Fw: Moseley Railway Trust - Made in Staffordshire Gala (10/11 Sept 2011)

Press Release:- Moseley Railway Trust announces “Made in Staffordshire” Gala

The Moseley Railway Trust is pleased to announce details for the 2011 September gala at the Apedale Valley Light Railway, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. The gala, entitled “Made in Staffordshire”, will be held on September 10 and 11 2011.

The event will focus on the Staffordshire-based locomotive builders. Staffordshire supported a variety of railway engineering companies, and most of these will be represented. From Kerr Stuart of Stoke-on-Trent will be the resident “Stanhope” and, all being well, the MRT’s newly restored “Joffre” locomotive. The restoration of the “Joffre” is now in its final stages. There have been a number of last minute snags, as is inevitable on a locomotive which has not steamed since the 1950s, but the owning group are very much hoping that these will be resolved in time for the September event.

Representing the WG Bagnall company of Stafford will be “Isabel”. Built in 1897, “Isabel” is normally based at the Amerton Railway. This locomotive was for many years preserved in gardens near Stafford railway station. The MRT is very grateful to the Amerton Railway and to Stafford Borough Council for allowing Isabel to visit Apedale.

However, it is important to also be aware that there is still a vibrant manufacturing industry in Staffordshire – and one which still builds steam locomotives. The Hunslet Engine Company will loan one of the recent build locomotives to the classic “Quarry Hunslet” design – 108 years younger than Isabel, and demonstrating that Staffordshire remains a centre for engineering excellence. Again, the MRT wishes to thank Graham Lee, Henry Noon and the team at Hunslet for facilitating this visit.

The final major locomotive builder in Staffordshire was Baguley of Burton on Trent; the MRT has two Baguley locomotives in the collection, built over a 54 year timespan. There may also be a special surprise additional Burton-built locomotive – details are under negotiations currently.

Building on the success of previous years, there will also be a supporting cast of model railways, vintage vehicles and a wide range of traders. The MRT would be pleased to hear from individuals or groups who wish to exhibit – particularly anything with a Staffordshire theme.

The event will be open from 1100 to 1700 on each of the days. Admission this year will be £6 for adults, £3 for children – each admission ticket will also include a train ride on the railway. Further rides can be purchased if required. There is a buy-in-advance option available for the first time this year – this gives a worthwhile discount on the on the gate price. Further details are available at www.mrt.org.uk

 

The model railway line-up for the Moseley Railway Trust's September Gala weekend has been confirmed as listed below. The Gala weekend is on September 10 & 11th, at the Trust's site at Apedale, Newcastle-Under-Lyme. The event is open from 1100 to 1700 both days. Full details can be found at www.mrt.org.uk or www.avlr.org.uk

#1: Royal Gunpowder Mills - Scale 6mm/ft - Tony Barratt

For 200 years the Royal Gunpowder Factory at Waltham Abbey, Essex, manufactured gunpowder and in later years cordite. An extensive canal system was used for transport within the factory and sailing barges took finished products to Woolwich Arsenal. The Royal Gunpowder Mills museum has been open to the public from 2001 - for more information visit: www.royalgunpowdermills.com


This layout features an 18 inch gauge railway system which was first installed in 1917 and then extended in the inter-war period, using diesel and battery powered locomotives. On the model a few of the hundreds of explosive production and storage buildings have been re-arranged to form a linear diorama. All buildings, trains and boats are scratch built from original drawings, direct measurements and photographs.


#2: New Haden Colliery - Scale 4mm - EM Gauge - Stafford Railway Circle
New Haden Colliery is a long-term project to faithfully reproduce, in model form, a part of your rapidly disappearing industrial heritage. The prototype for this layout was situated one mile South West from the North Staffordshire town of Cheadle. The mine complex was served by a purpose built branchline, which left the North Staffordshire Railway's Stoke to Derby line at Creswell.

The model is built to "fine-scale" standards and all the buildings are scratchbuilt, from photographic evidence and field surveys of the remaining
site. Watch out for the automatic loading of the coal wagons beneath the main screens buildings in the centre of the yard. If you have any questions
whatsoever, please ask one of the operators, as we like to talk.

#3: Dwarven Mining Railway - 1/50th (9mm track gauge) - Jonathan Tansley

The dwarfs, a proud race of miners, are no longer as powerful as they once were, but in this small mining community the dwarfs are at their full force. This gorge contains a vast array of underground tunnels. In its centre the forge constantly pumps out armour for the marauding dwarf army, while the brewery keeps the army "fuelled". The miners mine endless amounts of coal, tin, copper and the most valuable of metals, mythril. That is, when they're not protecting themselves from the hordes of goblins and ogres in the area who also want these supplies. All locos are freelance, based on early prototypes, built to a 1:50 scale (well, near enough!). Figures are from the "Warhammer" range, suitably modified. Buildings are scratch-built, using foambord as a base.


#4: Fallgate - 4mm Scale, 9mm track gauge (009) - Stephen Little

Fallgate is an 009 layout representing Fallgate station and yard on the 60cm gauge Ashover Light Railway near Chesterfield and Matlock, sometime in the late 1930's.

This layout was originally created by Brian Love in 1998 and it has been extensively exhibited throughout Southern and Eastern England. Since 2009 it has been based in Manchester and owned by Stephen Little and Matthew Barrett. They are now bringing Brian's excellent achievement to new audiences.

#5: The Wetlands Light Railway - 7mm scale - 16.5mm track gauge (O16.5) - Tony Pritchard

The Wetlands Light Railway (WLR) is set in the border country between North Wales and Cheshire/Shropshire during the 1950/60s. In this era narrow gauge railways were in decline, derelict or being restored to what have now become known as Heritage Railways. The WLR is still struggling along taking goods for the companies who still haven't changed to motor transport, along with the occasional passenger train, usually on market day - and sometimes combined with the cattle wagons.

#6: Birches Barn Extension Railway - Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers

The Birches Barn Extension Railway is a small 16mm scale, 32mm gauge layout representing 2' narrow gauge trains. The emphasis is on the operation of
small live steam hauled trains. Several models of Staffordshire built locomotives will be featured and the layout is operated by members of the Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers.

Watch this space for exciting loco gala news very soon!

 

Somewhat strangley, the thread for the 2009 event has just been woken up - so I though I'd better reply to this to make the thread relating to the 2011 gala current again & remove any confusion!

All is proceeding well on-site at the moment & terriffic progress has been made by many volunteers recently.
We hope to see you all there!

 

I'll be there probably be there Sunday. Tanfield on Saturday, weather dependent.

 

Seems to be around 40mins between Apedale & Chasewater by car - guess it all depends how/when where 60163 is & how long you are at each site! All things being equal, it should be do-able....

Cheers,

 

Here's a quick taster - taken during last weekend's preparations.
In the unlikely event of poor weather we have plenty to do undercover; with (amongst other things) model railways, covered passenger carriages & even an underground mine to tour!

 

I'm not sure what the issue may be on the website - too many people accessing it?! Seems OK at the moment.

I posted this in the NG section a few days ago (passenger & freight will alternate on the mainline, with regular loco swaps - there will be smaller demo trains in our yard areas):
The Kerr Stuart Joffre is getting ever closer to its first outing in-steam at Apedale. Static steam or cold movements have been the order of the day so far. I might get chance to post a photo soon!
To operate with the Joffre, a small contemporary WW1 train is being formed, which we hope will be in action on a couple of limited occasions each day. The latest (rather large) wagon is due to arrive during next week.
The logistics surrounding the Bagnall "Isabel" from Amerton & the Hunslet "Statfold" from Statfold barn is resolved & they are expected to arrive towards the end of the week. Both of which are being rostered for Passenger duties during the weekend.
There are likely to be several "surprise" locos present too - could be a surprise to us too if they all make it!
Traders & models seem to be confirmed.
The very first stage new industrial railway is now in existance & we are expecting to have 1 locomotive in operation on it for the duration, creating some interesting cameo scenes.
Our new station building is complete enough to allow is to open the doors & welcome visitors through it for the first time.
Much more besides!

 

Can you dive advice please of Fares in operation over the weekend and also directions for those traveling via rail please .

It looks a good do and if its logistical practical i shall be coming down instead of going to the FR

 

Hi,
Hopefully it will be a good do! Not as long a railway as the WHR/FR & smaller locos though....

The entry to the Gala is £6 for adults & £3 for children. This includes 1 roundtrip on the railway. Additional rides can be purchased as an extra later (if you wanted a different combination of haulage etc).

The nearest mainline railway station is Kidsgrove - then a relatively short bus ride & a walk. The website states a 15min walk - this may be able to be reduced a bit for those taking advantage of the park & ride land-train; which will be operating for our gala from the country park Loomer Road entrance. The full direction/travel details are on the www.avlr.org.uk or www.mrt.org.uk websites.

Thanks,

 

Just to say, the Joffre loco passed it's trials this evening & is permitted to work our passenger trains this weekend!
Statfold - the Quarry Hunslet has also arrived.
Everything seems to going to plan so far... Even the weather held! For anyone in ITV central region - we should be on TV at some stage this weekend.
Thanks,