Glos-Warks Diesel Gala, Day 1 of 3, Friday 12th July 2024
“TC’s” fast car arrived at Toddington around 0815 giving us 20 minutes or so before joining the 24 on the first train of the depot. We wandered into the depot and this was well timed as the 24 was just moving off, other locos were being started and 20137 and 20228 started up in perfect multiple, with a healthy clag too!
Recreating the scene, 47105, 47376 and 45149 on shed at Toddington
24081 was joined on a very respectable load 7 Mk I’s and warbled away small Sulzer style with some nice sounds in the 693 yard long Greet tunnel. A Winchcombe bail on return where an impressive OO gauge model layout had a sound fitted Hymek thrashing nicely on a banana train. With the sun now appearing Llangollen based 26010 arrived on 5 Mk I’s with a good few cranks aboard too. A mileage move to Cheltenham and then Broadway where 47376 backed on. The former Knottingley monster was on departure; very quickly up to line speed with minimal effort or thrash.
20137 and 20228 were much noisier with the whistling sound adding to the lively atmosphere aboard. 20228 apparently hadn’t worked for many years, the last time i had her was from Leicester back on the famous Inter City diesel day of May 21st 1989! 24081 returned us to Toddington where we joined the always excellent Narrow gauge railway here.
“Bryneglas” a Bedford built Simplex rebuilt by Hunslet didn’t disappoint with a good thrash down to California Crossing for the laid back depot visit on then onwards to Didbrook loop. Great fun!
During our narrow gauge run we watched the big locos coming onto and off shed much like a busy BR depot back in the day. More memories recreated by the Glos-Warks. Former Canton steamer 47105 returned us to Broadway for 3 separate runs behind 26010 before our enjoyable day ended around 1830.
Thanks to all the Glos-Warks volunteers for a superb day out…
26043 inside Toddington shed undergoing an overhaul
Chattering away small Sulzer style 24081 leaves Toddington depot
20137 and 20228 start up sweetly in multiple on Toddington depot
Quite a depot line up, 37215, 2280, 37248, 47105, 47376, 26010 and 45149
24081 at Cheltenham with the 0940 to Broadway with 7 Mk I’s in tow
26010 arrives at Winchcombe with the 1015 Toddington – Cheltenham
Big Sulzer 47376 at Broadway with the 1245 to Cheltenham
37248 tails the 1240 Cheltenham – Broadway out of Toddington
Rebuilt Simplex Byrneglyws at California Crossing during a depot visit
20137 and 20228 at Broadway after whistling East with the 1155 from Cheltenham
26010 at Winchcombe with the 1625 Cheltenham – Broadway
24081 rests at Toddington after the days action
The Day’s moves
24081 0845 Toddington – Cheltenham (non stop) TO-CH
16221, 25488, 34929, 1876, 4787, 25451, 5042
24081 0940 Cheltenham – Broadway CH-WI
26010 1015 Toddington – Cheltenham WI-CH
25341, 4772, 35308, 5023, 24949
26010 1110 Cheltenham – Broadway CH-BR
47376 1245 Broadway – Cheltenham BR-TO
20137} 1155 Cheltenham – Broadway TO-BR
20228}
24081 1330 Broadway – Cheltenham BR-TO
“Bryneglas” 1400 narrow guage dep (via depot) TO-TO
47105 1325 Cheltenham – Broadway TO-BR
26010 1500 Broadway – Cheltenham BR-TO
26010 1625 Cheltenham – Broadway TO-BR
26010 1815 Broadway – Toddington BR-TO
also out 37215, 37248, 45149,
end
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