Didcot Steam Engine Shed

My other hobbies - Steam Railways

      Didcot Steam Engine Shed

Besides my main hobby of Amateur Radio, my other interest is steam railways.
I have been working on steam railways for the last 27 years. My main site of operation is the Great Western Society, which is based in Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK.
I am on the operating staff as a shunter, (I make up the various trains, move locomotives around the loco yard) No locomotive or stock movement can happen without my say so.
When I am not shunting, I work on the permanent way (the track), usually attending to minor track maintenance. I am also a qualified Crane Driver, and own part shares in a 5 ton Smith and Rodney diesel crane works number 18820, which is pictured below left.
Smith & Rodney 5 Ton Diesel Smith & Rodney 5 Ton Steam The crane was originally purchases from the Cardiff Steel Works, where it was stock number CD24. It had been converted from the original steam to diesel in about 1954. When we purchased it in 1979, it was found to need considerable attention to the engine and torque converter. Both items showed signs of heavy wear. In fact a lot of conversion was found to be required, as some of the important parts were no longer available.
Of the two, the torque converter was the worst. The only parts which were re-used, apart from the outer case, was the output shaft, the rest being worn beyond use.
When a engineer from the manufacturer of the torque converter examined the unit, and said that in his opinion, other than oil and various filter Controls for diesel Smith & Rodney Steam 5 Ton with yours truly on footplate in 1977 changes, it had not been touched for about thirteen years. He knew this because, southern England including Wales, was his patch for all that time, and he had never seen this crane before.
The main aim of purchasing this crane, was to provide us with almost instant access to a crane, if needed. Before we had relied on a 5 ton Smith and Rodney Steam Crane, pictured above right, which was the same design, but never converted. Although very useful, it require at least two to three hours for lighting up, and a further hour or so for disposal. The diesel crane was just a turn of the key, so was ready at a moments notice.
The idea was to rebuild the superstructure, which was in a very bad way. But due to a heavy work load, this project has yet to be completed, 23 years on. Most of the old body has been removed, and a basic frame structure welded into place, but that is it.
Track work on Coaling Stage Track Work on Coaling Stage

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Last Updated: 05 May 2003 22:30hrs
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