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Cholsey and Wallingford

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by m wainwright, Dec 18, 2017.

  1. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    That assumes that the host railway actually have steam qualified crews available. There are, I think, quite a few heritage railways that have no home based steam locos, and hence little chance for their footplate crews to gain the necessary experience. Those must by necessity rely on the support staff for any hired in steam locos to provide the crew (accompanied of course by local train crew acting as pilot men).
    All a bit chicken and egg. . .
     
  2. middy

    middy New Member

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    5197 waits just outside Wallingford for the show to start.
     
  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Moderator Note

    If one of your posts has disappeared then it is because it contained an embedded remark made by someone who has requested that all their comments on a particular topic be removed. If you are affected and concerned then please send us a private message and we will explain.
     
  4. middy

    middy New Member

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    08507 waiting for the right away.
     
  5. Devonbelle

    Devonbelle New Member

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    D2DF5694-BB0F-4C53-8302-2D0349AA1922.jpeg Full marks to the C&W (and supporting bodies). We saw the Polar Express Thur night (16:12) and mightily impressed - with the loco and the wider set-up. Tried to book a month ago but too late even then. Will sort a donation as the memory of the S160 chuffing away from Cholsey in the dark will stay with me for a long time. Volunteers friendly as ever and handing out 2022 leaflets. My shot below.
     
  6. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    This is a good move. Next there will be a big great western visiting. That will be a thing to see
     
  7. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Sadly we have had to cancel the last 5 days of Polar because of Covid and the significant staffing issues it is causing. A dissapointing end to what has overall been an excellent year for the C&WR, with the vast majority of trains sold out and record turnover from operations. Plans are already progressing for Polar to return in 2022, along with a slightly increased and more predictable main running season which starts in April. Plenty of sleepers to change between now and then though!
     
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  8. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    Kingscross and Johnme101 like this.
  9. CholseyWallingfordMedia

    CholseyWallingfordMedia New Member

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    Volunteer Paul likes this.
  10. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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  11. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    And 5526 from The South Devon is hauling them! Here is the train out on a rehearsal run on Tuesday afternoon. We start welcoming over 28,000 passengers from Thursday! (Photo: A Stead)

    20221122_234341.jpg
     
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  12. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Another one from A Stead of 5526 pulling away from Church Bridge in Cholsey. The first train of happy paying passengers have just been taken to the North Pole. Plenty more over the next 4 weeks, during which we're running over 100 trains!

    Lots of exciting developments at Wallingford in the pipeline, which Polar helps pay for. I'll try to do a more detailed post after Christmas. In the meantime if you want a monthly news digest email from us then sign up for 'Bunk Extra' here https://mailchi.mp/4ae2b6e42bb6/sign-up-to-bunk-extra

    DSC_9908.jpeg
     
  13. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Some impressive drone footage of 5526 was shot this afternoon by Niall Hammond.

    The train has just passed under Church Bridge at Cholsey and is heading down what we know as 'sewer straight' with Manor Farm in the background, heading towards Wallingford.

    https://youtu.be/Ev1CQ4FYwgs
     
  14. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Quick update on work taking place during the closed season at Wallingford. Several hundred tons of new ballast have been dropped on the line since Christmas, mainly to improve the shoulder along the line. Work continues on overhauling our TSO so we can again run 3 coach trains this summer. We recently aquired a new BSK and work has started on the overhaul of it. 08022 'Lion' is recieving some much needed attention, with major work taking place on the injectors and radiator. Lots of bodywork has been removed which will be shotblasted and repainted off site. The main project has been widening the platform at Wallingford closest to the buffer stops. A new retaining wall has been built and a couple of attractive flowerbeds constructed. Yesterday the new area was tarmacked which will be a huge improvement - see picture below. First trains on Easter Sunday...
     

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  15. m wainwright

    m wainwright New Member

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    That flyash platform surface was a nightmare if you had to paint anything
     
  16. m wainwright

    m wainwright New Member

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    Is there any updates on progress, I believe that some more coaches were obtained recently !!
     

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