"2006"
Photograph archive
Last updated on
Thursday, 22 February 2007
|
Photographs taken on 21st to 31st December 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! |
|
Photographs taken on 18th-20th December 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs taken on 16th &17th December 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs taken on 15th December 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs taken w/e 15th December 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs taken w/e 10th December 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs taken on 2nd & 3rd December 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs taken between 24th & 30th November 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photographs taken on 23rd November 2006 |
|
 The excavation for the pit is now complete and trimmed to level. |
 We have had another earth fall, here after having been cleared away. |
 The land drain has been laid to falls behind the Shed foundations. |
 The reinforcement has been moved by machine to the south end of the pit excavation. |
|
Photographs taken on 21st November 2006 |
|
 A load of cheap chipboard has been delivered for lost shuttering in the foundations of the Carriage Shed. |
 Virtually all the angles for the pit steel have been painted - even if they haven't all been drilled yet! |
 The rough excavation for the pit has been completed... |
 ...right to the far end. |
 The excavated spoil gives a nice bit of extra storage space. |
 Glyn Williams changes the bucket on the excavator to finish the dig. |
 A good quantity of scrap has gone - you can see over the waggon now! |
|
Photographs taken on 16th November 2006 |
|
 Surplus steel sheets are loaded up for cutting into "lost" shutter for the Carriage Shed pit. |
 More of the pit has been excavated - but it has been raining almost every day and... |
 ...half the dumper contents have stuck firmly to it! |
 Pit steelwork has started to be prepared, completed sections here being painted. |
|
Photographs taken on 11th &12th November 2006 |
|
 Phil and Andrew have been busy, preparing the train for the walling works. |
 Dave Price loads tools into brake van 220. |
 Two trains assembled and ready to head up the line... |
 Richard Rugog arrived to start excavating the pit for the Carriage Shed. |
 ...and off they go! |
 Changing rails and sleepers at the P Way dump accommodation crossing. |
 Safety first as the west rail is released for turning. |
 Up into the field... |
 ...and further... |
 ...and turn it in the field and back down. |
 The two rails turned, sleepers being changed. |
 It wasn't long before the initial cut reached the other end... |
 ...but then we had a break to erect some of the steelwork - here assembling a rafter on the floor. |
 What a magnificent erection! |
 Almost ready to lift the second rafter. |
 The second rafter is up and the initial bracing fixed, so Richard can go back to excavating for the pit. |
 Tidying up the excavation to help the dumper... |
 ...and here it comes! |
 Otto pays a visit to view progress in the engine shed... |
 ...where Paul Bailey is preparing another column. |
 The first train arrives from up the line... |
 ...followed by the second one. |
 The oil lamps work! |
 Marten paints yet another column. |
 The first of the pit steelwork has been drilled - now to join the queue for painting! |
 The pit has started to be excavated, the gravel on the slab is to go back in between "lost" shuttering before the reinforcement cages go in. |
 The two bays of steelwork up, some elements still to be added. |
 Detail of the steelwork on the east side... |
 ...and the west. |
 At the P. Way dump accommodation crossing, the re-laid track is being tamped. |
 Protection arrangements from the walling gang train further up the line. |
 The Kango generator is a handy bit of kit! |
 Trefor and Alistair on the Kango's, Malcolm supplies ballast to top up. |
 Alf drives the walling gang train back to Maespoeth. |
 Column 4A has been finished and is ready to paint. Only 3 more west side columns to go! |
|
Photographs taken on 11th &12th November 2006 |
|
 The walling party approaching the work site. |
 A good start is made on the wall by Adrian (furthest away from the camera), Phil and Andrew. Dick Kidner performs a sterling job on the mixer. |
 We were joined by Catherine, Emma and Thomas Bailey while Paul worked in the engine shed. |
 Like an aparition, Thomas appears through the barbecue smoke... |
 ...before joining Emma for lunch. |
 Jill is in charge of the NAAFI... |
 ...and then gives a hand shifting mortar mix to the lads below. |
 Almost finished for the day on the Saturday ... |
 ...with one final look before we leave the site. |
 Much the same on Sunday... |
 ... with slate laying being performed from track level today Jill and Chris are able to start removing the fence posts and safety shuttering... |
 ...later joined by Catherine and Andrew with his Land Rover winch and supervised by Phil. |
 Again, one final look before we leave the site on the Sunday afternoon. One more weekend needed to finish it. |
 To finish off the weekend I then joined the Permanent Way working party at the Triangle re-placing the cattle grid. |
|
Photographs taken on 9th November 2006 |
|
 The top step on the access steps down to the Carriage Shed has been finished. |
 The land drain around the shed has started to be laid so that we can fill in the trench at the north end. |
 Marten cuts a lonely figure, breaking out expanded polystyrene from the last slab pour. |
 Cement and sand was delivered for the walling weekend. |
|
Photographs taken on 7th November 2006 |
|
 It's a lovely day for it! |
 Marten cuts off bars put in for continuity - for if! Now no longer required. |
 Keith Davis adds to the blockwork... |
 ...while Richard Forsyth mixes mortar. |
 The Ready Mix Concrete lorry had broken down, so to fill in time, Steve lays blocks as well with Dick labouring. |
 In the shed, Graham turns axleboxes for Carriage No. 22 while John... |
 ...prepares to fabricate more rafter sections. |
 Land drain has been delivered to put behind the Carriage Shed foundations. |
 More shed steel work has been fabricated and painted and is waiting to be stacked tidily outside (instead of littering rolling stock!). |
 At last! The concrete arrives. |
 First bay concreted, second bay of reinforcement wired up and ready for concrete. |
 The first mix of concrete is delivered and being screeded off while the lorry fetches the second load. |
 All the essentials are to hand! |
 The third bay of mesh is fixed, screeding off the first batch of concrete. |
 The last of the concrete is in, a slight excess so some is loaded into barrows to fill in holes in blocks! |
 The sun is moving around! Keith lays blocks while Marten (in the background fills the holes with concrete. |
|
Photographs taken on 4th & 5th November 2006 |
|
 Deep and crisp and even...very frosty this week - showing up on the new information board set up on the fence by the entrance steps to the Engine Shed. All we need now is for the blocks to be moved! |
 Saturday (4th November) - the last of the west beam is concreted, getting ready to concrete the next section of floor. |
 Steve wires polystyrene while Marten cuts tying wire. |
 The top of the steps to the Carriage Shed from the platform has been concreted. |
 By Saturday evening, the mesh was all ready for receiving the concrete lorries. |
 Last weekend, Steve Harris fenced off the gap at the north end of the new platform extension. |
 Checking what Malcolm and Trefor were doing up the line, it was found they were having lunch! |
 Malcolm stands in the hole he has dug for the cattle grid, while Trefor finishes his lunch! |
 Malcolm tries to retrieve a cattle grid section while Trefor brings down a sleeper to replace existing ones. |
 If a job's worth doing...the fence has been moved back and a peg set up to indicate approximate excavation limits for the south east corner of the Carriage Shed. |
|
Photographs taken 31st October & 1st November 2006 |
|
 The last part of the west beam was concreted yesterday (Tuesday). |
 The whole extent of the shed is now apparent. |
 The block walling has moved on... |
 ...now over half way along the west wall - but we have a lot more height to put on it! |
 In the evening, Malcolm and Trefor cleaned out No. 7 of ash and soot, here exchanging banter while cleaning up and completing paperwork. |
|
Photographs taken 28th & 29th October 2006 |
|
 It's raining in between the showers - loading rail at Aberllefenni Quarry. |
 Horris managed to get some roof repairs done, but then gave up due to the rain. |
 Action on all fronts - Andy Cooper and John Reynard work on a rafter, while Paul Bailey works on a column for the Carriage Shed. |
 Angles for the pit infill are ready to drill. |
 John and Andy work on a rafter. |
 Painted and incomplete rafters vie for space... |
 ...while Paul and John take a breather. |
 That's boring! Turning an axlebox for Carriage 22. |
 Dave Price gives the talk to a small group of passengers. |
 John prepares at one end, Andy welds at the other while Paul drills a column beyond. |
 Richard straightens his back while shifting concrete blocks. |
 The rail from Aberllefenni has been unloaded. |
 Mesh has been delivered for the Carriage Shed - hopefully the last delivery. |
 The piles of completed and painted steelwork are growing. |
 End of the day - Stan Knight coals No. 7 as the rain at last starts to ease off! |
 No. 7 blows off gently in the sun, waiting to haul the 11.00 to Maespoeth. |
 Rose keeps an eye on the fire! |
 The autumn colours are making themselves visible at last. |
 At Maespoeth, Richard and Bryn are moving blocks while Peter Guest starts the fire. |
 Adrian, Paul and Marten move steel to fabricate. |
 It's a quiet day, so Trefor and Malcolm re-form the train to have No. 7 leading. |
 It's a family affair - cleaning out the expanded polysyrene while Paul metal-bashes indoors. Richard and Bryn are still moving blocks! |
 The train crew and some passengers chat around No. 7. |
 The piles of moved blocks are growing - all we need are block-layers! |
 The holding down bolt assemblies are ready, and the shuttering and reinforcement are nearly complete. |
 Pete and Rose have been painting inside brake van 220. |
 Adrian welds the base of another column, while a completed rafter awaits painting in the background. |
 ...and the view from the other end. |
 Richard and Bryn are still moving blocks, assisted by Marten - who is too quick! |
 Evening - No. 7 waits while No. 6 draws out to pick up the carriages... |
 ...and from another angle. |
 The glow in the cab from the fire and the brake light indicator. |
|
Photographs taken 25th October 2006 |
|
 Painted steelwork awaiting storage outside on Tuesday morning... |
 ...and all that was left by evening. |
 Graham keeps a wary eye on the axlebox for No. 22 being turned in the lathe. |
 Facing the block in a blur... |
 ...and standing still. |
 No. 5 readies to shunt the intruder! |
 Starting to place concrete in the floor slab. |
 One load down and levelled, more mesh laid for the next load. |
 Steve and Rob wire down the mesh to keep everything in place while Dick and Mike take a breather. |
 All ready for the next load - the next sheets of fabric already have the polystyrene shuttering attached to them, stored upright until the lorry has discharged concrete on the "first" panel. |
 It is getting dark, and the second load is about to be discharged. |
 Half the load gone, Rob fixes the first layer of mesh for the next half. |
 All fixed, and the last of the concrete on its way in the gathering gloom! |
 The end result... |
 ...from all angles! |
 The next bit to be done - soon? |
|
Photographs taken 16th to 22nd October 2006 |
|
 On the 16th October materials for the bogies for Carriage 22 arrive at Bughaus in Nottingham |
 The four bogie side plates supplied and profiled by Goodman Metal Works Ltd |
 Over the following weekend the side plates are drilled to take fixings, cross stretchers, spring mountings and keep plates. Each plate has 26 holes 16mm in diameter, these are being drilled with a portable magnetic based drill, a really useful piece of equipment. Unfortunately the Railway only owns one which is constantly in use at Maespoeth. The drill in the picture has kindly been loaned for the weekend. If anyone has a spare Ł400.00 we would love to have a second “Mag Drill” of our own. |
 All four side plates with all holes drilled. |
|
Photographs taken on 21st & 22nd October 2006 |
|
 It's not raining! Waiting for concrete. |
 Steve and Marten shovel concrete out of the dumper, driven by some bald bloke. |
 Trefor, Mike Bloomfield and Steve finish off the concrete in the stub wall while the lorry discharges direct into the end of the west beam. |
 A handy machine to shift concrete with Marten while Steve compacts it - and the dumper was handy, too! |
 A heavy downpour, so the formation was covered to keep it accessible. The last of the west beam over-site concrete is in place, ready to move shuttering and set up the reinforcement cages. |
 Trefor enjoys a cuppa while servicing No. 6. |
 John chips spelter while tack welding another rafter. |
 Dave Quinton works on the lathe, making components for screw couplings. |
 John welds up another rafter. |
 Dave and John take a lunch break. |
 Steve cuts mesh for the west beam. |
 The east beam stub wall shutter has been stripped and set up at the far end of the west beam. |
 One completed and painted rafter has gone out, two more arrive in for painting. |
 John cuts the end of a joist ready to tack up another rafter. |
 Not a lot of mesh left! That on the formation below will be fixed by Tuesday night. |
 West beam shutter in place, two cages in (one more to make up) and some mesh already in place and the rest cut ready to assemble. |
|
Photographs taken on 18th & 19th October 2006 |
|
 Sand has been delivered and blockwork has started while Richard Evans carries on excavating in the distance. |
 The blockwork under cover. |
 Two of the three bolt assemblies are in place on the east side. |
 Profiles have been set up for the next phase of construction. |
 Track panels have been moved ready to collect stock from Aberllefenni. |
 The west beam is now excavated to length and ready to receive over-site concrete. |
 A general view of the (very) wet site! |
|
Photographs taken on 17th October 2006 |
|
 Richard Rugog returns to remove the topsoil on the access to the Carriage Shed site. |
 One column cleaned and painted - two to go (inside the shed!). |
 Things start changing quickly! |
 Dave Ingram uses No. 5 to draw the train out to provide working room in the shed. |
 No. 5 and carriages passing the signal box. |
 Work started on environmental improvements on the Aberllefenni road today... |
 ...part of which will eventually open up the railway through a long slate cutting for pedestrian use to access the Cemetery. |
|
Photographs taken on 14th & 15th October 2006 |
|
 The first consignment of concrete blocks have arrived - and Marten Bowtle returned! |
 John gives Adrian a hand, fabricating more columns. |
 The east stub wall reinforcement has been fixed, ready for shuttering. |
 Marten and Dick fabricated another reinforcement cage for the west beam - the last full length one required. |
 Two more columns completed and ready for painting. |
 The reinforcement cage for the pit north end beam has been assembled. |
 Dave Kingman and Roger Holder set out ply for shuttering. |
 Marten Bowtle and John Reynard bend up hoops for reinforced concrete. |
 Marten tries one by himself. |
 Adrian drills holes in another column while behind, Roger, Dave and Steve cut ply for shuttering. |
 Peter paints Brake Van 220 (later joined by Rose). |
 Steve and Roger discuss the shutter for the east beam stub wall while Dave hides from the camera! |
 Lunch time for some! |
 Dave fixes shutter while Roger watches Steve (whose turn it is to hide!). |
 The drawing is out, and the end of the concrete has been marked out as a guide for excavating the start of the pit. |
 Adrian's attempt to build the Berlin Wall again - completed columns awaiting painting. |
 Shuttering and reinforcement for the east beam stub wall almost ready for concrete, with height differences marked out. |
 Another view, Dave and Steve discussing matters in the background. |
 Earlier, John Reynard had varnished Carriage No. 21. It keeps company with Peter Guest, who is now painting the other side of brake van 220. |
|
Photographs taken on 11th October 2006 |
|
 Midweek (Wednesday 11th October) and rain really does stop play .... |
 ...as the site of the new carriage shed... |
 ...looks quite deserted for once. |
|
Photographs taken on 30th September & 1st October 2006 |
|
 Saturday morning - ready for floor concrete. |
 The first of the concrete is poured. |
 A short pause to put down more reinforcing mesh... |
 ...and the job is done - but for final levelling! |
 Levelling in progress, and the next section of west beam awaits attention. |
 The finished job - and Dick Kidner starts to make up another reinforcement cage. |
 To make working room in the shed, No. 7 and train was stabled outside for the day. |
 Inside the shed water tank, Richard Shipman removes the last of the old fittings. |
 There were two fittings to remove - one bronze. |
 Catherine Bailey helps out by painting steelwork. |
 Peter Guest works on Brake van No. 220. |
 At the end of the day, more painted steelwork is stacked outside. |
 One reinforcement cage complete, while the shuttering for the next section of west beam is nearing completion. |
 The cones seem to be breeding! |
 The end of the day - oversite concrete for the west beam has been extended, and the west beam is nearly ready for concrete. |
 Remember the plastic tank outside? It now sits in the water tank inside the Engine Shed! |
 It fits like a glove and is just below the top of the slate! |
 The west beam is all ready for concrete on Tuesday. |
 The shed electrics received attention... |
 ...while Paul Bailey welds another column for the Carriage Shed. |
|
Photographs taken on 26th September 2006 |
|
 A cage to accommodate holding down bolts above the east beam awaits concrete. |
 A general view of the reinforcement for the east beam. |
 The first lorry backs down to discharge its load... |
 ...started within seconds of the lorry stopping! |
 One lorry had only just gone and the second one arrived! |
 Two loads in, just a top up to come again. |
 The third load starts to discharge... |
 ...and the site is getting tight! |
 The concrete is all in, Steve cuts mesh for the floor area between the two beams - maybe to be done Saturday? |
|
Photographs taken on 23rd & 24th September 2006 |
|
 Jack polishes No. 7 while Malcolm pushes the trolley in for Andy to carry on welding. |
 An appeal for more volunteers... Dick Kidner and Steve prepare shuttering on the east beam of the Carriage Shed. |
 During the week, an electricity supply had made its appearance near the Carriage Shed. |
 Inside the engine shed, Malcolm cleans up steelwork for painting. |
 Andy Cooper cleans up the end of a rafter ready for welding. |
 A pile of painted and unpainted fabrications for the Carriage Shed await sorting outside - and more steel awaits fabrication. |
 Alan Witts treats No. 21 to more waterproofing on the roof. |
 Peter Elvy, the son of Michael and Lilian Elvy, and his wife arrived to fix a plaque on the bench donated by him, in memory of his parents. |
 Malcolm tries the emergency exit from No. 7's cab. |
 John watches while Andy welds. |
 Nice clean welds on rafter No. 33. Hang on, we're only building 12! |
 Steve, Dave and Rob at work on the Carriage Shed. |
 Components awaiting assembly for the holding down bolts. |
 The east beam is now ready for concrete - soon! |
 The next section of the west beam is being readied for concrete. |
 That's better! Painted steelwork awaiting storage outside. |
|
Photographs taken on 17th September 2006 |
|
 The new steps from the platform to the carriage shed site at Maespoeth |
 Stan Knight admires carriage 21's new lining-out |
 No.7 on an up train approaches the Spinney |
 No.7 on a down train passing through the Spinney |
 No.7 in Corris Station |
 No.7 with carriage 21 and van 204 at Corris Station |
 No.7 ponders a dash towards Aberllefenni |
 Peter Guest paints the interior of Van 220...... |
 ...while wife Rosie helps David Coleman make up another reinforcing cage for the carriage shed |
 Barry Sleath entertains passengers with the shed talk |
 No.5 with three heritage waggons and vans 220 and 223 |
 The chassis of carriage 22 is surrounded by steelwork for the carriage shed |
|
Photographs taken on 16th & 17th September 2006 |
|
 Paul Welsh sets out for lettering. Paul has also worked as sign writer for the Bluebell Railway. |
 More Carriage Shed steelwork ready for painting. |
 (Saturday morning) Paul is blocking the lettering while Adrian and John watch in fascination. |
 The artist at work... |
 Adrian prepares a plate for welding while Steve makes up a jig behind. |
 Paint job done! Paul and John relax in the sun over a cuppa. |
 Des Stewart, Bryn and Richard replace rotten sleepers in the yard. |
 Peter perilously paints the bogie brake van. |
 Chris and Rose clean out expanded polystyrene shuttering from the west beam of the Carriage Shed. Sam has it licked! |
 Welding another column base. |
 Many hands...Rose, Trefor, Malcolm and Stan Knight finish off the expanded polystyrene. |
 Sunday morning. First public airing of the newly lined Carriage. |
 David Coleman, Rosie Guest and Jill Oxford make up the 2nd reinforcement cage of the weekend. |
 A small lever frame was delivered. |
 Lunch time - but Adrian has already had his! |
 Plenty of fabricated steelwork is awaiting attention from the painters! |
 No. 7 awaits the "off" at Maespoeth... |
 ...complete with newly lined Carriage No. 21. |
 The east beam reinforcement is almost ready for concrete. |
 The complex of reinforcement bars at the other end. |
 The 15.40 departs Maespoeth... |
 ...to show off the other side of No. 21. |
|
Photographs taken on 13th September 2006 |
|
 Phil Welsh has been lining Carriage No. 21. |
 It looks fine! |
 Phil and John relax with a cuppa before starting work! |
 After excavating a further section for the east beam foundation, shuttering has been set up. |
 The west beam shuttering has started to be stripped. |
 John starts preparing a beam for welding. |
 By evening, the Carriage lining is almost finished on one side. |
 The east beam foundation has come up to reinforcement level. |
 The over-site concrete on the west beam has been extended further... |
 ...while the shuttering is being moved southwards ready to set up for the next pour. |
|
Photographs taken between 1st & 7th September 2006 |
|
 Having put in shuttering and reinforcement, the earth bank above decided to join in! Peter Gray starts clearing away. |
 It looked worse from the other end! |
 It was decided to clear everything out and pull down any loose material. |
 There was a lot of material to move! |
 Jigs have been made to speed construction of reinforcement cages. |
 John keeps his spirits up! |
 Richard Saffery, Steve and Dick prepare more reinforcement. |
 Richard lies down on the job! |
 Steve and Dick turn over a cage to wire the other side. |
 Sheets are laid over the nearly finished job against any further falls... |
 ...while inside the shed, Trefor and Malcolm swap injectors on No. 7. |
 Steve supervises Richard fixing shuttering. |
 The shuttering and reinforcement nearly complete. |
 A close up of a holding down bolt assembly. |
 (Thursday) The concrete arrives with Cheryl, who takes a sample for testing. |
 Now we can get on with concreting! |
 What's that about women drivers? |
 Unloaded, paperwork in hand, Cheryl on the move after Steve towed her out! |
 The first load of concrete in place... |
 ...and the second. |
 Smooth the surface... |
 ...and the job (for today) finished. |
 At the end of the hard days work David cleans the vibrator used to level the concrete - ready for next time. |
|
Photographs taken between 24th & 28th August 2006 |
|
 The old and the new - L to R: Dave Ingram, Richard Greenhough, David Coleman, Josh Firth, Peter Firth, Martin Grizzell, Oliver Grizell. Out of interest, Ken Dickens (one of the "Gruesome twosome") and Roy Cowhig also visited over the weekend. |
 A range of brackets prepared during the week. |
 A "bin" overflowing with clips. |
 The first of the portal rafters are fabricated while John rolls his own and Alan gives the Shed Talk. |
 Bryn enjoyed a ride between hospital visits. |
 The end of the day, the view through the train as the sun lowers. |
 The first portal rafter is complete, and is used as a pattern to manufacture more... |
 Alan gets back just in time to apprehend an intruder into his van! |
 The second production portal rafter sits on top of its pre-production rig, all ready for painting. The third one has been cut ready alongside. |
 Adrian welds the third portal rafter... |
 ...while Marten - suitably attired - prepares the second one for painting. |
 Turning a rafter to paint another side. |
 Marten takes a tea break while Adrian welds. |
 The pre-production jig has been temporarily welded to the trolley for ease of movement. |
 Sam Kennion cleaned down part of the ex-Trecwn bogie frames and primed them. |
 Andrew Kennedy (Oakwood Video) arrived to film progress. |
 Dave's Price and Ingram load complete rafter portals on a waggon for storage outside while Adrian is lost in a blur! |
 The first completed channel brace awaits painting while loading of rafters continues behind. |
 Andrew examines a small generator for S & T work. |
 The primer on a manhole cover and frame and half a portal rafter dries on the Lydd waggon. |
 Dave Price attends to minor problems on No. 6 while Andrew continues with the small generator. |
 Dave Ingram and Sam Kennion wire up another reinforcement cage. |
 Very professional looking concrete steps will soon provide safe access to the carriage shed site. |
 The manhole has changed colour while Richard, Andrew and Sam study the small generator. |
 A delivery of coal was shunted down from the ballast loading bay to the coal store. |
 David Coleman prepares another jig for the reinforcement cages. |
 Marten has certainly kept up with the welders and put primer on almost everything as soon as it is cool enough. |
 Andrew Kennedy takes footage of the loading of steel trusses etc. from an unusual viewpoint. |
 A barbecue was arranged for the exhibitors from the Model Railway & Toy Exhibition and friends. The formation was changed to put the loco on the North end. |
 It was dusk when the first "extra" train returned to Maespoeth. |
 On the Sunday Dave Price turned his hand to installing a loo roll holder in the gents loo and a new seat for the WC... |
 ...and Adrian carried on welding. |
 Dave Price and Marten moved some steel to the site of the platform extension at Maespoeth... |
 ...before being joined by the "A Team" of Adrian and Andy to assist. The empty passenger train awaits at the station limits. |
 At the M R T & E Bill Newton looked after the doors amongst other things. |
 Ian Packam joined us again to assist with the ride-on seven and a quarter inch train running alongside the venue. |
 David Gibson was one of the many exhibitors who came with model layouts. |
 Chris Awdry was with us on Saturday and Sunday, signing books etc. and reading to the children. |
 John Clark shows off his amazing range of Dinky Toys from the 1950's and 1970's. |
 Gary Ball displays his Euro-Bahn railway running through typical mid-European scenery. |
 We even had remote control aircraft on display. |
 Here Janet and Paul Williams look after Jack Cooper's model while he is away for a break. |
|
Photographs taken on 21st August 2006 |
|
 Adrian sets up another beam for welding. |
 Cones and holding down bolts assembled ready for putting in the shuttering. |
 Gable end steelwork fabricated and ready for painting. |
 Adrian mass produces "T" brackets to weld on the end of the tubes. |
 A record for one train - some of the 37 passengers on the 3 o'clock. |
|
Photographs taken on 19th & 20th August 2006 |
|
 Adrian measuring out for another (east) column... |
 ... meanwhile, Graham is hypnotised by the hacksaw! |
 Roger gives his pencil back to Keith - preparing holding down bolt assemblies. |
 The weather was wet - to put it mildly! |
 No. 21's roof sprang a few leaks, so No. 4 was stabled at the other end of the shed for the night to allow more time to work on the roof. |
 Inside No. 21 after the soaking! |
 Fireman Chris looking rather fetching first thing in the morning! |
 Adrian measures for another (east) column. |
 Phil works on an experiment in stereo video in the S&T van. |
 The images seen... |
 ...through the cameras mounted on the front of the van. |
 Adrian welds while Marten paints... |
 ...and then stop for a chat over the garden fence! |
 Meanwhile, Roger and Keith make up the first of many a reinforcement cage! |
 The finished item, waiting to be dropped in place. |
 At the end of the day, No. 21 was back in formation and the S&T van was added for a special to Corris to test the stereo video. |
 The train on return, cameras removed already! |
 Loco disposal - blowing down! |
|
Photographs taken on 12th & 13th August 2006 |
|
 Jill Oxford ... holding a pole for some reason? |
 Ah. David Coleman is taking levelling measurements. |
 John Reynard and Dave Quinton continue the work on supporting braces for the carriage shed. |
 Josh Taylor brings Number 6 and empty stock into the platform at Maespoeth. |
 An excited youngster gets the chance of a quick look inside the cab of Number 7. |
 We were blessed with good weather and numerous visitors this weekend. |
 Andrew Rawlins returning the last train of the day to Maespoeth. |
 Blow down the steam... |
 ...leaving just enough to manoeuvre into the shed for the night. |
|
Photographs taken on 12th & 13th August 2006 |
|
 One handed! John tries his hand at welding. |
 Lunchtime - and two bracing tubes ready for painting. |
 Dave Quinton has a go. |
 The end of the day - and the new steelwork gets a steam clean! |
 7 bracing tubes done as Trefor eases No. 7 into the shed. |
 Trefor lights up No. 7. |
 Marten concretes another step. |
 Dave Kingman and Marten re-fence the platform extension. |
 The queue for bacon butties! |
 Dave welds another bracket - 14 down, 20-odd to go! |
 The re-aligned fence to the platform extension. |
 End of the day - 13 bracings outside, and 7 inside, waiting to be painted. |
|
Photographs taken on 10th August 2006 |
|
 Dave Price happily cleans a washout plug. |
 Trefor retrieves the water pipe to refill the boiler. |
 The steps to the Carriage Shed are taking shape... |
 ...and the inlet manhole surround is growing ever upwards! |
 The shuttering is progressing well. |
 Trefor and Malcolm check progress with the boiler washout, a plastic bag protecting the motion. |
 A shapely pile of Carriage Shed steel just waiting for a welder... |
|
Photographs taken on 8th August 2006 |
|
 The fencing around the Signal Box has been repaired, cleaned and painted. |
 Shuttering for the edge beams at the north end of the Carriage Shed is substantially complete. |
 The yard drainage has been intercepted to keep the Carriage Shed site drier! |
 The steps to the platform are taking shape, while on the left a duct has been laid out for burying to take power to the submersible pump in the water tank. |
|
Photographs taken on 6th August 2006 |
|
 Paul Bailey checking measurements before drilling more holes in a column. |
 Dave Ingram vigorously cuts threaded bar for the shuttering... |
 ...while John Reynard sits down on the job! |
 Paul welds a stiffener on a column. |
 Marten excavates to form steps towards the Carriage Shed while Dave Ingram prepares more shuttering beyond. |
 The end of the day - more shuttering made up and assembled in place, and other materials handy to continue work. |
 The rack of completed columns is growing... |
 ...and now includes the first of the east columns, nearly complete. |
|
Photographs taken w/e 4th August 2006 |
|
 Four manhole covers and frames are now set to line and level. |
 A trench has been dug and a water pipe laid to take water from the underground tank to an elevated one. |
|
Photographs taken on 22nd July 2006 |
|
 Gareth cuts his cake in the museum on the occasion of his 76th birthday. |
|
Photographs taken on 1st August 2006 |
|
 Dick Kidner prepares a column for painting. |
 The first of two lorry loads of concrete arrive.... |
 ...and is soon despatched! |
 The east foundation after levelling the second load. |
 All ready for shuttering to level and fabricating reinforcement. |
 Two out of five manholes adjusted for level and ready for concreting in place. |
|
Photographs taken on 29th & 30th July 2006 |
|
 Wednesday - John and Graham were busy in the workshop. |
 In the morning, the platform extension works were approaching completion.... |
 ...and this was the scene in the evening. |
 The shuttering for the west beam is laid out for erection. |
 The septic tank outfall had been adjusted into the bank. |
 .Thursday evening - posts have been erected on which to fix switchgear for a temporary electricity supply to the Carriage Shed site. |
 The bogie waggon was unloaded ready for the weekend. |
 Friday morning - Andrew shunts the mobile workbench clear of No. 7 to make its way on to the train... |
 ....duly videoed for a commercial production. |
 Marten Bowtle clears the east beam foundation ready for shuttering for the next layer of concrete. |
 Two columns substantially painted in primer and ready for assembly on site! |
 Saturday - All go in the shed - Andy drills, Adrian welds and Phil grinds. At one time, six were working mainly on the Carriage Shed steelwork in the shed during the day! |
 To enable all the waggons to be available for filming a gravity train, the sand was temporarily removed from one of them. |
 The first "gravity" train arrives - being pushed by Phil! |
 John and Adrian idle away the time while Marten primes another completed column. |
 To further filming, the train was re-formed during a quiet spell - here being checked over before re-entering service. |
 John proudly shows his service to humanity while Adrian welds. |
 No. 7 heads towards Corris and the video camera! |
 "Works of art" created by John Reynard over the weekend. |
 The last train of the day heads towards Corris. |
 The last column completed lies on the bogie waggon, awaiting a coat of primer. |
 Two more columns awaiting finishing in primer. |
 The east side beam foundation is shuttered and now awaits concrete. |
|
Photographs taken on 25th July 2006 |
|
 Early morning, and Dyfed Steels do their best to catch us out! |
 All safely unloaded. |
 The first train departs after the extended platform area had been levelled. |
 No. 7 passes Maespoeth North accommodation crossing, viewed through a swathe cut in the bracken by Transco. |
 The first down train passing the platform extension works. |
 The first shuttering panel for the west beam is complete. |
 Any shelter from the sun was sought! |
 It was Malcolm's 65th Birthday... |
 ..and the Ladies came down to celebrate with him and Scoobeydoo! |
 End of the day, and the site is changing. |
 Three manhole covers and frames painted and ready for installation. |
 Previously, the base of the water storage tank had been concreted. |
 Preparing to put No. 7 on shed. |
|
Photographs taken on 23rd July 2006 |
|
 Another manhole cover and frame well on the way to completion. |
 The second one awaiting painting. |
 Final touches on the third one... |
 Richard Shipman explains to Malcolm what he is doing to make the Maespoeth turnout more reliable.... |
 ...and extra safety measures were put in place during the work. |
 The completed job - with extra packing to re-align the lock mechanism. |
 Inside the shed, John Reynard checks for daylight on a cut angle for the Carriage Shed. |
 How it was done - with an oxy-acetylene torch from RSJ. |
 Monday was Cllr Gretta Jones' 75th Birthday... |
 ...so there was a party on Sunday... |
 ...Mrs Lloyd had baked and iced a magnificent cake... |
 ...and Mrs Standing a couple of cheesecakes... |
 ...all enjoyed by all... |
 ...including staff and visitors! |
 The little shed looks so lonely - he wants a bigger brother! |
 Timber is shifted ready for shuttering fabrication. |
 The end of the day - approaching the engine shed. |
|
Photographs taken on 22nd July 2006 |
|
 One manhole cover and frame complete and painted, another one on the way. |
 John Reynard grinds down a packing piece. |
 Peter Cutler finishes off the inlet manhole to the Carriage Shed drainage system. |
 Two columns complete and ready for painting to be completed. |
 Lockable manhole cover and frame ready for installation. |
|
Photographs taken on 18th & 19th July 2006 |
|
 Steelwork for the Carriage Shed awaiting primer after the weekend. |
 What a difference a day makes! |
 Ducts have been installed to feed electricity and 'phone cables to the Carriage Shed site. |
 The first manhole is effectively finished, just waiting for manhole cover and frame. |
 Steve has been busy - the first manhole cover and frame almost complete. |
 John Reynard continues to drill holes in plates for the Carriage Shed steelwork. |
 On Wednesday, Caroline Rhodes and Steve Seer from the National Coal Mining Museum for England (from whom Loco No. 8 is on loan to us), paid a visit to review progress. |
 To give room in the shed to work, the coaches were partly pushed out for the day. |
 Roger Holder clearing up after setting out the Carriage Shed base on the hottest day of the year! |
 The pile of completed plates grows on the floor. |
 Another manhole frame on its way. |
 In the evening, Dave Price lectures while Malcolm and Trefor listen enthusiastically! |
 Trevor gets the blame for a sheared fitting! |
|
Photographs taken on 15th & 16th July 2006 |
|
 The first of two concrete mixer lorries arrive and reverse from Brynllwyd. |
 David Coleman directs the chute at the northern end... |
 ...and then slowly along the west footings. |
 A guard's view approaching Maespoeth. |
 John Trott gives the shed talk in some welcome shade. |
 Richard Foyn attends to the water on the locomotive. |
 Paul Bailey gives Andy Cooper a hand welding some of the metalwork for the carriage shed. |
 Andy welds a plate to one of the stanchions. David Coleman grinds another item in the background. |
 Malcolm and Richard fill up with coal ready fro the next day's operations. |
 What is Rosie up to on her day off ? |
 Rosie had fitted the plate in memory of the late John Chown, Corris Blockman, who passed away suddenly on September 10th 2005. |
 The passenger services were well attended... |
 ...and these little girls had a chance to see just how hot it was on the footplate. |
 Last train of the day passing the Triangle... |
 ...and just entering the Spinney. |
|
Photographs taken on 16th July 2006 |
|
 Another hot day - John Trott gives his talk from inside the Shed.... |
 ....while outside, the crew cook sausage and egg on the shovel. |
 A study in concentration - John and Andy check drawings. |
 Outside, one column is complete and ready for painting... |
 ...while inside, a second column is nearing completion. |
 Just a bit more welding to do! |
 Roger drills holes in the third column while Andy welds a base plate on the second one. |
 Sitting down on the job! Roger drills holes in the third column... |
 ...while John Reynard drills more plates - 4 at a time! |
|
Photographs taken on 15th July 2006 |
|
 Early morning, and Trefor explains to Dave Price the work carried out on No. 7 during the week. |
 Lunch break - volunteers seek the shelter of the Shed. It was hot! |
 Richard Greenhough had been busy, strimming the grass. |
 The first loads of concrete for the Carriage Shed were delivered this morning. |
 10 minutes later, and the first load is in place (bar for levelling!). |
 The second load arrived a couple of hours later - here, Dick Kidner starts levelling. |
 Dick starts fine levelling at the far end with Bryn, while Richard Greenhough starts nearer the middle. |
 The finished job on the west side... |
 ..and on the east side after compaction with the Wacker - and we were! |
 Inside the shed, Richard's Shipman and Greenhough empty the water tank to take a new (smaller) tank to water No. 7. |
 The old balance weight for the tank's shut off valve was recovered... |
 ...and the old, fractured cast iron water pipe removed. |
 New pipes awaiting jointing and fixing in position. More fittings are required! |
 In the Engine Shed, work commenced on the uprights, drilling holes, notching, and welding plates to the steelwork. Andy Cooper looks happy in his work! |
 Paul Bailey looks equally happy, working on another stanchion - measure thrice, cut once! |
 Paul Bailey uses a magnetic based drill (background) while Andy is about to weld a bracket. |
 The Lydd bogie waggon is an ideal work bench! |
 Paul trims the end of a stanchion to shape... |
 ...while Andy welds a stiffener. |
|
Photographs taken on 13th July 2006 |
|
 Trefor Davies and Colin Blackwell carefully measure play on the slidebars of No. 7 prior to inserting shims to take up wear. |
 Trefor tightens up the last of the bolts having shimmed one side and checked the other. |
 Plenty of Carriage Shed steel awaiting welding and painting! |
|
Photographs taken on 11th & 12th July 2006 |
|
 The floor area of the Carriage Shed is now clear for Ready Mix lorries to back down. |
 The boulder looks small now it is in the bottom of the foundations! |
 The third (of four) steel deliveries arrived... |
 ...and on Wednesday evening, Andrew guides Trefor ready to off-load the steel. |
 Off-loading is easy! |
 The rust is raised.... |
 ...and not many people are going to sleep tonight! |
 A brief pause as the steel is stacked tidily. |
|
Photographs taken on 9th July 2006 |
|
 After firing all day, Andrew gets his hands on the controls of No. 7... |
 ...and fills the shed roof with steam! |
 The floor pockets taking the new door frame were concreted. |
 Pads were set to level in the west beam foundation of the Carriage Shed, all ready for the first concrete... |
 ...except that this huge boulder is in the way! |
|
Photographs taken on 7th & 8th July 2006 |
|
 Richard Saffery's latest sign - on the car park at Maespoeth to re-direct errant visitors. |
 Work has started to replace the shed doors... |
 ...excavating pockets in the floor to take the new door frame. |
 But does he do this at home...??? |
 Early morning, and the old doors and frame are removed revealing a cavernous opening! |
 The only problem is, how does the train get over the new door frame steelwork? |
 With the frame fixed, try a door for size... |
 ...and then both! |
 Showing off the new doors to our passengers. |
 Starting framing to infill the arch. |
 The first boards are in position... |
 ...and are now nearly complete. |
 Check that everything fits ... |
 ...but what about new holes for the door bolts? |
 Roger and John discuss the problem from the inside. |
 No. 7 about to pass through the new doors... |
 ...and does so with room to spare! |
 "Have shed - Will travel".... First, level your site for the shed. |
 Secondly, empty your shed. |
 Then remove it from its resting place. |
 Put it on a handy trolley.... |
 ...and take it for a ride. |
 Thumb a lift with suitable road transport to where you want it... |
 ...and follow up with concrete slabs to weight it down. |
 The finished job with other work going on. |
 The west beam excavation was not quite deep enough, so the excavators came in again. |
 The depth was constantly checked... |
 ...right to the end... |
 ...with an audience! |
|
Photographs taken on 4th & 5th July 2006 |
|
 The second batch of steel for the Carriage Shed has arrived. |
 Work continues on picking up the yard drainage into the new system. |
 (Wednesday 5th). The biggest bits of steel for the Carriage Shed -the west side columns - are unloaded in the Engine Shed for welding. |
 Strong guys! - Steve and Andrew lift a batch of beams to make the waggon safe to move. |
 Quite easy, really! |
 Timbers set out, and the waggon positioned to off-load the remaining steel. |
 Not a problem, really! |
 Trefor's turn! |
 Going well... |
 ...right to the last piece. |
|
Photographs taken on 1st & 2nd July 2006 |
|
 Richard Saffery and Bryn Morgan prepare posts and balloons for the platform entrance. |
 Bryn has company in blowing up some more balloons. |
 (On the right) Richard Saffery and Richard Foyn exchange a few ideas. |
 Richard Foyn had again brought his 5" Edward Thomas". |
 A small problem with No. 7 forced it's return to Maespoeth as "light engine" at one point. |
 With No. 6 and driver Paul Bailey stepping in for one service. |
 The John Coiley award was put on display. Corris Railway were joint 2006 winners for locomotive preservation. |
 George Price took a turn on the 7Ľ" passenger service. |
 And we had a visit from "Ben" who gave rides to the children. |
|
Photographs taken on 1st & 2nd July 2006 |
|
 Saturday. Jill Oxford and David Gibson set up the barbecue area at the end of the Museum. |
 Bryn Morgan and Richard Saffery blow up balloons and mount them on posts. |
 "Rules for Bears" who travel on the Corris Railway.. |
 "Double-Take...". Seven and a quarter inch steam loco - "Edward Thomas" providing rides. |
 Malcolm and Andrew chat before the first service train up to Corris, while No. 7 takes on water. |
 Early in the morning, and the pile of drilled plates for the Carriage Shed is steadily growing... |
 ...some have been drilled to final sizes, while others are pilot holes to make it easier to drill to final size. |
 Adrian Britchford sets out plates and centre punches the new hole positions. |
 Outside, the frames of No. 22 have been turned over and one saloon's frames are displayed to show progress. |
 More displays have been fixed to the fence and the entrance towards the shed is festooned with balloons. |
 Dave Quinton is polishing up a new set of screw couplings... |
 ...while Andy Cooper sets out and pilot drills more plates for the Carriage Shed. |
 Near the end of the day and the pile of completed and piloted plates is still growing. |
 John Reynard clamps another plate to the radial drill... |
 ...and puts his weight behind the job of enlarging the holes to size. |
 Outside, Controller Dave Price awaits the last passenger train. |
 A lovely sunny evening as the last Up passenger train heads back to Corris. |
 No. 6 enters the platform on the way to collect miniature railway track panels. |
 Heading up to Corris... |
 ...and about to depart Corris with load. |
 No. 7 draws it's train into the Engine Shed while No. 6 waits to access the Upper Corris branch siding to off-load the miniature railway track panels... |
 ...No. 7 enters the Engine Shed. |
 Dave Price looks wild as he starts to off-load the bogie waggon! |
|
Photographs taken on 29th June 2006 |
|
 David Keay, HM Railway Inspector was calling for a familiarisation visit today. Here Dave Price is returning from changing the gates over with No. 6 on train ready for inspection. |
 David Keay and Dave Price start on a walk to Corris. |
 Richard Saffery and Michael Huber arrived to start setting up for the Teddy Bear's Day and Mini Steam Gala weekend. |
 Some of the signs ready for setting up. |
|
Photographs taken on 26th & 27th June 2006 |
|
 (Monday). The extended future platform area is gradually getting filled in. |
 The last of the "funny" manholes, next to the north end of the proposed Carriage Shed, is under construction. |
 The footings for the eastern side have been deepened and widened. |
 (Tuesday). More granular material tops the platform extension site to temporarily lay out point work. |
 All of the footing for the West side foundation beam has been dug. |
|
Photographs taken on 25th June 2006 |
|
 The fence at the South end of the car park is complete and awaits the fitting of the Armco barrier. |
 Whereas on the North end of the car park the Armco has been fitted and now awaits the fence. |
 Paul Bailey assists with a collection of surplus machines... |
 ...and then joins John Reynard for a cup of tea. |
 Steve Wheeler, David Coleman, Keith Davis and Roger Holder work on the levels of the carriage shed footings etc. |
 Keith Davis then retrieves the line used for the levels. |
|
Photographs taken on 23rd-25th June 2006 |
|
 (Friday). Dafydd Elis Thomas, A.M. for Meirionnydd, opened the new workshops at the Craft Centre, here seen with Ian Rutherford, Managing Director. |
 Dafydd Elis Thomas about to unveil the plaque commemorating the event... |
 ...and afterwards. |
 (Saturday ). The new crash barrier at the back of the car park at Maespoeth, is complete. Now for the fence! |
 Surplus machine tools were made ready for collection on Sunday. |
 The first train departs for Corris, past the rough walkway made to access the rear of the Carriage Shed site. |
 The pile of completed steel baseplates for the Carriage Shed is growing on the bench at the back of the Engine Shed. |
 Paul Bailey assists with the gantry to load surplus machine tools into the buyer's vehicle. |
 One down, two more to go! |
 The initial setting out for the Carriage Shed. |
|
Photographs taken on 20th-22nd June 2006 |
|
 (Tuesday 20th). Huw Williams digs out the footings for the Carriage Shed. |
 The end of the first day's work (together with other jobs). |
 The inlet manhole to the tanks has been brought up to height and the drain to the Engine Shed pit culvert is being dug. |
 (Wednesday 21st). Steve and Huw enjoy a cuppa before starting work. |
 The engine shed pit drain interceptor manhole is completed, and the extended platform area is creeping up to height. |
 The drain from the engine pit is in, and is being back-filled. |
 The north end of the Carriage Shed footings are dug and the surface water drainage pipe to the oil interceptors is in - a temporary connection has been made from the yard drainage. |
 (Thursday 22nd). Keith Davies and Roger Holder paid a visit and set up the Armco barrier to the car park area. |
|
Photographs taken on 17th & 18th June 2006 |
|
 The first of the baseplates for the Carriage Shed steelwork were drilled. The holes are each over an inch in diameter! |
 You come out of a hole...and are confronted by these Teddy's! |
 Alex Hume admiring his handiwork, filling the holes in the concrete blocks with concrete. |
 Alex Hume as Controller, sorting photographs ready for the next trainload of passengers. |
 The pile of drilled baseplates grows... |
 We now have light in the furthest recesses of the Engine Shed - what a difference! |
 The car park fence has been completed, and another load of copper arrives for the Carriage Shed scrap fund! |
 The RAF stage a fly-past - missed Buckingham Palace? |
 ...and continued on their way. |
 Got to be worth sponsorship from somewhere? |
|
Photographs taken on 15th June 2006 |
|
 The manhole intercepting the engine shed pit drain is now up to trackbed level. |
 Malcolm enjoys a joke as Trefor re-fits the driver's injector after a check over by the TR. |
 The smaller steel for the Carriage Shed awaiting sorting and machining on the floor of the Engine Shed - all 3.401 tonnes of it! |
 Trefor and Malcolm re-fitting the driver's side injector. |
|
Photographs taken on 13th June 2006 |
|
 A Special for the West Somerset Railway tour by Bedford OB 'bus. Malcolm and Trefor prepare No. 7. |
 At the north end of the shed, Dave Gibson inserts a duct to carry a temporary electricity supply for Carriage Shed and new point works. |
 The train returns from photo run-pasts to pick up the rest of the passengers. |
 It's all go! Steel is being delivered (transferred on to rail with the gantry) while Dave Gibson entertains some on-spec passengers while No. 7 takes on water. |
 Off-loading 3.401 tonnes of steel on to rail. |
 After the activity, the lorry driver joins us for his lunch break. |
 Malcolm makes a spirited start on the way back to Corris. |
 Off-loading the steel for the Carriage Shed inside the Engine Shed, ready for preparation before welding. |
 Sand and coal were collected from the Upper Corris branch siding and were off-loaded in the lower yard. |
 Dave Gibson draws the heritage stock and brake van back into the siding with No. 5. |
 Malcolm's pipe tries to compete with No. 7 as the loco drops back before going on shed. |
|
Photographs taken on 13th June 2006 |
|
 Our good friends from the West Somerset Railway join us for a special trip. |
 Their 1947 Bedford OB heritage coach was parked for a short while on the driveway adjacent to Corris Station for photographs to be taken. |
 A brief pause for a photo before "the off". |
 An unusual view of the loco through the windows of the bus. |
 Just like a scene from the 1940's? |
 Visit over and Trefor sets to to cook the bacon sarnies for lunch - in the loco fire of course. |
|
Photographs taken on 11th June 2006 |
|
 The timber has arrived to start shuttering the foundations for the Carriage Shed. |
 There was a healthy load on the first train - and all others during the day! |
 A good subject for a Caption Competition perhaps? |
 Setting out (especially levels) for the Carriage Shed. |
 Whenever you turned your back, Richard Saffery had added another board or poster to the station fence at Maespoeth... |
 ...and another! |
 Jill interupts Graham with another cuppa... |
 The job in hand - providing relief to the stock rail to allow the blade to nestle tightly to it. |
 The end of the day - a driver's eye view of shunting the passenger stock into the shed before finishing offloading materials for the Carriage Shed. |
 Richard (Rugog) Evans backfilling around the completed manholes. |
|
Photographs taken on 9th & 11th June 2006 |
|
 Watch out. Richard Saffery is about again. New firebeaters housed in racking and "ready to go". |
 Blocks and other materials have been delivered for the work on the Carriage Shed. |
 The completed components of the new turnout are laid out in the yard, ready for assembly. |
 Friday 9th saw a visit from our friends from the Welshpool & Llanfair "Monarch" project. |
 ... the obligatory group photo. |
 Malcolm fills the loco with water. |
 At the end of the day's operations, materials are moved to the north end of the platform ready to be unloaded. |
 Final measurements are taken for the new shed doors. |
 I think the heat was getting to this young visitor a bit (and to us all by this time) but he thoroughly enjoyed his visit. |
 David Coleman and Roger Holder mark out levels etc. for the approach to the Carriage Shed. |
 The final service of the day was well attended, as were all the others during the day. |
 Steve Wheeler and David Coleman (in the shade for once) give attention to the culvert at the north end of the platform. |
|
Photographs taken
6th-9th June 2006 |
|
 Tuesday - manhole rings were delivered for the water tanks and loaded on the bogie waggon. |
 Wednesday - Trefor and Malcolm catch up with paperwork after finding a leak in the smokebox of No. 7... |
 ....!! (The leak!) |
 Friday - Malcolm was attending to No. 7 while Dave Price tries to adjust the turnout for throw. |
 Malcolm polishes No. 7 while Dave Price continues adjustments on the turnout. |
 The train for a charter for the Monarch (W & Ll) "Regal Tour". |
 Checking the water before starting off... |
 ...and on the way to Corris. |
 Richard Saffery in summer mode as Guard on the charter train. |
 The charter train returning to Corris. |
 The "new" mirror to cover a blind spot at Braichgoch Farm Accommodation crossing. |
|
Photographs taken on 3rd & 4th June 2006 |
|
 The weekend was very hot! On Saturday, the steam crew shelter from the sun and take on liquid refreshment! |
 Helen Starksfield appears to have been trained by Trefor! |
 On Sunday, Helen takes her leave of Trefor and Malcolm to return home. |
 During Saturday, the outlet manhole for the Carriage Shed drainage was reinforced with concrete and filled around so that the rest of it could be built! |
 The drainage outlet manhole going up! |
 Malcolm obliges with a cuppa - and a smile! |
 After good loadings on the early trains, the formation is changed for later, quieter ones to make it more photogenic. |
 With the outlet manhole complete, work has started on the inlet manhole. |
|
Photographs taken on 31st May 2006 |
|
 A superb sunny morning - No. 6 builds up air brake pressure. |
 Later on, the fire is lit in No. 7. |
 Reflections. |
 Contemplation. |
 Tea break while Rose gives a shed talk to passengers on the platform. |
 Towards the end of the day, the outlet manhole for the surface water drainage is coming up to ground level. |
 Over the weekend, slide chairs for the new turnout were welded up. |
 The new fence between the car park and retaining wall above the Engine Shed is nearing completion. |
|
Photographs taken on 27th & 28th May 2006 |
|
 Steve Parr mixes mortar for the brickwork he is laying around the interceptor tank. |
 Now, I'm sure David was here somewhere ...." |
 "...ah!. Here he comes". |
 Rosie Guest shows the steam loco to a group of boys and staff from the Birmingham Boys Brigade. |
 While David sets to and cuts the pipe to length. |
 An "atmospheric" view of the bluebells at The Spinney. |
 Chris Britchford takes a breather whilst (almost) no-one is looking. |
 Malcolm Cameron fills the loco with water. |
 Trefor Davies waits to drop the ash at the end of the day's operations. |
 "Well you can't park it there!". Richard Greenhough waits to perform shunting operations in the yard. |
 No. 6 pulls forward to collect the carriages from the platform. |
 No. 7 dumps the excess steam pressure before going into the shed. |
|
Photographs taken on 28th May 2006 |
|
 No.5 draws No.8 forward into the yard so that the surplus machines on the manrider can be extracted ready for collection |
 Look closely and you can see all four locos - from left, 6,7,5 & 8 |
 Two men in a hole ! Steve Parr & David Coleman building the manhole for the overflow outlet |
 A pause to watch the departing train... |
 ...and back to work |
 Chris Britchford keeps a watchful eye as No.7 passes through the bluebell woods... |
 ...and as the bluebells fade, the new bracken shoots appear. |
 David Coleman entertains another group of passengers with the shed talk. |
|
Photographs taken on 27th & 28th May 2006 |
|
 Dave Quinton and John Reynard continue their work in the workshop. |
 Paul Bailey and Richard Greenhough discuss the intended buffer arrangement for No. 5. |
 Richard Greenhough trims the bank and hedgerow. |
 Surplus machines are moved to be more accessible for collection. |
 Bryn Phillips guides the steam loco onto the back of the carriages. |
 A group from the 1st Birmingham Boys Brigade visited us today. |
 Bryn Morgan (left) and Richard Greenhough (right) rub down and paint the chassis of the P.W. van. |
 Janet and Paul give No. 6 a bit of much needed care and attention. |
 Dave Quinton and John Reynard measure the existing turnout to help with the fabrication of a new one. (Paul Bailey assists). |
 Steve Clarke gives the shed talk to a group of visitors. |
 Adrian Britchford "on the brake" to bring Van 220 to a halt in the ballast siding. |
 David Coleman mixes mortar for Steve Parr to lay bricks and blocks around the head of one of the interceptor tanks. |
|
Photographs taken on 27th & 28th May 2006 |
|
 It is raining, so Roger Holder paints the metalwork on the access door at the rear of the shed. |
 Bryn Morgan cleans rust off the frames of P Way van 223 while out of sight below, Dick Kidner paints them. |
 Who's this? Jill Oxford takes a break after supplying all and sundry with tea and coffee. |
 Adrian Britchford secures a lamp bracket on bogie brake van 220. |
 The end result. |
 The other end of the van gets the same treatment. |
 Paul Bailey cuts metal for the new buffer beam for Locomotive No. 5. |
 The yard looks busy as Richard Greenhough moves waggons from Sacradown siding with No. 5. |
 (Sunday ) The first train was very full, with a group of Boys Brigaders from Birmingham - the complement was split into three with Rosie Guest taking one group... |
 ...while Steve Clark looked after passengers not in the group... |
 ...and Alf Oxford took the other half of the group from the 1st Boys Brigade. |
 Entertainment for youngsters (and mum!). |
 Roger Holder chats to Peter and Rosemary Guest - Peter was supposed to be fixing the fence behind! |
 Paul Bailey and Adrian Britchford fix a new step to the bogie of Brake Van 220 - a bit less like the scythe from Queen Boadicea's Chariot than the original! |
 Richard Greenhough investigates the slate water tank in the roof of the shed. |
 The completed step and lamp bracket on the brake van. |
|
Photographs taken on 24th May 2006 |
|
 The Tuesday gang collect for a cuppa before starting work: Dave Gibson, Graham Farley and (back to camera) John Reynard. |
 Steve Wheeler, concreting the bases for manholes, is alerted to the availability of a cuppa! |
|
Photographs taken on 21st May 2006 |
|
 Who is that waving from the cab of No. 7 - practising for the Teddy Bear day? |
 John Reynard trims turnout components with a cutting torch... |
 ...and then grinds the edges smooth. |
 Andrew Rawlins works on through piping the S & T van for air brakes. |
 After a day of heavy rain between the showers, drainage pipes discharge more water onto the preparation works for the Carriage Shed as the sun comes out at last - for a very few minutes! |
|
Photographs taken on 21st May 2006 |
|
 Photo taken at the end of a good days work. (1) Pipework now in place on the S & T Van (North End). |
 Photo taken at the end of a good days work. (2) Pipework now in place on the S & T Van (South End). |
 Photo taken at the end of a good days work. (3) Pipework now in place on the S & T Van (South End). |
|
Photographs taken on 20th May 2006 (Race the Train) |
|
 The year 4 & 5 race – the train was still dropping back at this stage… |
 …and then moves forward to give the runners plenty of exercise! |
 The younger children don’t have to run so far! |
 The adults had to run against a much faster train (Dave Price cheated – he didn’t drop back far enough!). |
 The last run was a “Special” to show off the bluebells and water fall. |
 Dave Price missed out on the Eurovision Song Contest by helping out, concreting one of the manhole bases around the oil separation tank. |
|
Photographs taken on 14th May 2006 |
|
 "Well. I'm sure I put it down here somewhere..." |
 "Maybe it is down there...?" |
 Richard Rugog then goes looking for ..... the end of the tank. |
 The typical "pose" of machinists - Watching .....". Although I'm sure it is much more difficult than that. |
 Richard Saffery and Michael Huber make use of the Upper Corris Tramway to effect a few repairs to a tarpaulin kindly donated to us. |
 Andrew Rawlins brings the empty stock and heritage waggons down into Maespoeth. |
 A privileged view from the Signal Box. No. 7 leading a changed formation. |
 No. 6 couples onto the back under the watchful eye of Andrew. |
 The return of the formation having carried out shunting operations at Corris. |
|
Photographs taken on 13th/14th May 2006 |
|
 The hole is dug for the second tank and the tank itself is brought to site by train. |
 The tank was rather out of gauge, requiring close observation. |
 Going down... |
 ...nearly there! |
 Richard Rugog in classic pose - with 'phone glued to ear! |
 Dave Ingram watches on as bedding material is tipped for distribution around the tank. |
 The material from the excavation is spread to form an extension to the platform. |
 In the meantime, more bedding material is loaded for transfer to site. |
 In the shed, John Reynard watches over the milling machine as it forms the relief to fit inside the rail on a second spacer fishplate for the new turnout... |
 ...while John and Dave Quinton had earlier bent up these support brackets for the turnout, here seen cooling slowly outside. |
 Normal service resumes for Richard... |
 ...while his colleague (here moving topsoil) joins him. |
 At the end of the day, all is ready to cast a concrete slab over the tank manholes ready to extend upwards. |
 Dave Quinton starts the production of more screw couplings on the lathe. |
 Dave Price struggles with the leather water hose, trying to ensure leather oil reaches the parts that other oils cannot reach! |
 No. 7 and train coasts into Maespoeth, past the excavator working on the drainage beyond the Carriage Shed site. |
 Richard digging out for the inlet manhole to the water tanks. |
 Rough excavation for the Carriage Shed itself. |
 The line of excavations ready to concrete the various manhole bases, while Richard spreads deposited fill on the platform extension beyond. |
 As an experiment in changing train formations around, No.6 propels train (including No. 7) up to Corris. |
|
Photographs taken on 9th May 2006 |
|
 No. 7 passes the garages at Maes-y-Llan... |
 ...and then the houses... |
 ...just about to whistle before the crossing at Braich Goch Farm. |
|
Photographs taken on 9th May 2006 (Photo Charter) |
|
 More photo charters today - a little brighter than yesterday! |
 The scene being photographed. |
 The school children came out to watch - and race the train! |
 Still more photographs! |
 Another run into the station. |
 Just about all done at Corris. |
 Jina and Graham Cooper came along from Trefeglwys to add atmosphere. |
 The leather hose was fitted to the water pipe ready for photos. |
 Malcolm Cameron supervises filling the water tank while Bryn examines tickets... |
 ...all well recorded! |
 Trefor oils around, out of sight. |
 Later, the sun came out as No. 7 backs down with a light mixed train. The lamb is more interested in the photographer than the train! |
 More photos, different location. |
 Not many more runs to go... |
 ...less smoke this time! |
 No. 7 with light mixed train runs into Maespoeth yard. |
 A fish van Special? |
 Checking the water before run-pasts up the line. |
 Last session of the day, a full mixed train on Maesyllan bank, Corris. |
|
Photographs taken on 8th May 2006 (Photo Charter) |
|
 Dave Price and David Coleman shelter from the rain in between shoots. |
 David realises that he has been caught on camera himself for a change. |
|
Photographs taken on 8th May 2006 (Photo Charter) |
|
 The railway was hired for 2 days for photographers. Having started moving about 08.30, the rain started to fall... |
 The scrum to take photos of a heritage freight train. |
 Other stock had been moved around to get it as far out of sight as possible. |
 Later, on a mixed train at Corris, Trefor and Bryn shelter from the rain while the photographers sup tea in the Museum. |
 An Austin 7 arrived to participate in the photography... |
 ...and was duly posed for effect. |
 This is basically the view that was being photographed. |
 One of several run-pasts. |
 Meinir and Margaret organised food in the Museum. |
 The mixed train formation backs down towards Maespoeth. |
 With single carriage in tow, the steam hangs in the air ... |
 By mid-afternoon, the rain had stopped and a simple mixed train formation is selected by the photographers. |
 All smiles for the camera as the train backs down for another run past. |
 The photographers lined up in the field to record the moment. |
 Catching the last rays of the sun on run-pasts at Maespoeth (and later still in Corris). |
 For pictorial effect, a means was found to replace the water pipe on the outside of the shed. |
 At the end of the day, the operators relaxed over bacon and egg (cooked on the shovel) butties. |
|
Photographs taken on 7th May 2006 |
|
 No. 7 gently coasts towards Maespoeth on the 15.00 train. |
 No. 7 gently coasts towards Maespoeth on the 15.00 train. |
 Peter Guest takes a break while fixing horizontals to the new fence alongside the engine shed. |
 Dave Price talks to a group of visitors. |
 John Reynard and Peter Guest chat during a tea break...but where's the tea? |
 No. 8 has been treated to a new side panel resplendent in GWR green. |
 The P Way van (223) has been fitted with couplings so that it can now be put in trains. |
 An array of painted fence palings drying in the sun. |
 The oil separator tank is well buried! |
 The culvert draining the engine shed pit sees the first light of day for over 125 years... |
 ...this will be intercepted and fed back to the oil separator tank. |
 At the end of the day, No. 7 is put on shed. |
 Inside the shed, a completed spacer fishplate for the turnout rests on rails machined for the same job. |
|
Photographs taken on 1st May 2006 |
|
 Richard Evans and son backfilling the first tank installed for Carriage shed drainage. |
 Carefully does it ..... |
 Bryn Phillips and Craig Scott, Guard and trainee |
|
Photographs taken on 29th & 30th April 2006 |
|
 Before the first train and subsequently between trains, Jill Oxford attends to the overgrown foliage on the wall at Corris Station. |
 First train of the day heads slowly towards Braich Goch Farm Crossing. |
 Trainee Guard Dick Kidner installs the curved safety mirror for the day. |
 Between trains Chris Britchford puts a few coats of paint on the Corris buffer. |
 Dave Price explains everything in the cab to an excited young visitor - videoed by his father. |
 Richard Rugog digs the hole for one of the water separation tanks required for the Carriage Shed. |
 Richard Rugog digs the hole for one of the water separation tanks required for the Carriage Shed. |
 Andrew Rawlins & John Trott watch Trefor Davies as he oils and generally attends to No. 7. |
 David Coleman bringing chippings to provide a layer for the bottom of the hole where the water separation tank is to go. . |
 Now what are Keith Davis & Roger Holder up to then ?? |
 Ah. Now I see. They are practising for the next Irish Olympic bobsleigh team. "You're facing the wrong way, Keith!". |
 Here comes the tank .... |
 ...positioned over the hole... |
 ...turned to the correct orientation... |
 ...and lowered in... |
 ...and there it was - GONE". Easy when you know how. |
 After completing the tidy-up of Corris Station in the morning, Jill Oxford turned her attention to the planters on Maespoeth Platform. |
 No. 7 lets off steam at the end of the days turn of duty. |
|
Photographs taken on 29th & 30th April 2006 |
|
 Chris Britchford as trainee blockman at Corris, signals the first train of the day into Corris. |
 Dave Price driving No. 7 past the Maes y llan wall partially rebuilt last autumn... |
 Dave Price driving No. 7 past the Maes y llan wall partially rebuilt last autumn... |
 ...and passes Braichgoch Farm on the approach to Corris. |
 Meanwhile, in the shed, check rails for the new turnout have been bent and are now being machined to obtain the correct flangeway gap. |
 John Reynard watches over the mill as he works on a spacer fishplate for the point. |