From the ‘Mercian’ Nov-Dec 1966 Vol.5 No.6
This photo is quite a bit ahead of time, I think. Not from this Mercian, but it shows the conditions being worked in.
From the Editorial
The AGM has come and gone together with the light summer nights which have speeded up the work at Chasewater. Naturally more effort has to be concentrated where most needed during the few precious hours of daylight now left.
You will read elsewhere of the progress made to date both at Chasewater and Hednesford, so that when 1967 dawns we shall be taking our next big step forward, that of running a steam train at Chasewater.
There was a report about the ARPS meeting at Portmadoc, including a request for help with funds for theJ36 and ’C’ Class 0-6-0 when required so that the purchases might be concluded.
Under the heading of affiliations the following were accepted into the Association – M & G N R P S, and the Hull Preservation Syndicate as an observer only. The following were deferred until the meeting in London on January 21st 1967 – Severn Valley, LCGB, GWR Trust, Westerham Railway Museum, Southern Railway Club and the Loco Preservation (Sussex) Co. Ltd.
There was a short report about the ‘Forum’ magazine, which was still struggling with finances.
Hon. Secretary
Progress Report
Work has continued at Chasewater, the main task being the reinforcing of the embankment with fly ash, this material has been tipped into the cavities caused by the embankment fire (slow combustion), and effectively snuffed it out.
An ex Midland Railway flat wagon has now joined the fleet at Chasewater for use on maintenance work. This vehicle together with the NSR wagon has been finished in battleship grey and appropriately lettered. The MR wagon was kindly donated by Messrs. Thomas Boultons Ltd., of Froghall, Staffs.
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Delivery has also been taken of the Peckett 0-4-0ST ‘Lance’ donated by Messrs. Whitecross Ltd., Warrington. This has also delivered to Chasewater where it has been given a quick coat of green oxide paint to repel the rust which was starting to get a hold on the superstructure.
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST. Colin McAndrew – Considerable work has been done on this locomotive by Allan Civil and his team of ex Bagnall fitters.
We are extremely grateful to this team for all the hard work they have put in to get it ready for the hydraulic test which it successfully passed. The loco was steamed successfully on November 13th, albeit stationary. We look forward to seeing her at Chasewater in the not too distant future.
Restoration Work – A small amount of work has been done at Hednesford on the E1 and coaching stock. A start has been made on refelting the coach roofs, but has now been held up due to the weather and lack of manpower. The small relics grow apace and receive the usual loving care from Nigel Hadlow.
Mention must be made of the wonderful job of restoration done to our Wolverhampton trolley bus No.616 by John Hughes and Robin Oliver. These two members must be congratulated on their steadfast painstaking work in putting the interior back to its original layout.
Other than a couple of mentions for the Tote and the Annual Dinner that’s pretty much the lot for this edition.
Chasewater Railway Museum 