Three steam centres in one day on the way to Zedex 2016

kevsmith Nov 3, 2016

  1. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    As usual, when attending Zedex, our annual convention of Z gauge modellers, I like to make a weekend of it. Heading south early from the Lake District first destination was the Avon valley railway on the outskirts of Bristol which involves a bit of a trek down the M6 and M5 motorways.

    The railway was holding an end of season gala featuring industrial steam. Principal engine featured was 1915 built 0-6-0ST Manning Wardle 'Charwelton' immaculately turned out

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    Slightly dwarfed by the Mk I coaches it was pulling it trundled between Riverside, Bitton and Oldland Common stations

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    recently restored Polish 0-6-0T 'Karel' had a faulty regulator early in the day but this was resolved and it was put to work

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    Seen blasting up the gradient towards Bitton on a demonstration freight train

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    more soon
     
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  2. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    The Avonside 0-6-0ST 'Portbury' was built in 1917 and was also beautifully turned out
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    Perhaps the most useful class of preserved steam locos in the U.K is the Hunslet designed 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST . 'Sapper' built in 1944 has been restored back to War department livery and had its nameplate attached

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    Industrial diesels were also in evidence including 1959 built Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DM 'Kingswood'

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    So back in the car and across country to Wiltshire and the Swindon and Cricklade railway which took a bit of finding.

    Sister engine to 'Karel' Polish 0-6-0T 'Swordfish' was in light steam but not in service

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    Main engine in use was former British Railways class 03 no 03 022, the Gardner engine was smoking quite a lot!

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    In the shed at Heyes Knoll was GWR 4-6-0 6984 'Owdsen Hall' currently undergoing major renovation
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  3. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    So looking at the time I reckoned if I got a wriggle on I could make Didcot railway Centre for the last half hour. So a quick blast down the M4 got me there before GWR 4-6-0 6023 'King Edward II' turned out in early BR Blue

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    By this time the light was fading but was still sufficient to look at the vastly changing scene at Didcot station on the Great Western main line as electrification forges ahead

    This used to be a good vantage point for photography!

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    Video can be found at



    cheers

    Kev
     
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  4. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Kev, I always enjoy your reports and photos of UK steam operations.
     
  5. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Great photos and video. What is the meaning of the "S" in the 0-6-0ST designations of Charwelton, Portbury, and Sapper?

    I don't remember seeing King Edward II when I was at Didcot. Was she there in 2004?
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2016
  6. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    Saddle tank. whereas 0-6-0T is a side tank. to add to the variety some tank engines with the tank between the frames are classed as WT well tanks.

    The King would have been present in 2004 but was only cosmetically restored as far as I can recall. She still needed a full re-tube in 2006 so would most likely have been in one the sheds

    Kev
     
  7. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Logical and descriptive type coding, thanks.

    I looked through my photos from our day at Didcot. The shed was very crowded so apparently I couldn't take one of the King, if I even saw it. This is the only full locomotive photo I have.

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