30 June / 1 July 07 - West Somerset Railway

Saturday was the AGM day for the Society, held locally to the engine in Bishops Lydeard. Sunday was the last chance for a few bits of maintenance prior to the move to Bristol Barton Hill for the Torbay Express season which begins this coming weekend. The oppertunity was also take to give the boiler and washout and check on the progress of the water treatment programme. Everything is looking good and moving along as expected. This picture (click here) gives you a look inside the boiler.

 

23/24 June 07 - West Somerset Railway

Two round trips for the loco this weekend, on Saturday hauling a shareholders train while on Sunday it was the Society's members day train.

 

 

 

17 June 07 - West Somerset Railway

On the 17th June, the loco made its way to the West Somerset Railway where it will be based for a few weeks prior to the start of the Torbay Express season. Upon arriving at the railway the coach was detached and the water wagon was shunted onto the new spur that will become part of the triangle at Norton Fitzwarren. In doing so, 6024 became the first steam loco on the new section of line. Picture 1

The railway is gratefully allowing the society to host it's members day next Sunday (24th) when the loco will be hauling an early afternoon train from Bishop's Lydeard to Minehead and return. Several coaches have been reserved for society members for this trip including some buffet food. Make sure you get in touch with the GM Richard Abbey if you plan to travel. The engine will also be running on Saturday (23rd) with another special train being hosted by the WSR.

16 June 07 - The Yeovil Betrothal

On the 16th June 2007 the Society used its Water-Carrier vehicle on a laden passenger train for the second time, on the Society’s promotion, the “Yeovil Bethrothal” for Society Members Mr. and Mrs. Parry, in association with Past-Time Rail, from London Paddington to Yeovil Junction and return via Castle Cary (258 miles in total).  Stops to check the functional and operational performance of the vehicle were planned at Newbury Racecourse (outbound) and Newbury (return), with pick-up/set-down at Reading, and pathing at Frome.  No arrangements were made for re-filling with water en route. 

At the start of each leg of the journey about 10,600 gallons of water was loaded into the locomotive tender and the water-carrier.  With the loaded train of seven cars plus the water-carrier the laden weight of the train was estimated at 342 tons at the start of each leg, reducing to 321 tons at Yeovil and 326 tons at Paddington.  Total water consumption was 8,250 gallons, an average for the run of 32 gallons per mile, or 0.10 gallons per ton per mile. Departure was on-time from Paddington at 0910.  At Newbury Racecourse (52 miles), arrival was six minutes late after delays due to a preceding service, reducing the station stop to nine minutes.  2,250 gallons had been used.  Departure from Newbury was on-time and by Haywood Road Junction the train was 4 minutes early.  The booked pathing stop at Frome North was not required, nor was the station stop at Yeovil Pen Mill, and arrival at Yeovil Junction was at 1238, 42 minutes early.  At Yeovil (77 miles from Newbury), 4,700 gallons had been consumed. 

The return left Yeovil Junction on-time, at 1935.  Arrival at Newbury was 13 minutes early, when 2,200 gallons had been used.  Departure from Newbury was 7 minutes early, after a 22 minute stop.  The Reading arrival for set-down was 6 minutes early and with the use of the Up Main to London, Paddington was reached at 2238, 31 minutes early.  At Paddington, 1,350 gallons had been used from Newbury.  The scheduled outbound journey time was 250 minutes, but the actual duration was 208 minutes, and about 18 minutes of the actual (about 9%) was spent stationary.  The scheduled return journey time was 214 minutes, but the actual was 183 minutes, and 27 minutes of the actual (about 15%) was spent stationary.

Once on board, Shirley was to be found in her usual spot.. hanging out of the carriage window.!! We wish both Shirley & Nick a happy future together.

BBC's Coast

Sunday's BBC Coast showed 6024 on the famous Devon sea wall. If you missed it, it's repeated this coming Saturday, 16th on BBC2..

9 June 07 - Cambrian Coast Express

On the 9th June 2007 the Society used its Water-Carrier vehicle on a laden passenger train for the first time, on the Railway Touring Company’s “Cambrian Coast Express” from Shrewsbury to London Paddington via Wolverhampton, Walsall, Banbury and Princes Risborough (169 miles in total).  Stops to check the functional and operational performance of the vehicle were planned at Dorridge and Banbury (also crew-change).  No arrangements were made for re-filling with water en route.

At the start of the journey 11,100 gallons of water was loaded into the locomotive tender and the water-carrier.  With the loaded train of ten cars plus the water-carrier the laden weight of the train was estimated at 470 tons at the start at Shrewsbury and 430 tons at the finish at Paddington.  Total water consumption was 6,750 gallons, an average for the run of 40 gallons per mile, or 0.09 gallons per ton per mile.

Station delays caused a 10 minute late departure from Shrewsbury.  At Walsall, when 2,000 gallons had been used the valve between the tender and the water-carrier was opened.  The lateness was maintained throughout to the first planned stop at Dorridge, which was not taken so the delay was recovered.  The first official stop was made at Banbury, about six minutes early, after 102 miles running.  At Banbury, 4,050 gallons had been consumed.  An on-time departure and lively running maintained the schedule until near Haddenham, where signal problems caused checks and eventually a full stand.  Considerable time was lost and Paddington was reached about 15 minutes down, having used 2,800 gallons from Banbury.

Of the scheduled journey time of 274 minutes, about 44 minutes (16%) was spent stationary.

 

2 &3 June 07 - Severn Valley Railway

6024 was rostered on service trains on both Saturday and Sunday putting on a fine show on the picturesque line. A last minute decision was made to move the loco to the line as a surprise for Ray Tranter who unfortunately, was too ill to see the engine and passed away on Monday 4th June. Many thanks to the SVR for hosting the engine and crew while our sincere condolances go to Ray's family. He'll be missed by the society.

The following tribute appeared on the SVR forum..

It is with much regret that we have to advise that Ray Tranter passed away on Monday, 4th June 2007 at 5pm after suffering for some while with cancer.

Ray was born in Halifax, Yorkshire on 6th May 1943 and many of you will know that Ray worked for the SVR both as a volunteer and as a member of the paid staff. He started as a volunteer in the early 70’s, and joined the paid staff some years later, firstly as part of a government sponsored Manpower Services programme in the late 70’s working on “Hagley Hall” and later as a full member of staff. The engineering skills he gained from his time working in Stafford Road locomotive workshops, Wolverhampton, were put to good use within the SVR’s Motive Power Department, maintaining and restoring our locomotive fleet. In later years he became Locomotive Superintendent and a Traction Inspector within the MPD.

Ray's experience with railways goes back to the steam days on the Western Region of British Railways, where he worked at Stafford Road Workshops and MPD, and at Oxley (Wolverhampton), working on all ex-Great Western types from “Panniers” to “Castles” and “Kings”. He was also a freight guard at Bescot for a short period.

Unfortunately Ray was unable to enjoy special arrangements made for him to see locomotive 6024 “King Edward I”, which was brought in specially to the SVR on Whit Sunday at very short notice, thanks to members of the 6024 Preservation Society Ltd. and to Network Rail. Ray had developed a close working relationship with the “King” group over the years, offering them help whenever he was able.

Our condolences go out to Ray’s family and to the friends that Ray made over his many years within the Railway Preservation movement.

The funeral service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Bridgnorth on Tuesday 19th June at 11.45, and afterwards at Bushbury Crematorium, Wolverhampton. (Please note family flowers only, with donations on the day to Cancer Research.)

Roger Smith and Tony Bending
8th June 2007