Avon Valley Railway’s ‘Gronk’ day

THE Avon Valley Railway ran a special service on March 5, taking advantage of having four ‘Gronks’ on site (RM February p70).

Operation was restricted to the Bitton to Oldland Common section as the line from Bitton to Avon Riverside was closed for engineering works.

Two locomotives, resident

No. 08202 (13272) and shortterm visitor No. 08359, took it in turns to head the three-coach train, running round at each end.

No. 08359 (D3429) is claimed to be the oldest surviving diesel-electric built at BR Crewe

Works, entering service in March 1958 at St Philip’s Marsh, Bristol. The other two locos, the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s Class 08 No. D4118 (08888) under overhaul, and part-dismantled resident Class 09 No. 09015 (D4103), were parked at the end of the bay platform.

PETER NICHOLSON The last train of the day at the AVR’s ‘Gronk’ event on March 5, the 15.45 Oldland Common to Bitton, was double headed and is seen on departure. Leading is No. 08359, which had been sent to Bitton for a B exam and servicing by Valley Rail Preservation. It is owned by the Diesel Electric Shunter Co which hires 08s to heritage railways. It moved on to its next job on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on March 10/11, to deputise for resident No. 08444 receiving an overhaul.