Model Railway Exhibition. 2nd June

The first joint Cambrian Heritage Railways and Ellesmere Model Railway Club exhibition will be held at Oswestry station on June 2nd 2019.  The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm, details are as on the image.  Come along and bring a friend or two. 

Thursday Gang: Now We Are Eight

There was a very good turn out and lots of jobs around the site were progressed.

The suburban coach had many of the wooden interior parts varnished and hung up to dry in dust-free environments.

The track gang continued to lay further panels in the centre road and now we are at number eight. As Glynn has measured that is now about 150m from the crossing at the south of the station, or around 460ft in real money.  That takes the track almost to the end of the station building.

Glynn's picture shows the status at the end of the day with the iron men taking a rest whilst the crew packed tools away.

Further down the line the next crossing gate to be hung was moved into position.

Elsewhere the locomotive and coaching stock were cleaned and prepared for duty.

The Lowmac wagon had much attention from a needle gun to continue with removal of years of rust and grime.

Thanks to Glynn for the details and pictures and to all who came along.

Until next time.

Diary Date; June 2nd.

We will be holding a Model Railway Exhibition at Oswestry station in conjunction with Ellesmere Model Railway Club. Trains both model and full size will be running and there will be a number of traders as well.
Please come along and visit the show and see what we are up to.

Transportation Tuesday

After the movements on Monday the Tuesday Gang carried on with the relocation of bits and pieces.  Without any form of mechanical assistance available the team moved forty six sleepers to allow further track laying on the centre road.  These sleepers came from the already processed sleeper pile now located some distance away from the railhead of the centre road.  In addition eight sleepers were identified for renewal and their replacements were selected and moved in to position

On the running line Steve and John carried with greasing fishplates.  This lovely but vital job allows the rails to move slightly to allow for thermal expansion and slight movements whilst maintaining the weight of the trains.  By the end of the day the line in front of the station building had been completed and many renditions of 'Grease is the word' were hummed and sung.

Thanks to Dave M for the update.

Until next time.

Moving Monday

Monday was a day of big things.  Big crane, big moves and big improvements.

The wood store (an ex Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway covered van) was relocated and the new mess room was moved into position.  That makes a big improvement visually and will also provide somewhere for the team to meet and provide a home for the vitally important tea making facilities.

There were quite a few people onsite today and it fell to Dave R to take the pictures.  The first one shows the wood store being relocated.

Once the store had been moved a shuffle round with the lorry and the Portakabin was moved from it's temporary home to close to the shed where it will serve as a focal point for volunteers.  Sheer luxury!

Although Monday is not a usual working day many thanks to all who turned out to assist and to Dave for taking the pictures.

Until next time.

Thursday Gang Update

Everyone was busy on Thursday, in fact everyone was so busy that there were no pictures taken.

However the team still continued and much tidying up was done.  As Glynn says..

"No photographs this week I'm afraid, and as I was quite involved in the wood store I may have missed some jobs being done.
Initial progress consisted of preparing the wood store (L&Y grounded body) for Monday's lift and move, plus moving equipment, materials and scrap (metal & wood) from the adjacent areas.
Between showers, some heavy including hail, the area bounded by the park and middle road, South of the down platform and north of Coney Green had a considerable amount of materials moved to leave the site looking much better, the only items being left were point rodding which will be required in that area, and 3 location cabinets which need to be separated before we move them.
John continued working on the Suburban, with Glyn putting finishing touches to the paintwork on the door edges, Keith and Al continued working on the Permaquip packer. The north end of the portacabin on the platform has been painted as during its proposed move on Monday into the yard, it will be swivelled 180º so that end will be close up to the toolshed."
.
Thanks to Glynn for the update.

Until next time

Tuesday Gang

The Tuesday Gang had a day out, space is needed at Weston to clear the site to allow work to start on the platform and facilities building.  Currently there are a number of items of rolling stock stored there which need to be recovered to Oswestry.  Although the track south of the cattle creep is not yet up to passenger carrying standards we can move the stock along the line.

Armed with metal divining skills the team set off to recover some rails from the undergrowth and connect up the isolated siding.  Andy G armed with the camera took the following pictures.

We start with the successful hunt of rail.  A suitable rail has been found and Noel, Tom and Glyn have started to move it in to a position to be recovered for it's temporary use.  Notice also the wall in the background of multiple heights, dubious parentage and lacking in stability.  This will be rebuilt as a platform as part of the Weston station works.

Now joined by Dave and John the second rail is gently lifted from it's slumbers ready to join the first on the way to their new home.

Dave, Mick Noel, Tom, Glyn and John have a breather after getting the1st rail in place and ready to be keyed up.

It's all hands to the bars as the second rail is moved up into position, but look some people are just not trying..

 When we said all together that means everyone, shall we try that again??

The rails were soon nudged into position and the temporary connection made.  Note that these rails will be lifted again as part of the Weston station re-layout

The rolling stock can now be moved to allow access for the building work to start at Weston.

Thanks to all who participated and to Andy G for the pictures.

Until next time.