Great Western Railway Journal

The Great Western Railway Journal was a periodical publication dedicated to chronicling the history, operations, and cultural significance of the Great Western Railway (GWR) in the United Kingdom. Providing an authoritative and comprehensive resource, the journal offered in-depth articles, archival photographs, and scholarly insights into various aspects of the GWR’s existence.

Covering a wide range of topics, the journal delved into the development of GWR locomotives, rolling stock, infrastructure, stations, and routes. It explored the social, economic, and technological contexts that shaped the GWR’s evolution from its inception in the 19th century to its lasting impact on Britain’s railway heritage.

Additionally, the Great Western Railway Journal served as a platform for enthusiasts, historians, and preservationists to share their research, experiences, and endeavours related to the GWR. Through meticulous documentation and analysis, it contributed to the ongoing appreciation and conservation of this iconic railway legacy.

Correct as of: 28/02/24

No.	Issue	Year	Collection	Articles
0	Bumper Preview	1991		Maiden Newton – A Wessex Country Junction by Gerry Beale – history and working of this station on the Wilts, Somerset & Weymouth line. The 47xxs at Work by John Copsey – details of the class 47xx 2-8-0s, their shed allocations and train workings. Many detailed photographs of 4702. Be Brief – Use Code by Peter Squibb – the use of telegraphic codes. 6-Ton Yard Crane – Photo and drawings of the 6-ton yard crane. General Arrangement Drawing 5401 & 64xx classes – drawing No 92530 for Lot 277 covering both 54 and 64xx classes – notated dimensions differentiate between the classes as required.
1	Winter	1992		Denham to Uxbridge (High Street) by Stanley Jenkins – the history of the the Denham branch. General Arrangement Drawing 4073 series Castle Bristol Temple Meads – photographs of Bristol Temple Meads station. Cordons, Part 1 by John Lewis – details and workings of the DD5 twin tank ‘Cordon’ and Special and Non-Standard gas tank wagons.
2	Spring	1992		No 4507 – The last of a line by Gerry Beale – the career (history, allocations and duties) of 45xx 2-6-2T No. 4507, the last locomotive in service to have been built at Wolverhampton Stafford Road. Including the ‘Engine History’ sheet. General Arrangement Drawing 4520 series 45xx class – general arrangement drawing of the first batch of 45xx’s built at Swindon in 1909-10, Lot No 174 with short bunker and inside steam pipes. Cordons, Part 2 by John Lewis – details and workings of the DD4 and other multi-tank tank ‘Cordon’ oil gas tank wagons. GWR Unclimbable Fencing for Platforms – drawing of GWR unclimbable (spear) fencing. Marsh Mills Signal Box – photograph of the interior of Marsh Mills Signal Box (Tavistock Branch) by R C Riley.
3	Summer	1992		GWR Swindon Water Crane – drawings of the straight and cranked arm water crane (Dwg No 22971) and hopper (Dwg No. 53913). General Arrangement Drawing 6000-6019 series of the King Class – general arrangement and frame drawing for Lot 243 Nos 6000- 6019 (Dwg No 82100).
–	Late Summer -Special Cornish Issue	1992	()	The St. Ives Branch by Stanley C. Jenkins – a history of the classic Cornwall branch line at St Ives. Cornish ‘Halls’ in the 1930s by John Copsey – a history of Hall class locomotives in 1930s Cornwall. ‘B Sets’ in Cornwall by John Lewis – a history of B sets in 1930s Cornwall. Cornish China Clay by Gerry Beale – a history of the china clay industry as it relates to the Great Western Railway in Cornwall.
4	Autumn	1992		Dorchester by Gerry Beale – operational history of Dorchester station (Dorset), with site plans, some building drawings (including architectural drawings of station buildings showing additions and alterations dated 1899) and summer 1939 service timetable. GWR Standard Tube Fencing & Gates – details of the boiler tube fencing used around engine sheds, workshops and goods yards etc. Fire Grates for Water Cranes – drawing of the fire grate (fire devil) used to prevent freezing of water cranes (Dwg no. 43867). Laira – photo by R.C. Riley of no. 7823 on shed and details of Laira ‘Turn 86’ for a 78xx.
5	Winter	1993		Horse Box Traffic on Passenger Trains by John Copsey. Hemyock – notes on the Culm Valley branch. Three early photos of Hemyock station – from the river bridge with ex-SDR 2-4-0T, from the road to the village, and into the dairy. Early Turn at St. Ives by Paul Karau and Chris Turner – working the St Ives branch in the late 1950s.
6	Spring	1993		The Marlborough Branch by Stanley Jenkins – history and operation of both branch lines GW and M&SWJ. Modern GWR Fish Vans, Part 1 by John Lewis – covers in detail vans to Diags S2, S6 & S12.
7	Summer	1993		[Marsh Mills] Paignton Station by John Copsey – a photographic study of Paignton station, Devon, with brief historical notes. Modern GWR Fish Vans, Part 2 by John Lewis – 28ft 6in fish vans, 31ft insulated refrigerated fish vans. Includes detailed drawings and diags. S8, S9, S10, & S11. Water Tank – drawing No 14964 of square type water tank apparently for Yeovil (Pen Mill), Wells and Salisbury but the latter crossed through on drawing. Yeovil Pen Mill – 3 colour photographs by R.C. Riley taken at Yeovil Pen Mill in the 1950s.
8	Autumn	1993		Tiverton Junction between the Wars by Chris Turner – operation and traffic at the station and on the two branches. The Train Journal by John Copsey – details of a Passenger Train Journal for the 4.35 pm Welshpool to Aberystwyth on 27th September 1947. 57xx’s at Reading by John Copsey – the duties and shed allocations including the General Arrangement Drawings for the 57xx class.
9	Winter	1994		The Yealmpton Branch by Stanley Jenkins & Chris Turner – the history and operation of the branch. A Signalman’s Day at Monmouth (Troy) by Fred Hunter. The ‘Earls’ at Work by John Copsey. Modern Minks, Part 1 by John Lewis – covers the 9′ / 17’6″ minks to Diags V21 & V33. Includes drawings in each.
10	Spring	1994		Westbury’s Top Job by Gerry Parkins – working the 8:40 to Paddington. Uxbridge High Street – A follow-up by Chris Turner – additional information and photos to the article in issue 1. General Arrangement Drawing for 3200 Class the ‘Earls’ – for lots 315 & 331 Drawing dated January 1940. Chard – three colour photos by R C Riley. Modern Minks, Part 2 by John Lewis – a detailed look at Minks to Dia V23, V24and V40.
11	Summer	1994		General Arrangement Drawing 2884 class 2-8-0 – Drawing No 109101.
12	Autumn	1994		[Newton Abbot] Operations at Ashburton by Chris Turner – the operation and traffic on the branch. Modern Minks, Part 3 by John Lewis – Dia V26 Partos.
13	Winter	1995		Uxbridge Vine Street by Stanley Jenkins & Chris Turner – the history, development, traffic and operation of this branch. Concrete Post & Wire Fencing
14	Spring	1995		Modern Minks, Part 4 by John Lewis – Covers dia V34, V36, V37, V38 & V39.
15	Summer	1995		Congresbury by Mike Christensen and Chris Turner – history, development and operation of the one-time junction station on the ‘Cheddar Valley’ branch. ’78xxs’ in Traffic by John Copsey. Arrangement Drawing 7800 Class (Manors) – the GW built locos Lot 316 Drawing No 107421.
16	Autumn	1995		The Aberayron Branch by William Smith & Chris Turner – the history, development, operation and traffic of the branch. 4555 A Preservation Pioneer by Gerry Beale – the history of 45xx 2-6-2T No 4555. General Arrangement Drawing 45xx class – the last series No 4555 – 74 Lot 226 Drawings No 72031 & 72032. Large Minks by John Lewis – notes on Minks C & G Dias V7 & V22.
17	Winter	1996		Postwar Tavistock by Chris Turner – operation and traffic.
18	Spring	1996		Power Signalling at Bristol Temple Meads by Peter Harris – full details and diagrams of the 1935 scheme. ’72xx’ Goods Tanks by John Copsey – the history, use, allocations and some turns of these large 2-8-2Ts. [Ashburton]
19	Summer	1996		General Arrangement Drawing 43xx Class – short cab Lot 183 Drawing No 42120 dated August 1910. ’43xxs’ to Barnstable by John Copsey – a detailed look at the use of these 2-6-0s on this branch. GWR Shunting Trucks, Part 1 by John Lewis – a look at the early examples.
20	Autumn	1996		GWR Dennis Dropside – four photos of Dennis lorry No 2647 at Queensbury March 1939. Twyford – three photos by R Blenkinsop. Marsh Mills – three colour photos by R C Riley.
21	Winter	1997		Brixham Branch Operation and Traffic in the 1940s by Chris Turner. GWR Shunting Trucks, Part 2 by John Lewis.
22	Spring	1997		48xx Auto Engines, Part 1 by John Copsey – the use, duties and allocation of these 0-4-2T locomotives during the GW era. Includes the General Arrangement drawing.
23	Summer	1997		Chipping Norton by Chris Turner – operation and traffic from the mid-1920s. 48xx Auto Engines, Part 2 – duties and allocations of these locomotives, now renumbered to the 14xx series, during BR days. Includes a set of detailed photos.
24	Autumn	1997		GWR Shunting Trucks, Part 3 by John Lewis – diag M1 wagons. ‘2251’ Class Mixed Traffic 0-6-0s by John Copsey – their use, duties and allocation. General Arrangement Drawing 2251 Class (Collett Goods) – Drawing No. 102601 Lot 283.
25	Winter	1998		Memories of Kingswear in the GWR’s Last Decade by Chris Turner – operation, workings and traffic.
26	Spring	1998		Newton Fitter, Part 1 by Herbert Smith – experiences of a fitter at Newton Abbot. GWR Shunting Trucks, Part 4 by John Lewis – covers Diags. M2, M3, M4 & M5 Development and allocations.
27	Summer	1998		Wartime Sunday Working at Devizes by Bill Crosbie-Hill. ‘Granges’ at Work, Part 1 by John Copsey – history, duties and allocations. General Arrangement Drawing 6800 Class – drawings No. 110530, 106700 & ? Lot 308 Newton Fitter, Part 2 by Herbert Smith.
28	Autumn	1998		[Dainton] The Super Saloons by John Lewis – construction details, naming. ‘Granges’ at Work, Part 1 by John Copsey.
29	Winter	1999		Newton Fitter, Part 3 by Herbert Smith. GWR Shunting Trucks, Part 5 by John Lewis – Post 1944 allocations.
30	Spring	1999		The Cardigan Branch by Stanley Jenkins & Chris Turner – history, development operation and traffic. Standard Cast Iron Posts for Station Name Boards – an undated Engineer’s Office drawing.
31	Summer	1999	()
32	Autumn	1999	()…
33	Winter	2000
34	Spring	2000
35	Summer	2000
36	Autumn	2000
37	Winter	2001
38	Spring	2001
39	Summer	2001
40	Autumn	2001
41	Winter	2002
42	Spring	2002
43	Summer	2002
44	Autumn	2002
45	Winter	2003
46	Spring	2003
47	Summer	2003
48	Autumn	2003
49	Winter	2004
50	Spring	2004
51	Summer	2004
52	Autumn	2004
53	Winter	2005
54	Spring	2005
55	Summer	2005	()
56	Autumn	2005		[Hemyock] GWR Post & Wire Fencing – drawings of the use of Old Bridge Rails as straining sand intermediate posts. Local Freight Working on the Radstock Line by John Copsey – operation and traffic from the turn of the century to the closure. S & T Maintenance on the Cheddar Valley, Part 3 by Brian Hillier.
57	Winter	2006	()
58	Spring	2006
59	Summer	2006
60	Autumn	2006
61	Winter	2007
62	Spring	2007
63	Summer	2007
64	Autumn	2007
65	Winter	2008		Traffic Operations on the Bodmin Branch by John Copsey – 30585.
66	Spring	2008
67	Summer	2008
68	Autumn	2008
69	Winter	2009
70	Spring	2009
71	Summer	2009
72	Autumn	2009
73	Winter	2010
74	Spring	2010
75	Summer	2010
76	Autumn	2010
77	Winter	2011
78	Spring	2011
79	Summer	2011
80	Autumn	2011
81	Winter	2012
82	Spring	2012
83	Summer	2012
84	Early Winter	2013
85	Late Winter	2013
86	Early Summer	2013
87	Late Summer	2013
88	Autumn	2013
89	Winter	2014
90	Spring	2014
91	Summer	2014
92	Autumn	2014
93	Winter	2015
94	Spring	2015
95	Summer	2015
96	Autumn	2015
97	Winter	2016
98	Spring	2016
99	Summer	2016
100	Autumn	2016
101	Winter	2017
102	Spring	2017
103	November	2017

Collection
Wanted
For Sale/Exchange