Comments on: Famous Lost ‘Castles’

By: howard

howard — Thu, 08 May 2014 13:33:03 +0000

Andrew, I was absolutely delighted to read your comment. If Pete was to support the idea of 7027 moving to the GWSR for at least a cosmetic restoration in the short term, that would be wonderful. We will be at Broadway in less than 3 years time and then we will start to think about Honeybourne. I hope I live to see the day when we have our own mainline certificated Castle and a connection with NR for it to stretch its legs on! I think I could probably die happy then!

By: Andrew Britton

Andrew Britton — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:36:26 +0000

For many years I was a member of the Standard Gauge Steam Trust at Birmingham Railway Museum, Tyseley. During this time I raised many hundreds, if not thousands of pounds collecting for the restoration of Thornbury Castle. I became a fixture standing in front of this engine with a collection box at Tyseley open days.

Sad to say, the Whitehouse family and 7029 Limited agreed to sell her. If still at Tyseley, by now Bob & Alistair Meanley with their team would have got this famous engine back in working order, but remember there is only a limited amount of work for ex GWR Castle Class on the mainline and perhaps more important a limited amount of cash, labour and time to achieve this.

However, back to the present, I sincerely hope Pete Waterman will spend commit to a restoration budget from his financial resources to get her back in steam. I am sure he has not forgotten his treasured 7027 Thornbury Castle as she remains dear to his heart.

Yes, you are correct in saying she would look great at the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway – a fitting home.
Pete is a great supporter of the Glos Warwicks and a keen Castle fan.

I will write to Pete or speak to him in person to see what can be done. Watch this space…………….

By: Henry Law

Henry Law — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 22:02:07 +0000

7027 was a regular on the Oxford service. It was kept clean right to the end. One evening in June 1960 it was one of a pair of Castles on a regular train with the Queen Mother and her party travelling in two special coaches at the front of the train – they did not always use the Royal Train.