Telford Steam Railway - Latest News

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

28/11/2023

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 ‘Fireless’ No 1944

This locomotive has been sold, and left the railway on Thursday 23rd November.

The locomotive was built in 1927 and worked at Colemans Mustard and also at Croda Synthetic Chemical Works Ltd. It arrived at Telford Steam Railway in 1994 and had been on static display ever since.

The new owner plans to return the locomotive to operational condition

2ft gauge Ruston Diesel.

Its restoration is progressing well and the owner is hopeful that it will be operational in time for our 2024 season.

Telford Steam Railway attended the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham. Our stand was extremely busy over the weekend, and it was great to meet up with friends old and new.

The Polar Express trains are now up and running with GWR 56XX No. 5619 top n tailing with either BR Class 08 diesel 08757 ‘Eagle’ or BR Class 09 diesel 09107 from the Severn Valley Railway. Feedback from our passengers has been very positive and it is brilliant to see so many happy families enjoying themselves at the railway.

Thank you to Andy. Mark and Doug for the additional information and photographs used in this update.

As the railway is now focusing 100% on running the Polar Express until 23 December, this will be the last news update until the new year. Thank you to everyone who has read the updates and supported the railway during 2023.

Services resume at Easter 2024.

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

20/11/2023

BR Class 09 diesel shunter No. 09 107

A big thank you to our friends at Severn Valley Railway for allowing No. 09 107 to visit us to help cover our Polar Express trains. She arrived on Thursday and will alternate with our own BR Class 08 diesel shunter No 08757 ‘Eagle’, top and tailing with GWR 56XX No 5619. 09 107 is due to stay with us until January.

Another new arrival on Thursday, also from the Severn Valley Railway, was a RUDD wagon (DB972677) This wagon has been purchased by Telford Steam Railway and will be invaluable to us as continue to develop the railway and relay track to Doseley.

Finally, the last remaining Class 104 DMU power car left at the railway departed on Thursday for pastures new. This vehicle is privately owned, and its removal means that for the first time in over 25 years, the railway does not have a 1st generation DMU on site (the privately owned Class 108 DMU is currently on hire at Peak Rail). We do of course have our 3 second generation Pacers though to keep multiple unit fans happy!

After a lot of hard work and long hours from our volunteers, the railway is ready for the Polar Express. Full dress rehearsal trains took place on Saturday and Sunday with lots of excited families on board to have an early meeting with ‘the big man himself’. Feedback has been very positive with the new waffle shack proving to be very popular already. The first public trains start on Friday 24th November. Tickets are selling fast, but there is still some availability on certain dates if you are quick.

https://telfordsteamrailway.digitickets.co.uk/category/45671

Filming for our next episode of ‘Railway Roundup’ took place on Sunday, and once edited will be posted on to our YouTube Channel. Episode 1 has been very popular (currently over 4k views). If you haven’t seen it yet, here is the link

https://youtu.be/kMwXrOruxxQ?si=EWf4JUlNxOdY9IXv

Thank you for to Doug and Ben, for the additional information and photographs used in this update

We are now closed until Friday 24th November, when we start running our Polar Express trains. Please see

https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/polar-days-times-prices-2023.html

For more information and booking details

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

14/11/2023

The loco shed has been tidied for the delivery of two machines that have been donated to the railway from Valco Cincinnati at Hortonwood. These will greatly enhance our engineering capabilities, and we are grateful for their generosity and support.

The final cleaning of the Polar coaches has taken place, ready for the rehearsal trains this weekend.

The large marquee has been erected at Spring Village, and the snowball and commercial areas are being kitted out. The waffle shack and catering trailer are in place at Railway House. The tearoom has been decorated and a new table has been fitted in the kitchen. All the golden tickets have been posted out our customers who will be receiving them shortly.

Stock has been shunted at Lawley to ready for the TOAD to be moved there to provide accommodation for security. A safe waking route has also been created.

Lighting has been installed in Heathhill Tunnel and at Lawley for the North Pole set and Christmas Tree.

A two minute silence was observed at 11am on Remembrance Sunday

Thanks to Dave, Ben and Irene for the additional information used in this update.

We are now closed until Friday 24th November, when we start running our Polar Express trains. Please see

https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/polar-days-times-prices-2023.html

For more information and booking details

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

7/11/2023

BR Class 03 diesel No. D2051/03051

This locomotive arrived at the railway on Thursday 2nd November. It is privately owned, and any plans for the locomotive going forward (including livery!) have not yet been finialised.

GWR 56XX No. 5619

This locomotive is now available for hauling the Polar Express trains starting on 24th November. The headlight, cowcatcher and bell have all been fitted.

2ft Narrow gauge steam tram.

Some maintenance and restoration has begun on the tram body and coach. They have been covered to protect them from the worst of the winter weather.

Our appeal to raise money to pay for a new boiler continues.

2ft Ruston & Hornsby 20dl

Restoration is continuing with side grilles for the body being fabricated.

Permanent Way and Infrastructure

A buffer stop has been added to the relaid track south of Horsehay and Dawley station in preparation for the Polar Express trains.

Sleepers have been moved from the siding at Lawley to enable stock to be shunted into the space.

Work continues on the North Pole set, which will be erected at Lawley.

Spring Village and Horsehay and Dawley stations are being decorated for the Polar Express.

First aid training for six volunteers took place on Saturday 4th November. Congratulations to them all for passing their basic first aid course.

Thanks to Mark, Doug and Sean for the additional information used in this update.

We are now closed until Friday 24th November, when we start running our Polar Express trains. Please see

https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/polar-days-times-prices-2023.html

For more information and booking details

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

31/10/2023

Permanent Way and Infrastructure

Materials to fit a buffer stop to the newly relaid track south of Horsehay and Dawley station have been moved into position ready for installation next weekend.

A tree that had fallen close the the north portal of Heath Hill tunnel has been removed.

Rope lights have been fitted along the Platform Edges at Spring Village and Horsehay and Dawley Stations assist the public during the Polar Express season. Additional lighting (for the Polar Express show) is also being installed.

The track alongside Spring Village station has been moved closer to the platform edge to assist passengers when boarding and leaving our trains.

The area around the fireless locomotive in the rear yard has now been cleared and the bricks and pavers re organised onto pallets.

GWR 56XX No. 5619

Is being prepared for her starring role in this year’s Polar Express

BR class 142 Pacer No 142058

This was in use on Saturday as the ‘Phantom Pacer’ on our Halloween trains. Volunteers worked very hard to decorate the train, tearoom and shop ready for our visitors. The train crew, shop and tearoom staff were all in costume on the day and despite the rain, had a great time. On Sunday all the decorations were taken down and safely stored for next year. Many thanks to The Creation Station Telford and Shrewsbury for providing Halloween Craft sessions, and Meadowdale Nurseries and Tescos for providing raffle prizes.

We are now closed until Friday 24th November, when we start running our Polar Express trains. Please see

https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/polar-days-times-prices-2023.html

For more information and booking details

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

24/10/2023

MK2 Tourist Standard Open (TSO) coaches

The cleaning gang were out in force again on Saturday. Their hard work has paid off, with only a final interior clean through and check required.

The exterior of the coaches were cleaned on Sunday and the rain gutters cleared.

GWR 56XX No. 5619

The smoke box and ash pan have been thoroughly cleaned. Regular maintenance work continues

Class 142 Pacer No 142058

Has been started up and checked over ready for its starring role at our ‘Phantom Pacer’ Halloween event. It has also been given a wash and brush up. It will be decorated this week, ready for Saturday.

P Way and Infrastructure

Two further panels of track have been laid south of Horsehay and Dawley station (around 160ft in total). Jacking and packing has also taken place. Despite the new drainage working well, the ground was very wet and muddy due to the recent torrential rain.

The rear yard is being tidied and re organised. This is increasing useable space and we are identifying what we need to keep, and what can be sold or recycled.

New lighting has been installed in the new storage area (formally the old booking office)

We are now closed until Saturday 28th October, when we will be running our ‘Phantom Pacer’ Halloween trains. Please see

https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/phantom-pacer-halloween-train.html

For more information and booking details.

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

17/10/2023

Congratulations to our volunteer Dave J, who has successfully passed out as a steam locomotive driver. Dave is a welcome addition to the driving roster, just in time for the Polar Express! Thanks to everyone involved in making this happen.

Tourist Standard Open (TSO) coaches

The ‘cleaning gang’ were out in force again on Sunday, and did a great job cleaning and decorating the coaches ready for Polar Express. Having more volunteers involved this year is really paying off, and we are very grateful for your help and support.

Permanent Way (P-Way) and Infrastructure

The track laid last weekend has been jacked and packed, and another 40ft of track has been relaid, making over 120ft of track laid so far. More concrete sleepers have been brought down from the headshunt, ready for next weekend. The new drainage is working, despite the heavy downpours recently, meaning P-Way can continue.

First Aid training has taken place for volunteers on Saturday. This is the first of a number of training days to provide our volunteers with a basic understanding of first aid, and how and when to apply it.

The 3rd Veterans breakfast took place on Sunday, with everyone enjoying good food and company at the Furnaces Tearoom.

We met with representatives of Bridgnorth CAMRA on Sunday, to discuss the possibility of running a small beer festival next year. It was great to meet them and show them around our railway. Could something happen? Watch this space!

We are now closed until Saturday 28th October, when we will be running our ‘Phantom Pacer’ Halloween trains. Please see

https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/phantom-pacer-halloween-train.html

For more information and booking details.

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

11/10/2023

Polar developments

The four Tourist Standard Open (TSO) coaches that will be in use for our Polar Express Trains (5148, 5193, 5220 and 5222) have been shunted into the correct formation and moved into Spring Village station platform so that preparation for Polar can continue.

On Saturday seven volunteers were on site to carry out deep cleaning of the coaches. Much was done, and we are grateful for their hard work. The team will be back off Sunday to continue this unglamorous but vital job.

The reindeer have been given a thorough examination, and passed fit for use with Santa’s sleigh at the North Pole.

A Polar meeting between organisers and volunteers has taken place to make sure everyone is up to date with the latest developments

Permanent Way (P-Way)

Track has started to be relaid south of Horsehay and Dawley station. This is bullhead rail and concrete sleepers. Over 80ft was laid on Sunday and more track will be laid over the next weekend. We do not plan to lay track all the way to the Barrow Crossing until next year.

British Rail Class 08 Diesel 08757 ‘Eagle’

Preparation for Polar Express duties has started. An engine inspection has taken place, and the radiator and frames cleaned.

Telford Steam Railway had a stand at the Telford Railway Modelers Group Exhibition on Saturday. We had a very busy and successful day.

Thank you to Dave, Marian, Mark and Ben for the additional information and photographs used in this update.

We are now closed until Saturday 28th October, when we will be running our ‘Phantom Pacer’ Halloween trains. Please see

https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/phantom-pacer-halloween-train.html

For more information and booking details.

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

3/10/2023

Brake Standard Open (BSO) No. 9406

The vinyl flooring continues to be laid, which will hopefully be completed on Monday. The exterior of the coach is being painted with primer as and when weather conditions allow.

Horsehay & Dawley waiting room

Unfortunately the building has suffered some vandalism, which has now been repaired.

Another of our volunteers was successfully passed out as a Pacer Driver - congratulations!

The last weekend of our regular 2023 season closed with our mixed traffic gala, which saw GWR 56XX 0-6-2T 5619, BR Class 08 diesel No. 08757 ‘Eagle’, North British Diesel Hydraulic No. 27414 ‘Tom’ and class 144 Pacer No. 144013 all in action with an intensive timetable in operation. We had a lot of visitors, despite it raining for most of the day, and everything ran to time despite having to switch locos at Spring Village between arrival and departures at Spring Village.

We also had a visit from our friends at Telford Exotic Zoo. We are looking to partner with them for some special events next year, allowing our passengers to hear about, and get close to animals during the train journey. This initial visit was to see if it was feasible, and it was a success. We look forward to working closely with Telford Exotic Zoo in the future.

Thanks to Doug and John for the addition information and photos used in this update.

We are now closed until Saturday 28th October, when we will be running our ‘Phantom Pacer’ Halloween trains. Look our for more information on our website and Facebook pages soon.

Volunteer Liaison Officer update

26/9/2023

Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0 diesel mechanical No. 313394 “Jammo”

This loco will be leaving the railway shortly to go on hire to the Chasewater Railway.

Photo charter

On Saturday 23rd September the railway was hired for the day by the Sutton Coldfield Railway Society. GWR 56XX 0-6-2T No 5619 was in steam on passenger and freight trains, with staged photo opportunities and run pasts taking place at various locations along the line and at Horsehay and Dawley station. The group were able to have footplate and brakevan rides during the day.

Guided tours of the loco shed and yards were given, together with a history walk of the surrounding area. Finally a guided walk of the trackbed to Doseley Halt was provided.

It was a pleasure to welcome the Sutton Coldfield Railway Society to our railway, they were excellent company, and I hope they have plenty of photographs and videos to enjoy.

If other society’s or groups are interested in hiring the railway in 2024, please contact richard.owen@telfordsteamrailway.co.uk

The railway had a stand at the Stafford Model Railway Exhibition over the weekend. Thank you to everyone who visited us and said hello. It is a very popular exhibition, and we enjoy attending to meet up with old and new friends. Telford Steam Railway will have a stand at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition on November 25th and 26th. See you there!

Our steam tram appeal has raised over £1000 towards buying a new vertical boiler. Thank you very much to everyone who has donated money so far. We still require donations so if you can help us, please donate at https://gofund.me/093e7130 Thank you

Our latest “Railway Roundup” YouTube video is proving to be very popular, with over 2500 views already. If you haven’t seen it yet, and would like to see and hear about all the progress we are making throughout the railway, please click on the following link.

https://youtu.be/kMwXrOruxxQ?si=ZvOlvf9OXsgGrQE_

Thanks to Mark and Allan for the additional information used in this update.

The railway is next open for the final day of our 2023 season on Sunday 1st October for our Mixed Traffic Gala featuring steam and diesel locomotives and a Pacer due to be hauling our trains.

An intensive timetable will be in operation .

Tickets £10 Adults, £8 Children, £30 Family (2 Adults and 2 Children). Sorry, there are no Senior fares for this event and season tickets are not valid. Tickets allow unlimited travel on our standard gauge trains, entry into our model railway exhibition and (if open) museum.

The gift shop, second hand book stall and picnic area will also be open

The Furnaces Tearoom will be offering hot and cold drinks, ice creams, snacks, cakes and light meals to eat in or take away. Breakfast is now being served between 10:15am and 12pm.

The Phoenix Miniature Railway will also be open for rides (additional charges apply)

Our online shop has been revamped and enlarged to include railway books, take n play Thomas and Friends, soft toys and other items for sale.

Please visit http://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/store/c44/Freight_Stop_Gift_Shop.html

We currently have an appeal to buy a new boiler for our narrow gauge steam tram. You can help us greatly by donating at

https://gofund.me/093e7130

As a thank you, we are offering rewards for certain levels of donations, although every single one is gratefully received and will help put our tram back into operation.

Please also consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery, which is open to anyone in the UK over 16 years old. This weekly draw gives you the opportunity to win prizes up to £25,000. Tickets cost £1 per week and 50p from each ticket sale goes directly to the railway.

Sign up at
https://www.twincl.co.uk/support/telford-steam-railway

Our 2023 special events are on our website: www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events