Spotted in the area and reported in the GRS News. I have added in a few of my own observations, in italics.
Summer 1954 The most unusual loco seen for some time, at Horton Road shed on 26 April, was ex-Taff Vale Railway 194, last of three locos built to work the Pwllyrhebog Incline in South Wales. It was en route to Swindon for scrapping.
A BR 9F 2-10-0 was seen light engine at Gloucester on 14 May but did not appear to take a train.
Two fresh 'Jinty' 0-6-0T - 47506 and 47539 - have arrived at Barnwood, both fitted with vacuum brakes for working on station pilot duties at Cheltenham Lansdown.
Southern Region 'Moguls' are again working over the MSWJ as are two 'Manor' 4-6-0s, 7808 and 7810, recently shedded at 85B.
85B's 0-6-0T 1623 has been fitted with a spark arrestor for working in Gloucester Docks where there are petrol tanks.
The annual GRS Railtour on 15 May had GW Railcar W7W going from Gloucester Central via Ledbury, Worcester, Bewdley, then the Wyre Forest line to Woofferton and Shrewsbury, terminating at Welshpool. A return trip on the Welshpool & Llanfair followed. Then back aboard W7W for a run to Moat Lane, Three Cocks Junction, Hereford and Ross-on-Wye back to Gloucester.
Autumn 1954. Ex Cambrian Railways 0-6-0 844, recently withdrawn, going to Swindon Works for cutting up.
New BR 2-6-0 77017, built at Swindon Works and seen running-in. This class has been quite common running in on pick-up freights. (77017 went to Scotland, allocated to 67B Hurlford, where it remained until withdrawal in November 1966, so never came to Gloucester again.)
New Year 1955 Noted at Swindon Works under repair on 21 November 1954 were two 85B engines, 2-6-2Ts 3171 and 4521.
In November BR Standard class 4 75029 was on Horton Road, having been working over the MSWJ between Cheltenham and Southampton.
New Peckett & Sons 0-6-0ST 2151/1954 was seen on 4 October 1954 at Over Junction, being hauled dead in a goods train to the NCB in South Wales. The loco, of a modified design, is lettered 'Maerdy No.2.'
Spring 1955 On 14 February new 0-6-0PT 1657 passed through Gloucester from Swindon Works on the way to its first shed, 85C Hereford.
On 4 February, the 5.40pm Andover (4.36pm ex Southampton) - Cheltenham was unusually worked by a 45XX 2-6-2T.
'Manor' class 4-6-0s have been replaced on MSWJ trains by 43XX 2-6-0s and 2251 class 0-6-0s.
This issue recalled the first three annual railtours run by the GRS.
In 1951 it was a GW diesel railcar from Gloucester to Berkeley Road, over the Severn Bridge to Lydney Town, on through Parkend, up the branch to Coleford, back to Serridge Junction, via Speech House,Upper Road, Lydbrook and to Lydbrook Junction on the Ross - Monmouth line. After reversal the railcar returned to Gloucester via Ross.
In 1952 the railcar went to the ex-Midland Railway Nailsworth and Stroud branches, thence to Berkeley Road, the Severn Bridge and Lydney back to Gloucester.
1953 was more ambitious with a trip over the MSWJ to Andover Junction, using ex-MSWJ 2-4-0 1336. Return was via Swindon Junction and Kemble.
Summer 1955 During May an ex-Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2T was at Horton Road where it received attention to a hot box whilst on the way up to Swindon (for scrapping).
The annual GRS railtour was on 21 May. Special train M990 with four carriages departed Gloucester Eastgate with Barnwood's Compound 40930 and went to Derby via Ashchurch, Evesham, Redditch, Barnt Green, Camp Hill and Burton-upon-Trent. It then proceeded with 2P 40416 through Derby to Duffield Junction, branching off to Wirksworth where the party detrained and made their way to the Cromford & High Peak line. Return was from Friden with a 3F 0-6-0, going to Buxton where 2-6-4T 42370 took over for the run to Burton via Uttoxeter and Tutbury. 40930 was again motive power from Burton back to Cheltenham and Gloucester with a fast run via Camp Hill.
Autumn 1955 Industrial locos noted in transit recently - on 31 August a brand new Peckett 0-4-0ST 2156/1955 for Cadbury's Bournville painted in the company's standard chocolate brown livery. On 3 September a new John Fowler 0-4-0 diesel going to the new Pressed Steel Co factory at Swindon. 8 September Barnwood shed saw 'Kingsbury No. 2' a Peckett 0-6-0ST 2001/1946 en route to Peckett's at Bristol for repair from NCB Kingsbury Colliery, Warwickshire. It had problems coming down from Warwickshire, no doubt a hot box, and stood at Abotswood Junction near Worcester for three days before being towed, very slowly, to Barnwood for attention.
'Sentinel' 4-wheel steam loco 47190 was at Barnwood on 9 August awaiting treatment for a hot box incurred on its journey from Bristol, where it shunted the Avonside yard, to Derby Works.
Winter 1955/56 There are now two running in turns for ex-works locos from Swindon to Gloucester, the first in at 10.43am, returning with the 2.40pm; the new working arrives at 11.45am, stays all day and returns on the 8.20pm parcels. All GWR passenger and mixed traffic types are seen, including 'Counties' and 'Modified Halls' in their new green livery.
New Derby built 0-6-0 diesel shunters have been seen en route to Bristol and South Wales.
A new 9F 2-10-0 92045 OF 15A Wellingborough made the first known appearance of the class in Gloucester on 14 November 1955.
The Port of Bristol Authority at Avonmouth has ordered six more diesels. The loco shed now has three diesel and three steam roads. There are still about 20 steam locos, all by Peckett or Avonside, with three fitted with vacuum brakes for hauling boat trains in the docks.
Spring 1956 On Sunday 18 March, Barnwood shed hosted 9F 92058. Regular workings of this class from the North are now taking place.
Ex LNWR 2-4-2T 46616, last of its class and withdrawn in September 1955, was noted at Gloucester 'a little while ago.'
Ex Alexander Docks Railway 2-6-2T 1205 made its last journey to Swindon via Gloucester on 9 February.
A brand new 0-6-0ST, Hunslet 3838 of 1956, was towed dead through Gloucester on 20 January, bound for South Wales.
On 28 February 'Kingsbury No.2' - mentioned in the Autumn 1955 issue - was in the ex-LMS yard on its way back home after repairs at Pecketts. The following day WD160 - an Austerity 0-6-0ST - was seen going from Westbury to Hunslet, Leeds, for repair.
No fewer than three ex-LNW 0-8-0s were seen in Gloucester on Friday 13 January.
Summer 1956 The annual GRS railtour ran on 12 May starting from Gloucester with 4-4-0 9017, brought specially from Aberystwyth, covering routes in South Wales. 9017 had received considerable attention in Horton Road shed, being turned out in excellent condition and the shed master was duly congratulated.
On 27 and 28 April, ex-works GW 'Moguls' 6372 and 6385 were noted on the 10.43am arrival from Swindon, looking very smart in green livery.
Autumn 1956 The last Midland Railway 0-4-4T at Gloucester, 58071, has been withdrawn and replaced on the Tewkesbury and Upton branch by Ivatt 2-6-0 46401.
New Swindon built Inter-City three car diesel units have been on trial working over the loop at Gloucester and returning via the MSWJ line.
Brand new 0-6-0PT 3409 was seen 'dead' in a loop at Lydney en route to Cardiff, where it was allocated to East Dock shed. Manufactured by sub-contractor Yorkshire Engine Co, Sheffield to a GWR Hawksworth design, this was the last new GWR type loco to be built for BR.
Winter 1956/57 'The Shape of Things to Come' Sunday 11 November 1956 saw an unusual visitor through Gloucester Central - a six car Diesel Multiple Unit special from Paddington to Newport and Cardiff, a well filled train.
Spring 1957 Auto tank 1424 was noted at Gloucester on 21 January in green livery.
26 March 1957 Recently put into working order, preserved 4-4-0 3440 'City of Truro' travelled down from Swindon light engine and returned on the 2.40pm Gloucester - Swindon passenger.
Summer 1957 GRS members trips :On 13 April the 2.5pm Gloucester - Hereford passenger was hauled by local Mogul 4358, in spotless fully lined BR passenger green livery and polished safety valve bonnet.
On 28 April a trip to Nottingham left Gloucester well over an hour late due to failure of a Caprotti 'Black Five' at Berkeley Road; the train went north with Barnwood 4F 44209 making a good run to Birmingham.
The annual GRS tour on 11 May visited Wolverton Works. Loco was Barnwood's 2P 40540 from Gloucester to Ashchurch, Evesham, Broom Junction to Stratford-on-Avon, continuing along the SMJR to Burton Dassett, Fenny Compton, Byfield and Woodford Halse, with a shed visit. Then it was Towcester and Blisworth onto the West Coast line to access Wolverton for a visit to the Works. Return was via Verney Junction, Oxford Road Junction to Yarnton, Kingham, Bourton-on-the-Water and Cheltenham, all with 40540.
Autumn 1957 Summer Saturdays this year have seen the extensive use of 'Granges', 'Manors' and 'Halls' on West of England trains and 9F 2-10-0s on Midland Region trains which appear to handle heavily loaded holiday services with ease - 92048 of 21A was on the Leicester - Paignton on 3 August.
On 24 September, 9F 92050 was in a derailment at Charfield. The engine remained precariously perched on the side of the embankment but three grain wagons left the rails and plunged down the side. On the same day there was another derailment at Tuffley Junction,involving the 1.5am freight from Gloucester to Westerleigh when two wagons came off the track. After being put back on, one wagon derailed again and it was midday before the train got underway. In the meantime, traffic was diverted.
Winter 1957/58 On 3 October 1957, A Hunslet Engine Co 0-6-0 diesel 5240/1957 was conveyed 'dead' from Cardiff to Leeds, being shunted at Over Sidings and Barnwood Yard.
A 16XX 0-6-0PT has recently been tried out on the Dursley branch.
Former Rhymney Railway 0-6-2T 36 and 38 ran together to Swindon Works for scrapping.
New Swindon built 9F 92178 worked the 8.45pm Swindon - Severn Tunnel freight on 27 September.
The 8.30am Cardiff - Newcastle, usually eleven coaches, is worked to Gloucester by a 'Castle' or 'Britannia'.
Spring 1958 New diesel hydraulic D600 'Active' was recently noted on the 7.12pm Gloucester - Swindon train, part of a regular roster for the loco. (Its initial trial run had been on 17 February from Paddington to Bristol and return.)
Summer 1958 The annual GRS railtour ran on 10 May using a three-car cross-country DMU from Cheltenham St James to Axminster via the Somerset & Dorset line from Bath Green Park.
As part of Regional boundary adjustments loco depots 22A Bristol Barrow Road and 22B Gloucester Barnwood were transferred from the LMR to WR in February and recoded 82E and 85E. 34 ex LMR locos were affected at Barnwood.
Autumn 1958 Brand new 9F 2-10-0 92221 was seen at Cheltenham on an iron ore train from Banbury, where it is shedded. It is the first of a batch of 48 9Fs being constructed at Crewe and Swindon for the Western Region.
Spring 1959 A recent visitor to Barnwood was a Fowler 7F 0-8-0.The surviving class members are all shedded in the north-west.
0-6-0 diesel shunter D3360 is allocated to 85B. (There from November 1958 to March 1959; it was October/November/December 1960 before 85B had D3986/87/89/90/91/93/94 allocated.)
Summer 1959 This issue announced that sadly there would be no annual railtour this year. It was hoped to visit the Swansea & Mumbles line, but it had not been possible to make the necessary arrangements.
Spring 1960 The first of the Western Region's eight-car diesel-electric Pullman multiple-units built by Metro-Cammell passed through Gloucester Eastgate on 3 February on trials between Saltley and Mangotsfield and back. It was also seen at about 2pm on 24 March running into Eastgate from the Bristol direction. The colour - blue and cream.
'Britannia' Pacific 70016 'Ariel' was at Horton Road shed in late March with its centre driving wheels removed.
BR's last new steam loco, 9F 92220, named 'Evening Star' in a great ceremony at Swindon Works on 18 March, has been noted at Gloucester on freights. It is painted in green livery and has a copper-capped chimney.
Summer 1960 The annual GRS railtour ran on 14 May with preserved 4-4-0 'City of Truro', the route being Gloucester- Cheltenham Malvern Road - Cirencester Watermoor - Swindon Town - Andover - Eastleigh - Southampton Docks - Winchester Chesil - Didcot - Swindon Junction - Gloucester. The load was five coaches. A maximum speed of 70mph was recorded on the trip.
New BR 200 hp 0-6-0 diesel shunter D2123 is now working at Gloucester.(D2137/38/39 are also here.)
16 June saw 0-6-0PT 1367 pass through on its way back to Weymouth after attention at Wolverhampton Works.
2P 4-4-0 40501 came out of store at Bristol to be station pilot at Gloucester Eastgate, seen on the duty on 16 June. But only for a few weeks, before making a final journey to Gorton Works. Then 40540 was resurrected from Barnwood to do the duty.
9 July marked the appearance of 'Clan' 4-6-2 72005 'Clan MacGregor' on a Summer Saturday working, first sighting of the class in the area.
On 10 August the last ex-Midland Railway 0-4-4T 58086 was towed north from Bath to Derby for scrapping. This class was familiar at Gloucester for years, the last here being 58071.
11 August witnessed Eastern Region K3 2-6-0 61841 on a fertiliser train from York to Stoke Gifford.
The annual GRS railtour will be on Saturday 13 May 1961 to Derby Works and Brush Electrical Works, Loughborough by an interesting route. It is hoped to have preserved Midland Compound 1000 as motive power. (It actually ran on 27 May 1961 and 1000 was the loco. The route taken is shown in The Railtour Files https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/610527gr.html )