Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

And this is the other half of The Duke, taken a few weeks ago. It has had a full new set of crown stays and you can just make out the gleam of the new copper tubeplate inside the boiler. It has also had a new backhead, new foundation ring, new lower outer side sheets and new several other things.

 

9466 is now a resident and will be based at Wirksworth until the boiler certificate expires in 2025 https://www.facebook.com/wyvernrail/posts/10157398634552175

 

Just in case you can't get into Facebook, here is the statement:

WyvernRail plc and JJP Holdings South West Ltd are delighted to announce that they have reached an agreement for large Pannier locomotive 9466 to become the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway’s first operational resident ex-British Railways steam locomotive. The locomotive is scheduled to be based at Wirksworth until the boiler certificate expires at the end of 2025

 

I guess this means the railway will have no need to borrow locos like 47406, 52322 or 46521. Pity.

 

No, not a bit of it. We are still expanding and the presence is 9466 is a great acquisition but we need to stay alert to the possibilities.

 

One working steam loco leaves little or no steam cover for boiler washouts, interim repairs etc. We are working towards a longer steam season and more frequent episodes of 2 train working, more locomotives are very likely to be required in one way or another.

 

My apologies, I hadn't realised the railway had experienced such problems with previous visiting locos. I look forward to seeing further developments on the railway.

 

Will 9466 ever see any mainline tours again on N.R. metals such as the shakespears or pannier rambler tours? If its ever decided by J.J.P. to hire it for mainline duties on its current mainline ticket although its on loan at E.V.R. until its boiler ticket expires

 

I certainly would not like to say that we had problems with previous visiting locomotives, the visits all went very well and I hope we will see our previous guest locomotives back at some time in the future. However we expect we will need more locomotives to cover extended and hopefully more intensive operations.

Last years plan, before the virus scuppered it, was to have one loco on hire at the beginning of the year, a second for later in the year and an overlap gala with both plus a third guest loco in the middle.

My own view is that on a heritage railway with overhauls undertaken by volunteers it may be wise to have three locomotives for each one in traffic with the major overhauls spaced about 3 years apart. That gives one freshly overhauled in traffic, one part worn spare to work turn and turn about, cover minor absences and appear at galas and one under major overhaul to be ready to take over when the second bows out.

 

That's excellent news since I'm a shareholder of the railway

 

Hopefully 48624 next, in view of the close links with the owning group.

 

Here are the results of socially distanced digging in the shed; Nos. 2 and 3 roads have been re-levelled and re-aligned and the ground has been prepared for laying of concrete walkways, which is a huge improvement on what was there before, there is still a lot to do. The remains of the old turntable pit can be seen; if anyone wishes to suggest reconstructing it, the segment shown is all that remains, and it was only a 40ft pit anyway.

 

Great pre-emption there.

 

I hear Cathryn's boiler had a drying fire in it yesterday; steam test to follow soon.

 

The boiler from the Hudswell-Clarke 0-6-0t Cathryn passed a steam test at Cromford today, first time in steam in 45 years; it still has to be returned to Wirksworth to be placed in the frames.

 

The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's 'Train Through Christmas Countryside' service started this last weekend and is sold-out all the way to Christmas.

This might prove interesting!

 

What a cracking little video. Mr Tickets has found his calling (although I can’t place his accent anywhere in Derbyshire!).

 

Our Christmas Season was extremely successful, with all tickets sold. Our operating staff have had many compliments for their COVID safety measures, and the quality of the event. They are now taking a much needed break. Behind the scenes we continue to make progress, here is a shot of the inside of the shed with a newly concreted apron on the right, following realignment of the track in readiness for the shed extension.

 

I'm delighted to say that the LMSCA's beautifully restored Porthole Brake with disabled access No. 27001 has been nominated for this year's Steam Railway Awards. I would urge EVR supporters to vote for it using http://www.steamrailway.co.uk/the-steam-railway-award - you do have to give your name and email address. It's the only coach nominated so deserves a vote if only for that!

Dave

 

Looks magnificent. A credit to the team. Steady progress towards having a nice rake of LMS coaches on the EVR especially if one of the LMSCA's coach happens to makes its way from t'other railway over the hill...