This week saw the final preparations as we reopened to the public on Saturday
GWR 56XX No 5619 More proprietary work has taken place . The final two wash out plugs have been removed. Ruston and Hornsby No. 525947 “Rusty” Water has been found dripping down the inside of one of the cylinders which is either the head gasket or a cracked head. Work to repair it will now commence. The Furnaces Tearoom was visited by some of our mid-week volunteers, not for a cup of tea this time, but to finish off lots of little jobs that needed doing. They did a great job as usual and afterwards the tearoom volunteers were able to strip down, clean and get everything ready for our visitors. The car park and public facing areas were all tidied and cleaned, a great opportunity to sort things out and recycle or throw them away. Alice’s Adventure to Wonderland took place on Easter Saturday and Sunday. Class 08 diesel 08757 “Eagle” was in charge of the trains. This was a great success, with lots of tickets sold. The reviews have been fantastic and very positive, and this is an event that we will look to do again next year. Whilst the event was taking place, the P-Way gang were at Lawley unloading rail from the lowmac. We took the opportunity of loading Santa’s sleigh and bringing it back to Spring Village where it was unloaded. An all new sleigh is planned to be built for this year’s Polar Express. Now that the lowmac is empty, we will start lifting the rail from the Barrow Crossing to Horsehay and Dawley station, so that the contractors can come in and replace the drainage. On Easter Monday, Peckett and Sons steam engine No.1722 “Rocket” made her first public appearance of 2023, hauling 5 round trips. Despite the early rain, passenger numbers were good throughout the day and Rocket behaved herself - success! The railway museum reopened for the first time in about 3 years. This holds small railway artifacts, a lot of which are local to the area. More items will be added as the season progresses. It is well worth a visit! Lineside vegetation continues to be cleared, with the area by Heath Hill Tunnel being worked on. Thank you to Ben, Ian, Doug, Shaun and Mark for the additional information used in this update. 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 now on our website: www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/events The railway is next open on Sunday 16 April when 08757 “Eagle” will be hauling our trains. First train leaves Spring Village station (TF4 2NF - free car parking) at 11am with further departures at 12pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm. No need to pre book, just pay once to ride all day. Day ticket prices; Adult - £8, Children/Concessions - £5, Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children)- £25. Ticket prices include unlimited travel on our standard gauge trains and entry into our Model Railway exhibition and museum (when open). Season tickets are also available. The Furnaces Tearoom will be open offering hot and colds drinks, ice creams, snacks and light meals. The Phoenix Miniature Railway will also be offering rides at Spring Village (additional charges apply).
1 Comment
|
Archives
September 2024
|