Latest News on Railcar 22

New Post as the original has been archived

We had another weekend of driver training and running in, but we spent a lot of time on Saturday, and some time on Sunday cleaning, we tidied up the luggage end, washed the floor, and cleaned the outside, the only outstanding cleaning job is polishing all the bright work. We did take a 15 minute break to wander up to the station to watch Oliver Cromwell go through on a special, she was going very well, and looked great.

I am pleased to report that although we didn't do much running over the weekend, there were no problems discovered, and she has been declared fit to start this years operating season.

The Railcar will be operating all 4 days of the Easter weekend, and I will be driving but I have no idea which days yet.

 

After a total of 22.5 hours running over the Easter weekend, I am pleased to report that the Railcar performed without a hitch.

 

Great news. Any photographs? Hoping to catch her in action for the first time this year

 

A couple here, http://david1984.fotopic.net/c1681828.html

 

I am in the driving seat of the Railcar, when the picture was taken from the Signal Box

 

Great photos - really like the one of 22 from the Signal Box

 

She really is a beauty - a credit to all involved with her!

 

Will 22 ever bee seen at any preserved railways? [-o< [-o< [-o<

 

Thank you for that comment 4707.

We have no problem with running her on preserved railways, the only stipulation being that she has to be dragged there, as the low skirt would be damaged when being loaded onto a lorry .

She will be running next on Saturday 2nd May, in the afternoon early evening, I will be driving her again. And that weekend has the added advantage that the Real Ale Bar will be open to visitors all day during the weekend. So if you would like to hear the sound of twin AEC Diesels, whil enjoying a pint of Ale then pop down.

Then her next weekend is Whitsun, where she will be running every day. And I will be driving Saturday 23rd May

 

Would it be possiable for 22 to be dragged to say the WSR with the speeds that would be required by the TOC's involved. :-k :-k

 

Looking forward to getting down to Didcot again at some point - will she be running during the summer? I'm hoping to visit when 3650 is finished too

 

She was invited up to the Heritage Unit 50th Anniversary weekend on the SVR, a couple of years ago, and hauled by the Chiltern Trains Bubble car, but Chiltern Trains realised they did not have a safety case for working south of Aynho Jnctn towards Oxford, then Mainline gave the SVR a quote for Class 50 haulage there and back, but that proved to be far too expensive. But I have no idea whether they will permit her to be hauled now.

 

Only just noticed this thread, i took a ride on 22 over Easter as well as the pics, she really is a credit to Railcar22 and others who have worked on her, work done to the highest standard you'd expect more of an express coach than a branch railcar, what was impressive was the lack of clag when she was opened up, presumably meaning the engines are in top nick.

 

Thank you for your kind comments. I am unsure whether you saw the previous thread about the Railcar. But we have had to rebuild the whole bottom end of Number 1 Engine, which included new crankshaft and big end bearings, new pistons, new rings, and a slight hone of the bores. As you said she is quite sprightly

 

Probably too early to forecast, but we are planning to visit Didcot over the late August BHWE, hope she's in use. No doubt like others I have a model of one of these fascinating machines on my railway. Never saw one running in BR days, but remember a load of withdrawn ones on a shed visit to Worcester in the mid-1960's, one still in blood and custard, rest were green alas. Harold.

 

These are the remaining scheduled operating days for the Railcar this year.
Saturday 2nd May late afternoon early evening on the Branch. Bar Car will be open for a selection of great Ales
All 3 Days of the Whitsun Weekend
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26the July
And all 3 Days of the August Bank Holiday.

I am driving on the 2nd May, 23rd May, and I have put myself down for driving on the 25th July and the 29th August

 

When you say late afternoon - any ideas what this means in practice? (spot the how long is a piece of string question!)

My 4 year old is desperate for a ride (and I'm fairly keen too if the truth be told!) but I suspect we'll be on heading back either on the 3:15 or 4:15 train out of Didcot. If we know its likely to be on in time we'll come down later and go home on the second train. (that said we'll probably be back at the end of May as well so not to worry if we miss out this time!).

 

I am sorry I have no idea what time we will be opperating on the Branch, I know we will be finishing some time between 7.30 and 8pm. And then we will retire gracefully to the Bar. Jim and I should be somewher near the Railcar, during the afternoon, so why don't you come and introduce your self, and we will show how old girl works

 

Thanks for the dates, July or August seem the most likely, although i'm usually tied to Sundays or Bank Holiday Monday

 

I have been informed today, by my co pilot that the Railcar will be operating on the Branch from 2pm to 8pm, as long as we run reasonably close to the timetable, there should be plenty of time for your son to have a ride. Before then the Railcar will be parked outside the Carriage Shed, and we will have a little stand with some info about the Railcar, and Jim and I will be there to show people around her.