Didcot: GWS Railcar/Rail Motor Discussion

I am not talking BR ex-GWR green dmus here. I am referring to the GWR AEC diesel railcars, which were, of course in GWR livery. They probably did not get re-painted until the early or mid 1950's. The ones I saw in the 1948 - 1950 era were certainly not green.

 

I would have thought that any ex GW railcars repainted between 1948 and 1956 would be in 'blood and custard' apart from the parcels railcars which would be in plain crimson.
Ray.

 

Many of the second batch (W18 - W38) of ex GWR railcars were repainted in BR green, as they survived in service until 1962.

Andy

 

I can’t remember whether it is the railmotor or the railcar at Didcot, but I remember reading that they have/had a rule that they can only be transported by rail.

I suspect it may have to wait until the post-Honeybourne opening gala.

 

Unless it's a new rule, I'm sure the railmotor and its trailer went by road to the Churnet Valley in 2014? So maybe it's the railcar.

 

You are probably right. I remember reading articles about both in the gws magazine and can’t remember if it was one or the other or both that had this rule. I think the railmotor travelled to Looe by rail when it worked that line.

 

Back in 2004 the SVR wanted the Railcar to return for the Railcar50 event. The GWS agreed but stipulated that it could only come by rail. In the end it didn't because the cost of the move was considered too great.

 

Its my understanding that since the GW main line electrification infrastructure has been erected, the GWS steam railmotor (which is what I think these comments refer to) has been banned from being moved out of Didcot by rail, even if not in steam. So, unless this fine vehicle is to be confined for ever to the Didcot site, there is no alternative but to move it by road.

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Well, it shouldn't be that much longer before they will be able to borrow no.20 instead.

 

Have you already saved up a surprisingly large supply of brake blocks to get it through the Hastings line tunnels ?

 

The constraints on rail access to Didcot are really trying, given what it is, and what's there. Alas, I suspect that provision of any alternative is probably beyond Didcot's financial means. :-(

Noel

 

From reading comments on SVR Forum, I think the reason behind why the railcar never came to the SVR (via low loader or rail) was because of the fragile nature of the railcar underframes.
https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=544
https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=290

 

It will take a change of heart for the Railcar to go visiting. It also requires going by rail. To do this will require certain renewals of various components. Now the one on the KESR ....another matter!

 

Access to didcot has to be via rail to the road loading point across NR metals

 

I am sure the Didcot GWR railcar came to the SVR for a diesel gala some time in the late 80s or 90s ihave a pic of it somewhere.

 

It attended the Diesel Gala in May 1990. (but we digress from the GWSR)

 

Yes it would.

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The tunnels are no longer width restricted. There would just be the small matter of getting it to Robertsbridge by rail...