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Cholsey and Wallingford Railway

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Autotank, Feb 18, 2009.

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  1. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    We're keeping busy in the closed season with losts of lineside clearance going on near Cholsey. The platform at Wallingfod is being extended - but major development work on the site will have to wait for next year when more funds will hopefully be available.

    Our first event is at Easter when Ivor will once again be visiting us. We will be officially opening the new run round loop on Saturday 18th April. This is the culmination of many years planning and hoop jumping and will make a big difference to the way we operate by eliminating the need to top and tail.

    I've set up a couple of groups on social networking sites if you are keen to follow the latest happenings from South Oxfordshire. Please feel free to join/follow:

    http://twitter.com/thebunkline

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group ... 2377378585

    We look forward to welcoming you in 2009!
     
    Autotank, Feb 18, 2009
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  2. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Another quick update:

    Ivor will be opeing the Cholsey run-round loop this Saturday (11th April) at 1130 - all welcome! There will be lots of photo opportunities. The bouncy castle will be out all weekend (weather permitting) offereing free rides for all kids with a ticket. Ivor films showing in the Marquee and new C&WR polo shirts will be available in the shop. Also Bluebell the Donkey and her friends will be visiting Wallingford station on Easter Sunday.

    Wallingford Station now looks much better with a proper platform ramp and tidier yard. You can now walk the full length of the train to see the engine at the London end of the platform. The musem is unfortunately closed for the next few weeks, but will re-open later in the season housed in the grounded Cambrian coach body. The cafe will move into a more suitable portakabin which should arrive in the next few weeks. Hopefully we'll have some new toilets by the end of the season as well!

    A few pieces of rolling stock have left us which eases the storage and shunting problems - hopefully some more will depart shortly.

    A significant amount of lineside clearance work has also been undertaken around the Church bridge area opening up better views of the most picturesque part of the line. As an aside - did you know Agatha Christie is buried in the grounds of Cholsey Church?

    Best of all we have secured a steam engine for the whole of 2009! This will be arriving after Easter. It will be the first time we've had steam for a complete season for a while and will hopefully help boost our visitor numbers. Please come and support us this year as running steam is much more expensive than 08's! Details of the engine will be confirmed in the next few days.
     
    Autotank, Apr 7, 2009
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  3. SpudUk

    SpudUk Well-Known Member

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    Does this mean there is a run-round loop at each end now? If i remember correctly there wasn't before...not that I am 100% sure!
     
    SpudUk, Apr 7, 2009
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  4. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Hi SpudUk,

    We've only got a run-round loop at Cholsey at the moment, but plans are at an advanced stage for the redevelopment of Wallingford station (it is long over due!) which will include another loop.

    I should add that although it may appear we have done little over the past 5 years, a great amount of work has been done on the track which was in a poor condition.
     
    Autotank, Apr 8, 2009
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  5. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Ivor's stay has been entended and he'll be steaming again this Sunday! No reservations required - just turn up!
     
    Autotank, Apr 20, 2009
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  6. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    I'm pleased to confirm that 6430 and an autocoach will be visiting on 13-4th June to celebrate the 50th anniversary of closure. This is the first time an autotrain will have operated on the branch since 1466 in the 60's.

    Also confirmed is the visit of RSH 0-4-0T 'Birkenhead' from Southall for the season. Date of arrival to be firmed up shortly.

    In the meantime Ivor will be running this Sunday, and 08 fans can sample 'Lion' and 'Unicorn' operating in there Guinness liveries whilst enjoying a pint on the black stuff on our Guinness Weekend on 16-7th May.

    See details on the news pages of http://www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com

    Hopefully see you on the line soon!

    http://www.twitter.com/thebunkline
     
    Autotank, Apr 22, 2009
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  7. arthur maunsell

    arthur maunsell Well-Known Member

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    i was there on that 1466 autotrain.....good weekend that was...
     
    arthur maunsell, Apr 22, 2009
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  8. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    A really good video covering the Ivor weekend has been posted on YouTube:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1920mab6Tlg

    Nick has been working on a DVD about the line which will be released in time for Christmas!

    Don't forget Ivor will be running again this Sunday!
     
    Autotank, Apr 24, 2009
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  9. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Just over two weeks to go until 6430 and the autotrailer arrive for our 50th anniversary of closure weekend. First time a autotrain has run on the branch since the 60's. Hope to see you there - I'll be firing \:D/

    Birkenhead should arrive from Southall in the next couple of weeks to provide steam haulage for the rest of the year. We're going to be offering driver experience courses on her - PM me for more details if you are interested.
     
    Autotank, May 27, 2009
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  10. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    out of interest which auto trailer ?
     
    Sidmouth, May 27, 2009
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  11. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

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    Well it proberley be W167W which is owned by the same man who owns 6430, both being kept at Llangollen. Spent most of the day with these two on the 25th during Steam, Steel & Stars.
     
    ady, May 30, 2009
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  12. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    I thought it was Mike Little's being hired. Shall find out later unless Autotank can report back.
     
    lil Bear, May 30, 2009
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  13. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Have to say I'm not really sure - I shall try and find out. Regardless of which vehicle it is the event should be great. Just got to get an accountancy exam out of the way before hand - doh! Back to the books...
     
    Autotank, May 30, 2009
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  14. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    It maybe 167 actually, couldn't find it in Llangollen yesterday. Wasn't with 163 like it normally is anyway.
     
    lil Bear, May 31, 2009
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  15. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

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    Lil Bear obviously wasn't looking too hard yesterday, probaby due to the heat !

    Auto coach 167 is in the carriage shed.

    Bob.
     
    Thompson1706, May 31, 2009
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  16. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    That's the one place I didn't look! Was in the loco sheds before helping with the charter so only saw Pentre Yard.
     
    lil Bear, May 31, 2009
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  17. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    BunkFest

    Just a reminder that BunkFest is back on September 4-6th! Whilst not a railway event, we'll be running singing trains on the Saturday and Sunday and there will be a heritage bus linking us with the festival campsites and venues. www.bunkfest.co.uk

    I'm working in the beer tent on Friday and Saturday evenings - come and try a pint of Insanely Bad Elf (ABV 11.2% ). If that doesn't get you dancing nothing will!
     
    Autotank, Aug 24, 2009
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  18. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Good news - we have steam for the rest of the season!

    We are hiring Austerity 0-6-0ST 'Cumbria' built by Hunslet Engine Co. in 1953

    She will be arriving in October and operate our Haloween and Christmas trains.

    In addition we will be running on November 7/8th and 21st/22nd. These were not previously advertised as running days.

    Thanks to the new run-round loop at Cholsey all trains will be steam hauled in both directions - so come along and support one of the smaller lines! Cross platform interchange with FGW services at Cholsey.
     
    Autotank, Sep 29, 2009
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  19. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Autotank, Oct 4, 2009
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  20. Autotank

    Autotank Member

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    Nice article about in this months SR on page 35 - thanks Danny!

    Don't forget you can keep up with the latest from The Bunk Line by following us on twitter: www.twitter.com/thebunkline

    The new cafe should be open in time for the Santa trains in December.

    We are hoping to have Cumbria up at Cholsey in the bay when Tornado charges through on Saturday 7th Novemeber, on Saturday 5th December when 60019 steam and on Saurday 12th December when 6024 is due through.
     
    Autotank, Oct 14, 2009
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