Foxfield Railway Summer Steam Gala 20/21 July 2013

The Foxfield Railway will be holding it's annual Summer Steam Gala on the 20/21 July, this year featuring the recently restored Kerr Stuart Well Tank 'Willy' as the guest locomotive.

Once again the gala will include coal trains on the famous 1 in 19 of Foxfield Bank culminating in the big train at the end of the day with banking.

Other attractions this year will include guided tours of the colliery site at Foxfield with a look at the progress on restoration of the upcast pithead and future plans for the site. There will be a free bus service between Caverswall Road station and Foxfield Colliery for those who don't fancy the walk down Foxfield Bank from Dilhorne Park station.

More information can be found here : http://www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk/event_article.php?Summer-Steam-Gala-15

 

Could you please provide the nearest Post Code (SatNav) for the colliery as I'll probably go straight there in the morning, rather than follow the bus from Caverswall Rd
Looking forward to this
Many thanks

 

ST10 2PG

 

many thanks

 

The Kerr Stuart well tank is due to arrive at Foxfield this week and the timetable has been finalised. First departure from Caverswall Road at 9am will be a mineral train with Wimblebury and Dubs leading and the KS well tank on the back which will put her at the front of the first train up Foxfield Bank at 9.45am and banked by Dubs.

The big train up Foxfield Bank is scheduled for 4.35pm and the last departure from Dilhorne Park at 4.55pm to give people time to walk up from photographing the big freight.

Some passenger departures from Caverswall Road will also be banked part way this year.

Illustrated timetable guides will be available for purchase on the day at both Caverswall Road and Foxfield colliery.

 

“Willy” arrives tomorrow; look out for it if you are driving on the M5/M6 in the morning.
Of some considerable interest has been the excavation today of Kerr Stuart “Moss Bay” from the back of the Museum Building. Most of the membership have never seen this engine outside – it is approaching 30 years since it has turned a wheel. One of our number was rushing around with his digital camera exclaiming the it was Foxfield’s equivalent of the Fire Queen’s emergence many years ago. I pointed out that it may feel like that that to him but I was one of the people who secured its loan and movement all those years ago !.
Perhaps I am getting older...
The main reason for doing the shunt early was to ensure that all three Kerr Stuart’s can be lined up together. We may go the whole hog and dig out diesel pioneer 4429 of 1929 for a four engine line up.
As ever lots to do but we are in good shape.
Look out for the Knotty Trust stand, latest photo’s of No 127 will be displayed as it approach’s completion. Also this will be the last chance to see No61 in its partially restored condition before it departs for Haltwhistle . The Trust are delighted to announce an £18,000 grant from PRISM to enable this work to proceed. We look forward to next spring when both coaches will return to service in the care of the Trust, over a century after withdrawal.

 

"it was Foxfield’s equivalent of the Fire Queen’s emergence many years ago."

I wouldn't go that far, however it just proves my theory in what a pretty little engine it is!

And here is the proof...

 

Willy has arrived a Foxfield. She just needs a good clean and she will be ready to star in the gala next week.

 

when is the "press date" for photographs of NSR127's restoration ........ ?????

 

A star indeed, we may give the head board a rest !.

 

I would like to print out the most recent views you have by around Tuesday please, if you could send them to my email address. I will print and laminate in order that the Knotty Trust can display.

The most recent photos are looking very good.

 

Here's some more information the local paper today...

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Steam-train-Willy-s-journey-home/story-19533980-detail/story.html

 

Final preparations are underway today for this weekend's gala. It looks like it's going to be a scorcher so if you're coming along please make sure you are prepared for the sunshine and heat!

 

..and full bore sun...

 

Any price reductions if we bring a fire extinguisher?

 

We've got one, it's called a Dubs in full prime mode

 

Like any engine it only primes if you overfill it !.

 

Oh, I'm not so sure about that - one or two non-superheated locos I know can give a good shower at times when starting off ......

 

A good weekend, Willy the Kerr Stuart went down very well - any photos ?, most Foxfield members will not have seen it !.

 

Why ? It worked ok on Saturday until mid-afternoon.