Saturday 14-Sunday 15 August Wolverton Works Open Weekend

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 2011

This was to have been the first open weekend for 17 years at the former LNWR works at Wolverton, Milton Keynes – one of the oldest railway works in the world still operational. Unfortunately, due to low ticket sales, site owners Railcare have had to postpone the event until 2011. For further information see the event organisers’ website:

http://www.transportevent.co.uk/

Saturday 18-Sunday 19 September Bedfordshire Steam and Country Fayre, Old Warden

An action-packed family event at Old Warden near Biggleswade, home of the famous Shuttleworth Collection of historic aircraft. For further information see the event organisers’ website:

http://www.bseps.org.uk/events.htm 

 Saturday 16-Sunday 17 October National Festival of Railway Modelling, Peterborough

A show that has established itself as a ‘must-attend’ event for the East of England.

Further information will be posted here when available.

Saturday 16-Sunday 17 October London Transport Museum Depot, Acton

The London Transport Museum Depot at Acton holds the majority of the Museum’s collections which are not on display in the main Museum in Covent Garden. It opens to the public for special events, including themed open weekends. Visit the website at:

http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/visiting/99.aspx 

Saturday 26-Sunday 27 March 2011 London Festival of Railway Modelling, Alexandra Palace

Further information on this major event will be posted here when available.

FURTHER DATES WILL BE PUBLISHED HERE SHORTLY

‘Birkenhead’ will  transported on Thursday 27th May south to the Lavender Line, in the countryside town of Isfield in East Sussex, off the A26 near Uckfield.

This preservation group will have full use of the loco’ for the next year and it will haul carriage stock for the general public’s enjoyment.

For full details of the Lavender Line, please visit their website;

www.lavender-line.co.uk

It will be at the Acton Library, 119, High Street, Acton, LONDON W3 6NA

The Exhibition will be open to the general public on Tuesday 29th June and close on Friday 16th July 2010. Library opening hours are –  Monday, Friday and Saturday – 9am to 5pm. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 7.45pm. Closed on Sundays.

This varied Exhibition celebrates 175 years of the Brunel Paddington to Bristol main line and has been much admired by many visitors for its diversity and informative contents.

Check this site regularly for the latest news, or stay in touch by subscribing to our RSS feed (the orange button at the top).

The changes include extended operational facilities enabling dual steam and diesel passenger-carrying trains over extended track together with the re-siting of refreshments, shop and conveniences.

Should any readers require any further details of progress etc – including assisting with the redevelopment work – please contact 0208 574 1529.

Bob Gorringe
Chairman

This will be to keep you updated as soon as new information is available about the new site changes and details of re-opening again.

Please note that these details will not be used or forwarded to any third parties.

GWRPG founder member Edward Boxell, with his vast background of railway heritage, has taken on this project of producing a photographic and informative historic trail about the surrounding area covering the Brentford branch line.

Coupled with the assistance from Michael Ryder, Chairman of the Musical Museum in Brentford, the exhibition will be fully presented within the museum galleries. It will be open for viewing from June 3rd through to July 18th. Normal museum entrance rates will apply.

Additional local information about the Grand Union Canal from Southall to Brentford is to be provided by Brigitte Flock.

Other local historical groups have been invited to join in the event and a leaflet about this exhibition and its contents will be available soon.

Visit www.musicalmuseum.co.uk for details.

 ‘William Murdoch’, Peckett locomotive No. 2100, needed a ten-year overhaul and, now that this has been completed by our Boilersmith, the locomotive is back in full steam and working order. It is now available for short-term hire for the remainder of 2009.

‘Birkenhead’ No. 7386, by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn Ltd, has also received a 10-year overhaul and is also ready for operational use. As soon as possible it will be transported to the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway in Oxfordshire, for their use till the end of this year, 2009.

GWRPG’s other locomotives, the Ruston & Hornsby Diesel No. AD251 and local AEC Class 4wDM No.1 continue to supply motive power at Southall for moving stock around the site.

GWR heavy goods locomotive No. 2885 remains at the Birmingham Moor Street station on static display and our GWR Prairie No. 4110 is within the workshops at nearby Tyseley undergoing full restoration work.

 All of our power units have also created interest for passengers in passing trains on the western region line and many comments have been left on our website.

As at the month of February we await documentation from Network Rail in which details of our new site “Three Road Sidings – South Side” are being prepared enabling the transfer of all our stock currently still housed in the Wheel Drop Shop and enclosure.

To this extent Network Rail have extended the date of our occupation of the Wheel Drop Shop and surrounding leased areas from 31st January 2009 by 6 months, principally due to the fact that new tenants have yet to commence the alteration to the inside track which is now necessary (due to the withdrawal of the original head shunt facilities) before any mainline locomotives can occupy the building, which also prevents certain items of rolling stock of the GWRPG from leaving due to the reason of their length.

To this extent the delay has enabled the work on locomotive “Birkenhead” to continue under cover and to which initial steaming of the locomotive is scheduled for the end of March. This extension will also give us time to complete the external restoration of our TSO Carriage No 3961 to which it is intended to be put in use at the recommencement of our passenger carrying service over the new location.

Within the period, assessment has been made in respect of the considerable items of duplicate equipment we have collected over the years and to which disposal of unwanted items are being advertised as available for purchase. This goes without saying that a certain amount carried from previous locations will be disposed of by other means. It will be clear that with initially limited covered accommodation the only essential items for our future development will be stored as far as possible in any number of covered wagons.

Turning now to our new location “Three Road Sidings – South Side” we have been allowed to commence work initially on the clearance of vegetation in the area after many years of non use and at the same time, the debris left by previous occupants.

The Two Road track work primarily is concrete sleepers and is suitable for operational work, with the third track with timber sleepers needing attention, principally some areas will be put to use for display of vintage stock.

We have been very encouraged in actions so far achieved and also for the support we have received from Network Rail officials who inspected both the track work and are arranging the supply of an amount of replacement materials which are required before operation use.

Clearly our target is set to vacate the Wheel Drop Shop as soon as possible with the aim of being in a position to be open to the public at the earliest opportunity this year obviously with the necessary facilities available for public use.

In due course more details have to be prepared both in respect of covered accommodation and the essential facilities both in the short and long term. Currently other parts of the site are occupied by an assortment of tenants which do not give a good aspect to the location; however we understand changes are to be made shortly.

There is much to do and we would like every member to become involved in one way or another in the project that is set before us.

Whilst initially the site will be leased for a period of three years we have been informed by Network Rail that they will be prepared to dispose of the land to our organisation after this period – so essential to our aims of providing London with its only location of operational steam locomotives and other historical stock with the long term aim of Brentford Branch operations.

 In support of the above we are entering the 2009 season with at least three steam locomotives and one diesel railcar and one diesel shunter, both of these providing operation power.

Recent weeks has seen some of the worst weather conditions for years but this has not perturbed the local members to the purpose and all members are asked to consider how they can help in the work ahead.

Members and Shareholders who have attended Southall recently either by joining in the activities of the working team or visiting as a member on our Open Days will be aware of the operational difficulties that we have been presented with by Network Rail. Less than two months before the expiry of the old lease we were informed that we would not receive a new lease, as promised, but would have to vacate our site because West Coast Railway Co Ltd, a private main line operator, needed the Wheel Drop Shop.

In essence we were given eight weeks to remove all our stock from Southall – clearly an impossible task. This came as a complete surprise, especially as we had achieved a good relationship with Network Rail and were expecting a further lease in line with other tenants on site, and our plans for developing the site and our operations had been based on this assumption.

Meetings with Network Rail to resolve the situation were initially unsuccessful. Even an approach to West Coast Railway proved to no avail, and consequently we needed to consider our options. Apart from the impact this would have on our programme of restoration work, mainly on William Murdoch, Birkenhead and the TSO carriage, the effect on our public Open Days was also a major item of concern.

Bearing in mind the extent of our holdings and the previous difficulties we experienced in finding an alternative site, we endeavoured to find a local solution to the problems presented to us.

A further approach to West Coast Railway suggesting that we link our activities to the benefit of both organisations was declined even though this was supported by Network Rail.

In the meantime it came apparent that any use of the Wheel Drop Shop by main line locomotives would require alteration to the existing track work due to the removal of the original head shunt which had been condemned due to poor condition of the track and the nearness of the main line. This in affect also trapped in our TSO coach, which is receiving a complete refurbishment, as well as other vehicles in sidings at the east end of the Wheel Drop Shop.

These track alterations have yet to commence but on completion we will be expected to vacate the building despite the new roller shutters and many other improvements made during our occupation.

In the circumstances due to the threat to the Group’s interests it has been necessary to call upon the services of our solicitors, N.C. Morris & Co.

Solution

We were very reluctant to move from Southall, given our 17 years there, our survival despite the previous problems experienced with Railtrack/Network Rail (thanks to the support of our many followers), and the possibilities the location offers. We have currently submitted a proposal to Network Rail for the use of the sidings on the south side of the site to which we hope to reach an early agreement. It is hoped to take occupancy shortly following the removal of loose plant and equipment currently lying in the area. It is also proposed that we retain the use of the Boiler House.

The area has potential and will also provide the facilities for our main aim. This however does depend on securing a lease, or alternative arrangements which will enable the development to take place.

If this does not happen the obvious consequence would be a major loss to London as a whole as well as the likely dispersal of the GWR Preservation Group collection around the country. In the meantime we would ask both those members already aware of the situation and those learning of the difficulties for the first time to continue giving your full support to the action we are proposing to bring about a satisfactory solution.

Vacation of Current Leased Area – Operational Considerations

In 2007 Network Rail withdrew the former head shunt facilities, so we are currently unable to move our stock from the Wheel Drop Shop until track work alterations planned by West Coast have been completed. Network Rail has also deemed the use of a crane so close to the main line power cables to be unsafe.

The Group needs to know the timetable for the track rearrangement, particularly the start and finish dates, so that we can be ready to move out, but we still await notification.

The rolling stock currently located within the open area can be moved at short notice to the 3 sidings on the south side of site. The area of is currently used for storage of building equipment and materials from Network Rail contracts but it is understood that these will be removed by 9th August. Subject only to clearance of overgrowth and any debris situated on the track we will then transfer our available stock to this area.

Until the track arrangement takes we will continue to use the Wheel Drop Shop to complete restoration work on Birkenhead and the TSO.

Conclusion

The Group will make every endeavour to resolve the current situation, and the support of members and shareholders will carry us through another difficult period to continue our aim of providing London with its only working steam location, open to the public, at Southall.

Bob Gorringe
Chairman

The last months have been very busy in preparing and planning for the year ahead, in which it is intended to add further attractions for our visitors, supporters and members.

A number of our events will be themed – some of which are in the process of finalisation – and details will be available nearer the event time. Following a successful boiler test, “William Murdoch” will be in steam for the first time in 10 years. Work also continues on our TSO and BSK coaches, which we intend to operate with our Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter. The Baguley Drewry Railcar and the AEC 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter are also intended to be operational on specific open days.

During the coming months work will continue to add visitor interest to Southall Railway Centre. Part of the Refreshment and Sales Building will be set aside for displaying railway artefacts and hardware, with the aim to reflect West London as it was in the steam era.

Membership news – Andrew Hunter

In the last three months many new members have joined the GWRPG and we wish them a long and happy association with the Group. It is encouraging that they have joined either following a visit to Southall or on recommendation from a friend. Those who have visited Southall Railway Centre have returned and become valued members of our regular working parties.

Site report – Bill Putnam

We are preparing for our open day at Easter, and aiming to get “William Murdoch” steaming once again. The boiler has passed its pressure test and the next move will be to reunite the boiler with the chassis, which has been overhauled and painted to perfection.

The name of the game – Mike Gorringe

Prairie, Pannier, Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn, Ruston Hornsby, Peckett, Baguley Drewry, Heavy Goods plus Toad, Mink, Gane, Enparts. This is correct terminology for the locomotives and rolling stock on site at Southall Railway Centre.

Some locos were named during their working life, i.e. RSH “Birkenhead”, while the Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter became “Francis Bailey of Thatcham” at a formal GWRPG ceremony.

Whether you are visiting Southall Railway Centre for the first time, a regular visitor or a member, there is always something going on or new to see – a project or display underway, or more GWR relics being extracted from our archival store. Since our temporary closure in 1997, many interesting items were put away for safekeeping, but we are now dusting off the cobwebs and placing them on display for all our visitors to see and appreciate once again.

We keep saying this but MEMBERS ARE OUR LIFEBLOOD.

If you wish to join the GWRPG please contact us … and give us a hand!