If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Four Castles at Didcot - 4 March

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Lord Belborough, Feb 23, 2023.

  1. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,747
    Likes Received:
    1,044
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Farnborough
    The first part of my footage shot at Didcot Loco Shed showing the four Castles lined up in a row is now on YouTube if anyone would like to have a look:



    Further episodes to follow as time allows.

    TTFN,

    Ron.
     
    Copper-capped, 3ABescot and toplight like this.
  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    9,635
    Likes Received:
    8,303
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    on that note and although better placed in the Vintage trains thread , my final port of call was Bentley Heath crossing where a sizeable crowd had gathered , young and old . The theatre as dusk fell and the two castles accelerated away from the pathing stop with much whistling was the sort of thing that will live long in the memory . The excitement of a group of young children and their chatter afterwards on what they had seen gives me hope for the movement for the future and engagements like the one you describe give youngsters a chance to so much better experience our heritage
     
    hyboy, Johnb, YorkyLad and 4 others like this.
  3. 3ABescot

    3ABescot Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2019
    Messages:
    340
    Likes Received:
    606
    Location:
    Herefordshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I booked on this event a while ago but was unable to go. So I'd like to thank everyone for sharing their recollections, photos and videos here and on the Vintage Trains thread. Nice to feel I was a minor contributor anyway! 'My' train would have arrived just before the special.
    The event recalled the epic BR special of 9th May 1964 for which 5 Castles were prepared. An excellent souvenir is the AI-enhanced DVD of the event: "9th May 1964: The Great Western" from PSOV (www.mainlinesteam.net).
     
  4. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    7,568
    Likes Received:
    2,345
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Engineer & Heritage Volunteer
    Location:
    N Warks
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Barrowhill?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  5. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,505
    Likes Received:
    3,248
    Location:
    Powys
    I am well overdue a visit here, so will have to take your word for it!
     
  6. Andy B

    Andy B Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2007
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    585
    Location:
    Bristol
    It’s only the one castle but on Tuesday 9th May this year the gwsr are aiming to run 4079 as it was 59 years ago. For added authenticity 7903 foremarke hall will masquerade as 6999 capel dewi - but no melted firebars have been ordered. Should be a very special event, standard fares apply.
     
    MikeParkin65 and 3ABescot like this.
  7. TheModster

    TheModster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2019
    Messages:
    751
    Likes Received:
    1,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    London
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Shared the clip of 4079 Pendennis Castle on the demonstration line on my FB page. Someone I was with asked the driver if he could keep the regulator open when he passed us. Suffice to say, we got a surprise.

     
  8. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    4,444
    Likes Received:
    6,546
    Does that mean that the Hall is not going to be cleaned between now and then?:)

    Peter
     
    William Fletcher and Paul42 like this.
  9. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2006
    Messages:
    6,596
    Likes Received:
    2,242
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hampshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Watching a couple of videos from the Castle event it is clear that 4079 still has some major steam leaks. Are these going to be sorted before she goes on tour? I can't imagine crews on other lines will be too impressed with reduced visibility when driving the Castle.

    Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk
     
  10. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,505
    Likes Received:
    3,248
    Location:
    Powys
    Any clue when she is due to be delivered to Bridgnorth? If its anything like another Didcot 4-6-0, the SVR will want to run their own checks in good time before the gala. With the greatest of respect to those who have brought her back to life, 8 coach loads, 16 miles of track & 4 days of intensive running are quite different to the Didcot demo line.
     
  11. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,330
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Shed load of grey poster paint from here and it’s all sorted Peter upload_2023-3-7_23-14-25.jpeg
     
  12. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,747
    Likes Received:
    1,044
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Farnborough
    Part 2 of the footage shot at the Didcot Railway Centre featuring the four Castles line up (and 'Large Prairie' 2-6-2T 4144) can now be seen on YouTube:



    Hope you like it.

    TTFN,

    Ron.
     
  13. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,992
    Likes Received:
    232
    Location:
    Fort Worth, Texas
    I thought 4079 was steaming better this past Saturday. Just based on what could be seen. A person overseas will not see like people “on site”.

    Hats off to everyone with how well everything went. Looked like most had a fantastic day out and “what a Celebration”.
     
  14. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,747
    Likes Received:
    1,044
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Farnborough

Share This Page