Volunteer Liaison Update - 31st August 2022

Another very busy and productive week at the railway.

MK2 Tourist Standard Open (TSO) No. 5220

John has  fitted the last piece of vinyl onto the carriage walls. Thanks to John, Nigel and Robyn who have done a great job with this and it looks amazing. Nigel and Dave were working on repairs to one of the carriage doors. If this fix works, they will be able to make repairs to the remaining doors across our entire fleet of TSOs. Miles and Ben continued to fit the seat carcasses, bolting in the seat supports and fitting cushions. This maintenance/restoration project is now almost complete. 

MK2 TSO No. 5221

Kev, Miles and Tracey have cleaned all the light covers in the coach

MK2 Brake Standard Open (BSO) No. 

Mike and Sean fitted the cover pieces where the blinds will be placed and stained the replacement wood in the end vestibule.

Trevor has been painting more bench ends for a new seat that will be placed on the platform extension at Spring Village. Work on the extension continues, with a lamp post being removed, and the ground levelled 

Paul and Grahame continue to work hard with the station gardens. The new recycling bins are being used correctly which is pleasing to see.

On Thursday we welcomed Lucy Allan MP to the railway as part of the #LoveYourRailway campaign. Lucy was given a tour of Spring Village, seeing the planned nature walk, the platform extension and the carriage restorations and meeting the volunteers. At Horsehay and Dawley station Lucy saw the progress being made with the waiting room
and signalbox before boarding the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) to Lawley. Here we were able to show her the work being done to improve the platform and the progress of the adjacent housing development. Lucy then drove the DMU (under supervision) back to Horsehay before having tea and biscuits in the cafe. This visit was a great success, and we look forward to welcoming Lucy back to the railway soon.

AJ and Ian have continued to work on the Dumper and Road Railer vehicles, painting, repairing faults and replacing tyres
 
So into the bank holiday weekend and three days of running. Saturdays motive power was switched to the DMU to conserve our stocks of coal, with Peckett & Sons W6 steam engine No. 1722 'Rocket' hauling trains on Sunday and Monday. Our visitors also enjoyed the Phoenix Miniature Railway, model railway, second hand bookstall and cafe in glorious weather all weekend. Other jobs took place though, with the fence being removed at Railway House and further lineside clearance by the old station masters house. Cutting back the vegetation is really opening up the railway again and the plan is that this will continue over the next few weeks.

Thank you to Ben for providing the additional information in this update.



Our next running day is Sunday 4th September when Peckett & Sons W6 steam engine No. 1722 'Rocket' will be hauling our trains. This first train departs Spring Village at 11am. No need to pre book, just turn up and pay to ride all day. Free car parking at Spring Village station (TF4 2NF).

Our next event is the 'Horsehay Growler' on Saturday 10th September with all trains hauled by Class 37 diesel 37263. This is the last planned use of the class 37 for this season. First train leaves Spring Village at 11am. Usual fares and timetable applies. See website for details.

All events, attractions and locomotives are subject to availability and Telford Steam Railway reserves the right to cancel, amend or substitute locomotives if required.
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