Windcutter Trucks
Discussion
marksx said:
Good thread.
I have to ask. Why are they called windcutter trucks? They look anything but aerodynamic!
They were called "Windcutters" or "Runners" as the Great Central ran them more like passenger trains at 30 - 40 mph so significantly faster than the usual freight trains of the time (50's and 60's).I have to ask. Why are they called windcutter trucks? They look anything but aerodynamic!
Progress on the Rothley truck. 
..... and indeed it could be a "Triggers Truck" as these were built in the 1950's, some on existing chassis. Then many were re-bodied in the 1970's. We (Steam Railway magazine fundraising) bought them in the 1990's and we have been working on them since then. The aim is to get all 36 running in two rakes....then join them to have a "Lengthy mineral train" at a special "Windcutter Weekend" on the GCR.
..... and indeed it could be a "Triggers Truck" as these were built in the 1950's, some on existing chassis. Then many were re-bodied in the 1970's. We (Steam Railway magazine fundraising) bought them in the 1990's and we have been working on them since then. The aim is to get all 36 running in two rakes....then join them to have a "Lengthy mineral train" at a special "Windcutter Weekend" on the GCR.
Edited by Flying Phil on Tuesday 4th September 22:40
Flying Phil said:
StephenP - glad that you enjoyed your time at the GC - your cars looked splendid and were much admired.
The grey colour of the trucks was very dependant upon which works produced them, it seems, from period photographs. The early restored trucks on the GC were painted a "Goosewing" grey, but they seemed to fade to become too pale, so we now have a "bit of extra black" to make it darker - "Windcutter Grey".
Another reason for my visits to the GC has been to see the construction of a new bridge which will cross the Midland Mainline and enable the "Northern (Nottingham) section of the GC, to link with the Loughborough - Leicester (Southern) GC.
That must have taken some planning. Do they have to stop work for Trains on the Line? Will it allow electrification?The grey colour of the trucks was very dependant upon which works produced them, it seems, from period photographs. The early restored trucks on the GC were painted a "Goosewing" grey, but they seemed to fade to become too pale, so we now have a "bit of extra black" to make it darker - "Windcutter Grey".
Another reason for my visits to the GC has been to see the construction of a new bridge which will cross the Midland Mainline and enable the "Northern (Nottingham) section of the GC, to link with the Loughborough - Leicester (Southern) GC.
telecat said:
That must have taken some planning. Do they have to stop work for Trains on the Line? Will it allow electrification?
Its taken them years of fund raising with a few more to go. Yes it should be high enough for electrification as all the other bridges have been raised in the area. I'm not sure whether or not the line is currently being electrified or not though! Its the Midland Mainline so most work has been done by Network Rail.I remember these wagons well from my childhood - my bedroom backed onto the Warrington (Arpley) to Altrincham freight line - very busy in its day - Hearing a long rake of these being either hauled up the steep climb out of Warrington - or freewheeled down - is one of those sounds of my childhood that is instantly memorable
telecat said:
I presume there had been a bridge pre Beeching. Where is the new one?? Is this the Loughborough Gap? It looks further along than the Wiki entry states.
It is: it seems about right though https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loughborough_Gap (the bridge can be seen in one of the pictures.Edited by telecat on Thursday 6th September 15:06
mcdjl said:
telecat said:
I presume there had been a bridge pre Beeching. Where is the new one?? Is this the Loughborough Gap? It looks further along than the Wiki entry states.
It is: it seems about right though https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loughborough_Gap (the bridge can be seen in one of the pictures.Re the bridge over the Midland Main Line, the Wiki article is basically correct but several details are now changing.
The new bridge is slightly to the East of the old bridge (Only a few metres) and higher so there is clearance for Overhead electrification.
They have raised £250,000 to repair the canal bridge which is North of Loughborough GC Engine Shed. This shed is an old SH ex RAF hanger and is on the old GC track to the North and although the new track could in fact go round the West side of the shed it is proposed that the shed be demolished and a new shed built to the West of it and so the track to the North goes on the original alignment. As the old shed will need extensive refurbishment the cost for a new shed is about the same.
They have been clearing the site North of the shed and will be starting work on the Canal Bridge this Winter.
Then the embankment needs rebuilding and bridging over the Railway Terrace Road (To the council recycling centre). The GC actually has two bridge decks (Ex NR Reading) for this part so "only" needs the abutments constructing.
It is an ambitious and exciting time for the GC and my ambition is to be hauled over the 18 mile length of the GC, over the MML, in my brakevan, behind 36 mineral wagons pulled by 34039 Boscastle (A Re-built SR Bullied Pacific)!
The new bridge is slightly to the East of the old bridge (Only a few metres) and higher so there is clearance for Overhead electrification.
They have raised £250,000 to repair the canal bridge which is North of Loughborough GC Engine Shed. This shed is an old SH ex RAF hanger and is on the old GC track to the North and although the new track could in fact go round the West side of the shed it is proposed that the shed be demolished and a new shed built to the West of it and so the track to the North goes on the original alignment. As the old shed will need extensive refurbishment the cost for a new shed is about the same.
They have been clearing the site North of the shed and will be starting work on the Canal Bridge this Winter.
Then the embankment needs rebuilding and bridging over the Railway Terrace Road (To the council recycling centre). The GC actually has two bridge decks (Ex NR Reading) for this part so "only" needs the abutments constructing.
It is an ambitious and exciting time for the GC and my ambition is to be hauled over the 18 mile length of the GC, over the MML, in my brakevan, behind 36 mineral wagons pulled by 34039 Boscastle (A Re-built SR Bullied Pacific)!
Flying Phil said:
Re the bridge over the Midland Main Line, the Wiki article is basically correct but several details are now changing.
The new bridge is slightly to the East of the old bridge (Only a few metres) and higher so there is clearance for Overhead electrification.
They have raised £250,000 to repair the canal bridge which is North of Loughborough GC Engine Shed. This shed is an old SH ex RAF hanger and is on the old GC track to the North and although the new track could in fact go round the West side of the shed it is proposed that the shed be demolished and a new shed built to the West of it and so the track to the North goes on the original alignment. As the old shed will need extensive refurbishment the cost for a new shed is about the same.
They have been clearing the site North of the shed and will be starting work on the Canal Bridge this Winter.
Then the embankment needs rebuilding and bridging over the Railway Terrace Road (To the council recycling centre). The GC actually has two bridge decks (Ex NR Reading) for this part so "only" needs the abutments constructing.
It is an ambitious and exciting time for the GC and my ambition is to be hauled over the 18 mile length of the GC, over the MML, in my brakevan, behind 36 mineral wagons pulled by 34039 Boscastle (A Re-built SR Bullied Pacific)!
Is the GCR(N) link to the mainline staying in place to allow freight trains to occasionally use the line up to the gypsum works?The new bridge is slightly to the East of the old bridge (Only a few metres) and higher so there is clearance for Overhead electrification.
They have raised £250,000 to repair the canal bridge which is North of Loughborough GC Engine Shed. This shed is an old SH ex RAF hanger and is on the old GC track to the North and although the new track could in fact go round the West side of the shed it is proposed that the shed be demolished and a new shed built to the West of it and so the track to the North goes on the original alignment. As the old shed will need extensive refurbishment the cost for a new shed is about the same.
They have been clearing the site North of the shed and will be starting work on the Canal Bridge this Winter.
Then the embankment needs rebuilding and bridging over the Railway Terrace Road (To the council recycling centre). The GC actually has two bridge decks (Ex NR Reading) for this part so "only" needs the abutments constructing.
It is an ambitious and exciting time for the GC and my ambition is to be hauled over the 18 mile length of the GC, over the MML, in my brakevan, behind 36 mineral wagons pulled by 34039 Boscastle (A Re-built SR Bullied Pacific)!
mcdjl said:
Is the GCR(N) link to the mainline staying in place to allow freight trains to occasionally use the line up to the gypsum works?
Yes the link to the MML will stay in place and is crucial to the whole GC as it will enable preserved locomotives and railtours to access the line. Some preserved locomotive owners do not like low loader moves.rs1952
Although a 9F is more authentic, I am a Boscastle enthusiast/supporter/shareholder....
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