Trojan returns as the oldest working GWR locomotive
A CEREMONY on May 1 saw the Great Western Society's (GWS) diminutive Avonside 0-4-0ST No. 1340 Trojan officially relaunched into traffic at Didcot Railway Centre following the completion of a £200,000 overhaul.
Local MP David Johnston OBE performed the ceremony before Bristol-built Trojan, works No. 1386 of 1897, began three days of May bank holiday running, making it the oldest operational GWR locomotive.
Trojan was supplied new to Dunn & Shute of Newport Town Dock, and in 1903 was bought by the Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway, which owned around 100 miles of dock sidings in the locality along with a ‘main' passenger-carrying line of 10 miles. The company was absorbed into the GWR at the Grouping of 1922, and
Trojan acquired the number 1340.
Mainly based at Cardiff Cathays and Radyr depots, Trojan also worked in Oswestry and Greenford, London. In July 1932, the GWR withdrew it from Cardiff and sold it on to Netherseal Colliery of Burtonon-Trent and in 1947 it was acquired by Alders (Tamworth) Ltd.
It was bought for preservation by Mr J B True and arrived at Didcot in April 1968.
Trojan entered traffic for the first time in the heritage era in 2002. With the expiry of the boiler certificate, Trojan was withdrawn from traffic in October 2011 and was overhauled by Loughborough-based Locomotive Maintenance Services.
The overhaul required extensive boiler work, including the fabrication and fitting of a new copper firebox, copper tubeplate, firehole door ring, smokebox liner, ashpan, firebox stays and a complete retube. Motion repairs have included remetalling of the axleboxes and side rod bearings, tyre turning, refurbishment of the springs, a valve gear overhaul and casting and machining a new brake ejector valve, with Trojan returning to Didcot in March.
Relaunch
The bank holiday weekend saw Trojan
haul demonstration goods trains on the centre's branch line and take a turn on passenger workings, lining up with the rest of Didcot's 0-4-0s – No. 1338, No. 5 Shannon and No. 1 Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Graham Hukins, GWS head of visitor experience and marketing, said: “The contrast couldn't be greater between No. 1340 and some of the huge passenger locomotives here at the centre, but Trojan
performed a key role at a time when goods traffic was far more important to the railways and the country's economy than the famous express trains that are so often romanticised.”
With tiny 3ft diameter driving wheels, Trojan weighs less than 23 tons and has room for just 630 gallons of water and half a ton of coal, but is surprisingly powerful and was ideally suited to shunting heavy wagons on the tightly curved tracks that characterised dock railways.
The centre reopened on April 14 and operates steam days at weekends and on Wednesdays.
Meanwhile, work on the society's first locomotive, Collett 0-4-2T No. 1466, is continuing at Western Steam Engineering. It is intended to have it return to steam at Didcot later this year following the most extensive overhaul that it has received since 1961.
A key milestone came at the end of February when, following completion of horn grinding and overhaul of the axleboxes, the 1946-built locomotive was reunited with its wheels.
“The wheels themselves have been extensively refurbished by South Devon Railway Engineering (SDRE) and new tyres have been fitted,” said 1466 projector manager Phil Morrell.
Overhaul
“A brand new bunker has been made and both side tanks have been extensively overhauled with much new platework, making them as good as new. As regards the running gear, the inside valve motion has been overhauled and machined or replaced where necessary.”
Other work completed to date includes refurbishment of the rear dragbox, manufacture of a new steel cab floor, refurbishment of the springs and repair of the front sander linkage. The piston rods have been successfully tested using Magnetic Particle Inspection and refitted, and the front buffer beam has been refitted together with the buffers and draw gear at both ends.
“The next stage is to make the locomotive into a complete rolling chassis with all its motion, lubrication and vacuum systems along with their associated pipework and fittings,” said Phil. “Once this is
complete the focus will turn to the boiler.
“As the smokebox was in a very poor condition, a new barrel has been sourced as well as a new door and various other smokebox fittings which have been manufactured and supplied by SDRE.
“A replacement front tubeplate and front barrel section have also been sourced and manufactured ready to be fitted while, at the firebox end, about three quarters of the backplate will be replaced. About 12in of outer wrapper on both sides will also be replaced along the bottom of the foundation ring and the bottom 12in of throatplate. That's before the usual replacement of a number of side stays, crown stays and new tubes.”
Graham said: “It's great to see such good progress. We're looking forward to having No. 1466 back in action as we mark our 60th anniversary – after all it was the engine that led to the creation of the society. As the GWS embarks on the next chapter of development, this thorough overhaul should see No. 1466's long-term future secured, meaning it will be at the heart of Didcot's operations for many years to come.”
➜ The society is appealing for a final push for more funds to complete the overhaul of No. 1466. Donations can be made via the Diamond Jubilee Fund at bit.ly/DRC-60Fund
THE Great Western Society has appointed Clive Hetherington as its new chief executive as successor to Emma Jhita, who has joined Historic England.
Clive takes up the post at Didcot Railway Centre as the society prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
As a child Clive spent most of his Saturdays trainspotting from Reading station’s platform 5, and has been a regular visitor to Didcot with his family over the years.
Experience
An experienced chief executive officer who has worked in senior roles across several industries, he has been involved as a consultant marketing and communication director with many well-known museums and sporting organisations to build membership, support volunteers, raise funds and manage events.
One of the highlights of his career was as marketing and communications director of the British Equestrian Federation, the governing body for the Olympic equestrian sports in the UK and the largest representative body in the equestrian industry.
While there he established effective communication with 4.2 million horse riders, and succeeded in uniting a disparate and combative group of sporting disciplines into a cohesive force in the lead-up to the Olympic Games.
The equestrian team was the most successful UK team at the games.
More recently Clive has been CEO of two London sporting clubs, delivering events and training to people who live in the capital, and offering a bespoke concierge service to overseas visitors wanting to experience the English countryside.
Society chairman Richard Preston said: “His track record, depth of experience and excitement at the prospect of joining us make him an ideal appointment to build on the great work of the team at Didcot.”
Optimism
Clive said: “These are exciting times for the society. While Covid and the lockdown are still primary concerns, the growing public optimism and the desire for a return to normal life means we can hopefully look forward with a sense of optimism to our 60th anniversary this year.”
The centre reopened on April 14, and tickets can be booked at www. DidcotRailwayCentre.org.uk
Emma has moved on to the society’s board, where she had been joined by Mocky Khan, an entrepreneur specialising in new business development, sponsorship and partnership promotions. Emma said: “The railway centre is a very special place, and I am very keen to remain actively involved in supporting the society.”