Cholsey and Wallingford

Sentinal no. 6515 will be visiting the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway
https://www.facebook.com/CholseyWallingfordRailway/posts/2669044539781050

 

Info on the Sentinel weekend from the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway website:

 

September 21st and 22nd - Special Sentinel Event

We plan to bring together a train pulled by a Sentinel loco with two Sentinel lorries – all in steam. We will NOT be running to our normal timetable as we want to take the opportunity to pose lorries and train together for some very rare photographic opportunities.

We will run an 11am Wallingford departure to Cholsey returning from Cholsey at 11.25am. After that we will pose the lorries and train together at Wallingford Station and at hopefully at two other points along our line as the train travels between Wallingford and Cholsey. Obviously the timings to and from Cholsey will depend upon the time taken to get the loco and lorries positioned. We will provide approximate timing sheets to those buying tickets so that those wanting photos can walk or drive to the sites where we hope to have the lorries and train together.

The lorries also hope to demonstrate their superiority by reaching Cholsey before the train but we will see …… they might even be at the head of the queue at the level crossing on the Wallingford bypass as the train passes if we get the timings right!

Normal fares apply but Members Vouchers not valid for travel.

We will run one final train each day (planned to be no later than 4pm from Wallingford) to get those who travel from Cholsey back!

We have never tried anything quite like this so please bear with us if we can’t quite deliver all we would like. One final caveat – the current dry weather may require us to run the train with an 08 to assist it as we don’t want any lineside fires, I am sure you will understand our concerns.

Tickets on sale at cholsey-wallingford-railway.com

 

If one wishes to start from Wallingford, where does one park a car?

 

Free parking at Wallingford station

 

Some photos (via Facebook) of yesterday’s event. More trains and steam waggons today (Sunday 22nd)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...eaction&notif_id=1569107963744410&ref=m_notif

 

Some great photos from day 1 of our 1940s event are on our Facebook page

https://m.facebook.com/CholseyWallingfordRailway/

The Sentinel is running alternating trains on Sunday (29/9).

 

Our next of the fabulous cream tea specials is a charity special with all proceeds going to charity.

Bookings are now open:

https://www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/cream-teas

 

Is there any news regarding the Canopy. Or the planning application for the adjoining land?

 

Donations to help support us through the COVID-19 pandemic
The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought a temporary closure to the 100% volunteer run Cholsey and Wallingford Railway at the start of the running season. As with any charity or business, the railway faces fixed costs whether running or not, with fixed costs (such as rent & insurance) which costs several thousand pound per month.

We are now faced with a significant period of no income from passengers, particularly over the popular Easter & May Bank Holiday events.

Fortunately 2019 was a good year for the railway, with the busiest Santa season. This meant we were able to plan significant investment in 2020. We have already acquired land from Lidl to enable the creation of a run round loop at Wallingford, and the errection of the Maidenhead Canopy.

To help us achieve our plans for 2020 and beyond we will need donations, to ensure that the we don't use our reserves we have built up for investment in general running costs.

Details on how to donate are on the website.

https://www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/

 

Apart from the running dates, your website hasn't been updated since June 2018. @Robkitchuk received no reply to his enquiry above.

I wish you well with your appeal, but I think there needs to be more communication from the railway, not just in times of need.

Keith

 

Quick update on a few exciting developments. We have just acquired of a small piece of land from Lidl at Wallingford Station which will allow us to erect the Maidenhead Canopy and complete a run round loop. The fence has already been moved and construction of the canopy will begin in the next 2-3 weeks - we hope to have it finished by the end of the summer. Plans are progressing for a new engine shed and we have passed the first stage of a grant application for funding.

Tricky times financially, so we are running a small auction ahead of Father's Day. Your chance to drive Sentinel 6515! https://www.32auctions.com/cwr

 

This week has seen some BIG changes at Wallingford Station

The erection of the Victorian Maidenhead canopy has begun at Wallingford. After surveying and setting out, the first hole was dug in the platform, this was for one of the larger Burnham columns that will eventually support the Canopy at either end.

The concrete bases for the columns to support the Maidenhead Canopy were poured by the contractors and the fronts for the platform extension were put into the trench

For pictures see facebook https://www.facebook.com/CholseyWallingfordRailway

 

Many have asked when public trains will be running again on the line.

We have taken the forced closure as an opportunity to accelerate our improvement works at Wallingford Station.

Good progress is currently being made on erecting the Maidenhead canopy and extending the platform. Hopefully this work will be finished in the next couple of months, allowing us to run trains again in the Autumn. When we do open again, Wallingford Station will look very different and we can't wait to show it off!

Passenger and volunteer safety is obviously our top priority, so when we do reopen, things will be a bit different to maintain social distancing and allow enhanced cleaning. We are also looking into holding an open day at Wallingford Station in August so you can see what we have been up to. Details of the open day and any running will be updated on facebook & the webpage.

 

Some significant progress on the Canopy, and many of us wondered if this day would ever come but after over 5 years today we saw the first panels of the Victorian Maidenhead Canopy erected by the Green Oak Company (Liss, Hants) and co-ordinated by The Morton Partnership, at Wallingford Station.

The project is the largest ever funded by the Railway Heritage Trust and we are extremely grateful for their support throughout this project and for that of the late Sir William McAlpine in the early days of the project.

We will be holding an Open Day on 2nd August by which time a lot of this structure will be in place, come along see how we are hoping to transform Wallingford Station to produce a station that truly reflects a bygone era.

For pictures see facebook https://www.facebook.com/CholseyWallingfordRailway

 

I would have liked to see the pictures, but not joining facebook for the privilege.

 

You don't have to join facebook to view the pictures. Just press 'not now' when facebook asks you to join.

 

Canopy2 by CholseyWallingfordMedia posted Jul 15, 2020 at 10:27 AM

Canopy3 by CholseyWallingfordMedia posted Jul 15, 2020 at 10:26 AM

For a small railway (like us) Facebook is ideal - this thread has been viewed 18,000 in 3 years...the post about the canopy (posted yesterday evening) has been seen nearly 7,000 in 12 hours