Wensleydale Railway Matters

Don’t worry I wasn’t taking it as a criticism I find all this sort of stuff interesting which is one of the reasons I volunteer as my work on the national network is different.

And to answer your other question, in places the furry menaces are and issue but from what I’ve been told picked up from elsewhere this isn’t the reason for the poor state of this section

don’t worry there is a slew and rebuilding to do beforehand as part of these works

david

 

Thanks for these updates DavidW.

 

The past 2 Wednesdays the Pway team have been out in the area of fox park doing a some spot resleepering



David

 

Just a little update on the latest campaign


It is our goal to restore passenger services to Redmire by 2025, but we need your help to make this happen.

Our new appeal is raising funds to allow us to tackle a damaged section of trackwork at Wensley that is impeding progress in restoring passenger services to Redmire.

Ballast is approx. £25/tonne to buy, and it costs about £1,000 to fill our Seacow wagon. We estimate we'll need 25 full wagon loads to complete the track repairs holding up our return to Redmire. Thanks to your donations so far, we have filled the equivalent of fifteen 40-tonne seacow ballast wagons.

Please help us fill those wagons!

Read more and donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/redmirenextsteps

 

Just out of interest what is the current relationship with the MOD and catterick? I don’t believe the WR has hosted military train movements for some years, and with the drawdown of smaller vehicles like CVR-T and others to be replaced with AJAX which is much wider and much heavier i get the impression that national logistics of these (continental logistics is a different matter) will move to the road even more so that it already is.

 

Fairly new to the railway it’s only what I’ve found out myself a my own understanding. Not many trains run GBRf currently contracted to operate them as required and the railway will be informed if one is required . The last train I’ve found ran in 2019 mainly land rovers on warflats but warriors have been transported in the past.

If you go on the Wensleydale website into the photo archive there are some photos

David

 

Another brief update - The work at wensley has started prep work ready for the slew is currently underway replacing sleepers, oiling joints and clearing vegetation are the current tasks being undertaken





The Ballast is fundraiser is progressing nicely Thanks to your donations so far, we have filled the equivalent of 18 of our 40-tonne seacow ballast wagons.

Thanks to those that have already donated, if you would like to Read more and donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/redmirenextsteps

 

This week’s work has been focussed on preparing the new track bed, ahead of slewing the track away from the current embankment edge and into its new position. A trench has been dug and ballast laid to form a suitable track bed to slew the track onto. Ballast has also been recovered where it had washed down the bank, to build up the embankment.



Pictures credited to Alex Lomax

 

Unfortunately I’ve not managed to get back to the slew site since the last but my understanding is the slew is now complete and ballasted only think left to do is tamping. Here a few more pictures courtesy of Alex Lomax and Nigel Cockburn.





David

 

In other news we’ve had a new arrival and we’ve been preparing a couple of items for departure

Yesterday 14th of October SPA 460744 joined the Pway fleet



117 DMS 51400 has been bought by the class 117 set L432 preservation group based at the mid Norfolk Railway and was thoroughly stripped for any usable parts on site and the carcass is waiting to carted off for scrap



117 TCL 595000 has been bought i believe for spares but that’s is being removed in one piece by the purchaser



david

 

With the end normal passenger services it is now the countdown to the polar express so with only the bonfire express before then



Our direct works team have been very busy at leeming moving the yard access gate and installing some more fence along our border.



As well doing some plumbing and drainage read for the installation of toilets for the volunteers and preparing for the installation of another kitchen/food preparation area.



and while that’s been going on the Pway gang have ticked off measured shovel packing between midfields and newton grange UWCs had some marked improvement reported by train crew which is very rewarding, not that you could owt much


Now that’s finished for the time being some more work is being done to replace primrose UWC . This work will involve removing 3 60ft panels of bullhead rail and the old wooden crossing deck, scraping out the bed then replacing with concrete sleepers and flat bottom rail laying fresh ballast and installing a modern rubber crossing deck. At the same time the opportunity will be taken to work on improving the drainage in the immediate area.

David

 

Latest update

Now now the work at Wensley has been completed the focus has switched to replacing a primrose UWC, this is contractor led supported by volunteers.

here are selection of pictures credit for the pictures below each set


Photo credit Nigel Cockburn


Credit Alex Lomax

david

 

A fair bit lot has happened since the last update

The works at primrose UWC have been completed on time and handed back



Bonfire special


We replaced 2 lengths of flat bottom rail near Aiskew



The black 5 has arrived to run the polar express services


The railways latest purchase has arrived 47714



Then we had a day on Saturday we ran a works train so we could deal with some dipped track in the rand grange unfortunately no pictures but its improved the track before polar


Edited to correct loco number
David

 

Text showing 47718 whilst 2 locations on body say 47714.
Which one is correct?

 

'Tis 47714, there has never been a 47718.

 

Any idea if there will be post Christmas services using the 5, and if so the dates for these? Very tempted to pop up if dates work.

 

I think someone needs to adjust their Photo caption then.

 

Wensleydale Railway - Tickets

 

Last post edited teach me to proofread

 

Now an update from the diesel traction group

“As no doubt you’re all aware by now, 47714 has been secured by the Wensleydale Railway and so will fall under the umbrella of our care. We therefore welcome it as another fine addition to our stable.

Starting strong:
Starting midweek Rob CW, gave the loco a deep steam clean interior/exterior for initial inspection, before turning his attention to the loco batteries, which after some TLC, turned out to be quite serviceable.

Then to this weekend, Rob M went over the electrical cubicle, giving all the contactors a good clean, whilst Rob CW greased the under frame and barred the engine round to ensure smooth rotation before going on to clean electrical motors throughout the locomotive. Andy R repaired defects in the cab area.
The locos main air reservoir was then connected up to the shed compressor to inspect for any air leaks and check basic air functionality. Meanwhile a lighting inspection was undertaken. With all green lights so far, safe to say solid progress was being made.

Today we next turned to the triple-pump. (Which circulates oil, coolant and fuel around the engine prior to start up). The pump operated correctly and after a good long run, oil and water pressure levels raised correctly as we hoped.

Finally 47714 was dragged outside for a first start attempt and we’re pleased to say she started first time. Great news!

As many have been asking, the primary objective is to get 47714 operational and reliable and be in a position to assist as back up for 33035 (if required) during this polar express season (which has begun as of this weekend). After which (in the new year) we will set about the bigger works regarding repairs to the bodywork and aim to have it repainted for summer 2025.”

I have no information on the livery at the moment but during its working life it carried Scotrail, NSE, RES and Anglia.