Ashchurch, Cotswold Packing Co c1935. A fine view showing the sidings, with covered vans for the despatch of boxes of canned fruit, which were made up in the provender store. To the left of the main building can be seen railway workers' houses, while on the right is the Midland Railway tank house, which survives to this day, alongside the main line. The tracks seen in the foreground could be accessed off the Tewkesbury branch. Photo © National Railway Museum and SSPL reference: 1997-7397_DY_14657

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIES OF

ROGER HOSKING WALES 1941 - 2016 

A STALWART MEMBER OF THE DOWTY RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY FROM ITS BEGINNINGS IN 1962

AND

PETER WITTS 1949 - 2016

ANOTHER LONG TIME WORKING MEMBER OF THE DRPS

The sidings used by the Dowty Group at Ashchurch were connected to the ex-Midland/LMS Bristol – Birmingham main line on the up side. This was - still is - a very busy main line with lots of express passenger and freight workings. The sidings had been put in originally by the Midland Railway to serve its horse provender stores building. By the 1930s the building was used by the Cotswold Packing Co. for packing fruit from the nearby Vale of Evesham, then Birds Custard had it for a while, before it was incorporated in the Cheltenham – based Dowty Group of engineering companies which started operating at Ashchurch in 1941.

Ashchurch 7 May 1946. This super aerial view shows the tall provender store and the sidings, with the brand new Dowty factory behind. The erstwhile connection from the sidings to the Tewkesbury/Malvern branch had already gone by this date.There are numerous wagons in the sidings, connection to the main line is at the right edge of the picture.A freight stands in the down loop and a passenger train is at the Malvern line platform at the station. Just visible at the bottom of the photo is a train on the Evesham branch. The flat crossing is prominent, allowing trains to cross between the Malvern and Evesham branches. It had originally been double track; in latter years it was used mostly for turning locos, though the Evesham branch passenger, engine and coaches, was also sometimes turned. The crossing was removed in May 1957. The rural location of Ashchurch is obvious. Photo 'Britain From Above', copyright English Heritage.

Two more very important items arrived in 1963, both by rail -

GWR Centenary Stock Dining Car no.9635 coming into the sidings 'unheralded' on Friday 5 July, and

LMS Pacific 46201 Princess Elizabeth which entered the site on Monday 26 August. She went in steam from Carlisle to Saltley via Leeds. At Saltley the connecting rods were removed so she could be towed dead to Ashchurch, by Gloucester Barnwood '4F' 44045. 'Lizzie' was purchased for £2160 and owned by the Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society.

 Ken Vincent took this view from the old Provender Store, which illustrates the state of things in 1963. 46201 'Princess Elizabeth', 'Cadbury Bournville No. 1' and the GWR Centenary Stock Restaurant Car are all safely inside the fenced compound embracing the ends of five sidings. Further interest comes from the old rail mounted Bedford lorry used by the Dowty test department for shunting and,running across the middle of the picture, the B R line to Tewkesbury which was used for freight trains until the end of October 1964. Note the water column at the top left of the picture; sadly this was not saved. Also visible is the fence alongside the branch track, which enclosed a relatively recent footpath for Dowty employees who travelled to Ashchurch by train to walk directly from factory to railway station.  

But just when things seemed to be going well, there was a threat to the fledgling Society's main line connection.

The following internal memo was written by a Dowty Group manager, Mr R H B Nicholls, (of whom more below) and casts light on BR's policies at a time when it was under pressure to cut costs and meet the increasing challenge of road transport competition. Similar visits to private siding owners and users by BR representatives were no doubt taking place all over the network.

Memorandum 4th December 1963

Connection to Messrs. Dowty's Private Siding, Ashchurch

Messrs. Bluff and Cameron of British Railways Western Region called on me today by appointment to discuss the future of the siding facilities at Ashchurch.

They explained that the connection in the main line leading to our sidings was due for renewal  in 1964, and that this would cost £1000. From the Western Region's point of view, the traffic into and out of the private sidings does not justify this expenditure. Furthermore, to serve such a siding means expensive trip working, or, alternatively, stopping passing freight trains, both of which expedients are contrary to their new policy.

I referred to the existence of our Test Site, and the railway representatives agreed that they would have to obtain British Railways' Headquarters view on whether it was the wish to retain rail access to this. I also mentioned traffic in and out resulting from our marshalling yard work and the comment on this was that even if such traffic, in such quantities, existed today, it would be in keeping with their policy of concentrating freight traffic on one point, to ask that we either motor it to a rail head such as Gloucester or pay British Railways for doing so. They also made the point that, from their point of view, they supposed that British Railways would eventually pay for this traffic in one form or another, so they would regard it somewhat in the light of their own domestic traffic.

The situation with regard to the Railway Preservation Society's site is disturbing, as the Western Region will certainly have no wish to keep this batch of sidings in existence if it becomes the only justification for retaining the connection.

The question was asked as whether, if we were anxious to retain the connection in the main line, we would pay, say, half the cost of retaining it, i.e. £500. I said that the present climate was not conducive to my holding out any hope on this proposal.

I finally pointed out that, if the connection was taken out, it would seem to denote the end of any prospect of British Railways obtaining the pit prop traffic. The reply was that this traffic could be loaded on trailers and transhipped at Gloucester.

As a final 'fling' I suggested that the saving of the cost of retaining the connection might be offset by an increase in our cost of transporting marshalling yard equipment, which was duly noted.

The Railway representatives point out that the Engineering Dept. generally programmed renewals some time before the situation had become urgent, which might give us six months or twelve months breathing space. They further said that the meeting was of an exploratory nature, but they would welcome our views in due course.

I was requested to regard as confidential the information that a firm recommendation had been sent to Headquarters for the termination of all services on the Tewkesbury Branch and its complete closure. This is thought now to be inevitable, and, as freight train arrangements do not require to be put to the Consultative Committee, the closure may be effected within two or three months. It was promised that I should have immediate advice of the date this is settled.

(Signed) RHBN

Mr R H B Nicholls' knowledge of railways was considerable as, prior to his Dowty employment, he had been Divisional Superintendent of the GWR and later BR WR at Gloucester. He was in that post during the War when the tracks between Gloucester and Cheltenham were increased from two to four. Indeed he came from a very distinguished railway pedigree as his father, R H Nicholls, had joined the GWR in 1884, rising to one of the top jobs, Superintendent of the Line, between April 1919 and retirement on 31 December 1932. R H B Nicholls became Vice-President and then President of the Dowty Railway Preservation Society - his contacts on BR helped to get all sorts of co-operation from local BR management in those early DRPS years.

Whilst the branch from Ashchurch to Tewkesbury closed on and from 2 November 1964", the Dowty sidings remained connected to the Bristol – Birmingham line for quite a few more years. They were sometimes used for BR engineers trains and dropping off the occasional 'crippled' wagon from a passing freight; also the DRPS received wagonloads of ballast on occasion plus preserved rolling stock.

 An interesting picture almost certainly dating to summer 1964 which could never have been contemplated in earlier years - a Great Western 'Castle' 4-6-0 on the Tewkesbury branch and an LMS 'Pacific' in the old Provender Store sidings! 

In the background is 'Princess Elizabeth'.  7019 'Fowey Castle' was an Oxley, Wolverhampton, based engine and retains its name and number plates in this photo; it was withdrawn from traffic in February 1965. Photo I G T Duncan/Stephen Mourton copyright. 

On 7019's outward trip from Ashchurch to Tewkesbury  the train had six low sided wagons plus brake van. It may have been an engineers train, but equally could have been the three times a week branch freight, 7B02, Worcester to Gloucester, booked to call at Ashchurch and work to Tewkesbury. In 1965 - by which date the Tewkesbury line was closed - it was not unusual to have a 'Castle' or other ex-GW named loco on 7B02. //

Ashchurch 14 May 1965. With the connection still in place, BR was also able to use the sidings which they still owned. Here is a fairly rare shot of a BR train in the sidings, dropping off wagons for the BR Engineers Department. The Horton Road based 4F 44560,built to a Midland design by Armstrong, Whitworth in 1922 for the Somerset & Dorset Railway, was the last pre-grouping engine working from Gloucester. Photo taken by the loco's fireman, Mike Randall.

It was well after the memo was written that the second main line loco, 7808 Cookham Manor arrived, on 13 August 1966,in steam from Gloucester Horton Road shed. 7808 used the connection again on 15 September to go off on railtour duty, returning on 25 October, while the third BR loco, 0-6-2T 6697++, did not arrive until December that year.

The connection enabled the working BR preserved locos - 6201 Princess Elizabeth, 7808 Cookham Manor and 0-6-2T 6697 - to travel in steam to open days at Bristol Bath Road and Tyseley,Birmingham on a number of occasions in the late 1960s, including during the notorious BR 'steam ban' era. 7808 also steamed to an open day at Worcester.

In October 1968, they were joined in the Dowty sidings by a maroon liveried Western Region diesel hydraulic D1042 Western Princess, which headed the cavalcade to Bristol, with all three locos in steam for the journey. The repaint of 'Lizzie' into maroon had started but it had no numbers or tender markings. The trio returned without a diesel pilot with  Cookham Manor once again facing north.

The sidings were used after a tragic accident which occurred just south of Ashchurch station on 8th March 1969+ when wagons in a down freight derailed and smashed into carriages of the 10.40am Bristol - Newcastle express, resulting in the loss of two lives. The wrecked carriages were placed in the Dowty sidings.

On 20 April 1969, the 'Woodpecker' railtour from London, hauled appropriately by diesel hydraulic D843 Strongbow stopped at Ashchurch station whilst the passengers visited the DRPS for nearly an hour, blocking the up main line for that period! The tour's ultimate destination was Bulmer's at Hereford, where 6000 King George V was steamed.

In October 1969 all three locos went to Bristol again. 'Lizzie' still did not quite have a full repaint job, the loco was pretty well finished, but the tender lacked any markings. Certainly the return journey did not have a diesel pilot - I don't know about the outward journey.

7808 and 6697 departed by rail to their new permanent home, the Great Western Society depot at Didcot in August 1970.

As late as 1975, Princess Elizabeth travelled under steam to the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

But in April 1976 Princess Elizabeth left for its new base at Bulmer's Hereford.

The last item to arrive by rail was in 1977, an LMS type brake van acquired from Springs Branch, Wigan.

The main line connection was finally removed in 1978.

The story of the DRPS from 1964 is recalled next by reproducing information from the DRPS Newsletter 'Footplate':

Issue no. 1 January 1964

Mr C H A Townley, Chairman of the Industrial Locomotive Preservation Committee, had been in touch with the Dowty RPS about an 0-4-0 + 0-4-0 Beyer Garratt at present in use at NCB Baddesley Colliery, Warwickshire. A number of people in the Nuneaton area were interested in its preservation and if they were successful in arranging this, there might be the possibility of its coming to Ashchurch. However the DRPS AGM held on 5 March 1964 felt this loco was a curiosity and should not be accepted! (It did get preserved and went to the Bressingham Steam Museum.) There had also been vague proposals about ex Cardiff Railway 0-4-0ST 1338, but this was regarded as another curiosity (again 1338 got preserved,at Didcot).

Issue no.2 February 1964

The ex-GWR Restaurant Car was acquired with a loan of £282 from Dowty Sports & Society, which had now been turned into a grant. (After restoration at Ashchurch and subsequent move to Toddington, the Restaurant Car was sold to the Great Western Society, Didcot, where it now resides in storage.)

Issue no.3 March 1964

A new acquisition was the canopy from Tewkesbury loco depot coaling stage. There was the offer of part of an ex-Midland Railway Pullman Drawing Room Car body at present at the RAOC depot, Ashchurch, being used by BR as a platelayer's hut. (The girders from the coaling stage canopy still survive, albeit not used. The Car body was burnt before it could be moved.)

Issue no.5 May 1964

'Braving the weekend hammerings, a thrush built its nest on top of the radius arm between the motion bracket and expansion bracket under the footplating of 'Princess Elizabeth' and has now hatched out four eggs. Whilst any amount of hammering does not seem to disturb them, please do not on any account turn the reversing screw whilst they are in residence.'

Issue no.6 June 1964

'Dowty's Ashchurch Clubhouse was officially opened. Incidentally the juke box installed therein will have one or two discs of train noises. Is this unique?'

Issue no.7 July 1964

Recently acquired signals - a Midland one from Beckford and two Great Western, from Leckhampton and Andoversford.

GWR Special Saloon 9044 built in 1881 arrived from Swindon on 6 July, though sadly broken into en route with some minor damage done. It had been in use as Shrewsbury District Engineers' saloon no.80973.

Issue no.8 August 1964

Obtained from Brize Norton on the Fairford branch - a signal cabin,five lever ground frame and station nameboard.

Issue no.15 February 1965

'Pendennis Castle' will arrive on site in the near future, some time in March. Certain work in preparation has become urgent, so there will be a working party on 21 February to carry out work on the site.

Issue no.16 March 1965

There was a good turnout of working members on 21 February. Work on 'Pendennis Castle' has been completed at Swindon and she is reported to be on a running in turn. The DRPS AGM reported agreement had been reached on conditions under which 'Pendennis Castle' would be kept at Ashchurch.

It was asked at the AGM whether the DRPS could acquire the Tewkesbury branch. Mr Nicholls replied that he would bear this in mind when more was known about the purchase of that part of the line between the station and the factory boundary.

Issue no. 18 May 1965

'Pendennis Castle' is still at Swindon Works following the handing over ceremony on 11 April.(This is the last mention of the loco in 'Footplate' - it never came to the DRPS.)

Issue no. 20 July 1965

The most outstanding happening on Whit Sunday 6 June was the first steaming of 'Princess Elizabeth'. 'At 8.30am, surrounded by a great cloud of steam, 6201 moved off for the first time accompanied by a fine blast on the whistle, a truly memorable sight.' There were incidents: '..the Princess headed through the fence en route to Shap and stations beyond, but fortunately little damage was done.' 'In the reverse direction the loco hit the buffers far too hard on  more than one occasion...'

Issue no.22 September 1965

14 August saw the 'Cadbury' loco in steam for the first time. The fire was lit around noon and in two hours there was sufficient steam to start moving.

Issue no.23 October 1965

'Cadbury' was steamed for the open day on 4 September, but it was not possible to carry out the planned programme of shunting, which would have entailed going beyond the Dowty boundary. This was because Mr Carver, the stationmaster at Ashchurch, who gave permission for such movements had just retired and now authorisation needed to be sought from the Area Manager at Cheltenham station - it was not possible to do so in time for this event. (When movements out of the Dowty site onto the headshunt siding alongside the main line occurred, BR provided a flagman, for which the DRPS had to pay.)

Issue no.24 mid-October 1965

1' 10 3/4'' gauge Hunslet steam loco 0-4-0ST 'George B' ex Dinorwic Quarry in North Wales arrived on site on Saturday 2 October after purchase by DRPS Chairman Alan White, who had spent several weeks preparing for its arrival. 

Issue no.25 November 1965

'George B' has been made ready for a boiler exam and work has started on laying permanent narrow gauge track from the shed. The Midland signal had to be relocated to give adequate clearance for narrow gauge trains. 

A Society visit was made to the Keighley & Worth Valley and Middleton Railways in conjunction with the Railway Preservation Society. A real 'find' was the nameplate of Brize Norton Ground Frame displayed in the waiting room at Haworth - as a result negotiations are underway to reunite it with Brize Norton box which is at Ashchurch. 

Issue no.26 December 1965

The last steaming of 'Cadbury' for the year took place on 28 November in fine weather. Single line working on the main line enabled passing trains to have a good view of activities.

Issue no.27 January 1966

It is hoped to steam 'George B' on Easter Sunday 10th April but track needs to be laid to the site entrance gate and members are asked to help out in this work. 

Members had been invited on an excursion to the Somerset & Dorset Railway planned for 2nd January, but it was postponed as the S&D was staying open due to difficulty in arranging alternative bus services. 

Issue no.28 February 1966 

It was announced that 7808 'Cookham Manor' would be coming to Ashchurch in the very near future. At the moment, she was at Gloucester Horton Road shed. There would be a tender swap, its current 4000 gallon type would be exchanged for the correct 3500 gallon pattern.

Issue no.29 March 1966

Dowty Mining Equipment required more space for increased testing facilities, so would use most of No.1 road currently occupied by 'Princess Elizabeth'. Also the last 50 feet of track would be taken up completely to allow narrow gauge access from the shed to a narrow gauge track to be laid inside the standard gauge track on No.2 road.

Issue no.30 April 1966

During March a big shunt was necessary to shift stock on No.1 road. 'Cadbury' was not ready to steam, instead Dowty Mining's recently acquired Ruston 48hp 4-wheel diesel 802 and Bedford lorry were called into action. Various mishaps befell the two internal combustion locos, moving the 'Princess' proved too much for them. So 'Cadbury' was got ready to work the following week. But it burst a tube which ended proceedings that day. With the tube blanked off,the shunt was carried out by 'Cadbury' on Sunday 27 March and 'under the supervision of representatives from British Railways  the operation went without a hitch.'

Issue no.31 May 1966

On 24 April 'George B' was steamed for the first time at Ashchurch. Not without problems, as various leaks were discovered. After attention, it was steamed again on 30 April with complete success and did a lot of useful work, including shifting sleepers and pulling 'Cadbury'  down the track to enable further narrow gauge track to be laid where the loco had been standing.

A working party went to Gloucester Horton Road to clean 'Cookham Manor'. Although it was April, there was thick snow on the ground! As one of the party wrote: ' I didn't think that a steam engine could look such a picture of dejected misery. Not only was she absolutely filthy, but she had rusty bits of metal strewn all over her. Her cab fittings were covered in rust and the missing number and name plates put the finishing degrading touch to her. This forlorn sight was not improved by the appearance of the shed which was now empty and desolate, the heavy snow filled sky making everything even more gloomy than normal.' The volunteers' efforts slightly improved the look of the loco, but it was obvious more working parties would be needed.

Issue no.32 June 1966

The social evening on Friday 13 May when 'George B' was steamed was a great success.

Here is quite a rare sight - 'George B' lit up. Alan White acquired the loco from Dinorwic Slate Quarry; it arrived at Ashchurch in October 1965 and was steamed a few times in 1966.There is film footage of it chuffing along the short section of narrow gauge track with 'Cadbury' also in steam running alongside. The loco retired to its shed for stripping down later in 1966 and a thorough overhaul was still underway when the Ashchurch site closed in 1983.""

Issue no.33 July 1966

'George B' was in use again on 1 July; visitors included the Rev. Teddy Boston who has his own narrow gauge loco and railway at Cadeby, Leics. There is a possibility of 0-6-2T 6697 coming to Ashchurch if the fund to purchase it is successful. As the original nameplates for 'Cookham Manor' were sold new ones are being fabricated.

Issue no.34 August 1966

Two locos were steamed on 10 July, 'Cadbury' and 'George B'. A full sitting of teas was served in the Restaurant Car.  A start has been made on lifting ballast from the Tewkesbury branch.

Issue no. 35 Mid August 1966

7808 'Cookham Manor' arrived at Ashchurch on Saturday 13 August, having left Horton Road shed, Gloucester, around 9.30am. She ran up and down the sidings with the Saloon for filming purposes.

Issue no.36 Mid September 1966

'Cadbury' was in use on August Bank Holiday Monday. On 15 September 7808 temporarily left the site with Chris Betteridge at the regulator. She went tender first to Cheltenham and then via Honeybourne to Tyseley to work a railtour to Taplow on 17 September.

Issue no.37 October 1966

'Cookham Manor' distinguished herself by touching 80mph on her trip to Taplow (highest speed according to very detailed timings published later show top speed of 79mph at Denham on the outward trip). The load was six coaches, 188 tons tare. Since the trip 7808 has been at Tyseley and will be going to Bristol Bath Road open day on 22 October before returning to Ashchurch.

The Restaurant Car has now received a coat of gloss chocolate and cream on both sides - it was previously in maroon livery.

The Tewkesbury station nameboard is also in its original colours, black lettering on a yellow totem, mounted on a white background.

In the middle of September 1966, when BR steam working in Cheltenham and Gloucester had just about ceased, 7808 left Ashchurch in steam to work on a railtour and visit Bristol Bath Road diesel depot open day. It returned on 25 October 1966 and this photo depicts the loco approaching Cleeve Signal Box between Cheltenham and Ashchurch. The '83' milepost by the box shows the distance from Derby, as this was a Midland Railway line. There had been a station at Cleeve which closed to passengers in February 1950. Photo taken from the footplate by P E Lemar, Ken Vincent collection, North Gloucestershire Railway.

Issue no.38 November 1966

7808 arrived back on 25 October with Chris Betteridge in charge.

On Saturday 29 October the distinguished locomotive engineer E S Cox gave a lecture to a packed audience at the Dowty Cinema,Arle Court, Cheltenham.(In the early years of the DRPS lectures of railway interest were regular features;some were at Arle Court, others were held in the Restaurant Car at Ashchurch.)

'Princess Elizabeth' was in steam for an open day on Sunday 30 October and gave over 130 footplate rides. Teas were served in the Restaurant Car.

Issue no.39 December 1966

Following hard on the heels of brake composite carriage W7371W was yet another arrival, 0-6-2T 6697 owned by the Great Western Society Bristol and South Wales group. Notification that she was on the way was only received an hour before she entered the site.

'George B' is now being stripped down by Alan White in preparation for the fitting of a new smokebox"". 

Issue no.41 February 1967

LMS open third carriage 8207 will be coming to Ashchurch for restoration by the PELS in an agreement with the Curator of Historical Relics and BR. 

At the ARPS meeting the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway presented the Brize Norton nameplate to the DRPS. 

There have been visible signs of progress made on 6697 by the small band of regular Great Wesern Society members from Bristol. Progress is also being made on Princess Elizabeth, Cookham Manor, George B and Cadbury. 

A letter from member Derek Smith was published about his current employment on the Southern Region working from 71A Eastleigh loco shed firing Bulleid 'Pacifics'and where steam would last until July 1967.  

Issue no.42 March 1967

Visits to the scrapyard at Long Marston has resulted in some useful carriage items being obtained for LMS 5987, as well as GWR parts.

Issue no.43 April 1967

'Cadbury' had a hydraulic test on 11 March which revealed another leaking tube.

Issue no.44 May 1967

7808 was steamed on 15 April and 'positively shone in the sun.' The loco's owner and his family were in attendance and enjoyed a number of rides on the footplate.

Issue no.45 June 1967

Sir Gerald Nabarro MP visited on 6 May when 7808 was again in steam. Another visitor was five year Neil Harrison who was the winner in a magazine competition. All this resulted in useful publicity including local newspapers and ATV Midlands.

Issue no. 46 July-August 1967

25 June saw the most successful steaming yet of 'Princess Elizabeth' All went smoothly and safely. Derek Smith drove and Mike Randall fired the loco.

Issue no.47 September 1967

B R have requested the attendance of both 'Princess Elizabeth' and 'Cookham Manor' at Bristol Bath Road Open Day in October. They will go in steam.

On the downside, three youths broke into the Special Saloon and Restaurant Car smashing models and clocks and generally making a mess.

Issue no.48 October 1967

The annual Dowty Group factory open day included a display of railway models and layouts by the Lucas and Rover Railway Societies. There was a display of pictures entered in the railway photographic competition.

'Cookham Manor' was on show with two newly applied coats of green paint, 'set off by a gleaming safety valve cover.' 'Lizzie' had also received attention with a refurbished BR crest on the tender 'as good as new.'  News had just been received that both locos would leave Ashchurch on 20th  October for Bristol Bath Road open day. 

DRPS Chairman Alan White married Rosemary Leach, a DRPS Committee member, in Cheltenham on 23rd September with two DRPS members forming an archway of signals. 

Issue no.49 November 1967

On 12 October B R announced 'Lizzie' and 'Cookham' would NOT be allowed to go in steam to Bristol. But on 20 October at midday, this decision was reversed. There was a frantic rush to get things ready and, with the help of Mr Hiscox, shedmaster at Bath Road, and Dowty Fire Officer Holder, all went well and, by 10pm, both engines left, travelling separately to Gloucester. 'Cookham' was turned at Gloucester and the two engines went off to Bristol, arriving around 3am! They then went round the triangle as the Bath Road turntable was not big enough for 'Lizzie'.

Issue no.50 December 1967

Work continues on 'Lizzie' while 'Cookham' and 6697 have been prepared for boiler exams. Carriage 7371 has received attention to its roof. 

The District Engineer at BR Gloucester has offered the DRPS a large triangular stone located in the boundary wall on the remains of Grange Court station platform where it marked the boundary between the South Wales Railway 'SWR' and Gloucester & Dean Forest Railway 'GFDR' - it is estimated to weigh about half a ton. 

The Yieldingtree Railway Museum at Bleadon & Uphill Station is closing and various larger exhibits have been offered to the DRPS. 

'Lizzie' on the up main line at Ashchurch in October 1967 with the site connection behind her,having arrived back from Bristol,and plenty of onlookers. I remember one occasion a couple of years later when the locos were being got ready for an open day. The Vicar of Ashchurch came over to the site and asked when the engines were operating. He was told 'It will be Sunday.' 'That's a shame' he said 'Sunday's a bloody awful day for me!' Photo Ken Vincent

'Lizzie' back on site on 22 October 1967 after returning from Bristol. Note she is now facing north. The BR crew pose alongside her. Photo Ken Vincent The two engines left Bath Road separately on the Monday up through Mangotsfield. 'Lizzie' arrived back at Ashchurch at 4.45pm, while 'Cookham' got back after dark. This was pronounced to have been 'the most exciting weekend in the history of the Society.'

Issue no. 51 January 1968

Several new exhibits have arrived including the boundary stone from Grange Court, also platform and signalling equipment from the Yieldingtree Museum. A Dowty Mining engineer presented a brass nameplate 'Hardwick No.4' from a colliery steam loco. 

Issue no. 52 February 1968

January saw the arrival of a Somerset & Dorset signal box which was located at Burnham-on-Sea, acquired from the closed Yieldingtree museum at Bleadon & Uphill.

Indoor events continued with a talk on Irish Railway by PELS founder Roger Bell. 

Issue no.53 March 1968

Latest arrival is a 'Stove R' 6-wheel passenger brake van. More badly pitted tubes have been removed from 'Cadbury'.

Issue no.54 April 1968

An Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST has arrived after purchase from a Gloucester scrapyard by a group of members. It worked at Devonport Dockyard.(This group of members had also looked at the ex-Port of Bristol Peckett 0-6-0ST at Cheltenham Gas Works, but decided against purchasing it.)

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 2221 of 1946 was acquired from a scrapyard in Gloucester by a group of DRPS working members in March 1968 and was steamed at Ashchurch in the early 1970s. Looking closely at this picture however, the front wheels appear to be off the rails - oops....The old Bedford lorry is attempting to get the loco back on the track. Photo taken in April 1968. Ken Vincent, North Gloucestershire Railway

Issue no.55 May 1968

Both 'Lizzie' and the Barclay are to have a hydraulic test in the near future. The boiler examiner thinks the majority of the 'Cadbury' loco's tubes will need replacing. 'Cookham' is being prepared for a steam open day on 11 May.

Two freight trains, one with steel and one with coal, collided outside the site on 4 May. One of the diesels involved was 'Peak' D46.Three breakdown cranes were called in to clear the wreckage and all traffic was diverted via Honeybourne.

All three locos which went main line are shown here in October 1968,before their visit to Bristol that month, with immaculate 7808 'Cookham Manor' in steam, 46201 'Princess Elizabeth', and 6697. It is worth reiterating that all three came into preservation direct from BR service and arrived on site via the BR connection which is just out of sight to the left of the provender store. 'Cookham Manor' is facing into the site, having originally faced north, whilst 'Lizzie' is undergoing a repaint into maroon livery. Photo Ken Vincent, North Gloucestershire Railway.  

A trainload of ballast delivered over the connection for use in relaying work, October 1968. Photo Ken Vincent

Issue no.69 July 1969

Ken Vincent, who was very much the DRPS' driving force, wished to shed some of his responsibilities and Pete Simpson became site manager.

A Midland Railway 6-wheel brake van has been acquired from Port Sunlight and will be arriving by rail on a Weltrol wagon.

Issue no.70 August 1969

6697 is now back on an even keel with a new front axlebox bearing.

The August steam day has been postponed as track relaying has not yet been completed.

A 3-ton hand crane at Gloucester has been purchased and will be arriving shortly and the 6-wheel brake van is in transit.

Issue no.71 September 1969

Both crane and brake van are now on site.

The Dowty Group open day went well and was again attended by Sir George Dowty and family who had tea in the Restaurant Car.

There will be test steamings of 'Cookham' on 13 and 'Lizzie' and 6697 on 14 September in readiness for going to Tyseley Open Day taking place on Sunday 28 September.

6697, 7808 and 6201 seen in the DRPS sidings on 14 September 1969 when they were being tested  ahead of their visit to Tyseley later that month.

Above right and below: Three views of  0-6-2T 6697 on the headshunt alongside the main line that day. It is towing the recently acquired ex-Midland Railway brake van. Northway footbridge in the right hand photo below is still extant. Copyright photos Stephen Mourton

Issue no.72 October 1969

After lighting the locos' fires in the very early hours of Saturday 27 September, 'Lizzie', 6697 and 'Cookham' left the site just after 10.30am with a diesel at the front and headed up the main line to Worcester. The diesel ran round there and the cavalcade went towards Stratford-on-Avon. Upon arrival at Tyseley, there was drama. 'Lizzie' was leading into the depot yard, when the diesel, now at the rear, came off the track. The steam locos were able to uncouple and draw clear.

The three locos departed Tyseley on the Monday via the same route, again with a diesel. At Worcester, the whole ensemble traversed the triangle so the locos would be facing the right way for the Bristol Open Day in October. Arrival back in the site at Ashchurch was at 2.45pm.

Issue no. 73 Winter 1969/70

Mixed gauge track has been lifted and the crane shunted in preparation for the erection of the shelter. But the contractor has pulled out, so there is a frustrating delay.

An offer of £1000 in settlement of the claim for the Saloon damage has been accepted rather than face a protracted legal battle.

The Hon Secretary Ken Vincent is resigning after seven years of hard work on behalf of the DRPS. The Saloon damage and various other issues have taken their toll and his enthusiasm has left him. The end of an era in which so much was achieved.

Issue no.74 June 1970. 'Footplate' has a new Editor, Peter Witts

'Lizzie' was in steam on Easter Sunday. A steady flow of visitors was assured after a seven minute plug on the BBC.

A lot of work had been done on the yard track which was much improved as a consequence.

A start is to be made on removing boiler tubes from 'Cadbury' It is hoped to have the Restaurant Car restored to 1947 livery by the end of the year.

The 40ft brake vehicle which suffered badly when the crane crashed onto it will probably be broken up. A scrap drive is to be made during the summer to tidy up the site.

'Lizzie' plus the 6-wheeled 'Stove R' went to the Tyseley Open Day, arriving in the early hours of Sunday 19 May. It travelled via the Lickey Incline, coming back the same way, arriving at Ashchurch at 5am Monday morning. A hard weekend for PELS members who also helped give footplate rides on the loco at Tyseley.

Issue no.75 July 1970

Notice has been received that the Great Western Society will remove all its stock to Didcot sometime after 1 August.

Alterations are to be made to the yard trackwork. The line furthest from the factory will become the main running road as it is the longest and has the least curvature.

The PELS will steam 'Lizzie' on 1 August.

Andrew Barclay 2221, the ex-Devonport Dockyard loco, passed its boiler exam towards the end of May and was reassembled by 7 June.

Issue no.76 August 1970

The DRPS needed to raise £1720 to help pay for: repairs to the Saloon; replacement tubes for 'Cadbury'; cost of new shelter.

A start has been made in preparation for removing the 'Cadbury's' tubes. First it was necessary to remove the blastpipe. The three-ton hand crane has seen a lot of use on track relaying and scrap collection.

A large scale shunt was carried out in relation to track alterations, reducing the number of sidings from five to four, and preparations for erection of the shelter.

'Lizzie' has been steamed three times recently. Only one was a public event, on 2 August, which was the most successful ever in financial terms for the PELS.

Issue no. 77 September 1970

Work has at last started on the Saloon repairs.

On Sunday 9 August the Devonport Barclay 2221 was steamed on site for the first time and when moving off at 5.30pm, it blasted sooty water over everyone present. 'Bert' as it was nicknamed, shifted 'Lizzie' without any trouble. It was steamed again on 15 and 16 August to shunt the Great Western Society stock and assist in the scrap drive.

Issue no.78 October 1970

7808 'Cookham Manor' and 6697 plus rolling stock left the site on Saturday 15 August bound for Didcot, hauled by a 'Hymek' diesel. Some members rode on the locos' footplates on the main line to ensure all was well. The calvalcade was stabled overnight at Gloucester Horton Road depot before proceeding to Didcot on the Sunday morning.

'Bert' was steamed for the annual Dowty Open Day on 5 September and gave footplate rides in the yard.

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 2221 is on shunting duties at the site. The stopblock has cut short one of the tracks in the yard. Copyright photo Stephen Mourton

'Cadbury Bournville No.1' was the very first steam loco to arrive at Ashchurch, on 9 March 1963, towed dead down the Midland main line from the well-known chocolate factory by a BR 4F 0-6-0. But all was not well on the journey as 'Cadbury' sustained a hot box. Here in June 1978 it has been magnificently restored in the lined out maroon livery used by Cadburys and is coupled to the LMS-type brake van acquired in 1977 to provide rides for visitors. Photo Stephen Mourton

-- It had only been seven and a half years since a brand new steam loco built by Peckett & Co. for Cadbury's passed Ashchurch en route from Bristol to Bournville. This was Peckett works no. 2156/1955 'Cadbury Bournville No. 10'. There is a picture of it in the section 'Some Unusual Loco Workings at Cheltenham and Gloucester'.   

** The Ruston was presented to the Dowty Railway Preservation Society (DRPS) in 1974, as were two rail mounted ex-Army lorries.

" A photo taken on 4 July 1965 shows all track removed from the Tewkesbury line platform at Ashchurch and the main line connection. Track had also gone from the Evesham branch platform, just the spur to the Army camp remaining in place.

+ See the official accident report at http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=262

// There was an accident at Cowfield level crossing between Ashchurch and Tewkesbury late in the branch's life when a car was pushed along by the freight. A picture of the incident in the local paper clearly shows the tender of a GWR named engine.

++ 6697 survived the official end of ex-GWR steam as it was allocated to a London Midland Region shed, Croes Newydd, Wrexham, in November 1965 and was not withdrawn until 31 May 1966.

"" 'George B' did not steam again for fifty years until 2016 when its overhaul was finally completed at the Bala Lake Railway.

--- Restoration work was done on the Saloon, partly funded by proceeds of the insurance claim. In the late 1980s the North Gloucestershire Railway sold the vehicle from Toddington and it went to the former Swindon Works where more restoration was carried out by the new owner. In recent years it moved to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, where after more painstaking work, it is now in use, a vindication of the decision by the DRPS back in the 1960s to purchase and preserve the vehicle.