A new edition of the magazine (now quartely) is available here. It includes some very exciting news.

 Take a look on the new 'The magazine page' - you'll be in for a nice surprise

I'd love to hear feedback - pelase e-mail me at jon_potter@tesco.net and title the message 'feedback'. Thanks!

A great day was held today at the summer gala - despite some problems, namely the rain and Nos. 5, 9 and 11 - due to small problems - but lage enough to rule them out of the days events. However, Nos. 8903, 6 'William' and 8 'Coity Castle' joined visiting 'Russell' and 'Blackbird' from the Misbourne Valley Railway on an intensive service.

Below is the planned timetable - but issues with steaming up time and a lack of gas pressure on Russell created many changes, but the first and last trains left on time, despite some delays. 5 round trips were lost and 3.5 added.

		CC	Judith	Judith		Judith	8903	Judith	8903	Russell	Russell	C Abbey	C Abbey	Russell	C Abbey	Russell	CC & B	Russell	CC & B	CC & B
		M	P1	P1		P1	TTT, WL	P1	TTT, WL	P1	P1	P1	P1	L, WL	P1	L, WL	P1	L, WL	P1	P1
Amersham	d	1050	1102	1112		1122	1124	1132	1132	1142	1152	1202	1212	1212	1222	1222	1232	1232	1242	1252
Woodrow	a	1052	1104	1114		1124	1126	1134	1135	1144	1154	1204	1214	1214	1224	1224	1234	1234	1244	1254
			Judith	Judith	8903	Judith	8903	Russell & CC		Russell	Russell	C Abbey	C Abbey	Russell	C Abbey	Russell	CC & B	Russell	CC & B	CC & B
			P1	P1	TTT	P1	TTT, WL	P1		P1	P1	P1	P1	L, WL	P1	L, WL	P1	L, WL	P1	MP
Woodrow	d		1106	1116	1120	1126	1127	1136		1146	1156	1206	1216	1216	1226	1226	1236	1236	1246	1300
Amersham	a		1109	1119	1123	1129	1129	1139		1149	1159	1209	1219	1219	1229	1229	1239	1239	1249	1303
							Afternoon running session
		No. 11		Russell	Russell	8903	8903	Russell	8903	No. 11	Russell	Russell	Russell	Russell	No. 11		C Abbey	Judith	C Abbey	B
		CT		CT	CT	M, WL	M, WL	CT	M, WL	CT	CT	CT	CT	LE	CT			TTT, WL	CT	LE
Amersham	d	1400		1410	1420	1421	1428	1432	1440	1445	1500	1510	1520	1528	1530		1540	1542	1550	1600
Woodrow	a	1402		1412	1422	1424	1431	(non stop)	1443	1447	1502	1512	1522	1530	1532		1542	1544	1552	1602
		No. 11	8903	Russell	Russell	8903	8903	Russell		No. 11	Russell	Russell	Russell		No. 11	Judith	C Abbey	Judith	C Abbey	B
		CT	F, WL	CT	CT	M, WL	M, WL	CT		CT	CT	CT	CT		CT	TTT	CT	TTT, WL	CT	F
Woodrow	d	1404	1413	1414	1424	1425	1435	1434		1452	1504	1514	1524		1534	1538	1544	1545	1554	1605
Amersham	a	1407	1416	1417	1427	1427	1437	1437		1455	1507	1517	1527		1537	1541	1547	1547	1557	1608

As can be seen, its an intensive service. The shorthands are below:

CT - Cream tea

WL - Wrong line - eg anti-clockwise

F - Freight

M - Mixed

MP - Mixed passenger

TTT - the talking train

L - luncheon

P1 - normal passenger train (set 1)

Unfortunatley, some trains met problems as stated. At one point there were no trains 'in circuit'. Due to the complex shunting required at Woodrow a token system was in use. This system and timetable pattern proved effective, and will be used again, with a little more planning to allow more steaming up and less running time, however.

As planned, Woodrow was very busy - at one point sporting 7 locos and all of the stock! The photo of this moment can be viewed in our photo gallery, here: http://gallery125869.fotopic.net - and a few others can also be seen.

Due to the changes, the 1600 (1605 return) from Amersham did not need to be run, and in its place newly outshopped Blackbird (which left the WLR works for the MVR after trials on the 20th) took 12 wagons around the circuit - and performed satisfactorily, although the lower adhesive weight will mean that we will only load it to 9 in the future, whereas Coity Castle (which utilises the same chassis) is limited to 14. This meant to a slow climb up to Woodrow tunnel, and we did not attempt to climb Amersham bank, and 0-4-0T No. 8903 had been relit following a passenger working - and piloted Blackbird up the bank - and actually did the majority of the work! For some reason it was sporting 'The Centenarian' headboard made for the MVR100 gaa in July.

All in all we had a good gala, and a similar event will be put on for the planned 1940's event, and we're already planning the WD livery for 8903 and stock. Watch this space!...

Finally, thanks to Murray for coming and the rain for holding off - albeit for the majority of the running session!

Tomorrow we’re going to hold our ‘Summer Gala’, featuring visiting ‘Russell’ and ‘Blackbird’ from the MVR. We intend to have 5 from the home feet in use – namely Nos. 8903, 5, 8, 9 and 11. No. 6 will be acting as standby. Also, No. 10 will be out in the sunshine and on display at Woodrow. The gala will feature the first Talking Train on the line – this being a regular occurrence for next year – as well as mixed, luncheon, cream tea and freight trains in between the passenger diagrams.

The trains will run to a cleverly devised timetable, which includes passing in the loops at both Amersham and Woodrow. Locos will be swapped at both stations – and some double headed runs will be run by Nos. 8 ‘Coity Castle’ and ‘Blackbird’

Tonight the stock was all taken from Amersham to Woodrow, shunted and then put back into the correct places tomorrow – although there is an early morning ECS move prior to the 11am start.

There is now another update on the loco shed page, following the despatch of Blackbird - and major news on some other projects. Enjoy!

Again, thanks for visiting

Just a quick not to say an extensive loco report is now on the Loco Shed page - below the Roster

Thanks for visiting!

Firslty the MVR 100 page has now been removed - pics still in teh gallery however

Also a loco shed update is being made now

Well, another big gala has past - read about it on our MVR100 page - http://www.freewebs.com/wlrailway/mvr100.htm

There is a report, a video, and links to some photos!

The closure gala went well, with the railway putting 8903 out on the 'heritage' set. The loco was appearing for what's expected to be the last time before a repaint into GWR green, hopefully in time for the MVR's centenary celebrations.

This brings me nicely onto my next topic, the Misbourne Valley Railway Centenary gala, which will take place at some point in July, possibly the 15th. The WLR will field No. 8903, representing GWR days, 8906, representing BR days, and (because of the blue livery), 8909 'Cleeve Abbey', representing BR blue days. Not only that, but stock will be attending as well, incluing the new push pull set, expected to be painted at some point this month.

A new page (click here) has been set up for you to follow developments at the WLR linkedto the MVR. This is for two reasons, I'm allowed as many pages as I want (the MVR aren't) so I can add some MVR100 space, and it saves me updating more than one page for workshop news.

From now on, the MVR100 page will be teh main source of updates, with the occasional link here, regaring WLR services.

Finally, the big WLR has had an update - www.freewebs.com/thebigwlr - take a look!

Closure gala

No - we're not closing! as anyone who has read the history will know, the line supposedly closed on May 30 1956. To celebrate 50 years of that anniversary, the train will be recreated on that very day, the 30 May, at 11am, and again at pm, the time of the final train. Nos. 8903 and 8906 (3 and 6) were in use in 1956 (again supposedly!) and they will be running again this year. No. 8903 will haul the actual closing train, formed of 2 coaches and 3 wagons (incl. brake) while No. 6 works a modern set in the service gaps.

Big 100

As we approach the MVR's centenary celebrations more headboards are coming off the printer, a GWR syle reporting number (100 surprisingly!) has been fitted to No. 8903.

New coaches

The annual trip to Mertsham produced some nice results for me as for £50 I picked up two mint Bachmann bogie coaches. They've quickly been launched into 'Sunday diner' and 'cream tea train' duties!

Big WLR

An extension is planned for the big wlr, which may irradicate the 45mm line! We've been gradient testing with 'Christine Mary' and have deduced that a 1-in-65 gradient is the maximum practical for a ride-giving line. The track may be laid 5 inch as well as 7.25 to allow visiting locos and the purchase of a Maxitrak 'Ruston'

Workshop news

No. 11 is now back in action, so attention is now on No. 7, which needs electrical work. There is no real rush with No. 8 available for service

No. 10 has been reassembled, awaiting the announced investment which will take it closer to being a runner!

Blackbird, MVR No. 3 is still on contract to us and we've been fiddling with an R/C and speed controller, which will ot be fitted to the loco. The loco will simply be on/off as the owner has not supplied us with any money or a speed controller!

Finally some good news for No. 10! An investment will come shortly to complete the rolling chassis of this new build loco, using Mamod replacement parts. The cylinders and valves will shorly be arriving at the railway, and will be fitted by the end of the month. Once a little money has been put towards No. 8903 for conversion to GWR condition, then there will be a further investment to fund the boiler. The body will then be scratchbuilt in time for completion later this year. I hope to despatch the loco to the MVR, with their permission, for running in (it will be too small for the heavier trains here), and then it will be sold on - with the first offer to the MVR (at discounted price) and then being advertised to sell.

Secondly the Paintshop will be in action this weekend - if the weather holds - to paint up 3 coaches and 2 wagons. If time is on our side then the MVR's 'Blackbird' may be done at the same time.

The loco shed page has been updated, as has the Loco page.

Enjoy!

Firstly, let me congratulate (is this a bit to far?!?!) the Misbourne Valley Railway on reaching its [ficticious] centenary. The MVR and WLR will be working together this summer to hold a big gala on the line - and to be honest I can't wait. The gala will be massive (for the MVR anyway!), including the unveiling of the MVR's new diesel Blackbird and wagon W2 - both of which will have been outshopped from the WLR workshops just before the event.

But normal services have to run, and the established WLR Spring Steam Gala took place yesterday. Now in it's 3rd year, this gala is usually the first of the WLR season in good weather - and yesterday was no exception, with, as always, Russell visiting from the MVR, along with some stock.

The gala also featured No. 8903 from the WLR fleet, in it's last appearance in BR Black before overhaul. After this much needed service the loco will return in GWR Green, and will be working the Push Pull train this summer, formed of currently unpainted IP coaches. The loco will remain in this guise until December, when it will return to the WLR's own Maroon livery as No. 3 'Jonathan' - and the traditional 1920's lining will be reinstated.

Finally the webcount is now 2 away from 5500 - not bad considering 5000 was landed earlier this year! Please keep visiting us - and thank you for your ongoing support.

_________

This page has got rather dull recently - so here's a picture! It's 5 April 2006 and 'Russell' from the MVR prepares to start the run up from the tunnel with its good train. The wagon behind the loco - a WLLR flat - and the 3rd wagon in the train - No. 10 - returned to service yesterday (5.4.06) after work following a rather spectacular derailment at a pervious WLR gala. Photo Jon Potter

BRAMBLETON

A great day was had at Brambleton yesterday (18th Feb). WLR Nos. 5 'Judith' and 6 'William' were accompanied by an amazing number of othe rlocos, including a Roundhouse Vale of Rheidol tank and a scratchbuilt (not yet painted) 'Taliesin'. William was actually the first engine to run (we were there first!), and ran 3 times on the 250m circuit. Judith ran once, but was confined to the lower line as the 'main line' was clogged, and Judith (and an Accucraft Shay) were taking a fair amount of time to run round the line. There were too many engines to list, so I wont try! William hauled the L&B wagons throughout, Judith simply running Light Engine

WLR FREIGHT GALA

We held a freight gala here on Thursday 16th Feb, featuring 'Russell' from the MVR. It didn't all go to plan, the weather didn't help, Russels radio needed fixing and Cleeve Abbey failed to light! Anyway, Russell was joined by William on the circuit. We hope to put some photos in the gallery soon. 8 L&B wagons appeared together atthe gala as well. Double heading occured on one train.

L&B wagons

My L&B wagons (plain grey - 2 vans and 2 opens (my dad has 3 SR opens) which arrived on Thursday 9th February ran on the 11th and the 16th, as well as at Brambleton on the 18th, which required them being regauged to 32mm. They will remain in 32mm from now on, but will appear at major WLR galas if needed.

WEBCOUNT

We are now fast approaching 5200 - come on, lets see if we can get 5250 by the end of Feb!

Well I thought it was time the site got an update, so here goes!

The 5000^th visitor was recorded yesterday, the 5^th February. Not bad going considering that’s 300 in just over a month – but keep it up please!

The news page has been cleared out, as can be seen, and the logo has also been changed to a more appropriate season shot.

Chess Valley Railway Gala

We attended this excellent gala yesterday, the “Steam and Mulled Wine” event I believe it was called. We took along No. 5 Judith, which appeared alongside a Goliath, 2 scratchbuilt locos (a Hunslet & Bagnall) and a Bertie. The owner of the Bertie also let us use his wagons with Judith – heavy they were too!

Nick Burton, the lines owner, also had his Outline Simplex, Pearse Joan (“Thunderer”) and Iver out on display – and the Iver also put in an appearance.

Thanks again to Nick – some photos are below (© Jon Potter)

Pride of the CVR - Pearse Joan 'Thunderer' - on shed at Hampden. We hope the loco will visit the WLR some day!

The Bertie arriving at Hampden (sorry)

Judith and the Goliath at Hampden

The CVR's outline simplex at Hampden quay

8903 (No. 3 ‘Jonathan’) to be repainted… again

Just a prior notice to say that No. 8903 will be repainted again this year – into GWR Green this time to honour the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Brunel. The first steaming in the new livery will be April 17^th – our Bank Holiday gala. If the new Roundhouse release is what we suspect then one of them may be worming its way here in return for the sale of No. 6 and some other money. However, it may not!

New wagons

Just a quick not to say 4 new L&B wagons were ordered by myself today, all in Plain Grey. There are 2 opens and 2 vans.

Brambleton

We will be running at Brambleton on the 18^th of this month. Locos should be Nos. 5 and 6. The 7 L&B wagons should all be there.