Now we know....

According to the BBC press office Cranford is to be broadcast on Sunday 20th December (Part one) and Sunday 27th December (Part two) from 9pm to 10.30pm on both days. So make sure you have your video set to record (or your sky+ if that's how you like to do it!).

Canford posers!

Well we're still waiting to hear the transmission times and dates for Cranford Christmas Special, so far there's even odds on a Boxing Day episode one and 2-1 on Christmas Day! But I thought I would give you a taster of two of the 'characters' you can look forward to on your TV!

Cranford News

We have just been told that the BBC are holding a press conference the week commencing 30th November to announce the transimission dates and times for the Cranford Christmas Special, which you may remember we had 5 days filming at Foxfield in the spring. This is one of the BBC's flagship period productions for Christmas and we are told it will be broadcast on BBC1 but we are all waiting with baited breath to find out when! In the meantime there is currently a re-run of the first series going out on BBC3... or is it BBC4... I get confused! Or, if you can't manage without a fix of Dame Judi et al then there's an Cranford blog website, Cranford Chronicles, for those who really need to get the latest gossip!

Here comes the man with the sack!

It's 3 weeks till the start of the Santa season, doesn't seem five minutes since we fiished the normal running season! Work is progressing on decorating the station and the train in preparation and presents have arrived ready for Mr Claus to distribute to all the happy smiling little children. I went as a genuine passenger last year for the first time with my family and some friends. One of our friends had been to the Severn Valley the previous year and I was worried how we would shpae up alongside the big players. I needn't have worried though, they were full of praise, rating us better then the SVR in many respects and they are looking forward to returning this year, I had a nudge from them today to get it booked!

However, speaking of bookings, they are a tad slow this time and we need eveyone to help get the numbers up. If you can help then pass on one of the Santa Special leaflets, or direct people to the Foxfield Railway website where they can download the booking form for themselves. To pinch the catchphrase of a certain national advertiser.... 'Every little helps!'

Tanat Valley Opening

Saturday 7th November saw myself and family journey over to the Welsh borders to find a hidden gem of a railway, the Tanat Valley Railway's Nantmawr branch. The small group of members of the TVR have spent several years clearing and rediscovering the quarry branch and have finally reached the point where they could operate their first trains. John Allman's Beyer Peacock was doing the honours and, not only was this the first steam on the branch for over 40 years but it was thought to be the first passenger trains ever! The first train was despatched over the 600yds so far operable to the strains of the Porth-y-waen Brass Band and welcomed back by a lone piper - perhaps he was responsible for the Welsh mist later in the day that failed to dampen the spirits of the small band of people who were responsible for bringing the line back to life. It's a great little line and, although lacking in facillities, the enthusiasm of the group is quite infectious and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was great to be able to help them celebrate their achievements and I look forward to returning again and having a longer run when they have more of the branch cleared and operable.
If you have a free day between now and the first weekend in December please pay them a visit and if you want to see the potential of the delightful little valley have a look on YouTube where there is already some footage.

Season End

The 2009 season has now closed, other than the Santa trains in December, and it ended on the 31st October with a Driver Experience which saw 4 'victims' try their hands with Meaford No.2 under the guidance of myself and Bob Gibbens. An interesting range of candidates this time from a young woman (in her 30's I'd guess but bet I get shot down for that!) to a gent in his 80's. All had a good time and professed themselves very happy with the day, as did their families who had forked out for the day. The loco was then handed over to Dennis Labram and Rob Mitchell who worked the final RAT of the year, complete with haloween theme which was well patronised including a group from the South Cheshire Caravan club who were having a small rally on the field for the weekend and braving the torrential downpour and high winds of Saturday night/Sunday morning, which kept me awake as well!
It will soon be the first of the Santa trains and Val Chapman is trying to co-ordinate the on train roster for them, if you can help out, even if only for a few hours one day, please contact her via the railway.

Rolling on.....

Well the Traction Engine weekend has been and gone and was well attended with 10 engines there and 3 miniatures, plus a vintage bus and some classic cars and Land Rovers. Everyone had a fun time and much beer was consumed (when did 2.30am get invented?). There were some sore heads on Sunday morning but all were in good spirits and the public came aplenty so hopefully everyone was happy. This event is one of the best of the year with a lovely relaxed atmosphere and a very low cost to the railway to put on thanks to the good will of all the people who brought exhibits. I didn't realise though that the only reason to have kids was to supply scale drivers for the miniature locos, but it seems that's just what Izaak was for on Sunday as the photo shows!