Windcutter Trucks

[Flying Phil]

I have been a supporter of the Great Central Railway since the early days of the Main Line Preservation Group (1967) and have been involved in various volunteering functions over the years. Recently I saw some of the unused Windcutter wagons in Quorn station yard that looked a bit sad...So having obtained the various permissions from those in charge I have set to with my tin of BR Grey and a 4" brush. This is only a quick scrape and paint as the team do a proper job in the Rothley C & W shed but it makes them look cared for and reduces the inevitable weathering/rust.

[Flying Phil]

Before work!

[Flying Phil]

And after....

[Flying Phil]

Some more work.
I am only painting the "visitor view" side at first whilst the weather is good.

[Flying Phil]

Yesterday saw a fine collection of Aston Martins in the Yard. Classic cars and railways - ideal!

Edited by Flying Phil on Wednesday 13th September 08:20

[Flying Phil]

Oh I bought some more grey paint and so I went along to Quorn and the Windcutter trucks have moved again, but I was able to get to them and two more have been repainted.


I also need to paint the white diagonal stripes, which shows which end of the wagon has the opening door.
Whilst I was there this Standard 5 went by - first running trials since being sent for scrap in 1967......

[Flying Phil]

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.

[Flying Phil]

Some more grey painting done!



Now I have to change colour!.... and paint the white diagonal stripes.
For those observant people who are wondering about the yellow/black checkered board, it is the advanced warning board for the mail exchange apparatus - for use with the Travelling Post Office demonstration train.

[Flying Phil]

Despite blowing a gale today I was able to finally get the white diagonal stripes painted.

[Flying Phil]

Steve_D said:

What does the diagonal signify?

Steve

Hi Steve
It shows which end of the wagon has the opening end door - it is hinged at the top so can be unlatched and tipped like a big wheel barrow!

[Flying Phil]

Just to update this, our Windcutter wagons will be out this weekend as part of the "Goods Galore" event.
It should be a weekend with a difference at the GC - there will be 6 different goods trains in operation and the welcome return to traffic of the Standard 5 - 73156. This has had its wheels out and rods/pins re-machined, following the overheating problems last year when it was initially run.
I've been painting on the other side of the wagons at Quorn! [url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/vvgip1fI[/url]

[Flying Phil]

The running rake of windcutter trucks at the Goods Galore event last weekend, with 70013 Oliver Cromwell, at Loughborough Central Station.

[Flying Phil]

In an earlier post (Sept 12th) I showed the first steaming of the BR Standard Class 5 no 73156. Unfortunately it suffered a series of hot bearings on its coupling rods and so it had to go back into the shed. It had its rods off and a lift to remove the wheels. The pins were re-machined, the rod ends re- machined and re - machined bearings fitted.
This work was finished earlier this month and it was in service over the week end with no problems!

As there have only been about 5 other posters to this thread I do wonder if it is out of place on here?

Edited by Flying Phil on Friday 18th May 16:41

[Flying Phil]

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).

[Flying Phil]

We also have a truck in the shed at Rothley - undergoing a significant refurbishment!

[Flying Phil]

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.

Edited by Flying Phil on Tuesday 4th September 22:40

[Flying Phil]

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)!

[Flying Phil]

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....

[Flying Phil]

Meanwhile - back to the wagons and I went to Quorn today and painted 13 white stripes!

[Flying Phil]

Thanks Shakermaker.
I suspect they were delivered to the railway 25 years ago in random directions and they have never been turned since! Also in BR days they never seemed to be all the same way round.