What do these things have in common?

Probably more than you would expect. For the uninitiated, one is Class 55 "Deltic", a 100mph diesel electric loco used on BR's Eastern Region. The other is the Matisa tamping machine which the Moseley Railway Trust has on loan from the Tallylyn Railway. They both have a tendency to deafen their drivers, they both require ridiculous levels of maintenance, and they are both twin engined. I will be honest, the similarity end about there. So, where is this going? The tamper has been on site for a few weeks now, and we have had a few experimental tamps - but this Saturday was the first time we really went for it. And what a beast of a machine it is. The driver needs nerves of steel and the concentration levels of a jet fighter pilot, since the machine has a phenomenal number of levers and wheels and clamps and general gizmos. But once the driver enters a karma-like trance and becomes one with the machine, the rate of progress is truly amazing - especially for the gang aching from having manually tamped a set of points that morning. I should, by the way, explain that the objective of the exercise is to compact the track ballast under the sleepers, and therefore achieve the correct vertical alignment for the railway.

Simply Splendid Simplexes

We've been focusing on infrastructure stuff in recent posts, so for a change, this week we will have a look at two locomotive projects which are on-going at the Moseley Railway Trust's Apedale base.

No.13 "The Pilk" is a 60S Motor Rail, their number 11142 of 1960. Fitted with a Dorman 3LA engine, it was delivered to Pilkingtons for use on the sand gathering railways which used to exist around the St Helens area. This powerful loco has been equipped with air brakes by MRT engineers and is planned to be the mainstay on non-steam passenger trains on the Apedale Valley Light Railway. It has finally had its cosmetic work completed, and now looks a treat, as I am sure you will agree.

On a slighter smaller Simplex scale, the now infamous Project Genesix (Motor Rail 7066/38) has made great strides since it first appeared here. The project team have abandoned their initial scheme for global terraforming (the tamping gang are managing that quite well) and instead have focused on painting the loco in a colour which is claimed to be authentic. So authentic that the man in the paint shop had to have a little sit down with the smelling salts after mixing it. The loco has advanced beyond being a rolling chassis, and has now had a Dorman 2JO engine fitted. This is a petrol unit, and was sourced from the Nene Valley Railway. The NVR had scrapped a standard gauge Hibberd loco, and the MRT were grateful recipients of the remains.

If you want to come along and see these locos, along with all their friends, the best opportunity will be our Open Days in September. As ever, contact us here.

Bermuda Triangle

It's been a busy day at Apedale. The task of ballast tamping has (hopefully) been made somewhat easier by the arrival of a Matisa tamper on loan from our friends at the Tallylyn Railway (to whom we must express our sincere thanks). As with all tampers, it is clearly a complex and fascinating machine, judging by the number of admirers it swiftly attracted. Meanwhile, a small but noteworthy milestone was reached when a little ground clearance was carried out in an area at the north of the site known (for various reasons) as the Bermuda Triangle. This will be the limit of the Apedale Valley Light Railway phase one, and run-round loop will be provided. A sea of brambles and hawthorn was preventing vital surveying work from being carried out, so all the prickly stuff had to go. It is fair to say the 2009 blackberry harvest may be rather reduced. The railway will run approximately in the cleared area in the centre of the photograph. I should mention the work being done by our colleagues at the Heritage Centre, who are making good progress with building a reproduction of Silverdale station building on what will be the AVLR's platform at the south end of the line. Finally, some rather odd things have happened on site recently. We considered ourselves lucky to survive one particular explosion. If you want to more about this, you'll have to ask me nicely at the Open Days, 12 & 13 September. As ever get in touch here. I will consider no more Barry Manilow references in exchange for a donation to the Trust.

Open Days Update

The Moseley Railway Trust is pleased to announce that the 2009 Open Days at its Apedale site in North Staffordshire will be held on September 12 and 13 2009.
This year’s visiting steam loco will be the Orenstein & Koppel steam loco "Max". This loco will be making its first visit away from its home at the Statfold Barn Railway, and the Trust wishes to express its thanks to Mr Graham Lee and all the team at Statfold for making the locomotive available. Built in Berlin in 1923, "Max" worked at the Sragi sugar mill in Indonesia until brought to the UK in 2004. Since then the team at Statfold have restored the loco to its current immaculate condition.
The Moseley Railway Trust is currently negotiating for a number of guest diesel locos to join the open day fun – who knows, there may be a few surprises on site.
The Open Days will be the main opportunity this year for the public to come to Apedale and see the progress being made on the construction of the 2’0" gauge Apedale Valley Light Railway. Although passenger rides will not be available, demonstration trains will be in use, and there will be a unique chance to see and photograph trains in areas which will be off-limits when the railway is open to passengers. The Trust’s huge collection of narrow gauge locomotives, rolling stock and other artefacts will be on display.
There will be a number of trade stands, model railways, a ride-on miniature railway and a 16mm live steam running track. There will also be visiting classic and vintage road vehicles and other machinery.
The Open Days are open from 11.00 to 17.00 both days. Admission is £4 adults, £1 child. A discount will be offered to anyone presenting a ticket from the Eastern European Car Rally at the Foxfield Railway on the same weekend - Foxfield will also a offer reciprocal discount. The Trust’s site is adjacent to the Apedale Heritage Centre, Chesterton, near Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffs – a few minutes from M6 Jcn 16. Check here for further details.
The Moseley Railway Trust would be pleased to hear from potential exhibitors, especially vintage and veteran commercial vehicles. The Trust can be contacted here.