Oswestry Update

Come and take a ride on our new railway!!
It won't be long before we will be able to offer rides on the extension ("late summer" is the target) so here is a sneak preview filmed by Colin
A really big thank you to all who have donated to make this happen and we hope you approve of how the money has been spent.

 

Blog updated with some photos from the air, thanks to Les and his drone.

http://ilvaporista.blogspot.com

There have been some significant movements of stock and I am waiting for the pictures to arrive.

 

This just popped up on my YouTube feed.

This is the A5 level crossing. Interesting to see some of the cars waiting. 1988. Now 30+ years ago.

 

And there's more!



I assume these came in by road from Gobowen, rather than sneaking across the A5 in the middle of the night?!

 

Yes they came in by road and in foul weather so there are no pictures of the move. There have been many movements in the last two weeks as we prepare for reopening. Still no confirmed date but much work is going on behind the scenes.

 

The stop block has been installed on the refuge siding. Seen from a passing Pacer.

 

Does all that screeching indicate lots of wear to the track and to the wheels of the pacer?

 

The screeching will down to the relatively long rigid 4 wheel wheelbase of the Pacers. Interesting that the set in the clip is a 2 rather than 3 car 144 set.

 

No having driven them in front line service for 8 years that’s about standard, miss those things and number 007 was always a reasonable machine, wish them luck with it

 

Car spotting; I made out a BR Morris Ital van, Austin Montego estate, Ford Cortina Mk5, Ford Sierra Sapphire and a brown saloon that looked a bit like a Hillman Avenger. Coming in the opposite direction is I think a yellow Renault 4.

 

Sorry for being a bit slow. We sold our house today and have just a few days to vacate. I have more pictures of the refuge siding and stop block installation but need to find time to update the blog.

 

I have uploaded the latest photographs to the blog. Sorry for the delay. Every evening I am making a trip the the new house which is 90 minutes each way. Despite this the workshop still looks just as full as before I started.
http://ilvaporista.blogspot.com

 

Thanks for keeping us updated ....and I hope your house move is not too traumatic, you always forget how much "Stuff" you have - until it needs moving!!

 

That extension looks brilliant, tons of progress made. Does this run from oswestry station itself or another section?

 

Some superb progress there. I'm particularly loving that new running in board on the platform, it's a really well thought out piece of design which looks totally at home, as if it's been precisely where it belongs all along. Please pass my congratualtions to the folks responsible. Top job!

 

Yes from Oswestry Station.

 

Yes we are preparing the public face for when we open the railway to Weston. The railway will run from Oswestry station to Weston which is almost two miles from buffer stop to buffer stop.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes to get the line back in operation and to ready the extension for opening.

 

More work at Weston. Here is the photo at the end of the day as the works train arrives in the station.

 

New toy being delivered in the morning! 73129 has been sold and will be offloaded at Oswestry on Tuesday morning.

 

There is much going on behind the scenes!
The blog has been updated with various photographs.