Volunteer Liaison Update - 03/01/2022

​Telford Steam Railway wishes all our valued volunteers and supporters a very happy new year. We are again looking forward to bringing you news of our exciting plans and developments throughout 2023.

During November and December, the railway delivered the Polar Express to thousands of excited believers. The commitment and hard work of our volunteers to provide this service cannot be underestimated, and our grateful thanks is given to everyone who was involved.

We have received so much positive feedback from our passengers this year. This is great, is really appreciated, and makes all the hard work worthwhile.

A lot of work has continued over the Christmas and New Year period removing the Marquee and Polar Set and returning the railway to its 'normal' appearance. There is still work to be done however which will carry on throughout this month.

Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 ST No. 2138 'Swordfish' performed excellently throughout Polar, providing 100% availability. Our thanks again to Swordfish's owner and Buckinghamshire Railway Centre for the hire of the loco.

It was with our diesels that we had issues to deal with. Both of our available resident diesels,  08757 'Eagle' and 37263 failed with various ailments. We are very grateful for Andrew Goodman and Rail Support Services for getting their class 08 diesel 08511 to the railway to enable us to continue running the Polar Express. Many thanks Andrew!

With those two diesels being repaired, it is great to report that Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0 No. 525947 'Rusty' is now operational again, having her engine fired up on 30 December.

The Road Railer BUG has also been repaired and is serviceable again.

Permanent Way (P-Way) has continued with pan clips being fitted to three panels of concrete sleepers between No. 1 point and Horsehay and Dawley station. The dogfish wagon has been brought down from Lawley to Spring Village and some more of its load of ballast bagged up for some imminent track work. Branches and brash that was cut down in December has now been burnt. Clearance of the embankments will continue as available manpower allows.

Work has also continued on the overhaul of Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0 DM No. 382824 'Hector'

Please consider supporting Telford Steam Railway through the Telford and Wrekin Community Lottery. 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 currently closed to the public. We reopen on the 8th April with our Mad Hatter's Tea Party event.