Showcasing and sharing
Wagon groups from across Britain gather at Quorn & Woodhouse on the Great Central Railway to highlight their projects and discuss experiences with the public and fellow volunteers alike.
Representatives from wagon groups at a number of heritage railways came together at the Great Central Railway’s (GCR) Quorn & Woodhouse station on October 22/23 when the GCR’s award-winning Quorn Wagon & Wagon (QWW) team hosted an open event. Over the last few years, volunteers from QWW have restored an impressive and varied fleet of heritage goods wagons which are operated by the railway during galas, events and photo charters. The group decided it was time to showcase a selection of the restored wagons to enable members of the public to see them close up and find out about their history, restoration and their importance in preservation – and to meet the volunteers. In addition to the superbly presented selection of goods wagons, visitors were able to see a variety of restored period road vehicles – including 1960s Scammell Scarabs with their trailers loaded with goods, a steam roller, 1980s British Rail service vehicles, platform tugs and Brute trolleys piled high with parcels. A popular attraction was the opportunity to visit the restored cab of the Heavy Tractor Groups’ Class 37 No. 37714 Cardiff Canton. The Type 3 was stabled next to the award-winning restored Test Car 2 and an air braked steel high wagon to recreate a typical 1980s slip/ brake test train that would have operated based out of the Railway Technical Centre in Derby. Guided tours provided a unique insight into why and how new goods wagons were tested for acceptance by BR. A marquee hosted displays and sales stands from groups including the David Clarke Railway Trust ‘Windcutter’ Group, the Bluebell Railway Wagon Group, the National Wagon Preservation Group, the MidBACHMANN Hants Railway Wagon Group and the Nene Valley Wagon Group (NVRWG). Items on sale included model railways and mugs, while Tim Hobman, who leads the NVRWG and trades as Handy Hobman, was selling reproduction number plates and signage, a source of welcome detail touches for wagon restorers. The event became an unofficial convention – exchanging experiences and best practice – such as cost effective but robust and proven means of replacing roof coverings. Among the output from the weekend was the creation of an email discussion group at https://groups.io/g/RailfreightHeritage for wagon restoration volunteers as a forum to exchange knowledge, ideas, best practice and support each other. The QWW group has more wagon restoration projects in the pipeline. Another wagon-themed open weekend is due to take place on July 22/23, 2023.