Tracks to the Trenches - the influx begins

Two further major exhibits for Tracks to the Trenches have now arrived. Firstly - representing the Central Power - a really rather splendid Henschel-built Brigadelok. Rescued from a sugar factory in Poland, it is normally resident on the North Gloucstershire Railway at Toddington. With significantly more wheels than we are used to at Apedale - but thankfully an even number - there was some trepidation as it set off on a gauging run round the railway network. However, it would seem that the Klein-Lindner devices work just fine, and no significant problems came to light. A number of our members were seen with that "I wonder what my bank balance is?" look on their faces. With kit like this, it's amazing the Germans lost.

Equally significant, but in a different way, was the arrival of the "B" class wagon. This is a rebuild of a long-lost variant of one of the WDLR wagon types. This useful vehicle could carry bulk stores but could also carry stretcher cases back from the front lines. Being a four wheeler, it will be able to penetrate the far reaches of the Field Railway/Trench Tramway network. Less than two weeks to go now until the Big Weekend. As ever, get in touch here.

A day to remember

It's not often we feature anywhere other than Apedale on this site - but today we make an exception. Because today was a launch event at Statfold for the Moseley Railway Trust's Hudswell Clark no. 1238. You may recall that this loco was repatriated from Ghana in 2008 and has been rebuilt since. The job is now finished, and it has been testing/final de-snagging at the Statfold Barn Railway. It made a fine sight, running with two of SBR's resident Hudswells. There were speeches and train rides and all sorts. Sadly, the Red Arrows couldn't make it, but the amazing collection of narrow gauage locos at SBR more than made up for that. HC1238 will be moving to Apedale in the next couple of weeks for final testing before the public launch at Tracks to the Trenches on 12, 13 and 14 September. As ever, get in touch here.

Testing, testing, 1 , 2, 3

The new Field Railway at Apedale is approaching completion; given that's there's only three weeks to the Big Event, that is probably a Good Thing. We have therefore now started testing all the new track work with a couple of vehicles which have shown as certain affinity for earth faults in the past - specifically, The Water Tank wagon and the Joffre. Cue shudders of fear all round. To some surprise, both vehicles performed impeccably on the Field Railway - but then the Joffre declined to enter the new Museum sidings. Some subtle alterations were taking place, and doubtless the problems will be solved before too long. It better had be, because there aren't many working days left now! The suspense is killing us all. You'll all be able to find out if we succeed (or not) on September 12, 13 & 14. The management have taking to using phrases like "Failure is not an option" and suggesting the PW gang walk alarmingly close to ponds filled with Piranha fish. You can find more about the event here and don't delay if you want to book advance tickets - the deadline for this is now VERY close. Get in touch here.

Making tracks - to the Trenches

There's only a couple of weekend left now until Tracks to the Trenches - and inevitably the pressure is now done to get as much infrastructure in place as possible. The Big Railway uses High Output Ballast Cleaners and Kirow cranes. We use a skip wagon, Mick and James. The second option is somewhat more affordable than the first. The plan is beginning to come together - but we are keeping a few little surprises up the proverbial sleeve which you won't read about here - you'll need to pay your (very reasonable) entry fee and come along and look for yourself. The Trench Tramway is shaping up - this is a lightweight spur from the main "field" running line and features a gradient which the Snowdon Mountain Railway would be proud of. Still, test trains have run up and down it with no real problems (once the rack gear was fitted). You can still buy advance tickets for the event here - but note that the closing date is 1st September - so don't delay. All details on the event can be found here. As ever, get  in touch here.

Delusions of Grandeur

Well, Teddy Bears' weekend has come and gone. Star of today's photo from the event is Phil the Guard. Here Phil can be seen proudly signalling the train to depart from Apedale Rd Station on the first day back into service of our World War One Kerr Stuart Joffre loco. We have a feeling that both are starting to get delusions of grandeur.

It all started last week with the transmission of the third of the series of "Railways of the Great War", presented by Michael Portillo on BBC2. You can still see it on i-Player here.

This programme included a section on the role that 600mm gauge tactical light railways played in the logistics of the war effort. Michael visited Apedale earlier this year and we helped him to illustrate various aspects of light railway construction and operation using our extensive collection. He was shown laying a section of pre-fabricated track and driving one of the then high-tech Simplex petrol locomotives, comparing it to the more traditional Joffre steamer. Phil explained the advantages of railways compared with road vehicles for transporting the vast quantities of supplies over waterlogged terrain. It all seemed to come across quite well in the programme. Ever since his appearance, though, Phil has been asking people what they thought of the programme, whether they would like his autograph and offering his services to open local fetes etc. We think that fame has gone to his head.

The last thing we heard was that he was writing a book. Fortunately, it isn't his autobiography; it's a history of another survivor from the same era as the Joffre which will soon be back running on Apedale rails in time for our Tracks to the Trenches event. More about that soon, but in the meantime if you come across Phil at Apedale, don't forget to remark on his recent appearance and ask him how Michael is doing. You can also compliment Phil via our website here, in addition to any more serious enquiries.

A Narrow Gauge Survivor

One of the Kerr Stuarts in service during the conflict 

On the centenary of the outbreak of the war to end all wars, we take a look at one veteran of the conflict that is once again in fine fettle. The last time we mentioned our Kerr Stuart Joffre locomotive was back in February, when the casting for its new cylinder had just left the foundry.

If you recall, this engine was one of seventy delivered to the French Commission for their Artillery Railways to a specification similar to their existing Decauville design. These were sent out in 1915 and 1916 to take up their duties supplying ammunition and supplies to the front lines using a network of light railways.

To find out more about the role railways played in the conflict, tune in to Michael Portillo's mini-series currently screening on BBC 2 "Railways of the Great War", which is on at 18:30 each evening until Thursday this week. We are hoping to appear in the Wednesday episode, but we've not seen it yet so don't know whether the Joffre's "good side" will feature, but we certainly expect our Simplex locos to make an appearance, together with guest driver.

On test with new cylinder

As to the Kerr Stuart (No 3014 of 1916), several months of work have seen the cylinder firstly stress-relieved and then machined to the original drawings, a task involving many weeks of painstaking work, any error in which would see the new casting written-off. It was eventually delivered to Apedale on Tuesday last week, during our annual volunteer working week. Several more days of work followed and the locomotive was ready to test on Sunday. We are delighted to report that everything worked perfectly, which will allow the loco to return to the roster shortly.

So, after having been enthused by the telly programme to learn more, don't forget to visit us see this engine and others in action at the Tracks to the Trenches event on September 12th - 14th. Have we mentioned that before? You can book tickets here.