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Great Cockcrow Railway
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One Black Five Less.. Black Five 5241 recently
arrived in Australia on loan to the Campbelltown railway in the Melbourne suburbs. The loco
is still sporting GCR head code disks! 5241 will be joined by another GCR
engine next year. |
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This winter , the GCR has embarked on the replacement of Phillips Bridge and the viaduct. To be replaced with all steel structures. Preparation of demolition has already started… In the distance you can see the Mardyke Deltic “Pinza” – workhorse of the GCR in the winter. |
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The funeral of long standing member Pat Egan was held on Friday 1st December . An Eulogy for Pat can be viewed at EulogyforPat.htm
Winter 2006 – 2007
THE GCR IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE WINTER
Opening times for the summer 2007 season will be published later
WE DO NOT RUN AT CHRISTMAS – THERE ARE NO SANTA SPECIALS !
bah-humbug,
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October 2006 |
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Planning permission for a new station building has been
submitted. You can view the plans at : http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/wk41/1047p2.pdf |
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September 2006 |
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Sunday 10th
September . A number of visiting locos were operating passenger trains
doubled-headed with the regular fleet. Over 60 trains were run on this Sunday! |
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A video made by one of the junior members is available
at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKBk3g4j3Rg
. Some photos available at http://stephen9466.fotopic.net/c1081375.html |
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August 2006 Sunday 27th August . The "Gladesman" service is headed by Black-5 number 5241 . This was in fact its last run on the GCR before being shipped to Australia. A recording has been made and is available at link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym7lZxgz8O0 . Thanks to Adrian. |
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Sunday 13th
August. Heavy rain caused a wash-out at the GCR. In steam however were 2
Black Fives , 8F and GCR Freelance Pacific “Eureka” .
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Now running each
Wednesday in August between 12:00hrs and 16:00hrs |
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July 2006 |
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June 2006 |
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Great Cockcrow Railway – Bluebell Railway Link On
the 11th June 2006 the GCR’s resident S.R. ‘Atlantic’ Class
‘H2’, 4-4-2, No. 2422 “North Foreland” was temporarily transferred from
Hardwick MPD to Sheffield Park MPD on the ex–LB&SCR Bluebell Railway. The
purpose of the visit was to raise interest in the project to build a full
size version of the same class of locomotive, built originally in 1911 at
Brighton, that was last seen running on British Railways – Southern Region
in 1958. The launch was a great success and the display of the variety component parts that included the boiler, main frames, front bogie frames, horn blocks, cast driving wheels and a running tender chassis, really brought the whole project to life. The intention is resurrect the British Railways version of No. 32424 “Beachy Head” and already the original regulator, a cab plate and a unique fire-hole door have been donated. It
truly is a credit to all those involved and indeed the Bluebell Railway in
generating the on site facilities that are absolutely vital to the progress
of the venture.
Class ‘H2’,
4-4-2, No. 32422 “North Foreland” is seen here in British Railways livery
at Brighton prior to working the Brighton to
Bournemouth costal service in the early 1950’s. Note the
tender has been stacked well with coal and the rather unique three board
head-code is in place. It is
intended that No. 324242 “Beachy Head” will once again run just like this Whilst in the shed area No. 2422 ran on some portable
track that had been laid in the four foot of a siding that runs immediately
in front of the splendid new shed dedicated to the ‘Atlantic Project’, while
on adjacent roads in the yard full size Southern Railway Class ‘U’, 2-6-0,
No. 1638 and Class ‘West Country’ No. 21C123 “Blackmoor Vale” towered
above. If you are interested in this remarkable project why
not check the details by visiting the Bluebell Railway’s impressive web
site www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
where all the information is available. JCL |
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Sunday 18th
June. Western Region 1500 Pannier Tank makes a visit from Birmingham. Due
to operational reasons it was paired with “Lord Nelson” for the day. Our
Battery Electric “Hymek” makes its first appearance this year after having
replacement batteries. Black Five number 5000 fails in traffic with a loose
crankpin. |
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Saturday 3rd
June . Railway is hired by a local
fund raising group as a private event. Bouncy castles at Green Lane Halt.
Trains running from Hardwick in “auto” mode to Cockcrow Hill. |
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May 2006 |
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Sunday 28 May . Normal
running day. |
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Tuesday 23rd
May 2006. The railway is hired for an
IRO training day (Institution
of Railway Operators). More news on this event later. NEW : IROtrainingday.htm |
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21st May 2006.
Rainy Day. The Web Master was not in attendance! In steam , 2 Black Fives,
Southern U Class and “Eureka”. |
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7th May
2006. In steam today saw 3 LMS
Black Fives 45157 , 5000 and 5241 . (The railway has a total of 5 Black
Fives) . Southern U Class and H2 Atlantic were in steam again. GCR
freelance Pacific “Eureka” returned after a quick visit to the “works” and
ran successfully. LMS Coronation
Class “City of London” steams for
the first time this year together with GW 14xx auto-tank. GWR Modified Hall
goes to the works for repair. On the non-steam side BR Class 40 did a
number of trips. |
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April 2006 |
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30th April
2006. First day of summer operation. In steam were Black Five number 5000,
Southern U class 1803 “River Itchen” , NER Class T2 “Hecate” ,
Southern H2 Atlantic “North
Foreland” and Southern Battle of
Britain class “Winston Churchill”. Also assisted by LMS Jackshaft diesel at
the start of service. Freelance
Pacific “Eureka” failed in traffic with valves problems. The H2 hit a
digital camera dropped by a member of the public. Minor damage to loco.
Serious damage to camera. |
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16th April . The
new turntable is installed. See the pictures. gcrturntable.htm |
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Some of the GCR team went to Poland to drive, fire (and fix) full size steam engines. Read about our trip here : The Wolsztyn Experience |
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This year we are delighted
to announce that the famous Loseley Bakery have agreed to run the Tea Bar.
They will be offering fresh coffees and teas, hot Cornish pasties and
sausage rolls and freshly baked cakes together with Loseley Ice Creams.
Also, soft drinks, confectionary etc. They will also be providing food
boxes for children’s parties that can be pre-ordered by contacting them on
01483 454179 or email loseleybakery@btconnect.com
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Some people think we pack up the GCR at the end of the summer and get the trains out again in May. Here’s a photograph to demonstrate otherwise. Location is number 7 points at Cockcrow Hill. One junior member is obviously a closet pop idol. Loco in the background is our winter workhorse “Pinza”. |
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EXTRA RUNNING DATES FOR 2006 We are open every
Wednesday in August from 12 noon until 4pm. |
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March 2006 |
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Gala Day
The Gala Day is now Sunday 10th September. |
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There will also be a charity day on a Saturday . More
news nearer the time. |
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February 2006 |
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A new page about junior membership at the GCR has been
added . See gcrjunior.htm |
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January 2006 |
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Running dates for 2006: Every Sunday from May to October inclusive. Further
special and charity dates will be published later. |