Southwold Railway

If you laid them edge-on (as you might for a top course), 1000 bricks goes about 1.5 times round a mk1 coach.

 

I asked James the same question earlier in the thread. He replied, although called me Mike instead, I think it's because I replied to something he told bikermike, so hence the confusion (my fault really).

 

The replacement bricks appear to be being used...
https://twitter.com/HalesworthNGRS/status/1421830643412049929

 

Pleased to say we have a volunteer - Tim - who is very good with traditional lime mortar (although the Aldeburgh brickworks bricks are mostly banana-shaped, at least they are appropriate for the building's age).
We have an Open Day next Sunday - 8th August - at Blythburgh Station, where you can view the restored Goods Shed and sidings, and the station building excavations - and see the display of the work involved, and many of the artefacts uncovered. Souvenirs will be for sale - and the event will also be attended by the promotional stall for the Air Ambulance service. Hours - 10 till 4 - free of charge. Free parking. Entrance is opposite the Blythburgh White Hart on the A12 - it'll be signed. All are welcome.
James

 

Just saw this on North Bay Engineering's Facebook page. Blythe's cab almost complete, and beautifully presented:

 

ooooh, that's lovely...

 

Fantastic news… also interesting about the hope for a 0.5 mile running line…

 

Ooooh! That will be good to see. Nicely timed for my holiday too!

Has the Trust managed to make any progress on the extension outside the steamworks?
(Not that a brand new shiny engine isn't good news enough)

 

I don’t think they’ve extended past the boundaries of their current site. But the progress they’ve made within the site itself and with ‘Blyth’ is astounding.

 

Having popped in a few years ago, the progress is amazing.

 

Go back to Page 5 of this thread for some photos of where the harbour branch went....

 

Always thought this was a tail wagging the dog type situation (a new build loco without a line to run it on) but I have to say she's an impressive bit of kit, and I really hope it inspires the people of Southwold to get onboard with the project

 

Don't they still need to test the water with a sandcastle on Southwold Beach first?

 

Is the steamworks opening at all during the october half-term?
(Sat 23rd to Sun 31st?)

 

Sorry - have not heard - but our third Blythburgh Station Open Day is definitely on - Sunday week October 10th, 11 till 3. Restored 1879 Goods Shed, and artefacts from the dig on display, with info about HSNGR, and live steam (albeit 7.25" and SM-32....) It's free - as are the teas and coffees! Signposted off the A12 just north of Blythburgh village. Phase I of the station foundations is complete, with work now proceeding on landscaping, and on archaeology along the eastern end of the platform - which seems to be a very fruitful area.

May as well do a news round-up while I am here: our guided walks last weekend for Halesworth Heritage Open Days were very well attended, with universal very strong support for railway restoration. All part of our "hearts and minds" campaign.
No 3 (our first coach, based on a RNAD underframe) has been re-gauged by Peggs of Aldeburgh from 2'6" to 3' (not the easiest task), and will soon be be on the railway in Wenhaston for testing - suspension, couplings, etc. - using both locomotives.
Today we are metal-detecting at Halesworth, where we think we have unearthed some parts of Sharp, Stewart "Blyth" which was gas-axed onsite in 1940.

 

I have seen aircraft 'restorations' start from similar quantities of original parts. So there is ample opportunity to call this a restoration! ;-)

 

Lovely stuff.
If you put one of those bolts on Blyth it stops being a new-build...

Hope the open-day goes well. The week are down is half-term, so I'd think it would be a good tourist-catching time.

 

Called in briefly at Blythburgh on my way up to Lowestoft this morning....

 

We found this bit (see pics) alongside where "Blyth" was gas-axed in 1940 - and about 18" down. Can't identify, but seems heavy enough to be part of the loco - and the edge evidence shows definite gas-axing. NB the photo titles MAY be wishful thinking.... Any ideas?
We do have, BTW, the riveted oval flange onto which Blyth's (or just possibly Halesworth's) water tank filler cap hinges - but it's in too poor condition to re-use, sadly....

 

Reminds me of this: