RMweb Gold Popular Post The Stationmaster Posted June 25, 2012 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted June 25, 2012 September 1981 saw an Open Day at Old Oak Common to celebrate the depot's 75th anniversary - during the days of diesel hydraulic famine and not preserved diesels involved might not suit some folk but there was a steam worked shuttle to/from Paddington running right into the depot. These are a few pics from the prelude and the event, starting with an unfamiliar shape lurking in the Servicing Shed The Deltic was subsequently moved over to the factory where it would be part of the exhibition Also on parade was an APT set obtained at very short notice and after a lot of wrangling over route clearance And a Class 56 But this time round the real stars of the show were 'Castle' 5051 and 92220, 'Evening Star'. Here Mrs Stationmaster graces the cab of 5051 along with London Division Traction Inspector Ernie Stewart, alas I can't identify the Old Oak Driver in the background And 5051 headed the London end of the shuttle, here leaving Old Oak for Paddington with the first trip And Old Oak panel 'box provided a nice viewing platform later on - again with 5051 London End while 92220 brought up the rear. Visible in orange jacket - although not too clearly - on the nearside of the footplate of 5051 is Divisional Signalling inspector Frank Norris who later went on to achieve 50 years service and was one of the last ex GWR men to retire from BR. The shuttle was worked under Special Instructions which required a Pilotman to accompany it throughout, Frank did that for the first part of the day and I relieved him to cover the final part of the event, so a quick look out of the cab at 92220 before we left Paddington on, I think, the last trip Down. 51 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted June 25, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 25, 2012 Mike, Thank you for the memories. Looking at the bags that Mrs Stationmaster is carrying, one presumes she was off to the west end on a shopping spree to make up for you having to slave away on the two footplates for the afternoon. Regards Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterbournecm Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Lovely photographs Mike. Quite a contrast to the 2000 event at which I was a steward. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 (edited) Great photos Mike, bringing back many happy memories those.... I recognised Inspector Ernie straight away, he was with us on my very first mainline trip out of Old Oak aboard 50 038 in 1983, taking a test train to Taunton and back (the driver's name was Fred something, an old hand at the time). If I remember correctly, the fireman on 92220 for the open day was Derek something or other, a nice Welsh chap who I also later worked with. Quite an intimidating gruff looking fella at first aquaintance but typically friendly to boot. The remarkable thing about the photos is there's not a weed in sight.... Edit : I recognise the old driver on 5051 with Ernie but I can't quite remember his name! Edited June 25, 2012 by Rugd1022 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 That APT set makes what Hornby produced completely prototypical. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Trevellan Posted June 26, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 26, 2012 Thanks for sharing these Mike. Being pilotman on that shuttle must have been a glorious way to spend some time. Definitely a good day at work! Your pictures also remind us just what has been lost. Travelling to and from Taunton in April gave me an opportunity to view the site as I sped past on HSTs and I was horrified to see how large parts of it appeared to be derelict. Okay, Crossrail and HS2 may change this, but for those of us who remember it as a major London depot it still feels like a significant chunk of railway history has been lost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Man, good job you were not a "fan" of Stratford! Largest in Europe (query?) gone forever.... Great memories, Mike... Best, Pete. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 That APT set makes what Hornby produced completely prototypical. Good point. I knew that the Hornby formation was the shortest set physically possible but I did not realise it had actually run in that form. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted June 26, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 26, 2012 Mike, Thank you for the memories. Looking at the bags that Mrs Stationmaster is carrying, one presumes she was off to the west end on a shopping spree to make up for you having to slave away on the two footplates for the afternoon. Regards Richard Fortunately no Richard; she hung around more or less patiently all day but her reward was a driving lesson - on 92220 - at the end of the day 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted June 26, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 26, 2012 Thanks for the memories Mike. I didn't even recall there was a Deltic and Class 86 on display, but I do very clearly remember the run back to Paddington behind 5051 - and being slightly disappointed that it used Platform 1a rather going into the train shed proper so not being able to get the photo I had hoped for. I had to wait a few years for a trip behind 5029 to get that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted June 26, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 26, 2012 Thanks for the memories Mike. I didn't even recall there was a Deltic and Class 86 on display, but I do very clearly remember the run back to Paddington behind 5051 - and being slightly disappointed that it used Platform 1a rather going into the train shed proper so not being able to get the photo I had hoped for. I had to wait a few years for a trip behind 5029 to get that. Sorry about that Andrew - 1A was used purposely to keep the expected crowds clear of the main station and allow a reasonable degree of control and ticketing compliance. The best bit with the Deltic was after the crowds had gone when it was started up in the Factory creating not only a greatly amplified noise but a major smoke screen. The worst bit of the whole event was when we were shunting in the the APT and after folk had been to a lot of trouble to get it, and it had all been very 'touch and go' whether it would or wouldn't be sent, it arrived straight off a test run and was duly propelled back onto that side of the sidings outside the Factory. I was on the ground at the leading end trying to make sure we didn't go too far and looked back to see the vehicles at all sorts of angles giving the heart-stopping impression that it was off the road so I quickly stopped it - only for the two of us controlling the move to find the tilt worked beautifully in Old Oak depot and the rather curvy track was sending vehicles in different directions; so fortunately we hadn't broken it after all. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I remember the 1967(?) open day at OOC where they had a Blue Pullman on display. there was a DMU shuttle from Paddington and I still have the souvenir ticket around somewhere. Some nice pics there Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Vistisen Posted April 10, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2015 I remember as a child visiting my grandmother who lived close to Cranmore in Somerset, About 100 yards down the lane there was a level crossing and David Shepard's locos used to trundle past on a regular basis. Once while watching from the lane. Black Prince stopped and asked me if I wanted to drive him! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Griffin Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 that's the first time ive ever seen a sparky at old oak. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Strathwood Posted April 20, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 20, 2015 that's the first time ive ever seen a sparky at old oak. For the Open Day in September 1972 they had a Class 83 and a Class 74 on show as I recall. Kevin 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Higgs Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I do believe I was there, working on the stall of Cheltenham Model Centre whilst I was a student. It was a good day. Chris Higgs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 img256.jpg Look, there's a low relief Bilteezi factory behind the loco !!!! . Brian R 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold rodent279 Posted January 15, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) Does anyone have a list of what was on display that day, in particular the 50 just inside in the Factory? I went on the Sunday, on 5051/92220. I still have a coal ovoid that may have accidentally jumped into my bag whilst I was eating sarnies..... Edited January 15, 2019 by rodent279 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieB Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Does anyone have a list of what was on display that day, in particular the 50 just inside in the Factory? I went on the Sunday, on 5051/92220. I still have a coal ovoid that may have accidentally jumped into my bag whilst I was eating sarnies..... It won’t help with what was where during the open days, but in general this site is often helpful: http://www.bropendays.co.uk/oldoak1981.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hastings Thumper Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Does anyone have a list of what was on display that day, in particular the 50 just inside in the Factory? I went on the Sunday, on 5051/92220. I still have a coal ovoid that may have accidentally jumped into my bag whilst I was eating sarnies..... The 50 inside the factory was 50036. Also in the factory were 55014, 37180 Outside the factory was 47500, 56037, 33025, 86209 Around the turntable were 50003, 47158, 31207 and at least another four 47s that I can't identify from my slightly shaky 110 format photos on the day. Hope this helps Sam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold rodent279 Posted January 15, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) It won’t help with what was where during the open days, but in general this site is often helpful: http://www.bropendays.co.uk/oldoak1981.html Ta. So this is one of 50001, 003, 015 or 036? Edit:-you beat me to it! 036, Thanks! Edited January 15, 2019 by rodent279 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torn-on-the-platform Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Brilliant photos Mike, thanks for sharing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 16, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 16, 2019 A few shots taken by me. Back in those days film was a big expense for me (I hadnt started full time work at that point) so I only took about half a dozen at the depot. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold rodent279 Posted January 16, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 16, 2019 I still the APT is the best looking train to have run in the UK. And yes I do include Tornado, and a certain green engine owned by the NRM in that. The APT still looks modern, even today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray M Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Ta. So this is one of 50001, 003, 015 or 036? Edit:-you beat me to it! 036, Thanks! Wonky buffer alert ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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