Tender work on Dame Vera Lynn
Microbrewery proves a key attraction as Cambrian Heritage Railways opens its extension from Oswestry to Weston Wharf.
THE restoration of WD 2-10-0 No. 3672 Dame Vera Lynn on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway continues to progress with attention currently focused on the tender, which is being overhauled by Riley & Son (E) Ltd in Heywood.
Following the removal of the tank, all the wheels have been reprofiled and journals polished.
With the drag box now accessible, engineers have been going through the design and checking things before talking to potential material suppliers. The next step is to remove the drag box and progress materials for its replacement, plus a new tank.
Timeframe
Work is to get underway on the running gear over the summer with a view to completion of the tender overhaul later in the year. It is hoped to move the loco’s chassis into the main workshop at Grosmont this autumn, by which time LMS ‘Black Five’ No. 44806 should be rewheeled and mobile, allowing No. 3672 to take its place. Meanwhile, the return of SR 4-6-2 No. 34101 Hartland has reached a milestone with the inner and outer fireboxes joined for the first time in 15+ years when the loco was first removed from traffic. By mid-April, reaming of the near 2500 holes to ensure perfect alignment was well underway. After threading the holes, the next target is to get a stay into the boiler.
CAMBRIAN Heritage Railways (CHR) says members of the public and local dignitaries have responded positively following the formal opening on April 1 of its extension from Oswestry to Weston Wharf, home of the Stonehouse Brewery.
Located just short of the A483 level crossing on the southern edge of the Welsh border market town, a new station has been built in traditional style, complementing the historic goods shed which once served the Morda Valley. The former office at the Oswestry end of the goods shed has been renovated into a period waiting room, with small exhibits helping to tell the story of the past, supplementing CHR’s long established Cambrian Railways Museum in Oswestry.
Prior to the departure of the opening special train on April 1, a plaque was unveiled inside Oswestry station by Vince Hunt, chairman of Shropshire Council. After arrival at Weston Wharf, a second plaque was unveiled and a ceremonial ribbon was cut by North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan.
Operations
The opening day special train was top and tailed by Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 2217 of 1947
Henry Ellison, on hire from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association, and CHR resident Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 165DE No. 458641 of 1963 Alun Evans
– although steam traction was at the front of the train in both directions.
The Barclay arrived at Oswestry from Wirksworth on March 28. On the same day, CHR carried out a minor rolling stock reshuffle which saw Vulcan
0-4-0 diesel No. 295 of 1955
Telemon relocated from
Oswestry to CHR’s separate Llynclys operation, four miles south of Oswestry, while Alun Evans moved from Llynclys to Oswestry. Resident Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 2246/1949 ‘Fife Flyer’ is awaiting boiler repairs.
CHR trains are timetabled to run along the 1¾-mile line from Oswestry on weekends and
Bank Holidays until September 25 – with steam haulage on
Bank Holiday weekends. Henry Ellison is contracted until the June 2-5 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend.
There are six departures per day from Oswestry with two locomotives operating alternate trips. A run around loop is currently in place only at Weston Wharf – so a different loco heads each trip from Oswestry, allowing the other loco to be serviced and also providing traction variety for passengers.
On steam days, Class 73
No. E6036 (73129) is normally expected to be in action, with Alun Evans as backup. On diesel days, the Ruston and ‘ED’ will be in traffic – although some dates may see one of the line’s two Class 144 ‘Pacers’ in operation, Nos. 144006/7. The ‘Pacers’ are also expected to work special trains to the brewery on selected evenings. No. 144007 is currently awaiting repairs.
The ‘ED’ has recently been fitted with a replica City of Winchester nameplate on the north side – the south side is set to be attached in due course.
Reaction
Rob Williams, CHR chairman told The RM: “After 50 years, Oswestry is now firmly on the heritage railway map with a railway which goes from
A to B. Our passengers have been impressed by the overall product we are now offering. An enthusiast commented that they enjoyed the pageantry of locos. Another observed that Oswestry was akin to a main line terminus of the past – a pilot waiting to go onto the back of a train after it had arrived.”
He added: “There will now be a period of consolidation before we reopen more of our nine miles of railway. Operating what we have now will provide credibility on a local and national level, plus finance for the next step.
“CHR is promoting two projects – a heritage line south from Oswestry, connecting Blodwell and Pant – and the community rail scheme linking Oswestry to the national network at Gobowen.
“Following the success of the CHR submission to the Department for Transport (DfT) Ideas Fund for feasibility funding, a working group has been established to take the project forward to deliver the strategic outline business case within the scheme’s target deadline of September 2022.”
In addition to being a keen supporter of CHR, the microbrewery, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary provides an attraction with a difference and is believed to be the sole example of its kind adjacent to a heritage railway terminus in the UK. Real ale, gin and whisky are produced on site.
Tickets for CHR trains must be pre-booked at cambrianrailways. com – passengers are welcome to return on a train of their choice.