Foxfield Railway Unofficial Blog

Wirksworth Away Day

2010-08-02T14:11:00.003+01:00

Bellerophon is currently on her travels again at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway at Wirksworth and I had a couple of days there this last weekend, one as a paying visitor and one with Bellerophon.
It was an interesting operation as they currently have no way of running round trains at Idridghay, the current limit of passenger operation so trains were propelled by Bellerophon the 3.5 miles from Wirksworth with an ex-LMS inspection saloon leading and alternating was a 2 car Metropolitan Cammell DMU in BR blue. The return from Idridghay was a steady pull all the way back at an average of roughly 1 in 225 which Bellerophon took in her stride, even on the Sunday when the two coach train was strengthened to three using a DMU driving trailer. Meanwhile the newly restored Barclay No.3 was merrily clumping its way up the incline to Ravenstor every 25 minutes or so propelling a Bubble Car and this was interspersed with the ex-test car IRIS taking over when the Barclay needed water.
Belle is going to need a couple of remedial repairs and a boiler inspection when she returns to Foxfield which is going to be tight with the Victorian Weekend in the offing at the end of August but hopefully there will be no new surprises so she should be back in action at Foxfield then.

Hot on the Heels....

2010-07-22T14:19:00.005+01:00

The highly successful Summer Steam Gala has just happened, and for those who missed out we had 6 locos trundling about all weekend with the addition of Whiston for a trip on both Saturday and Sunday and Dubs managed to potter up and down the loop at Caverswall Road on the Sunday (albeit missing drain cocks and other minor items, like a chain and hook!). Plenty of photos and videos to be found around and about but here is a link to the first part of PMV's video and an online gallery from the gala here.

Following on from this the information below has been posted on one of the online railway forums:

"Hot on the heels of the Summer Gala, we have our Autumn gala to get going.

So as this is a new event it must have NEW attractions and as the summer gala has winning formula we feel the need to offer something different at the Autumn event.

So this is your chance to get involved and help us to plan and run a gala.

Everyone who contributes will be entered into a PRIZE draw in mid October with the winner receiving a weekend gala pass!

So to start it of, we plan to operate up to 5/6 steam engines, offer full line freights throughout, offer brake van rides, driver for a fiver, evening photo shoots, shunting demos at all parts of the line including Dilhorne Park. Banking and double heading of different combinations over the weekend.

So that's to start it, let's here your thoughts...

By the way no visiting engine THIS year (unless it free and the low loader is sponsored...)

Rich

Co-event organiser"

Watch out for more news as it happens!

4 go mad in Somerset!

2010-07-09T09:12:00.005+01:00

Following Bellerophon's recent triumph in Somerset I have been sent the following photos from Richard Barnett, one of the famous 4, well ok not so famous, and that does include me, Matt, Rich and Belle! Anyway, here are the photos with Belle and the turntable in two and Belle with your's truly following the return to Minehead from the evening run to Blue Anchor.

Whilst Bellerophon was mainly restricted to pottering round Minehead yard and the evening trips to Blue Anchor and back, the triumphs were the moves to and from Bishops Lydeard in company with Pamela... err I mean Thomas from the Mid Hants Railway. The trip to Minehead was done on 1/4 of a tank of water, not bad for 19 miles, ok it was light engine with Thomas. However, the return trip, whilst in the company of Thomas again was not without incident. By the time they got to Williton Thomas was struggling for steam whilst Belle was sizzling nicely. As they got stuck into the bank from Williton to Crowcombe, 4 miles of 1 in 150 and steeper, it was obvious that Thomas really wasn't enjoying the coal and after a mile or so Thomas' driver indicated to Matt (who was driving) that enough was enough and shut off. Bellerophon proceeded to push Thomas over the remaining 2 miles to Crowcombe without any trouble and when the ensemble reached Bishops Lydeard the driver of Thomas commented that Bellerophon had opened a few eyes over the weekend.

There has been suggestions of a return visit at some time in the not so distant future, watch this space!

Dont' forget that the Gala is on over the 17th and 18th July and looks like being a good one once again!

Idle Hands

2010-07-06T14:38:00.003+01:00

In an idle moment at work, not that I have very many of those, I put 'Bellerophon' into google to see what I could find and this photo blog came up. Always nice to see comments like these and particularly as the blog has quite a few comments follwing it too. Nice to hear of a satisfied visitor raving over us. See we can do things well!

Awaydays

2010-07-01T21:11:00.002+01:00

Bellerophon has landed at the West Somerset but unfortunately was too high to fit under the restricted bridges between Taunton and Minehead so had to be unloaded at Bishops Lydeard. Earlier this evening she steamed, in conjunction with the Thomas from the Mid Hants Railway, from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead without any problems. Going to be a bit of a let down for her to be just pottering round the yard at Minhead for the Thomas weekend, although there are rumours she might be let out to Blue Anchor in the evenings. We'll see, I'm off to Minehead tomorrow to have a play and maybe cadge a ride on something bigger (don't tell Bellerophon, wouldn't want her getting jealous!)

Bagnall, Bellerophon and Miniature

2010-06-27T18:14:00.008+01:00

I took the camera with me this weekend and managaed to get a few photos around Caverswall Road Station, so lacking the enthusiam to write too much today (due mainly to the heat poaching my brain!) this is going to be mainly a photo update!

The first few photos show Bagnall 2842 being readied for its first steaming as a complete locomotive.

The cab showing the virgin steam stand, pressure gauge and vacuum gauge.

Andy Civil looking contemplative, presumably thinking of his much reduced bank balance!

Bellerophon is off on her travels this year, here she is loaded ready to go the West Somerset Railway for their forthcoming Thomas weekend.

Finally a look at the miniature railway's extension being readied for the Miniature Mayhem weekend in August. The first shot shows the new run round loop being installed and the second one shows work progressing on the earthworks for the even longer extension to form a balloon loop at the far end of the field

How many blades?

2010-05-10T16:34:00.003+01:00

This is but a brief update of progress at the Colliery.

The photographs taken by Roy Forshaw this Sunday show the ongoing installation of a reclaimed 3way point from what was Foxfield Wood sidings. The intention is to give access to a small yard for storing the collection of mineral wagons on the opposite side of the running line from the headsticks. There are regular working parties at the colliery and plenty of jobs still to do if we are ever to achieve the aim of regular trains on Foxfield Bank. If you are interested in helping out then please contact Alan Jones or Trevor Barnett via Caverswall Road Station.

Woodworm, Steaming and Faces

2010-05-03T18:17:00.006+01:00

Work has started on the restoration on ex-GWR China Clay wagon NCB 293 and the photo shows Dan Smith busy cutting the bolt heads to remove the remaining rotten planking from the body. The wagon has been placed on the isolated piece of track alongside the running shed known as 'Bolton's Siding' in honour of a 19th Century engineer famous for supplying some wierd and wonderful rebuilt locomotives to contractors. The wagon will be restored as an NCB internal user wagon when finished and may well end up carrying the loco coal for a while.

Other activities this weekend included the first steamings of both Dubs and Whiston's boilers, this being undertaken on the ground so that any issues can be cealt with prior to returning them to the frames of their respective engines.

The railway was also holding a 'Friendly Engines' weekend, which continues over the 8th and 9th May also. It was reasonably well attended and moderately successful, despite the issues over loco and crew availability which meant the weekend was very much an ad-hoc arrangement. Hopefully the problems behind this, and other ongoing problems, will be addressed soon and increased reliability in all areas will result. Jake Tweedy did manage to capture this marauding steam roller during the weekend and is seen here gloating over his prize... (Mr Whitaker's loss!)

2010-04-29T15:37:00.003+01:00

A nicely restored 16 ton mineral wagon, the latest effort of Dan Smith who has also been spending hours and hours and hours on the heavy general repaint of Whiston which is now silky smooth and waiting final lining following reassembly when the boiler is re-fitted.

More Miniature

2010-04-23T10:37:00.004+01:00

The lads on the miniature railway at Foxfield are heading off each weekend into the woods, well the thickets, on the mound at the top end of the field at Foxfield armed with shovels and spirit levels as they plan and plot the extension and balloon loop round it. The impetus for this has come from the arrival of more track via the trailer of Duncan Milner. They have also been having great fun with their latest aquisition, namely a petrol powered hydrostatic drive 4 wheeled loco which they have operating most Sundays (petrol allowing!) so please come along and have a look at their efforts, it will give them some support end encouragment to keep up the good work!
On an aside I have recently posted another video on youtube which features some shots during a run up the line on the footplate of Florence No.2 (well I was driver for the day so I had chance!).

And off we go

2010-04-11T22:02:00.002+01:00

Well here we are two weeks into the new season and so far it's going quite well. Meaford No.2 started over the easter weekend and Florence No.2 was performing this weekend, firstly yesterday on a Driver Experience followed by a Real Ale Train in the evening. I've put a short video of Florence arriving back at Caverswall Road station up on YouTube.
Other news is that Wimblebury's ashpan repairs have been completed and the loco is being prepared for a return to service over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Whiston and Dubs are both on the verge of hydraulic tests for the boiler inspector and Bagnall 2842 is now having more bits bolted back onto the boiler and a return to action for the first time in preservation looks increasingly likely to happen by the summer. The photo is of the smokebox showing the blastpipe assembly in place.

Ready, Steady....

2010-03-31T10:59:00.004+01:00

It's only a few days to go to the start of the 2010 season and it got off to a good start with the very well attended auction of the Bill Briggs collection (the engines of which are pictured here on the morning of the auction). An estimate of over 200 people were there to either bid or just simply to gongoozle as the numerous bits and pieces were sold until the main items, namely the four engines, were arrived at after an hour and a half. The Foden steam lorry and the Burrell agricultural were both sold at the bottom range of the guide prices, the Marshall agricultural didn't reach it's reserve and was withdrawn from the sale and the portable comfortably made its guide price. A pleasant postscript to this is that Bill Briggs has decided to take the Marshall with him to his retirement in the Isle of Man, and his house is 2 miles from where the engine was delivered new from Marshall's. Florence No.2 had her cobwebs dusted out for the occassion and a train was run after the auction was over for the benefit of those who wished to travel.
Easter is round the corner and the weather is looking typically Bank Holiday so where better to come and warm yourself than in the newly redecorated buffet with a warm cup of hot chocolate and a bacon butty, or in front of the stove in the 'One Legged Shunter' bar with a foaming pint of the good stuff (or lager if that's your poison). Meaford No.2 should be in fine fettle for the weekend sporting a new cab floor and a brand new blastpipe fabricated by Rob Mitchell over many weekends. It's so good you'd be hard pressed to tell it from a cast one! For more info on what's going on over Easter have a look at the website.

Cheffins Auction

2010-03-26T10:02:00.003Z

This coming Saturday, 27th March, sees the nationally renown auction house Cheffins hold the sale of the Bill Briggs steam collection at the railway. Bill is well known in steam circles and has a wonderful collection built up over many years including the Burrell agricultural 'Diamond Queen', a regular attendee at rallies around Staffordshire and Cheshire. Bill has, however, decided it is time to hang up his firing shovel and spanners and retire to a quieter life on the Isle of Man. Foxfield is honoured to be able to host the sale and we look forward to a big attendance at this event. Either Meaford No2 or Florence No2 will be in steam on the day, but not included in the sale!

Foxfield Colliery Meeting

2010-02-23T08:57:00.003Z

A meeting has been announced to discuss the way forward to the hopeful opening of Foxfield Bank to passenger services. There is still much to be done in this respect, such as completing the platform facilities, supplying some sort of refreshment facility, finishing the trackwork to the correct standard, operating staff training, and a host of other items to do with the extension, all of which could (and should?) have been made known to the general membership a year or two (or more?) ago. Let's hope that this is the start of a more enlightened time where decisions made by the powers that like to be are communicated to the members and everyone may finally have a sense of purpose and direction.

For those Foxfield members who are interested in attending the meeting is to be held at Caverswall Road Station starting at 7.30pm on the evening of 12th of March... no wait there's a Folk evening on then, it's the 2nd April.... or maybe the 23rd April.... no that's too far away, definitely the 2nd of April.... for now!

Colliery push!

2010-02-18T16:23:00.002Z

There is trackwork planned to take place over the 18th - 21st February at Dilhorne Park to deal with a wet bed area at the Foxfield end of the loop as part of the final preparatory work ready for the start of passenger operation on Foxfield Bank this year (fingers crossed!)
If you are able to assist with the work, plenty of shovels supplied, then come along to Caverswall Road Station for 8ish and you should be in time for the P.way train departing.

How Big?

2010-02-04T10:43:00.005Z

I haven't done much on updating here in the last week or two as my efforts are all directed to the forthcoming Stafford Model Railway Exhibition over the coming weekend 6th/7th Feb. This will be held at the Staffordshire County Showground in 3 of the exhibition halls there. There are over 30 model railways of various scales and gauges from N to O gauge, plus over 40 trade stands and demonstrators, and an indoor miniature railway. If you fancy spending a couple of hours enjoying the fantastic work put into the models then pop along. There's even a free vintage bus service from Stafford Station to the Showground for those who don't have their own transport, or if you just fancy riding the top deck again! More details can be found on the Stafford Railway Circle website here.

Snow Fun

2010-02-02T16:05:00.005Z

Here's a couple of photo's of Bellerophon playing in the snow a month ago! She's now sitting on jacks at the back end with the transverse suspension spring out in an attempt to stop the wheels trying to get out of the top of the splashers in the cab! Not for nothing has she earned herslf the monicer 'The thinking man's Industrial'

Thanks to Andy Civil for the photos

Bellerophon in the snow

2010-01-07T20:50:00.002Z

Here's a video of Bellerophon taken on the 3rd January. Thanks George

More Cranford and other stuff

2010-01-05T14:00:00.006Z

The Cranford weekend running with Bellerophon was fairly succesful, visitor numbers were steady, thanks to the weather in some respects as a late snow fall on the Saturday and then overnight freezing meant that many people probably stayed indoors. Sunday was a fabulous day though with the snow still on the ground and the sun out all day, it almost made me wish I was on the ground with a camera rather than on the loco, but then again was lovely to be on the footplate in those conditions. We have also been in the local paper again, The Sentinel running a small article about the success of the filming. Besides this there are a few online reviews and blogs featuring Cranford, one of which can be found here, and I, for one, am searching them out so we can let everyone know where they can find the railway that featured.
However on a slight down side, Bellerophon continues to bemuse and keep us on our toes and came on shed on Sunday with the suspension all to pot. Further inspection is required but it seems that in the efforts to level the loco out by lifting her on the tranverse rear spring something is not happy and the loco is now sitting further down at the back than she was before! What with Wimblebury out of service since last year's gala waiting for ashpan repairs and very little maintenance carried out, or even planned, on the other two servicable locos, for various reasons, we are currently not well situated to start the 2010 season at Easter motive power wise. More important than that is a planned 3 day inspection by the Railway Inspectorate in early Jan, the results of which, no doubt, will dictate much of the work required over the closed season to ensure we are fit and able to start the 2010 season.
Finally I was able to sample the Santa trains from the other side this year as the son and heir was taken to visit Father Christmas and the one thing that stands out on the photographs on the train is.... the awful panel under the window in the BSK compartment. It is full of holes where the table has been attached, repeatedly and unsuccesfuly by the looks of it, and for the sake of a piece of varnished ply spoils the compartment. Ok I know the seats are a little faded and the effects of years of kids scratching in the existing panelling is evident, but as this panel is formica covered it don't half look bad (I have added a pic to show what I mean!). I must also point out that this is in no way intended to decry the sterling work of the C&W department, rather one of the things that you might not think about until you see it like this and trust me, the visitors will. So how about it chaps, a couple of sheets of 6mm ply and some varnish.... would be well worth it!

Cranford in the snow?

2010-01-02T18:27:00.004Z

If only the BBC had waited they could have had genuine snow scenes at Foxfield. Here is a photo of Bellerophon at Hanbury Halt (AKA Dilhorne Park) on the 2nd January 2010 during the weekend steaming to celebrate her stardom in the latest Cranford episodes shown on BBC 1 over the christmas period. She will also be running on the 3rd Jan too... will there still be snow? Well let's wait and see. But come along if you want to sample real seasonal Cranford settings and get a mince pie to boot!. Oh, and this just goes to prove that the boiler didn't explode at the end of epsiode 2 following the crash with the bovine star of the series!

Preview

2009-12-16T15:49:00.003Z

I have just found this preview clip for the forthcoming Cranford eposides. If you don't blink you might spot a familiar location!

And here's a local newspaper report from the Sentinel

Will we be running 2nd/3rd January 2010?

2009-12-11T19:49:00.004Z

The railway has publicised 2 extra operating days just after the New Year on January 2nd and 3rd, the intention being to capitalise on the Cranford exposure over Christmas. However to really do this justice it would be ideal to have Bellerophon in steam as people coming to the railway would no doubt be hoping to ride in the same train as they have seen on the TV. Unfortunately we cannot offer them the coaches so it would be imperative to have Bellerophon available but at the moment a big question mark hangs over her as the ongoing investigations into finding a suitable jointing material for the odd inspection doors set in the foundation ring. Very recently Bellerophon's information on the loco availability board has been updated to read 'withdrawn from service'... just about the time that the two 'Cranford' days in January were announced. I won't draw any conclusions from this, only to say that the will is there to get Bellerophon into traffic in time but the co-operation at some levels seems to be sadly lacking.
The question I therefore ask is, what will the public think if they come to ride on the train seen on Cranford but they get something completely different. Will they return again in the summer? Will they come at all?

Final Weekend with the Peacock

2009-12-06T18:14:00.002Z

It was the final public weekend at Nantmawr on the Tanat Valley Railway for the Beyer Peacock this weekend, and also one of its final steamings as its 10 year boiler certificate runs out on the 14th. I went over on the 5th to spend the day loking after her for John Allman and had another most enjoyable day there. We were well looked after with copious cups of tea, a fantastic burger and some good warming hot pot made by the wife of one of the group. The photo shows the Peacock being prepared in front of the shed specially erected for her which is on the old loading spur for the Lime Kilns which you can see behind the loco. Thanks to Ian from the Llangollen Railway (seen in the photo) who was fireman for the day and good company on the footplate. Look forward to seeing him at Foxfield at some time in the future.
We also did a double header with the Planet diesel currently based at Nantmawr, although it managed to slip out of gear on the second run and had to be pushed back to the platform. John Allman doesn't think it has ever moved as fast before!

Now we know....

2009-12-04T17:18:00.002Z

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!

2009-12-01T18:24:00.002Z

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

2009-11-25T12:34:00.004Z

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!

2009-11-16T13:55:00.004Z

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

2009-11-10T11:01:00.003Z

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

2009-11-02T14:28:00.003Z

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.....

2009-09-28T12:27:00.002+01:00

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!

Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah

2009-09-16T11:22:00.002+01:00

Just to show the sort of things that go on at the railway, here's a little you tube clip from the Victorian Weekend held over the August bank holiday weekend.

Flywheels and Beer

2009-09-15T09:23:00.002+01:00

Looking forward to the Traction Engine Steam Party at the railway on 26th and 27th September and hopefully we will have a reasonable turn out of engines, despite the rescheduled rally at Chelford. This year's will certainly not be as large as last year's which was a one off due to the Anniversary of the North Staffordshire and Cheshire club and their corresponding road run. However it will have the usual beer festival in the bar and a short road run to another local hostelry on the Saturday afternoon. It is also intended to steam one of our locos as usual for the road guys to try their hand at driving without steering! It is always a relaxed atmosphere at the gathering and anyone who comes along will be very welcome. The photo shows a few of the engines at last year's event.

Isn't paint expensive!

2009-09-08T14:42:00.003+01:00

A quick post to update on progress with my pet project, Avonside 1563, also known as Millom but from now on to be known as John Paton. The last few weeks has seen quite a lot of activity taking place on the frames of the loco, starting with jacking up the frames off the wheels. The axleboxes were then taken off for inspection and a bit of head scratching over the visible wear on the brasses. Whilst this was going on the frames were attacked with wire wheels and coarse sanding disks and then given a liberal coat of Wickes Red Oxide which, although it's very reasonable price, is a very good primer. However quite a lot more money exchanged hands for an order of Craftsmaster Indian Red brushing enamel and undercoat for the frames and, from the same source, some Mid Brunswick Green and it's undercoat for the upperworks, all of which set us back a pretty penny! Taking great care not to spill any the outside frames have had 3 undercoats and one topcoat, and very smart they now look as the photo shows. Whilst this was going on Matt also had a fit of the mads and removed the hodbarrow addition to the cab back, so the open backed cab plan is now taking shape. Having done that we have looked at what remains and it appears there is more metal to take off yet to bring it down to a suitable height. We will have to see!

Satisfied customers?

2009-08-28T15:49:00.003+01:00

I was just browsing one of the online forums I subscribe to (and yes I should really be working but everyone is allowed a coffee break... aren't they?) and came across a thread that linked to an blog where the blogger had a very bad experience of customer care on another preserved railway. Now I'm not suggesting that we have any problems in that front, far from it we are one of the more friendly railways. But I do think it is a timely reminder that, even though we are all volunteers, it is important to remember that Joe Public doesn't necessarily understand that and in their eyes we are 'staff'. In the case of the blogger two unrelated incidents in the same day completely tarnished his view of the line in question and he will probably not recommend a visit there to his friends.
Here's a link to the blog in question, let that be a lesson to us all!

Films and things

2009-08-19T12:21:00.002+01:00

Right, here's a much belated update I realise. We have an event looming now, the Victorian Weekend over the August Bank Holiday which will see both Bellerophon and the Beyer Peacock in service together for probably the last time before Bertie Peacock comes to the end of it's boiler ticket. Because of this, and the Peacock's great age, reaching 130, there is a birthday party at Caverswall Road for her this coming weekend (any excuse for a bit of a do!).
We also have two short video clips linked off the website, one done this year by the Sentinel and one done a couple of years ago for Britain's Best Breaks, the Sentinel one is here and the Best Breaks one here. Things like this, and clips on You Tube are great ways to publicise the railway, so get your digicams out and get filming!

Back to Backworth

2009-07-14T09:56:00.007+01:00

The charter with Backworth 47 (AKA Moorbarrow) was run on Sunday with a smaller than hoped for turn out of photographers but the weather was excellent and the loco looked and sounded great. It is important to bear in mind though that 47 is only just out of a £150,000 overhaul and is still running in. The evidence of this was several hot bearings during the charter and in deference to these it has been decided to pair 47 up with Wimblebury for the gala weekend. However, this will give the spectacle of two NCB blue saddle tanks slogging up Foxfield Bank out of Foxfield Colliery during the weekend.
There will also be a line freight on both days which will leave Caverswall Road station in the light engine slot of 9am and return after the last passenger train has returned at 17.30. Event guides and timetables will be available to buy on the weekend on purchase of a day rover ticket. For the members the gala starts on Friday with trains to make up, locos to prepare and warm through, displays to arrange and much much more, all culminating in a beer in the One Legged Shunter on Friday evening and much banter with our friends from other railways. Saturday always dawns too early following this for some strange reason!
See you there.
(Photo courtesy Robin Stewart-Smith)

Two weeks to go!

2009-07-07T10:37:00.004+01:00

We're on the final countdown to the Summer Gala on the 18th and 19th July and things are firming up nicely. Backworth No.47 (Or Moorbarrow as it is now known) is due to arrive at the railway this week and will be steamed over the weekend for clearance trials and a Charter on Sunday. Unfortunately it has not been possible to arrange for William Francis to drop in on its way to Manchester Museum of Science and Industry for the Garratt Gathering at which our own Beyer Peacock willbe present.
There will be a full line freight on both days of the gala which will work from Caverswall Road to Foxfield colliery in the morning and return in the evening and the usual 18 wagon freight up Foxfield Bank on Saturday evening. The gala timetable and guide is in the process of being put together and will be available to buy from Caverswall Road station and Foxfield Colliery over the weekend. As ever there is also a beer festival for the weekend, so get someone else to drive!

Bang, Bang, Duck!

2009-07-03T10:58:00.002+01:00

It's that time of year when the air at the railway smells of cordite and gunpowder as the 1940s War Weekend swings into action. Once again the mad gang of WW2 re-enactors are gathering with canvas tents and field kitchens, and plenty of things that go bang! Hopefully the weather won't be quite as hot and humid as it has been otherwise those poor blighters in full battle dress are going to bake... then again it's a good weight loss programme!

RATS!

2009-06-19T18:06:00.000+01:00

Well, just finished work this week and now looking forward to tomorrow and driving Florence on the RAT, or Real Ale Train for those who don't know.

I'm sure it will be a good evening, if only for the fact there's a pint at the end of it! If you fancy a convivial evening of beer and music come along and try it out. Got to be better than sitting in front of the goggle box watching banal Saturday evening TV!

Moving Pictures!

2009-06-16T08:57:00.002+01:00

Have just found a video of the Beyer Peacock and the vintage train from Saturday 13th on You Tube. Look here to see what it all looked like. Great stuff and nice to see how it looked. Thanks to Conwy Castle for letting me add the link in.

So much to say!!!!

2009-06-15T20:29:00.004+01:00

Well it has been a while since I last updated this and so much has gone on since then, some of which I can talk about and some I can't... yet!

To start with, we have been entertaining 2 coaches from the Tanfield Railway, their numbers 5 and 6, in conjunction with 5 days of filming with the BBC for a 2 episode Christmas special of Cranford starring Dame Judi Dench. This was the culmination of 6 months work for a few members and 5 days hard work for a few more! Not much can be said about what was undertaken as we cannot disclose any information that may give away the plot, suffice to say that we all had fun and it was most definitely an experience. Some of us have come away from it with new nicknames, Maddog - you know who you are!

Following on from this we used the Tanfield coaches for the weekend just gone to raise the profile of the North Staffordshire Rolling Stock Trust, running them with the Cambrian van and the Beyer Peacock to give a taste of things to come. Judging by the comments received the restoration of the two Knotty coaches cannot come soon enough and, having had a day with the Peacock on them, certainly this is the case for the smaller loco's. The Peacock was easily master of the job and much easier with the three wooden vehicles than 2 'modern' Mk1 or 2's!

Anyway, things are hotting up on the Gala front, Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn 0-6-0ST 'Moorbarrow', or Backworth 47 as it is more correctly known (I'm reliably informed from our friends in the NE) is confirmed as the visiting loco this year - but there may also be a second visitor, albiet a none working one. If I say it is heading towards Manchester Museum of Science and Industry for their event this August, and there used to be one of it's sister locos not many miles away in Hanley, perhaps you can guess what it is.

Anyway, I will try and keep up to date a bit more with events and happenings, that's if the Foxfield News doesn't beat me to it (well I am going to work on the next edition as soon as I finish here!). Keep your eyes on the letterbox in about 2 weeks time for your, hot off the press, edition.

The wanderer returns

2009-05-19T09:59:00.003+01:00

Firstly my apologies for not having updated on here recently, mainly due to holidaying in Cornwall over the last week, but also pressures of work! When do I get to retire?
So a few updates on progress....
Firstly the locomotives - Bellerophon has returned to steam following repairs to the little ends, almost! She is being particularly petulant at the moment and is giving troubles with two mudhole doors to an unusual design. These are particularly tricky to fit and keep watertight, and in two steamings each has either blown out or leaked so heavily that she had to be failed. Must get it right though as she has a booking in June that cannnot be missed, about which more will become apparent nearer the time. Wimblebury is alleged to be going to Chasewater in June but this is awaiting confirmation also.
The Carriage boys are about to outshop Mk1 TSO W4762 following overhaul and repaint into maroon, and very smart it looks too with just the numbers to be applied. It should be out and in traffic this coming weekend allowing the Mk2 BSO to go into the works for attention.
Work is in progress to rerail a couple of waggons in one of the rarely used sidings to gain access to the steam crane currently languishing in the undergrowth at Dilhorne Park. The waggons were victims of a heavy shunt many years ago and have remained off the road as they were not in the way and made effective anti vandal devices should the local village idiots decide to try a run-away!
This coming Bank Holiday weekend also sees the miniature railway hosting a collection of visiting engines, the lads working on this project making great strides in their efforts and the little line is coming on leaps and bounds, I noticed a new water tower in place last Sunday, they have better facilities than the full sized one! If you would like to come alaong and have a look then they will be having great fun all weekend!
I will try and update soon with some photos

Plugs and joints

2009-04-30T16:47:00.002+01:00

Just a quick update on proceedings in the loco department. Bellerophon has had the boiler boxed up with washout plugs and mud lids all being refitted last weekend ready for a trial steaming and running in of the new little ends. Dubs is gradually being reassembled, the latest item to be tackled is the Steam Brake which has spent two weekends on the bench being put together and taken apart again to free it up! But most importantly The owners of Millom have bought a new whistle to replace the missing one which was lost whilst the engine was at Astley Green Colliery Museum.

This coming weekend sees Florence No2 and the Beyer Peacock in action for the 'Friendly Engines' event... there's one in the eye for HiT!

Water water everywhere...

2009-04-22T12:39:00.004+01:00

But not in the boiler!

Or a polite way of saying Meaford No.2 failed over the Easter weekend with a blown joint in the boiler manhole. However, on the plus side she had done two days quite successfully and it was only in the evening as she was cooling down from the day's efforts that the joint decided that the quickest way was out! Luckily Florence No.2 was all primed and ready to go and was steamed on the Sunday to cover the services for the second two days, only giving minor problems on the Monday as the hotbox issue reared its head again.

Last Sunday your's truly was in charge of Wimblebury which performed with her usual effortlessness, no doubt aided by the excellent clean she had been given by Scott the day before and whilst prepping that morning. Suitably enthused I got stuck in and fixed a leak on the supply to the water tank used for watering the locos and then went on to shim Wimble's regulator handle to take all the excess play out of it and, lo and behold, it then shut properly! Finally a good clean round the cab and a change of overalls and we were ready for our public... wish we actually got some! It's been a quiet start to the season but hopefully the marketing department will be able to turn this round and we will see some visitors coming to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and facilties.

Tank's for the memories

2009-04-07T18:17:00.004+01:00

Many years ago, far more than I can remember, the railway acquired two water tanks from the Barry Railway in South Wales. These have been stored ever since awaiting a suitable time and location to erect either or both of them. More recently it has been decided that one of them is surplus to requirements and it has been sold to a well known haulier. This Saturday a low loader arrived complete with road/rail grab on the back and having been unloaded and given occupation of the section it trundled off up the line to collect the tank and base. It was accompanied by Bagnall diesel Wolstanton No.3, which was undertaking it's first run up the line since a major engine over haul undertaken by Greg Meddings, with a well wagon to load the tank on to. Apparently all went well and the water tank was despatched to its new home.

Endings and beginnings

2009-03-30T17:06:00.004+01:00

One of our members recently reached the end of his ownership of one of the diesel locomotives on the railway due to economic pressures. Ruston 165DE 423657 left the railway for pastures new at the end of February which does mean that we are currently without a vacuum fitted diesel for working passenger trains should we need one. But then again we are a Steam Railway so hopefully that won't come to pass!
Anyway, it's time to look forward to the start of the new season which kicks off on Saturday 4th April with one of our ever popular Driver Experience days, your's truly instructing. Then Sunday the 5th see's the start of normal passenger services. The rostered loco is Florence No.2 but at present it is not clear which loco will actually be in traffic as Florence is awaiting it's annual boiler inspection and the standby loco, Wimblebury, is currently missing some crucial parts to the injectors and no one, bar the loco superintendant, knows where they are. I'm sure we will have something in steam even if it's only the kettle in the buffet!

Tin worm!

2009-03-23T10:11:00.005Z

Here's a shot of AE1563's new cab side. The old one was rather tired, the bottom section having been subject to many years of rot due to the coal bunker and the top curved section having had a new piece let into it at some point but not the best job in the world so the decision was taken to completely replace both pieces.
Mind you, as you will see, we still have to deal with the home made top section of the cab back. At the moment the thought is to just take it off and have the cab open backed, although the works photo does show an engine alleged to be 1563 with a straight back sheet that extends full height. However you can never be too certain about these photos as builders would often dress up one loco to look like it's sisters. If anyone has any pictures of the loco when it was at it's first home with Partridge Jones & John Paton in South Wales then we would be pleased to hear from you.
The frames have sprouted a new appendage since this photo was taken, I'll post a picture of this next week.

Nuts and Bolts

2009-03-13T16:34:00.003Z

A few updates from progress in the workshops (and outdoors too).

Avonside 1563 has had all four springs and their spring hangers refurbished ready to refit on the loco and new steel work fitted to the fireman's side of the cab. The front tubeplate has been removed from the boiler to allow a more thorough inspection prior to assesment of the repairs required.
Dubsey, the crane tank, has moved under it's owner's power, being pinch barred backwards and forwards for half a wheel revolution to settle the axle boxes into place. The boiler is nearly ready for tubing and the right hand cylinder which was found to have a crack in it has gone away to be repaired.
Bellerophon is awaiting machining and fitting of new bushes to the connecting rod little ends prior to refitting the con rods and a trial steaming.
Whiston's overhaul continues with reassembly of the motion, the boiler being ready for the new tubes to be fitted.
The loco line up for the start of the 2009 season is Wimblebury, Meaford No.2, Florence No.2 and Beyer Peacock 1827
Wolstanton No.3 has recently been started and run under her own power following an extensive rebuild of the Gardner engine. The fitting of vacuum brakes for passenger use is being considered at the moment following the departure of Rachael to a new home.
Elsewhere two 'Economic' point locks have been refurbished ready for installation at Foxfield Colliery as part of the continuing work to prepare Foxfield Bank for the re-introduction of passenger services this year. Keep watching for further announcements regarding the re-opening date.

2009-03-08T20:41:00.005Z

I thought I would snap this shot to show the arrangement inside the smokebox of Florence No.2 and its giesel ejector.

The exhaust passages come together at the base of the ejector which, although remaining parallel looking at it from the front, actually tapers outwards if viewed from the side. at the top of the blastpipe is a casting containing multiple exhaust nozzles and between each nozzle a much smaller one for the blower, 6 in total fed via the pipe coming up from the right hand side of the smokebox. The chimney has a petticoat inside the smokebox which is attached to the blastpipe assembly to give it rigidity.

This piece of equipment gives a more even draw on the fire and a smoother flow of steam from the cylinders to exhaust with the benefits of reduced back pressure and more power.

Does it work? Well I have nothing to compare it against at the moment, but as previously mentioned Florence does seem to steam easily and have plenty of power. If someone wants to bring an unmodified 16" Bagnall to the railway we would be more than happy to compare the two!

Coaches and woodworm!

2009-03-06T10:19:00.003Z

Last year a new appeal was launched to aid the restoration to traffic of two of the Railway's historic coach bodies, North Staffordshire Railway 4 wheelers No.61 and No.127. A group was formed called the North Staffordshire Railway Rolling Stock Trust, quite a mouthful I know but a very active group with plenty of experience. One of the group has previous experience of this type of project through his involvement in GWR Autocoach No.163 and that group's experiences in raising funds and co-ordinating the restoration.

Despite rumours that the only thing keeping No.127 together was the woodworm holding hands it turned out on closer inspection that the basic structure of the body was repairable given the right skills. No.61 had already seen some restoration work and has spent the majority of the last 15 years undercover so was in a better condition. Therefore attention has been focused on No.127 for the time being.

Progress so far on No.127 includes restoration of one of the doors to give the project something to aim for and display as part of it's fundraising activites. Also the chassis off an ex-BR pipe wagon B741715 is being overhauled and modified to accomodate the restored body, some idea of progress can be seen on the Foxfield stocklist page for No.127, but extra help with either physical work or fundraising is always welcomed, we have two to do, and then there are other grounded bodies to turn our attention to afterwards!

To date over £1,000 has been raised towards the initial target of £5,000. Please contact Mr John Allman, NSR Rolling Stock Trust, c/o Foxfield Railway, PO Box 1967, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8YT for further information.

Foxfield Abroad

2009-03-02T21:51:00.002Z

Just to show that we're not just interested in industrials and the Foxfield Railway has embraced Europe to the full, a group of Foxfield members headed east to Poland towards the end of April 2008 to carry out trackwork on the narrow gauge Smigiel line. If you head to the blog 'Behind the Water Tower' and scroll down to the 13 May 2008 entry you can see just what our intrepid band got up to!

First Train on the Bank

2009-02-27T08:49:00.000Z

Not a fantastic photo but this is a rather damp shot of Florence No.2 with the first passenger train to ascend Foxfield Bank on 11th October 2008. It was a one off for the present run with the agreement of HMRI for all the sponsors and contributors to the Foxfield Colliery Project.

Follow this link for some photographs of the first train to Foxfield Colliery by Ian Silvester

We do expect to start operating regularly down to the colliery towards the end of the 2009 season, dependent upon some works being completed. So if anyone knows of a couple of facing point locks going spare.....

Rock & Roll

2009-02-26T14:18:00.000Z

I was driving Bagnall 0-6-0ST Florence No.2 on Saturday 21st February and was very pleased to note that the P.Way boys had been out and about with the tamper. The results were all too obvious, very few dipped joints and a lovely ride. It will be nicer now on the small 4 wheelers (ok I know we only have the Beyer Peacock representing them at the moment!) which have a tendancy to bounce a bit, or in the words of the Reverend Awdry referring to Duncan - 'Rock and Roll'.

Saturday was also the first time that Florence No.2 has run the passenger service on her own and it was very pleasing to be able to get her through the day with no major problems. It was the first time that she has not run one or more of her axleboxes hot, in fact they were all beautifully cool at the end of the day, and the Sunday crew had the same result too just to prove it wasn't a fluke! She is a lovely machine, rides nicely, steams very freely thanks to the geisel ejector chimney, all the controls just where you want them, economical and bags of power. She should prove to be a good asset to the loco fleet at the railway.

That's it for operating now until the start of April, hopefully we should be able to call on 5 locos to start the season with: Wimblebury, Meaford No.2, Florence No.2, Beyer Peacock 1827 and Bellerophon (con rod repairs allowing). Have a look at the railway's website to check operating dates.

Welcome

2009-02-26T10:38:00.000Z

Hello and welcome to the new unofficial blog about the Foxfield Railway at Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, UK. I hope to be able to keep you up to date with all the news, views and happenings on what is Britain's Premier Industrial Heritage Railway.

For those of you that don't know the Foxfield Railway (and I'm assuming that's most people!) it is a standard gauge preserved line near to Stoke-on-Trent in sunny Staffordshire (The Creative County, apparently!) and was built in 1892 to connect the Foxfield Colliery at Dilhorne to the North Staffordshire Railway at Blythe Bridge and continued to be used solely for the transportation of coal and materials for the mine until the closure of the colliery in 1965. Following this the Foxfield Light Railway Society was formed in 1966 and the first passenger train operated in 1967 using the Society's first steam engine, Henry Cort. Since then the Society has developed the site of the old Landsale Wharf at Caverswall Road to create a new station building which includes a buffet and a bar, running shed and workshops. I hope that you will take the time to have a look at our website and, if you are in the area, pay us a visit. You will always be assured of a friendly welcome.