinder Block As part of the cylinder block survey, corrosion was discovered on the valve seat base. This will be corrected as well as the block thickness being machined to match the frame dimensions. Ian Howitt has offered to get this completed at the same time as the frames are machined, using the frame contractor. This can then be done without splitting the block. This could leave the group with the welcome option of mounting the block in the frames with initial assembly.

offer. Once the frames are laid down this is the historic recreation that we hope will appeal to those outside the GCR fraternity. A number of press releases are planned as significant milestones are due to be achieved over the next few months.

However, the frames have depleted the group's funds significantly, so this is dependent on future fund raising. Contributions are gratefully received.

3rd and 4th October:- GCR Autumn Steam Gala, Quorn & Woodhouse Station Yard, Great Central Railway. Outdoor Event Tent

Marketing the Project The group attended the GCR Winter Steam Gala.

The weather was dry and cold but interest was good. A number of visitors to the stand had not heard of the project before but were impressed with the whole concept of the Victorian Main Line Express - especially as the 1880s six wheeler carriage of the GCR Rolling Stock Trust is nearing completion in the Ruddington Workshops.

Recreating the Victorian main line is the unique proposition the GCR double track main line, GCR carriages and GCR No.567 locomotive can

Forthcoming Events 4th July 2015:- AGM of the GCR 567 Locomotive Group, GCR(N), Ruddington, Nottingham (see website for further details)

10th Oct 2015:- Men's Breakfast Talk – Ashbyde-la-Zouch. The Construction of a Brand New Victorian Main Line Locomotive – GCR 567 Group Chairman, Andrew Horrocks-Taylor If any group would like to learn more about the project, please contact us and we would love to present the 567 project and/or the wider Victorian Main Line Express, subject to the Chairman’s availability. Providing education in the history and construction of the locomotive is part of our charitable purpose.

For more details, please visit our website www.gcr567loco.co.uk that contains further details on forthcoming events.

No.708, a classmate of No.567, with rake of GCR Suburban carriages at Abbey Road Leicester on 26th March, 1913. One of the images the group aims to recreate on the surviving Great Central. W BRADSHAW

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Steam Locomotive News No.92220 “Evening Star” (aka No.92214) looks resplendent in its authentic 1960 livery complete with coppertopped chimney. ALAN WEAVER

Loughborough Motive Power Department David Mathews Well, it was always going to be tight but our efforts to commission BR Standard Class 2 No.78018 before sister No.78019 comes out of service on 26th May, 2015 have been unsuccessful.

The status of the boiler at Crewe at the end of April, 2015 was that re-tubing was complete and an LSLG squad was due to take the grate components over and build them into the firebox so that LNWR could do the steam test. A few monel stays remained to be fitted so that would all suggest a return to Loughborough at about the time you read these notes. Then we have to make a complete set of clothing sheets. This will be the

dominant task determining completion. Yes, there are a lot of other little jobs but they should be on a shorter timescale. That leaves us to consider No.78019 which will call on the same pool of labour to strip down and remove the boiler. Almost certainly this will be going off site for overhaul. The question is, what defects will they find? My own suspicion is that these 2MT boilers are very weak around the back corners and we must expect to find some cracking that requires patches cutting out and replacing. Other than the boiler, we hope to have a light overhaul with no other areas known to need other than minimal attention. So now we must concentrate on getting No.78019 out before No.78018 needs an overhaul!

All this means that the next locomotive to be released to service will be GWR Modified Hall No.6990 “Witherslack Hall”. At the end of April,

Visiting from the West Somerset Railway No.6960 “Raveningham Hall” races down the Quorn Straight on 18th April, 2015. TREVOR FELTHAM MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 47

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LMS 8F No.48624 displays its immaculate finish achieved by Andy Morgan and his team as it heads out of Loughborough with Black 5 No.45305 during the Railways at Work Gala on 18th April, 2015.

CLIVE HANLEY

2015 work on the new smokebox (except for the superheater manifold brackets) was complete, the door brackets were finished, insulation blanket material had been delivered and the repainted clothing sheets were ready to fit over it. The cab roof had been replaced but the tender brake gear needed finishing.

corroded tender tank. Could the locomotive run with a different tender for a while? On the Standard 5, progress has seen a big surge after the turning of the boiler. This has enabled volunteers to refit the crinolines and start thinking about the

Next off the line will be either LMS 8F No.48305 or BR Standard Class 5 No.73156.

Work on the 8F has stopped to concentrate efforts on the Hall.

The axle boxes and horn faces are part finished but possibly the biggest challenge will be the

“

Doing what a 9F does best, No.92220 “Evening Star” hauls its freight train through Quorn & Woodhouse on 18th April, 2015.

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clothing sheets almost all of which have to be made from scratch. This is going to draw on the same group working on No.78018 so will have to follow that. Access is now clear to all the washout plug holes which have been tapped out. Work is also needed to the flange faces of the clacks, the safety valves, the dome and manifold which all need significant efforts. The railway staff have to replace some rivets in the boiler barrel lap joint and re-face some corroded areas of the lower barrel insides. Then there is the little matter of re-tubing for which a lot of preparatory work has taken place on the flue tubes. The smoke tubes are in stock. I think we might be looking at 2016 for at least one of these two.

has seen the tender frames cleaned by the regular volunteers who are making the most of the good weather and already have two coats of primer applied. The new middle cylinder valve liners have been fitted to the valve chest bores. They have to be slid in and correctly positioned before they warm to shed temperature and become irrevocably locked into position. Work continues on the expansion links which have new fitted

On SR West Country No.34039 “Boscastle”, work in the last quarter At Woodthorpe on 18th April, 2015 No.6960 “Raveningham Hall” runs south during the Railways at Work Gala. JOHN BAGSHAW MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 49

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The valve liner for the middle cylinder of No.34039 “Boscastle”, shrunk in liquid nitrogen at minus 196 ºC, is inserted into the valve chest on 24th February, 2015. ANDY MORGAN

worst fears were not realised as a miracle cure was effected and the leak fixed without removing the boiler from the frames.

GNR N2 No.1744 has been in bits for the last couple of months thus missing trips to the Nene Valley Railway and the Lincolnshire Wolds Railways. The work has involved making a new right side piston rod to replace the one slightly distorted by the cold last year. A new big end brass and a valve head have also been machined bolts, nuts and return crank rod pins machined in and new valve rings fitted. After recent running house. New injector brackets have been made and in, it has left to fulfil a summer booking at the are being fitted. Physical progress on the boiler has paused as the quotes for repair are awaited. Epping and Ongar Railway. Our LMS Red 8F No.48624 is no more as it has been transformed The locomotive group will be present at the into a very shiny unlined Black 8F! The family Woodford Gala helping to raise funds for visitors will no doubt be sad but the re-paint No.34039 and the Bridge to the Future Appeal. should satisfy the perfectionist enthusiasts. That just leaves the three other operational engines in The tyres for No.70013 “Oliver Cromwell” have the home fleet, the LMS Ivatt Class 2 No.46521, been delivered to Riley's in April, 2015 where which has had spells on the West Somerset and they will be fitted to the coupled wheels. They Lincolnshire Wolds Railways, the LMS 3F Jinty will then need turning to the correct profile. The No.47406, and the BR Standard Class 9F locomotive was waiting to be transported to No.92214, currently masquerading as No.92220 Butterley in April, 2015 to drop the wheels out of the frame. When it returns to Loughborough, we “Evening Star”, which spent Christmas at the Severn Valley Railway and a brief spell at the have to re-fit the valves with new rings which are Llangollen Railway. a stock item. There is also the small matter of a . lot of tubes to replace.

Locomotive Maintenance Services have been busy with the help of new starter Nick Frechter, SR King Arthur No.777 “Sir Lamiel” is also currently being treated to a new set of smoke tubes. Nearly all the old ones were out at the time of writing. It was uncertainty regarding these that made us restrict the activities to exclude main line use.

The last of the main line registered trio, LMS Black 5 No.45305, came back from the Keighley and Worth Railway with a cloud hanging over it's firebox but our Immaculate 8F No.48624 departs Quorn & Woodhouse on 18th April, 2015. TREVOR FELTHAM 52 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Adding colour to the scene GNR N2 No.1744 runs down the Quorn Straight on 11th April, 2015. ANDREW SOUTHWELL

sponsored by the Boiler Education Skills Training Trust (BESTT). I had not heard of this but apparently it is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and not the taxpayer. Its objectives are to promote the retention of boiler making skills for the heritage steam movement, a thoroughly laudable aim.

One of Nick's first tasks was to fit a lot of patch screws in the outer wrapper of David Wright's own Austerity Hunslet 3809/3846. In at the deep end! Roger Hibbert's Austerity “Robert” HC 1752 now has all the copper side stays fitted and work has started on replacing all the crown stays.

“Mardy Monster” Peckett OQ 2154 of 1954 now has its new foundation ring in place awaiting new outer wrapper half sides. The steel throat has been removed and needs replacement together with new palm stays. GWR No.4953 “Pitchford Hall” has had the slide bars realigned, the bogie axle boxes white metalled, and superheater header sockets re-machined. Repairs to de Winton 0-4-0 VBT “Chaloner” have been completed and the locomotive returned to the owners. Apparently care was needed to sympathetically preserve the vintage appearance of the locomotive so new parts had to be weathered to make them look old!

LMS have three boilers off 2' gauge locomotives in for work, all from the Leighton Buzzard

Railway. That off “Sezela No.4” (Avonside No 1738 of 1915) has received new stays and patch screws and is awaiting re-tubing. Ones off “Pixie” (Kerr Stewart No.4260 of 1922) and “Doll” (Andrew Barclay No.1641 of 1919) have recently arrived. Interestingly, these latter two are of modern manufacture incorporating welding that looks like submerged arc resulting in a very neat finish.

That just leaves the NER Railcar project in the shed. Peter van Houten tells me that he is working towards functional testing of the brakes and electrics in the near future but there do seem to be hundreds of small parts arranged on the frames ready for fitting. It is powered by a 350hp Cummins diesel. Sounds very like a vertically configured version of the horizontal engines that lurk under each coach of a big railway Meridian.

No.72010 “Hengist” - Robert Ife reports Following three years of consolidation and efforts being focussed on the manufacture of components for the mainframe assembly, the first visible presence of the locomotive should occur at the Great Central Railway very soon.

It’s not all black! Driver Alan Binder deep cleaning the frames of 8F No.48624 in the pit at Loughborough shed on 7th March 2015. PETER HACKNEY MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 53

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The cab structure, which has been in store for some years, is currently being refurbished and, when completed, will be removed from our current storage facility, brought over to the GCR and placed on display at Quorn & Woodhouse station for the majority of the summer months. It is hoped that it will also be joined, quite quickly, with another large assembly to represent the locomotive’s progress. There will be periods when the cab will be removed as visits are planned for other locations where a presence has been requested but, for the majority of the time, it will be displayed at Quorn & Woodhouse.

network, on test along the GCR’s double track mainline.

As ever, if anyone wishes to Join the Clan, please visit our website, www.theclanproject.org for membership details or contact us by mail at PO Box 660, Swansea SA1 9LU

Ruddington Motive Power Department - Mike Fairburn

Just £30,000 (approximately) now separates us from our vision of having the full chassis assembly erected by the close of 2015 – the Frames Appeal remains open and all donations, large or small, will be gratefully accepted.

With two working locomotives to maintain, four under heavy overhaul and one subject to proposals for fast track overhaul, there is much to be done in the Steam Locomotive Engineering Department. The arrival of LMS 8F No.8274 has been very welcome and the owners’ engineering team have been a most welcome addition to the operations and engineering teams at Ruddington.

With the commencement of the main operating season at the beginning of April, 2015, there is a demand upon the time of the same core of volunteers engaged in locomotive work to operate trains. New and existing volunteers are always welcome and the roles of trainees to support both overhaul work and steam operations are particularly welcome. The work is often repetitive and usually involves getting dirty but such work is a vital ingredient of operation of train services on the GCR(N).

Please do consider contributing to this worthwhile goal – the more money that comes in, the sooner we will see a brand new BR Standard Class 6 Clan, engineered to suit the 21st Century railway

RSH 0-6-0 No.63 “Corby” The locomotive passed its routine in-steam examination in January, 2015 and is available for service through the peak of the 2015 season.

Other developments include the completion by S & E engineering of the frame cross stay assembly and commencement of machining of the frame stretcher with brake cylinder mount.

It is hoped that further frame components will be ordered shortly, one such being the exhaust steam spider which is an integral part of the smokebox saddle. Quotations for this are currently being obtained.

LMS 8F No.8274 Cold and in-steam examinations took place earlier in the year and No.8274 is available for service throughout the year.

Duro USA S100 No.30075 Quotations have been obtained for a full overhaul of the boiler and are being considered with a view to having the locomotive available for service in 2016.

LMS 8F No.8274 near Bridge 316 on the GCR(N) section on 26th April, 2015. JOHN BAGSHAW 54 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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8F No.8274 at Rushcliffe Halt on 26th April, 2015 awaiting departure for Loughborough North. PHIL SHARPE

USA S160 No.1631 Major progress over the last four months has seen the severely corroded piston valve heads and pistons removed from the cylinder block. The skilful removal of these items has revealed that the cylinder bores have not sustained any significant damage as a result of the seized piston heads. The cylinders will be re-bored to clean out the pitting caused by corrosion and valve chest liners will be replaced but neither of these tasks is more than would be necessary during a routine heavy overhaul. Main steam and exhaust ports are being thoroughly cleaned out to remove the accumulated debris from the more than 30 years since they last saw live steam.

No.1631 has a large pool of parts, many gathered by previous owners as a contingency against the findings of detailed examination. The sorting and selection of parts for overhaul to be used in the reassembly of the locomotive is progressing. The next priority now that cylinder condition is known is to prepare the re-profiled wheelsets for fitting.

Restoration of the hornstay mating faces on the frame will require some welding and hand finishing. On the hornstays themselves, the corresponding faces are easier to deal with as they can be machined following weld reclamation to obtain true square faces. The axlebox bearings will require boring to match axle diameters and fitting to the axle journals. The small horizontal borer in the machine shop will be prepared for this task of line boring the bearings.

Manning Wardle 0-6-0 No.1762 “Dolobran” Work continues steadily on the heavy general overhaul of this locomotive. Alignment of the new slide bars was in progress during March, 2015. Progression of works to the final machining of the phosphor bronze liners on the driving axle boxes is expected from April onwards, in preparation for re-wheeling.

Manning Wardle 0-6-0 No.2009 “Rhyl” Following a delay in overhaul work because of the demands of train operation, work should re-start on the mechanical overhaul during the second quarter of 2015. New phosphor bronze liners will be cast and machined for the driving axle to enable re-wheeling.

RSH 0-6-0 No.56 No decision has yet been made regarding firebox repairs. Proposals for heavy repair are still awaited at the time of writing and the viability of a localised repair is again being considered.

Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 No.1682 “Julia” The repair of the water tank has been completed and steam heat and vacuum brake pipework completed below footplate level. Further work on the restoration of the cab has been completed.

A recent bonus has been the donation of the original reverser level latch arrangement which had been removed from the locomotive long before it came to Ruddington. The reverser and weighshaft installation is now complete.

The frame has been made ready for lifting from the leading wheelset and positioned on stands to receive the new cylinder block. It is hoped to have the fitting, alignment and securing of the block completed and the frame re-wheeled quickly to speed the return to operational condition of the locomotive.

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Return of the Hall - Dennis Wilcock relates the story of

No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” GWR 4-6-0 No.6990 “Witherslack Hall”, complete with Hawksworth tender, runs into Marylebone with an express from Manchester during the Locomotive Exchanges in April, 1948.

COLOUR-RAIL

There is nothing more welcome than the return of an old friend and none more so than the return to traffic of Hawkesworth designed Modified Hall No.6990 “Witherslack Hall”. No.6990’s association with the preserved Great Central Railway began on 29th November, 1975 when it arrived at Quorn & Woodhouse from Barry scrapyard having been purchased by the Witherslack Hall Locomotive Society. Of course, the use of GWR locomotives on the GCR goes back a long way to the opening of the link to Banbury in 1903 from when GWR locomotives were often seen venturing as far north as Leicester and Nottingham.

No.6990 has a particular association with the Great Central Railway as it was chosen to represent the former Great Western Railway in the mixed traffic category of the 1948 Locomotive Exchanges.

The Locomotive Exchanges were organised by the embryonic British Railways ostensibly with

the aim of using the best features of the designs of the previous Big Four railway companies in the forthcoming design of the British Railways Standard locomotives. Much has been written about the difficulties of testing locomotives on the railway when results would be subject to driver familiarity, coal quality, traffic conditions and weather to name but a few of the uncontrolled variables (including in Main Line Nos. 60 and 61). The results also allowed the supporters of each of the previous companies to claim victory.

The locomotives were organised into three groups for testing - Express Passenger, Mixed Traffic and Freight engines. In the mixed traffic group were an LMS Black Five, a LNER B1, a SR West Country and Hall No.6990 representing the GWR. The main tests were conducted from mid April to early September with supplementary tests for the GWR locomotives held in November.

The tests were held over the routes St Pancras to Manchester, Marylebone to Manchester, Bristol to Plymouth and Perth to Inverness.

Because of its wide loading gauge, the Hall was restricted to Marylebone to Manchester, taking advantage of the former GCR’s generous No.6990 at Manchester London Road during the Locomotive Exchanges of 1948. J HILMER /COLOUR-RAIL

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No.6990 at Loughborough Central on 29th November, 1975 on the day of its arrival on the preserved Great Central Railway.

BILL SQUIRES

maximum equivalent drawbar horse power for the Mixed Traffic locomotives were: LMS Black Five LNER B1 GWR Hall SR West Country

loading gauge and Bristol to Plymouth where it was on home ground.

A comprehensive report was published in 1949 with a multiplicity of statistics which not only complicated comparisons between locomotives but also allowed enthusiasts to cherry pick statistics that proved that their locomotive was best. Perhaps the best figures for comparison are those for coal consumption per hour per draw bar horse power averaged over all the routes. This gave the following figures: LMS Black Five LNER B1 GWR Hall SR West Country

3.54lb/dbhp/hr 3.57lb/dbhp/hr 3.94lb/dbhp/hr 4.11lb/dbhp/hr

The Great Central route proved one of the hardest tests for the locomotives. Test loads were 395 tons and the run required 5½ hours of continuous steaming. Gradients were severe on the section from Nottingham to Sheffield and across the Pennines. North of Sheffield were 20 miles at 1 in 120 or 132 without a break and only the West Country proved master of this section with hard and continuous steaming. The placing of the West Country in the Mixed Traffic class was a little incongruous as it was a much more powerful engine than the others. To illustrate the point the figures for the

1371 edbhp 1238 edbhp 1287 edbhp 2010 edbhp

No.6990 “Witherslack Hall”, built to the design of F W Hawksworth with a higher degree of superheat than previous Halls (hence the class title of Modified Hall), was completed in April, 1948 by British Railways. It was originally paired with a Collett riveted tender lettered British Railways but this was swapped for a slab-sided Hawksworth tender lettered GWR for the Exchange Trials. With the Trial starting in the month of completion No.6990 would hardly have been run in.

In normal service, No.6990 was mostly stationed at Old Oak Common, the main GWR shed for Paddington, with the exception of a year at Oxford and the last two years when it operated from Bristol. It was used on most of the duties for Old Oak Halls and at Bristol it was employed on cross country services from Weymouth and Salisbury to Bristol and South Wales. The engine was withdrawn on 17th December, 1965 and arrived at Woodham’s scrapyard at Barry in February, 1966. No.6990 arrived at Quorn & Woodhouse on 29th November, 1975 (a week after a Collett tender had arrived) and was immediately towed to Loughborough.

Looking resplendent in its Great Western Railway livery after its restoration No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” runs down towards Rothley on 28th August, 1989. HORACE GAMBLE MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 57

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Now in its BR Lined Black livery No.6990 departs Loughborough Central on 29th March, 1997.

HORACE GAMBLE

After a prolonged restoration, No.6990 entered service on 30th August, 1986 and was re-named by David Weston on 8th October that year. After a successful period of running it was withdrawn for boiler repairs on 8th January, 1992. After these had been completed it again returned to service on 27th January 1996 sporting the BR mixed traffic livery of lined black. After a further period of running it was again

In 2013 an agreement was reached with the Friends of Locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall to swap the 1929 designed Collett tender that had arrived with No.6990 when it first came to the preserved GCR, with a 1948 designed Hawksworth all welded tender owned by that group on the Severn Valley Railway.

Thus No.6990 reverted to the appearance it had when built.

The fully steam-tested boiler was reunited with the frames on 24th March, 2015.

Work then continued on the assembly of all the remaining components to produce once again a finished locomotive.

It is hoped that No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” will to return to service at the GCR’s Woodford 50th Anniversary Commemoration mini gala on 13th and On 24th March, 2015 the fully repaired boiler of No.6990 14th June, 2015. Because of the copy is lowered onto the frames at Loughborough Central with deadlines for this issue of Main Line the the aid of the railway’s steam crane. ANDY BENNETT completion of the story will be told on the Main Line Xtra pages of the GCR’s website withdrawn for a brief period on 8th August, 1999 which is available to members of Friends of the but returned to traffic in 2000. Continuing boiler Great Central Main Line. problems again led to its withdrawal in 2001.

The ownership of No.6990 was transferred to The David Clarke Railway Trust in 2006 and a further period of restoration then started. The boiler went to the Birmingham Railway Museum at Tyseley for a full ten year boiler overhaul.

With the boiler away, the work on the tender and frames was undertaken at Loughborough with a complete renovation of all the motion parts.

The backhead of the boiler being fitted out on 2nd May, 2015. ANDY FILLINGHAM 58 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Building Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive, No.2007 “PRINCE OF WALES”

The Class P2 2-8-2 Mikado locomotives, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley to haul 600 ton trains on the arduous Edinburgh to Aberdeen route, were the most powerful passenger steam locomotives to operate in the UK. Sadly, the design was never fully developed and they were rebuilt as ungainly Pacifics in 1943/44 and scrapped by 1961. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (a registered charity and builders of famous new steam locomotive No.60163 “Tornado”) is building the seventh member of this class No.2007 “Prince of Wales” - over seven years at an estimated cost of £5m. The project will demonstrate how the design can be fully realised through the use of modern computer design techniques, enabling the new locomotive to deliver its full potential hauling passenger trains at high speed across today’s national network.

Engine frames erected at the Darlington Locomotive Works All 20 wheels for engine and tender cast; eight 6ft 2in driving wheels proof machined  All major engine frame stays, brackets and horn blocks cast and machined – 26 in total; further 16 axle box and buffer castings underway  Roller bearings for all engine and tender wheelsets and engine tyres, axles and crank pins ordered  Over 1,000 fitted and driven bolts ordered  Preliminary discussions held with boiler manufacturers and forged foundation ring corners manufactured and machined  Vampire study into ride and suspension completed and Finite Element Analysis of crank axle underway to ensure locomotive complies with modern standards  Assessment and notified body appointed to oversee certification  Nameplates delivered and chime whistle ordered!

Public interest in seeing a new Gresley Class P2 become a reality sooner rather than later is high and over 650 people have already signed up to the “P2 for the price of a pint of beer per week” (£10 per month or more) covenant scheme since its launch a year ago. In addition to this core We are hopeful that we will have completed the scheme, funds have been raised through The rolling chassis for No.2007 “Prince of Wales” Founders Club (370 people have donated £1,000 next winter and remain on-track for completion each – target 100 people, now closed), The Boiler of the locomotive in 2021. However, to maintain Club (over 70 people have pledged £2,000 each - this rate of progress we need to continue to raise target of 300 people) and Dedicated Donations in excess of £700,000 per year. We would (£100,000 from existing supporters sponsoring a encourage all railway enthusiasts who haven’t yet variety of components). This means that the contributed to this exciting project to help us to project has already received pledges of over meet these deadlines by becoming a monthly £1.7m (including Gift Aid) of the £5m needed covenantor or joining The Boiler Club. It’s time over the next seven years. to get on board!

Construction progress to date includes:  Frame plates for engine and tender rolled and profiled

For details of how to help, visit www.p2steam.com, enquiries@p2steam.com or call 01325 460163.

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A Jinty Journey down the Great Central Railway LMS 0-6-0T No.47406

chain) with Grenville watering up in preparation for the journey.

Then it’s off down the main line - ready for the “right away” at Loughborough Central only to be held immediately at Charnwood Water before the open road along the Quorn Straight to Quorn & Woodhouse.

On 31st March, 2015 Trevor Feltham hitched a ride down the line on board LMS 0-6-0 Jinty No.47406 in the company of Driver Cliff Perry and Fireman Grenville Myles. His scenes from the journey depict the locomotive ready to depart Loughborough Central, the “Office” and Cliff (holding the

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ailway Main Line - Photographer Trevor Feltham hitches a ride on

Next it’s off down the line from Quorn & Woodhouse past the inland sea that is Swithland Reservoir and on to the approach to Rothley. After a quick run round at Leicester North we travel north through the single track section, approach Swithland Sidings and pass BR Standard 2MT No.78019 as it runs south from Quorn & Woodhouse.

We hope you enjoyed the journey with the Jinty!

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Diesel Locomotive News Loughborough Motive Power Department John Pepper Well the Spring Diesel Gala has been and gone and with a good amount of success too. Although we did not have any visiting locomotives this time we did have two of our own returning to traffic after a long time under overhaul. The lack of visiting locomotives kept the costs down and so made for a good return on the event.

Class 08 13101 (The green 08) Available for traffic and in regular use a shed pilot.

Class 08 D3690 (08528) In regular use by the Operating Department for general shunting duties.

Class 08 08694 Although de-winterized and available for traffic the locomotive has seen no use as yet this season.

Class 10 D4067 (10119) The blue class 10 Stored awaiting repair.

Class 20 D8098 With our Class 20 about to go away to the Spa Valley Railway for its summer stay a number of footplate staff have visited us for familiarization. The locomotive has had a great deal of TLC and is looking immaculate.

Class 25 D5185 “Castell Dinas Bran” Well we made it! D5185 ran at the Diesel Gala, its first operational moves in four and a half years.

Looking tatty in its peeling paintwork it was still a star performer.

We took it down to the wire with the air tank insurance examination only taking place the week before the gala and a loaded test run just before the event. But having said that, it performed very well. The only issue was one of the horns at No.1 end did not work due to a hole in the pipe feeding it. Later investigation suggested that the hole had been caused by a rivet being drilled out at some time in the past and the drill nicking the pipe in the process.

It had been hoped to get the locomotive into the shed for a repaint as soon as the gala was over but the over-run of the 8F repaint delayed the start for almost two weeks. Since then it has been all hands to the pumps to get it finished in time for its visit to Swanage in May, 2015.

I spent a very long day up a ladder applying top coat to the roof and my knees were very painful the next morning. The BR transfers, vinyl numbers and various stickers were applied by Dave Moore who did a superb job. The following

The T1LC drivers are looking forward to spending a few weekends experiencing a new line. I'm sure that they will enjoy themselves.

Class 20 D8098 runs down the Quorn Straight on 28th March, 2015. CLIVE HANLEY 64 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Before its repaint D5185 “Castell Dinas Bran” runs towards Quorn & Woodhouse on 28th March, 2015 during the Diesel Gala. CLIVE HANLEY

field contactor. This has been replaced by a spare and the original will now be overhauled. Hopefully it will now run without any further problems throughout its summer visit to the North Norfolk Railway.

day the varnish was applied by Alan and Alex Pakes and the cab doors and handrails were refitted by Andy Pepper and myself. We will be rolling D5185 out of the shed on 4th May, 2015 and then onto the low-loader for Swanage on the 5th. I need a rest!

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Alan and Alex Pakes for their expert painting and everyone else who has helped in the preparation work and to Phil Seymour who supplied the vinyl D5185 numbers and blue stars as a donation to the locomotive, and Dave Moore who applied them.

Class 27 D5401 The Class 27 is still being a little awkward. It ran through the gala with no problem at all and then failed as it was being driven into the siding.

Class 31 D5830 Available for traffic with no problems reported. With the 20 and 47 away for the summer the 31 will be the only T1LC locomotive at the Great Central so it should see plenty of use.

Class 33 D6535 “Hertfordshire Railtours” The Class 33 has seen regular use in recent weeks and is performing well. At present we do not have many trained drivers on this class but this is being rectified by training extra drivers on the traction.

The special Crompton Bash day on 27th February, 2015 was a great success and allowed plenty of mileage for the Class 33 fans. Following on from this the locomotive performed well at the gala and was well received by our visitors.

A couple of weeks later a bit of fault finding with the drawing and a multi-meter soon found that the problem was caused by a bad connection on the generator After its repaint D5185 stands outside the Locomotive Shed at Loughborough on 4th May, 2015. A magnificent finish has been achieved by all those involved. JOHN PEPPER MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 65

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Class 33 D6535 “Hertfordshire Railtours” stands in the carriage siding as D1705 “Sparrowhawk” departs Loughborough Central on 28th March, 2015. In the background under the Great Central Road bridge 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” awaits its turn of duty. CLIVE HANLEY

Class 45 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” The 45/0 returned to traffic from its winter hibernation the weekend before the gala and ran without issue. It then performed well during the gala itself and is now available for traffic.

Class 45 D123 “Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry” This locomotive also returned to traffic prior to the gala and performed well. It had originally been planned for one 45 to work on Saturday and the other on Sunday but as it turned out the Class 47 failed on Saturday afternoon and its turns were taken by D123 on the Sunday.

Class 47 D1705 “Sparrowhawk” The diesel gala was to be the 47's last weekend in operation before it was to move away for major work at Neil Boden's works at Washwood Heath.

Things did not, however, go according to plan.

Michael Cort and Steve Rowston spent a couple of weekends sorting out problems with the

Class 31 D5830 passes Woodthorpe Bridge on its way to Loughborough Central on 28th March, 2015. CLIVE HANLEY 66 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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On 28th March, 2015 D5185 stands ready to depart Loughborough Central while Class 45 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” stands ready for its next turn of duty. CLIVE HANLEY

repair the badly rusted silencer commenced.

Renaissance Railcars Tom Ingall

locomotive once it was de-winterized. Eventually everything seemed to be good and D1705 was passed fit for traffic.

It performed well for most of Saturday until Nigel Ball handed it over to Michael Cort for the afternoon shift. At this point it decided that it was too hot and an investigation ensued as to why this had happened. The main cooling fan is driven by a hydraulic drive system which uses a pump mounted on the end of the engine and a pipe system connecting it to the cooling fan and automatic radiator shutters. One of the oil pipes had split and resulted in the hydraulic oil being pumped out of the system and the fan not operating. The locomotive was taken out of traffic at this point as it was too late to make a worthwhile repair.

The following Tuesday saw D1705 on the low loader on its way to Boden Rail where the broken pipe on the hydrostatic system was repaired to allow D1705 to be driven into the shed.

Since then the roof has been removed and work to

By the time you read this, power car 51427 will have departed for repairs. It's bound for Rowsley where a new carriage restoration business has been established at Peak Rail. Those involved have particular experience on DMU vehicles. When it returns, which is expected to be around September, 2015, it will have had major bodywork completed, a repaint and an engine change. It should look smart alongside buffet car 59575. This vehicle was named The Railcar Association's vehicle of the year in 2014 - many thanks to everyone who voted for us. It has been in regular service this year providing extra seats during busy events.

At the other end of the operating set is 50321 which is also showing the effects of more than a decade in traffic at the GCR. If all goes well with the repair contract, our plan is for that to undergo similar treatment when finances allow. In the meantime, so we can continue to provide an

Bringing its train south D123 “Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry” approaches Swithland Sidings on 28th March, 2015. CLIVE HANLEY MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 67

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D1705 departs the yard at Quorn & Woodhouse on 30th March, 2015 en route to Boden Rail for repair. RICHARD BRUCE

funds for the repair of 20154’s main generator. It is a decision that was not made lightly but the monies raised by the sale of this locomotive will ensure a secure future for 20154 as well as the other locomotives in our ownership.

operating set while 51427 is away, our spare vehicle, number 50266, was turned to partner with it. With the turntable still awaiting repair work, this was carried out in the time honoured tradition of using a low loader. Our particular thanks to The David Clarke Railway Trust and the Operating Department for their assistance in the last quarter in getting the work on 51427 underway.

Thoughts will next turn to getting one of our vehicles stored at Swithland (since purchase in 2003) into service. With services simultaneously on the main and branch lines, it may be necessary for two separate units to be available much sooner than otherwise anticipated.

Ruddington Motive Power Department

Class 20 20154 The locomotive remains stored at Ruddington. Quotes are still being obtained from various external contractors with regards to the repairs needed to the damaged main generator, one of which we hope to take up in the near future.

Class 37 37009 After what seems an eternity living inside No.5 Shed, 37009 broke into daylight for the first time for quite a while towards the end of February, 2015 thus enabling us to undertake work that really can’t be undertaken indoors. So far this has included the fitting of a new set of batteries to the locomotive. This sounds easy enough but means man-handling almost ¼ of a ton of batteries from ground level up into the cab and then into the engine compartment before fitting them into their cramped compartment. This job is also hindered by the limited width of the external and internal doorways of 37009.

English Electric Preservation Update Jo Coultas Class 08 08220 Our Class 08 is still off site and on hire to Traditional Traction where it is based at Longport and can be seen working adjacent to the West Coast Mainline.

Class 20 20007 After a long debate it was decided that we would sell this locomotive to raise The DMU basks in the winter sunshine at Rothley station on 8th February, 2015. JOHN A SMITH 68 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Diesel line up at Ruddington on 28th April, 2015 - 56097, 47292, and 20154. MIKE MOUNTFORD

Once the aforementioned batteries were successfully fitted, the engine was filled with water and the oil and fuel systems were primed and checked for leaks. With everything in the engine room looking good to go we could now return to a point we originally reached with the locomotive almost seven years ago. It was now time to press the dusty chrome button labelled Engine Start…and with very little fuss 37009 broke its enforced silence and burst into life, the engine starting as if it had been switched off yesterday. This is very encouraging news and now work can concentrate upon the multitude of tasks required to bring it back into full working order.

Class 73 73110 Other than routine maintenance, very little work has been required on the 73 and it remains in regular service. In the near future it is hoped to

carry out a deep clean inside the engine compartment so that any fluid leaks can be more easily monitored and repaired.

Other Diesel Reports Class 47 47292 Steve Turner 47292 was de-winterised on 22nd March, 2015 and started up. All seems in order though a small bore water pipework fitting beneath the oil filters will need attention.

Class 25 D7629 and Class 47 47765 Peter Blount D7629 has remained serviceable throughout the winter doing some great service on the Santa Specials as well as on several shunting days and helping out recently with the delivery/collection of three Mk3 coaches. A constant stream of minor repairs has also taken place to allow the serviceability to be maintained. However, there are several jobs pending, and some body repairs required and she is now in need of a paint job.

HST power car 41001 on 19th April, 2015 coupled to the three newly acquired Mk3 carriages, a Kitchen Buffet First, an Open First and an Open Standard brought on to the line from Long Marston by 31190 on 28th March. 2015. 125 GROUP MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 69

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Full Steam Ahead for Greenacres -

Lesley Allardyce, Greenacres’ Manager, outlines the latest developments With time and effort from volunteers and our Maintenance Manager Vic Clarke, the Greenacres site is starting to look like a colourful oasis of tranquillity. The current unit holders are delighted with the view from their individual offices and are helping to spread the word regarding office space we still have available. This includes a larger unit and a couple of small units. Anyone who would like further information on the units, or to arrange a site visit please contact Greenacres at Lesley.allardyce@gcrailway.co.uk or ring 07778 512 275. Unit prices are competitive compared with renting in the City, with free parking being a real bonus.

We are hoping that by the time this issue goes to print we will nearly be fully booked for the Themed Dinner Dance being held at The Platform Café, Greenacres on 5th June, 2015 from 7pm.

With live entertainment and lovely food why not join us for a relaxing evening out as part of GCR’s Wartime Weekend. Please contact the café on 01509 633 870 for further information.

Also in June, 2015, we have the Model Railway Event on 19th – 21st, the 21st being Father’s Day. So why not pop down to The Platform Café after visiting the event and treat Dad to a Pie & A Pint!

The café will be open all day serving lovely hot food. To avoid disappointment on the day, as space is limited, please reserve your table by contacting the café direct on 01509 633 870.

Come July, 2015 it will be time to dust off your favourite Ted and join us for Teddy Bears’ Holiday Express, running from 28th – 30th July, 4th – 6th August, then again the following week, 11th – 13th August. There will be children’s activities at Greenacres helping you keep the little ones happy!

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Laura Jane Vintage will be performing at The Platform Café during the Wartime Weekend.

To get the Wartime Weekend under way, The Platform Café will be taking bookings for Vintage Afternoon Cream Teas on 5th June, 2015 from 12 noon at a cost of £9.99 per adult and £4.99 per child under 12 years. To book please call the café on the above number.

Greenacres will be the Home Front Base this year during the Wartime Weekend with lots going on including Mrs Hubbard’s 1940s displays. Laura Jane Vintage will be joining us again along with Lilli Moore providing the entertainment and there will be a Victory Tea Party for all to join in, plus the amazing Victory Rolls Hair Parlour will be with us on the Sunday. The event starts at 10am each day. Anyone interested in having a stall at the event please ring 07778 512 275.

The Platform Café is open Tuesdays – Sundays, 10am – 4pm and is available for private hire or for any outdoor catering needs. Please ring 01509 633 870.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Volunteer Coordinator - Andy Bennett introduces himself and the new role on the GCR Well it’s finally happened. 42 years since I first started visiting Loughborough Central station on an occasional basis, I now find myself making the same 19 mile journey five or six times a week. How has this happened I ask myself?

To answer this question the clock has to be turned back even further as I am of the belief that the railway bug strikes at a very early age and, as we know, there is no cure. I was born in the late 1950s in a small terraced house not more than a couple of hundred yards from the GCR/Met Joint Line at Northwood Hills in the North West suburbs of London. Although I have no actual recollection of seeing the GCR steam hauled trains pass close by, that magical sound of a steam train climbing a gradient in the dead of night must have seeped into my psyche.

By the time the family home relocated to Leicester in 1971 I was already building up a collection of photographs of railway subjects so a visit to the embryonic GCR in 1973 was a must - ever since I have been a regular visitor.

How does someone visiting the railway purely as a photographer or a passenger suddenly become an active participant? This is a good question for a Volunteer Coordinator to ask. For me it happened suddenly one day when the driver of an engine doing some shunting in the yard at Loughborough, quite out of the blue, invited me onto the footplate, took my camera off me and said “you won’t be needing that if you come and work on the railway as a volunteer”. Within a week I was needle-gunning rust off the boiler of the steam crane and then spent Saturday mornings for the next few months de-scaling the tender tank of No.70013 “Oliver Cromwell” from the inside!

For some people reading this that might sound like a vision of hell but, trust me, there are a

multitude of more gentle and glamorous tasks to take on at the railway so don’t be put off.

The joy of working as a volunteer on the railway is that sense of achieving something worthwhile, seeing the results of your efforts, being appreciated for your contribution and meeting people to build friendships that can last a lifetime.

That’s why when the opportunity to apply for the position of Volunteer Coordinator came along I knew I had to apply. After all, it wouldn’t be right not to share the volunteering experience with new people wanting to join would it?

However, I’m not going to pretend that as volunteers we don’t sometimes face challenges in our day to day roles at the GCR. We live in times of great opportunity but also in times of strain and fragility, not uncommon to any railway in the heritage sector. I do fervently believe though that we need to work through the tough times, when we encounter them, by focussing on what positive changes we need to make to win through. Those of you who know me will recognise the mantra that “for every problem, there is a solution”.

To sum up then I see my role as Volunteer Coordinator as two-fold. Firstly; to find new people who are prepared to invest their time and efforts in our railway and to steer these folk towards the roles where there input will be most appreciated. Secondly; to provide support and guidance to volunteers (and their managers) to maximise the effectiveness of the efforts we are already making, or need to make, to ensure the continuing success of our railway.

Since taking on the role of Volunteer Coordinator two months ago there have already been over 60 enquiries/applications from people wanting to join up as volunteers. Great news but this level of activity does really require a bigger team so please do contact me if you’d like to have a chat about joining the Volunteer Coordinator team on a part-time basis. I can be contacted by email at volunteers@gcrailway.co.uk or on 01509 633 853.

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VOLUNTEERING AT THE GCR – The Route to Job Satisfaction! - Eric Cockerill I had spent two brief periods volunteering at the GCR, one in the nineteen eighties with the Permanent Way gang and another in the nineties and early two thousands with the Windcutter project. In early 2011, now retired and with time on my hands I decided to try again and replied to an appeal in Main Line for help on Loughborough station on general maintenance. After a few weeks I was asked to attend at the station and was given the task of repairing and painting a barrow on the platform. A few weeks later I had learnt the ropes and settled into attending on Saturdays and Thursdays, using the workshop under the bridge for some jobs and Brian Parish at work painting the cabinets in the museum at taking other smaller things home to Loughborough Central in 2012. ERIC COCKERILL work on and therefore had a few odd jobs under my belt.

I then met Helen and Alan Brassey and was invited to join the team who had just started refurbishing the museum. This took the best part of a year and was a very enjoyable project. It employed all my DIY and amateur carpentry skills in such tasks as stripping and painting walls, building wall mounted display cabinets and a large flip display for the A1 size Newton display notices showing the construction of the railway in the 1890s. During the year in the museum I got to know more of the people at the railway and I also met my now good friend Brian Parish who joined the team. We both helped to build the floor mounted cabinets which hold many of the exhibits now on display around the perimeter of the back room and form a base for the model railway too. Alan and Brian had spent several weeks in Alan’s garage cutting all the MDF boards to size and I remember the huge flat pack of parts delivered on the railway’s pick-up truck one Saturday, thinking that we would never be able to sort it all out! But sort it out we did and it is now assembled, painted Brian Parish fits a notice to the bridge over Rothley Brook on 11th August, 2014. ERIC COCKERILL 74 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Eric Cockerill at work on one of the kitchen door frames on the station at Loughborough Central on 5th January, 2015. BRIAN PARISH

over 140 jobs (yes, I keep a record!). There is never any shortage of work for us.

Alan Brassey, Martin Wilkinson and David Putt giving us most of our jobs which have included fixing number plates and warning notices to all the bridges along the line, plumbing in a washing machine in Lovatt House, fixing shelves in the Cromwell kitchen car, mounting new gates at the line crossing at the north end of the platforms (made for us by the carpenters at Rothley), repairing refreshment room doors and frames and strengthening shelves in the Emporium and many, many more. We hardly ever seem to do the same thing twice!

green and topped with Perspex covers, the latter proving to be quite a challenge to fit and make securely. I put my experience as a hobbyist picture framer to good advantage during that year to restore and re-frame many of the picture exhibits now on display, helping to save much expense!

After completing the museum, Brian joined me to do general maintenance on the station and although I say it myself, we make a very good team. We continue to meet there twice a week on Mondays and Saturdays. We have become quite well known to the many station staff and on arrival we are often met with the remark, “Ah, just the blokes I am looking for, I’ve got a job for you two!” We work very well together and have put our DIY skills to good use, completing well

Brian and I usually arrive around 9 am always starting the day with the obligatory cup of tea in the Porter’s room and finish between 4 and 5 pm. We have a really enjoyable time trying to work out ways of doing jobs with the minimum of expenditure, scrounging and borrowing materials where we can and buying as little as possible. This goes down well with the General Manager when we present our expenses! Some jobs have to be done on a Monday when the general public are not usually present to allow us to do things without interrupting the running of the station.

Other jobs are done on a Saturday in the workshop out of sight of the public where we are away from interruptions and as a bonus in the summer, with the workshop doors open, we have a good view of all the train movements. It is so different to full time work from which we have both retired and its great not having a boss peering over our shoulders all the time and being able to please ourselves how we go about our work. Many of our jobs go unnoticed I’m sure, but along with the many other volunteers at the other stations doing similar work we are sure that all of us have a very satisfying feeling knowing that we have contributed a little to the continuing successful running of the railway. We can thoroughly recommend volunteering to anyone who may be thinking of it.

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Woodford Halse Locomotive Shed A Commemoration - Dennis Wilcock

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at Woodford from 1956 to 1962.

Also visiting, will be BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No.92212 from the Mid Hants Railway which was restored from Barry scrapyard condition on the GCR in the 1980s and ‘90s and returned to traffic on 27th September, 1996. Although the 9Fs became synonymous with the Windcutter freight trains from Annesley to Woodford in the last few years of the Great Central Main Line only one, No.92013, was allocated to Woodford in 1959 and that for only a three week period. Nevertheless, many would be seen on shed as they were prepared for the trip back north.

Before the arrival of the Great Central Railway, Woodford Halse was a small and quiet rural village in Northamptonshire in the civil parish of Woodford cum Membris.

It was at the centre of a large agricultural area and occupations in the village centred around that together with a small home-based Woodford Halse in 1900, the year after the London Extension of the Great Central Railway opened. The locomotive shed is on the lace-making activity. All that was to change with the grand plans of upper part of the map. Coming south are the exchange sidings and further still Woodford & Hinton Station. The curve to the west Sir Edward Watkin and his is the East & West Junction Railway, later to become the ambition to link the largely East Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway. © DATABASE to West Manchester, Sheffield & RIGHTS OLD-MAPS AND ORDNANCE SURVEY CROWN COPYRIGHT. DATABASE Lincolnshire Railway to London RIGHTS 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED and beyond to continental Europe by the building of the London Extension.

Over the weekend of 13th/14th June, 2015, the present day Great Central Railway will be commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the At the time of the construction there were rumours in Brackley, 10 miles south of Woodford, of plans closure of the GCR locomotive shed at Woodford for a locomotive depot. The gossip was that the Halse on 14th June, 1965. As part of the company was planning to build an engine shed, commemoration, visiting locomotives will and its attendant structures, at Brackley. Though include LMS Ivatt Class 4MT 2-6-0 No.43106 not a large community Brackley was, in terms of from the Severn Valley Railway which was based 76 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Woodford shed c1905. The six road shed was built to accommodate 30 locomotives. To the left of the shed roads is the shedmaster’s office, complete with bay window and beyond that a general office, mess room, oil and materials store, a smithy, machine shop and wash-out facilities. The clock over the centre road was later moved to above the door of the office. On shed are unidentified GCR 0-6-0 classes 9D, 9H and 9M (later J10) and on the extreme right GCR 4-4-0 Class 11A (D6) No.865.

JOHN QUICK COLLECTION

its population, significantly larger than the villages of Woodford and Hinton, which were little more than hamlets. In consequence, the recruitment of labour would have been considerably easier but it was not to be. The company’s plans were strangled by the efforts of a most influential gentleman, the squire of Turweston, John Locke Stratton, who was a major landowner and Lord Mayor of Brackley. Despite petitions and letters to the press by the many in favour, the squire was adamant that an engine shed would not be built on his patch.

London Extension where the railway bisects Quorndon and Woodhouse (and hence has a station named Quorn & Woodhouse), the railway through Northamptonshire bisected the villages of Woodford Halse and Hinton. Indeed, the station built just south of the locomotive shed was

Construction of the complex at Woodford became part of an extension to Contract No.4 to build the railway from Rugby to Charwelton won by Thomas Oliver of Horsham. The station buildings, and possibly the locomotive shed and other buildings, were sub-contracted to John Parnell & Sons of Rugby. All was complete for the opening of the line to coal traffic in July, 1898.

Very much in the same manner as happened on the present preserved stretch of the The general arrangement of Woodford shed in 1900 with the principle buildings; the shed and the Carriage and Wagon Repair Shop prominent.© DATABASE RIGHTS OLD-

MAPS AND ORDNANCE SURVEY CROWN COPYRIGHT. DATABASE RIGHTS 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Leicester Central was very much engaged in providing serviced locomotives (fires cleaned, ash removed, coal and water topped up, motion oiled and any minor repairs and adjustments carried out as required by the reports of the locomotive crews) for the GCR’s expresses from both north and south as well as for the services starting from that station. No GCR Woodford shed in 1953. The clerestory roofed Carriage and Wagon principal express stopped at Repair Shop is seen to the west of the shed. Locomotives facing are Woodford although some of WD No.90484, N5 No.69310, WD No.90507 and J11 No.64331. JOHN the semi-fasts did. Its main QUICK COLLECTION passenger role was to supply locomotives for the local services and, named Woodford & Hinton in the same fashion from 1903, the motive power for the motor trains as in Leicestershire. The station was re-named to Banbury and return although it did provide Woodford Halse by British Railways on 1st serviced locomotives for some of the semi-fast November, 1948. It is said that the provision of services. However, its major activity was the a station here was due to the location of the supply and servicing of locomotives required for locomotive shed; the local villages hardly goods services. Just south of the station was the providing sufficient traffic to justify a station. west facing junction with the East & West Junction Railway which, in 1909, became the The locomotive shed at Woodford did not have the same status as those at Neasden and Gorton, Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway (SA&MJR). This line was promoted as both of which supplied locomotives for a range an east/west goods line and gave the GCR access of passenger and goods services. Between the two Woodford Halse station on 24th April, 1965 on the occasion of an SLS Special from Birmingham which has accessed the GCR via the SA&MJR. Midland 4F No.44188 runs round its train. Woodford Halse station was a variant of the GCR’s island platform design with passenger access from the road below. An additional platform was provided on the west side for the trains to Banbury. The locomotive shed is beyond the station. BRIAN STEPHENSON

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Woodford shed in 1935 with many ex-GCR types still present. LGRP 2204

to the Great Western Railway at Fenny Compton, for traffic going north into the Midlands and onwards through Stratford upon Avon to Broom Junction for access to south Wales via Evesham, Ashchurch and Gloucester. To the east was a lesser used route through Towcester to the Midland Railway at Ravenstone Wood Junction.

These connections gave the GCR access to the West and South Wales and to lines both north and south. However, the GCR’s preferred link to the GWR was via Banbury on an eight mile line from Culworth Junction on the GCR (about two miles south of Woodford Halse) and Banbury Junction on the GWR which was completed in 1903. This gave better access to the west and south of England via Oxford. The line had extensive exchange sidings built just before the connection with the GWR at Banbury Junction. Also present was the Woodford South Junction which gave direct access to Stratford-upon-Avon from the south, giving the GCR the fastest passenger service to that town from London. This was only used briefly; the Stratford bound trains subsequently running to Woodford & Hinton before progressing to Stratford.

The shed itself was a six road brick built dead end structure with a capacity for 30 locomotives. On the west side were the offices of the shedmaster with a bay window overlooking the yard and behind which was a general office, mess room, oil and materials store, blacksmith’s smithy, machine shop and boiler wash-out facilities. The shed had a north light saw tooth roof of 20 bays with a clock over the centre road. This was later moved to be above the door to the shedmaster’s office. On each side of the shed were hoists for lifting locomotives as and when required.

Of course, there were other facilities at the shed complex. Principal amongst these was the three road Carriage and Wagon Repair Shop with its clerestory roof and traverser at the north end.

Adjacent was the tall sheet repair shop in which

wagon tarpaulins could be hung up to dry. From 1926 it was used as a store. On the east side of the shed was a sand drying furnace, a coal stage surmounted by a 100,000 gallon water tank and a 54ft turntable. At the south end of the yard was an electrical power plant to supply the electrical needs of the shed area. In those days there was no national grid. If electrical power was required companies had to provide their own power plant - a considerable obstacle in the electrification of railways. A gas plant was provided for supplying gas for carriage lighting and water was provided from a 75ft deep well near the station. The water was hard and caused boiler problems throughout the life of the shed with frequent wash-outs being required because of scaling. Coaling and ash disposal roads were also provided.

South of the shed were extensive exchange sidings that could accommodate 1000 wagons.

They were built on an embankment using the spoil from the excavation of Catesby Tunnel just a few miles to the north. At the south end of these sidings was Woodford & Hinton station, a variant of the GCR’s island platform design for the London Extension. One notable difference was a single platform to the west for the Banbury passenger service. Originally built of wood, it was re-built as a concrete structure in 1956. The provision of the Banbury platform resulted in the complete re-build of Woodford & Hinton station with a refreshment room then provided c1904.

The shed itself employed 250 people so to accommodate them and their families the GCR built 136 houses in Woodford Halse. With only 61 houses in Woodford prior to the arrival of the railway one can imagine the upheaval caused with such an influx. In 1907, the GCR built some three MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 79

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The Woodford complex in 1955.

Very evident are the new exchange sidings north of the locomotive shed and the triangle. © DATABASE RIGHTS OLD-MAPS AND

ORDNANCE SURVEY CROWN COPYRIGHT. DATABASE RIGHTS 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Marylebone, Banbury, Nottingham and Sheffield.

However, Woodford’s major source of work was the GCR’s premier north to south goods traffic, much of it originating from other companies.

Wagons from all over the north of England would be marshalled at Annesley, run down the GCR to Woodford to be re-marshalled for onward progress to Marylebone or on to South Wales, the West and the South either via the SA&MJR but predominantly through to Banbury and on to the Great Western Railway system. Locomotives coming off these trains would be serviced at the shed ready to return north to Annesley. It was a common sight to see locomotives from the North Eastern and Great Western Railways on shed at Woodford. storey accommodation for locomotive crews staying overnight between turns. They became known locally as The Barracks. Unfortunately The Barracks burned down in June, 1957 but thankfully no-one was hurt.

Initially, GCR goods services were handled by Sacré and Pollitt 0-6-0 locomotives.

Later, the Robinson 0-6-0s of the 9J (J11) class came into prominence and, later still, the larger 0-8-0 8A Class (Q4) and 8K (O4) 2-8-0s were introduced, the latter working to Woodford on

With the opening of the London Extension and then the line to Banbury in May, 1903 work at the shed fell into a regular pattern. There were the local goods and passenger trains such as the goods services to High Wycombe, Quainton Road, Banbury and Nottingham.

Motor-trains to and from Banbury were covered as well as some semi-fast trains and the all-station WD 2-8-0 Austerity No.90238 on shed at Woodford on 17th passenger workings to February, 1957. J F DAVIES/RAIL ARCHIVE STEPHENSON 80 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Woodford’s Locomotive Allocation at the end of the Great Central Railway Period GCR Class LNER Class Wheel Number Arrangement Allocated 9Q 8B

B7 C4

4-6-0 4-4-2

4 11

9L 9J 1B 9O

C14 J11 L1 N5

4-4-2T 0-6-0 2-6-4T 0-6-2T

1 27 4 1

lodging turns, the crews staying overnight at The Barracks. At the end of the GCR period the shed’s allocation stood at 48 locomotives.

With over half the allocation made up of the 9J and 1B goods locomotives, the importance of the shed as a freight depot is evident. It is notable that none of the larger Robinson 0-8-0 or 2-8-0 classes were allocated, it not being until July, 1929 that an 8K (O4) 2-8-0 was allocated and then only for a couple of months.

After the Grouping in 1923 the LNER, to which the ex-GCR then belonged, was slow to send any Gresley design to Woodford. It was clear that the GCR designs were on top of their work and also clear that the Woodford men preferred the GCR types.

On 11th November, 1934 59 locomotives were present only four of them being of Gresley design, two J50 0-6-0Ts and two K3 2-60s. The sheer number of locomotives gives some idea of the amount of work undertaken at the shed.

allocation of the Gresley B17 4-6-0s to cover the passenger work to Marylebone, Nottingham and Sheffield. The LNER did, nevertheless, appreciate the importance of the shed and in 1935 modernised the facilities there. Most notable was the provision of a large concrete coaling tower.

The coming of the 2nd World War in 1939 thrust the railways to the forefront of the war effort moving munitions, minerals, agricultural products and troops.

Passenger services were moved well down the priority list. As the war progressed, major facilities were added to the railways which accelerated with the planning for the D-Day Landings. The GCR was heavily involved in the Woodford’s Locomotive Allocation at the end of the LNER Period Class Wheel Number Arrangement Allocated K3 2-6-0 15 C4 4-4-2 6 O4 2-8-0 3 J11 0-6-0 7 J5 0-6-0 4 J50 0-6-0T 3 N5 0-6-2T 2 WD Austerity 2-8-0 26 Stanier 8F 2-8-0 1

It was not until 1937 that Woodford received its first A view looking north towards Woodford Halse with a B1 running south light engine.

The SA&MJR sweeps away to the left. Woodford Halse station is in the distance. The rural nature of Woodford is apparent even with the railway present.

PM/TRANSPORTTREASURY. CO.UK

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A north bound Runner or Windcutter, with its empty wagons, races through Charwelton station, north of Woodford, c1963 powered by 9F No.92069. MIKE ESAU

ready for a trip back north.

At the end of 1947 Woodford had an allocation of no less than 67 locomotives.

With only six passenger locomotives allocated (the C4s) emphasis was still very much on freight workings. process with developments on the now preserved line at Quorn & Woodhouse (where sidings were added and the yard paved) and most notably at what is now Swithland Sidings where an extra line on the east side was built to cross The Ridings adjacent to the start of the Mountsorrel Branch.

At Woodford the developments were even more extensive. In 1941, as well as more sidings being added to the existing exchange sidings, a very much bigger complex of exchange sidings was added north of the locomotive shed known locally as the new yards. The turntable, which was too small for most tender locomotives, was replaced by a triangle north of the locomotive shed. During 1943/44 the War Department allocated 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 Austerities to Woodford to ease the strain on the shed. The 2-8-0s were to enjoy a long association with Woodford some of them staying to the early 1960s.

With Nationalisation of the railways in 1948, the whole of the former Great Central Railway was incorporated into the Eastern Region of British Railways. Shortly after, Woodford was allocated some very worn out B17s and V2s but fared rather better with Thompson O1 2-8-0s. These were well supported by Robinson O4s and the WD Austerity 2-8-0s. The Annesley to Woodford freights were running well and were undoubtedly the fastest loose coupled freight services in the country. The enginemen generally knew them as Runners and the enthusiasts as Windcutters.

However, with the increased competition of road services and the inability of the worn out railways to invest in the future, traffic had begun to reduce and by August, 1950 Woodford’s allocation had been reduced to 54 locomotives although it was still handling about three million wagons per year.

At the end of hostilities, the LNER lost no time in reorganising the coal workings between Annesley and Woodford in 1947. Worked by Annesley men, the freights were strictly timed with a fresh locomotive waiting at Woodford for the return service. The incoming locomotives had fires cleaned, coal and water topped up and made Gresley V2 No.60961 passes south through Rugby Central with the 01:10 Tees/Cardiff express freight on 27th February, 1965. DEREK SMITH 82 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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The demise was accelerated when, in February, 1958, the former Great Central Railway was allocated to the London Midland Region. As we have seen in the the pages of Main Line before (Issue No.155), the run down was rapid. The transfer away of LNER types was slow but irrevocable as worn out LMS types were substituted. However, in 1956/57, no less than 31 BR Standard 9Fs 2-10-0s were allocated to Annesley to take On the line from the Great Central Railway main line at Culworth over the Runners to Woodford. Junction to the Great Western Railway at Banbury Junction, BR To account for their extra Standard 9F No.92067 hauls a long freight at Eydon Road in 1963. power and free running, the MICHAEL MENSING In 1956, some K3s were allocated to Woodford timings were completely revised. They were and in the same year the first of the LMS types based on average speed of 30mph with a loaded arrived. In that winter four English Electric diesel train going south and 33mph on an empty train shunters arrived; the only diesels to be allocated coming north. To maintain these speeds some fast to Woodford. In 1959 BR rebuilt the locomotive running at up to 60mph was often noted on the shed roof and added a brick annexe on the east long southerly declines at Shawell, Gotham and side to house the diesel shunters. Fuelling Whetstone. Woodford’s task was to make sure facilities and fuel storage were also provided. engines were available for the run north.

With the withdrawal of local services in 1963 and the end of the Banbury locals in June, 1964 the In addition to these loose couple freights there end of the Woodford locomotive shed was nigh. were the fully-fitted express freights from It finally came as the Runners and express Dringhouses (York) to Woodford, Banbury and freights were transferred to other routes on 5th Bristol which were even faster. They were hauled by a York allocated V2, B1 or B16 and April, 1965. The shed struggled on until 14th June, sometimes a 9F. The trains returned on a normal 1965 when its allocation of locomotives had been Runner; the locomotives having been serviced, reduced to 18. The line through Woodford finally returned north at 19:55 to York or 20:30 to closed on 5th September, 1966.

Ardsley. There were also daily steel trains from Scunthorpe and Consett to South Wales.

Little now remains of the Great Central Railway.

The area the shed once occupied is a small industrial estate and the station has long since been pulled down. The village has become the home of commuters working in the surrounding towns. The railway and Woodford Halse Locomotive Shed have been but a brief interlude in the life of Woodford Halse.

Emphasising the variety of motive power on the link between the GCR and the GWR, No.7901 “Dodington Hall” powers a mixed freight near Eydon Road in 1963. MICHAEL MENSING MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 83

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News from the Line OBITUARIES

at Barrow in 1957. Over the years he moved around the Leicester district and worked at the boxes at Sileby, Syston North, Queniborough, Frisby, Melton, Brentingby, Saxby and Whissendine and eventually became a reliefman on the Melton Line from where he retired in 2001. One of his colleagues in the Midland boxes was a certain Trevor Willet, who went on to become Gordon’s boss when Trevor was in charge at Leicester. With his other hat on Trevor was also our Signalling Inspector on the GCR and so, when Gordon retired from Railtrack (as it was then) he made contact and came to work for his old boss again!

from driving towards the end of 2014. The main reason for this was that his wife Janet has been seriously ill and whilst she is gradually recovering, Les has no longer got the time to spend with us at the railway.

Gordon will be sadly missed.

On behalf of the company I am sure you will join me in wishing Les, Janet and their family the best of health for the future. Les is still involved after a 30-year project in totally restoring The Old Hall at Asfordby, which dates back to Jacobean times around 1620.

Bill Ford

Gordon Derry We record the passing of another GCR stalwart, Gordon Derry.

Our thoughts are very much Colleagues from GCR attended with his family. He had suffered the funeral which was held at from cancer but we were told Loughborough Crematorium that he was spared the worst.

12th March, 2015.

Gordon was a stalwart at Rothley box, and was held in immensely high regard – not least for his willingness to work evenings, often at extremely short notice. How many dining visitors will have passed Gordon’s watchful eyes over the years?

Countess of Lanesborough As this issue was going to press we received the sad news that the Countess had passed away in her sleep on 5th March, 2015 after a severe stroke.

RETIRING LONG Gordon was a career STANDING railwayman. His working life VOLUNTEER began in 1951 at Barrow-on- One of our stalwarts and Soar as a Junior Porter. National drivers of many years’ service in the RAF interrupted standing, Les Greer, retired proceedings but once demobbed he re-joined the railway Les Greer working on the locomotive shed at and worked his way up through Loughborough on 19th May, the ranks to become a signalman

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Les for all his years of support. It was he who purchased 9F No.92212 and put together the team of shareholders to restore it. At that time the management of GCR did not expect the project to be completed but it was and the shareholders eventually sold the engine to Jeremy Hosking.

No.92212 will return shortly to work with No.92214, which will briefly run in the guise of No.92220 “Evening Star”. It will be quite an occasion and one we all look forward to with relish.

1974. BILL SQUIRES

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team Traction Ra S e r u t a lly Mi ni 8 and 9 August 2015 th

th

Quorn & Woodhouse Station

Miniatures in action!

Steam traction engines - Road rollers - Threshers - Saw benches For further information vehicle owners are invited to contact Michael Stokes, Business Development Manager, Great Central Railway 07710 934788 Supporters of the GCR can boiler of GWR 4-6-0 No.6990 continue to support its “Witherslack Hall” which was ambitious plans for the future recovered as the boiler was by leaving a legacy in their being stripped down. will in favour of DCRT. Members are encouraged to EDITORIAL TEAM do so so the we can Recreate It is a pleasure to report two new the Experience for present additions to the Editorial Team of Main Line. and future generations.

RVP RAFFLE TICKETS Included in the posting of this magazine is a book of raffle tickets to support the work of Railway Vehicle Preservations in restoring its historic coaches to run on the GCR.

Mike Stevens, a website manager for another volunteer group, has been helping with proof reading for some time and Steve Johns, editor of Soar Valley News, will be joining to prepare some sections of the magazine.

NOTTINGHAM MODEL LEAVE A LEGACY TO THE METEORITE! DAVID CLARKE RAILWAY Readers of the members’ news RAILWAY EXHIBITION pages on the GCR website will Over the weekend of 21st and TRUST With the posting of this have seen a report, on 1st April, 22nd March, 2015 Friends had magazine members of Friends 2015, of a meteorite striking the their stand at the Model Railway will receive a leaflet Great Central Railway. encouraging the leaving of a The meteorite was in fact a legacy to DRCT. large piece of scale from the DCRT is able to support capital projects on the GCR and over the years has enabled projects to proceed that would otherwise just be part of a wish list.

The piece of scale from the boiler of No.6990 “Witherslack Hall” reported as a meteorite in the MLX News pages on 1st April, 2015.

DENNIS WILCOCK MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 85

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Tom Ingall presents the exciting projects underway on the GCR at the Nottingham Model Railway Exhibition on 21st March, 2015. DENNIS WILCOCK

work. New volunteers are really welcome as we are being invited to many more events as the quality of our stand and the exciting projects we are involved with gets more widely known.

Exhibition promoting both membership of Friends and the GCR, with particular attention being paid to the Bridge to the Future project.

If you are able to spend a day or a half day helping us out please get in touch with our organiser Mike Bancroft at mike551@btinternet.com The exhibitions we are committed to are as follows:

The bridging of the Midland 13th and 14th June: GCR Main Line received enthusiastic Woodford Shed Closure - 50th support and much good, if tiring, Anniversary Commemoration work was done over the weekend.

19th to 21st June: The GCR Model Railway Event at Quorn Spreading the word about & Woodhouse Friends and the GCR is an important part of the Friends

2000 Club Winners of the draws to March 2015 were:January 2015 1st £65.34 No. 62 G A Milner, Lincoln 2nd £27.22 No. 303 B Mick, St. Albans 3rd £16.34 No. 507 D W Gillingham, Burbage February 2015 1st £65.34 No. 227 K A Porter, East Sheen, London 2nd £27.22 No. 882 M N Crick, Burton-on-Trent 3rd £16.34 No.1379 B Meadows, Burbage March 2015 1st £65.52 No. 445 G W Butler, Leicester 2nd £27.30 No. 816 R S Fryer, Newark 3rd £16.38 No.1497 W D Barbut, London

5th and 6th September: Soar Valley (Loughborough Area) Model Railway Exhibition 25th to 27th September: Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Chesterfield 1st to 4th October: GCR Autumn Steam Gala 1st November: Burton on Trent Model Railway Exhibition 28th and 29th November: Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham EMAIL ADDRESSES Just a reminder! With the continuing and anticipated rises in postal charges the costs of posting has risen to a level which rivals that of printing costs for newsletters and magazines. While there is no intention of ceasing to print Main Line members will know that it is now possible to receive the Quarterly Newsletter by email. Roughly half the membership now receives the Newsletter in this way and we hope this percentage will increase. To reduce costs further members are urged to provide email addresses at the earliest opportunity. This can be done at membership renewal. Please then indicate that you wish the Newsletter to be sent by email.

PRICE RISE The cover price of Main Line has been increased to £3.00 with this issue to reflect the increasing costs of production and distribution. The price was last increased with issue No.150, Spring, 2012.

K M Lloyd, DCRT 2000 Club Promoter 86 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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FAMILY EVENTS ON THE GCR Over the last few months the GCR has held a series of events directed at entertaining all members of the family. These events are crucial to the success of the railway drawing in, as they do, much needed finance and opening up the railway to a new and young audience.

Marshall single-cylinder S-type 10ton steam road roller, works number 78572, owned by the Hurley family of Nottingham.

The rally was well served with steam road rollers, six in all, including two rare examples.

The ancient 1899 WM Allchin 10ton steam road roller, works number 1131, unique in its restored state from this low Over recent months there has volume manufacturer of road been the Super Heroes and steam at Globe Works, Frozen event in February and Northampton. It worked for then a series of happenings over Northampton Highways and the Easter period. The adjacent was restored at the heritage photographs show some of our Northampton and Lamport younger visitors enjoying the Railway by Julian and Sharon Skinner and friends. Also the experience.

Manchester built by Sir WG Armstrong-Whitworth Ltd 1923 EASTER VINTAGE 10ton steam road roller, works FESTIVAL While the GCR continues to run number 10R2, not noted for steam hauled trains over the steam road vehicles but this Easter period the Vintage huge engineering firm built a Festival held at Quorn & batch of road rollers in the Woodhouse over 3rd to 6th April, 1920s of which seven are 2015 allowed the road vehicles preserved, owned by Mick George of Loughborough and to take centre-stage. not far from home.

Malcolm Ranieri reports: The mighty Showman’s Engines The event was organised by were represented by two paired Michael Stokes, the GCR's Fowlers, originally with John Business Development Murphy showman and in the Manager who also owns 1903 plain dark blue livery. These are Aveling & Porter single- 1920-built 8nhp model R3s, cylinder model R10, 10ton works number 15652, named steam roller, works number “Repulse” and 15653 named 5163 “Thistledown” which is “Renown”, owned by Terry one of the Leicester Pair. This Gibson and the Howard is so-named because two of the Brothers respectively. The 1921 steam road rollers for Leicester Foster Wellington Showman’s City Highways Dept have been Tractor, works number 14431, preserved, fleet numbers 13.31 named “Robin Hood”, owned in respect of the Aveling & and restored by Fred Dockray Porter and 13.32 which is 1925 of Loughborough, completed Family Fun on the GCR. The top three were taken during the Heroes and Frozen weekend with Face Painting (MARTYN FISHER), Feasting at The Platform (DENNIS WILCOCK), Meeting OLAF (DENNIS WILCOCK) and, at Easter, Waving goodbye to the Easter Bunny (ALAN WEAVER) MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 87

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the showground engines.

Another fairground amusement and being rallied for the first time was Howards Circular Train Ride.

Fairground Organs belting out popular traditional fair music were the 1898 87 key Gavioli and Tom Smith's 98 key Gavioli.

I counted 16 road steam powered vehicles. Amongst the agricultural and traction engines present were the local The line-up of six road rollers at Quorn & Woodhouse on 4th April, Beeby family's of Rempstone 2015. MALCOLM RANIERI 1911 Clayton & Shuttleworth general purpose traction engine, having been new to Parrs of the Queen they celebrated in works number 44103. This Abbey Lane, Leicester, Gardner style in the Pullman Bar Car on Engine Suppliers as a mobile engine has been owned by the the 4th April, 2015 on a trip stores vehicle and then family for many years and used down the line.

Cossington Commercials up to on the farm as it should be for the mid-1970s. When found by threshing, sawing, baling and Richard Spencer a tree was general haulage. The current growing through the vehicle!

Managing Director of the Great Central Railway, Bill Ford, had After a fine job of restoration the ERF is now a flatbed lorry. owned a traction engine in the past and on the Friday of the A road run to Quorndon and the Fox Inn took place on rally was re-united with his Sunday afternoon. engine, a 1915 Fowler Agricultural model A8, 7nhp, RESIGNATION works number 14600, named Dennis Wilcock has resigned “Victoria”. One steam wagon as a director of Great Central was present in the shape of Railway plc.

1928 Foden C type steam tractor, works number 13196, named “Pride of Fulham”, DIAMOND WEDDING which in spite of her name, is ANNIVERSARY locally owned by Peter Van Volunteers in the NAAFI style café at Quorn & Woodhouse Houten. station for the past 15 years, Irene and Ted Coleman, A fine and eclectic collection of celebrated their Diamond other historic machinery and vehicles completed the rally Wedding Anniversary on 2nd and I noticed a nicely restored April, 2015. To cap a 1954 ERF, a local commercial congratulatory card from HM Participants in the Easter Vintage Festival on 4th April, 2015.

Top: 1920 Fowler R3 SRL “Renown” stands in front of the Ginny Horses. Centre: 1930 A&P 8 ton model AB Road Roller “Katie” passing the Leicester Pair. Bottom: The 1905 Barford Perkins model C 3 ton Motor Roller - the oldest known in existence. ALL: MALCOLM RANEIRI 88 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

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Left: Irene and Edward (Ted) Coleman on their wedding day in 1955.

Right: Irene and Ted celebrating in the Bar Car with the congratulations from HM the Queen.

Everyone will wish to congratulate them on a long and happy marriage and thank them for their continued work in the NAAFI where they show no signs of slowing down.

SWAPMEET SWITCH The Great Central Railway is to take over the running of the ever popular Quorn Railwayana Swapmeet from 2016. The event,

which has been running continuously for the last 30 years, is the oldest event in the railwayana calendar.

and felt it is time to hand the event over.

The success of the event, with its central location and live Bob Withers has been running steam as a backdrop, has been the event for the last 30 years built on its simplicity; and now feels the time is right everybody attending pays a flat to hand over to the GCR. He has rate whether they are buying, loved working with the railway, selling or just looking. Great but times have changed since Central Railway have agreed losing his wife two years ago with Bob that they will not make

PERSONALISED FLEECES - EXCLUSIVE TO FoGCML MEMBERS COMPLETE WITH THE FoGCML LOGO AND YOUR FULL NAME PRICE £29.95 SIZES The Full Zip Fleece is a heavy fleece jacket designed to wear as a top coat over jackets and jumpers and is a stunning product made in Super Anti-Pill Micro Fleece.

Robust and very warm. Available in a full range of sizes.

When choosing your size please give your actual chest measurement, as the manufacturer adds an allowance to cater for wearing over other garments.

XS - Chest (to fit) 36" S - Chest (to fit) 38" M - Chest (to fit) 40" L - Chest (to fit) 42"- 44" XL - Chest (to fit) 46" 2XL - Chest (to fit) 48" 3XL - Chest (to fit) 50"-52" To order one of these fleeces please email a request to Barry Lycett at blycett.gcr@gmail.com who will 4XL - Chest (to fit) 54" then email you a special link on the GCR’s website (for members use only), for you to place an order via the GCR online shop. On confirmation of the order and payment an order will be placed with the supplier.

For those members who do not have internet access please send a stamped self addressed envelope along with your full name, contact telephone number and membership number to:B A Lycett, 21 Finches Hill, RUGELEY, WS15 2TN. An Order Form will then be posted to you for completion and return along with a cheque payable to GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY Purchasers will be informed when the fleece is ready for collection at Loughborough Booking Office Please note that as our supplier has a minimum order quantity of four fleeces there may be a delay until the minimum order quantity is achieved

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A Swapmeet in full swing in the station yard at Quorn & Woodhouse on 31st August, 2014. KATE TILLEY

The fish pass was necessary as a steel girder, installed at the entrance to the bridge some 30 or so years ago, created a weir approximately 60cms high and was preventing fish from migrating up the brook towards Bunny.

any changes to the event’s successful format in the immediate future.

Michael Stokes of the GCR’s Events Department will be taking over the event. The Swapmeet will complement the many other events arranged for the railway enthusiasts. Bob will be a hard act to follow as he is very well respected within the railway and the hobby. 13th September, 2015 will be the next and last event under Bob’s stewardship and we expect to see many old friends and faces

from the last 30 years. Bob is a collector of Leicestershire totems with virtually a complete set apart from Quorn & Woodhouse!

If you are not familiar with the event, it is run on a car boot style and takes place at Quorn & Woodhouse station yard three times a year.

ROCK RAMP FISH PASS Gaynor Jones Jenkins, Senior Conservation Officer, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust As part of the Fairham brook restoration project a rock ramp fish pass has been installed under the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) bridge south of Ruddington. The fish pass was the last element of a series of improvements along Fairham brook for wildlife and was delivered by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust with funding from the Environment Agency and in partnership with Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board.

To allow installation of the fish pass, 20 tonnes of rocks were transported by dumper trucks along the side of the railway track for approximately 2.5km to the railway bridge. The rocks were then moved by hand into position. The design and construction was checked by an Environment Agency Fisheries Technical Specialist prior to the pass being finished and was found to be working as it should.

To form the fish pass the concrete bed under the bridge was covered with substantial boulders, which provided a good surface for creation of the ramp and also had the effect of raising the water level behind the weir to create a greater depth of water for fish to swim up to and then over the weir.

Boulders were used behind the weir to narrow the width of the brook at this point to ensure a good flow over the weir at low water.

Fish will now be able to swim up the fish pass, which provides a slalom of water deep enough for fish to swim up and over the weir comfortably to breed and The completed Fish pass under spawn.

Bridge 302 on the GCR(N) section.

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Eurostar power car 3308 at Ruddington on 21st April, 2015. MIKE MOUNTFORD

EUROSTAR POWER CAR AT RUDDINGTON Phil Stanway Reports Joining the GCR(N) at Ruddington for the Easter Holidays and the early part of our 2015 season, courtesy of Eurostar International, is Eurostar Power Car Class 373 No.3308 who is on her way to be permanently displayed at the National Railway Museum in York.

Known as the TransManche Super Train (Cross-channel Super Train) during development until start of service in 1993, the train is designated Class 373 under the British Total Operation Processing System (TOPS) classification system and series

Railway introduced a new event to its Special Events calendar - Railways at Work.

373000 TGV (Train à As well as the usual intensive Grande Vitesse) in France. train service with passenger, It was built by the French freight and mail trains, the yard company GEC-Alsthom at Quorn & Woodhouse station at its sites in La Rochelle was turned in to a proper (France), Belfort (France) working demonstration of a and Washwood Heath typical London Extension goods (England) and by Brugeoise et yard.

Nivelles in Belgium LMS Jinty No.47406 provided 3308 was built for the Regional the rail based motive power to North of London services which shunt wagons and assemble unfortunately never came to trains while road transport was fruition, so it has never seen provided by three Aveling & public service in the UK. Only Porter steam powered traction seven North of London trains engines and Matt Baker’s were built, with 14 carriages, immaculately restored Morris including two carriages with van and a Bedford flatbed lorry powered bogies. The full length both in British Railways livery of this type of train is 312.36 along with an ERF coke and metres (1,024.8 ft), comprising coal delivery lorry. The vehicles 558 seats: 114 in first class, 444 provided a spectacular splash of in standard class. The power car colour. we have on display is 22.25 metres (73ft) long alone.

The newly restored goods shed and its platform in the yard RAILWAYS AT WORK came into its own with demonstrations of the transfer th th Over the weekend of 18 /19 April, 2015 the Great Central of goods to and from the shed as well as rail to road transfers

Ever thought of Becoming a First Class Friend?

The additional benefits include: Discounts on First Class train fares 15% Discount on First Class Restaurant Car services 15% discount on train hire costs for Private Charter services Discounts when you bring up to 5 guests on any visit - whether train fare or on one of our famous Dining Car Services!

You will recover your costs in only a couple of visits to the Great Central Railway To join as a First Class Friend go to https://fogcml.gcrailway.co.uk/Join/ For further information on First Class Friends contact the Booking Office on 01509 63 23 23 Please note: The discounts may not apply at some special events

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from wagons and the lorry. All this illustrated the very atmospheric recreation of the services that railways used provide to all its customers Of course, all this was topped out by BR Standard 9F No.92214 appearing in its new guise as No.92220 “Evening Star”, the last steam locomotive produced for British Railways in 1960. Its transformation was complete to the last detail with the special plaques placed on the original No.92220 being faithfully reproduced.

The Western theme was continued with the appearance on GWR Hall No.6960 “Raveningham Hall” visiting from the West Somerset Railway. The locomotive gave a tantalising glimpse of what to expect from the imminent return to steam of classmate Modified Hall No.6990 “Witherslack Hall”.

STEAM TRACTION AT RAILWAYS AT WORK Top Left: No.48624 passes on the main line as parcels are loaded. GRAHAM WIGNALL Centre Left: Road and rail steam. CLIVE HANLEY Bottom Left: Aveling & Porter and ERF provide the transport.

GRAHAM WIGNALL Right Top: The immaculate Morris van and Bedford lorry. GRAHAM WIGNALL

Above: Matt Baker shunts the wagons. GRAHAM WIGNALL

Right Centre: Matt Baker unloads parcels. GRAHAM WIGNALL

Certainly an event that is Right Bottom: The flatbed lorry in worthy of further development. operation. CLIVE HANLEY

All action at the Goods Shed as parcels are loaded onto the train.

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Area Group Reports Leicestershire Area Group John Calton On the 13th February, 2015 Kegworth resident, John Jones, presented an evening of his films taken around the UK from 1964 to ’66. Included were the final workings on the Cromford & High Peak Railway powered by two J94 tank engines (accompanied by hordes of photographers including yours truly - who would have had the present day Health and Safety officials tearing their hair out!) We also had very rare footage in 1960 of the almost forgotten Kegworth to Kingston-on-Soar Gypsum branch off the Midland main line, complete with its 0-4-0 Peckett of 1926, “Lady Angela”, (now residing at Buckfastleigh). The line was worked into the 1970s. A real treat, as was a film of a different steam powered machine in the form of a paddle steamer the “Bristol Queen”, built by Charles Hill of Bristol in 1946, on a sailing from Ilfracombe to Padstow. On its return, due to the restricted space in Padstow harbour, the vessel had to perform a three point turn to the amusement of the onlookers! It was broken up in 1968 at Flushing, in Belgium The advertised speaker for the final evening of this season, Les Henshaw, unfortunately was indisposed. We wish him a speedy recovery.

After a short phone call, Paul Chancellor, of Colour-Rail, kindly agreed to visit Quorn to give his current illustrated talk; “A 4th Colour-Rail Journey”. After some well-informed advice on the importance of storing our transparencies correctly, Paul gave a professional presentation, through the digital medium, of images taken from the thousands of slides in his archives. Thank you Paul for a delightful and well received show and for answering the call at short notice.

We would like to thank all who attend these railway themed evenings at Quorn. It is very rewarding that our efforts to attract quality speakers to entertain us through the winter

months attract a large audience each month.

Added to that, it is due to your generosity that, through your donations in the “Hat”, any surplus after necessary expenditure goes to fund deserving projects on the GCR. We are delighted to report that we were able to donate a further £500 to the Bridge to the Future Appeal, which, coupled with the generous offer from a benefactor to double any donations received during March, 2015 resulted in £1000 to the cause. Not only do all who attend and, hopefully, enjoy the meetings but they also help the GCR achieve its dream.

What could be better!

The first meeting of the 2015-2016 Season is as follows ; Friday 11th September - The Isle of Man and Steam around Britain in the 1960s This is a double-headed programme which features scenes from this delightful Island’s historic transport on rail expertly described and illustrated by David Mitchell. The presentation also features a selection from his extensive collection of photographs taken during the final decade of working steam on British Railways.

Enjoy the summer! We look forward to seeing you all in September.

All meetings are held at St. Bartholomews Church Hall, Church Lane, Quorn, LE12 8DP near Loughborough, commencing at 7.30pm, on the second Friday of the month from September to March inclusive. Refreshments should be available during the interval. Admission is free although a collection is held to defray costs. Any surplus is used to fund various projects on the GCR. EVERYONE IS WELCOME For further information, contact John Calton on 0116 267 6909, Keith Satterly 0116 253 0990, or Peter Hack 01509 261 094.

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Northants Area Group Tony Hemmings

We are now looking forward to the new season

We finished our 2014/15 year in March, 2015 with a revised programme. We were not able to present the Bridge to the Future item so my grateful thanks to John Brooks, of Windcutter fame, for his full evening’s slide show at short notice.

Wednesday 2nd September – On and Off the Footplate – A talk illustrated with slides by Bill Davies. Bill started his railway career at Toton moving to Nottingham Victoria firing the fasts and semi fasts on the GCR. He then moved to Kings Cross where he passed out for driving, later moving to Charing Cross before retiring from Bedford as a driver and manager. Entertainment not to be missed!

This was a presentation on the time line from GCR to BR and on to Preservation.

Part 1 covered freight activity, commemorating 50 years of freight to June, 1965 starting at Nottingham Victoria in BR days through to Charwelton. Then it was on to the Leicester to Loughborough section and a brief spell beyond and ending with the Bridge to the Future and the task of reunifying the preserved sections of the GCR north and south of the Midland Main Line.

Part 2 covered passenger traffic in the BR era from Catesby tunnel and north to Nottingham.

Then followed the Loughborough to Leicester section in preservation from 1976 to present day.

I am delighted to announce the following:

As before, all our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month from September to March inclusive at Weston Favell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, Northampton NN3 3EP and start at 7.30pm. Our Catering Dept will be on hand to provide refreshments during the break.

Admission is free but we request your donations to cover costs and hopefully make a little profit so we can make a donation to the GCR. For more information contact Tony Hemmings on 01536 514 341

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Through the Letterbox

The Editors welcome brief letters, sent to the address on page seven, on topics of relevance to the Trust and the “Greater” Great Central Railway. Contributors should include their Membership No. The Editors reserve the right to edit contributions for clarity and length.

Mundella Boys Railway Club

I have just been reading Main Line No.161 and note the comment in the Loughborough Museum notes and would advise that I was a member of the Mundella Boys Railway Club for the short time it was in existence. The teacher who instigated the club was Colin Walker, the wellknown railway photographer, who was the art teacher. I can remember going on the Swindon works visit, and of course we travelled to Swindon by train from Leicester Central Station. As to the Doncaster visit I was going to go on this visit but was ill at the time so was unable to go.

The railway club for one parents evening put together a very large Hornby Dublo circuit of track, to run trains on and from memory this was not very successful.

Colin Walker was only at the school for about 2-3 years, and he left the school before I did in 1962. I can recall he was a very enthusiastic teacher and encouraged boys to get involved in all aspects of arts and crafts and was always helpful when we tried to take railway photographs. I wish I knew what happened to the photographs I took with the family’s old box camera. I seem to remember they were not very good as my expectations of the camera were rather greater than the camera’s capabilities.

Colin Walker lived on Station Road, Thurnby, quite near to the GNR line from Belgrave Road station. Hence his numerous photographs of this line in its dying days.

Malcolm Foster

Leicester South Shed?

In Main Line No.161 Michael Petty, referring to a photograph of Leicester Central shed (not South Shed!), asks whether anyone can identify the locomotives and the year it was taken.

I can do more than that.. The date was 20th June, 1962 and the time was 9:00pm taken with a Zeiss Ikon Nettar camera at 1/25th second at f5.6 on Ilford HP3 film in the fading light of the evening sun. From left to right the locomotives were K3 2-6-0 No.61962 (50B), B1 4-6-0 No.61372 (41A), BR 7MT 4-6-2 No.70041 “Sir John Moore” (40B) and B1 4-6-0 No.61266 (41A).

On 18th June the Britannia had worked the 4:30pm Grimsby to Whitland fish train, usually an Immingham K3 or a Britannia which always stopped, about 8:30pm, by Leicester South Goods signalbox to take on water and to clean the fire but on this occasion No.70041 must have been in need of fitters attention because the train was taken on by B1 No.61198. Locomotive changing always took place at Banbury. The next evening No.70041 was at the side of the shed adjacent to the machine shop. It stayed on shed for at least the following two days whilst No.70035 “Rudyard Kipling” was in charge of the Whitfield fish train.

However, I am now left with an imponderable question - where did that particular photograph, devoid of any caption, found in a sack of rubbish in a charity shop, originate? My prints were always postcard (5½” x 3½”) format and I was very meticulous in writing the details, plus name and address sticker on the back. As far as I am aware only two of my friends had copies and it was never published in a book or magazine.

Is there a Sherlock Holmes in the house?

Horace Gamble

Boiler in the Wrong Place?

I enclose my cheque for £17, being the membership fee for this year. I have been a member since 1976, and I remember hammering away at the company on the subject of the importance of getting cash flow which meant creating eating outlets so that people could sit MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 95

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down and have a cup of tea and a cake or a light meal and watch the trains. At the time, the suggestion went down like a lead balloon so I am very gratified to see all your wonderful cafés, stationary or otherwise, roaring along, bringing in a handsome profit. Everybody in the catering side of the organization is putting in a wonderful effort and it looks as though the food is good as well. Well done girls and boys!

Just in passing, I have always noticed that from the time of Stevenson’s Rocket right up to the 1960s, companies were still building boilers in the front of the locomotive. Although they were developing highly efficient locomotives in other ways, the boiler was still in the wrong place.

They had the technical ability to put the boiler behind the driver, but tradition seems to have blinded their minds. This would have allowed the driver to have a full view of where he was going. Of course, Stevenson’s boiler was on the front because there was no other way of doing it at that time, but with modern methods the boiler could have been mechanically fed with liquid coal, a hugely efficient method with total control over the feed.

Now comes the punch line. I am sure I have learned somewhere that back in 1941-2 a forward-facing steam locomotive was designed and built, and a prototype was running on the railway system in the United States. At the time it was a huge advance, having automatic feed to the boilers. Somewhere, somehow, there must be information about this project and I wondered, with all your research facilities, you may have records of such a locomotive to prove that this actually happened. I remember there was a photograph of it.

Strange how tradition prevailed for over two hundred years with the boiler in the wrong place!

W D Barbut Hello Mr Barbut. Many thanks for your continued support.

As to your suggestion about putting the driver of a steam locomotive at the front I am not aware of the US locomotive but Mr Oliver Bulleid of the

Southern Railway did exactly that with his articulated Leader Class. A boiler was placed in the centre of the locomotive with a driving cab at the firebox end and a cab at the smokebox end.

To facilitate easy run rounds the boiler was offset to allow a corridor to run between the cabs so that the driver could go to the front end and the need for turning was eliminated. The offset boiler caused stability problems and balance weights had to be added to correct this.

The overall appearance of the locomotive was very much like that of a diesel locomotive. There were bogies front and rear incorporating the cylinders with a modified Walschaerts valve gear in an oil bath and chain drive to the wheels.

The the first locomotive, No.36001, ran in 1949 but there were many problems not least the smokebox end cab being so hot that drivers refused to use that end. There were many other problems and after 17 months development of the locomotive ceased and it was eventually scrapped.

Editor

Signalbox Bells

I hate to say someone is wrong regarding the bell from Market Rasen signalbox.

I don’t know the original reason for their fitting but during the 1950s I lived on the railway, train spotting all through the holidays by Top Pond Field and on Saturday mornings with my cousin and a friend. The bell was rung by the signalman when a passenger train for Lincoln left Claxby.

It could be heard all over the town, everyone knowing that they had about ten minutes to get to the station.

Now the strange thing is that trains heading to Grimsby when they left Wickenby the bell was not rung.

My father and my cousin both agree with this so maybe the National Railway Museum don’t know the full story!

Allan Sutton Many thanks for that information Allan. It gives a fascinating insight into local practises. Editor

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FRIENDS OF THE GREAT CENTRAL MAIN LINE LOVATT HOUSE, 3 WHARNCLIFFE ROAD, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1SL

COMMITTEE: Andy Fillingham (Chairman & Treasurer), Steve Evans (General Secretary), Alan Brassey (Membership Secretary), Dennis Wilcock (Publications Secretary), Andy Bennett, Brian Phillips, Bob Stephens Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk/friends

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY plc

Authorised Share Capital £5,000,000 Registered Office GREAT CENTRAL STATION, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1RW Registered No.1257394 England Patron: The Countess of Lanesborough President: M Gregory Vice President: M J Sheppard DIRECTORS: D T Morgan (Chairman), W J C Ford (Managing Director), R Patching (General Manager), K Byass, M J Sheppard, E H Smith Company Secretary: C Pollard General Enquiries Telephone: Loughborough (01509) 632 323 Fax: Loughborough (01509) 632 366 Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk Email: sales@gcrailway.co.uk

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (NOTTINGHAM) LTD

Registered Office NOTTINGHAM HERITAGE CENTRE, MERE WAY, RUDDINGTON FIELDS, RUDDINGTON, NOTTINGHAM, NG11 6NX Registered No. 4277779 England DIRECTORS: B O’Hanlon (Chairman), P M Stanway (Secretary), M Fairburn, M Fowler, R A Hull, R A Kemp, D Morris, A S Newcombe, R Whalley, P D Wilson General Enquiries Telephone: Nottingham (0115) 940 5705 Fax: Nottingham (0115) 940 5905 email: info@gcrn.co.uk Internet: www.gcrn.co.uk

THE DAVID CLARKE RAILWAY TRUST Incorporating Main Line Steam Trust Ltd

A Registered Charity supporting the Great Central Railway Registered Charity No.1104839 LOVATT HOUSE, 3 WHARNCLIFFE ROAD, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1SL TRUSTEES: C I Baines, W J C Ford, M Freckelton, K M Lloyd, R J S Stephens Internet: www.gcrailway.co.uk/dcrt MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 97

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GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (NOTTINGHAM) 2015

MERE WAY, RUDDINGTON, NOTTINGHAM NG11 6NX Tel: 0115 940 5705 Miles Station

Timetable A (Blue)

Ruddington (Dep) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Arr) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Dep) Loughborough† (Arr) Loughborough† (Dep) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Arr) East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt) (Dep) Ruddington (Arr)

0 3.5 3.5 9 9 3.5 3.5 0

† = There are no passenger facilities at Loughborough to board or alight from trains.

The services are operated by Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCR(N)), to whom all enquiries should be addressed.

At special weekends and some Bank Holidays these timetables may be suspended and services run as required – see our “Special Events” page.

Note: While every effort will be made to maintain the above services and times, GCR(N) does not guarantee that trains will depart or arrive at the time published and reserve the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train and/or service without notice and will not accept any liability for loss, inconvenience or delay thereby caused.

GCR(N) accepts no liabilities for inaccuracy in the information published here.

11:00 11:20 11:25 11:41 11:49 12:09 12:15 12:35

13:00 13:20 13:25 13:41 13:49 14:09 14:15 14:35

Timetable B (Yellow)

15:00 15:20 15:25 15:41 15:49 16:09 16:15 16:35

10:30 10:50 10:54 11:10 11:12 11:28 11:32 11:52

12:15 12:35 12:39 12:55 12:57 13:13 13:17 13:37

14:00 14:20 14:24 14:40 14:42 14:58 15:02 15:22

15:45 16:05 16:09 16:25 16:27 16:43 16:47 17:07

GCR(N) Special Events 2015 5th & 6th April 26th April

Fantastic Easter “Eggspress” Steam Specials Road Transport Event

3rd & 4th May

Edward the Bear Specials

17th May

Family Fun Day

14th June

Spring English Electric Running Day (Subject To Confirmation)

11th & 12th July

Summer Diesel Extravaganza (Subject to Confirmation)

19th July

Nottingham Area Bus Society gathering and running day

1st & 2nd August

Model Rail Extravaganza

9th August

Stewart Classic Vehicle Register Summer Gathering

30th & 31st August

Edward the Bear Specials

13th September

Autumn Sulzer Running Day (Subject to Confirmation)

11th October

Road Transport Event

7th November

Firework Spectacular

Saturdays & Sundays 28th November – 20th December

Santa Specials

24th December 27th & 28th December

Christmas Eve Santa Steam Specials Winter Holiday Trains

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY 2015 (NOTTINGHAM) M

T

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

M

T

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

T

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

T

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

January ‘15 W T F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

April ‘15 T 2 9 16 23 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

July ‘15 T 2 9 16 23 30

S 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

F 3 10 17 24

S 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

F 3 10 17 24 31

S 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

S 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

M

T

February ‘15 W T F

S

3 9 16 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

T

W

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

May ‘15 T F 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

S 2 9 16 23 30

Su 3 10 17 24 31

M

T

W

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

7 14 21 28

S 1 8 15 22 29

Su 2 9 16 23 30

M

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November ‘15 W T F

S

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 29

October ‘15 W T F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

5 12 19 26

August ‘15 T F 6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

Su 1 8 15 22

March ‘15 T F

M

T

W

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 29

M 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24

June ‘15 T 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

S 6 13 20 27

Su 7 14 21 28

M

T 1 8 15 22 29

September ‘15 W T F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30

S 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

T 1 8 15 22 29

December ‘15 W T F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 31

S 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M 7 14 21 28

S

(Dates in RED = Special Event. See Website for further information and timetables)

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GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY 2015 BRITAIN’S DOUBLE TRACK MAIN LINE STEAM RAILWAY GREAT CENTRAL STATION, LOUGHBOROUGH LE11 1RW

Weekends

D

March to 15th November Loughborough Central Quorn & Woodhouse Rothley Leicester North Leicester North Rothley Quorn & Woodhouse Loughborough Central

dep dep dep arr dep dep dep arr

9:40 9:48 9:58 10:08 10:10 10:21 10:29 10:36

Midweek Loughborough Central Quorn & Woodhouse Rothley Leicester North Leicester North Rothley Quorn & Woodhouse Loughborough Central

D 10:00 10:09 10:20 10:30 10:45 10:57 11:08 11:15

D

11:00 11:09 11:20 11:30 11:45 11:57 12:08 12:15

12:00 12:09 12:20 12:30 12:45 12:57 13:08 13:16

* dep dep dep arr dep dep dep arr

10:15 10:24 10:35 10:45 11:00 11:12 11:23 11:30

11:15 11:24 11:35 11:45 12:00 12:12 12:23 12:30

13:00 13:09 13:20 13:30 13:45 13:57 14:08 14:16

* 12:15 12:24 12:35 12:45 13:00 13:12 13:23 13:30

13:15 13:24 13:35 13:45 14:00 14:12 14:23 14:30

13:15

14:15 14:24 14:35 14:45 15:00 15:12 15:23 15:30

14:07 14:20 14:47 *

14:15 14:24 14:35 14:45 15:00 15:12 15:23 15:30

15:15 15:24 15:35 15:45 16:00 16:12 16:23 16:30

A

M

A

A SO

M SO

M SO

15:15 15:24 15:35 15:45 16:00 16:12 16:23 16:30

15:45 15:53 16:03 16:13 16:25 16:30 16:38 16:52

16:15 16:23 16:33 16:43 16:55 17:00 17:08 17:23

19:00

19:00

20:20

20:03 20:25

19:28 19:40

20:47 21:00

21:46

20:06

21:46

Griddle Car - Hot and Cold Refreshments Restaurant Car - Advanced ticket holders only Limited non-dining passenger accommodation Runs in March and November only Runs April to October Hauled by heritage diesel or multiple unit Saturdays Only - The Charnwood Forester This train may be steam or diesel hauled Special Event - Enhanced timetable may apply Contact GCR for details Santa Special and Santa Deluxe - Contact GCR for details

M A D SO *

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY 2015 M

Tu

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

M

Tu

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

Tu

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

Tu

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

January ’15 W Th F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

April ’15 Th 2 9 16 23 30

W 1 8 15 22 29

July ’15 Th 2 9 16 23 30

Sa 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

F 3 10 17 24

Sa 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

F 3 10 17 24 31

Sa 4 11 18 25

Su 5 12 19 26

Sa 3 10 17 24 31

Su 4 11 18 25

October ’15 W Th F 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

M

Tu

February ’15 W Th F

Sa

2 9 16 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

M

Tu

W

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

May ’15 Th F 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

Sa 2 9 16 23 30

M

Tu

W

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

M 2 9 16 23 30

March ’15 Th F

M

Tu

W

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 29

Su 3 10 17 24 31

M 1 8 15 22 29

Tu 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24

June ’15 Th 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

Sa 6 13 20 27

Su 7 14 21 28

Su 2 9 16 23 30

M

7 14 21 28

Sa 1 8 15 22 29

Tu 1 8 15 22 29

September ’15 W Th F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30

Sa 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

Tu

November ’15 W Th F

Sa

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

7 14 21 28

Su 1 8 15 22 28

Tu 1 8 15 22 29

December ’15 W Th F 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 31

Sa 5 12 19 26

Su 6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

August ’15 Th F 6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

Su 1 8 15 22

7 14 21 28

M 7 14 21 28

Sa

The Great Central Railway cannot accept any responsibility for any consequences arising from the late running or cancellation of any of the advertised services.

Contacts: General Enquiries 01509 632 323 www.gcrailway.co.uk MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015 l 99

Mainline 163.indd 99

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100 l MainLine l Issue 163 l Summer 2015

Mainline 163.indd 100

06/05/2015 10:55