Oswestry Update

And if you need a drink after that. . .


PS. Don't count on the steam. . . Barclay 2261 has passed it's hydraulic test, but boiler still to pass the steam test . . . and then there the little task of putting it back on the frames!

 

Due to projected high temperatures, Wednesdays Pacer sevice has been cancelled.

 

Posted on the CHR Facebook page earlier today. . . .

Cambrian Heritage Railways Traction Update - June/July 2026
Over the last couple of weeks one of our resident steam engines Andrew Barclay 2261 has under gone and passed it's Hydraulic and out of frame Steam Test's. This now means that the final stages of its return to traffic are beginning. The boiler should be back in its frames very shortly and we hope to see her back in traffic and operating to Weston Wharf for the first time with us.

This does mean that our planned steam operation for our upcoming Beer Festival will need to be amended...

We are very happy to announce that we have secured the use of Class 08 'D3290/08220' - arriving into Oswestry this week 'D3290' will make its debut alongside resident Class 73 '73129' which will now give us an all English-Electric lineup to support our Beer Festival.... so if you fancy some BR Blue, English Electric action this weekend... as well as some beer... then Oswestry is the place to be!

Tickets for the beer festival can be found here - https://cambrianrailways.com/beer-festival/
Whilst train tickets for this weekend can be found here - https://cambrianrailways.com/tickets/

Please note that the Beer Festival & Train Tickets are being sold separately to allow those not wishing to attend both to choose how they spend the weekend with us.

 

A lot of chat in many threads about the need for steam, but talking to people at Oswestry today, it seems that the CHR Pacer Gala was very successful and attracted people from quite a distance (at least 1 from Deal in Kent). It takes all sorts I suppose.

PS. I wasn't there, travelling back from Ireland that day.
PPS. Must find out the date for next year's Pacer Gala so I can book another holiday for the same date.

 

I enjoyed the pacer festival especially linking up three different classes and driving it all as one unit to Weston and back is an impressive achievement, it has set the bar for pacer preservation at Oswestry, I know not everybody is a fan of it, CHR with a mix of traction options can create an unique selling point for the line.

I grew up at a time when BR had loco hauled, diesel railcars, HST, Pacers and now Voyagers, Pendolinos, Azuma finally Hitachi, regularly travelling to Liverpool and Manchester Pacers were the bigger part of my formative experience.

 

Agreed, having to take pacers daily on the hope valley line as much as I resent what I decided was typical northern under-investment/cast offs they are a part of railway history and an example of savvy cost effective engineering, it’s nice to see them preserved and for a heritage line cheap to acquire and run.

 

Further to the above, D3290 is now expected to arrive tomorrow (Friday) and is expected to be with us for at least 1 year.

PS. I hope it arrives promptly in the morning, as we have a fuel delivery later in the day, part of which is for the 08.

PPS. Anyone visiting on the Saturday, do pop along to the Coney Green Crossing to say hello to the Crossing Keeper (i.e. me). I may also pop into Oswestry in an off duty capacity on Sunday.

 

08220/D3290 arrived this morning, according to a photo I was sent by another Coney Green crossing keeper!

 

In case anyone was wondering why I volunteer at Oswestry. . . .

 

"but not the large Intermediate bulk containers (IBC’s),"

I'm hoping this is the voice of experience...

It's a lovely gesture tho.