Questions

When do you think we are likely to see the Class 26, 31 and Peak back in action on the line?

Why are most of your former BR diesel locomotives painted in Rail Blue livery, when there are no 'Rail Blue & Grey' carriages at the line?

Are there any plans to paint some of diesel locomotives in original Brunswick Green?

I have heard that the GWR owns a Class 31 diesel locomotive. Will the loco be hauling any trains this season or will it remain in storage?

When did diesel shunting locomotive 372 arrive at the railway? Could you please give a brief history of the engine?

Answers

When do you think we are likely to see the class 26, 31 and Peak back in action on the line?

We can’t give exact timescales, but we can let you know that volunteers are working on the class 26 and 45 each weekend.

Currently the class 26 is having considerable amount of fabrication and welding carried out on no.2 cab. Cab no.1 is in the process of being rebuilt after new panels were welded in around the window areas. It is hoped to be able to start the locomotive's engine very soon after repairs to radiator and cooling system.

The Peak also it having a complete overhaul. Work is currently progressing on the engine and cabs. For a more detailed look at the work being carried out go to http://www .cotswoldmainlinediesel.co.uk

As for the class 31, the owner is considering selling the locomotive due to the considerable amount of restoration work required, and concentrate on restoring his other locomotives.
Question asked 14.05.05, answered by the Diesel Loco. Dept.

Why are most of your former BR diesel locomotives painted in Rail Blue livery, when there are no 'Rail Blue & Grey' carriages at the line?

The locomotives are owned by individuals or by groups, many of whom are working volunteers on the GWR. The individuals or groups have chosen to paint them in Rail Blue as that is the way many of them remember the locomotives in BR service.
Question asked 11.03.05, answered by the Diesel Loco Dept.

Footnote from the Webmaster: A recent survey conducted on this site expressed a great deal of enthusiasm for a rake of blue/grey coaches, and this is under serious consideration by the Carriage & Wagon department.

Are there any plans to paint some of diesel locomotives in original Brunswick Green?

That will be up to the individuals owners, however I understand, that future repaints of locomotives undergoing restoration/repair will mean that one will be in green and another in railfreight grey.
Question asked 11.03.05, answered by the Diesel Loco Dept.

I have heard that the GWR owns a Class 31 diesel locomotive. Will the loco be hauling any trains this season or will it remain in storage?

The class 31 is owned by a private individual. It is currently stored awaiting decision about its long term future.
Question asked 22.02.05, answered by the Diesel Loco Dept.

When did diesel shunting locomotive 372 arrive at the railway? Could you please give a brief history of the engine?

No 372 was built by Yorkshire Engine Co as YE 2760 in 1957.  It went new to the Port of London Authority before moving to what was GKN's steelworks in Cardiff in 1971 where it carried the nameplate "Bamborough".  It stayed there as part of Allied Steel & Wire's fleet until it moved to Toddington on October 25th 1999.  No 372 was the last of these loco's owned by ASW, the others were sold to Wilmott Brothers of Ilkeston or scrapped.  At least 2
others of the fleet survive today. On the GWR, 372 is affectionately known as “Des” (diesel-electric shunter)! You can see a picture of Des here.
Question asked 21.02.05, answered by the Diesel Loco Dept.

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