The Echills Wood Railway Observer

ANNIVERSARY

 

WEEKEND!

 

SAT/SUN 12th/13th JULY

Now Updated with more photos

for Sat & Sun

 

This page has been added to commemorate our 1st Anniversary, since the railway was officially opened, by Pete Waterman last year. It was not as spectacular as the Grand Openning itself, nor was it intended to be, but despite a rather miserable day on Saturday, we did finally get a very pleasant day for Sunday. Saturday we had an evening Ploughmans Lunch, which was held in the new building and has prooved to be the ideal accomodation for holding our scocial gatherings. After the meal, it was decided to make up the longest train ever assembled at Kingsbury, to beat last years record. Again, Bob Whitfield's Shay, with a special guest driver at the controls.

This special guest was the builder of the Shay, Dave Giles, who had come over from New Zealand, with his wife and were staying with another guest, Frank Stephen and his wife, who are members of the Wirral Model Engineers Scociety. Both Dave, Frank and their better halfs, had a delightful weekend with us at the EWR and it is hoped that they will join us again sometime. Frank is hoping to come again soon, but I don't think we will see Dave for quite a while, as it's a little bit too far from the other side of the globe, to just pop over for the day. Dave is on his way to Sweden, to commission another Shay Locomotive, which he has built, before returning back to New Zealand. I'm sure Bob and Trish were delighted to have the Shay's builder join them for the weekend. Dave also had a bit of fun driving Bob's other steam loco, the B Class Darjeeling 'Katenchunga' which was in service during Sunday.

If anyone has any photos from Sunday, they can send in, I will add them to this page. I didn't manage to get so many on Sunday, due to my camera battery being low.  

SATURDAY 12th JULY

Whilst engines were being prepared under the Steaming Bay, behind the scenes, Jeff Steven's is seen preparing the seating arrangements for the Evening Buffet!

Ken Smith's famous Goods Train was here again, which adds a bit of flavour to the normal passenger running. But please get that 08 bodywork done Ken? Running round with a battery pack on wheels, is just not playing trains! Or cricket either!

Bob Whitfield  preparing the Shay, for its first steaming for the weekend, with Tiger Woods, on his appropiate golfing bay 4.

Andy Budge's C19.

Ian almost ready to tee off!

Trackside view of the steaming bays.

Kim, James, Brett & Andy having a natter and a cuppa!

At least Andrea ensured she had a seat, she brought it with her on wheels. Connie & Brian making sure that they got in the picture, with Jill, behind Andrea and George & Annette sat opposite. Whilst Annette's husband Ian, was still on green 18.

The Great Western Brigade, John Hancock, Bill Burnett and son Steve, having a laugh with Michael Brown. Matt Gunn, looks on with a cheeky grin.

Nattalie, Ian, Albert & Anne. The top of Dave Bell's head and his daughter and wife.

Pat Murphin, Ken Smith, Jeff Cogan & Ken Bull (He's miles away) sat at the end. In the foreground we have Vic's head, the back of young Tom's head and a side face shot of Adrian Grimmett.

More head shots of Adrian, Oliver and Fay Grimmett. (sack the photographer!) In the background are some of our guests, Frank Stephen, Dave Giles & his good lady from New Zealand, Frank's wife is just off the right of the photo ( I must get a wide angle lens!) Not sure who the little girl is with lovely red hair.

The Golfing Trio, George, Tiger Woods & Mrs Wood's ( Ian & Annette actually) The back of Chris Perkin's head and far side, blocked by his glass, is Jim Steptoe, Doug Pell, our chairman Brian, nibbling at the cheese and his good lady Connie.

Hey, I wonder who this pair are?

Oh it's Andrea & Grumpy! Well I am in charge of the Echill's Wood Gnomes, so if you can't beat em, join em. I even got waved to up in the woods and was told by one lady passenger on the train, that I was the only one who waved back.

The Shay lined up for the record attempt, with twenty odd coaches plus Jame's SD 40 as a helper if needed, but it wasn't.

One of Adrian Grimmetts unusual locos. Coughing Polly, which is run with a Lister petrol engine.

 

Adrian's eldest son Oliver, on Coughing Polly.

Matty Gunn and his girlfriend, putting some coal in Thirlaiston Hall.

Not Bob the builder, but Bob the owner of the Shay, with it's builder Dave Giles from New Zealand.

    

I'm good at taking head shots aren't I. Ready for the off on the Longest Train!

More heads to look at, as we set off round the park.

Rounding Sandy Curve, well the driver is, I'm still in Old Oak Yard on the back.

Has anyone seen a dark blue steam engine, we've lost one?

Not round this neck of the wood's, the last steam train came past five minutes ago.

Did you all wave at Grumpy as we passed the gnomes?

Don't be daft, I'm sat at the back taking all these photos!

"The train that I'm on, is 21 coaches long"

Oh look, there's the loco, I can see the smoke. Or is the local natives sending smoke signals?

I went across the crossing unofficially. The lights had stopped flashing by the time our coach reached there. Just think we could have been knocked down by a speeding kid on a push bike!

Is this where they got the idea for Talking Heads!

The train just arriving at Platform 1, is the Shay from Auckland, the guard is just leaving Woodcock Bridge, after dropping his whistle in the lake.

Iv'e just heard over the intercom, that Dave want's to know which steaming bay Bob want's the Shay on. He's already unhooked the coaches in the yard! Looks like we'll have to get off here! Oh look, I think the sign means Station, 3 mins, Short Walk!

Sorry folk's this train aint going nowhere, the loco will have dropped it's fire by now!

What a swiz, I'm going to ask the ticket office for my quid back!

Earlier in the day, Dave from New Zealand on the Shay, with Frank's wife, one of our other guests, stood on the platform.

The Following Photos for Sat

were sent in by Jeff Cogan

Dave enjoying himself on the Shay.

Jason & Adam having a bit of fun.

Hi Guys!

Station Meeting?

Adam, cleaning Bluebell.

A bit more activity going on.

Terry with his little Tank.

James & Thirlaiston Hall battle it out.

SUNDAY 13th JULY

.

Brittania 70075? No such number, no such name, stands at Harvester's with a long goods train.

It's James the little red engine, one of Thomas's friends This is where I got waved at with my Grumpy 'T' shirt! Ah well, it was nice to spend some time with the little people.

Sunday was the busiest day and we were quite bogged down with passengers at times.James on the left, Thirlaiston Hall on platform 2 and Dave Giles having a go with Bob's Darjeeling.

Full trains ran for most of Sunday.

We now have an official Clipit Ticker and she's got the badge to proove it.

Frank Stephen and his wife on the left, with Dave's wife from New Zealand on the right. I had an enjoyable day chatting to Frank, who comes from the Wirral.  He is hoping to come back soon for another visit. Nice meeting you all and hope you like your photo on the website!

 More photos from Jeff Cogan.

 

Thirlaiston Hall with its rake of GWR coaches.

Bob with his Shay, coming through Echills Wood.

Thomas's friend 'James', coming through Echills Wood.

Is this the Branch Line local stopping train?

A fast passenger train on the Echills Wood main line.

Och Aye! It's Loch Lomond.

All sorts of trains run on this railway, even from Nepal.

The Mid Day Scott!

That's All Folks!