Wensleydale Diesel Traction Group
WDTG Bringing Classic Diesel Locos to Wensleydale
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A new group formed in December 2008, on the already established Wensleydale Railway.
Members come from various areas within the WR.
News Updated 15/10/10
25313 Update
The cab has been removed ready for refurbishment
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47703 13/04/10

Work is underway to restart the beast

The engine runs once more
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General update of all Diesel Loco's on the WR 10/04/10
25313
Work has progressed steadily so far on the rat but now a contractor has been appointed to take care of the cabs things should begin to move more rapidly.
All the cooler group components are now out and being sent to various establishments for testing, cleaning and in some cases replacement.

Radiator frame is lifted from the loco

The radiator frame ready for transporting to the shotblasters

The badly corroded settling tanks are to be replaced with new ones
47703
It has been agreed that the WDTG members will undertake the repairs to HNRC's 47703. This involves a loco lift and the dismantling of the number 2 bogie to enable us to replace the seized traction motor with another one supplied by HNRC. This will be by far the biggest loco repair attempted by the group and we will be calling in various other parties to advise and assist. Work has already started on cleaning the main and aux generators on 703 and once all the repairs are complete there will hopefully be enough good weather around to enable a repaint into Scotrail Blue Stripe livery.
47715
continues to perform well following repairs to the governor and has just had a new drivers straight air brake valve fitted. The owners have decided at least for the time being that the Fragonset paint scheme will remain in place.
03144
is out of traffic with a worn side rod bearing. The rod has been removed and is awaiting repairs which are likely to be done at the MRC Butterley.
20166
now sports new exhausts and is available for light passenger work and works trains. A repaint is still planned but a shortage of locos for the busy summer season is likely to delay it again.
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25313 update 01/04/10
Work has started removing the fan, fan drive and cooler group air cowling ready to dismantle the radiators to allow the settling tanks to be replaced.
Fan is lifted clear of the motor shaft

Cooler Group Cowling is lifted out. Is that the owner of a certain 47 climbing out of the cab?????

Removing the fan drive motor
The team that removed the Cowling plus the man taking this shot
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Press Release
NRM’s ex-Royal Locomotive 47798 Prince William will make history on the Wensleydale Railway on Saturday 1 May 2010, it will haul one of the trains on the first day that we bring our Constable Burton passing loop into operation.
47798 will become the first locomotive to pass another train as part of an improved timetable. This will be the first passing of any passenger train on the Wensleydale Branch in over 50 years*. This busy weekend was chosen to launch the improved service to co-inside with Leyburn’s food and drink festival.
Wensleydale Railway’s home fleet of 20166 and 47715 Poseidon will also be in operation during this weekend
Timings for the locos departure will be announced at www.wensleydalerailway.com and www.wensleydaledtg.co.uk prior to the event.
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Message from the chairman
Today (27th March) saw the Wensleydale Railway present the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes charities with cheques for £754 each. The presentation was at the National Railway Museum in front of 48151 and 70048. The 2 steam locos had arrived at York after hauling a help for heroes special from Lancaster.
The diesel traction group were involved in the running of the WR heroes trains and thanks are due to the owners of 47715 for the free use of the locomotive for the day.
£1508 raised in total on a day when the snow fell heavily is a fantastic achievement and a credit is due to the 3 members of the traction group who organised it. Ken Monkman, Robynne Monkman and Judy Warren.
Regards for now
Paul Warren
Chairman

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Click on the loco below to see a slideshow of pics from the WR in 2009
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Sulzer Day 2010
Following the success of this years day the WDTG are again
running a Sulzer day on our last day of running in the current season Saturday
2nd Jan.
47715 will work trains with 47703, 47540 and 25313 available in the
yard for those keen with a camera.
There will be the standard 3 train timetable and a 4th late train (timings to be
confirmed) 120 odd miles available.
All trains will have draught real ale and bottled ale for sale plus light snacks
tea coffee etc etc.
For the rods crowd the 4th departure from Leeming Bar will be hauled by 03144 as
far as Bedale where a brush will once again take the train.
Anyone not travelling but wishing to take pics in the yard will be asked to
donate to the traction group coffers.
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Work begins on 25313

The roof is removed at Leeming Bar on 12/09/09

The turbo is then removed. It is to be sent for overhaul at Bo'ness
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25313 is delivered to Leeming Yard 07/09/09

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47540 is now stored at Leeming

Formerly stored at Sinderby before A1 works started
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WR Diesel Gala Cancelled
It
is with regret that I must announce that the WR diesel gala in September is
postponed until next year. The WR railway is developing it’s diesel fleet and
feels it is best placed to have diesel running days with the class 20 and the 47
at the moment.
It is our intention to focus on a large scale event next year with many
visiting locomotives, hopefully running from Castle Hills over the entire length
of the line.
We
apologise if we have disappointed anyone, but we will be running diesel days
with class 47 & 20 as part of our commitment to loco haulage. Dates will be
announced in due course.
Paul
Warren
Chairman
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More 20166 News

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20166 Update

It lives!
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20166 Update (13/08/09)
20166 arrived at Leeming Bar on 24 April 2009. Close inspection revealed significant corrosion on the bottom header of one of the radiators. A spare radiator was not readily available so repair by fabrication and welding of the header has been carried out.
It also needed new brake blocks and after assessment, spare class 47 blocks were fitted at the end of July.
It is planned to have it running by the end of August.


23/07/09
The WDTG are pleased to announce that another loco is bound for Wensleydale.
25313 is to move from Llangollen to Leeming Bar shortly where the group will work with the new owner of the loco to restore the rat to operational use.
Anyone interested in joining the group to help with the restoration can email me at chairman@wensleydaledtg.co.uk
Paul

Picture from 1940's weekend 18/19th July
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Message from the Chairman (08/04/09)
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Coach Painting begins, ready for the loco hauled services in May
13th April

3 coaches are now ready
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The WDTG visit Perth on the 'Celtic Growler' charter
Saturday 7th March


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Message
From The Chairman Regarding 47 Running Day
Sunday
4th January 19.00
Just
got back home from a very long day on the railway. A great day was had by all
and we managed to generate plenty of interest.
Thanks
are due to all of the WDTG members but in particular,
Rob
Williamson for work on painting and heating, Tim Williamson for painting,
heating and loco repairs, Ray Thornton loco repairs, Mick Chester coach and loco
repairs, John Plowman coach plumbing, Ken Monkman for coach repairs, catering,
Adrian Walby for stock repairs, loco repairs and driving. Mike Birkinshaw for
driving. Andrew Chapman for infrastructure repairs, Nigel Park for pitching in
with ticketing at Leeming and Kate Draffin for cleaning the coaches and doing
crossings.
Thanks
are also due to all the WRA volunteers for doing crossings, on train
catering/tickets and of course LBSSG and FOLS for manning the stations.
We
ran nearly to time all day and all the passengers were fed, watered and warm.
Everyone
left with a smile on their faces and that means we are heading in the right
direction.
Thanks
once again to everyone who was involved.
Time
for a beer I reckon.
Paul
Warren
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