Working Wednesday

It was time again for Dave R and the team from Sainsburys to continue with the improvements around the site.

This week attention was focused on the bare earth around Gasworks Bridge where the excavations have left their mark. Following some active gardening part of the side has been graded and seeded. We look forward to seeing the results.

Dave R took the following pictures. 

Many thanks to the Sainsburys staff who are helping us.

Until next time.

The Crossing is Crossed

The Heritage Open Days have been and gone and many thanks to those who called in to see the progress. The weather could have been a little better but we still enjoyed your company.

These were the last scheduled operating days until the Christmas season and as a special surprise for our guests trains operated to just beyond the crossing. 

Colin was on hand, despite the rain, to catch the train on video.

What a way to finish the main operating season. Thanks to all of the volunteers for your efforts and to Colin for the video.

Until next time. 

Accommodation Crossing

Thanks to CHR Facebook here are some current pictures of the crossing behind Travis Perkins.  The team have been continuing to improve the crossing and have installed the deck to allow vehicular access.

We start looking towards Oswestry with the rails waiting to receive the crossing timbers. The temporary arrangement was updated to the definitive solution thanks to the hard work by our volunteers.

The next picture shows the timbers are now in position and the final adjustments are made to level out the deck.

The crossing was then inspected and tested to make sure that vehicles can pass safely to the other side.

The signage was then applied to confirm that the crossing is back in action. It won't be long before trains pass by here on their way to Weston.

There are still many more jobs on the list before we can use this section, do you fancy lending a hand or supporting us?

Meanwhile back at the station we have carried on trying to bring back the period atmosphere by adding traditional platform furniture such as benches, scales and luggage.

Thanks to CHR for the pictures.

Until next time.

Heritage Open Days 21st 22nd September

The final weekend of the National Heritage Open Days takes place this weekend, lots to see and do all around the country. In our corner of Shropshire CHR are again having special events to show off some of our progress on the project.

In conjunction with the open days a free bus service is being laid on to connect the sites, linking up with mainline trains from Gobowen.

The timetable is as follows. We have tried to connect with as many of the trains as possible.

Whilst you are around at our sites you can also pick up the 2020 calendar which has just been published or collect the latest fridge magnets.  All are on sale in the station shops.

Don't forget the on-site catering if you need refreshing.  Thanks to CHR Facebook for the information.

Until next time.

Thursday Gang

It was back to the cattle creep to finish off the brickwork. Norman took the pictures of the progress on the Oswestry side of the bridge. We start with an overall view with the newly laid bricks visible with the darker mortar.

The retaining wall capping and the steps were completed and the new bricks keyed in to the existing wall.

At the top there is still some backfill required.

Looking down from the top the steps have been cemented in to place. Just a few more finishing touches and that side will be completed.

Thanks to the team for all of the hard work and to Norman for the pictures.

Until next time.

Thursday Gang

It was back down to the cattle creep for some of the volunteers. There are still a few finishing touches to complete the access and fencing around the bridge.  Norman took the following pictures of the day's activities.

The access steps were dug into the embankment sides.  Although this work was not finished the basic layout is complete.

Alongside the handrail on the bridge deck the fence posts were installed.

The fence and straining posts will be completed later.

The view towards Weston shows the next section of track which will need attention. Do you fancy joining in the fun?

A nice touch is the anti slip covering on the sleepers. Reclaimed chicken wire on reclaimed sleepers. We know how to make our money go a long way!

Thanks to all the volunteers who joined in and to Norman K for the pictures.

This coming weekend 14/15 September is the first of the two UK-wide Heritage Open Days weekends. We will have lots on show and people on hand to explain all about the project.  With the free bus between the sites there has never been a better time to visit. Here is the timetable for this weekend.

If you can't make it you can support us in other ways with donations and/or spreading the word about our project. We are grateful for all forms of support.

Until next time.

Coach Story (2)

Now we move to the inside to see the progress John and the team have made. Again it is a labour of love as wood is repaired or replaced followed by multiple coats of varnish, each time the work is rubbed down before another coat is applied.

We start with a view from May 19 so that the progress can be appreciated.

The views from this week, without the interior lighting, show that the upper sections are complete and that interior detailing has started.

Notice the pictures and frames have been completed and are back in position.  The seats are not installed at the moment to make access between the sections easier.  Remember this is a Suburban coach with no corridor so once the seats are in there will be no possibility to move unless you exit the coach.

As the external bodywork is completed each compartment can be finished. We don't want dust and dirt to spoil the lovely interior.

Another pat on the back to the inside team of John and crew.  Thanks to Guy for the pictures.

Until next time.

A Coach Story (1)

It's been a while since we had an update on the restoration of the Suburban coach.  Reg and the team have worked their way along one side and are now on the return trip down the other side. The bodywork needs a fair bit of attention to return to operational condition by removing corrosion damage and preparing the surface for painting. Lots of filler and rubbing down before primer and top coats.

Just to refresh the memory here are some before pictures from May 2019.  The method of attack is to do a section at a time

Starting at the guard's end the team gradually move along the body side.

There is quite a bit of surface area to work on.

Slowly but surely the preliminary work is completed. This is the area of the coach which has the double doors to facilitate loading.

We now jump forward to this week to see the progress on the guard's end, just a few details to finish.

The other side is almost complete so gradually the coach is taking on it's final colour.

The work on this side is probably more extensive than the first side and there is still some way to go.

Doors 5&6 are being worked on at the moment.

As you can see there has been lots of progress by Reg and the outside team.

Next post we will look at the inside. Thanks to Guy for the photos and a big pat on the back to the crew that are bringing the coach back to life.

To see the progress on our project why not come along to the Heritage Open Days we are having over the next two weekends? Free bus from Gobowen for those arriving by train. See the post on the 26th August for details.  We would love to see you.

Until next time.

Sunday at Park Hall Halt

Norman K took some pictures of the work going on at the halt. We start with a before picture. The vegetation grows quickly and keeping on top is a year-round task.

This is a view along the platform and you can see the task facing the volunteers.

After a good haircut the site appears from the vegetation

Looking along the line towards Gobowen we can see there is still much to do.  Fancy lending a hand?

Thanks to the team that turned out to help and to Norman for the photos and update.

Until next time.

Thursday Gang

One of the jobs undertaken today was the continuation of the capping and access steps at the cattle creep. As ever we are reusing materials from elsewhere. Norman K took the following pictures.

We start with a view of the wing wall of cattle creep with the bricks being moved into position

The start of bricklaying, time to check the levels, everything was spot on.

The finished steps and capping to the wing wall.

Thanks to Norman K for the pictures and to all who took part in this and other jobs around the site.

Until next time.

CHR Newsletter

You may not know that CHR publish a monthly newsletter with much more detail about the work completed and details of future plans

You can Subscribe here

The latest issue has just been published.

Until next time.

Park Hall Clearance

The cutting back of undergrowth continues at Park Hall Halt. Norman and crew have been busy with the tools to open up the view along the platform. Still a bit to do and they are glad it's not as long as the Oswestry platform.

Work will continue on Sunday mornings, more volunteers are always welcome. 

Many thanks to Norman K. for the picture and to all who braved the sun and holiday traffic to work at the halt.

Until next time.