Tues 20th May

Evenin' all,

Another warm and sunny day saw all activity at the northern end of the
line. The VCT (AKA the fencing and Boundary team) spent the day fencing
and carrying out further work at the station entrance and its environs.

In the Shed area, Toffo was preparred for onwards movement, and by
close of play was sitting redy for an early departure.

The decoating gang had a bit of a field day with Wee Yorkie. The
frames were painted a tasteful sort of green colour - the sort of
colour that one turns after 20 pints followed by a rough sea crossing!
So I am told. I am assured that the colour is absolutely the last word
in haute couture, and that Lawrence Llewelyn swears by it.

Meanwhile the per way team had a very fruitful day. A rail was turned
on the Incline to regulate wear. The opportunity was also taken to
respace 4 panels of track where the rails had creapt over the last few
years, this should improve the run.At the same time a rail was noticed
in the long grass. A quick scintific inspection revealed that it was
the left hand stock rail of an 'A' bullhead switch. This was reovered
after luncheon was taken . The rail was relocated to the entrance to
the Pit road, where we are strengthening/ replacing the existing
turnout. Close examination shows the left hand switch blade has very
little wear whilst the rest is very lightweight, and we now have the
parts to carry out a major rebuild. The old sleepers for the switch
panel were also dug out. This may be carried out next week, we will
have to have a two day possession to carry out the work as it is quite
a big job - but once again using what we have to hand.

The passenger services dept had a few visitors and many phone calls,
whilst the loggging department restocked their supplies.

Tomorrow sees a newcustomer on site for 0800 they will be using the
yard. The works train will be working down the line south of Rowlands
crossing.

Phil

________________________
Internet security news and tips - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security

Monday 19th May 2008

Dear all

 

A very pleasant day to welcome "Railway Ramblers" to their private hire taking in Ravenstor and Idridgehay. Many thanks to the David Newby (driver), Vince Morris (multi-tasking guard and guide), Fred & Iris who opened the Buffet Car and Vince Ware who opened the EVRA shop. Many kind comments from the visitors who arrived at 1030 and some did not leave until after 1600 after a long lunch at the Blacks Head!

 

Taking advantage of the cage pallets donated by Rolls Royce a start was made on refiling the permanent way components on site and some clearance of the flangeways in the Car Park took place.

 

Our dmu fleet received an interior clean and some maintenance. Iris returned from its holiday in Wales - if you look on the Railway Herald site there are some interesting images of the vehicle at Llangollen bound for Shottle, Duffield and Ravenstor - quite a journey.

 

The Booking Hall welcomed our visitors, fielded an unusually high number of organisations wishing us to spend our money on advertising, water coolers etc.etc.and turned in a satisfactory financial result.

 

Martin

Progress Report Sunday 18th May 2008

Dear all,

Apologies for the slight delay to today's report which was due to an
excessive queue at Mr Won Hung Lo's Emporium of Chinese Delights, it
being possible to get two number 45s and an egg fried rice but not the
foot massage. Anyway a jolly nice day's weather saw the early departure
of the Sunday P-Way gang off to demonstrate their new tool. Said P-Way
gang drained a catch pit near Derby Road bridge no2 then discovered a
new one filled with ballast and mud, which was dug out. The drains were
then checked as far south as Shottle and the usual obstructions of mud,
fallen wood and dead critters removed to improve the flow.

At Wirksworth the passenger service ran happily backwards and forwards
and passengers were dealt with by a quietly efficient wallet shaking
team in the Booking Hall, the shop and the buffet. In the engineering
dept the Director General of shunters was seen basking on top of an 03
claiming to paint it while wearing a single cup ladies bra on his head,
though he later said he thought it was a dust mask. A number of
conscripts were engaged in various tasks in preparation for Carnival
Weekend including the clearing and tidying of the area by the Kave cabin
where a new micro container has arrived, they also moved a large amount
of sand to the picnic area path to bind it.

Most of the day at Wirksworth was taken up by a major assault on the tat
which had accumulated around the weighbridge and the conscripts were
assisted in this by Mr J Silvester who had innocently turned up for a
quiet day out. A large number of items have been filed in their correct
places and several piles of Comprehensive Railway Aggregate Product were
moved to new locations to improve the visual delight of our endeavour. A
cull of wheelbarrows has also taken place as the ones with no wheels
have been breeding out of control behind the weighbridge. We have now
shortened the odds of getting a wheelbarrow with both a barrow and a
wheel from "no chance" to evens. Some work was done on poster boards.
Platform 3 north end post and chain was repaired. The platform webcam
was addressed with a micrometer and a lump hammer, and platform 1 at
least is in now sharp focus. The embankment garden was weeded. The
former dust dock received its marking out as car parking for next
weekend and a blue fence was attached down the car park ramp to prevent
people's dogs from throwing themselves onto the Weighbridge roof. The
north end footcrossing received attention in ways too numerous to
mention and the sandpaper is now worn out.

All the best,
Anton

AGM Saturday 17th May 2008

Dear all

 

A pleasant celebration of the Company's AGM with both services to Idridgehay and Ravenstor coupled with a display of some of our service vehicles. Behind the scenes saw activity to ballast fettle south of Ken Rowlands crossing, the replacement of a blowing manifold on "Dolly" and the EVRA shop being staffed by Lorna Bentley.

 

The Booking Hall welcomed a number of visitors including the Belper Historical Society ably shepparded by Vince Morris and the Buffet Car enjoyed a steady trade.

 

At the AGM there must be special thanks to Mr and Mrs Kenning who ensured the shareholders had refreshments and Neil FL who provided an entertaining review of the year.

 

A reminder of how far we have come in a few years brings a glow of self congratulation and a determination to achieve even more - here's to the Dash to Duffield!

 

Martin

Friday 16th May 2008

Dear all

 

A day of preparation for AGM day tomorrow including a great deal of strimming and the hanging of banners. Opportunity was taken to weed treat the whole of the Gorsey Bank line together with the various Tube Lines lineside installations. Work continued on the Incline dmu and the "Bubble" car. Helen-Louise had a water leak cured ensuring she is available for the Bank Holiday weekend.

 

A good, if slightly chilly, day

 

Martin

Carnival Information Updated

Morning all,

I have just updated the information that we have on next weekends carnival. It can be accessed by clicking on the banner on the www.e-v-r.com homepage.

Having a scout around the net, I can't find any other site that gives any details of the weekends proceedings!

Cheers,

Leigh

Thursday 15th May 2008

Dear all

 

A fairly quiet day with many of our team on holiday. Nonetheless the VCT made strides with a new fence opposite Wirksworth Booking Hall and a small Permament Way team moved spoil previously excavated in connection with retimbering the Yard pointwork. Logs were also discharged from the Flatrol and Brakevan balconies to the Logging Dept. Claire was oiled up over the pit and then moved to Platform 1 to receive a makeover ready for a starring role on AGM Saturday.

 

A foray to Gorsey Bank raised the road salt box on timbers for ease of movement with the JCB on Saturday and our new relationship with the Gas Main folk resulted in the pot holes on the level crossing being, roughly, filled in.

 

Helen-Louise had a couple of air leaks remedied and the narrow gauge project progressed quietly in the distance.

 

The sunshine brought a few visitors for a look round.

 

Martin