After a very busy Summer we are moving into the final months of 2024. We have a couple of autumn activities still to take place – Halloween diesels next week and then we are hosting Father Christmas for the first two weekends in December. After that it will be into the hard work of maintenance of our collection over the winter months.
Our Gala day on Sunday 6th October went well and despite the weather forecasters’ gloomy predictions, the rain held off for the most part. We had eight locos taking a turn on the line running passenger and goods trains. Tractor and trailer rides were a feature but the wet field limited the route. A visiting traction engine, two steam lorries and two working, scale steam units all made the day even more interesting.
Events schedule for 2024.
Wednesday 30th October – Sunday 3rd November inclusive (all week). The trains run from 11am to 2pm The tea room opens at 9am till 3pm with the shop and ticket office opening at 10:30 till 2:30pm. “Spot the Spooks” Ghost Hunt for the kids with a prize if you find them all. No need to book, just turn up and pay per ride.
Father Christmas Specials. We have had confirmation that Father Christmas will be visiting on the weekends of 7th/8th and 14th/15th December. Take the train from Warren Wood to the Christmas Woodland. Here you’ll find Christmas Crafts, Activities and a Treasure Hunt for children and adults alike to help kick start your Christmas Season. The festive lighting, Christmas music and a warming open fire all add to the ambiance. Mulled wine, wine, beer, coffee, hot chocolate, mince pies and more available in the woodland area. We make sure Father Christmas knows exactly who is coming so he can check the “Naughty and Nice” list which allows him to have personal presents ready for the lucky children.
Workshop News from October
Progress on our Arn Jung Locomotive (works No. 3872) Katie is starting to to become evident. The running gear is now nearly complete, the couplings are back on. The brakes are reconnected and the boiler has had an initial warmup steam – first for over 2 years. She’ll have her full steam test this week and if all goes well she should be back on the frame and back on her own wheels before the end of November.
We have two portable engines, a Fowler that spent its working life in Argentina and was donated to the railway 5 years ago. It was in a poor state on arrival but we are working on a restoration. The other is a French, Brouhot, which is seen working outside our engine shed throughout the year. Its 10 year ticket has finally expired and it required new tubes. After the gala it was brought into the workshop and work has commenced. This could be a long process, however our volunteers are quite determined to get it back and working for the middle of next year.
Keeping the line safe
We frequently inspect the line for obstructions and potential danger. One rather nice beach tree close to the line looked perfectly healthy however, on 21st September in perfectly still, dry conditions. with an audience of a large private party it decided to shed a very large bow. It crashed down over the line. Detailed inspection showed the bow to be rotten at the junction with the main trunk – impossible to see or predict. With the bow down we could see inside the trunk and concluded the rest of the tree could not be trusted! The following day our three intrepid hunters felled the main tree. It’s taken several weeks and help from many volunteers to clear up. Large piles of wood still lie by the track. On the upside, we now have enough wood for the locomotives for next year! 