around the railway

john lanchester, sunday 6th december 2009

Permanent Way

In the first few days of the closed season a track panel was re-laid in concrete at Oldland Common. Thanks to Jon Miles, Dave Burton and company for their efforts.

Jon Miles, Marcus Cowley and Dave Skelley with help from Roger Cooper cleared the top of the yard by disposing of some items and moving the rest up to Cherry Gardens Cutting. This was in preparation for the expected delivery of track panels.

The track from Theale has arrived and is being dismantled for storage. Hartley Baber of Baber Transport (and the son of the owner Chris) supplied the transport and all the track arrived over two weekends.

Most of the unloading was carried out on Saturdays and yet again the heavens opened. The rail is largely good but there are a few short sections and one or two very short sections.

The track will eventually will be used for the southern extension of the Railway once planning permission has been sought and granted (no timetable as yet).

As ever any donations towards the transport costs of the track panels will be greatly appreciated. The track panels were provided free of charge however the AVR needs to cover the considerable transport costs.

Please contact us for more information.

Carriage Restoration

Carriage No. 4058 (TSO) has had the vacuum brake system tested satisfactorily and, provided that the additional upholstery required is delivered in early January, should be in service by March.

Work continues at pace on the second Buffet coach (to provide extra seating) but, as usual, more work on the body has been needed than was originally expected.

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