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GWSR General Discussion and Operations

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by michaelh, Aug 25, 2013.

  1. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    And the irony is with it's ex-mainline status giving it a lack of major gradients the GWSR isn't going to really test the power of 35006 of course. Be nice to finally see it run, I can remember one of the P&O guys telling me in 1993 that it would be ready to haul the opening train on the Cheltenham extension in 2000. Neither happened although one was a lot closer to that date than the other, now we are finally close to seeing the 2nd one.
     
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  2. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Sounds about right! I believe there were roughly three periods in P&O's restoration; "will be ready in a couple of years," "will be ready within a year" and "will be ready in a couple of months." :) It is a shame we have no gradients, but on the other hand, it does have a few advantages, apparently the main reason Lord Nelson visited us several years ago now was because of the lack of gradients was thought to be good for the loco at the time (can't remember the exact circumstances now).
     
  3. D6969

    D6969 New Member

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    The line was designed as a mainline with minimum curves and gradients (worst 1:1o0) though there are areas worse than this after settlement of track, P&O restoration was always 3 year away whatever the date, I hope an end point is soon.
     
  4. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Very true and IIRC you were there on that day in 1993 I was on about earlier ;)
     
  5. Great Western Steam

    Great Western Steam New Member

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    Here are some of my most recent shots of the GWSR- last Saturday and throughout the week with the races trains.





     
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  6. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    S'alright for some, swanning off to watch the trains go by! I've been so busy I still haven't seen the GWSR in steam this year. :( Never mind, going in tomorrow, and having a train ride home again. :)
     
  7. Great Western Steam

    Great Western Steam New Member

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    I went aboard 2807 earlier too- she sure did put on a great display.
     
  8. Ruston906

    Ruston906 Member

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    I don't know how long the loops are for passing trains on the GWR as numbers of passengers increase when broadway opens the sets are going to need to be 7 plus.
     
  9. Great Western Steam

    Great Western Steam New Member

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    Indeed. At the moment their coach lengths seem to be 7 for normal operating days and 6 for galas. I think the loop at laverton is quite tight in the sense that 7 coaches and a loco can fit but with only a bit of room to spare.
     
  10. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Yep, all loops are seven coach plus loco long, I think the one at CRC is somewhat longer than that, although no idea on numbers. I know there isn't an awful lot to spare in the Winchcombe loop either. Broadway loop I suspect will be miles long. It's the points that make a loop of course, you can add any amount of track in between. I think 2016 is the planned date to relocate Laverton loop to Broadway, and given the platforms can comfortably hold 8+ coaches and loco the loop I'm sure will be made to match. We have no plans to extend beyond 7 coaches in the near future, our trains are very rarely full except during galas and it would require a lot of work from C+W, when ideally the board want us to be making another rake, rather than making existing ones longer. Quite when this fourth rake will come into existence remains to be seen, certainly at 7 coach lengths not for a good long time!

    You should have said, could have said hello. I might have waved at you as you went past! Never mind, hopefully see you next weekend still? Was nice to see 2807 again, had a nice chat with one of the chaps who looks after her too. I just wish the paint shop had a more conveniently placed door and you could actually hear the train coming, I'm usually oblivious until it thunders past. Mind you, I spent half of today up a scaffold tower outside, and on balance I prefer the paint shop! Looking forward to the recruitment weekend, spending a whole day enthusing about C+W, what could be better!
     
  11. Ruston906

    Ruston906 Member

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    The question is how much passenger number will rise when broadway is reached guess you might be 20%
     
  12. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    There is a team looking at thus and many other things, and AFAIK, all is under control. :) by Broadway I don't see why we shouldn't have 3 full rakes in good condition, plus a couple of spares for swapping. This may mean on gala days we run 4 shorter trains, who knows. I seem to remember it being mentioned that three rakes would be required for a normal service to Broadway, instead of the current 2.
     
  13. Great Western Steam

    Great Western Steam New Member

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    I'll definitely be at the recruitment fair- I'm not entirely sure what time I will be there as my dad will be away meaning I have to take the train from the racecourse to get up to Winchcombe- I just really hope the manor is running- I'm yet to have a ride behind it you see!!! I look forward to seeing you there and having a chat and figuring out what I can do in terms of volunteering.
     
  14. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Excellent! See you there. :)
     
  15. Ken_R

    Ken_R Member

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    I think the intention is that potential volunteers first register at Toddington and they are then offered a visit to Winchcombe as part of the introduction/induction.

    As you will already have a ticket, it means you can stay at Winchcombe as long as you like and then travel back to CRC direct.
     
  16. Young Philip

    Young Philip New Member

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    We have a good number of pre registered visitors to the Fair but no one so far has been given a "ticket". Ken is right, everyone should go to Toddington first either to register or to collect their "Welcome Pack". There is no Registration Point at Winchcombe but the Fair is split over the two sites. Full details can be found by following the link to the Fair at www.gwsr.com.
     
  17. Ken_R

    Ken_R Member

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    By 'ticket' I was inferring that he would have purchased travel at CRC.
     
  18. Young Philip

    Young Philip New Member

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    Which is correct.
     
  19. JMJR1000

    JMJR1000 Member

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    Unfortunately that's a problem a lot of bigger engines(particularly MNs) tend to have wherever they go, no railway has trains heavy enough, and inclines steep and long enough to really challenge them. I recall someone once telling me that even on the NYMR they'd struggle to make proper use of it. Still, it's just one of realities that heritage railways have deal with. I'm still more than happy to have them around though, even if their not really being tested all that much.

    I'd agree it is quite fitting in a way that P&O will be finished roughly around the time the 2nd platform is, be more so fitting if it's the first one to use that platform.

    Well they'd best get a move on then, the 4th train's due in platform 1 in a couple years time! ;)
     
  20. Steve1015

    Steve1015 Member

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    Such a waste really.......Been on the GWSR when they have had 7 when all that was really needed was 4-5 coaches.
    No need for 7 at all.
    When the novelty factor has worn off will the extended line really need 7 coaches trains?
     

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