Volunteer Liaison Update | 13th July

This week's update from the railway

MK2 Tourist Standard Open (TSO) No. 5220

Seats have been removed from the 2nd half of the coach so that work can start in repairing the bodywork and reapplying the vinyl. All but one of the seat carcasses have been put back into the 1st half. This was done just in time as we took delivery of the reupholstered seat cushions, have now been refitted (and look very impressive!). With 16 seat cushions received, the next 16 have gone off to be recovered and we should hopefully have them back in a couple of weeks.

Our buildings continue to receive maintenance. Trevor has carried on painting in the tearoom, and Paul has sanded and varnished the floor in the waiting room at Horsehay and Dawley Station.

Lots of P-Way work this week

Chris, Martin, Ian and Richard were busy clearing vegetation and digging out soil and aggregate at Spring Village in preparation for extending the platform. This extension will allow four coaches to be boarded and discharged at the platform side (currently only three can) which will improve our visitor's experience and reduce waiting times when running the Polar Express event at Christmas.

As part of this clearance work, the tunnel and track of the Phoenix miniature railway have been removed to make space. Their track will be realigned, and the tunnel rebuilt to allow everything to fit. The Phoenix railway remains open and operational as usual throughout these works.

The platform improvements at Lawley Station are still progressing. However, attention has shifted to Spring Village due to the availability of appropriate machinery needed to get the job done.


Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical No. 382824 'Hector' 

A major milestone in Hector's restoration occurred on Saturday when she was successfully started, and moved a few yards out of, and back into the shed. Hopefully, it will not be long now before she is back in service.

Pete and Alex have been busy mowing the car park and picnic area. We have received a lot of positive feedback for our green areas and station gardens, and we are very grateful for all the hard work our volunteers put in every week.

On Wednesday we were delighted to welcome around 40 members of the Association of Shrewsbury Railway Modellers to our railway. They enjoyed a guided tour of the Spring Village site and the engine shed, and a special run on the Phoenix miniature railway. They were then taken to Horsehay and Dawley (H&D) in the class 108 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) hauled, as a special treat by class 37, 37263.
At H&D our extensive model railway exhibition at Railway House was open and running before finally retiring to the tearoom for a fantastic spread of sandwiches, pastries and cake., all delightfully prepared by our fantastic volunteers. Everyone had a great time, and we look forward to their next visit. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this event a success.

On Saturday, Kev visited Hams Hall depot to check in on our Class 08 diesel shunter 08757 'Eagle', which is currently there on hire. 

Late on Saturday, the decision was made to run 37263 on the Sunday service trains. News spread quickly over social media and we had lots of enthusiasts join us in glorious sunshine for the rare opportunity of haulage behind this beautiful locomotive. Look out for our next YouTube video, with lots of footage from the day.

Polar Express update

Tickets for this event are selling steadily, with a number of trains in December already close to selling out. To book your tickets, go to https://telfordsteamrailwaypolarexpress.digitickets.co.uk. The planned motive power for this year will again be GWR 56XX 5619 top and tailed with BR class 08 diesel, 08757 'Eagle'.

Our next running day is Sunday 17th July with services due to be hauled by the class 108 DMU.  No need to pre book, just turn up and pay, to ride all day. First departure from Spring Village is at 11 am. We currently have roadworks nearby, so give yourself a little extra time and follow the diversion signs to reach us safely.

Our next event is the open day for prospective new members and volunteers on Saturday 30 July. Please look out on our Facebook page for personal stories on why our fantastic volunteers are involved at the railway.