Henley-on-Thames - GWR in the 1930's

[Neal Ball]

Castle week - day 4:

 

Today see's Castle class 4-6-0 locos Windsor and Tregena Castle arriving and ready to depart Henley-on-Thames respectively.

 

I couldn't decide on the better 'photo, therefore we have two photos showing the same basic scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by Neal Ball

[Neal Ball]

Or maybe with a bit of processing in Serif Affinity:

 

[checkrail]

3 hours ago, Neal Ball said:

I couldn't decide on the better 'photo, therefore we have two photos showing the same basic scene.

 

Both nice pics Neal.  You can see a bit more of both locos in the first, but in the second I like those two blokes showing an interest.  Nice toplight too!

Edited October 12, 2023 by checkrail

[Neal Ball]

Just now, checkrail said:

Both nice pics Neal.  You can see a bit more of both locos in the first, but in the second I like those two blokes showing an interest.

Thanks John,

 

The two blokes are Modelu give-always from a few years ago…. Andy York and Phil Parker!

[checkrail]

5 minutes ago, Neal Ball said:

The two blokes are Modelu give-always from a few years ago…. Andy York and Phil Parker!

Fine fellows!

[Neal Ball]

Castle week continues with something different:

 

Castle class 4-6-0 no 5090 Neath Abbey is seen passing Twyford with a train in 1957:

 

https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/news-photo/neath-abbey-passing-twyford-with-a-passsenger-train-7-news-photo/90779854

[Miss Prism]

I had a momentary thought looking at that 5090 pic, and that was Castles would look better without outside pipes.

 

But maybe I'm just an old-fashioned Star fan.

 

[Neal Ball]

19 minutes ago, Miss Prism said:

I had a momentary thought looking at that 5090 pic, and that was Castles would look better without outside pipes.

 

But maybe I'm just an old-fashioned Star fan.

 

 

I can understand that Miss Prism.... but seeing this line-up at Didcot....

 

 

Such a shame we weren't able to fly in for it.

 

[Miss Prism]

Those standard 8 boilers were just right for the Castles though!

 

[Siberian Snooper]

What a pity they didn't swap the lamps between 5043 and 5051, red lamps would sit better on a loco with the numbers on the buffer beam.

 

Still it's a great line up.

 

 

[Neal Ball]

3 hours ago, Miss Prism said:

Those standard 8 boilers were just right for the Castles though!

 

 

They certainly look the part - to see the four of them lined up at Didcot and a month or so later at Tysley, they certainly make an impressive sight. Just everything about them....

 

Continuing with our Castles Week theme - here is 5076 Drysllwyn Castle.

 

 

Seen above having just passed under the bridge at Mill Lane, on its approach to Henley-on-Thames.

 

5076 of course is not the same Drysllwyn castle as preserved at Didcot.

 

The real 5076 was built in 1938 and re-named Gladiator in January 1941 when similar Castle class locos were named for the Second World war effort.

 

The Didcot loco is no 5051 Drysllwyn Castle which was built in May 1936 and renamed Earl Bathurst in August 1937:  http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_cas_castle5b.htm

 

Below - No 5076 is ready to depart Platform 1:

 

[Neal Ball]

The GWS Didcot blog page this week turns again to the contract overhaul of 0-4-2T no 1466. 

 

Work is still concentrating on the boiler and the photos show the 195 tube holes - with only 2 large tubes, normally its a mix of different sizes. I guess due to the small firebox, if you have too many large tubes, the fire will disappear up the chimney!

 

The blog is here: https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/product.php/78/going-loco/db448090812090c9894ffc6a4e7c89c3

 

My photo of 1466 dates from July 2013 when the loco had been painted BR black for a photo charter. (I hope its returned to pre-WW2 GWR green livery)

 

 

The loco should be back at Didcot in steam sometime next year - ready to haul auto trains again.

[Brian Stone]

23 hours ago, Neal Ball said:

Castle week continues with something different:

 

Castle class 4-6-0 no 5090 Neath Abbey is seen passing Twyford with a train in 1957:

 

https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/news-photo/neath-abbey-passing-twyford-with-a-passsenger-train-7-news-photo/90779854

I assume that is Twyford East Box I noticed the "T" on the opposite embankment to photographer was this a drainage facility or an aid to drivers and fireman when they raced through?

A  Henley Man Ron Warner used to be a signalman at that box around this period.

Great photo.

[Neal Ball]

22 minutes ago, Brian Stone said:

I assume that is Twyford East Box I noticed the "T" on the opposite embankment to photographer was this a drainage facility or an aid to drivers and fireman when they raced through?

A  Henley Man Ron Warner used to be a signalman at that box around this period.

Great photo.

 

Thanks Brian, Yes I assume it was the East box and you are right, its a lovely photo.

 

I wonder why the two photographers were so close to the running lines, unless they are from the PW dept.

[Mike_Walker]

Confirm it's Twyford East and the train is on the Up Main.

[Neal Ball]

I have Googled "what is a group of Castles called?"

 

According to Answers.com: 

 

There is no specific collective noun for castles, most likely because castles are seldom found in a group. When there is no collective noun, a noun suitable for the situation is used, for example a cluster of castles, a chain of castles, a choice of castles.

 

Obviously the good folk at Answers.com never visited Old Oak Common back in the day, or Henley-on-Thames this afternoon 😎

 

To conclude "Castle week" we have a cluster of Castles. I hope you enjoy them.

 

Featuring:

• Caerphilly Castle;
• Dryswlyn Castle;
• Tregena Castle: 
• Windsor Castle: 
• Plus Interloper 0-6-0PT no 2747 also makes an appearance.

 

 

[Neal Ball]

Finally with our Castle theme, I see Transport Treasury are releasing a special on the Castle class locos.

 

https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/western-times-castle-special/?utm_source=Publishing&utm_campaign=477044cfe1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_03_09_11_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ebd62d5e08-477044cfe1-380025946&mc_cid=477044cfe1&mc_eid=03b135fb8e

[Siberian Snooper]

I ordered my copy earlier, when I saw it on the  Western Times thread.

 

 

[gwrrob]

2 minutes ago, Siberian Snooper said:

I ordered my copy earlier, when I saw it on the  Western Times thread.

 

 

 

Yes I flicked through a copy this morning and it’s a rather nice publication.

[Neal Ball]

Thanks guys

 

1 hour ago, Siberian Snooper said:

I ordered my copy earlier, when I saw it on the  Western Times thread.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, gwrrob said:

 

Yes I flicked through a copy this morning and it’s a rather nice publication.

 

I will order a copy to collect next month when we are in the UK.

 

Has anyone got the Castle class loco book in the Haynes series! Written by Drew at the GWS. Is it good?

 

Thanks

[Clearwater]

1 hour ago, Neal Ball said:

Thanks guys

 

 

 

I will order a copy to collect next month when we are in the UK.

 

Has anyone got the Castle class loco book in the Haynes series! Written by Drew at the GWS. Is it good?

 

Thanks

Yes and yes.

 

very good on identifying differences between the batches.

[Mikkel]

On 14/10/2023 at 18:42, Neal Ball said:

I have Googled "what is a group of Castles called?"

 

According to Answers.com: 

 

There is no specific collective noun for castles, most likely because castles are seldom found in a group. When there is no collective noun, a noun suitable for the situation is used, for example a cluster of castles, a chain of castles, a choice of castles.

 

Obviously the good folk at Answers.com never visited Old Oak Common back in the day, or Henley-on-Thames this afternoon 😎

 

To conclude "Castle week" we have a cluster of Castles. I hope you enjoy them.

 

Featuring:

• Caerphilly Castle;
• Dryswlyn Castle;
• Tregena Castle: 
• Windsor Castle: 
• Plus Interloper 0-6-0PT no 2747 also makes an appearance.

 

 

 

Great video Neal.

 

I like that you resisted the temptation of adding music, and instead let the locos speak for themselves. The effect is very good, it feels like watching the highlights from a perfect real-world spotter's day. Well edited too. 

 

 

 

[Neal Ball]

40 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

 

Great video Neal.

 

I like that you resisted the temptation of adding music, and instead let the locos speak for themselves. The effect is very good, it feels like watching the highlights from a perfect real-world spotter's day. Well edited too. 

 

 

 

Thanks Mikkel, I was just having a bit of fun with the locos.

 

The editing took ages, I doubt I will be a vlogger any time soon!

[Neal Ball]

After Castle week, it’s back to the ordinary!

 

The C23 clerestory third has had a bit of work done.

 

 

I have photos of a C23 with the top windows plated over. I just need to add vents into the panel, once all the glue has dried.

 

Ive also added a few seats - more to get the impression…. It’s not possible to use Ratio seat backs as they will show through the windows / making glazing difficult.

 

My Dart order is on its way to my parents in the UK, which includes the correct Dean vac cylinder and also replacement bogies.

[Neal Ball]

I’ve also fettled some couplings - the Centenary all third were too short, the Restaurant third kept fouling.

 

They are both fixed now 😎

 

 

A productive day I think.