City of Wells ‘support vehicle’ is exhumed for restoration
YES, we're a railway magazine, not a classic car title, but this vehicle does have quite strong links with steam preservation…
For the past 30 years, a garage in Rochdale has harboured a secret
– a British Leyland Maxi owned by well-known preservationist Richard Greenwood, also part-owner of Bulleid West Country Pacific No. 34092 City of Wells. Last used in 1991, the Maxi also acted as a `support vehicle' for No. 34092 during its main line runs in the 1980s, until a BR Mk.1 support coach – Brake First Corridor No. 17019 – was finally acquired in April 1988, with the assistance of BR Intercity special trains manager David Ward.
The Maxi was exhumed from its tomb on September 16 and taken away for restoration by a Mr Illingworth, of Mixenden, near Halifax.
John Sagar, a volunteer on
No. 34092's support crew in the 1980s, said: “It's been known to carry `West Country' axleboxes in its boot!
“When we opened it up, we found a veritable time capsule inside, with long-forgotten overalls and gloves, and magazines dating from the summer of 1991 on the seats. The lights and radio still work perfectly, but the rest will need a bit of attention. As one wag was heard to say, `That sums up Richard perfectly!'
“When looking for spare parts for their locomotives, members of heritage railways' locomotive departments have often concluded, `Oh, Richard Greenwood's bound to have one of those in his garage'.”
As for the Mk.1 support coach, adds John: “Sadly, it was destined to run only 2500 miles on BR behind No. 34092 before the latter's main line certificate expired. However, with me as caretaker, it went on to run a further 60,000 miles on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and main line, on hire mainly to locos as diverse as Nos. 45596, 60532, 45407, 76079, 6201, 30777, 45305, 70013 and 61994, though a few others got a look-in too!
“We sold it to the East Lancashire Railway and Class 40 Preservation Society jointly in June 2017. The highest speed we recorded with it was 94mph and I doubt whether the Maxi could have matched that!”