BA's Train Pictures http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/ 16 rows en-gb 60 2009 Summer Diesel Gala http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1723855.html A quick visit to Winchcombe on Friday lunchtime to catch 08927 to Toddington and.......... later, post work, a trip to CRC and back behind 33109 and 47376. More tomorrow from Todd yard? And a little foray out on Sunday as well....... Friday 10 July 2009: A quick visit to Winchcombe on Friday lunchtime to catch 08927 to Toddington and.......... later, post work, a trip to CRC and back behind 33109 and 47376. More tomorrow from Todd yard? And a little foray out on Sunday as well.......

24081 makes a hasty exit from the gala to attend NNR, about to depart Toddington 13:10 16/07/09 D4195(08927) awaiting arrival of 12:50 exCRC train with D8137/20154 in charge 10/07/09 D8137/20154 awaiting release and replacement with 33/47 combo, Winchcombe 10/07/09 20154/D8137 stabled in Winchcombe C&W yard 10/07/09 D2182 at Winchcombe awaiting 14:10 departure to Toddington 10/07/09 D4195 awaiting departure to Toddington 10/07/09 D6525 (33109) on the 16:05 shuttle to CRC form Winchcombe 10/07/09 08881&37215 (pushing!?) ready to leave, with 47376 at the rear of the CRC train, Winchcombe 10/07/09 NRM Class 02 D2860 being prep'd for duty,Toddington yard 11/07/09 37324 arrives from CRC on the 10:25, Winchcombe 12/07/09 20154/D8137 pass 37324 at Winchcombe 12/07/09 D8137/20154 await return to Toddington at CRC 12/07/09 More diesel power in Toddington carpark! Bus/coach display 12/07/09 47105 on the shuttle awaits arrival of D2860 on the Queen Mary guards van, Toddington 12/07/09

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]]> Fri Jul 10 2009 Toddington North Remodelling http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1645541.html Update on the installation of the E15 turnout and upgrading of all other trackwork to allow passenger traffic to access the extension to Broadway. Saturday 14 March 2009: Update on the installation of the E15 turnout and upgrading of all other trackwork to allow passenger traffic to access the extension to Broadway.

Train positioned ready for switch and timber offloading in the distance, everything the train is standing on is to come out 31/01/09 Bullhead connection to t/o removed, train to be pulled into Toddington platform 2 31/01/09 Team start to disassemble t/o 31/01/09 Switches removed closure and stock being removed 31/01/09 Bullhead and then flatbottom rails realigned by JCB 31/01/09 Meanwhile 2nd gang remove t/o to Broadway extension 31/01/09 Another gang de-keys and remove fishplates from remainder of b/h connecting line ready for removal. Switches and new timbers in background 31/01/09 Rails cut to allow connection of f/b rails (laid 2 years ago!) to platform 1, Toddington 31/01/09 17:14 dark, north t/o removed bar switches, realignment beginning 31/01/09 In the light of day, t/o removed and existing track slewed in line 01/02/09 Looking south toward Toddington, t/o removed, lines slewed ready for connection 01/02/09 Too much snow here to lay panels in the shed area, Matbro won't start! 07/02/09 John requisitioning junction plates fromNo. 8 road, Toddington yard 07/02/09 Bullhead rails out, sleepers being dragged to allow started Matbro in 07/02/09 Double team, rails out via JCB, sleepers out via Matbro 07/02/09 Most of this requires removal and the snow! 07/02/09 John off to rob another set of junction plates 07/02/09 Ivor moving sleepers to un-interlace them from new timbers to allow removal 07/02/09 Both sets of JCB borrowed, rails out manually! Snow againg causing problems!! 07/02/09 6 panels removed, area levelled, another 3 panels to remove sleepers only 07/02/09 Good progress considering the weather, Alan removing duff sleepers ex approach to platform 2 at Toddington 07/02/09 General view from Stow road bridge at Toddington (looking north) showing track materials removed, snow now re-freezing! 07/02/09 Clipped up and gauged, new sleepers drilled and screwed down 14/02/09 New line cross levelled and packed, JCB delivers ballast 14/02/09 New connection roughly levelled and straightened, awaits first train 14/02/09 The train arrives! New sleepers removed from wagon 14/02/09 Train sat on new line, replacement sleepers being positioned 14/02/09 New timbers being laid, Steve digging out 16/02/09 Switches positioned, timbers to be adjusted 16/02/09 Switches postioned correctly from nose, require gauging and fixing down 16/02/09 Clive starts to drill Malvern side of switches 17/02/09 Steve drills timbers, S&T work on the signal in the background 17/02/09 Malvern switch drilled and screwed down, gang attack Cotswold side switch after gauging 17/02/09 Both switches down, Clive attempts to drill holes, Rotabroach subsequently fails! 17/02/09 Switches down, rotabroach fixed, JCB puncture fixed...... 17/02/09 Timber spacing completely changed, straight closure and stock rails cut to length, JCB to fit tomorrow 17/02/09 Stock rail in, closure about to go in, have I cut them to the right length ?! (c) Sammie Black 18/02/09 Rails clipped up, measure twice cut once works, again! (c) Sammie Black 18/02/09 Fishplates on, Clive ably assisted by a rare gang member pictured on the site!!!! (c) Sammie Black Steve drags pairs of flatbottom rails from Stanton (45 min round trip!) 18/02/09 Rest of the gang sort out the replacement bullhead sleepers and existing rails (actuallly lifting in 45ft rails with 8 blokes, no JCB!), no pixs as we only had 8 blokes! 18/02/09 The Chairman (person) arrives to oversee operations! Final drilling and screwing down straight closure 18/02/09 The northern gang (Clive, Alan, Andy & Sammie) finish off gauging and drilling straight closure and stock rails (c) Sammie Black 18/02/09 Roadrailer puts down around 50 SHC sleepers in 80 minutes, rail in tomorrow, could we be ahead of schedule?!? 18/02/09 WOW! A roadrailer turns up and is put to use moving SHC concrete sleepers (c) Sammie Black 18/02/09 Early birds hard at work gauging and drilling down replacement sleepers from platform 2 (c) Sammie Black 19/02/09 Roadrailer lifts in rail 19/02/09 An easy way to turn a 60' rail, Tom Cowling!!!! 19/02/09 Roadrailer drops off & positions sleepers, JCB drags up check rail (c) Sammie Black 19/02/09

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]]> Sat Mar 14 2009 GWR Permanent Way 2009 Progress http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1630363.html The ongoing Permanent Way work undertaken by the volunteer gang at The GWR. Special Projects have a separate collection, eg fitting Toddington North turnout. For 2008 see collections below. Saturday 19 December 2009: The ongoing Permanent Way work undertaken by the volunteer gang at The GWR. Special Projects have a separate collection, eg fitting Toddington North turnout. For 2008 see collections below.

Connecting line cut to length and fishplated 03/01/09 16:14 Now frosty again, final rails need cutting, drilling & fitting, then screwing down 03/01/09 It's cold again, all go! Leveling & packing switches, drilling & screwing down and cutting final closure to size 10/01/09 Finished trap point looking north, a massive shunt will now insue! 10/01/09 Finished trap point looking south, the next project in the distant background 10/01/09 Whilst wagons are loaded gang dig out and change 7 timbers in Toddington south turnout 17/01/09 To overcome gauge problem on platform 1 turnout rails and timbers to be removed 17/01/09 Matbro removes rails 17/01/09 03 sets stock & pwtrain clear of station past replaced timbers 17/01/09 Meanwhile another gang lay out and drop rail in for connection to Dowty shed 17/01/09 South crossover/siding 1, timbers leveled, straight road rails dropped in 24/01/09 Straight roads gauged and screwed down, curved stock rail dropped in, replacement rail being cut 24/01/09 Mechanical gang attack concrete crossing at Toddington, work required on ill-placed joint and sleeper changes 24/01/09 Turnout regauged, damaged closure rail replaced, tidying up ballast, back to the north end next week! 24/01/09 On a cold morning, whilst waiting for the cutting lubricant to thaw, a start is made re(re)-positioning timbers 03/01/09 Holes drilled in rail and timbers, switches being gauged and screwed down 03/01/09 Off the north turnout (bar a gang of 2 cutting and drilling) gang dig out 9 sleepers at barrow crossing platform 2 21/02/09 Roadrailer, again, used to lift out 4 b/h rails.... 21/02/09 .... and removes the New hardwood sleepers in, drilled and screwed down on Cotswold side 21/02/09 JCB and roadrailer attack 15 sleepers on platform 1 crossing 21/02/09 New sleepers in on platform 1 end, platform 2 finished 21/02/09 One half of the gang lift & pack the Malvern side whilst the track is gauged, drilled and screwed down, job MUST be completed today, now 17:19 sun dropping fast! 21/02/09 Barrow crossing must do job finished at 17:57, overtime to be paid out!! 21/02/09 Keith continues his 1 man crusade clearing Malvern bank north of Stanton road bridge 23/02/09 Daylight with rails completed, S&T ducts in, concrete recently cast, Toddington barrow crossing 24/02/09 Faulty rail changed south of Toddington Ground Frame 28/02/09 End of day 12 panels & 20 odd sleepers laid by the new midweek gang at Stanton Fields toward Laverton the 7.25 MP is now in sight 19/03/09 (c) Goldbar Dinner time at Stanton Fields, gang rest after 4 panels in and numerous sleeper changes Stanton Fields 19/03/09 Work resumes panel 5 is dropped in and a few clips put in to make safe 19/03/09 Midweek gang dropping rails for panel 6 @ Stanton Fields A murky morning for the midweek gang at Stanton Fields, lets get that rail under the bridge, we were last here in Dec 07! 19/03/09 (c) Goldbar After fitting lift plates around the new E15 t/o a visit from 37215, as the gang continue work on the extension 14/03/09 Extension upgrading, tight joint fishplates replaced extra holes drilled for new plates 14/03/09 Midweek gang clip up last weeks laid rail, 8 panels done and the empty rail wagon swapped for a loaded sleeper one. Unfortunately a displaced joint (since aligned) stopped wagon passing under bridge, although still the furthest north a rail vehicle has been in GWSR ownership! 25/03/09 (c) Goldbar Ballast dropped on newly laid track, Toddington North 21/03/09 Redundant switches and timbers loaded onto wagons, second team continuing with fishplate drilling and bolting 21/03/09 One gang work on connections to shed area whilst 2 gangs work on extension 21/03/09 (C) Goldbar A birds-eye view south from the signal of works undertaken on the E15 turnout, after some tiding up 21/03/09 Sleepers laid out toward Laverton ready for laying, track clipped up to here. The midweek gang are no fools! 01/04/09 (c) Goldbar Sleeper wagon now past Stanton Fields bridge and unloaded by midweek gang 01/04/09 (c) Goldbar Shed at lunch time, a couple of rails in later 28/03/09 Between trains short check rail removed 28/03/09 Longer raised check rail installed and used 28/03/09 Brush is tried on roadrailer to sweep ballasted track 04/04/09 The midweek gang, under Clive's stewardship, lay out sleepers toward Laverton 08/04/09 Laid sleepers looking back toward the bridge at Stanton Fields and the B4632 skew bridge far distant 08/04/09 The gang, 124 sleepers away, continue onward toward Laverton, 13:55 08/04/09 Atfer struggling for an hour or so first set of insulated plates fitted in E15 turnout 04/04/09 The final set (for use in 2010) present a re-drilling problem on 1 bolt! 04/04/09

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]]> Sat Dec 19 2009 GWR 2008 Autumn Diesel Gala http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1601460.html Autumn Diesel Gala Sunday only for this Gala! Saturday 25 October 2008: Autumn Diesel Gala Sunday only for this Gala!

5054 waiting departure at Winchcombe 26/10/08 5580 on Cheltenham to Toddington train at Winchcombe 26/10/08 24081/5054 ready to depart at Cheltenham Racecourse 26/10/08 5054/24081 run round at Cheltenham 26/10/08 24081/5054 awiting departure to Toddington at CRC 26/10/08 Evening sun catches 24081/5054 at Winchcombe 26/10/08 5054 has a drink at Winchcombe whilst running round shuttle 26/10/08 47701 awaiting probably its last departure from Cheletenham Racecourse Station 26/10/08

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]]> Sat Oct 25 2008 2008 GWR Summer Diesel Gala http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1534897.html A few pictures of the Summer Gala preparations Thursday 5 June 2008: A few pictures of the Summer Gala preparations

37215 shunts Pway ballast train in southsidings at Cheltenham Racecourse 04/07/08 37215 draws forward to retrieve rear brake van from platform at CRC 04/07/08 5580 dropping back past 24081 & 37215 at Toddington 04/07/08 5580 awaits departure at Toddington 04/07/08 D5580 about to run round freight train at Winchcombe 04/07/08 37324 awaits departure to Cheltenham at Toddington 04/07/08 47701 at Winchcombe 04/07/08 73129 passes 5580 at Winchcombe 04/07/08 73129 at Winchcombe 04/07/08 37215/324 pass 73129 at Winchcombe 04/07/08 47701 at Toddington just prior to start up 26/06/08 5580 fueling at Toddington 26/06/08 47105 passes Pway gang south of Two Hedges rd br @ Bishops Cleeve 05/07/08 24081 arrives at Winchcombe 05/07/08

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]]> Thu Jun 5 2008 GWR Permanent Way 2008 Progress http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1492470.html GWR Permanent Way Department work for 2008, a collection on the progress of the Pway heading for Broadway (or not!), interlaced with essential maintenance work on the existing running lines. For the year 2007 see collection below. Saturday 27 December 2008: GWR Permanent Way Department work for 2008, a collection on the progress of the Pway heading for Broadway (or not!), interlaced with essential maintenance work on the existing running lines. For the year 2007 see collection below.

Team set to stoneblowing 2nd set of badly dipped joints by JJ Farms Bridge 05/01/08 Stone poured into nozzle by Goldbar JJ Farms area 05/01/08 Gang 1 dig out cribs and jack joint level whilst gang 2 stoneblow previous joint betwixt JJ Farms and Prescot bridges 05/01/08 73129 clears stock from a wintery Winchcombe area to allow PW train out 12/01/08 First two pairs of insulated fishplates outside Gotherington box give us no end of trouble fitting! 12/01/08 Nut monster (and Dave) removing nuts and bolts on Gotherington loop north turnout 12/01/08 Undoing gang tackle fishplates on nose of Gotherington south turnout 26/01/08 Clearance gang trying their best to kipper us, Gotherington 26/01/08 Gotherington south bracket signal awaiting work group (no they are behind me!), weather avast improvement on last week 26/0/08 Gang 1, Phil removing surplus ballast prior to timber replacement Gotherington north, Gang 3 out ballasting @ Gretton 19/01/08 Jack and pack new timbers with kangos, switch end re-leveled for S&T interlocks 19/01/08 Gang 2 finishing off 1/2 a mile of fishplate greasing coupled with fitting insulated f/p's (a good start to a horrid job) 19/01/08 The gang proceed on the plate greasing task through Dixton cutting 02/02/08 Fishplate sprayer in action in Dixton cutting 02/02/08 Steve doing up and Dave's boot holding bolts (and absorbing excess grease!) Prescott bridge 02/02/08 Setting off from Tunnel bridge, the team attack a mile of fishplates to be greased 09/02/08 Phil & myself occupy our time changing keys and broken fplates noted last week toward Dixton (away from the grease!) 09/02/08 Out the way a ballast train is coming.... Gretton, trying to grease a mile this week... 09/02/08 Mr Goldbar hard at it, unscrewing fishbolts approaching Working Lane bridge, Gretton on a glorious late spring day! 09/02/08 Finishing turnout installation @ CRC (see other collection) 23/02/08 The gang get to grips with spot resleepering near Toddington box 01/03/08 Sit clear! Service train headed by 47105 passes over 2 replacement sleepers, Toddington 01/03/08 Stuart gets to grips with replacing chair onto new sleeper, Toddington 08/03/08 Hard going today, smaller gang and well compacted cribs, Toddington 08/03/08 A few cribs loosened up mechanically! Toddington 15/03/08 37215/47105 flagged past work site by Steve S, Toddington 15/03/08 Then the rain came, replacement chairs slide into postion prior to drilling, Toddington 15/03/08 Hmmm! Just as we reach the end of our spot sleepering supplies............19/03/08 At Toddington south G/F another dud is replaced, 73 off to shunt northern extension 22/03/08 Drilling replacement sleepers, Toddinton 22/03/08 First weekend in Spring, the gang cower from the blizzard! Lunch ! Toddington 22/03/08 Sun out, no snow! Number 38 & 39 are changed, not too bad for 4 weeks, Toddington 22/03/08 Work still progressing on extension, track bed cleared from Broadway to Childswickham bridge, welding ongoing Stanton area, Laverton bridge cut up 27/03/08 Yet more dud sleepers to change. the first of the day by the crossover @ Toddington 29/03/08 ...Then it rained! Digging out sleeper no. 4 of the day @ Toddington, 47105 awaiting departure 29/03/08 Diesel gala D8137 is flagged through the work site 05/04/08 With Didbrook Church and the Cotswold escapment behind the gang change another 3 sleepers 05/04/08 After another bout of rain, the point lever mechanism is overhauled in Toddington yard 05/04/08 A celebration! Removed The refurbished lever, fitted and working Toddington yard 05/04/08 Looking south to Stanton br welded joint sleeper spacing adjusted 12/04/08 North toward B4632 skew br rail jacked to move sleepers, in sun 12/04/08 In the rain, jacks prepared, realignment of curve requires rail shortening hence the offset rails! 12/04/08 Welding has reached the B4632 skew road bridge 18/04/08 Gang 1 clear sleepers and fishplates Gretton, (Jim the flag distant!) gang 2 at Stanton continuing last weeks work 19/04/08 Gang 1 @ Royal Oak, Gretton clearing sleepers (note flagman again!) 19/04/08 How many does it taketo blow up a tyre? After surving the running line gang take refuge in Winchcombe yard! 19/04/08 Replacement timbers Midweek gang out to grease f/plates hide in tunnel due to rain! 24/04/08 Sun is out! Clive master grease sprayer at work near Gretton 24/04/08

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]]> Sat Dec 27 2008 GWR Permanent Way 2006 http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1492246.html GWR Pway activities during 2006, continuation of track laying from Stanton viaduct toward Stanton road bridge coupled with running line maintenance. For the track laying and first train across Stanway viaduct see 2005 collection below. Sunday 31 December 2006: GWR Pway activities during 2006, continuation of track laying from Stanton viaduct toward Stanton road bridge coupled with running line maintenance. For the track laying and first train across Stanway viaduct see 2005 collection below.

Southern breathers in place awaiting profilling and welding 19/08/06 80 odd sleepers laid out to extend to ballast pile 19/08/06 Profilled breathers 26/08/06 73129 Stanway Viaduct 31/12/05 (C) Mr Roger Cull Digging out the concrete pit road Todd 28/01/06 Pit road new timber support installed 28/01/06 D2069/56003/20 On shed (Keep digging that ash lads!!) 31/12/05 PWay on S&T duty at CRC! Clive drilling 19mm holes for S&T 07/01/06 73129 at CRC with mobile garden ex Goth Loop and the refurbed coach 07/01/06 Refurbished PW mess coach in use at CRC! Many thanks to C&W 07/01/06 100 sleepers laid out 18/03/06 The gang laying sets of 4 sleepers 18/03/06 181 sleepers laid out 18/03/06 Double headed PW train on Stanway viaduct 18/03/06 Steve making minor adjustment to lengths after a rail juggling exercise 25/03/06 Swapping rails around off Stanway viaduct 25/03/06 All action at Winchcombe, loading sleepers and service trains 06/05/06 Alan removing old bolts Toddington 28/01/06 (C) John Haigh 24081 borrowed from Gala setting the PW train back 01/04/06 Rail dragging and laying looking south 01/04/06 More rail to the working face looking north 01/04/06 7 panels laid north toward Stanton Rd bridge 01/04/06 Looking south down train to viaduct 01/04/06 70 sleepers laid out, train disappearing over viaduct in distance 01/04/06 73129 nearly off the viaduct setting train back toward Broadway 08/04/06 Stanton Rd bridge getting nearer rail and sleepers going in 08/04/06 Gang await the final rail (until delivery) 08/04/06 A trundle south across Stanway viaduct 15/04/06 Another 140 or so sleepers laid out ( the last for a while, maintenace calls!!) 15/04/06 The good bit of the Stoneblowing abandoned (too much lift), kangos out! CC 29/04/06 Phil and Alan do the kango on Chicken Curve 29/04/06 Spot resleepering at Winchcombe, DD drilling new chair holes 06/05/06 The last 4 sleepers in (more loaded at Winchcombe pm!) 13/05/06 140 sleepers laid out before lunch 13/05/06 A rail is adjusted 20/05/06 It's raining, better get under the bridge, only 8.5 miles to Honeybourne (1 mile to Toddington) 20/05/06 As far as we have got (6 panels laid today, 4 last week plus 15 welds in the week as well!) viaduct a long way back! 20/05/06 1 rail in, 1 cut, several panels clipped, washed out!!! JCB gala'd!!!!! (Should of 4 rails in today, no new rail delivered yet, sleepers being laid 03/06/06 End of day in cutting after occupation bridge looking south 03/06/06 Looking north in cutting toward Stanton Rd Bridge (sun burnt today!) 03/06/06 100 odd sleepers out (even hotter today!!) 10/06/06 A slight buckle in the heat on newly welded section (caused by parking train far side of buckle) 17/06/06 Clipping up 17/06/06 12 rails down past View south off Stanton Rd Bridge (note newly delivered ballast) 24/06/06 View north off Stanton Rd Bridge (note nothing!) 24/06/06 73 allows the PW train to drop down the bank to end of line 24/06/06 View toward Stanton Rd from mid point of train after another 12 or so rails laid 24/06/06

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]]> Sun Dec 31 2006 GWR Permanent Way 2005 http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1492237.html GWR Pway work during the last quarter of 2005, highlight of which was the laying of track and the crossing of the first train of Stanway viaduct, north of Toddington. Saturday 31 December 2005: GWR Pway work during the last quarter of 2005, highlight of which was the laying of track and the crossing of the first train of Stanway viaduct, north of Toddington.

73129 Nearly ready to go south of viaduct 12/11/05 73129 on viaduct 12/11/05 73 dropping off PW train after ballasting 03/12/05 Ballasted and greased section to Greet tunnel 03/12/05 Brave fellows about to cross viaduct 12/11/05 Manor Lane lets get greasing! 17/12/05 Gotherington straight Dave and Iain doing up 17/12/05 73129 and gang leaving stragglers at Manor Lane 17/12/05 Three teams of orient are, fishplate greasing back of Royal Oak, Gretton10/12/05 Goldbar undoing bolts 10/12/05 The team doing up bolts, Far Stanley 10/12/05 2nd panel north of viaduct cut & drilled 12/11/05 73129 posed on viaduct 12/11/05 73129 with head board on viaduct 12/11/05 The PW train on Stanway viaduct 12/11/05 Unloading rail north end of viaduct 12/11/05 Hard at work trying to get to the end before darkness falls 05/11/05 Fewwww, we made it with 1.7 over exposure to compensate for the lack of light 05/11/05 Across the viaduct looking south 05/11/05 Completed viaduct viewing north 05/11/05 Lets celebrate 05/11/05 stanway viaduct crossed North of Stanway Viaduct start of day 26/11/05 73129 Setting back across viaduct to pick up filled dogfish 26/11/05 73129 As far north as we could go! 26/11/05 North of viaduct 26/11/05, this is as far as we go until March 06 Stanway Viaduct looking north end of day 22/10/05 So far so good PW train setting back onto viaduct 12/11/05 Stanway Viaduct looking north 12:45 29/10/05 Stanway Viaduct looking south 29/10/05 Stanway Viaduct looking north end of day 29/10/05 Loose rusty fishplate bolt replacement using 12/11/05 PW gang posed on viaduct Mike T and Jim in a cold trudge north to the viaduct 19/11/05 Lunch time huddled around a fire on a cold foggy November day 19/11/05 The gang huddling together for warmth clipping up 3rd panel of the day 19/11/05 Dogfish being loaded north of viaduct on 4th panel laid 19/11/05 Crossing for siding partially dismantled in progress of loading onto wagon 09/12/06

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]]> Sat Dec 31 2005 GWR Spring Diesel Gala 2008 http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1487794.html First GWR diesel gala of 2008, viewed from the inside of the buffet cars!? With the odd shot taken lineside whilst on PWay duties, skiving off work and filling the car up with diesel! Gala punctuated with hot sun (Friday), cold wind with rain, hail & sun (Saturday) and snow&sun (Sunday). Friday 4 April 2008: First GWR diesel gala of 2008, viewed from the inside of the buffet cars!? With the odd shot taken lineside whilst on PWay duties, skiving off work and filling the car up with diesel! Gala punctuated with hot sun (Friday), cold wind with rain, hail & sun (Saturday) and snow&sun (Sunday).

27066 Winchcombe 04/04/08 27066 stopped at Winchcombe 04/04/08 08927 at Toddington 04/04/08 27066/24081 finished for the day, Toddington 04/04/08 D4095(08881) awaits the days duties, Toddington 05/04/08 27066 is shunted out the way to allow 24081 to takeover its first train! Toddington 05/04/08 24081 returns to Toddington 05/04/08 47105 leaves Toddington, steam cleaning all those trackside! 05/04/08 D4095 pilots D8137 past the PW work site/fire, Toddington 05/04/08 27066 pilots D8137 out of Toddington 05/04/08 37215 claims two pots of gold @ Toddington!!! 05/04/08 27066/24081 ready themselves for the addition of an extra 6 coaches (empty) for a non stopper to CRC 05/04/08 47105 drifts past Southam Lane Bridge after 2 47105 At Cheltenham Race Course Station 06/04/08 47105 in the snow at Winchcombe 06/04/08 D4095/37324 await depature at Toddington 06/04/08 24081/27066 await departure to CRC, Toddington 06/04/08 27066/24081 set back for the return to Toddington at CRC 06/04/08 27066/24081 at Winchcombe 06/04/08 24081/27066 nose to nose @ Winchcombe 06/04/08 37215 passes 24081/27066 at Winchcombe 04/06/08

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]]> Fri Apr 4 2008 Turnout Installation Work Week @ CRC http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1459813.html A work week was organised to fit a turnout at CRC to access the second siding. We have had enough of dragging the rail backwards and forwards with the JCB! Saturday 23 February 2008: A work week was organised to fit a turnout at CRC to access the second siding. We have had enough of dragging the rail backwards and forwards with the JCB!

Initially we thought that we wanted the bottom one, later it was the bottom one of the rear pile! Stanton 16/02/08 Juggling the various turnouts etc, Stanton 16/02/08 The gang get to grips with dismantling the turnout, no crane access at CRC, Stanton 16/02/08 Switch lifted clear, Stanton 16/02/08 Switch deposited on flat wagon for trip to CRC, Stanton 16/02/08 Now for the timbers, nose timbers loaded by Steve & JCB, Stanton 16/02/08 At CRC, under the wagon (marked white) is where the turnout will start, all we need now is a shunt.......... 17/02/08 .......The GWPway shunting team arrive and fill the station whilst deliverying components and re-ordering wagons, CRC 17/02/08 Unloading switches at required position, CRC 18/02/08 Whoops! It snapped, last rail out had fault which caused a brittle fracture (rails were very cold) CRC 18/02/08 Mike squaring up rails and setting fire to his leg! CRC 18/02/08 Clive and Richard drill new fishbolt holes, CRC 18/02/08 First switch lifted into approximate position, CRC 18/02/08 End of day 1 with both switches in approx. postion, CRC 18/02/08 Straight closure rail dropped in to aid alignment, CRC 19/02/08 (C) S. Black Material removed from turnout area laid out for connection of siding, CRC 19/02/08 (C) S. Black Adjustment of crossing timbers (caught working...), CRC (C) S. Black After a re-jiggle of the timbers the switches are bolted up, CRC 19/02/08 The crossing is eased into postion, CRC 19/02/08 End of Day 2, another good days work, crossing bolted to closure, timbers re-ordered, CRC 19/02/08 Curved closure in, End of day 3, crossing base plates on and both check rails attached, alot of drilling required after gauging 20/02/08 Temporary rail laid to aid removal of out of position base plates 20/02/08 (C) S. Black Check rail postioned roughly, measuring up for cutting 20/02/08 (C) S. Black Richard S starts cutting check rail to length (C) S. Black 20/02/08 Cotswold side check rail dropped into position (C) S. Black 20/02/08 After cutting a sliver off to square rail end Clive & Alan M coax drill in between rail and check rail 21/02/08 Short rail to crossing in (short piece of broken rail used) 21/02/08 Crossing postioned after long rail in, drilling commences 21/02/08 Richard drilling, Clive & Alan B follow up screwing down check rail base plates 21/02/08 Steve screws down the last 2 bolts, no Screwed down crossing assembly with cleared and straightened track, tomorrow's target 21/02/08 End of day 4, finished turnout, looks a bit too good for just a siding....... ? 21/02/08 Steve, Pete & Alan crane in individual sleepers in the 2nd 60' panel 22/02/08 Final panel of sleepers roughly eyed in 22/02/08 One and half panels clipped up the hard way! 22/02/08 End of day 5, two gaps of around 60' 8 Alan cuts rail for LHSide, RHSide measured 23/02/08 One team clipping up with 2nd finishing fishplates & JCB dragging up last rail 23/02/08 Alan on a roll cutting final rail to size 23/02/08 Both rails in and fit! Initial leveling of nose done 23/02/08 Working down the switches leveling and packing 23/02/08 Final packing of straight road in a burst of sunshine 23/02/08 Flat wagons rolled over straight road, siding on RHS will be full tomorrow! Complete bar the point lever 23/02/08 Last fishplates on, its all connected! A good job well done, just the packing to finish off. F/Plate greasing cancelled to complete the job today! 23/02/08

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]]> Sat Feb 23 2008 GWR Pway Away Day to Help SVR Pway http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1452691.html A small gang from GW Pway join forces With the SVR Pway Gang to help reinstate trackwork at Sterns after the infamous 2007 flood. Sunday 3 February 2008: A small gang from GW Pway join forces With the SVR Pway Gang to help reinstate trackwork at Sterns after the infamous 2007 flood.

A blank canvas after culvert and trackbed replacemant at Sterns 03/02/08 Rails dragged in ready 03/02/08 Road railer lifting in sleepers (we want one!) 03/02/08 Sleepers await rail, rolled in by hand (no JCB used here!) 03/02/08 Sleepers and rail in, looking north toward Bridgnorth 03/02/08 Final panel of concrete and wood sleepers in (will the rails fit?) 03/02/08 All in okay, alignment of curve by mechanical means (we want one of these as well!) 03/02/08

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]]> Sun Feb 3 2008 PWay and Clearance Gang at Stanton Fields http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1388364.html PWay and the Cutting Gang combine forces at Stanton Fields to clear Cotswold bank to enable imminent grading and sleeper laying. Also some pictures when the area was cleared last time which shows once cleared it should be flailed regularily otherwise we are wasting our time! Saturday 27 October 2007: PWay and the Cutting Gang combine forces at Stanton Fields to clear Cotswold bank to enable imminent grading and sleeper laying. Also some pictures when the area was cleared last time which shows once cleared it should be flailed regularily otherwise we are wasting our time!

North towards Laverton from Stanton Fields bridge 1996 (c) S. Black Stanton Fields bridge looking north 1996 (C) S. Black Stanton Fields bridge cleared in 2000 for repair work (C) S. Black Stanton Fields toward B4632 Skew bridge, many hands and fires make light(ish) work! 13/10/07 Stanton Fields bridge, plenty of Fire going well, green tunnel behond bridge toward Laverton 13/10/07 The Cotswold bank fairly well cleared, south toward B4632 bridge 13/10/07 View from Stanton Fields bridge south, sleeper loading gang now have 7 wagons loaded which will push the rail head way past here 13/10/07 Toward Laverton, loop position will be where the green merges! More clearance work required here (compare this to 1996 shot!) 13/10/07 Only 2 saws today plus Dave from the Fire dept, progressing north Cotswold side of Stanton Fields Bridge 20/10/07 Stanton Fields looking north after half a day attack on the shrubbery (compare to previous) Next week hopefully laying rail 27/10/07

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]]> Sat Oct 27 2007 GWR Spring Diesel Gala 2007 http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1243808.html A quick view of some of the goings on! Friday 30 March 2007: A quick view of some of the goings on!

D8137 rolls into Winchcombe from Cheltenham 30/03/07 47105 exchanges token at Winchcombe beside D8137 30/03/07 47105 runs round past the working signals at CRC 30/03/07 37219 awaiting departure @ Toddington 31/03/07 D8137 awaits duty @ Toddington whilst 37219 about to depart for Cheltenham 31/03/07 47105 @ Winchcombe 31/03/07 3 x 37 roll into Winchcombe 31/03/07 37324/D6915/37219 approach Legion Crossing, Woodmancote with last train of the day 01/04/07

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]]> Fri Mar 30 2007 GWR December Diesel & Steam Galas http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1178230.html Annual December Diesel Gala plus A PWers view of the Steam Gala before the heavens opened! Wednesday 27 December 2006: Annual December Diesel Gala plus A PWers view of the Steam Gala before the heavens opened!

D6915/37324 await 47's arrival at Winchcombe 27/12/06 47376/47105 accelerate away from CRC past the cutting team 27/12/06 King George scuttles away from Winchcombe with the shuttle 30/12/06 King George arrives at Wichcombe with freight 30/12/06 Black Prince on 'Chicken Curve' 30/12/06 King George on shuttle 30/12/06 City of Truro approaches Winchcombe 30/12/06 4160 pilots 7903 out of Winchcombe 30/12/06 35005 Leave Winchcombe on the freight (the rain starts!) 30/12/06

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]]> Wed Dec 27 2006 GWR Diesel Gala II http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1128851.html GWR Diesel Gala Saturday 4 November 2006: GWR Diesel Gala

47376 awaits next duty 04/11/06 37324 drifts south into Toddington 04/11/06 D8137 awaits next duty 04/11/06 47105 creeps by the PW gang 04/11/06 D8137 sets off south 04/11/06with the demo freight D8137 approached Toddington with freight 04/11/06 73129 heads north with freight 04/11/06 47376 approaches Toddington 04/11/06 D8137 approaches Chris for staff exchange at Winchcombe 05/11/06 73129 Departs Winchcombe 05/11/06 37324 runs round at Cheltenham RC 05/11/06 37324 awaits Cheltenham train at Winchcombe 05/11/06 37324 with 47376 entering Winchcombe station 05/11/06

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]]> Sat Nov 4 2006 September 2006 GWR Diesel Gala http://nigel-black.fotopic.net/c1080487.html A quick look at the GWR Diesel Gala September 2006 Saturday 9 September 2006: A quick look at the GWR Diesel Gala September 2006

37324 Arrival at Winchcombe with freight 10/09/06 (C) Sammie Black 73129 passes D8142/8137 Winchcombe (C) Sammie Black 37324 Dropping off unwanted First coach prior to gala 09/09/06 D8137/8142 Run round at CRC 10/09/06 (C) Sammie Black D8137/8142 at Winchcombe 10/09/06 D2069/47376/Matts Machine Toddington 10/09/06 (C) Sammie Black 73129 On Freight 10/09/06 D8137/8142 Approach Toddington 10/09/06

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]]> Sat Sep 9 2006