GWR 125 Celebrations

port perran · April 03, 2015, 04:20:20 PM

Those hardy enthusiasts who have braved the rain, cold and wind at Port Perran have been rewarded by the sight of a very clean green liveried Class 52 (Western) arriving with a 3 coach portion of a Celebratory Special from Paddington (running as all maroon stock).
The train will stay at Port Perran for 2 hours giving passengers time to catch a local shuttle to Trepol Bay and back.
Rumour has it that tomorrow there will be further special trains in the area plus some demonstration goods traffic.
There are also rumours that the CLPG have specially cleaned two ex LSWR locomotives which wll haul trains to Trepol Bay from Wadebridge.

Chris in Prague · April 03, 2015, 04:42:40 PM

Thanks, Martin. Another excellent picture. I had not noticed the concrete fence to stop loco ash being blown around (as at Bude, I think) by the loco. shed or the GWR liveried wagon delivering loco coal for the preserved steam locos. I have a 10' steel one lettered GW Loco. as well as the bogie one.

I see the strong winds have hit the trackside fence. 8-( (My parents' wooden fence was always being blown over!)

johnlambert · April 03, 2015, 04:47:25 PM

Local services running through Claverdon for GWR 125.

Pannier tank and auto coach on a service to Leamington.

Southbound Leamington to Stratford service worked by streamlined rail car.

Stratford to Birmingham service via Solihull

Pannier tank running South to Stratford through a now deserted Claverdon.

BR lined green Manor on a three coach train of ex-GWR Collett coaches in BR maroon.

port perran · April 03, 2015, 04:51:14 PM

Great photos John.
It's good to see plenty of GW 125 activity in the Midlands.
That pannier and autocoach looks particularly good.

port perran · April 03, 2015, 04:54:44 PM

Quote from: Chris in Prague on April 03, 2015, 04:42:40 PM
Thanks, Martin. Another excellent picture. I had not noticed the concrete fence to stop loco ash being blown around (as at Bude, I think) by the loco. shed or the GWR liveried wagon delivering loco coal for the preserved steam locos. I have a 10' steel one lettered GW Loco. as well as the bogie one.

I see the strong winds have hit the trackside fence. 8-( (My parents' wooden fence was always being blown over!)

Unfortunately, that lineside fence suffered a bit when we moved Port Perran to the end of the room. I'll have to repair it methinks !
Yes, the engineering factory erected the fence to stop ash being blown around as you suggest.

Chris in Prague · April 03, 2015, 04:59:12 PM

Thanks for the excellent photos., John. The 'new' GWR railcar looks very good. The three coach train of ex-GWR Collett coaches in BR maroon behind the "Manor" is scheduled to arrive in North Cornwall after having picked up a few more coaches en route including a C&C RMB sponsored by the North Cornwall Pasty Co and the Castle and Headland Breweries for which the hungry and thirsty rail enthusiasts will, I'm sure, be very grateful. The "Manor" is due to be relieved at Bodmin Road where an ex-Swindon Works 82XXX in BR Lined green is due to come on to take the train on (a photo. en route is anticipated) to Wadebridge where it will connect with special services to Trepol Bay and Port Perran, as well as Weaver Cove, and the road shuttles to Cant Cove for the steam shuttle to Penmayne.

johnlambert · April 03, 2015, 05:29:20 PM

Thanks Chris, I look forward to seeing photos of the Collet coaches arriving in North Cornwall. I'm sure those on board will appreciate the addition of a RMB full of delicious Cornish Pasties and Headland Breweries beer.

Chris in Prague · April 03, 2015, 05:46:00 PM

Thanks, John. Castle and Headland Breweries. I look forward to the Hawksworth coaches being available in BR Maroon, too, but it looks like we will have to wait until at least 2016.

johnlambert · April 03, 2015, 06:13:56 PM

Despite all the special trains normal services must also run; a North British Type 2 Diesel Hydraulic works a short goods train, which has to wait in the loop for a passenger train to pass.

GWR railcar, with auto coach (for extra capacity on the evening peak-time services), pulls into Claverdon on a Leamington train.

The pairing of railcar and auto coach was inspired by this photo.
http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrhj1929.htm

port perran · April 03, 2015, 06:38:23 PM

Thanks for the photos. Of course, despite the specials, normal services continue to operate.

Chris in Prague · April 03, 2015, 06:40:47 PM

Many thanks for the latest photos., John, including the open wagon with your grey pipes in. I'm sure that I have seen a photo of a GWR diesel railcar hauling an autocoach somewhere. My Late BR Green ex-GWR diesel railcar has a BR green Metro-Cammell driving trailer for peak hour services! (Not very realistic, I know.)

johnlambert · April 04, 2015, 08:28:14 AM

Saturday morning and another departure from Wolverhampton Low Level to Cornwall. Warship class loco on a six-coach train passing through Claverdon. Coaching stock is a mix of Crimson & Cream, Maroon and Chocolate & Cream.

port perran · April 04, 2015, 08:36:59 AM

The weather is a little better in Cornwall today. Hopefully pictures of the Midlands departure arriving in the South West can be published later.

Chris in Prague · April 04, 2015, 09:27:52 AM

Good morning from a sunny with light clouds Cant Cove! The Wolverhampton Low Level to Cornwall six-coach special train hauled by an all BR Green "Warship" class loco is reported as on time. The coaching stock remains a mix of WR Standard Crimson & Cream, Maroon and Chocolate & Cream liveried vehicles; however, only the Crimson & Cream BSK, W34189 remains as several Crimson & Cream coaches developed 'hot boxes' and had to be removed at Exeter where the "Warship" was replaced by an immaculate Bulleid Light Pacific, No. 34064 "Fighter Command" (without its Giesl chimney), much to the surprise of the local rail enthusiasts who had been expecting (G)WR steam power.

A specially hand-cleaned C&C RMB Mini Buffet, sponsored by the North Cornwall Pasty Co and the Castle and Headland Breweries, for which the hungry and thirsty rail enthusiasts are very grateful, with a C&C RFO and SO on either side of it were added for the journey to Wadebridge where the train will connect with special services to Trepol Bay and Port Perran, as well as Weaver Cove, and the bus shuttles to Cant Cove for the 14XX plus autocoaches steam shuttle to Penmayne. At Cant Cove the trapped WR and GWR steam locos., looking immaculate, are lined up in the goods yard for inspection. At Wadebridge, some of the Standard Chocolate & Cream coaches will be removed and taken on to Trepol Bay and Port Perran (where they will be cleaned and replenished) whilst the remaining coaches are stabled, cleaned and replenished, and the RMB restocked by staff from "The Railway Hotel", Cant Cove, ready for the return trip, on Easter Monday.

johnlambert · April 04, 2015, 09:48:18 AM

Once again, normal services continue to run, 6100 stops with the morning Stratford-upon-Avon to Birmingham service via Solihull.