Representatives from wagon groups at a number of heritage railways came together at the Great Central Railway’s (GCR) Quorn & Woodhouse station on October 22/23 when the GCR’s award-winning Quorn Wagon & Wagon (QWW) team hosted an open event. Over the last few years, volunteers from QWW have restored an impressive and varied fleet of heritage goods wagons which are operated by the railway during galas, events and photo charters.
The group decided it was time to showcase a selection of the restored wagons to enable members of the public to see them close up and find out about their history, restoration and their importance in preservation – and to meet the volunteers.
In addition to the superbly presented selection of goods wagons, visitors were able to see a variety of restored period road vehicles – including 1960s Scammell Scarabs with their trailers loaded with goods, a steam roller, 1980s British Rail service vehicles, platform tugs and Brute trolleys piled high with parcels.
A popular attraction was the opportunity to visit the restored cab of the Heavy Tractor Groups’ Class 37 No. 37714 Cardiff Canton. The Type 3 was stabled next to the award-winning restored Test Car 2 and an air braked steel high wagon to recreate a typical 1980s slip/ brake test train that would have operated based out of the Railway Technical Centre in Derby. Guided tours provided a unique insight into why and how new goods wagons were tested for acceptance by BR.