Floored

With all that Santa stuff behind us, and the winter PW Works maintenance programme complete, attention has returned to a few long-open projects. The ex-Ffestiniog Railway van, you will recall, is being refurbished to act as a support vehicle for the PW department at Apedale, and in particular to provides facilities such as tools, workshop, stores and messing for the construction of the next phase of the railway. Work had ended with the old, very rotten, floor, being cut out. The new floor has now been fitted, and we have started welding it into place. Getting the floor sheets into place was interesting, to say the least; at one point, we were grateful for the hole in the roof which allowed the crane access. However, a little perserverance saw the sheets in place and the Electric Glue to be deployed in full fury. It's beginning to feel like we've broken the back of this project by now. For the benefit of anyone on-site at Apedale today, we can confirm that no Robins were harmed during the work on this van.

Santa - running early this year

Santa has come early at Apedale. Actually, we;re not completely convinced it was the Real Santa, because it seems he has swapped the sleigh for a hi-ab lorry. But no matter, we tore off the wrapping paper, and it's just what we asked for in our Santa Letter - a batch of ex-South Africa wagon bogies. I bet Santa's sleigh goes a bit quicker now he's unloaded that lot. They won't all be staying at Apedale; a pair are for the Golden Valley Light Railway, and two are headed back to the Ffestiniog Railway. The main use for us (and our our friends at GVLR) will be to fit under the ex-Ffestiniog coaches to replace the "temporary" set currently in place. All this goes to prove is that it's worth being Nice, not Naughty.

Christmas Quiz 2015

And so, with the train safely tucked up in the shed until Easter, thoughts at Apedale turn to more intellectual matters. Yes, it's the 2015 Christmas Quiz. Literally two people said how much they enjoyed it last year, but despite that we'll give it another go.

This year, there will be two parts. Firstly, that perennial favourite - Railways on TV and in Films.

1:- Which UK preserved railway provided a location for two Bonds films? Which were the films?

2:- In one of the two Bond films, an English Electric diesel came off best in a confrontation with a Soviet Tank; an outcome which would have surprised the builders of both machines. Which was the loco, and where is it now?

3:- Sticking with the Bond film theme - which one saw Grace Jones blowing a large crater in Sussex? Where exactly in Sussex?

4:- In which Doctor Who story did he meet a Ransomes loco? Name the actor playing the Doctor.

5:- Which 1976 film ended badly at a terminus station?

6:- The film in "5" was inspired by a real life incident in 1953. At which station did the incident take place, and which loco was involved?

7:- Which train did Ole' Blue Eyes steal?

8:- I only need to say Carnforth Clock. Which film?

9:- Where is train 123 departing from? In how many films has it done this?

10:- In what, truly terrible, film does the Kingsway Tram Subway in London double as the entrance to a secret base?

11:- A 1998 film in which the platform-train interface features of an underground train  provides the key plot point?

12:- Which file almost led to the hero coming to a sticky end on the Hamburg Subway?

13:- Frankie Howerd meets the Longmoor Military Railway. Which film?

14:- What film links the above location and an Italianate village near the Ffestiniog? Explain the link...

15:- Sticking with the Ffestiniog - 1935 film featuring Tan-Y-Bwlch?

16:- A Delorean needs help from a steam loco. Name the film?

17:- 1949 film centering around a level crossing collision. Name the film?

18:- 1976 saw Burt Lancaster fail to complete which Crossing?

19:- The same actor trashed most of the French railway system in which black and white epic?

20:- 1986 film in which an antipodean tramway network plays a key part. Which network, which film?

There is, as ever, no prize other than the ability to behave in a slightly smug manner. In the unlikely event of a tie, and the even less likely event of anyone being terribly bothered, the winner will be selected by the usual manner - who made me the most cups of tea at Apedale this year. Part Two to follow shortly. Answers to here, please.

Santa Campaign 2015

Well, that's about it for another year. Passenger train safely tucked up in the shed, and all the volunteers recovering at home. It's been an epic Santa season; we await confirmation from the Chief Accounting Elf, but early indications were that we were on track to break the previous record number of customers. So, for everyone who came to see us - either for the Santas or at other times in the year - a big thank you. And to all our volunteers, an even bigger thank you. You know who you are, and well done. We'll try to produce the Highlights show between Xmas and New Year. In the meantime, a couple of images of the Santas.

Before they were Famous - Deutz

Last week's Before They Were Famous shot of Motor Rail 8748 hanging perilously from a digger at Leighton Buzzard seems to have been well received. So, into the De Lorean and back to 1972. Specifically, the glamorous location of Long Reach Sewage Works near Dartford. This seems to have escaped the final cut of Back to the Future - can't think why. Four locos are seen, all semi-derelict. The Ruston with the keyhole cab is 166346, now preserved at Leighton Buzzard. Behind it are Rustons 166028 and 175116, neither of which survive. The Deutz - now recognised as works number 10050 - sits with them. This charismatic loco was preserved by Rich Morris and friends, and ended up at Gloddfa Ganol. From there, it moved onto Cadeby and full restoration, and now lives at Apedale - where the final photo is showing how it looks today.

Didn't anyone bring a camera??

Busy this weekend training members to carry out various duties on the railway. So busy that no-one seems to have actually taken any photos! But well done to Steve, Jonathan and Chris who passed out as Yard Drivers, and Bob, Andrew, Ed, Mike and Matt who have made it as Basic Shunters. Meanwhile, the final touches have been made to the Grotto and Train for the Great Arrival next weekend - when the annual sorting of the Naughty from the Nice takes place. As a consolation for no new photos, the pictures are December last year, and one from the archives - MotorRail 8748 being loaded for transport to Cadeby at Leighton Buzzard in 1979; this loco now lives at Apedale. The lifting method is unlikely to find favour these days.

Tampermatic

A wet and wild day down the Apedale Valley has seen a stoic team of Trust members attending to the last job on the P-Way Winter Maintenance Programme. This was rectifying a number of joints which had become dipped. This produces a rather uncomfortable ride, and - if allowed to deteriorate badly - could become a derailment hazard. So un-dip the dipped joints must be. This is done by slacking off the fishplates bolts, jacking the joint to slightly higher than needed - to allow for settlement - and then tamping two sleepers either side uisng the ever faithful Kango hammers and the less faithful (but tolerated) generator. The generator is at the ragged edge of its performance envelope running two Kangos - but despite that, and the weather, the job got done. So, now we're ready to run trains to greet the Man in the Red Coat - which you can book here.