Category: Maintenance

Posted on

Well that was August.

Well that’s August out of the way. A busy month with lots of activity around the railway.

It’s months like this when we can forget the activity that goes on behind the scenes. In the sheds and along the line doing work that enables the railway to run safely.

Mention must also be made of those working in the office both paid and volunteer. Now we are into September with events still to come, then on towards the Santa services.

The railway never sleeps, it may appear to have the occasional doze but it never sleeps.

So well done for a busy August and here’s to a busy autumn and full Santa trains.

Every person is important be they paid staff, volunteer etc. It’s often been said that the railways best asset is its volunteers. That is very true irrespective of the job they do.

These days I am housebound and unable to get to the railway. I desperately miss chatting to both the volunteers and visitors, and I enjoy those who pop onto the Wansford YouTube web cam I am on there every running day answering questions and giving service information out. Please feel free to pop on.

Posted on

Rosemary Galloway.

It is with immense sadness that I have to post that Rosemary Galloway passed away this morning Saturday 15th June 2024.

Her introduction to the railway was when she did a driver experience on 73050, she was in her early eighties at the time. She saw the garden at Orton Mere as she passed and muttered to herself that the garden needed sorting. The rest as they say is history.

So Rosemary, for a number of years tended the garden at Orton Mere Station. To do this she caught a train to Peterborough from St Neots and then walked to Orton Mere.

She did this well into her late eighties, she came to do the garden in all weathers and always had a smile.

There was a regular flow of banter between the two of us, and I fondly remember that she mentioned on a number of occasions that she wished she could adopt me so that she could tell me off and keep me in line properly!

I fondly remember standing in the station building doorway with her watching the summer rain pour down and she would utter the words. “Robert! Robert! Always remember we don’t have seasons we have samples!”

Rosemary was always happy to chat to both visitors and railway staff & volunteers. I can honestly say that she was liked and respected by all.

I can say with certainty that she will be remembered with both fondness and respect by all the staff at Orton Mere that worked with her.

Rosemary Rest in Peace. Thanks for your hard work and dedication. You will always be missed and remembered.

Posted on

Thomas at the Re-opening of The Orton Mere Signal Box

The signal box at Orton Mere was re-opened on the 9th March 2024 after it’s rebuild following the arson attack on it.

Thomas was in attendance and carried passengers from Wansford Station and back again for the event.

The following images are © Jon Benton and my thanks to him for sending them to me.

Exchanging the staff as Thomas arrives at Orton Mere.
Thomas at platform 2.
The Plaque on the Signal Box re-opened by Miranda Rock DL the railway’s president.
The crew with The President.
The refurbished inside of the signal box.

The box looks excellent and it’s thanks to both the fundraisers, of all ages. And the team that did the practical work. They can all feel proud of their efforts.

Posted on

Quiet time of the year.

Many regard January and February as quiet times of the year. But you just have to look below the surface to see this is not whooly true.

Yes the trains are not running public services so the number of visitors has gone down. But there is a lot going on behind the scenes with maintenance in various parts. Have a look at the work going on with the 73050 rebuild for example. That’s progressing well. Events for the coming year are being planned as well.

Just pop down to Wansford, you will perhaps not only be surprised, but perhaps see something you would like to get involved with.

Perhaps after all the railway is not as quiet as you think…

Posted on

Thomas update.

Here are a couple of pictures taken of the Thomas rebuild. They were taken a week apart.

they are © Nathan Wilson.

We hope Thomas will be back to carry passengers in the not too distant future.

Posted on

A new leaver fiddler

Today Matthew Alden-Farrow passed out as a signaller.

I have known Matt since he first joined the railway and his success is well deserved.

Matt posted this picture today of the Wansford box where he qualified. Nice to see work is progressing nicely on the refurbishment.

Posted on

The Orton Mere Signal Box.

Some months ago the Orton Mere box was set on fire in an arson attack. With extensive damage being caused.

Her are three images showing some of the internal damage.

My thanks to Tim Hobman for all these images.

Since that time a lot of work has been put in to bring the box back into service. Here are three pictures of how work is progressing

As you can see the difference is remarkable.

Now work starts on reinstalling signalling etc.

We are lucky on the railway in that we have many skills and talents across the membership. With members who use them to enhance and improve the railway.

I look forward to posting more images when the box is fully completed.

Posted on

Thomas news!

From Nathan Wilson

A great day in the works today – water is going back into the boiler for the first time since being withdrawn for the boiler overhaul!

Posted on

Work on Wansford signal box.

Work has commenced on 12 to 14 weeks. of refurbishment work on the box.

The box was built in 1907 by the LNWR, and is one of the largest signal boxes in preservation and in its original location.

Currently surrounded by scaffolding, it’s ready for the work to commence.

Should you wish to make a donation towards the cost of the work to preserve the box for many years to come please contact the office at the railway on 01780-784444. You donation will be most welcome irrespective of the amount.

The box will remain operational during the works.