Oswestry Update

Welcome to CHR and many thanks for joining to show your support! At the moment the line from just short the north end of Oswestry station platform (able to take 12 coaches) to just behind Travis Perkins yard is available for passenger services, just short of one mile. The relaid line actually extends about 150 yards beyond the stop board visible in Colin's video above. (Post from 5th December). That section ends at the renewed cattle creep bridge. Beyond that is about 2/3rds of a mile to the northern point at the start of Weston station. This section was fettled enough for light works trains and stock movements but is not suitable for passenger operations.
There needs to be considerable work to upgrade this remaining section. In some cases a spot resleepering is sufficient but in other areas virtually every sleeper per panel will require replacing before being passed for passenger operations. With the excavator already on site at Weston it makes sense to work on upgrading the line from South to North.
This work is being done a panel at a time so that works trains can operate as required. Previously 20 track panels were stripped and the section gradually returned to operation.
If you look at Colin's YouTube channel 'Cambrian HR Volunteer' there are a number of videos of trips along the sections yet to be restored. There is still plenty to do!

 

To round out the year the team had a Christmas dinner of fish and chips, afterwards it was the annual (socially distanced) line dance challenge. Here is the team warming up. Another two panels relaid during the day.

 

Update to the blog with details from the last working day before Christmas.

https://ilvaporista.blogspot.com/?m=0

 

Has Santa been to the railway early?
All those nice new clean sets of Hi Vis.

 

With some mucky ones I've seen on another railway, I wondered if the Vis was Hi enough.

 

I’d say rain washed!

 

My Instagram feed brings this https://www.instagram.com/p/CJZfMi2n5b6/?igshid=8gs5sjxkz77z. which I trust is of interest.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

A final picture of 2020 from CHR Facebook, roll on 2021. Here we are looking West from the river bridge over the farmland.

 

OK, so one final picture and post from 2020.
Here is Alpha waiting outside the shed with a rebuilt air compressor which now actually provides compressed air. Alpha will become a very useful engine for works trains and stock movements.
The blog has been updated for the last time in 2020.
https://ilvaporista.blogspot.com



We look forward to being able to see you at the railway in 2021.
Finally thank you for all of the support received this year. We really could not have achieved so much without it.
A personal thank you to all who read this!
Adrian Parker “ilvaporista”

 

And THANK YOU Too ilvaporista, for the updates. Let's also hope for a better 2021 and an end to or at least control of this Covid Pandemic. Thus letting us all in the preservation/heritage sector and else where get back on our collective feet......

 

Looking forward to seeing more excellent reports on the progress. I don't mind chucking a couple of bob in the CHR bucket when I see the effort that is going into the project.

 

One thing I find with ilvaporista's updates. They're like those from the Lynton & Barnstable, Oswestry is cracking on in a semi quiet way and getting things sorted/done on their line fettering/relaying/repairing their track/bridges/station platforms/loco and rolling stock etc at a reasonably steady rate. If not at quite as quick rate, as possible, considering the current circumstances what with the pandemic restrictions.

 

As could be expected the volunteer activity is now curtailed until the end of restrictions on movements. We will be keeping a close watch on the sites but unfortunately no further work can be planned at the moment.
The blog will be a bit quiet on progress for a while.

 

A quick update from the cctv in the yard at Oswestry.

 

And another snow picture added to the blog.

https://ilvaporista.blogspot.com

We are hopeful to be able to restart work again as soon as the restrictions are lifted.

 

Thanks again for all your updates ilvaporista.
.....I note the model Cambrian Railway 4 - 4 - 0 on the front page of the website.........it looks very similar to the new-build 567 locomotive project, could be a useful visitor in a few years time!

 

Yes! The 4-4-0 was built by my father 40 years ago and was exhibited at Wembley. I have a G1 version under construction but has not been touched for 10 years. I am looking forward to seeing 567 and both dad and I have donated.

 

I am figuring you've seen these two photos

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gone_with_regret/50878778441/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gone_with_regret/50878777911/

They'd make nice new build project.

 

Yes I have seen those pictures before. It certainly would be a lovely project and when my six numbers come up we can think about it.

 

Does make sense, as (if my memory serves me correctly), the Cambrian locos were built by Beyer Peacock, who were very closely linked with the MSLR (and later) GCR works in Gorton, not just geographically.