Shad does the West Somerset Railway
An excellent article with wonderful photographs – http://wp.me/p3ygJW-Vb
Rolvenden Signal Box
My tour of Rolvenden Works on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, had an added bonus that I wasn’t expecting – a look inside the substantial signal box. It is the line’s largest signal box and like everything (save the concrete water tower) on the site, was installed in preservation. The design is based on LB&SCR practice…
The Oldest Working Diesel-Electric Locomotive in the UK
A tour of Rolvenden works gave an opportunity to get close to a rare Diesel-Electric locomotive, constructed for Ford’s Dagenham factory by the British Thompson Houston Company (BTH). Diesel-electric No. 40 is a Bo+Bo shunter, built along similar lines to American Switcher locomotive’s, hence it looking different to most equivalent machines in the UK. The American connection is natural enough…
Behind the Scenes at Rolvenden, Part 2
Following from yesterdays blog post, we continue the report on the behind the scenes tour at Rolvenden works on the Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR). The focus this time is on locomotives out of service, that include one that (like the two Terrier tanks) has a historical connection with the railway in pre-preservation days. Indeed, the…
Behind the Scenes at Rolvenden, Part 1
I have to begin this blog post with a huge thank you to the staff and volunteers of the Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) and in particular Bradley Bottomley for sparing the time to show me around the railway’s facilities at Rolvenden. The tour was fascinating and everyone was very friendly.
Footplate Ride on the 31806
What a fantastic way to enjoy a visit back in the UK!
A Riveting Video! Plus Two More….
It’s CanPac movie night tonight! We begin with the video above that shows heritage railway restoration skills in action, with the Watercress Line’s staff from the boiler shop riveting the bufferbeam and frame extensions of 3505 Canadian Pacific. The team seemingly made the work look easy and easily completed the work in a day. With this complete, the…
Rebuilding the Brechin Brakevan
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/rebuild-the-brechin-brakevan The Caledonian Railway is an entirely volunteer run heritage railway based in Brechin, Angus, and like all heritage railway, every penny made through operating trains goes back into the upkeep of the railway. However, on Wednesday 6th April, 2016, between 10pm and 11pm, the beloved and highly popular LMS brakevan was subject to an…
Special Talk – 7th May 2015
On 7th May 2016 the Watercress Line is hosting Geoff Burch who is to give a very special talk on his fascinating career in the railway industry. Tickets cost just £5 per person and all proceeds will be used to help restore the railway’s flagship steam locomotive, 35005 Canadian Pacific. The talk starts at 11am in The Old Goods…
Watercress Line Carriage Shop Update
The Watercress Line’s carriage shop has just posted an update from April 2016, that includes ex-works pictures of the two types of Bulleid carriage being restored – 1456 and 4367. The restoration of these two carriages is being undertaken as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Canadian Pacific Project. Please click on the following link…
Loco Yard 