The Echills Wood Railway Observer
Reporting Every Monday
WEEKLY REPORT! 26
MONDAY 29th JUNE 2009
MORE SIDING WORK AT NORTHGATE
Not a very big report for this week as I was only on site during Wednesday, Friday being unavailable. There may be a few more photos to add taken by Jeff Cogan during yesterday (Sunday) and as soon as I receive them I will add them to this report.
WEDNESDAY
.Another load of ballast was delivered today.
Laying the final length of track for the headshunt, just outside of Northgate.
Ken & Jeff have been putting in some posts on the SMGR, so that the station baseboard can be made longer. It will eventually become the engine shed and yard area.
The completed headshunt.
View taken looking towards Northgate.
Alan & Michael, using the rail bender to form the rails for the curved bridge, which will run over the dip behind Northgate Station.
The latest photo of the new guards van for the works train. Still more work to be done yet.
Checking the levels of the recently curved rail, which will be placed on the new girder bridge, once it is built.
Looking towards the station building, with the curved rail temporarly in its correct position.
Laying another track panel, for the long siding which will terminate at Old Oak Yard Box. This will eventually hold two sets of coaches.
The track panel in position.
SUNDAY
A rare visitor to the EWR, is this Class 02 Isle OF Wight 0-4-4 loco 'No24 Calbourne, with two Southern Suburban Coaches.
This loco & coaches belong to Terry Jenkins.
Ready to take approx ten passengers.
The following four photos were taken by
Jeff Cogan.
A nice shot of the Class 02 and its two coaches.
About to depart from Harvester's The loco's owner Terry, is sat behind the driver.
Llanfair loco & coaches & goods stock in 16mm, on the SMGR.
An inside view of Harvester's Signal Box.
That's all for this week. I will be away from Wed to Sunday this coming week, so next week's report will be very limited.
Editor EWRO.
WEEKLY REPORT! 25
MONDAY 22nd JUNE 2009
WORK CONTINUING AT
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
The piers have now been built for Bridge No4, this is located just after the track splits to for the long loop through the woods, before emerging out on the green where the Far leys Station will be sited. The track will then pass just in front of this bridge, as it runs alongside the upcoming track, thus forming the appearance of double track again. More work has been done at Northgate, installing the long headshunt, which may eventually be connected to the main running line.
Setting in some edging slabs alongside the headshunt extension at Northgate.
Colin checking the level of the slabs.
Back up at Northgate, a few tree roots needed removing, which were in the way of the headshunt trackbed.
The second track panel, just laid, outside the North gate.
The mini digger was used to pull out the roots, using a long strop. Mick & Colin are just attaching the strop to the roots.
Ballasting one of the track panels, after laying.
This is the second track panel to be laid.
The track gang posing for a photo at the end of the days work.
Still posing, as I capture the two track panels laid so far.
FRIDAY
Building the piers of Bridge No4
The first two courses of each pier have been done., well almost!
Gone for lunch!
Back at work again, Colin & Vic doing one side each.
The completed bridge piers.
The next job will be to lay the metal bridge, sometime next week.
Packing up after a good days work.
WEEKLY REPORT! 24
MONDAY 15th JUNE 2009
Due to my computer problems,
this report is a week behind schedule.
Work has been continuing on the extension and near Northgate, as well as some photos taken during the Narrow Gauge Weekend.
Loading up hardcore from Far leys car park
This was tipped between Bridges 3 & 4
The footings for Bridge 4, which is a single track bridge.
Looking towards the lake where the water will flow during floods.
Mel and myself, spreading out the hardcore near Bridge 4.
Another rare shot of me working. This and the above photo was taken by Vic using my camera.
The top of the peg painted yellow, denotes rail height, after the track has been laid.
Mel just finishing off before packing up for the day.
Up in the yard, John & Steve are making a guards van, for the works train.
Bob Whitefield's latest Caboose for his Shay Loco.
The interior, complete with cushioned armchair and this minature stove. Before anyone asks, it is just for show.
A front three quarter view of the Caboose. If you want to know what the letters stand for, please ask Bob. He did tell me but I have forgot.
THE REST OF THE PHOTOS WHERE TAKEN ON SUNDAY
The following 5 photos were taken by Dave Hillier.
Ladybird just leaving Picnic Green.
Charles passing the same location.
Ladybird about to come over the Lay-By Crossing.
Not seen for a while, is Bob's Shay. Nice to see it out again, approaching Kerby Bend.
This time Douval, passing Picnic Green, just before Crocodile Creek. Thank you Dave for sending in your photos.
The rest of the photos for this report were taken by Alain Foote.
Charles, driven by Mick, coming over Wood's Crossing.
Douval coming over Wood's Crossing.
Water Tank which will eventually be sited an covered with lap boarding, for Far Leys Station.
Rough Pup coming over Wood's Crossing.
Finally, Ladybird at the same location. Thank you Alain for send in your photos.
WEEKLY REPORT 23
MONDAY 8th JUNE 2009
WORK IN PROGRESS AGAIN
Due to a start up fault with my computer, I am taking it to be repaired today, so this report is being published (Sunday).
There are quite a lot of photos for this weeks report, which covers work done during the past week. It covers work on the new extension as well as work at North Gate. Hopefully I should have my computer back for next weeks report.
This shows the concrete slab, set in position, which will form an abutment for the bridge.
Pete & Dennis unloading one of the ballast wagons at the North Gate track extension.
Michael has been making a new gate, from the original fence panel, so that the new spur can run alongside the main line.
Up on the extension, tram has been laid between bridges 2 & 3, ready for road plainings to be added.
Some plainings have been put on already, just to keep the tram from blowing away.
Bridge 2 in the distance, is as far as track laying has been reached.
Looking towards Bridge 3, from Bridge 2.
Looking towards Nelson's Oak, just before Bridge 3.
A closer view towards Bridge3.
View of Bridge3 taken from Nelson's Oak. In the distance, you can see the work gang at Bridge4.
Putting in the abutment footings for Bridge4. This bridge is just after were the track splits off, to form the large loop, so this will be a single track bridge.
Ballast had to be used to mix with the ready mixed sand/cement bags.
One of the footings half filled.
Mel is about to tip another load into the shuttering frame.
About six mixes were needed for each footing.
I took this shot from where the single track enters the woods, before coming out at Far Leys. The following photos will show you the route, where hardcore has now been laid along the course of the trackbed.
The tops of the yellow marker pegs, denote rail height, so hardcore height needs to be about eight inches below the top of the posts.
This is the concrete pipe which was laid a few weeks back, but may have to be replaced with several smaller diameter pipes, as this pipe is too high for the track to go over.
Definately too big, if placed any lower in the ground, it will be lower than the lake it has to drain in to. Ahead, is towards far Leys.
The start of the large sixty foot curve onto the station area at Far Leys.
Looking back towards the woods, taken from the start of the long curve.
Mid way along the curve, before it enters the station area.
Almost on the green, between the trees ahead. Some of the trees need to be trimmed back, such as the one on the right.
Entrance onto the green, where the station will have two curved platforms, with passing loop.
Approx area of station site.
Back at Bridge4, work is continuing with the footings.
Mel is getting a dab hand with the mixer.
Vic is smoothing off the top of the first footing.
Meanwhile, back up at North Gate, work was continuing, but this shot was taken during the lunch break.
The new gate on the left, and ready for the point to go in.
AMENDMENT. This Bridge will not now be used. As it is wanted by the owner.
Vic on the Minnie, clearing off a bit more grass
Preparing the trackbed through the gate, before laying the point.
This area has been cleared ready for the trackbed base to be laid for the headshunt.
The point laid in position, as Michael, finishes making the gate.
Joining the point to the rest of the track.
WEEKLY REPORT! 22
MONDAY 1st JUNE 2009
SUMMER HAS ARRIVED
At last it seems that the weather men have got it right for once. Sunday was a brilliant day and attracted many visitors to the park. Not much of a report work wise, but a nice selection of photos from Sunday. Again, I was otherwise engaged doing clown duties, but Dave Hillier managed to capture some nice photos of the days action.
Wednesday Half Term. All photos for Wed by Jeff Cogan
Visiting Romulus loco was used during Wed, which ran the half term passenger train.
The loco is owned by Jim Driver from Earl Shilton and is a member of the Leicester SME. Thank you Jim for visiting and providing a service during the school holiday.
Waiting at Harvesters Station.
Not many passengers about it seems. Or was this just a pre opening run?
Ah! here we see the train in service during the afternoon.
Leaving Harvester's for another run round the circuit.
Here is Adreanne, Chris Perkin's latest aquisition, which he bought from Simon Lapworth. Chris has been overhauling it, ready to be used for driver training. Apparently, it has not been run for well over twelve months, but once Chris has her back to running order, we will be seeing a lot more of this loco. It will be renamed Jill, after Chris's wife.
A bit of action on the Station Masters Garden Railway.
Friday Photos for Friday by the Editor
Work continues on the new trackbed, which will run behind Northgate Station and out of North Gate, to link up with the main line. Here the slab has been laid on the block foundations.
A view looking towards North Gate.
Sunday All photos for Sunday by Dave Hillier
A few members managed to do some more trackbed preparations on the new extension. Here hardcore is being laid between Bridge No2 and Bridge No3, near Nelson's Oak.
John Savage's Land Rover, on safari, with Minnie and Dumpy up at the work site.
A look at the recently laid tracks between Baldwins Bridge and Bridge No2.
A look at Wren Tunnel on this beautiful sunny afternoon.
More work or should I say standing around, on the new Extension. 
Mick driving his loco Charles, as he enters Harvesters with a full train.
Ian driving his Loch Lomond, having just come round Kerby Bend.
Charles again, seen coming through Echills Wood with another train load of passengers.
This time we see David Brown, driving Trojan, on it way through Echills Wood.
Loch Lomond coming through Gnome Cutting.
Another view coming through Gnome Cutting.
Mick with Charles, coming round Sandy Curve.
David and Trojan, entering Echills Wood, just after North Gate.
Mick attending to Charles as he waits for passengers to board at Harvester's Station.
Ian attending to Loch Lomond as he waits for his passengers to board. Note my Clown's brollie leaning agaist the fence, which I used as a sun shade. Don't panic, I havent put up any photos of me performing this time.
Loch Lomond approaching Platform 1 during the busy afternoon period.
Charles approaching Platform 1 with another full train.
This time, Trojan approaches Platform 1 with again, another full train.
A busy spell about mid afternoon.
Lastly, a couple of action shots on the 16mm S.M.G.R.
Not sure of the loco, but it looks like a Shay, pullin a logging train. No doubt Jeff will provide me with the answer, if so, I will corrct the description. THANK YOU TO Jeff Cogan & Dave Hillier for providing photos for this weeks report.
WEEKEND
REPORT! 21
B/Hol 24th/25th May 2009
Workwise, nothing to report on for this week, as Wednesday was a members play day. Due to Andrea & I going away for a short break tomorrow morning, I won't be able to spend as much time as I normally do at the computer, so I have just put together a short coverage of the May Bank Holiday Weekend for now. This will be redone again and made bigger next weekend, IF I receive any more photos from anyone covering this weekend. So if you have any, please email them to me. A report on the Members Day, run during last Wed will also appear for next weekend, with the normal weekly report. The reason for a lack of photos from myself during this B/H, is that I have been otherwise engaged as Mr. Chucklebutty (Clowning around all B/H Weekend, entertaining the children).
Saturday. the SMGR was quite busy running trains.
One or two new buildings are starting to appear on the railway, such as this new signal box.
Even a 16mm track gang can be seen.
A few locos lined up in the steaming bays.
And a few more join the line up.
A nice view of the Station Master's Garden Railway.
Our Chairman Brian, celebrated his birthday on Saturday and as a surprise, Ann Gee made him a very nice cake. As well as managing to blow out the candle, Brian also blew over one of the wagons of the train. I'm not telling you how old he is, but let's put is this way, he's no spring chicken, but there's plenty of puff still left him in!
Brian posing with his cake, before it was cut and quickly consumed by the members, Squawk & Mr. Chucklebutty!
Meet Mr Chucklebutty & Squawk. I spent Sunday & Monday entertaining the hundred's of children who enjoyed a ride on the trains. Yes I have also got another pair of shoes like those, but had to put them on in a rush. The make up was a first time effort, as I'm not really used to it yet!
Spud Bashing Duty.
At least they're happy about it!
Members enjoying a nice Beef Stew at the Bank Holiday Evening meal on Sunday.
The Beer Corner!
More members enjoying the Beef Stew! Well they did, before those empty plates.
Simon is going round with second helpings of roast potatoes, done to perfection in the firebox of Rocket II. Once again, Simon & Natalie did us proud at the Cafe de'Echills.
Just about Pudding Time, I think! Albert Gee I believe, was first in the queue, and he managed to get second helpings of apple pie.
After the meal, members were treated to the usual (how many can we pull with this train) ride, this time behind Alan Wilson's, King Charles III. It struglged a bit until passing Gnome Cutting, with I think thirty aboard, but he made up for lost time on the Crocodile Straight to Kerby Bend, where he broke the speed limit by about 10 mph. But as it was a members train only, he will not be reprimanded this time!
Quite a good load for the King to manage, but it just show's the power of these loco's even in minature scale. A good effort Alan, even though you did struggle a bit to get speed up.
The mighty King Charles III with Bristolian Headboard!
Finally, Mr. Chucklebutty & Squawk, with Ann & Connie after another successful Bank Hol Weekend. This time I managed to do a decent face make up, so by Christmas, I should be a dab hand at it!
Hopefully, this weekend will be covered with more photo's, if those of you who took any, would care to send them in!