The Chalford Auto
Michael L.Roach
Michael L.Roach
Chalford Station was 16 miles from Gloucester Central and 21 Miles from Swindon on the line through the Golden Valley. Up until 1964 when the station closed it had a good service of trains. Many of the trains were auto trains running every hour or so between Chalford and Gloucester Central – the Chalford Auto. The service was one of the last auto trains in Southern England and was steam-operated until the end. There were no intermediate stations in the first 9 miles out of Gloucester but then there were 10 in the next 7 miles, averaging one every three quarters of a mile, due to an early experiment by the GWR in trying to provide more of a bus-stop style service. It worked and the auto trains were well-used right up until the last day of service on Saturday 31 October 1964 along with the closure of eight other stations and halts. Trains took 35 to 45 minutes from end to end depending whether they were going uphill or downhill and how many stops had been omitted from that particular trip.
For the last few years Gloucester Shed had members of the 14xx-class 0-4-2 tanks flowing in from sheds where their work had disappeared and flowing out to the scrapyard with the last one being withdrawn in December 1964. They worked the Chalford Auto and the Berkeley Road to Sharpness service. When no 0-4-2T was available almost any class of locomotive could turn up on the Chalford Auto. For me it was Hawkesworth Pannier tank number 8471 of Gloucester Shed which turned up on the morning of Monday 12 October 1964. The Railway Observer was good at recording the rostering of strange locos on the Chalford Auto in its last summer. It recorded 1474, 4100 and 9493 working the trains on 13.08.1964. Nine days later it was 1444, 1458 and auto fitted pannier 6412 (now preserved) on 22.08.1964. On 29 August the Chalford Auto was seen arriving at Gloucester Central with super-power in the form of 4-6-0 Hall class 6993 hauling two auto trailers. On the 18 April there were three 0-4-2 tanks taking turns on the workings, 1444, 1451 and 1472. Yet even on a normal day like this there could be surprises with the RO recording that the 5.15pm off Gloucester was double headed by 1472 and Peak class diesel D39 piloting. 135 tons of diesel locomotive with the rest of the train only weighing around 105 to 110 tons. Based on this pairing modellers can feel free to put together almost any combination of locos.
My only trip on the Chalford Auto was on Saturday 31 October 1964, the last day of passenger services, when I went out from Gloucester on the 18.22 and returned on the 19.10 from Chalford with 0-4-2T number 1458 propelling two auto coaches (nos. 242 and 237) downhill back to Gloucester. The sun had set around 16.45 so my trip was in the dark which probably added to the atmosphere in the steam heated coaches. The RO tells us that locos in use on the last day were 1458, 1472 and 6412. The withdrawal of Gloucester – Chalford and Berkeley Road – Sharpness services marked the end of auto working on former GWR railway lines. However this was not the end of auto trains on the Western Region as the former Southern Railway branch from Yeovil Junction to Yeovil Town was still being worked by ex-GWR locomotives in the 14xx and 64xx series.
MLR/ 6 November 2020
For the last few years Gloucester Shed had members of the 14xx-class 0-4-2 tanks flowing in from sheds where their work had disappeared and flowing out to the scrapyard with the last one being withdrawn in December 1964. They worked the Chalford Auto and the Berkeley Road to Sharpness service. When no 0-4-2T was available almost any class of locomotive could turn up on the Chalford Auto. For me it was Hawkesworth Pannier tank number 8471 of Gloucester Shed which turned up on the morning of Monday 12 October 1964. The Railway Observer was good at recording the rostering of strange locos on the Chalford Auto in its last summer. It recorded 1474, 4100 and 9493 working the trains on 13.08.1964. Nine days later it was 1444, 1458 and auto fitted pannier 6412 (now preserved) on 22.08.1964. On 29 August the Chalford Auto was seen arriving at Gloucester Central with super-power in the form of 4-6-0 Hall class 6993 hauling two auto trailers. On the 18 April there were three 0-4-2 tanks taking turns on the workings, 1444, 1451 and 1472. Yet even on a normal day like this there could be surprises with the RO recording that the 5.15pm off Gloucester was double headed by 1472 and Peak class diesel D39 piloting. 135 tons of diesel locomotive with the rest of the train only weighing around 105 to 110 tons. Based on this pairing modellers can feel free to put together almost any combination of locos.
My only trip on the Chalford Auto was on Saturday 31 October 1964, the last day of passenger services, when I went out from Gloucester on the 18.22 and returned on the 19.10 from Chalford with 0-4-2T number 1458 propelling two auto coaches (nos. 242 and 237) downhill back to Gloucester. The sun had set around 16.45 so my trip was in the dark which probably added to the atmosphere in the steam heated coaches. The RO tells us that locos in use on the last day were 1458, 1472 and 6412. The withdrawal of Gloucester – Chalford and Berkeley Road – Sharpness services marked the end of auto working on former GWR railway lines. However this was not the end of auto trains on the Western Region as the former Southern Railway branch from Yeovil Junction to Yeovil Town was still being worked by ex-GWR locomotives in the 14xx and 64xx series.
MLR/ 6 November 2020
Hawkesworth Pannier Tank 8471 of Gloucester Shed approaches Chalford Station with the 10.20am from Gloucester Central on 12 October 1964. Because the loco was not fitted for auto working it will run around its train at Chalford. Copyright Michael L Roach.
8471 waits at Chalford to take out the 11.30am to Gloucester for which it was allowed 40 minutes for the 16 mile journey stopping at every intermediate station and halt; 11 in number. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
0-4-2T number 1458 pauses at Brimscombe with the 11.20am Gloucester Central to Chalford auto-train on 12 October 1964 just 3 weeks before withdrawal of the service. In the background is Hall number 6955 of Severn Tunnel Junction Shed waiting in the loop for a clear run up the bank to the summit at the far end of Sapperton Tunnel 4 miles away.
Many thanks Mike, you were so lucky to have had the chance of a ride on the 'Chalford Auto; allbeit on the last day. This article of Mike's forms a very good introduction to our coverage of the Swindon to Gloucester line which traversed 'Golden Valley' en route. To go straight to this section please click here.
The 'Royal Train' at
Cowley Bridge Jct.
Phil Smith
Cowley Bridge Jct.
Phil Smith
47628 heads the Royal Train at Cowley Bridge in 1986 Copyright Phil Smith
This is the Royal train seen here at Cowley bridge, I swear the coach curtain opened and somebody waved a royal wave in my direction, HONEST!!! - Phil.
It always amuses Roger and myself when Phil's e-mails arrive - his e-mail address is philsshattered@ ----- Well done Phil. I believe his only shattering experiences now are home decoration!
St Ives Branch
Mark Lynam
Mark Lynam
Porthkidney Sands (1) The 14.48 Sr Erth to St Ives formed by a very smart 150244 29th November 2020 Copyright Mark lynam,
Porthkidney Sands (2) 14.37 SI to SE Notice the tide has come in considerably. High tide was at 16.37. Copyright Mark Lynam.
Always a lovely spot, I think both pictures are excellent, however for my money the top one with the boat chugging up the narrow channel takes the prize - more like a painting - very artistic. Many thanks Mark.