Signalbox Working Party

A pre preservation volunteer was staying at the caravan site this past weekend so the decision was taken to run some trains for him to relive happy memories, it also marked Dave Mills' 'Welsh Pony's entry to traffic following the running in last weekend, I'm hoping that perhaps one day we'll see an official naming ceremony. During the course of the day he and a few others took the opportunity to begin dismantling Stokerton Signal box, we would have worked at Moles Hill as it is smaller, has been dismantled and new parts all ready machined, but the need for a milling bit prevented this. all parts needed labelling so this was done, and the lever frame had to come out which was most impressive.

Lever Frame

Welsh Pony at Work

Easter Running Day

Paul Wood reports:
Well, where to start? What a busy day 18/04/09 was. I was the first to arrive at Bethesda, the sun was shining and everything was quiet, but not for long. It soon became 11am and we had to start getting ready. I went up to the tunnel above Moles Hill with Meg to get the empty coaching stock. Once back at Stokerton, we briefed all the drivers on how to use my walkie talkies and Harry’s temporary signalling scheme, very similar to that of the F&WHRs. I can report that the signalling worked very well, but the walkie talkies could be a tad annoying at times. It was hoped that two steamers would visit the line, however only arrived and it was soon discovered that the Tich’s springs hung too low and caught on the check rails, meaning it couldn’t run. So with no steam we turned to the petrol, finally after many days of trying Dave Mills’ Welsh Pony burst in to life, it attempted a couple of laps but as it was the first proper run some bits vibrated loose but following some tweaking it completed its first true lap of the line, a loco designed and built for the railway about 10years ago finally doing the job. And doing that job incredibly well what a sight, smell and sound (something for the senses!), riding behind it was incredible but being allowed to drive it was even better. You could hear it working hard on the gradients near Highfield from Stokerton. With the reliability of Welsh pony much improved, we started a two train service with Meg on the other set. Trains crossed at Moles Hill for the first time in preservation so there was plenty of action. I think I can speak for everyone when I say it was a very enjoyable day. Thanks to everyone involved, sadly though as we were so busy not many photos were taken, but check back soon as I may have some.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi 09

On the 28/02 & 01/03/09 Simon's Miniature Railway came back to the railway with Tinker and their Trojan to celebrate St. David's Day (or Dydd Gwyl Dewi). A nice relaxed couple of days playing with fine trains on a fine miniature railway. As well as night running we also saw Dave Mills' fine petrol loco roar in to life for a lap, but sadly failing with carburetor troubles, but he's getting there. Photos here www.joflrailway.fpic.co.uk/c1662373.html and a video:

East Anglian's Running Day

On Wednesday 18th of February we had some 16mm East Anglian modellers come over for an afternoon, one of whom brought a 3 1/2" loco, it wasn't putting the power down well enough so the solution was to sit on it creating a ride on 3 1/2" loco, perhaps a first?
Paul Sherwood produced this fine video: