Richard with ‘Viceroy’ and Andrew

Hi there, we thought it would be nice to run a few ‘Mince Pie Special’ trains last Saturday to celebrate Christmas, so the day, which was dull, misty and mostly dry, saw ‘Isabel’, ‘Prospero’ and ‘Viceroy’ out and about with several of us having a drive in the very atmospheric conditions until we had had enough at which time it was decided to separate the tenders and take the locos up to the top workshop for their warm winter storage just in case it turned cold over the Christmas and New Year period. So a good day was enjoyed by us all, and we were also  joined during the day by some of Peter’s family who also enjoyed their visit too, even Stuart was allowed to drive ‘Viceroy’!, There was much ‘mardling’ over some mulled wine, teas and coffees,and the satisfying consumption of mince pies, sausage rolls, and other tasty offerings! 

Happy Christmas everyone !

Peter leaf clearing

One of the jobs we need to do on the railway, is to replace the sleepers and edging boards to the old ‘tunnel’ section as the timbers are not in a a good state, as this part of the track was always damp as the water drained down the gradient here and it was always a shady spot. So some timber has been procured, and on Saturday John and Brian cut  it up into sleeper lengths and placed the equivalent of about three track panels in the creosote bath. We had made a mesh ‘basket’ frame to lift the sleepers in and out but this needed a minor ‘mod’ for it to be effective. Peter, meanwhile was busy on leaf clearing duty!

The shorter siding with the new route under to the new soakaway seen alongside the wheelbarrow

Hi , despite the rubbish cold, very, and wet weather last Saturday, we managed to get quite a lot done. John, Ben, Peter and Richard did some gardening ‘tidying up’ and with the help of a mechanical digger, (well driven by Ben) extended and backfilled the new soakaway from the storage shed water tank out into the tree belt. (Previously we had shortened and straightened the track coming out of the back of the loco shed, so its just long enough for a loco to stand alongside the water tank.)

Meanwhile, Keith, Kevin and Brian did some more work on the Shay, forming an aperture (posh word for hole !) in the boiler top under the rear dome, that will enable us better access to fit the exhaust, and worked out a method of running the exhaust back into the boiler to the silencer enabling the exhaust to be emitted out of the chimney as before. We also established that the belt drive from the hydrostatic unit under the Loncin can be the same as the original so a new one can be obtained.

Shay Boiler hole

On Saturday we held our first EVFR AGM which went very well with our accounts presented and agreed, as were the the members’ subscriptions for the coming year. A brief summary of our projects was outlined and then the meeting was closed with refreshments taken followed by some trains out and about. Lucille,Viceroy and Chieftain were given a trundle round the circuit and we were were pleased to see Kevin, who has joined us, having a drive too !

A good day 

Kevin with Chieftain                                                                               Dave with Viceroy

                                                      Lucille getting ready (All photos Jon Pond)

A nice relaxed day when Susan, our near neighbor, tried her hand at driving locos as she felt like trying something completely different? So during the day under John and Keith’s supervision, she drove ‘Viceroy’, ‘Chieftain’, and then prepared, fired up and drove ‘Isabel’ round the circuit several times. We think she enjoyed the experience !

Also during the day Richard and Peter did some weed spraying and grass cutting, and Brian and John continued staining the loco shed doors…oh, and the Loncin for the Shay is ordered!

                                                             Keith and Peter lifting the ‘Honda^  out

On Saturday we started to dismantle the Shay with a view to replacing the Honda engine which is now almost 30 years old and showing signs of its age. We have in mind a ‘Loncin ‘ ,which is a direct replacement for the Honda, that, all being well should fit, and with an electric start will make life easier, but it has to be said the engine has performed really well and usually starts first or second pull. This will also give us the opportunity to thoroughly check and overhaul all the various parts with a repaint as necessary. The loco is a credit to its builder, Edwin Peck whose skill and ingenuity in building the loco still amazes us!

We have also been doing some more work in the station area to make it more open and accessible.

On Wednesday 22nd September we welcomed members of the U3A local photographic group, who spent a very interesting afternoon taking a wide variety of photographs of the EVFR, and its members. It was a lovely sunny day and we had a lot of fun with Isabel, The Shay, Viceroy and Chieftain in use. We have been promised copies of their efforts so we can include some here, eventually….

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• John, Keith and Peter busy smartening up the Clubroom (I was there too !)

We had a very enjoyable and relaxed day last Saturday when no less than five of our locos came out to play. We were pleased to welcome Brian B with Helen and Andy who are looking to construct a 7 1/4 ” railway on a site they are looking now looking for and we were able to give them some , hopefully, helpful feedback. It was also good to see Peter’s family enjoying the day.

We were pleased with our efforts on Wednesday (4th August), when we erected the ‘Ashmanhaugh’ sign , placed the first of two garden seats, and positioned the two planters on the site of our new station in the newly constructed passing loop area .It looks good. It was also good to see Dave Jones and get him to drive ‘Viceroy’ the wrong way round, he was quite pleased !!!