9682 leaves southall for Dean forest as GwrPG winDs uP
Pannier tank No. 9682 has left Southall for its new home at the Dean Forest Railway, as the curtain comes down on the GWR Preservation Group’s activities.
The BR-built ‘8750’ 0-6-0PT departed the former 81C shed on April 8, followed the next day by GWR ‘Toad’ brake van No. CDW17488, both items having been sold to the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. The locomotive is to be overhauled after classmate No. 9681 returns to steam this year (see Roster, pages 28-31).
As detailed in SR490, the GWRPG was wound up at the end of the financial year on March 31, and is selling off its remaining rolling stock. Sold so far are GWR ‘Mink’ van No. KDW80964 and BR box van No. KDB761407 (to the Helston Railway), GWR ‘Gane A’ bogie bolster wagon No. DW60861 (to Andrew Goodman) and BaguleyDrewry railcar No. AD9117 to a group in Bicester.
GWRPG director and acting chairman Mike Gorringe said that “discussions are ongoing” regarding the stock still on site (including LMS BG coach No. M31352) and the future custodianship of Peckett 0-4-0ST William Murdoch, which is owned by Portsmouth City Museum and currently on loan to the Helston Railway. Offers have also been received for the group’s RSH 0-4-0ST Birkenhead, currently out of service at the Elsecar Railway.
The group’s lease on the site from Network Rail expires in September, and Mr Gorringe said that the remaining stock is expected to be sold by then.
Reflecting on the demise of the society that his uncle Bob Gorringe set up in 1976, he commented: “My partner and I are now DFR members – we’re very interested in seeing No. 9682 running, for my uncle’s sake, as it was the second engine he bought from Barry after
No. 4110.”