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Didcot: GWS Railcar/Rail Motor Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Breva, Nov 27, 2018.

  1. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  2. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  3. Andy Williams

    Andy Williams Member

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

    Andy
     
  4. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  5. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    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.
     
  6. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  7. Robin

    Robin Well-Known Member Friend

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    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.
     
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  8. Roger Thompson

    Roger Thompson Member

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    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.

    Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk
     
  9. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    It was No.22, the Railcar which the SVR tried to get for Railcar 50, having been a former resident in the early days.
     
  10. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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

    Breva Well-Known Member

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

    jnc Well-Known Member

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    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
     
  13. RobT

    RobT New Member

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    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
     
  14. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    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!
     
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  15. m wainwright

    m wainwright New Member

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    Access to didcot has to be via rail to the road loading point across NR metals
     
  16. MAPLE CHRIS

    MAPLE CHRIS Member

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    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.
     
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  17. Robin

    Robin Well-Known Member Friend

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

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    .
     
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  19. M59137

    M59137 Well-Known Member

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    Yes it would.

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  20. burnham-t

    burnham-t New Member

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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...
     

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