Volunteer Liasion Officer | 19th July

eMK2 Tourist Standard Open (TSO) No. 5220

Progress has slowed this week after it was discovered that part of the floor will need to be replaced before the seats can go back in. The plywood is very rotten, and in places has disappeared completely. Thankfully the metal structure below appears to be in good condition. 

On Tuesday we took delivery of various second hand plant machinery, P-way trolleys and other items. These machines will be very useful for maintaining our railway, and relaying the track to Doseley (more about that later!).

Trevor has been busy painting again this week, with the tearoom and signal-post at Spring Village seeing the benefit of his hard work

In between gardening and watering the plants, Paul has continued sanding and and varnishing the floors of the station building at Horsehay and Dawley. 

The new glass windows for the Class 108 DMU arrived (it's windows had been shot out by trespassers). These were fitted on Saturday and although a fiddly and time consuming job, it is great to have this fantastic piece of kit back in service, just in time as it was rostered for the public service on Sunday.

The weather was too hot on Sunday for much to get done. We did a track walk of the whole running line, replacing keys and checking fishplates etc. The DMU was a popular choice with our passengers, and the tearoom was busy selling cold drinks and ice creams.

After the public timetable had finished, Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 diesel mechanical No. 313394 'Jammo' was driven to Lawley to shunt the ex Ironbridge Power Station 'weigh wagon' out of the rake of stock there and bring it back to the yard at Spring Village. This will be used to take the spoil from the platform extension to be reused at the Lawley site.

Relaying the track south from Horsehay and Dawley station to the barrow crossing and onto Doseley

On Sunday we had a productive meeting with our track consultant to discuss the installation on a new drainage system, after confirming that there is no existing pipework at the station. Materials are now being ordered, and consultation with our contractors is continuing to agree the best way forward. Once the drainage issues have been resolved, track relaying can begin in earnest, which will be much easier with the plant machinery we have now acquired.

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

Our next public service day is Sunday 24 July where the rostered motive power is Peckett & Son W6 steam engine,  No. 1722 'Rocket'. However, if the hot weather continues, steam may be replaced by the Class 108 DMU. Updates will be made on our Facebook page

Our next event is the open day for prospective new members and volunteers on Saturday 30July. Volunteer stories on why we do what they do are being posted regularly on our Facebook page to hopefully inspire you to join us. To book your session at the open day, please visit our website www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/volunteer-open-day-22