The Foxfield Steam Gala, 17/18th July 2010.

ive seen video photage and photos of Ausitertys with no Air, doing 300ton MGR/HAA trains, Bold Colliery for one.

http://bobby-hunter.fotopic.net/p57308426.html
Peckfield Colliery

 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Hunslet_Austerity_0-6-0ST
Hunslet Austerity at bold

http://micksworldofbritishlocomotives.fotopic.net/p62975754.html
Bold Colliery Again

http://micksworldofbritishlocomotives.fotopic.net/p51428081.html
Bickershaw Colliery

http://micksworldofbritishlocomotives.fotopic.net/p51428040.html
Sentainel with MGR/HAA

 

The Boiler inspector passed Dubs in steam today, lagging tommorrow as planned. He will need to see her again when in one piece with all fittings. The slewing engine was tested in steam for the first time today and it ran like clockwork. Full credit to Greg Meddings who rebuilt it over two years in his garage.

Florence and Meaford No 2 both passed cold exams and will be steam tested on Friday.

Whiston's lagging is all on and the tank will be fitted on Wednesday using the same crane that will fit the jib to Dubs.

Busy days - all hands to the pump on Wednesday.

 

Bagnall 2842 was moving around the yard yesterday testing a few more new items.

The crane was fitted to Dubsy today, what have we done ? - without the side tanks it looks like a monster !. The saddle tank was a also fitted to Whiston so we have a little less clutter.

Bellerophon returned from the WSR today and Mech Navvies is due to arrive on Monday.

 

So if I want to go along and take photos, preferably of the freight trains on the banks, (for the sake of authenticity), where do I go and what do I do?

 

There is some limited car-parking space at the colliery, however your best bet is to park at Caverswall Road and use the shuttle bus to reach the colliery. (I assume the bus is running as per usual?)

 

Or take the train to Dilhorne Park and walk down the path to the colliery.

 

I tried the path last year and along with loads of other people got completely lost! The staff at Dilhorne Park didn't know where the path was either. People were roaming off in all directions. Quite funny, but bloomin' annoying! I would suggest the bus is the safer bet.
Do we have a start and finish time for the event yet?

Cheers,

Paul

 

It's definitely easier walking up from the colliery along the path and trying to find the station, than trying to find the path from the station! It's not too difficult when you know where it is. From what I remember, it was about 100 yards west of Dilhorne station. It was very boggy in a couple of places though.

There's basically 3 locations for the freight coming out of the colliery, depending on the light and the time of day.

The colliery site http://5944.fotopic.net/p59722725.html

A field just up the bank http://5944.fotopic.net/p59722729.html

Another field just before Dilhorne station http://5944.fotopic.net/p52158925.html

 

With both my volunteer and 'civilian' hats on, I'd recommend the bus, especially if you've not been before - it's free and frequent, and a damn sight easier! Volunteer's hat off, there is often a large procession seen walking along the track bed from Dilhorne Park, but obviously we can't condone this and anyone walking the track bed does so at their own risk - volunteers are busy during the gala and don't have time to clear up the mess should you suddenly notice the limited clearances at the wrong time! The path might be ok should this dry weather continue, but it's not the easiest to find... For simplicity's sake, it's a 5 minute bus ride from Caverswall Road

 

Mr Denscomde - Friday Friday / Sat would be good days this week....

The crossing at Dilhorne Park will be manned, farmers are ok for us to use the fields. Please dont walk along the track bed. The bus service is free and due to limited parking at Foxfield is perhaps the best option for first time visitors.

There is a low fence at the colliery ( had to be done ) but it will not mess with photos. I need a method of getting the classic pit shot on the right however, I will advise.

If Dubs makes it it will trundle around the pit yard - it has new everything so it will be a running in turn. Lagging today, tanks & cab Friday, connecting rods needed more attention and will return this weekend.
First passenger train 10.00, last departure from Caverswall road 17.00.

 

Just a note on the above comments: Despite what might have been said and done at Dilhorne Park in previous years there is no public right of way through the fields to the colliery. There will be access from the east end of the platform to the field opposite through a stile/gate for photographs. The official footpath from Dilhorne Park is via a foot crossing at the west end of the loop following a footpath that comes out on the road in Dilhorne about a mile from the colliery.

The best way to get to the Colliery is, as George says, via the FREE bus from Caverswall Road Station.

Please note: Access to any private land adjoining the railway is at the discretion of the landowners and anyone found causing wilful damage to private or railway property, gates or fences will be removed immediately and without refund.

 

Saturday sounds good, and a couple of days next week

 

Just to be clear, as Gala Manager, I can assure folks that members of the team have spoken to the farmers and they are happy for visitors to use the fields as vantage points. The farm track on the right hand side of the bank is available to move from A to B.

The free bus ( also connects with RR Blythe Bridge, sat only ) remains the best option for access to Dilhorne.

 

Is there tracklaying at Dilhorne this sunday?

Regards,

Tim

 

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MNA - a group of photographers that use to clean BR engines at the end of steam. We now need the opposite so when crews turn up for their locos at preserved railways they are covered in a realistic layer of grime. How times have changed!

Good to see 2842 out and looking forward to seeing her next weekend. One down, two to go...

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned on here but there is the possibility of a short photo charter in conjunction with the gala. Nothing definite but please pm me if interested and I will forward you details of the organiser.

Regards,

David

 

...Computer says no! MNA could also be short for somthing else related to this gala lol.

The MEch Navvies Crew are looking forward to giving her a good clean a week today in preperation for the gala ;-), I am sure she will gather some dirt throughout the day but she will have another good seeing too on each morning. The loco has a few subtle changes to make her more accurate. Of course Swallwell locos were always clean so we are simply 'recreating the look'.

See you all next weekend, it will be good to put names and faces to the posts.

Alex

 

Have a look at the news page on Foxfield's website

http://www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk/news.htm

as this is being kept bang up to date with the latest goings on at Foxfield HQ...

Rich