The Spring cleaning of the yard continued, with the Per way team
collecting assorted sleepers from around the yard, some went for
regrading, whilst reusable ones were transported to Shottle. More scrap
was recovered.
Please remember that the Museum line must now remain clear from Rod's
Cabim northwards to the 3 way point.
The Shunter team resumed work on Kirtley, changing the batteries and
working on some plumbing. Kirtley ended with a run up the Incline and
behaved well.Buffers were also taken off the donor loco for exchange
with the bad ones on Faraday.
Some light shunting of the DMU stock was also undertaken.
This has been a year of great expansion for our railway, next year
promises to be even more so. All our different teams have worked well
and have achieved a great deal. The next 20 months should see us
opening to Duffield, so there remains a great deal to do. Many thanks
to all concerned who have helped with this project.
Have a happy New Year and I shall expect everyone back to normal next
week.
Phil
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A day of much endevour, with many members turning up to work off the
excesses of the Yuletide spirit,
A hyper mega shunt of the yard meant that some vehicles were exchanged
on the Museum line, with the Shark transferred to the paint shop,
whilst the Ogre's castle was put on the Museum line. Loco 11520 was
also promoted to the vistors area.
The Gleaming steaming team turned out en masse and enjoyed themselves
working to free the foundation ring whilst others were needle gunning
the tank. Routine servicing and clearing of D2158 following its work at
Duffield recently. Routine servicing also took place on Faraday and
antifreeze was placed in the radiator of Kirtley.
The VCT gang went down the line to carry out some emergency fence
repairs south of
Shottle, some replacement stiles are also required. They then returned
to the Old Lane area, where they managed three fires and recovered some
further scrap chairs.
Several visitors came for a look around, and some logs were sold by
the logging Dept., who were also here mob handed creating more bags of
logs to sell.
David Statham has now been discharged from hospital following his
recent heart attack and is now at home - now the boring bit starts,
believe me! Hoping for a speedy recovery.
Once again some serious admin work to meet deadlines for the end of
the year.
Tomorrow sees more crealance in the Yard at Wirksworth.
Phil
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I have been asked to convey the following report on behalf of Mr John
Ball, Duty Manager:
A dry if rather cold day with a modest number of passengers using the
Ravenstor service, but at least into double figures.
The conscript and his close personal friend completed the primer
undercoating of the Briefly Green Container and this is now ready to
accept its gloss coat of magnolia and burgundy, unfortunately we don't
have any gloss magnolia or burgundy at the moment, but in any case it is
rather too cold for gloss to dry effectively.
In the department of engineering, major work continued on D2158 in the
general area of its parts. Also in the department of engineering a
wide-ranging movement of valuable railway artefacts took place to enable
the generator which was formerly in Iris (when it was a test car) to be
mounted in the engineers container, in order to provide power to weld
DMUs and save us having to transport said DMUs to another nearby
heritage railway famous for its Much Bigger Shed and proximity to the
Butterley Pie and Tart Shoppe.
In the division of Lavatorial Infrastructure, now under the supervision
of Mr I C Todger, some cosmetic work has been taking place to ensure
that the Staff can be used more comfortably as Emergency Ladies in the
future, and a whole £7.99 has been spent on a new mirror. If the paint
is not dry in the morning please do not sit on the seat.
All the best,
Anton
A day of little activity. However the Dream Steam Team were here mob
handed (nearly), they needle gunned, removed studs, worked on cylinder
covers , and generally had a jolly time, and finished all of the minced
pies.
The woodcutters were here and chopped wood, some logs were recovered
from north of Cemetery Lane. The Passenger Services dept were busy with
phone calls, as well as some visitors.
A lot of end of year reports were carried out in the Admin centre, as
well as future planning.
Next Tuesday, we require train crew as a big shunt is required in the
yard, to move the Shark and numerous other vehicles for customer
requirements.
As far as progress is concerned, I have been looking back over the
notes of late. In December last year we were struggling with fishplate
bolts at Gorsey Bank, when the rail temperature dropped sharply and we
had a devil of a job to reconnect the main line. That was part of the
fishplate greasing. Since then we have completed and had inspected the
line to Idridgehay, which is now open for passenger running, making us
the longest heritage line in Derbyshire.
A Narrow gauge line has been completed and now awaits signing off. The
Gatex got into its stride as a Buffet and has also been transformed and
will be dealing with the public seriously next season. The VCT have
worked miracles on clearing lineside growth and have opened up the
views. Locos and DMUs have been worked on under cover and have managed
to keep the trains rolling.
This has been a fantastic year and next year will be even more so,
with new equipment and opportunities in all departments. After all, who
knows what the future holds. I know that the whole team have worked in
a great fashion and will surely rise to the challenges yet to come.
May I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and hope to
see you next week.
Phil
50% off the best games of 2008 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/games
_____________________________________________________
Let there be light!
Anton has been busy fixing new ornamental lights on the outside of the
Admin block and the foot crossing between the platforms. They have been
wired in for the short term and are operational. The ones on the foot
crossing are switched on in the Weighbridge. The ones on the Admin
suite are on a timer from Martin's office. Well done.
The IMT carried out track inspection which included checking
fishplates between Idridgehay and Barnsley Lane, several bolts were
tightened up, the cross drain on the Racing Straight had to be rodded
again but yielded to pressure. This will have more machine attention
W/c 12th Jan. The team then carried out a track walk on the Incline so
that it is ready for the intensive workload over this coming weekend.
Nearly all Santa trains are fully loaded this weekend with some people
booking today. We have got a waiting list!
A minor check was carried out on our new Landrover, and it was given a
good wash to get it up to our standard. This vehicle has come to us
from Harsco Track Technologies, who have been using us for testing work
in the past. I am delighted to say that a new contract for testing has
been agreed between us, on a similar basis to Sperry Rail. This is
excellent news and provides them with testing and storage facilities
and gives us a good income for further work. Harsco were testing
yesterday and are very pleased with the improvements made since their
last visit. They were very complimentary on the clearance work done and
pleased to see that our yellow landrover uses their rail gear (we have
had spares for that vehicle from them). Another cause for celebration.
Certainly the hard work of members carrying out track upgrades as well
as the huge amount of clearance work achieved, is paying dividends and
as we saw on Wednesday the potential for passenger traffic heading
south suddenly appears much brighter.The fact that a two car set went
to Duffield on the 'Workers special' shows what can be done, and what
needs to be done. With the first steam hauled passenger train from
Wirksworth to Duffield booked for October 2010, there remains a great
deal to do, but with the aquisitions made this week and further income
sources coming in, the prospects seem very good indeed. A big well done
to all concerned, it is a great team effort which allows us to look
forward with greater confidence.
Phil
50% off the best games of 2008 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/games
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Today saw the slightly delayed 8th anniversarry special and Christmas
'do' for the working members. Iris and the Bubble car ran around the
yard and Incline before setting off to make a non stop run to Duffield
- at least it was planned as a nonstop run, but we found some sheep
baa..ing the way just south of Shottle. We ran non stop from Duffield
back to Wirksworth where a sumptious feast awaited us (it says here).
It was the first time that we used outside caterers for this event and
it was a little less in quantity than one might have hoped.
Certainly it was a chance for those who work in the Booking Hall, or
who work back at Wirksworth to have a whole line trip - one forgets
that some members have not been down the line before. The changes that
have taken place are truly awesome (dont you hate that expression). A
great thank you to everyone who has helped out throughout the years.
Also thanks to the team who helped with the catering, it was a scratch
team who achieved very good results - thannk you
Sperry Rail were also here today carrying out some driver training
with their Unimog, they also had a run down the line.
Found Property - A Whistle has been found in the yard, attached to it
is keyring from another preserved railway. If it is yours and you can
name the railway, the whistle is in the office.
Tomorrow sees not one but two companies coming for whole line testing,
there is little opportunity for trackside work.
Phil
50% off the best games of 2008 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/games
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I know what you are thinking......Whats he doing here again. Well
today was the first day of this years Santa Specials. We ram three
trains from Platform 3 up to Ravenstor where Santa was with Jack and
the Beanstalk (Oh no he wasnt.. oh yes he was) The customers saw the
Giant (Fe, Fi Foh For, I am the Giant of Ravenstor), and also saw
Henrietta and the golden egg. The trains were driven by Jack, etc. etc.
After visiting Santa the guests returned to Wirksworth for Mince pies,
etc. It is a good tried and tested formula which works very well
indeed. Congratulations to everyone involved It was day when everyone
mucked in together - even the Duty Manager was waiting on and doing the
washing up. Everyone enjoyed the event and much favourable comment was
made.The rain fell nearly all day, just stopping when the last train
arrived back at Wirksworth. The Buffet Car and Gatex were fully in use,
and everthing worked perfectly, Passengers were pleased that the DMU
was heated!
Another team carried on with the restoration pof the 117with attention
being paid to the windows and their surrounds.
Phil.
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Another cold and crisp day with activity mainly centered at Duffield.
Once again the Per way team split into two. One team completed the
jacking and packing of the turnout, then the whole new layout was
packed with the 'Kango' hammers. The turnout is now reasonably secure.
The other team dropped stone in the siding line and then ran out some
more sleepers and also installed the next two short rails. Tomorrow
sees the end of work at Duffield for the moment. We now have a short
operational siding.
Back at base, the checking of the First Aid boxes was completed, and
the burst pipe in the Buffet car was sorted out. The carpets were dried
and the heating left on to further aid drying out prior to the weekend.
The Firewood dept were again in full swing to catch up with orders.
The Booking Hall team dealt with some more enquiries regarding Santa
Bookings - not much time left.
Tomorrow sees some light shunting in the yard before going to
Duffield. Duffield arrival time expected to be 11.00.
Phil
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________________________________________________
A cold and crisp day with brilliant winter sunshine. Just the day for
some light exercise. So the Per way team set off for sunny Duffield,
all the junction and lifting plates were sorted on the new pointwork
and most of the turnout has been jacked and packed - no one cold after
that! The rest will be completed tomorrow. Rodders put in an
appearance, but when offered a shovel so that he could help, he claimed
that he didn't know which end to sit on and beat a hasty retreat.
The VCT continued work near to Jebbs Lane, where a big area has been
opened up and a new fence errected, they had a two fire day - probibly
cold! More logs were produced, these were collected by the returning
works train . So another customer will have a warm Christmas. Our own
logging and Firewood dept chopped some more firewood for those who want
hand crafted logs
Back at base, Santa's little Grotto has been completed and outshopped.
It is ready for the massed hoards that will arrive this weekend. The
inside is a closely guarded secret but Rod and Mary have done a really
good job in converting the Brake Van into a Giants castle Fe-Fi-Fo Fum
etc.
The Dream Steam team lept warn using the boiler of No 3,, they have
turned it onto it side and have extracted the Foundation Ring - sounds
painfull.
As the Booking Hall was unmanned, until Pat Lidgett turned up, there
was a flurry of last minute bookings for Santa, which Martin had to
deal with, Martin was glad when he had some back up to take over the
phones.
Dave N, found a burst pipe in the new Buffet Car following the cold
weather and started bailing out the vehicl ready for the weekend -
Remember to leave the heating on in the Buffet Car whilst this cold
weather keeps up.
Fred and Iris gave the Mess Room a good sort out. There was another
very generous contribution to the RRV fundwhich means that a visit will
be paid next week to hopefully bring the purchase of the machine to a
satisfactory conclussion.
Tomorrow sees further work at Duffield, works train leaves at 0930 and
arrives at Duffield around 1030 ish. Tomorrow and Thursday will see the
conpletion of the installation of the point, and hopefully its
commissioning as well as a short siding being made available.
Phil
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A sunny winters day which saw the Wirksworth Christmas Extravaganza
bring us two passengers and the Egyptian Tourist Bureau three more,
consequently the on-demand service to Ravenstor chugged bravely up the
hill, but only briefly.
Engineering work proceeded apace however, and a compressor was replaced
on D2158 and this locomotive is now operational. In the class 31 the AV
board was exchanged. The class 119 Appreciation Society appears to have
gone shopping but a small contingent proceeded with a large amount of
screwing (technically, unscrewing) and the ceiling panels are now off
ready for further work.
Around the station, the quad was decorated for Christmas and the full
panoply of of coloured lights was turned on causing a brown-out in
Gorsey Bank. A set of PW lights has also been put up to illuminate the
crossing, please note these have been carefully adjusted not to shine in
people's eyes. Further work was done on the gents door, which has now
received a door stop, though not yet the promised closer. Please note
this door sticks a little at the moment. Will station staff please note
we have used all the salt, however there is some sand in the weighbridge
in the event of icing, and doubtless a road bin can be raided in an
emergency, while we await deliveries.
Duffield Station was inspected and the staff there were found to have
been undertaking further work on the fencing.
All the best,
Anton
Another day with a hard frost but a clear crisp sort of day,
absolutely right for some gentle exercise.
The Per way team headed south and collected a wagon load of logs and
made them ready for a customer to collect. The team then continued to
Duffield where they split into two teams. One team replaced some track
material inside the tunnel, including three new sleepers, baseplates
and spikes, and packed the joint. The other team plated up the first
panel of the siding and started clipping down, a lot more work before
it can be run on though. An early finish was assured as we had to pick
up the empty wagon and reload with logs, unfortunately the load had not
been collected. Possibly just as well as we have almost run out of
logs, certainly not another wagon full
Back at base, the Shark got further attention to the rain strips and
other fixtures, whilst Stuart continued with the wiring up of the
various power tools etc in the maintenance area.
Martin was busy being creative. Also Pat L stepped in to the Booking
Office at short notice to recieve more enquiries and bookings for
Santa.
Tomorrow we will meet at Wirksworth - subject to weather conditions.
Phil
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__________________________________________________________
A cold and snowy day, but a day when several 'roun-tuit' jobs were
carried out.
The VCT headed south to repair a length of fence near Mp 139, where
cattle had been wandering, new posts were inserted and fencing material
was added. work will conclude on Thursday, but the beasts are secure.
The Per way team had a sort out of the tool van as well as the Brake
van following intense activity, some restocking was also carried out.
Faraday had repairs carried out to the fuel coupler and was released
for service after lunch. The Per way team carried out some shunting
before venturing down south to collect a wagon full of logs, which were
duly unloaded for the woodcutters dept. More to be collected tomorrow
for an increasing list of customers.
The Dream Steam Team were busy at their end of the yard where
sandboxes were readied and painted as well as more boiler/firebox
works. The Shark had work done to the roof and is now almost ready for
traffic.
Down at Duffield, some clearing up took place in the environs of the
cabin and more fence panels were added to the boundaries in various
locations.
The Gents toilets at Wirksworth had some more TLC applied after the
new door was fitted last week.
Tomorrow sees the works train departing by 0930, collecting more logs
and detatching the waggon en route for some further work at Duffield -
sorry I dont know that arrival time.
Phil
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