Sunday, 30 November 2008
Progress Sunday 30th November 2008
Its been quite a productive day where yet again the temperature barely got above freezing all day.
First thing this morning the decision was taken to venture to Duffield to collect the works train that had been stabled there during the week. Unusually, DMUs would provide the motive power for this task. After the bubble car and 117 power car had been connected together to run in multiple they ventured down the line. Once the consist had passed Hazelwood it was a stop/start affair as all of the trees and bushes that were going to hit the train were cut off. There is still alot of work to do! The train finally arrived at Duffield station three and a half hours after leaving Wirksworth and coupled up to the four goods wagons. Incidentally, this is believed to be the first DMU on our line to visit Duffield Station since a Cadet Special in December 2006 and it is also the first DMU consist over the fresh new pointwork laid this week! The units then pulled back the wagons at line speed as if they weren't even there. Such a strange consist forced people into taking random photographs from bridges as the train passed. Just for the record, DMUs are still not allowed south of Idridgehay without specific permission from the DMU Manager.
Back at base, Rod started early putting some finishing touches to the castle ready for Santa and the Christmas decorations were hung inside the Booking Hall. Iris ran the service today and there were loadings on each run, with some of the passengers splashing their cash in the EVRA shop.
A large Dream Steam Team were also in action down the yard making various bits glow and a team of two conscripts fettled the Narrow Gauge.
All in all, not bad,
John Ball
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Progress Report Saturday 29th November 2008
Friday, 28 November 2008
Operation "Gateway to the Peak" Day Five Friday 28th November 2008
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Operation "Gateway to the Peak" Day Four Thursday 27th November 2008
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Operation "Gateway to the Peak" Day Three Wednesday 26th November 2008
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Operation "Gateway to the Peak" Day Two Tuesday 25th November 2008
Monday, 24 November 2008
Operation "Gateway to the Peak" Day One Monday 24th November 2008
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Progress Report Sunday 23rd November 2008
A slight chill in the air saw the day start with the ritual clearing and
salting of the platform, which, typically, finished just in time for the
sun to come out. The first despatch of the day saw Carline's Drains and
Rods off to Alton Mill bridge in search of a blocked drain and although
this was found it proved intractable to the heroic manpower available
and the team therefore proceeded to Duffield where they were able to
make very encouraging progress identifying and clearing another catch
pit and cross drain north of the tunnel. The Duffield staff themselves
were busy preparing the station accommodation for tomorrow's sudden rush.
Back at Wirksworth, a long list of routine tasks was attended to
including further litter removal from many parts of the site; the
recovery of blue fencing from the former picnic area; the repair of
signs both at the dust dock and at the north end of platform 3; the
clearance of two bins from the garage area; the fitting of new blinds in
the Booking Hall and the repair of the staff toilet window.
In engineering, the class 119 Appreciation Society (Conscripts Branch)
completed the rust removal on the panelling at the south end of the unit
begun yesterday; railcar 51188 had its door handles repaired; and
battery charging was undertaken on the class 20 prior to a short test run.
All the best,
Anton
Friday, 21 November 2008
Friday 21st November 2008
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Thursday 20th November 2008
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Wed 19th Nov
The mini digger has now reached the Sough at Callow Park. Steve
reckons that he has shifted 2.500 tons of vegetation, felled tree
trunks, slurry and mud from the 'Racing Straight' over the last 10 days
- not bad!
The works train continued to Shottle to pick up the rest of the
troops. The last 'bad joint was cut out and new closure rail added. The
run from Idridgehay to Shottle is now much better and awaits the next
visit of the welders. Other members of the team travelled the section
gathereing odd offcuts of rail and the unusable bits which will go into
store until the price goes back up again. After lunch, a start was made
on the north end of Shottle loop. Several sleepers on the main line
were moved and many base plates were positioned. We ran out of time to
put the firstv rail in, but it is not far off.
Back at Wirksworth, Stuart carried on fitting the electrics to the
workshop area. Roy and Les (the famous 70's double act measured up the
toilet door to the Gents, and will no doubt return with a newly
fabricated door and frame in due course. Both Santa's Grotto and the
Shark Brake Van continued to get some refurbishment, whilst the Buffet
Car was readied fo some guests on Fridqay.
Generally speaking a very busy and productive day.
Tomorrow sees the works train delivering the digger at 0830 before
returning to Wirksworth. to pick up members who will be working with
the digger to remove tree stumps etc.
Shottle access will be closed tomorrow.
Phil
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Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Tues 18th Nov
After a damp start, it turned into a lovely day. The digger was
again delivered to site by 0900, and magaged to clear another 50 yards
or so of drainage, before the works train went to Shottle. Two 60'
rails were dragged into position by the Shottle North Trap point,
before we set off for a site north of Willow Crossing. Two further bad
joints were removed and a rail was turned. This leaves one more bad
joint between Idridgehay and Shottle. A new culvert was also located
and an attempt made to free the water. More work to continue. The Disc
Cutter was returned to us after repair -someone had been running it on
neat petrol!! Mixed 2 stroke fuel is in the green can.
The VCT repaired a stile on the Hannages before continuing with their
clearance work between Jebbs Lane and Barnsley Lane.
Back at Wirksworth, the Steam Team continued with boiler work on No 3.
they were removing the sling stays. More work continued on the Buffet
Car refurbishment, with new lighting and fittings being added. The
logging department were in full swing and will be requiring more stock
shortly. The Booking Hall remained fairly quiet, but remained open
until the works train got back so that they could make some money. The
EVRA Bookshop had a restocking session after several recent sales
events.
Tomorrow sees another early start, with the works train leaving
Wirksworth by 0830. It will continue to Shottle arriving by 0930. It
will then return towards Idridgehay repairing the last bad joint, and
collecting bits and pieces, hopefully a start will be made on Shottle
Loop (or as we call it a Siding)
Phil
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Monday, 17 November 2008
Monday 17th Nov
What a soggy, mizzly day, but are we down-hearted? Well, perhaps a
tad. The ditching train was away at first light once again working
north fromAlton Manor towards Callow Park. The rains will be flushing
the water away, anyway.
Some shunting was carried out in the Shed, with various coached being
shunted to allow painting and maintenance to be carried out.
Much paperwork and planning being finalised for the Duffield project
starting next week
Some further repair work to the Shark, which should be back in use
shortly, John in the Booking Hall had a very quiet day, apart from
people wanting to sell us things!
Tomorrow again sees an 0830 departure from Wirksworth picking up staff
at Shottle North at about 0930.
Phil
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_____________________________________________________________________
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Progress Sunday 16th November 2008
There was a plethora of volunteers on site today performing all sorts of wonderful tasks across the whole empire!
The Passenger Department were out in force today, not only carrying reasonable loads of passengers to Ravenstor, but also carrying out other station maintenance tasks. Our new Deputy Stationmaster took the opportunity to walk the whole site at Wirksworth litter picking whilst his 'boss' hid in the stores tidying them up! Other small jobs were also completed including fixing the First Open trolley locks and repairing the gate verge. A timer has also been added to the Station Overview webcam, so there is no need to interfere with that camera any more.
Bright and early this morning, some paint was added to the drivers desk of the 117 and the Class 20 Locomotive Society were seen charging their batteries before throbbing off down the line behind Carline Drains and Co for some driver training. At the rear of the shed the Dream Steam Team were in force once again and were making very good progress.
Whilst the paint in the 117 was drying, the opportunity was taken to carry out another task from the endless list of jobs to do on the 119. It was pulled down into the platform and with the aid of a pressure washer, a body wash was completed and the moss was blasted off. At the same time, the washing equipment was used to give the GLV a clean down externally too.
Some more adjustments were made to the Giants castle ready for Santa and down at Duffield, some carpentry was done inside the cabin.
John Ball
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Progress Report 15.11.08
A small but perfectly formed team of volunteers showed up on this rather damp November day, with most of the activity happening down the yard.
The first meeting of the Class 119 Appreciation Society was held and lots of old drawings, photos and mechanical parts were studied. Mr Billing brought with him a large pad to create a task list and this is filling up with great rapidity! A start was made on the Class119 restoration and luggage racks were removed. The first class compartment was also cleaned out so that the real work can begin next week.
Meanwhile, we were visited by a group from the Lancashire Locomotive Society, they took many photographs and "griced" all of our rolling stock.
The booking hall and the EVRA shop fielded the usual enquires.
All in all a useful and productive day.
Regards,
John Stokes on behalf of Mike Evans.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Friday 14th November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Thursday 13th November 2008
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Wed 12th Nov
Another early start saw the works train leaving Wirksworth at 0830,
with Steve and the Digger being delivered to the Alton Manor and Callow
Park Navigation by about 8.55. The train then continued to Shottle
where a large number of volunteers were waiting. Three bad joints were
cut out and new closure rails added. It would have been more but there
were problems with the Disc Cutter ( which has now been sent for a
service). Meanwhile the old and trusty reciprocating saw was fetched
out of retirement . Other rails were laid out for continuing work next
week. The Wednesday Luncheon club had two sittings so that work could
continue. We had to leave site early to collect Steve from the swamp.
Sperry Rail were on site very early, they had results from their tests
from an earlier visit and had to check the results It is remarkable
what faults may lurk which the eye cannot see, and this is excellent
training for them. They will be returning tomorrow to continue proving
their data.
Grotto branch of the Dream Steam Team continued work on the boiler of
No 3. More electrical work was carried out in the Buffet Car, things
are now really taking shape. Wiring of recently acquired machine tools
also continued to help in the maintenance of our equipment. Work also
continued on Santa's Grotto and further maintenance to the Shark
Ballast plough.
Today saw the arrival of a 12 ton servicing crane, this is for use in
the yard and will assist in numerous projects It has come from Etches
Park.
Fred, Iris, Dorothy and Howard all were involved on the domestic
front, not only servicing the Mess Room , but in carrying out winter
planting in the planters at Base.
Tomorrow sees another 0830 departure from Wirksworh, in order to
partake of the solar lighting. We will be giving Steve a hand at Alton
Manor before loading up with materials from Shottle to transport to
Duffield, where some prepping work will take place
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Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Tues 11th Nov
The Works train was away by 0830 with the Digger actually starting
work on the Racing Straight drains by 0900'. By the time the machine
was picked up another 100 m had been cleared and a new ditch dug.
The Per way team joined the train at Shottle and spent some tinme
recovering material, repositioning the concrete sleepers that had to be
moved fror the welders. Another bad joint was cut out, and another lake
was disposed of by clearing out a drin. The two minute silence was
observed.
The VCT stopped by the Digger to render any assistance before
continuing to the area between Jebbs Lane and Barnsley lane for more
clearance.
A boiler Inspector dropped in on the Dream Steam Team, and was very
satisfied with the work carried out thus far on N0 3.The front
Tubeplate has been removed, whilst more boiler descaling was carried
out. Once again Spring Cleaning took place.
L5 completed its EMC test, and has now departed.
Further work was carried out in the Buffet Car to improve the
electrical fixtures and fittings. David N has been plodding away on
this task for several weeks. It is rather difficult as the Buffet Car
has to be open for business at weekends. The Booking Hall dealt with
its visitor and once again had several enquiries for the Sant Specials
as well as the usual people not selling things but merely carrying out
a survey!.
An abridged mention from our collegue at Duffield says that a little
more strimming was carried out. I thought that I would omit the bits
about it being a warm sunny day, whilst the birds were merrily
twittering in the trees etc......
Dont forget, that tomorrow, the Works Train will be leaving Wirksworth
by 0830 and will be at Shottle by about 0930 - members to join at
Shottle after signing in at Peak Oil - there are still vacancies for
drivers and guards for the next two weeks. Leaving Wirksworth by 0830.
Phil
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Monday, 10 November 2008
Monday 10th November 2008
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Sunday 9th November 2008
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Progress Saturday 8th November 2008
First of all, a big "sorry" to all those who await the report - we wanted to wait until the evening services for the National Stone Centre Fireworks Extravaganza had finished!
Early this morning, a small but perfectly formed team assembled on site. Most of the activity was to be down the shed. The internal refresh of the 117 power car continued, with a second coat of white being applied to the cab ceiling and a first coat of grey was added to the walls. A second coat will be added tomorrow. This was a useful exercise because we discovered that cadets can also paint!
In the meantime, way up yonder (well across the other side of the shed), further stripping occured in the 117 centre car. The last few remaining seat frames and doors were removed and placed into store. The vehicle is now ready to leave.
Work stopped short today to enable preparation for the evening shuttle services up to the Stone Centre for their fireworks party. As dusk fell the crew prepared the unit and got the heaters roasting the interior. A test run was then done and our excited new "Lamp Man" laid out a full compliment of headlamps and bardic lamps to light Ravenstor station and the exit path.
The evening then went smoothly. I am told that the Stone Centre sold 2000 tickets for tonights show and a fair few of them decided the best way to get there was by train. We had far more than the Wapentake evening services! In fact, we took more back that we took there - probably because people weren't quite expecting the monsoon that was about to follow! Running a service in the dark is a difficult and daunting task (especially in monsoon conditions), but everybody coped admirably and enjoyment was had by all.
A long but excellent day,
Mike Evans
Friday, 7 November 2008
Fri 7th Nov
This morning saw the completeion of overnight work at Duffield bridge,
where our periodic supervision was required
The DMU team turned out in force, with new batteries being fitted to
Iris, whilst work was carried out on the engines of 57188. More
needlegunning to the roof of 117, and continued stripping of the old
centre car.
The IMT carried out an inspection to Duffield, and were able to
dispose of several small trees that were encroaching, aqs well as
rambling roses and thorns that were scatching the vehicles. They also
readied the recently relaid track south of Idridgehay ready for 3 teams
of welders on Monday. The Booking hall was manned and were able to
welcome a few visitors and spread the word.
The rails for Sperry Rail were collected and taken away to have
'faults' machined into them.
A firm arrived to weigh Sophie the Schoma, it would appear that she
has put on weight recently. I suggested that it was the fresh
Derbyshire air after being stuck in tunnels for so long.
The works train was also readied for its major work next week, it is
on the Car Park awaiting loading at 0800 on Monday. The train will be
leaving Wirksworth by 0830 each day and will go to Shottle after
dropping the digger off, so apart from Monday, per way staff should
report to Shottle - dont forget to sign in/out at Peak Oil. The VCT can
book on at Wirksworth as normal.
Sunday work gang at Duffield using the Landrover.
Phil
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__________________________________________________
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Thursday 6th November 2008
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Wed 5th Nov
A mizzly day with mist and drizzle. The Works train left promptly and
proceeded south of Shottle. The remaining rails as well as the
transition rail were changed in the Up rail. Some concrete sleepers
were moved so the whole section as far as Old Lane Bridge is now ready
to be welded. Some spare closure lengths were also loaded ready for the
remaining joints between Old Lane and Shottle. This rail changing has
been a big job.
The RAIB were on site today, training with some new kit. Theye were
again practicing for a derailment survey on the Wash Green Crossover.
The chance was taken to visit the Racing Straight to carry out some
prepping work for next weeks drainage work.Santa's little grotto
buildersw were also on site getting ready for Christmas.
The Booking Hall staff wre kept fairly busy with visitors as well as
trying to sell valuable stock to our guests
Tomorrow sees the Works train going south after dropping off a load of
logs for the Logging dept.
The VCT have been tasked with clearing some small trees at the bottom
of the Racing Straight as part of the drainage work.
Phil
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Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Tuesday 4th November 2008
Monday, 3 November 2008
Monday 3rd November 2008
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Additional Event Added in 2009
Progress Saturday 1st November 2008
For saying it is the 1st November today and dark nights coming quickly, plenty was achieved today by a small but well formed team.
After a much depleted Carline Drains and Co. had departed for southern climates, work began down in the yard. The Maintenance Team were out in force with various things being accomplished, including filling Faraday with anti-freeze to ensure the works trains can keep throbbing. Also on this note, Kirtley was drained of water. In between this excitement, the remaining engine bay covers from D2084 were painted.
On the pit road, maintenance continued on the 117 power car. A start was made on painting in the cab after weeks of sanding down and preparation. Along with this, a start was also made on replacing some of the bits that had gone missing over the years - the finishing touch was screwing a new nob onto the horn. Down below, the younger offender and his minder continued to scrape the bogies ready for painting.
Also, a few more bits and bobs were removed from the 117 centre car as it enters its final days...
Mike Evans, via Leigh