Pushing the Limits

So we have come to the end of January and what a month it has been!

It started with the arrival of a coach and ended with a grant of £120'000, not a bad month.  Plans are in place with what to do with the money but we are still looking for further funds to enhance the extension.  The grant will cover the basic cost of rails to Weston but added extras like the footbridge and additional platform space will require further investment, we will get there though. 

February may not quite top January but we are hopeful to receive news about the start of work on the propped bridge on Shrewsbury Road.  To get ready for the start of these works the team have been continuing to clear vegetation and small trees. This work is ongoing and will continue for some time yet.

Along the lineside we have a lot of work to push further back the years of self seeded growth that range from brambles to 30 year old trees.  If anyone has a chainsaw and is competent with it there are opportunities for firewood at very good rates, so good you will be surprised!  The intention is to clear the growth from the area alongside the track back towards the fence lines, hence pushing the limits.

Lineside clearance has also been going on along the open lines and here is the team south of Llynclys working on pushing back the vegetation before the nesting season.  Five hardy volunteers turned up for the last session, the next one is planned for the 10/11th of February.  All members welcome!  And if you are not a member you can pop by the sites to see what we are up to. 

Thanks to Andy Green and the team for turning out and for the pictures.

Work on the coach continues in the shed and whilst the mottled red colour might not be quite correct the green tinge has gone and much of the surface is ready for a base coat.  Once the chassis has been needle gunned to take off old paint and remove surface rust proper painting can begin.

During the winter season work has been going on with general and preventative maintenance on the operating stock, essential jobs to make sure that the running season goes smoothly.  Trains at both sites will restart when the days get a bit longer, the operating calendar is being worked on and will be published shortly.  The running shed is now pretty full, here is the inside before the coach was placed under cover.
 

So thank you for looking in and see you in February.

Until next time.

Knowing Your Way Around

Something that may confuse those people not familiar with the area is the location of the various work sites on the way to Weston.  Thanks to Glynn Swift here is an overall map and some blown up images of the section being worked on so that you have some idea of how it all goes together.  The resolution is not great on the blown up images but you can get a feel for the route.

First is the overall picture with an image from satellite pictures.  North is at the top.  Weston station site is at the bottom.

Going from North to South we start with the station area and what was traditionally the running line along side the old cattle docks,  The north end has the recently installed crossing for the medical centre and the north point of the run round loop.  The rebuilt station platform, ready for 10 coach trains is the light blue line.  The sheds and museum are located in the area at the south end of the station. 

The running line is now along the main line and passes under Middleton Road bridge.

Once under the Middleton Road bridge the line makes a sweeping S behind the superstore and on down to the Shrewsbury Road/Salop Road/Gasworks bridge. (take your pick on the name, all are used but you need a long memory to remember the gasworks).
This section under Middleton Road was opened in November 2016 by the Mayor of Oswestry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfIQ3JKlwCM
The whole of this line was lifted section by section, the ballast screened and sleepers replaced where necessary.  Here is a work in progress video.  You have to notice in true Cambrian spirit the last instruction for the most important job of the day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-GM9It-CZQ

The Gasworks bridge is currently propped to allow heavy goods vehicles to use the route, this was done after the last stone train ran.  Rather than rebuild the bridge a scheme has been worked out to lower the track at this point to achieve the necessary clearances for trains to pass under. 

Once under the bridge the next section starts to the rear of the builder's merchants and borders on one side open fields. Mid way along here is the cattle creep where new beams will be installed. This is the section being worked on at the moment with the first section of track lifted and ballast screening in progress.

The line continues straight before a gentle curve brings us in to Weston.  Here there will be a platform alongside the goods shed which will allow access to our next door neighbours, Stonehouse Brewery.

So that is a quick run down of the section to Weston.  There is much work to do before trains can operate, we would love to see you on one of our services so come along and see what is going on.

Work on the track is good healthy exercise and some days there is even sunshine! 

Here is work going on last spring on the open line at Llynclys and a quick lesson on ballast packing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiC3ivWwQoo

Coach Update

Since being brought under cover the coach has seen many volunteer hours been put in, first to strip away parts for access, repair or replacement and then work on preparing the body

You don't see it so much these days but years ago Saturday mornings were spent under cars knocking out the rust, cutting back to good metal and filling the gaps with good steel before finishing off with filler.  Though a lot more involved the process on the coach is similar.

Our coach being of a certain age has a few areas that need to be treated.  The usual corrosion in corners of Mk 1's has been found.

Here the rotten metal is being cut away so that the affected area can be treated and then a new skin welded in place, just like the old days working on my Morris Minor, only on a bigger scale, also a bit more comfortable working standing up rather than bent double lying in the gutter under the drizzle.

The rest of the body work is being rubbed down and prepared for the first of a few coats of paint and varnish.  Here we see work going on around the window frames.  It's nice to be working under cover and also a lot warmer as well, an added bonus is that the kettle is that much closer!

In this general view you can see how much has been done so far but there is still plenty to do.

Photos from the CHR Facebook page.

Such has been the enthusiasm that has been created around this project that an extra working day per week has been proposed so we will see how that works out.

On the other fronts so much is going on unseen under the surface but more news will be coming soon about the push to Weston.

Until next time.

Right Away to Weston

For anybody who has not yet seen it here is a copy of the CHR Press Release about the grant awarded by Oswestry Town Council for works going towards Weston.  This is significant news.  Thank You to the Town Council and keep watching for more devleopments. 


Press Release:

Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) have been awarded a £120,000 (One Hundred and Twenty thousand pounds) grant from Oswestry Town Council. This grant is towards the capital costs of the CHR Weston Wharf extension project, the aim of which is to extend the existing running line from Gas Works Bridge to Weston Wharf. This would extend the passenger line to 1¾ miles long and connect Oswestry town centre to a station at Weston Wharf, which is adjacent Stonehouse Brewery and their visitor centre.

CHR Chairman Rob Williams said “This is a significant grant for CHR and will play a vital part in seeing the passenger running line extended from Oswestry to Weston Wharf, a distance of 1¾ mile. Adjacent to our Weston goods shed is one of the local real ale brewery Stonehouse and their visitor centre. Clearly the combination of a heritage railway and a brewery at one end will be popular and bring significant visitor footfall to not only the railway but the town of Oswestry. This grant forms part of a package of funding, support and work to deliver what is phase 1 of our Heritage project.”

Town Mayor, Councillor Vince Hunt confirmed that “the Town Council is very keen to support this project to ensure it succeeds and to recognise the work of the Trustees and the members of Cambrian Heritage Railways Limited over many years. The project has significant potential economic and tourism benefits for Oswestry that makes it worthy of our investment. We recognise the hard work that has gone into developing the business case and the many volunteer hours given and the funding that has already been achieved. We also appreciate the support of Shropshire Council in their commitment to repair the bridge at Salop Road that is vital to this project. “

Mr Williams continued “We are extremely grateful for the support and vision of Oswestry Town Council in making this Grant. Although a significant sum, which should see a basic railway delivered, we are still looking for further funding and support to enhance and develop the final product. The Oswestry to Weston project is what we see as phase 1, the ultimate goal with the Heritage project is to extend further and link up with our other site at Llynclys South. Anyone interested in getting involved our supporting in any way is asked to get in contact with us via our website; http://www.cambrianrailways.com or facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/cambrianheritagerailways “

Ongoing Work

Last week was very busy, in fact everybody was too busy working that they forgot to take any pictures.  So this week's report is a bit thin on photos.

The Thursday Gang had 18 people on site, which I think is a record.  There is lots to be getting on with and the group split in to teams and worked on the following:

Vegetation clearance
The main area worked on was close to where the work site will be for the lowering of the trackbed under the propped bridge.  This needs to be done before the start of the nesting season so that material and equipment can be stored in that area. 

The area behind the Down platform was given a haircut and tidy up.

Signal Box
The signal box interior is being worked on and internal painting is getting towards complete.

Suburban Coach
Last week the coach was moved under cover but not before it was taken for a run to check out the work that needs doing.  Generally the condition is good considering how long it has been stored, there are a few jobs to do and a list has been started of things to put right.

Whilst the steam loco was being tested it seemed only right to make a demonstration run, starting out in front of the station.  It's been a long time since a steam loco and coach called at the main Oswestry platform.

A trip was made down the line as a taste of things to come, the weeps of steam also show where some work is needed on the steam heat system

Photos G.Swift

After being closed for so long the interior has developed a unique charm and smell, now that it is in secure storage the doors can remain open for a time to get some air flowing through. Work was also going on with removal of old paint.

Oswestry Station
A big effort has been made to tidy up the site and the skip has been filled and there is more to do.

So keep watching and see how we are doing.

Until next time.

Thursday Gang

The Thursday gang, who meet in Buffers almost every Thursday at 10am, have been busy recently.  First job is always to test the kettle and make sure that the tea is suitable for later patrons. It can take a few tries before being passed off but you can be sure that the tea is of top quality when the team leaves for work.

In case you don't know Buffers is the lovely eatery in Oswestry Station.  Managed by Jenny who is also CHR Company Secretary, we know how to multi task around here!

This is the Thursday Gang's Christmas Lunch which went down very well...

So what has been going on since the last update?

First a few holes have been dug and filled with concrete.  You don't see much once they are done but like an iceberg ninety percent of the work is unseen.

The updated level crossing gates for the pedestrian crossing are being prepared and the posts for the gates and access points have been concreted in.

Here is the pedestrian access point with gate posts now in place.

The team look suitably pleased with their efforts

On the other side of the station building work continues with replacing the wooden fence with traditional heritage spear fencing, our stocks are running low so if you know of any more please let us know.  The objective is to complete the run along the rear of the platform as this gives a better view of the station to passing customers to entice them for a ride.

Here are the members of the fencing team practicing for the next Olympics.  We are waiting for our invitation any day now.

Now doesn't that look good?  

Nothing is wasted here so some of the previous wooden fencing and gates have been moved and installed in the yard.

Here are the gate posts going in.

Next up was to hang the gates.

Final job will be a rub down and a coat of paint.

The path to the signal box was extended and will be carpeted later, OK so not really but the signal box is coming on a treat and the insides will be worked on during the colder months. 

Here is the signal box looking smart with new stairs and a few coats of paint

"Before you come up wipe your feet!!"

Not quite as exciting but equally important are the drains, here a new surface drain helps with sending the water on it's merry way.

Work is also ongoing on the coach and the rotten sections of running board were removed along with other parts which will allow access to the frame for needle gunning and repainting.  Work also continued on the upper part removing loose paint.

Thanks once again to the Thursday Gang and to Andy G for the pictures.

The Coach Now Arriving.

So here is a little bit more about the latest purchase and arrival at Oswestry.

The coach was built in 1955 to Lot 30045 at York as a Brake Second, this is a BR Mk1 design and spent it's working life on the East side of the country, working mostly local services.

From being released from BR in the 1970's it spent it's life at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway where it returned to service and ran for many years.  More recently it had been side lined and used to store leaflets and various boxes.  Externally the condition had become a bit run down and the paint had started to disappear under a covering of moss.

Following an agreement the coach was purchased for use on the CHR as a stop gap until the C&W team complete more of their restorations of current stock.  The restorations at Llynclys start from stock in far worse condition and the results are a real credit to the team.

This coach is planned to have an external restoration and tidy up so that it can be used during the building of the Weston extension, with that in mind here are a couple of pictures of arrival and touch down at Oswestry.

Here is the low loader arriving with our Christmas present, you can detect the green tinge.

A ramp was quickly assembled and with a few sighs of relief the coach touched down at Oswestry, ready for it's new life.

The first job was to have a good look over the coach, here it is blending in to the background.

Work has already started on a wash a brush up so that we can see the overall condition, under the flaking paint there is evidence of it's previous life as a Kings Cross Suburban coach.  Though highly unlikely that this particular coach ever visited our line before, this type was used extensively on local services around Shropshire.

There are always volunteers ready and willing to test the seats and here we can see the internal condition.

Here the team start the clean up, removing the green tinge.

Thanks to Andy G for the pictures

Future posts will be catching up with work done around Christmas and also take a look back over the last year. Going forward we have the regular Thursday Gang and planned working weekends.
Last weekend was spent clearing the embankment south of Llynclys before the bird nesting season starts.  Here is a work in progress picture.  Thanks to all who turned up.

Until next time.

Happy New Year

Welcome back to the blog and a happy New Year!

I had a few issues over the last two weeks, not least preparing for and dealing with the aftermath of Christmas.  A computer issue did not help either!

Normal service will now be resumed.  There has been much going on at Oswestry and Llynclys over the last month and there will be a couple of posts to bring everything up to date.

2018 will be a big year for CHR and things are already moving and we are not even ten days in to the year.

Firstly a big thank you to all who came to the Santa Specials and I hope you enjoyed yourself.  Secondly a big thank you to all the volunteers who turned out in snow and rain.  A great team effort.

It has been clear for some time that the brakevan was fine for a short trip but would not be suitable for the longer run to Weston.  So yesterday we took delivery of  a non corridor suburban brake which has been at the KWVR.

This coach will need some attention before entering service but the cushions have already been tested.

(thanks to the CHR Facebook page for the pictures)

The Thursday gang have been busy both before and after Christmas and a separate post will bring things up to date.

So we have already hit the ground running in 2018 and this will be a big year for us, keep watching for further updates.

Until next time