The Echills Wood Railway Observer
Reporting Every Monday
WEEKLY REPORT! 45
MONDAY 9th NOV 2009
WEDNESDAY
A much shorter report this time, after the rather long report from last week. The deviation at Picnic Junction was started on Wed, but will need to be altered, as it seems that the new point has been put in the wrong place. This should be rectified shortly. More work was done on the extension on Sunday and although a quiet day regarding passenger numbers, we did manage to keep a couple of service trains running for most of the day. Maybe the lack of visitors to the park was due to it being Rememberance Sunday.
A start has been made by Chris Perkins & Pat Murphin, on adapting the petrol driven leaf blower, into a truck mounted blower for use with a loco. More about this as it develops.
More straight track panel for the new extension were made up today.
Ken Bull, in the track panel erecting shop.
Work on the deviation at Picnic Junction.
The new point at Picnic Junction, which unfortunately was laid in the wrong position.
Some of the curved track panels that were made up today.
FRIDAY
The new deviation at Picnic Green.
Ballasting the track at Picnic Junction.
The section of track leading into Picnic Junction Halt and the new extension, has yet to be laid. This will bee done when the point has been repositioned.
SUNDAY
Far Leys. Ballast has been dropped at different intervals, along the route of the track, ready for more track panels to be laid.
The end of track laying last weekend.
Not seen for a long time, is Jim Steptoe's Chessie Loco, which will now be seen a lot more often. This loco & Rough Pup, provided Sunday's service trains.
Two of the curved track panels, ready to be set in place, on the Far Leys loop.
Making the embankment good, through the wooded section at Far Ley's.
A few more panels which were laid at the departure junction at Far Leys Station. The track on the far right, will lead to a by platform siding, to allow the Tram to run a shuttle service from Harvesters to Far Leys and vice versa.
I have had a number of emails, stating that not all the photos from some of the reports are appearing, of not fully showing. I have checked the website and everything seems to be normal. Maybe it depends on your Browser, which can sometimes cause problems like these, especially when there are a lot of photos to load. Try changing your browser, if you are having such problems. I can assure you that the AOL Browser that I use presents no such problem. It could also be a problem with your service provider. I ma with AOL and have never had any problems over the past six years. Also lower end computers will not load photos as quick as newer machines.
NEXT REPORT MONDAY 16th Nov 2009
WEEKLY REPORT! 44
MONDAY NOV 2nd 2009
Part One
FAR LEYS HERE WE COME!
This report has over 100 photos, which is due to the amount of progress that was acheived during the three day Halloween Weekend. I have split it into two parts, so that you don't need to spend too much time viewing all the photos in one session. Work on the extension started on Friday morning at 8.30 am until 4pm., and the same for Saturday and Sunday. The weather was excellent, except for a wet start on Sunday, but by mid day, the rain had gone and we were able to get as much done as possible. I think you will all be amazed of the amount of work that was done during this weekend. Hopefully when we have the FOUR DAY WORKING WEEKEND from Friday 20th Nov to Monday 23 rd Nov, we should have all the track laid on the Far Leys Extension. So please make a note of these dates and if you can come along and help us to complete the job, it will be much appreciated. Bacon Sandwiches will be provided to all volunteers on all four days at the Cafe' de Echills at 11am.
WEDNESDAY
One of the points for the Far Leys Extension.
More point construction at Northgate.
And again inside the workshop.
Some of the track panels that were all laid during the weekend.
It was the half term school holiday this week, so this Romulus was being prepared for service.
About 6 loads of road planings were brought in ready for finishing the trackbed at Far Leys.
Two more loads were tipped at the other end of the car park.
Platform slabs ready for laying over the weekend.
This shows the state of the work completed up to Sunday afternoon, of last week.
Before starting the holiday service train, the Loco and carriages made a trip up to Bridge 3, as far as the track reached so far.
I managed to get a couple of nice shots of the train from above the tunnel.
This will make a good photo vantage point, once the extension is up and running.
Another shot from the tunnel roof.
Platform slabs at Picnic Green, which will be laid when time permits.
Callum, levelling some ballast where the slabs have already be placed.
More slabs which where brought up to Far Leys, ready for finishing Far Leys Station platforms.
These were brought from the other side of the park, near the Jet Ski Centre, a distance of about two miles.
These slabs are actually off cuts from the floor levels when contructing multi story car parks. Just the job for making station platforms.
These were the last to be unloaded from the trailer for this load.
Up at the storage area near the Jet Ski Lake, more slabs being loaded onto the trailer.
Ready to lower onto the trailer.
Three slabs at about 1 ton each, is about as much as can be loaded.
On their way to Far Leys, just coming round the bend by Wren Tunnel.
Starting to unload the last load of slabs at Far Leys.
These will be used for the main platform, which willbe two slabs wide.
As a bonus, we managed to get a load of hot tarmac, which was used for laying on the patio of the Cafe' de Echills.
Our latest rolling stock addition, being tested. This leaf blowing apparatus, will be modified shortly, to be used as a pernament item of rolling stock.
The new patio area of the Cafe'de Echills.
It has certainly made an improvement to our new Mess Room. The area at the far end will be completed as and when materials become available.
End of Part One!
WEEKLY REPORT! 44
Part Two
This was the start of the three day Far Leys Working Session, which has enabled us to get all the platform slabs laid for the station and track laid as far as the end of the woods section. Everyone who helped during these three days, really put in a great effort and hopefully the BIG NOVEMBER PUSH, should see us getting the Far Leys Extension Loop Completed. There will be more work needed to complete all the sidings etc, but by the end of November, we should be able to use the extension for members trains. It will not be open for the public until Easter.
FRIDAY
Setting up the route of the tracks, at the departure end of the platfoms.
The trackbed through the woods prepared ready for track laying. View from Bridge 4.
Work on digging a trench for the electric supply, at the far end of the site.
This was done using the Minnie Digger.
Two dumpers on the go today, which were used to take the road planings from the car park to the work site.
Adrian Grimett using his tractor for levelling the track bed area through the station, before track laying.
Adrian making a good job of the levelling.
Track panels being connected in the junction area.
Pipework for the electric cables between platforms. All electrics at Far Leys, will run on 12 volts, for safety reasons.
Another view of the track gang.
A ballast train arriving at the railhead.
Coupling rail together on Bridge 4.
As an aid to good drainage, these pipes have been laid in the trackbed all through the woods, although the trackbed has been made a good foot above high flood level.
Gang leader John Hancock, giving out a few instructions.
One of the dumpers being loaded on the car park.
Matt Gunn on the other dumper ready to take its load to the work site.
The leaf blower in operation again, waits at Picnic Green for the service train to pass, before continuing round the circuit.
Here comes Trojan, on the service train.
Back up at the work site, some cutting and welding going on, of the bridge decking
More trackwork being gauged at the station departure end.
Getting the ground prepared before slab laying gets under way.
The first piece of track laid, after Bridge 4.
The start of the woodland embankment.
Trackbed through the woods, ready for laying track.
Near the end of the woods, where the sidings area widens out.
Preparing the trackbed where the line will enter the sidings area.
Plenty of work for the juniors to do, as Oliver, Adam and Ian, do a bit of raking
Adrian on his Roller, coming along the trackbed, through the woods.
This compacts it well, before laying the track panels.
Kevin, welding the decking in place on bridge 4.
Bridge 4 from the water course below.
The first row of platform slabs which were laid Friday afternoon, but I was unable to take the action shots until work had finished, due to being on Halloween train duties.
These had yet to be finally levelled, which was done using crow bars and a bit of shovel packing.
A nice touch to bridge 4, with this arched top railing. Again, this was done during late Friday afternoon.
Track work roughly in place through the woods, which was put in place during Friday afternoon.
Looking back over Bridge 4 from just inside the wooded section.
The end of the line on Friday afternoon.
Looking back towards Bridge 4 from where the track has been laid so far.
The sidings area at the end of the wooded section.
The sidings area, opposite Far Leys Car Park.
SATURDAY
Ken on the works train, as it brings more track panels to the railhead.
River Avon on the section laid on Friday, which has brought more track panels in.
Clearing the ballast from the last panel laid on Friday, ready for laying more track.
Adrian levelling off the ground, ready for the second row of slabs to be laid.
Thirlaiston Hall on the ballast train, up at the railhead.
These are the track panels that were brought in by River Avon earlier. Work on coupling up the fishplates is under way.
The first slab of the second row in position.
Bringing the next slab into position.
The second slab being lined up.
Gently being lowered into position.
The third slab being brought in.
Back in the woods, the track has been lined up ready for ballasting.
Track laid as far as the sidings area, at the end of the narrow wooded section.
SUNDAY
River Avon on the works train, with Thirlaiston Hall on the ballast train, at the split.
All the platform slabs now in position.
A bit of levelling work going on up through the woods.
The newly ballasted track, running through the woods
The blck pipe on the left, is where the culvert goes under the trackbed.
Looking through the woods from Bridge 4.
The end of the line so far.
The end of the line from the sidings area.
A veiw of the Far Leys Station area from the road.
Preparing to pack in for the day.
The first Members Passenger train to enter the new laid track section through the woods.
That as far as you can go until the end of November folks!
Okay, everybody turn around for the trip back to Harvester's.
Thirlaiston Hall at the culvert, just befoe the end of the line.
A view taken from the water course.
Thirlaiston Hall with the works gang, makes its way towards Bridge4 ready for loading with tools.
Almost at Bridge 4
Last photo for this report, with Thirlaiston Hall and River Avon, ready to go back to Old Oak Yard after a good weekends effort. WELL DONE EVERYBODY. We have now broke the Camels Back on this huge undertaking. Soon we will be running trains around the Far Leys Extension. DONT FORGET 20th t0 23rd NOVEMBER for the FINAL BIG PUSH TO COMPLETION!!!!
WEEKLY REPORT! 43
MONDAY 26th OCT 2009
Work has continued at Picnic Green during the week & on the new extension yesterday. The weather was quite nice during Sunday, except for a mid afternoon shower, but this was short lived and the sun came out once again for the rest of the day. We had several groups of visitors to the railway and they were given a special ride along the completed part of the Far Leys Extension, as far as Bridge 3.
At the moment, there are no captions to the photographs displayed in this report, as I am short of time until later this evening, when I will add them, so meantime, you can see what has been done during the past week. There are a few photos on the 16mm Page as well.
WEDNESDAY
Finishing off painting the wood treatment to the Pinic Green Canopy.
Vic & Mel, manhandling one of the platform slabs at Picnic Green
The fourth slab in place
This is the fifth slab, ready to be pushed on the rollers, using the Minnie Digger.
Five slabs now in position.
The new cutting diversion at Picnic Junction. This will make the approach much smoother, once the track has been relaid.
Loading up two more slabs onto the trailer at Far Leys car park.
Loaded and ready to be taken to Picnic Green
The track laid so far from last Sunday
The triangle where the tracks part to form the loop, has now had ballast laid.
The last two slabs being loaded at Far Leys
On our way to Picnic Green with the slabs
Passing the site of Far Leys station
Passing Wren Tunnel
Approaching Picnic Green.
Reversing the trailer to off load the slabs
Ready to off load, note the other two slabs brought up earlier.
The completed wood treatment of the canopy
FRIDAY
The canopy backboarding and steel supports have now been painted green
EWR letters have yet to be applied to the end shiplap boarding, once they have been painted.
A view of the roadside embankment of Wren Tunnel, now that the grass has started to thicken
The meadow side of the tunnel embankment
With a bit of greenery, the tunnel is starting to look more natural
SUNDAY
Some of the visitors taking their first train ride behind Thirlaiston Hall
Up at the railhead on the new extension.
Getting the level of the trackbed as it starts to go through the woods
John is sighting the level where the trackbed leaves Bridge 4
Loading up plainings at Far leys car park, to be taken to the single line trackbed inside the woods
A load being brought through the woods.
Tipping the plainings, ready to be spread ot to the correct trackbed height.
How to get your boots filled quickly!
Going backto the car park for another load
The trackbed route through the woods, with the plainings being spread out in the distance
Another load of plainings for the trackbed
Positioning the first curved rail, after the point
Some adjustments being done to the bridge girders
Raising the trackbed height through the woods, should be well clear of the flood levels, when the park floods.
Kevin, welding the trackwork to the bridge girders
One of the ballast trains waiting to be emptied
Some of the visitors at Picnic Junction Halt
A passing service train at Picnic Junction
The visit included a special ride through the tunnel, as far as Bridge 3 and back
On their way towards Wren Tunnel
County of Warwick approaching the newly painted Picnic Green station
The following 6 photos were kindly taken
by Jeff Cogan
Thirlaiston Hall passes Royal Scot 'Vulcan' in Old Oak Yard
Rough Pup & Loch Lomond foreground with the Lister water cooled loco against the container.
Royal Scot 'Vulcan' passes GWR Class 47xx, Rough Pup, Loch Lomond, Midland 2P & B1 'Dibatag'.parked in the sidings
A close up shot of GWR Class 47xx in early crest BR livery
Side view of the Class 47xx
A close up view of Quarry Hunslet loco 'Rough Pup'
Five more photos on the 16mm Page
Next Report Mon 2nd November 2009
WEEKLY REPORT! 42
TUESDAY 20th OCT 2009
NEW DEVIATION FOR PICNIC JUNCTION!
Appologies for another late report, this was due to me having a weekend in Blackpool for the illuminations (an anual Holt Family event I'm afraid 
). However the Echills Railway Observer had one of our roving camera men on the scene, to bring you the report for Sunday 18th Oct of what was going on regarding the work side of things. So let's start as usual with work done earlier in the week.
WEDNESDAY
Pete Rimmel, just putting the finishing touches to one of the points for the Far Leys extension.
Picnic Green Station was the focus for this week, with the canopy being finshed and more platform slabs being put in place for platform 2.
The minnie digger was used to drag the heavy slabs, using fence posts to act as rollers.
These were dragged as close to the position of the platform as possible, then manhandled into position.
Pushing this time with the buldozer blade.
I spent most of the day. painting the woodwork of the canopy with wood preserver.
Just finishing off the featherboard edging to the canopy.
The fourth slab now in position, only anothe dozen to go! The gap where the tree is, will be filled with paving slabs.
Apart from the roof edging strips, the canopy roof is now complete.
Under the roof, showing the treated woodwork.
The other end of the treated woodwork.
SUNDAY
The photos and captions for Sunday's Report were all kindly taken by Jeff Cogan, to cover my abscence. There are three more photos besides these, of work done on the 16mm SMGR, which have been posted on the 16mm Page, again taken by Jeff Cogan.
The new earthwork for the revised track layout on approach to Picnic Junction. (1)
The new earthwork for revised track layout on approach to Picnic Junction. (2)
The new earthwork for revised track layout on approach to Picnic Junction. (3)
Another scene, this time just after Bridge 3 the PW gang are busy.
Another scene, just after Bridge 3 the PW gang are busy, well some of them are!
Another scene just after Bridge 3, the PW gang are busy.
Tom Bailey drives the dumper through the new part of the proposed track layout at Far Leys.
Tom Bailey receives his dumper orders from John Hancock.
With plainings dumped, the PW gang get to work.
Tom Bailey & Matt Gunn busy loading plainings at Far Leys, ready for laying on the new trackbed.
Tom & Matt or is it Mary!! (? Jeff Cogan's comment, nothing to do with the Editor - actually I don't get it.) Make another delivery to the Far Leys trackwork site.
This photo is RAC assistance required or should we say KB Assistance required?
Thank's to Jeff Cogan who supplied all the photos and captions for Sunday!
Don't forget, there are three more photos on the 16mm Page as part of this report!
Next Report Monday 26th Oct 2009