The annual summer diesel gala has now been and gone, this saw 254 complete around 80 miles over the 3 days. One of the highlights for 254 was the opportunity for her to work in multi with guest loco class 20, 20110. Possibly a first for the ex Canton 37??

The loco is nearing her first 1000 miles of running in preservation! She is proving to be quite a reliable machine now that nearly all of the early runnings in faults have been rectified and the last 10 years in store is now behind us.

The bogie overhaul is now well under way with both bogies nearing complete strip down. A local firm has been sourced for the shot blasting and painting of the frames. They will be lifted from the wheel sets in the coming weeks and will be sent away by lorry. Once shot blasting has been completed we will inspect all welds, hornguides, bearing surfaces etc and renew as necessary. 70 % of the brake rigging has now been taken back to bare metal and repainted, worn pins and bushes have been renewed by our resident machinist Mike W. We are roughly half way into the project now. We are also still actively trying to source all perishable items, full motor cleaning, painting etc is still to take place. Photos to follow soon…

There are still plenty of jobs to do on the loco itself; investigation into the slow application of the vacuum brakes are still ongoing with the planned strip down of the AV2 to take place within the next couple of weeks. Compressor / Exhauster oils need be changed also.

Having met some of the 20110 group over the diesel gala it came of great surprise to find that one member of the group ‘Robin Coles’ drove 254 on a number of occasions when based at Exeter during the 1990’s. He has kindly looked back through his records and found the following working he drove with 254. All photos are also courtesy of ‘Mr Robin Coles, Lympstone Devon.

37254/37158 light locos Saltley to Shrewsbury for the Aberystwyth on the 13/8/1988. (via Birmingham New Street ) booked move each saturday. When a driver at Bescot.

37254 Exeter St Davids Fuel point ( H S )on the 18/1/ 1994.

37354 St Blazey To Exeter St Davids Freight on 24/9/1995.

37254 Plymouth to Paignton Via Newton Abbot then up to Exeter st Davids H S 20/11/1995.

37254 Exeter St Davids H S To Riverside Yard then engineers train to Tavestock Yard and return 29/3/1996.

37254 the same move as above on the 24/4/1996.

37254 Exeter St Davids H S to Riverside Yard then Riverside to Meldon Quarry and return on the 2/5/1996.

37254 Exeter St Davids H S To Riverside yard then to Tavistock yard and return on the 21/5/1996.

37254 Exeter St Davids to Riverside Yard the Meldon Quarry and return on the 27/6/1996.

37254 Exeter St Davids Fuel point (H S ) on the 12/7/1996.

37254 Exeter St Davids H S to Riverside yard then work a ballest train to Dawlish to drop rails and other equipment for see wall repairs Then forward to Newton Abbot to run round and return to Exeter St Davids Riverside Yard on the 11/1/1997.

(Saturday Night ).

37718 37254 and 37055 all seen here in the down yard at Westbury on the 26/5/1997.