Volunteer Liaison Update | 5th July

There is so much happening at the railway at the moment, it is difficult to know where to start!

In the week

MK2 Tourist Standard Open (TSO) No. 5220. 

John carried on with covering the end wall, door and last section around the windows with wood laminate (now completed for this half of the coach). Nigel and Robin have started in the second half, cutting out 3 sections of wall to begin replacing, and filling, due to a few surprises left by previous BR 'repairs'. Two panels were cut and fitted,
Josh and Ben were fitting seats, tables and brackets to the floor and walls, and carried on tidying up the coach and painting up more of the seat supports. 
There was heavy rain in Telford on Thursday. Unfortunately a lot of this found it's way through the windows. So, we will need to take the windows out and reseal them (as we have just had to do with the BSO). 

MK2 Brake Standard Open (BSO) No. 9406

Sean continued to varnish the wood panels which will be fitted shortly. John showed us the new luggage racking which has now been test fitted in the coach. We've gone for something a little different, but it seems to have worked well (something to look out for when the coach is in service 😁)

Peckett & Sons W6 No 1722 'Rocket' 

Has had some minor repairs, her tubes cleaned and some TLC this week from Ian and Dave. 

Class 144 'Pacer' No 144013

Was started up and checked over because it has been stood still for quite a while. Driver and Guard training for this loco is planned for September, after which it should be available for public services

Ruston Hornsby diesel mechanical No. 382824. 'Hector'

John was needle gunning various parts ready for painting. Most of the major repair work has now been completed and hopefully Hector will be out on a test run next weekend.

Work has continued tidying up the yard to create space for a medium term storage need

Bob has painted the last gate left at Spring Village and Trevor was painting the tearoom.
Gardening at Horsehay and Dawley and Spring Village stations feels like a full time job at the moment, but the results are beautiful and a great advert for the railway


Saturday 

Martin, Ian, Kev, Dave, Andy and AJ took the works train and road rail digger back to Lawley Station where the platform edge was removed and the top surface of MOT aggregate dug out and bagged. The MOT will be reused in the car park at Spring Village. 

A section of the 2 foot railway track at the crossing was carefully removed. The track was never designed to have a heavy road rail digger travel over it so it has been taken up to prevent damage. As there is no current steam or diesel traction available to run on the 2 foot railway, this was an ideal opportunity to get it done. It will be put back in place, with a concrete crossing, at a later date.

Sunday

'Rocket' was in steam for the service trains. We had lots of passengers, including Ian and  Elaine, who asked if they could have a little ceremony on the footplate of Rocket to remember their steam railway loving parents Jan and Malc, who had lived all their married life in Wellington and had both sadly passed away in 2020. We were more than happy to agree with their request and it was lovely. We very much hope to see Ian and Elaine back at our railway again soon, although hopefully in happier circumstances next time. 

Martin was working on the road rail digger, keeping it greased, fixing the wiring on the two speed tracking system and fitting a new set of work lights.

So lots of progress at our lovely railway this week. Please come down to see for yourself all the great things we are doing.

This Wednesday, we welcome the Association of Shrewsbury Railway Modellers, who will be visiting our extensive 'Top Link' model railway, the Phoenix 5 inch railway, and having a trip on the standard gauge line. We look forward to seeing them.

Our next running day is Sunday 10th July, which will be diesel hauled (Rocket is having a rest). First train leaves Spring Village at 11am with further departures at 12pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm. No need to pre book. Just pay on arrival and ride all day.

The next planned event is our open day for prospective new volunteers and members on Saturday 30July. See our website and Facebook pages for more details and how to book.
thank you to Ben and Ian for the additional information used in the update

PLEASE NOTE: there will be major sewage installation works taking place around our site commencing Wednesday 4 July. The railway will remain open throughout so please check your journey, and we will be posting regular updates at the works progress