Driver Experience

Last Friday saw us entertain our first paying guest for the Tracks to the Trenches driver experience. The customer, who is apparently undertaking scholarly research into the use of light railways during the First World War, seems to have thoroughly enjoyed the day. This driver experience is unlike anything else in the heritage railway world. When you come to Apedale, you sign-up as a member of a Light Railway Operating Company in Northern France in 1917. As an operational member of the 6th LROC, you have just arrived in Bapaume and have reported for the days duties at the Company’s HQ. The Traffic Orders are communicated to you throughout the day, in the form of telegraphs. It is your responsibility to shunt and operate the trains to complete the assigned tasks, using both steam and diesel locomotives, to keep the lads at the front line supplied. If you really like, you can even have lunch in the Trench - but most seem to prefer the cafe, for some reason. Unfortunately, and despite the imminence of Back to the Future Day, we have neither a De Lorean nor an actual Time Machine - but this driver experience comes pretty close. In case you are wondering, we do not actually shoot at participants - and the day is a lot of fun for everyone. Visit here for more details and booking information - this really is the ideal Christmas present. Dress code - Khaki, complimented by Khaki. It really is this season's colour.

By Van to Apedale Road

The FR van has made a Giant Leap Forward by being re-united with its bogies this weekend. The bogies were dismantled for overhaul and to have the wheelsets machined, since FR wheelset dimensions are different to our own. Consequently, the van - when first delivered - had never seen much of the railway at Apedale. There was a teeny, weeny, nagging doubt that the steps may have been out of gauge. A quick trip up and down the line showed that there was nothing to worry about. A passenger, seeing the vehicle arriving in the station platform, asked how much extra he needed to pay to get a floor, sides, roof and seats. We had to explain that, to fall in line with the fares policy on other UK railways, the ticket is only for the journey and that such things as seats cannot be guaranteed. He seemed happy with that state of affairs. So, the van duly trundled back to the workshop where a start was made on the roof - the only major poorly bit left. The roof has always been something of a conundrum, since parts of it looks like a lace curtain, yet one cannot see the sky. A few minutes with Mr Angle Grinder indicated that the vehicle actually has a double-skinned roof. It looks like the original roof was welded on, and then a new skin rivetted on top of that at some stage. Double-skinned roofs were popular on locos to be supplied to tropical climates, so one can only assume that the FR adopted this roof construction in anticipation of post Global Warming climate change.Their foresight is awesome.

Meanwhile, two of the fleet have been on yet another awayday; Motor Rail No.21 and Ruston Pluto were loaned to the team at the Amerton Railway for their diesel gala - and all concerned seem to be agree they they ran very well. It seems that returning No.21 in particular is going to be a tough moment for at least one of the Amerton team, but return it must, because it's in our stockbook.
Finally, a quick reminder - steam trains next weekend at Apeale, probably using Stanhope, so reliable operation is assured. Ashere.

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Bye, Bye Justine

This Saturday has seen us bid a fond farewell to the Jung steam loco Justine after an extra day wiorking the passenger train at Apedale. Justine is a cracking little engine, and fitted in very well at Apedale - so a big thank you to the team from the North Gloucestershire Railway at Toddington for the visit. She's gone back home now for their own October steam-up.
Meanwhile, steady progress has been made on the refurbishment of the ex-FR van which is destined for the Permanent Way department. After a considerable battle, the last remnants of the steel floor and the welds holding it in place have now been removed. If there's one thing the FR is good at, it's welding - we are confidently expecting a Customer of the Year aware from our supplier of cutting and grinding discs. The now fully exposed underframe is actually in surprisingly good condition; there are a few places where repairs will be needed, but only a few. The solebars and centre members are pretty much as-new. The only problem areas are the transomes to the bogie centre, where a closure plate seems to have fulfilled the sole purpose of trapping water and debris. The closure plates are now history. A couple of our younger members have done sterling work removing the loose paint and surface corrosion on the underframe, and it is now resplendent in red oxide. We'll damage a bit of that paintwork when we do the weld repairs, but nothing a few minor touch up can't deal with. The next stage is to get the thing back on its bogies and round to the workshop where Mr MIG Welder lives. As ever, get in touch here.

An old warrier

We still have two more events in the main season at Apedale - Halloween on October 31st/November 1st and the Military Memories weekend on November 7th & 8th. For the latter event, we're planning to deviate from our sometimes WW1-centered approach to these things. The plan is to run trains which are in-period for WW1, WW2 and the Cold War, using suitable locos and wagons for each. The WW2 contingent is led by the large 48DL Ruston, No.48. This loco, Ruston 235725 of 1944, worked at the Naval armaments depot at Broughton Moor, Cumbria. As an aside, this is a place which will associated in the mind of your author with Freddy Mercury - but that's another story. The last time No.48 had an outing, it started making alarming Unhappy Axlebox noises. So, the axleboxes were duly investigated, a problem found and fixed, and the loco reassembled. Hopefully, it will be good to go in November.
Elsewhere on the site, we seemed to have made a start towards entering the bulk oil transport business.
Finally, there's a last chance to see the visiting Jung steam loco Justine operating at Apedale - it will be in steam next Saturday 26th September, and will operate all trains before it returns back home to Toddington. As ever, get in touch here.

Steam-up in retrospect

We're just about recovered from the September Steam-Up now. Although this wasn't an official gala, it felt like one. We had three engines in steam, and loads of the IC fleet pootling around the field railway. A modest platoon was entrenched in the Trench, and we got to officially open the Industrial Railway Trail - using a steam loco to unveil the display boards! The weather on the Saturday was really bad, so visitor numbers were a bit low, but not to worry - it's quality rather than quantity, isn't it? The next events at Apedale are the Halloween Trains on October 31/Nov 1st, and the Military Memories event on the following weekend. And then there's the Santas to look forward to (for those who have been Nice, not Naughty). As ever, get in touch here.

Steam-up Day One

Despite the weather, we've had a pretty good day at Apedale. It's been Day One of September Steam-up, with three locos in steam and lots of the more obscure IC locos exploring far-flung bits of the network. Our visitor from the Heritage Lottery Fund seemed to like opening the Industrial Railway Trail - unveiling the new display panels using a steam loco! We have particularly enjoyed seeing the visiting loco - Justine - from the North Gloucestershire Railway. It's a much better forecast for Sunday - so we look forward to seeing you.

September Steam-Up

Just a quick reminder that this weekend is our September Steam-up. Three locos in steam, including the visiting Jung Justine from Toddington. There's been a shed megashunt (no wheel left unturned), and that's lined up some of the lesser-seen IC locos to have an outing on the Field Railway. Drive a Loco with various Rustons, and the WW1 Trench open for visits (bring your own Mustard Gas). Entry is simply by buying a train ticket, so it's a bargain day out. 1100 - 1600 both days.