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GWRPG News 2006Latest news from Southall - November 2006Latest GWRPG activity has seen the re-steaming of RSH Birkenhead, a historical photographic exhibition about Isambard Kingdom Brunel by member Edward Boxell and the endless unseen actions of our site team, headed by Bill Putnam. Birkenhead is now in full use at the Southall site, providing power for visitor rides in the GWR ‘Toad’ brake van.
The months of September/October have seen the grand efforts of Edward Boxell who has prepared endless photos and graphic sheets depicting all information relevant to the 200th anniversary of Brunel’s life. These have been on public viewing within our site, at Ealing Library and currently at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum. This exhibition was supported by Mrs Diana Pagan, the lady Mayor of Ealing and a ‘Brunel’ look-alike Martin Williamson who posed for many a photograph. Jobs in hand or completed by our unstinting workforce include the repainting of the Baguley Drewry railcar and the erection of the group's external name sign on the Boiler House wall. This has been placed as high as possible so that all passing train passengers (be they locals, Heathrow Express occupants or those in Hi-speed 125s) can catch a glimpse of our name. Hopefully some will jot down the name, browse the website and visit the site for real. Movement and re-arrangement of stock on site has placed one TSO coach in the Wheel Drop Shop for remedial roof work and general maintenance. Recent heritage site visits by freelance photographer Simon Hopkins around the South of England has produced some excellent shots of our Pannier 9682 at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway (CPRR) on a RUSS Charter weekend. Contact was made with Simon when a photo of 9682 was spotted in one of the Railway magazines and some of these are now included in our website. Hire of our Pannier continues at CPRR for 2007. Whilst the GWR Preservation Group has been hit in the past years with operational difficulties due to circumstances beyond their control, the Directors, Principal Members and regular workforce still need additional assistance in all areas of operations. New members join as a result of visiting the site and appreciating what needs to be done, they have various skills which can be channelled into the correct area!
But we need more… to name but two new members from Dorset in the West Country, Arron is an Engine driver by trade and now steams our RSH Birkenhead up and down the site and his partner Sara assists with our catering facility! A few regular hours on site can produce great results to be benefited by others, so please consider joining the group – the only heritage site in the London area and easily accessed by road or rail; Southall Mainline station is but a few hundred yards away! For further information about the group contact 020 8574 1529. GWRPG News 2006Brunel Weekend: Visitors Book Comments - September 2006
All the above comments can be verified in the Visitors’ Book as kept in the Boiler House at Southall Railway Centre (SRC). A generous turn out of visitors kept all GWRPG volunteers concerned very busy with all activities during the weekend, including the Brunel 200 photographic display, steaming of RSH ‘Birkenhead’ for the first time since its reinstatement at SRC and general sales and refreshments within the restored Boiler House. Competitions were held and winners were congratulated by our visiting ‘Isambard Kingdom Brunel’, complete with top hat and enormous cigar! For further information about the group contact 020 8574 1529. GWRPG News 2006Isambard Kingdom Brunel: a celebration - August 2006Isambard Kingdom Brunel, 1806 - 1859, was a Victorian pioneer of engineering who brought Britain into the modern age and his technical feats stretched from steamships to bridges, inspiring others to follow his footsteps. In celebration of his work, Edward Boxell, of the GWR Preservation Group (GWRPG), has spent many hours visiting sites in London and further afield of importance and relevance to Brunel and has photographed plaques, road signs, artifacts, statues and houses. Edward’s railway heritage association goes back many years and his historical knowledge is added to the overall display assembled and now on display at the Local History Department of Ealing Central Library, London. This display will be there for the next few weeks and covers ten extensive panels, artifacts are also included in library showcases. It is free to visitors to view during Library opening times. The display was formally opened by the Mayor of Ealing, Diana Pagan, on 13th of July and was also attended by GWRPG Chairman, Bob Gorringe, Edward Boxell and other members. Local reporter Lucy Procter was in attendance and took full details for the local press. The complete display will be moved to the GWRPG headquarters at Southall for display during the Bank Holiday weekend, 27th& 28th August 2006. Edward will be in attendance to give any information visitors may wish to know. A Brunel ‘double’ will be on hand to supplement the display and other activities are scheduled, including the GWRPG jazz band who are planned to be on site at the Southall HQ giving musical interludes. The historic Three Bridges on Windmill Lane, the Iron Bridge and the Wharncliffe Viaduct on the Uxbridge Road, at Hanwell, all sites built by Brunel, are within walking distance of the site and should be visited to experience the versatility of this amazing engineers work. GWRPG railway stock can be viewed and light refreshments will be available to visitors. Locomotive ‘Birkenhead’ is due an inspection further to remedial work just completed and should be available to give steam rides. For further information about the group contact 020 8574 1529. GWRPG News 2006GWRPG: back on track - May 2006The GWR Preservation Group are back again, open to the general public for the first time since 1997, when they were forced to close their Steam and Diesel operations from their original site within the old Southall Diesel Shed, west of London. Steam operated trains are on the cards with their RSH locomotive ‘Birkenhead’. This Class 0-4-0ST locomotive no. 7386 originally built in 1947, is receiving some maintenance work since its hire to another group in East Anglia and will get a wash and brush up in readiness for its debut at Southall on the Bank Holiday Weekend, 28th/29th May 2006. Also in attendance will be the only locomotive of its kind, the AEC Diesel Shunter No.1, purchased in 1979 when the old AEC works closed in Windmill Lane. This unique loco’, built in 1938, was extensively used moving wagon stock around the busy bus and truck manufacturing site.
Diesel loco, Ruston Hornsby No. AD 251, will also be in operation that weekend moving the group’s varied GWR stock around the site. This powerful loco, built for the Ministry of Defence in 1956, was used by the USAF at Welford Park and thence to Thatcham Army depot in 1973. The Group membership is putting itself in readiness for a busy weekend and will be giving train rides in its historic stock. The original buildings have been brought up to date and now house restoration workshops, museum, display and sales areas, together with a refreshment area. Many old Southall Shed (81C) photographs will be on display reflecting its importance within the GWR network. Access to the group’s site is via Armstrong Way and Collett Way from Windmill Lane at the Junction with the infamous Three Bridges, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, together with the Wharncliffe Viaduct, an impressive sight from the Uxbridge Road. This happens to be Brunel’s 200th birthday celebration year and the group will be putting on a display later in the year to reflect his importance in the railway world with all his engineering feats. The Group Directors and membership welcome all age groups to come and see for themselves all that has been done to create a new Heritage site for everyone to enjoy and reflect in the age of steam. The site will be open to the public from 11.00am to 6.00pm both days; entrance will be £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for children – but, why not become a member (Adult - £15.00) on the day and enjoy being part of a forward thinking heritage group dedicated to recreating the age of steam in Southall. Call 020 8574 1529 or email mikegorringe@hotmail.com for full details. GWRPG News 2006New Year news from GWRPG Chairman, Bob Gorringe - January 2006The final elements of legal matters took longer than predicted in regard to receiving the lease from Network Rail, which has as a consequence of holding back updates to our web pages. However, events are now moving fast and the GWRPG took full occupation of the Wheel Drop Shop, Boiler House, ancillary buildings and sidings on 7th May 2005.
A carefully planned transfer of locomotives and rolling stock from the sidings on the south side of the site to positions on the newly leased area took place over the weekend of 7th/8th May 2005. This was carried out under the supervision of Bill Putnam with the help of Brian Murphy (Driver), Andrew Hunter (Second Man) and Brian Newing (Track side Operations). Both our Ruston Hornsby class 165 Diesel 0-4-0 and the AEC Diesel Shunter were used throughout the move. Assistance was also provided by Network Rail personnel who made available the use of the head shunt, enabling stock to be shunted into the Wheel Drop Shop area. Full consideration has been given to the placement of each item of rolling stock in order that it can be used to its best advantage. Prior to occupation, a complete survey of the buildings and site was made and while much of the overgrown wilderness and accumulated rubbish has been removed, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done before any thought can be given to opening to the public. However, this is not preventing any member who wishes to come along and help with the work ahead from doing so, but please contact 020 8574 1529 prior to any visit so that the necessary briefing can be arranged concerning entry to site and Health and Safety Matters. Locomotives return to SouthallWith the transfer from the sidings now complete, arrangements began for the return of our locomotives from the East Anglian Railway Museum. And indeed Peckett "WILLIAM MURDOCH and RSH BIRKENHEAD returned to Southall on 17th November 2005. Priority will be now given to returning them to operational order. The buildings we occupy also need attention, although only essential works will be done at this early stage. Financial restraint will be needed and work will be prioritised. Notwithstanding these factors, we are now entering a new period of activity as far as the Group is concerned and, whilst confronted with a lease of not a considerable period, it is still our aim to remain in West London. As to other Group matters, it is more than pleasing to see the successes we are having in the attendance of our Sales Team at the various events where record returns have been achieved, as well as providing welcome publicity. Likewise, it is encouraging that membership of the Group is one of the things that visitors ask about. Whilst this revenue is obtained from outside activities, members of the Group must be aware that the last few years have caused a drain on our resources and all members are asked to consider if they can help e.g. by purchasing Company Stock / Development Bonds or even taking another number in the 200 Club. First members and shareholders open dayMembers and shareholders were invited to our first Open Day on 8th October 2005. We were also honoured with the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Ealing, Michael and Julia Elliott, as well as the Deputy Leader of the Council, Ranjit Dheer, plus councilors Dave Bond and Philip Portwood. On arrival on site, members and guests were shepherded into the Reception Building in which all our support activities were on display with principal members in attendance, available to answer any questions visitors may have had. An area was also set aside for display of both station and small railway relics, which the Group had restored, intermingled with the Refreshment Area which was kept busy all day. Following this, members and guests were free to visit our restoration and operational area of the site, covering buildings including the Wheel Drop Shop and the former Boiler House and ancillary buildings together with siding accommodation. A demonstration was set up with the Ruston 0-4-0 and the AEC Diesel providing footplate rides for those who wished to take advantage of the occasion. It was possible to view a number of rail vehicles which the Group has restored over a number of years.
The site, being much more compact than that previously leased, does have facilities which will enable us to carry full restoration and maintenance of stock and it is anticipated that the arrival of a number of our Hired Out stock will be returning to Southall in the near future. Likewise, the work on the building repairs in the various structures need to be continued as well as the setting up of Reception, Exhibition and Administration Offices on site. These need to be carried out at a pace so that we can take advantage of opportunities that the site presents. To date the “band” of members have done tremendously well in the activities we carried out, but would of course appreciate additional help to further advance the project. It can be said that attendance on the day was very encouraging and it is therefore hoped that further members will now attend site and our other activities with the view to achieving further success in the future. 2006 activitiesPrincipally the event was not open to the public. However, the Directors and Management Team have already discussed proposals in relation to our activities for 2006. Apart from further improvement that is scheduled for the site, we shall also be concentrating on both maintenance and restoration work of our locomotives and railway stock with the aim to be in a position to take advantage of opportunities that arise. Clearly we need more hands on site – whatever the activities – members to join in with the challenge we have ahead of us and I look forward to hearing from every member on how they feel they can help with meeting our aims and objectives. A Brunel Centenary Week will be held in July 2006 and we have indicated to the London Borough of Ealing our willingness to join in with the celebrations particularly with local landmarks such as Wharncliffe Viaduct, The Iron Bridge and Three Bridges, in mind. We would like to thank Neville Roberts of Civic Asset Partnership Ltd and our solicitor Francois Malan of NC Morris & Co. for their guidance and assistance in overcoming a most difficult period in which the Group found itself. We now have another opportunity, let's grasp it!
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