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Western Ranger
Gallery History Hire Workings

History of D1013 Western Ranger by Doug Tompkins

Built
Swindon works 13th December 1962 (SW LOT 450)

Liveries
On entering service: Maroon with half-yellow warning panels, black backed number and nameplates and black roof panels.

1967-1976: Blue with full yellow warning panels, black backed number and nameplates.
1976-1977: (and occasionally during preservation), blue with full yellow ends, red backed number and nameplates.
1980: Desert Sand with red backed number and nameplates and black roof panels.
Current livery: Blue with full yellow warning panels, black backed number and nameplates

Total Mileage
1,320,000 miles

Depot Allocations
Dec 1962- 88A Cardiff Canton
Mar 1963- 81A Old Oak Common
Apr 1963- 88A Cardiff Canton
Feb 1965- 87E Landore
Apr 1966- 84A Laira
Apr 1968- 87E Landore
Oct 1971- 84A Laira

Notable railtours involving D1013 Western Ranger

14th September 1975: "Bristolian-Tynesider"- 6000 Locomotive Association- Bristol- Birmingham- Sheffeld- Newcastle and return.

25th October 1975: "Pembroke Coast Express"- Wirral Railway Circle- Cardiff-Fishguard Harbour- Milford Haven- Pembroke Dock- Llanelli.

I st May 1976: "Severn Valley Flyer"- Gwili Railway Company-Swansea- Cardiff- Gloucester- Worcester- Kidderminster and return.

22nd May 1976: "The Merchant Venturer"- 6000 Locomotive Association- Bristol- Cheltenham- Birmingham and return.

11th July 1976: "Torbay Explorer"- Severnside Locomotive Association- Severn Tunnel Junction- Bristol- Exeter- Paignton- Exeter- Westbury- Bristol- Gloucester.

26th September 1976: Paddington- Hereford- British Rail- Paddington- Bath- Newport- Hereford-Worcester- Birmingham- Oxford- Paddington.

13th November 1976: "The Cornishman"- Severnside Locomotive Association-Birmingham-Bristol-Exeter- Plymouth- Penzance and return.

19th February 1977: "Southern Belle"- Severnside Locomotive Association- Waterloo- Bournemouth- Weymouth- Southampton- Havant- Guildford- Redhill- Guildford- Reading- Ascot- Waterloo.

26th February 1977: "Western Tribute"- British Rail- Paddington-Swindon- Newport- Swansea- Newport- Bristol- Plymouth- Newbury- Paddington.

Notable Events
Involved in an accident at Llanharran, South Wales, whilst hauling the 16.15 Swansea to Paddington express service on 26th September 1965. The locomotive hit the tail end of a crane when travelling at approximately 35mph. Front end damage sustained.

14th January 1972:Fitted with Automatic Warning System (AWS) and Dual Brakes (DB)

20th January 1977: hauled the 07.30 Swansea to Leeds throughout, as the booked locomotive had failed at Swansea prior to departure. Western Region men worked the service with an Eastern Region conductor. The locomotive returned on the 14.43 Leeds to Plymouth, which she again worked throughout.

26th February 1977: Western Ranger works the last Western railtour on BR with D1023 Western Fusilier on the "Western Tribute"- British Rail- Paddington- Swindon- Newport- Swansea- Newport- Bristol- Plymouth- Newbury- Paddington.

28th February 1977: Withdrawn from British Rail (Planned withdrawal).

14th May 1977: Purchased for Preservation by Mr Richard Holdsworth - Holdsworth Conversions Ltd., under care of 'Western' Locomotive Association.

14th June 1977: joined fellow preserved class 52 D1062 Western Courier on the Torbay Steam Railway at Kingswear. It was hauled there by class 47 No. 47 013 (coincidence?).

9th October 1977: First official run in preservation during a "Western Day" on the Torbay Steam Railway with D1062 Western Courier.

29th April 1978: Last working on Torbay Steam Railway.

2nd August 1978: Left Torbay Steam Railway with D1062 Western Courier en route to new home on Severn Valley Railway, initially moving just to Newton Abbot.

6th August 1978: with D1062 Western Courier, hauled from Newton Abbot to Bristol by class 46 No. 46 002

7th August 1978: Left Bristol with D1062 Western Courier bound for Cardiff Canton depot for tyre turning.

29th September 1978: Left Cardiff Canton along with D1062 Western Courier for the Severn Valley Railway. The locomotive used to haul them as far as Foley Park was class 37 No. 37 292.

31 st March/1 st April 1979: Used with D 1062 Western Courier at the Severn Valley Railway's first "Western Weekend".

1st April 1979: Paired up with D1062 Western Courier to work first double headed 'Western' hauled train in preservation.

24th September 1983: Worked special train run on Severn Valley Railway to celebrate the locomotive's 21St birthday.

11th May 1984: First 'Western' to operate through to Kidderminster following extension of the Severn Valley Railway's line south from Foley Park.

17th September 1989: Exhibited at Gloucester Horton Road Depot's "Rail Day". Southern Belle headboard refitted for the day.

6th May 1990: Bescot Open Day

12th May 1990: Birmingham Snow Hill Station Special Mid Line Promotion Day

1st July 1990: Gloucester Horton Road "Rail Day"

19th August 1990: Exhibited at open day, Barry Railfreight Depot, South Wales.

29th September 1990: Cambridge Station open day

6th/7th October 1990: Visits Nene Valley Railway to work services between Peterborough and Wansford.

26th May 1991: Coalville open day

22nd June1991: Cardiff Cathays Open Day

29th June 1991: Bristol Bath Road open day

15th September 1991: Exhibited along with fellow class 52s D1010 Western Campaigner,D1015 Western Champion, D1023 Western Fusilier and D1062 Western Courier at Laira diesel Depot Open Day, Plymouth.

16th October 1995: Ownership of locomotive passes from Richard Holdsworth to Roger Smith. Locomotive remains under care of Western Locomotive Association Limited.

16th July 1996: Special "Obbo" tour on SVR

June 1998: Western Ranger repainted at Kidderminster: Blue with full yellow warning panels, black backed number and nameplates. Cab interiors also repainted in "warm cream".

19th June 1998: Special "Obbo" tour on SVR

22nd March 2000: Western Ranger Limited formed - Company Registration No: 613373

30th September 2000: Western Ranger double-heads with Western Fusilier on the SVR for the first time since 26th February 1977, recreating the "Western Tribute" railtour. Livery with red backed name and number plates and silver buffers.

15th October 2000: Western Ranger exhibited at Worcester Shrub Hill station open day.

April 2001: Western Ranger repainted at Kidderminster: Blue with full yellow warning panels, black backed number and nameplates.

23rd March 2002: D1013 receives overhauled "A" end engine.

10th August 2002: Western Ranger hauls Capitals United Express evening Diner train from Kidderminster to Bridnorth return, after running "C" service.

13th September 2002: D1013 arrives at Kiderminster C & W works for bodywork remedial repairs.

March/April 2003: D1013 receives brake overhaul including brake valves, brake cylinders on "B" end bogie and recalibrated brake guages.

23rd April 2003: New set of name and number plates from Dekton Components delivered.

12th December 2003: AWS equipment reinstalled and commissioned for the first time for over 25 years

August 2004: “B” engine replaced

14th August 2004: Western Ranger hauls Capitals United Express evening Diner train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth return, after running "C" service.

February 2005: brake cylinders on "A" end bogie overhauled and all air reservoirs hydraulically tested.

13 May 2005 Western Ranger leaves SVR for the Mid Hants Diesel Gala held from 14 May to 15 May 2005. Loco returns to SVR on 17 May 2005.

13th August 2005: Western Ranger hauls The Golden Hind evening Diner train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth return, after running "C" service.

15th January 2006 “A” end turbo replaced with overhauled unit.

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