Latest Updates:
Late again, I'm sorry.
The revamped website has received some positive feedback. There are differences from the previous version, especially in the menu, shown opposite, but it is hoped they will enhance the utility and accessibility of the site. The most up-to-date news on both locomotive and tender will be found in 'Progress 2012' and by clicking on the dropper, you will be able to access the latest month's news. News relating to the period prior to 2011 can be found in the 'Archive' section, although that can only be accessed through a 'PDF' file - free download available. 'Supporting Suppliers' is a new page, based on information that was to be found on the 'Getting Involved' page. Within 'Historical Context' changes have been made in the presentation of some of the images - in those sections clicking on the right or left hand side of the front image will bring up the next and so on.
It is hoped that the changes will not detract from the enjoyment many of our visitors indicate, based on the 50,000 plus hits recorded. Indeed it is hoped the enjoyment will be increased. Feedback is always welcome, so if anyone has comments, please send them to the webmaster.
Progress March 2012
Locomotive Progress - Headlines:
Reassembly of bogie,
Main frames - work on horn guides,
Cosmetic work on wheels,
Report on boiler and gauging issues.
New Tender Build:
Horn guides etc.
Progress April 2012
Locomotive Progress - Headlines:
Reassembly of bogie completed,
Main frames - work on horn guides continues,
Report on boiler and gauging issues, Reverser cover.
New Tender Build:
Horn guides etc. Update on dragboxes.
Getting involved - dates for Work Week 2012.
Little Counties (formerly 'Little 1014') - additional examples of live steam Counties being produced.
Supporting Suppliers - update and reorganisation.
| Introduction | |
September 1964 saw the official withdrawal of the last member of the Great Western Railway's 'County' class, designed by F. Hawksworth and introduced in 1945. Although there are suggestions that 1011 'County of Chester' continued in traffic for a few weeks after withdrawal, she was placed in store in November 1964, sold to Cashmore's Scrap yard in Newport and cut-up in March 1965. At that point, Hawksworth's 'Counties' became extinct. Unlike many other Great Western locomotive types taken out of service in the 1960s, no Counties were sent to Woodham's Yard in Barry, Glamorgan, so were not available for later rescue and preservation, consequently the class lived on only in the memories of Great Western locomotive enthusiasts, aided by a wide range of photographic images, models, memorabilia and even art. |
|
|
|
 'Spring Clean', Eric Bottomley's rendition in oils of a young trainspotter's memory of 1014 'County of Glamorgan', in ex-works condition, arriving at Paddington station on a short parcels train, one afternoon in May 1958. (Terry McCarthy) |
 1014 'County of Glamorgan' as a 4mm model (Terry McCarthy) |
One G.W.S. member, David Bradshaw, noted that amongst the last group of unrestored locomotives, once stored in Woodham's Yard, there were sufficient standard 'parts' to form a basis for a County - with modifications and some new-build. Following several years of negotiations with Vale of Glamorgan County Council and planning, the G.W. County Project was launched in December 2004, to recreate a County, at Didcot, utilising the frames of a Modified Hall and a Stanier 8F boiler, from which the County boiler was derived. Marking the contribution of Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry scrap yard, it was agreed the completed locomotive should bear the identity 1014 'County of Glamorgan'. Since the formal launch of the Project considerable progress has been made as shown in the pages which follow. |
|
| The Project offers its grateful thanks to the following for their help and generosity in providing illustrative materials: | |
| Richard Blenkinsop David Bradshaw Mike Cooper Richard Croucher Frank Dumbleton Chris Hawkins - Irwell Press Ltd. C.Hobbs John Hodges Felicity Jones – STEAM GWR Museum Swindon Brian Morrison Terry Nicholls Graham Stacey – LCGB Ken Nunn Collection The Late Paul Strong Ron Thomas Transport Treasury Laurence Waters – G.W.S. Trust. Ron White – Colour-Rail Paul Chancellor - Colour-Rail.com M. Whitehouse |
|
| Suggested amendments, supply of additional images, or any other communication with the Project, please contact the webmaster: | |
County Project, Registered Charity No. 272616. |
|
| Progress on the G.W. County Project can also be seen and heard about a presentation prepared specifically to raise awareness about the recreation of 1014 'County of Glamorgan' - select the 'Getting Involved' button and scroll down. | |
| Unless otherwise stated all photographs and images are copyright of Great Western Society Ltd., and the G.W. County Project. They may not be downloaded, stored or used in any way without the expressed permission of the copyright holders. Thank You. | |
