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Even though we are now closed to the public after a very busy and successful Polar Express TM season, there is still plenty of things going on at the railway. Avonside Engine Co. Ltd No. 1919 “Cranford” arrived at the railway on January 30th. This steam locomotive has been hired in for our 2026 season and will be hauling our trains on selected dates throughout the year. We will also be offering driver experiences with Cranford so please keep a look out on our website and social media channels for further information. With thanks to Chris and Simon Theaker for the hire of Cranford and allowing it to visit our railway. The railway also welcomed a narrow gauge battery powered tram on Saturday 31st January. It was built by Peter Hallam, (believed to be around 1999-2001) in St Austell Cornwall. It was originally built as a ¼ replica of a Manx Electric Railway tram, but was completely rebuilt into the current configuration not long after construction. The tram moved to a private railway near Carlisle where it was purchased by a volunteer in 2026. Currently unknown whether the tram is operational but requires cosmetic work. Hopefully will be used as a back-up locomotive for when the steam tram is unavailable for service and as the yard shunter’ The recent storms and bad weather in January has resulted in a number of trees and branches falling onto the railway. A clear up operation is taking place to ensure the railway remains open for departmental trains. A bench seat has been fitted in the accessible area of our MK2 BSO No. 9406. It is still hoped to have this coach in service from Easter 2026. The engine oil has been drained from Ruston & Hornsby Class LSSH No 525947 “Rusty”. This will allow easier removal of the big end components when removing the block and pistons.This will also allow the sump to be flushed out and a change of oil to take place. Removal of the Polar Express decorations, and a thorough cleaning inside all four MK2 TSO coaches is taking place ready for the new season. With thanks to Joshua, Jae and Andrew for the additional information and photographs used in this update. The railway is now closed to the public until Easter Sunday 5th April. Our 2026 events are now on our website, with tickets available for pre-booking. https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events-2026.html
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As the 2025 running season draws to a close, our volunteers have been hard at work preparing for winter maintenance and making excellent progress across the railway. Here’s a round-up of what’s been happening recently: GWR 56XX No. 5619 Continuing her 100th birthday celebrations, 5619 ran three round trips with a goods train on the last day of the season. This was the first goods train at the railway for at least 14 years. 5619 is now in the shed being prepared for Polar ExpressTM duties. Work being done includes a thorough clean and inspection of the firebox, ashpan, smokebox, boiler tubes and frames. Doseley Halt Relay Around 160 feet of new track has been relaid south of Horsehay & Dawley station, almost reaching the foot crossing. Final positioning, jacking, packing, and ballasting will take place over winter. The next stage will see the foot crossing replaced, with all materials already on site. Spring Village Platform Road To address a slight dip, the track was lifted, old ballast and clay removed, and fresh ballast laid before tamping and reinstatement. Lawley Approach The line has been levelled and packed where necessary, improving the ride quality and track stability. Coaching Stock Our Mk2 TSO coaches have been formed into the rake ready for The Polar Express™ Train Ride. Deep cleaning is underway, and festive decorations will be added soon! Mk2 BSO No. 9406 has had new vinyl flooring fitted, exterior panels filled and sanded, and primer applied. It’s now receiving its first maroon undercoat, and we plan for it to return to service next season. Narrow Gauge & Industrial Locomotives Our 2ft steam tram “Thomas Telford” has been undergoing routine maintenance following its successful return and naming ceremony earlier this year. Peckett & Sons W6 No. 1722 “Rocket” continues to progress, with its boiler under overhaul off-site. The frames have been degreased and cleaned, with further work scheduled over winter. Meanwhile, the 2ft Ruston 20DL No. 229633 has had its engine successfully started and is now being reassembled. A huge thank you to Ian Heighway, Sean McKewan, Ben Hopkinson, Dave Jenkins, Andrew Davies and Shaun Owen for their contributions and photographs supporting this update. We’re proud of the dedication and effort from all our volunteers and supporters who help keep Telford Steam Railway moving forward! 🚂💪 The steam tram is due back in operation on Father’s Day Sunday 15th June. You will be able to ride in the newly restored tram coach which is Included your ‘day rover’ ticket price. We are also offering our Father’s Day Flyer upgrade, with tram footplate rides available for an additional £20 payable on the day on a first come first served basis. An official open day to celebrate the trams return will be held later in the year with hopefully a VIP guest. New sleepers for the trams return track have been purchased and are now being installed. The coach doors have been refitted. The water tank for the tram has been cleaned ready for sanding down and repainting. New sleepers are also being installed at the No. 6 point in the yard. GWR 56XX No 5619 has been taken out of service, and is being prepared for its boiler exam, which will hopefully see 5619 in service for the rest of the season and this year’s Polar Express TM trains. MK2 TSO No. 5219 has been sanded down ready to be repainted in maroon. Ruston & Hornsby Class 88DS No. 421428 has been covered to keep the rain off. Lawley platform continues to be rebuilt, with more panels purchased and fitted. The Pagoda now has doors, and the roof straightened to give it a better fit Thanks to Ben and Jacob for the photos and additional information used in this update. We have a new arrival! Telford Steam Railway are pleased to announce that Ruston & Hornsby DM Class 88DS No. 421418 Tioxide No. 7 is now at the railway Purchased privately by one of our volunteers, 421418 arrived at Telford from Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, on 20th May 2025. Telford Steam Railway is already home to another Class 88DS, the operational No. 382824 “Hector”. The steam tram passed its boiler tests and is once again a working locomotive. The boiler has had its insulation added and the wooden casing refitted. The pipework has all been fitted and once a couple of leaks have been rectified, the body panels can be added. The tram coach has had its first coat of paint. It is planned to have the tram back giving rides to the public on 15th June (subject to availability). Further progress has taken place at Lawley station, currently named Lawley Halt. The platform is now open and in use again for passengers. There is more work planned for the station over the coming months. We had our official open day on Sunday 4th May which was a great success. We were very proud to welcome Pete Waterman to the railway as our very special guest to celebrate our steam locomotive, 5619, 100th birthday and the rededication of Lawley Platform. We had huge numbers of passengers, all taking advantage of our free train travel, the working steam tram and our other attractions. The positive feedback we have received has been fantastic and we loved welcoming everyone to our railway. Many thanks to Pete Waterman, The Bourneville Village Trust, Lawley and Overdale Parish Council, and Cllrs Aston, Hannington and Lewis for their support for our event. Thank you to Phil, Ian, Shaun, Jacob for the additional information and photographs used in this update. Our latest Railway Roundup video is available on YouTube. Highlighting the work happening at the railway and our ambitions for 2025 https://youtu.be/N-k97axq92E?si=vVghEN5_gttqJE88 Our 2025 special events are also now on our website. We have lots of favorites returning, plus a new family event - Dinosaur Adventure on 1 June. https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events.html The railway is next open on Sunday 11th May We look forward to seeing you in 2025. Congratulations to our volunteer AJ who passed out as a diesel driver on Sunday and must be one of the youngest diesel drivers on heritage railways. Next stop - steam driver. Well done AJ! More painting of the tram coach panels and frames has taken place. The boiler has been hydraulically tested to 225psi test pressure and is now ready for its appointment with the boiler inspector The outside of the tearoom has been washed New forks have been fitted to the telehandler Work continues on replacing the platform at Lawley and a MOT pathway to the station has been installed. The pagoda building has been rubbed down ready for a repaint this week. Our Easter event was very successful, with more passengers carried than last year, and some fantastic feedback as well. Thank you to Ian, Shaun, Jacob, Mark and Josh for the additional information and photos used in this update Our latest Railway Roundup video is available on YouTube. Highlighting the work happening at the railway and our ambitions for 2025 https://youtu.be/N-k97axq92E?si=vVghEN5_gttqJE88 Our 2025 special events are also now on our website. We have lots of favorites returning, plus a new family event - Dinosaur Adventure on 1 June. https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events.html The railway is next open on Sunday 4th May We look forward to seeing you in 2025 Tram update A hydraulic test has been done on the boiler. 150psi was achieved. A few tiny leaks to be resolved before the boiler inspector arrives. The tram coach has had their tablets bench seats refitted. Lawley platform continues to be rebuilt. It now extends to the Pagoda building, which is being repainted. More plywood has been cut for use in the restoration of MK2 BSO No.9406. Rails and sleepers have been moved into the headshunt to help tidy up the yard. The railway re opened on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st April for our Easter Specials. Passenger numbers were up on last year and we have received very positive feedback and reviews. A great start to the season! Thank you to Ben and Ian for the additional information and photographs used in the update Our latest Railway Roundup video is available on YouTube. Highlighting the work happening at the railway and our ambitions for 2025 https://youtu.be/N-k97axq92E?si=vVghEN5_gttqJE88 Our 2025 special events are also now on our website. We have lots of favorites returning, plus a new family event - Dinosaur Adventure on 1 June. https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events.html The railway is next open on Sunday 27th April We look forward to seeing you in 2025. Work continues on the tram with the coal bunker and water tank trial fitted. More pipework has been connected and the front of the tram offered up for final measuring and fitting. Work has also continued with the tram coach with the seats being painted ready to be refitted. A boiler test has been booked and it is hoped (no guarantees), that the tram will be in steam at our open day on 4th May. The tearoom and kitchen has been deep cleaned. Only a few small jobs are required before the tearoom reopens on 20th April. The platform at Lawley is being reinstated with the land levelled and the platform pieces trial fitted. A portion of the overall platform will be ready to board/leave trains for our open day on 4th May. MK2 TSO 5219 continues to be made ready for overhaul. Thanks to Alan for the additional information and photographs used in the update Our latest Railway Roundup video is available on YouTube. Highlighting the work happening at the railway and our ambitions for 2025 https://youtu.be/N-k97axq92E?si=vVghEN5_gttqJE88 Our 2025 special events are also now on our website. We have lots of favorites returning, plus a new family event - Dinosaur Adventure on 1 June. https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events.html More information and booking details will be added to our website soon. The railway reopens on Easter Sunday. We look forward to seeing you in 2025. The ceiling in the new tearoom kitchen has been painted and new skirting boards fitted. The kitchen appliances have been placed inside ready to be installed. Outside the new path is being built. More blocks have been laid at the signal box and insulation fitted. The wooden frames and glass for the windows have been ordered. The A exam has been completed on 144013 Carriage cleaning is taking place ready for the new season. Volunteer carriage cleaners are always welcome! This is a vital and important job that needs doing every week when we are running trains. Tom has been jacked up in the shed to enable repairs to start. The last of the new fencing for Spring Village platform has arrived. This requires painting before being installed. The coalfish wagon received another coat of primer. The ‘Craven Arms’ trolley is being painted. The sleeper coach, and the picnic area chairs and tables have been cleaned with the pressure washer. The brake van under frame is being painted The Spring Village and Horsehay & Dawley station signs have been put back, a sure sign that we are reopening soon! Thanks to. Ben and Paul for the additional information and photographs used in this update. Our latest Railway Roundup video is available on YouTube. Highlighting the work happening at the railway and our ambitions for 2025 https://youtu.be/N-k97axq92E?si=vVghEN5_gttqJE88 Our 2025 special events are also now on our website. We have lots of favorites returning, plus a new family event - Dinosaur Adventure on 1 June. https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events.html More information and booking details will be added to our website soon. The railway reopens on Easter Sunday. We look forward to seeing you in 2025. Tram update. The seat uprights have been back into the tram coach. The new wooden coach roof has also been fitted. A waterproofing cover will be added shortly. More side panels have been fitted to the coach The new water tank for the tram has been trial fitted. North British 0-4-0 Diesel Hydraulic No. 27414 has been moved over the pit in the shed for repairs to start on its gearbox The ‘Craven Arms’ platform trolley has been dismantled to be repainted ready for the new season. A new bee hive (and bees) has been added . We now have four hives on site. A pathway at the rear of the tearoom has been dug out. Welding of the platform supports at Lawley station has started. BR Goods Van No. 764478 has been moved out of the shed and into platform road ready for the start of the new season. A further lorry load of new flat bottomed rail has been delivered. A volunteer open day will take place on Sunday 13th April. This year we are looking for new volunteers who have the specific skills we need to help move the railway forward. Thank you to Jacob and Sean for the additional information and photographs used in this update. Our latest Railway Roundup video is available on YouTube. Highlighting the work happening at the railway and our ambitions for 2025 https://youtu.be/N-k97axq92E?si=vVghEN5_gttqJE88 Our 2025 special events are also now on our website. We have lots of favorites returning, plus a new family event - Dinosaur Adventure on 1 June. https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events.html More information and booking details will be added to our website soon. The railway reopens on Easter Sunday. We look forward to seeing you in 2025. |
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April 2026
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