D1013 September 12th 2009

[I Staniland]

D1013 Western Ranger worked it's last normal service trains on the S.V.R. on Saturday 12th of September, prior to withdrawl for an extensive overhaul to the same high standard achieved by the W.L.A. carried out on D1062 Western Courier in the last few years. The locomotive has given sterling service with almost 100% availability for many years and many of the components ( wiring etc ) are the original items fitted when the locomotive was in B.R. service 32 years ago. So some T.L.C. is long overdue! Here are a few photographs of the day.

Some of the many enthusiasts, with W.L.A. members in this shot, wait for D1013 to depart Bridgnorth with the 15.30 to Kidderminster.


Crew for the day, W.L.A. chairman and former owner of D1013, Roger Smith and secondman Alan Pace.


On the journey, Rob Andrews tries out the prototype 'Western driver simulator'! Lyn Jones looks on enviously!


While waiting to depart light-engine back to Bridgnorth 'Ranger' stands at Kidderminster.


'Me photographing them, photographing Ranger'. According to the sign on the left, Steve Bielby is out of service!


D1013 Western Ranger looks ready for another 30 years service, standing in the sunshine at Kidderminster.

[Western Druid]

I visited the SVR, for the first time in .... well, I can't actually remember the last time, but it must be at least 10 years. What a day I had. I was one of a party of photographers and models on a shoot, but took the opportunity to do some Whizzo Bashing while I was there.

All the others had departed Kidderminster towards Bridgnorth as I awaited the arrival of Ranger on her return journey, halfway down the platform. The sound of the horn announced her arrival and what a sight she was looking in pristine condition. And then the sound I hadn't heard live since I had followed Champion around 5(?) years ago.



After a quick word with Roger, requesting a brisk return journey, I climbed into the second coach and settled in as Ranger took us back to Bridgnorth. Mostly with a big silly grin on my face as she accelerated away and that oh so familiar and distictive sound of 2 Maybach's singing in perfect harmony. A bit of door hanging to shoot some video (takes you back to 1976/77) and my day was complete.

I rejoined my companions for lunch, but unfortunately we didn't get back in time to catch Ranger on the 3:30. Took the following service and arrived in Bewdley just in time to catch Ranger heading back to Bridgnorth. After a few photos of a model in the setting sun, we all hopped on the final train to Kidderminster.



Some of us met up at the George in Bewdley where we stayed for several hours. I rang a friend who Lives in Kdderminster and I hadn't seen for at least as long as my time away from the SVR and he joined us.

All in all an absolutely fantastic day. I'm still buzzing 5 days later.

The only disappointment was there was no Courier to be seen anywhere.