3. Brockhampton & G&WR-07.04.22

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2022 > 24. Trip to Cheltenham-05-07.04.22 > 3. Brockhampton & G&WR-07.04.22

On the last day of our short break in Cheltenham, I again popped out to Tesco to charge the car up for free, this time to 100%. Whilst this was happening I nipped off on my Brompton to another of my 1980s haunts in the hamlet of Brockhampton a short distance north of Cheltenham. Later, on the way home, I persuaded my wife that we stop off at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway's Toddington base.

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Images 1-13 of 13 displayed.

221125, XC 06.11 Leeds-Plymouth (1V44, 1E), Brockhampton SO938262
The 1V44 06.11 Leeds to Plymouth service speeds past the small hamlet of Brockhampton just to the north of Cheltenham worked by 221105. This very quiet spot is down a small lane that crosses the railway with a pair of user-controlled gates permitting access to a footpath. Since my last visit during the summer of 2012 the trees have been largely cleared from the lineside in this area and this new and rather obtrusive LED colour light has been installed.
Keywords: 221125 06.11 Leeds-Plymouth 1V44 Brockhampton SO938262CrossCountyr Voyager XC

Bertie, Brockhampton SO938262
When I was a student in Cheltenham back in the mid-1980s I used to visit this spot fairly regularly on my bike. In the winter of 1985 I took a very similar phogtraph to this one of Bertie the Brompton leaning against the gate at Brockhampton but then it was festouned with snow! When the image has been processed and uploaded I will install a link here.
Keywords: Bertie Brockhampton SO938262

170103, XC 07.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M82, 3L), Brockhampton SO938262
With the extensive removal of lineside vegetation and trees at this location photgraphic opportunities have really been opened up. With Cheltenham in the background 170103 passes Brockhampton working the 07.45 Cardiff to Nottingham CrossCountry service.
Keywords: 170103 07.45 Cardiff Central-Nottingham (1M82, 3L), Brockhampton SO938262

170115 & 170116, XC 07.04 Nottingham-Cardiff Central (1V04, RT), Brockhampton SO938262
Consecutively numbered 170115 and 170116 pass Brockhampton working the 07.04 Nottingham to Cardiff Central service. The large brown bank with the small tower-like structure to the extreme left is part of the huge Grundon operated landfill site that can often blights the area with unusual odours!
Keywords: 170115 170116 07.04 Nottingham-Cardiff Central 1V04 Brockhampton SO938262 CrossCountry XC

220021, XC 06.27 Plymouth-Edinburgh Waverley (1S39, RT), Brockhampton SO938262
The 06.27 Plymouth to Edinburgh CrossCountry Voyager service passes Btockhampton just north of Cheltenham worked by 220021. It is a sobering thought that the Voyagers celebrate (if such a thing can be said about these dreadful plastic DMUs!) their twenty-first birthday this year meaning that they have been in service longer than many of the first-generation diesel locomotives were.
Keywords: 220021 06.27 Plymouth-Edinburgh Waverley 1S39 Brockhampton SO938262 CrossCountry Voyager XC

73951 & 73952, 06.57 Cardiff Central-Derby RTC (33E), Brockhampton SO938262
Testing times for the railways! One of Network Rail's test trains, the 06.57 Cardiff to Derby RTC accelerates away from Cheltenham passing Brockhampton. 73951 'Malcolm Brinded' leads the train with 'Janis Kong' bringing up the rear. I had been monitoring the progress of this train on Open Train Times for some time and was impressed by the speed that it was making, even after a layover in Arle loop it was really moving when it passed me here.
Keywords: 73951 73952 06.57 Cardiff Central-Derby RTC Brockhampton SO938262 Malcolm Brinded Janis Kong

166207, GW 08.45 Great Malvern-Westbury (2C12, 2L), Brockhampton SO938262
166207 passes Brockhampton north of Cheltenham working the 08.45 Great Malvern to Westbury service. Notice the milepost to the left marking eighty-four miles. As this was the former Midland route this is the distance from the centre of their operation at Derby via Birmingham New Street.
Keywords: 166207 08.45 Great Malvern-Westbury 2C12 Brockhampton SO938262 GWR Great Western Railway

45149, stabled, Toddington Yard
Sitting in the spring sunshine at the end of Toddington's yard 45149 awaits its next turn. The ETH Class 45 was one of the final few to be withdrawn in the autumn of 1987 after receiving its unofficial name of 'Phaeton' that it only wore for some three weeks! Following a failed traction motor it was withdrawn and languished at Cricklewood shed for some years before passing from pillar to post with every intention of some sort of restoration taking place but nothing actually happening! Finally, the much-needed rebuild commenced in 1997, a process that would take over ten years to complete! It is now a regular performer on the preserved line.
Keywords: 45149 stabled Toddington Yard Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway Phaeton

D8137 & 47105, stabled, Toddington Yard
Work is undertaken on 47105 in the spring sunshine outside the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway's impressive and large eleven road shed. This Class 47 was a regular performer in the West Country in the 1970s and 1980s. Next to the Brush Type 4 is D8137 (20137) that is a permanent resident on the line and has been in almost continual operation since its rebuild that was completed in 1995.
Keywords: D8137 47105 Toddington Yard Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway

47376, 20228, 37215 & 5081, stabled, Toddington shed
Looking like a BR shed dating from the mid-1970s the large one at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway's Toddington headquarters is a lot cleaner and organised than those I remember visiting! In this scene, 5081 (24081) dominates with 37215 and 47376 also clear to see. Tucked in at the back is another of the railway's Type 1 residents, 20228 that is is due to enter service this year after some attention. I have photographed 24081 at a number of heritage railways over the years but probably my favourite photograph of it was back at a Crewe Works open day in 1979 when still under BR ownership, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/27022042204/x24081-crewe-works
Keywords: 47376 20228 37215 5081 Toddington shed Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway

7820, 12.35 Broadway-Cheltenham Racecourse, Toddington station
In the custodianship of the Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited, 7820 'Dinmore Manor' has been one of the most dependable and regular performers on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway over a number of years. In a rather head-on shot the Manor is seen arriving at Toddington station leading the 12.35 Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse service. Despite it being a relatively ordinary Thursday early in the season the platform behind me was busy with visitors and the train was already well loaded; all very encouraging!
Keywords: 7820 12.35 Broadway-Cheltenham Racecourse Toddington station Dinmore Manor

Nameplate, 7820, 12.35 Broadway-Cheltenham Racecourse, Toddington station
Dinmore Manor was the one hundred and fourth locomotive to be rescued from Dai Woodham's Barry scrapyard which she left in September 1979. However, after several moves between heritage centres rebuilding did not take place until 1985 with an eventual return to steam in 1995. The manor then worked for nine years on the West Somerset Railway giving pretty near faultless service before entering the workshop for a much-needed overhaul. The locomotive finally re-entered service in the G&WR in April 2014 where it has been ever since. The nameplate is seen attached to the flank of the locomotive above one of its 5 ft 8 in driving wheels whilst it pauses at Toddington station working the 12.35 Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse service.
Keywords: 7820 12.35 Broadway-Cheltenham Racecourse Toddington station Dinmore Manor nameplate

7820, 12.35 Broadway-Cheltenham Racecourse, Toddington station
Unfortunately, taken the wrong side for the sun meaning that the image has needed a little Photoshop treatment shows 7820 'Dinmore Manor' leaving Toddington station leading the 12.35 Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse service. However, at least the wind is taking the exhaust away in the right direction! Despite it being a Thursday in early April, the station and the train was busy with people enjoying a day out.
Keywords: 7820, 12.35 Broadway-Cheltenham Racecourse, Toddington station Dinmore Manor

Images 1-13 of 13 displayed.