GWR 125 Celebrations

[port perran]

A Jubilee in North Cornwall will, no doubt, be eagerly anticipated.
It is certainly to be hoped that there will be some interesting pairings of locomotives running between Truro and Wadebridge via Chacewater.

[Chris in Prague]

The GWS Bodmin have sold their recently restored (ex-Worcester Works) GWR diesel railcar on to the GWS (Birmingham) in order to concentrate on the many ex-GWR steam locomotives in their care (although they are considering buying Worcester's last BR Crimson & Cream example instead). The GWS (Bodmin) members are spending the weekend specially cleaning the WR ex-GWR steam locos. allocated to St. Blazey or Plymouth Laira that will be seen in the Wadebridge area as well as preparing to take care of visitors allocated to Truro and from the Bristol and Birmingham areas of the WR. Specials from the LMR (Stanier design BR maroon coaches) and ER (Gresley design and BR Standard BR maroon coaches) through to Cornwall are also expected.

The GWS's colleagues in the Cornish Loco. Preservation Group (CLPG) have busy preparing their locos., too, but the Cant Cove branch 'only' has a specially cleaned Bulleid Light Pacific to show as they are still waiting for their promised T9 and the promised newly overhauled and repainted in BR Lined Black with Late Crest (at Eastleigh Works) N has still not arrived although it is expected at any day. As the overhaul and repaint has been sponsored by them, the members are rather annoyed. They have, however, ensured that Cant Cove's Drewry 0-6-0 diesel shunter yard pilot is in its usual immaculate condition. CCLP members at Trepol Bay are, however, promising their SR locos. will be turned out in style for GW125.

[johnlambert]

Latest news from Tysley Shed is that Clun Castle will be available for special trains over the celebration period.  The loco was spotted, painted in Great Western livery, running in on a fitted goods train passing through Claverdon.





Should do nicely for the GWR 125 celebrations later this month.

[port perran]

That Castle looks perfect for GW 125.

[Chris in Prague]

A very nice model, John, and a bargain, I think. I had a similar one but, although it was suitable for DCC conversion, as it had the single chimney instead of the double one it was preserved with (and how I remember seeing it at Tyseley) with some regret, I sold it. However, you can always argue that the new owners wanted it restored back to its GWR condition and had Swindon Works remove the BR WR alterations. In any case, it will be one of the stars of GW125, no question. 8-)

[port perran]

The GW 125 Celebrations in July happen to coincide with a 3 day meet at Newton Abbot Racecourse.
There have been high level discussions between the management of the racecourse and senior  regional managers at BR(W) based in Plymouth. As a result, on the Thursday of the race meeting, a special race will be held. The horses and riders will be participating for the GW Cup.  It is rumoured that this is, in part, sponsored by the Catle Estates at Cant Cove and the directors of the Headland Brewery.
The only stipulation is that competing horses MUST have been bred at and come from stables within former GW territory.
As a result of this announcement, the Fat Controller (from Plymouth) has been directed to ensure that ample horse boxes are available in the Cornwall area to transport Cornish horses (and their owners/riders) to the meet.
This has resulted in various horseboxes being assembled at Trepol Bay together with suitable transport for the owners and riders. The train will later be sent to Penzance to begin its journey in a couple of weeks through Cornwall.
The CLPG having recently taken delivery of a specially cleaned Collett 0-6-0 have made this locomotive available to haul this special train for publivity purposes.
First we see the "Fat Controller" inspecting the train :

The chap with the newspaper seems oblivious to the special occasion whilst the guard of the train in the background seems very keen to be included in the picture.
Now a picture of the train ready to leave for Penzance :

Once the special has left, it will be followed towards Truro by the "Bubble Car standing at Platform 2. Later the Bullied Pacific will take the two SR carriages and van on to Wadebridge

[port perran]

It is hoped that similar "Horse Race Specials" will travel from all parts of the former GW network.

[Chris in Prague]

Many thanks, Martin, for another pair of excellent photos. Both the Lord and Lady of Trevelver Castle, near Cant Cove, Wadebridge, are enthusiastic supporters of the GW Cup, as are the Directors and Staff of the "Castle Brewery" some of whom rather fancy themselves as expert assessors of racehorses! Their daughter, Sylvia, is a champion steeplechaser and photos. of her (with newly dyed auburn hair), the stable boy who exercises her horse when she is in Chelsea, and Jeremy, the dashing Naval Captain, with a borrowed horse from the Castle stables will appear below. Here is the first. [Preiser Set 79183.]



At Cant Cove there is pre-BR [Graham Farish] horsebox in very faded BR Crimson (due a respray; Lady Penelope's favourite horse will travel in nothing else), plus a BR Standard SR Green (for the Castle's racehorses) and BR Standard Maroon ER horsebox which has brought some racehorses from Newmarket to exercise in the bracing Cornish air at the Castle. An ex-GWR design [Lima] horsebox is also awaiting a repaint into BR Crimson [when the aerosol arrives from Germany] by the CCLP and will also be used locally. Some racehorse specials to / from Cornwall also pass through Claverdon.

The third van from the front looks like the special Fish Van used to convey the gourmet special edible seaweed [I forget the name] for the Cornish Festival of Food and Drink.

Ahead of the restored GWR horsebox is a recently, and expertly, restored by the CCLP Trepol Bay, SR non-corridor coach. (When Lady Penelope or Sylvia are travelling with their horses, grooms, and stable staff something more recent is allocated to their train, a BR SR Standard BCK, preferably one of the local pair specially fitted with the smooth-running Swindon -- whisper it not at Eastleigh -- B4 bogies [Minitrix].)

Someone has taken the guard's green flag! Just as well the 'Fat Controller' from Plymouth District HQ is concentrating on giving the racehorse special a thorough examination. In view of Sylvia's experience working in leading London advertising agency, S H Benson Ltd., she has been put in charge of publicity.

The final, BR Van, has the special feed for the racehorses and is securely locked!

A very attractive train in a lovely setting.

[port perran]

Thanks Chris.
Your assessment of the line up of stock is pretty much spot on. The edible seaweed is called Samphire Grass (you really must try some if you get the chance). The van will also contain fresh fish and seasonal Cornish vegetables. Plus, of course, quality champagne and fine wines. It is possible that a Dining Car could be added to the formation serving champagne breakfasts for those travelling to Devon.
The Fat Controller is discussing with his senior managers whether the train will run via Truro along the GW main line to Plymouth and on to Newton Abbott or run via Chacewater, Port Perran and on to Wdebridge and then on to Devon by the former LSWR route.
It is expected that some very influential people will be travelling on race day.
[By the way, I thought that I had another horsevan but can't find it at the moment (although memory could be playing tricks of course)].

[Chris in Prague]

Thanks, Martin. Unfortunately, the "Cornish Belle" all-Pullman train (including Observation Car -- I have yet to attempt the kit) is not available as it is fully rostered out and back, Waterloo-Penmayne, but a Pullman special of BR Standard Pullmans from the ER is rumoured to be coming to Plymouth, locomotive(s) unknown. BR WR management are, however, keen to show off their new diesel hydraulics to such important guests. At present (1960), however, these only include: D600-D604, D800-D810 [-D828; D833-5, D838], and D6300-D6304 [-D6333]. (I only have the Spring 1960 and 1961 Locoshed books so the actual locos. available in July 1960 would be between the two ranges, above. No 'Hymeks, 'Westerns' or Swindon Type 1s, of course!

[Chris in Prague]

Double-headed D63XXs were, however, frequently used until enough "Warships" became available.

[Chris in Prague]

BR management at Penmayne are expecting the arrival of a large contingent of ex-works WR motive power, mainly ex-GWR steam in fully lined BR Green livery but also the 'Terrible Twins (2 X D63XXs), a Gloucester RC&W Co. (W55017) and a Pressed Steel Co. diesel railcar but whether they will arrive this month is, at present unknown.

At last the CCLPG have received news from Eastleigh Works of 'their' newly overhauled Class N 2-6-0 31831 in BR black with late crest, allocated to Exmouth Junction, which is now expected to arrive at Penmayne, via Wadebridge, before the end of the month. The agreement with BR SR is that, after BR has finished with the loco., it will pass on to the ownership of the CCLG who have agreed to keep it in its final BR livery.

[port perran]

BR management at Penmayne are expecting the arrival of a large contingent of ex-works WR motive power, mainly ex-GWR steam in fully lined BR Green livery but also the 'Terrible Twins (2 X D63XXs), a Gloucester RC&W Co. (W55017) and a Pressed Steel Co. diesel railcar but whether they will arrive this month is, at present unknown. The CCLPG are still waiting for news from Eastleigh Works of their new N Class 2-6-0, again, expected before the end of the month.

Hopefully, there will be sufficient motive power available to make GW 125 interesting for the visitors.
The Headland Brewery has stepped up production significantly. It is expected that extra trains will be put on dropping off supplies at various stations throughout Cornwall.

[Chris in Prague]

Thanks, Martin. The "Castle Brewery" has been working on its summer schedule since May but also stepped up production in June to ensure that enough beer in peak condition is available for delivery this month. Deliveries of "Sam's Cider" from Somerset and "Kronenbourg" from Alsace, France, in a monthly Ferry Van, to Penmayne (tripped to Cant Cove) and Wadebridge have also been stepped up now that the Summer season is in full swing.

[Chris in Prague]

The GWS Bodmin is very happy to have received its recently overhauled B Set preserved in GWR livery (new bogies and close-couplers fitted, courtesy of the GWS Birmingham area - John of Claverdon).