Weston Progress

Thanks to Les W and his drone we can share some superb pictures from the 21st July showing the latest progress at Weston.

Let's start with a general view of the station looking north towards Oswestry. The brewery is on the left and the station to the right.

The next view shows the brewery and station side by side and well within staggering distance. The position of the platform alongside the goods shed can be clearly seen.

Now we are looking along the main line and run round loop to the right and the siding to the bay platforms on the left.

With the camera now looking south you can see the station layout. This time the sidings are on the right and the main lines to the left.

In the next view you can see the position of the sectional platform as it is being assembled.

Now we take a look at the platform as it is extended by adding new sections. Further sections will be added on top of the base blocks which have already been set in position.

The platform is now the same length as the goods shed and you can see the next support in position.

The final view shows the platform materials in position awaiting assembly. Once the platform has been assembled the running lines can be extended to complete the loop. For the moment we need access with lifting equipment to assemble the concrete sections.

Thanks to all of the volunteers involved with the works at Weston station and to Les W for the pictures. Les travels some distance to work on the railway.

Keep watching for progress on the CHR project.

Until next time.

Park Hall Progress

There have been two working parties at Park Hall Halt recently to trim back the vegetation.  Norman and the regular crew were joined by new members Les and June, a very warm welcome to you.

The recent vegetation growth was cleared back, the enforced time off has allowed nature to encroach the station and track again. Norman's pictures show some of the activity with some before and after shots.

We start with a general view of the platform and you can see the activity on the platform.

Weedkiller was applied to the section up to the bridge. You can see how in a short time the weeds have come back to cover the track.

On the platform surface the tarmac has been exposed once again. There is still plenty more to uncover if you fancy lending a hand.

The strimmed track looks a little clearer.

Thank you to all the team members who took part and to Norman for the pictures.

Until next time.

A Weston Tour

Thanks to local film maker Chris Smith here is a tour of the Weston site and details of the future station.

Weston platform

Thanks to Chris for putting this together.

Until next time.

Park Hall Halt Uncovered (Again)

It's been around six months since Norman and the team were last at the halt.  No need to say the reasons why but there was a little trepidation in the air as they returned so see what had happened.

The following photos from Norman show the status as found and after two weekends of cutting back.

The platform looks a little overgrown but luckily the new growth is mostly long grasses and weeds

The previously cleared platform area is still there but needs a haircut.

The team set to work and cut back the vegetation, already it's looking a lot clearer

That's better and a feeling of job well done as the platform space is visible once again.  Here we are looking south towards the A5.

The view looking north towards Gobowen is a lot better too!

The view from the hospital fence shows the area is now back to where we were with the clearance about six months ago.

Thanks to Noman and the volunteers who came along to keep their distance to help.  Now that the vegetation is lower we may be able to see the volunteers and make sure we do not lose anyone in the undergrowth.  

Until next time.

Suburban Coach

Although it's still not possible to fully reopen to the public at this time we have started planning to allow some volunteer working using social distancing rules.

To catch up on the current status of the coach restoration in Oswestry shed Guy paid a visit and took the following pictures.

The brake end has gained a couple of observation windows. Seen here from the outside these windows will allow the train staff a clear view along the track.

From the inside the windows also allow some extra light into the guard's compartment.

The brake end has been painted internally but still requires some detailing.

The team had repainted the internal roof panels and side planking.

Some work is still required on the internal door panels before painting.

The external restoration is pretty much complete with just a few areas requiring finishing.

Internally the compartments are being refitted, here is compartment 5 awaiting attention.

Compartment 4 is almost complete.

The last view shows the scene from when work was stopped. The jackets have been there since the last working session months ago keeping guard on our prized Suburban coach.

Thanks to Guy N for the pictures, taken with only the natural light in the shed.

We hope to be able to resume operations this year to be able to show you what has been achieved. Until then we still have to pay our bills and keep financially solvent. If you can make a small donation to help cover our costs it would be very welcome. Large donations are also accepted but in the present situation it is clear that funds may be limited. You can donate through the CHR website.

Thank you all for your support.

Until next time

Weston From Above.

Thanks to modern technology here is a view of the state of play at Weston at the beginning of June.

For those not familar with the site a few words of explanation. The line to Oswestry is to the top of the picture and this is pointing towards the north. Just out of sight at the bottom is the road overbridge, which leads to the A483 off to the right. Just out of shot to the left is Weston Pools.

At the left of the picture is a stone house, now better known as the home of an aptly named brewery.

Stonehouse Brewery is a small independent brewery  who have won awards for their products.  If you have not tried one give it a go.

The actual brewery is in the sheds to the rear of the house and behind that is the garden where you can sit and enjoy a peaceful drink. The garden adjoins the CHR Weston site and we look forward to further collaboration as both sites develop.

On the station site you can see the goods shed. There was never an official passenger station at Weston, the primary purpose was goods traffic.

When Weston becomes an operational station the goods shed will become a display space. 

Just to the north of the shed you can see the toilet block, a modern and very necessary addition. The external cladding is still to be completed and this will give the building a more vintage appearance.  To the north of the toilet block you can see the two sidings, these will be used to house vehicles for display and for activities related to the station such as retail space.

So far not much has been laid of the main platform road and run round loop. From roughly the end of the right hand track there will be a point for the northern end of the loop. The southern point will be out of shot at the bottom of the picture on the other side of the overbridge.

Alongside the shed will be the prefabricated concrete platform, parts for which can be seen laid in position. On the right hand side of the station site is the sleeper pile, waiting to be used where necessary.  The eagle-eyed will also see the newly rolled rail waiting to be laid through the station on the main line 

Work will resume shortly at Weston and we will keep you up to date with progress.

A special thank you goes to Les W for the picture.

Until next time.

Support CHR

The latest CHR newsletter has been published and there are hopeful signs that activity may restart in the near future at Weston.

If you are not already signed up to the monthly newsletter go to the CHR website, link at the top of this page, scroll down until you see the box subscribe and click.  You can the sign up and receive the latest news to your inbox.

Of major importance at the moment is the appeal to keep the railway financially solvent. Not being able to run services and sell goods limits the income for CHR.  Any donations large or small are very welcome. So far we have raised over five thousand pounds but we will need to roughly triple that to ensure the railway can make it through 2020.

As work recommences on the various projects there will be further updates.

Until next time.