Category Archives: Bits and Pieces

153 – 154 Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on June 29, 2023 by | Leave a comment

153 – Chasewater  Railway Museum Bits & Pieces from Chasewater News Dec 1992 – Part 3

This small gauge loco, with Isle of Man connections, used to make fairly regular visits to Chasewater , this picture and the one at the end of this post have absolutely nothing to do with ‘Carriage & Wagon News’, but they were in the magazine and I just wanted to use them!

Carriage & Wagon News

A sad note to start with is that at the last Board meeting, Dave Whittle stood down as C & W director.  There are many problems concerning the stock, and with Dave’s other duties including our very successful rallies which Dave helped to arange, the work load was too much.

Maryport & Carlisle six-wheel coach – Work has begun on the far side of the coach where a canopy has kept dry the rotting window frames and doors.  These will be treated and painted, but the stock of plywood has completely dried up with no funds for further supplies.

Midland four-wheel passenger brake – Tony Wheeler has undercoated the exposed main end timbers to protect against the weather until plywood sheeting becomes available.

Manchester, Sheffield & Lincoln six-wheel coach – This vehicle has remained sheeted up but will shortly be needed for the local colliery railway history information centre when the Southern brake van goes to Chatham in 18 months time.

16 ton Great Western Toad – Tony Wheeler has re-painted the superstructure of this vehicle which looks good on our permanent way train.  Unfortunately Tony could not gain permission to paint the mess van.

CCCC brake van – Unfortunately due to other projects, Keith Poynter has not had much time to work on his pride and joy.  Photographs from our museum showing this vehicle in service on local lines will soon prove their value during the restoration.

Great Eastern six wheel passenger brake – But for a missing door and one or two small panels, the whole of one side has been completed – albeit in four different colours.  The age of this coach has now been established in the preserved carriage handbook as being 1894, and being numbered 44, ties in with other coach dates.  So 1994 will be its centenary year.

Midland box van – Tony Wheeler has begun work on the exterior paintwork of this vehicle, scraping and painting.

Southern brake van – Work on re-painting this vehicle has been suspended for the time being at the request of its owner.  Tarpaulins have been put over the roof, and a pot-bellied stove fitted inside in an attempt to dry the inside out so that a start can be made on our colliery history information display.

Museum Coach – Although we have just suffered the worst November rain for ten years, Steve and Keith have almost completed the re-roofing (in a new tar-based material) of the LNWR ‘James’ coach.  The inside has been scraped and painted, with the help of the Duffs, to house our Santa’s Grotto before the relic collection is moved back in.

Gloucester trailer E56301 – Having remained in use throughout the year, this vehicle has now finally been withdrawn from service and will not run on the Santa Specials.

Wickham trailer E56171 – This coach has also been in use all year, and now that the loco is attached to the northern end of the train, it is the only one with the driving cab at the correct end for the guard.  A recent trip by CLR members to Tyseley produced an amazing amount of spare parts for our DMUs, bought at scrap prices.  As a result, this vehicle has benefited to the rune of a new set of batteries, a new heater and a new heater control in readiness for the Santa trains.

Derby centre car W59444 – This coach has also received a new set of batteries in the last few weeks and will run in service for the first time on the Santa trains.  Although still in undercoat the coach looks very impressive, possibly due to its being around 7½ft longer than our driving trailers and certainly helps fill the platform.

Wickham power car E50416 – Work has continued on the refurbishment of this vehicle which will also be receiving a new set of batteries (four coach sets in all were obtained).  A lot remains to be done to the interior and some broken windows renewed before it can enter service.

Dave Borthwick

Beyer Peacock Anglesey inside shed with McClean. Cannock Chase Colliery Company

154 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces

 From Chasewater News Dec 1992 – Part 4

Cannock Chase Colliery Company

Transport Development – The Formative Years

Mike Wood

Cannock Chase prior to 1840 was an expanse of barren, desolate heathland with no centres of population and without developed rail, road or water networks – on of the last great wildernesses of England.  The villages of Chasetown and Chase Terrace did not yet exist and were twenty years into the future.  Its few inhabitants made a living from the land selling agricultural produce at market in Cannock or extracting coal from shallow bell pits or drift mines.  There was not only coal on the Chase but also ironstone.  Local opencasters had been aware of its presence for many years but made no use of it as the smelting of iron required organisation and equipment well beyond their primitive means.  For the mineral resources of Cannock Chase to be exploited to the full, big business had to take a hand.  In the form of Henry William Paget, landowner and Marquis of Anglesey, and John Robinson McClean, civil engineer, big business was just around the corner.

The Marquis of Anglesey, whose estate encompassed almost entirely what was to become the Cannock Chase Coalfield, did not begin exploitation of the mineral wealth on his lands until the mid 1840s.  By this time, coal had superseded water as the new power base of the industrial revolution with the increasing use of steam driven machinery in factories and for producing iron.  The success of Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’ at Rainhill in 1829 had also led to the widespread adoption of steam traction on the new fast-growing railway network.  The comparative late development of the Chase as a coal producing area is almost certainly attributable to the absence of a satisfactory transportation network of roads, railways or canals.

The first canal to enter the region was not completed until 1797, when the Wyrley & Essington completed its north easterly course from Wolverhampton to Huddlesford Junction near Fradley where it joined the Trent & Mersey Canal.  In connection with this W&E scheme, a large feeder reservoir was created in 1798 by damming Crane Brook at a point one mile north of Watling Street between what are now the villages of Brownhills West and Chasetown.  Norton Pool, as it became known as, was constructed as a storage facility in connection with maintenance of water levels on the main W&E canal. Access from reservoir to canal was via a narrow drain-off channel of approximately 1¼ miles in length to Ogley along the exact course of what eventually became the Anglesey Branch of the W&E or ‘Curly Wyrley’ as it was known locally.

By 1840 the national canal network comprised over 4,000 miles of navigable waterways providing a means of high capacity, low cost transportation,

It is certain that the presence of a new waterway crossing the southern boundaries of his estate plus imminent construction of the South Staffordshire Railway, due to be opened in 1849, and padding by in the same area as the canal, finally encouraged the Marquis to exploit his underground wealth.

In 1845 the Marquis directed that shafts be sunk at Uxbridge, Hammerwich and Four Mounts on the south eastern shores of Norton Pool, 1½ miles north of the W&E canal and the proposed South Staffs Railway.

This photograph was taken from the same spot as the previous one – but after the M6 Toll road came into being!   The old bridge in Wharf Lane can be seen through the newer one.

The canal company built its Anglesey Branch in 1850 by enlarging its drain-off channel from a main line junction at Ogley.  This branch terminated at Anglesey Basin, a few yards south of Norton Pool where facilities included stables, offices, coal loading chutes and gantries, plus a railway interchange which opened in 1858.  Deep moorings accommodated the endless stream of high capacity canal boats which were to pour their black wealth south down the Birmingham Canal Navigation to fire the industries of Birmingham and the Black Country.

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151/152 Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on June 22, 2023 by | Leave a comment

You will be pleased to hear that the Museum will be open this Sunday – 25th June 2023.
Could we ask members, while we are still using the rear entrance, to take care parking their cars to leave room for mobility scooters to access the path to the rear of the Heritage Centre.

 

151 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces from Chasewater News Dec 1992 – Part 1

Editorial – Nigel Canning

Many thanks to all the people who have helped with the magazine this year either by providing articles of historical or technical interest, or by helping to create the news on our railway.   Both of these forms of contribution make the magazine easier to produce and as a result it has increased in size slightly.

Towards the end of 1991 certain people predicted that we could be running trains to the causeway by the end of 1992.  As you will see in this magazine they then proceeded to prove their point by relaying all the necessary track which now awaits a visit by the Railway Inspector.  This is a magnificent achievement which shows just what can be done.

Will Santa Specials be running across the causeway to Norton Bog in 1993??  Wait and see, or even better, come and make sure!!

Locomotive News

No.4 Asbestos – Following rectification of a large number of minor faults this loco will now be used on the Santa Specials on December 13th and will hopefully remain in traffic throughout next year.

No.5 Sentinel – Having run all year, this loco has now been taken out of service for its major boiler examination.  All steam fittings have been removed and the firebox separated from the boiler shell.  Over the winter various outstanding repairs and modifications will be carried out, and the loco repainted before re-entering service early next year.

No.2 Lion – Progress on this loco has continued with the casting of a complete new set of firebars.  The saddle tank has been bolted into place, the cast iron chimney cap fitted and new injector steam pipes and fittings made.  It is hoped that the loco will be seam tested early next year.

S100 – Work has continued on machining of the hornguides of this loco!!!!!!

Fowler – This loco has recently had a much needed service carried out and has remained in regular use on the Sunday works train to Norton.

DL7 – The cylinder heads for the main engine and for the donkey engine have now been re-worked, but due to a burned out piston revealed during cleaning of the bores, new pistons, rings and cylinder liners may now be required.  This means that the loco is unlikely to re-enter service very quickly.

No.21 Diesel

The spare engine has been rebuilt ready for re-fitting into the loco as soon as the crane is available.  As the radiator has rotted through beyond repair a complete new core will have to be found and fitted.

Smith Rodley Crane

This vehicle has remained out of use pending its annual inspection by the insurance company.

Permanent Way News – Arthur Edwards

Track laying on the extension has now come to a stop as we have finally got to the top of the causeway bank and are awaiting news of how and when the causeway will be repaired.  That doesn’t stop us from jacking and packing all the rail joints and so forth back towards Brownhills West.

The causeway, Dec 1992. Pic – D.M.Bathurst

During the run up to us finishing the track laying you probably heard that I had a slight accident with the dumper truck.  Since then it has been re-commissioned as ‘Dunk-an’ or ‘General Belgrano’ equipped with rubber ring and outboard propeller.

Well it happened like this.  I had had the bucket filled by the JCB and taken the load to the edge of the causeway for dumping.  When I started the hydraulic lifting mechanism, the load transferred from all four wheels to the front two.  I heard a crack-k-k and it started to slide down the bank.  No way was I going to stop it, the thing had been in neutral but as it went down it went into first gear and the sound was CHUG CHUG CHUG GLUG GLUG.  ‘Oh dear’, or words to that effect were said, and there was I, hands over my head trying to keep my ears warm, screaming at Ian for help, but he couldn’t hear me.  When he came over he did what everyone else did – laugh!  At the time I couldn’t see the funny side of it, but I can now.

There was nothing else for it but to get a hawser to pull it out, and who had to get in the water to attach it?  Yes – yours truly!  I kept looking round for Jeremy Beadle, and I’m sure that if we had a video of it we’d have got £250 for it being shown.

Full gratitude to Ken Dyde for taking time out from doing other things which were probably more important to strip down the dumper and get rid of the water – cheers Ken!

 

152 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces from Chasewater News Dec 1992 – Part 2

Restoration of the Causeway and Derelict Land Grant 

David BathurstCauseway 1992 DMB

Norton Bog Reclamation 1992 – DMB Norton Lakeside 1992.  DMB

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150 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on June 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Please Note –  The Museum is closed next Sunday, 18-6-2023

150 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces

From Chasewater News Autumn 1992 – Part 3

Carriage & Wagon News

Maryport & Carlisle six-wheel coach – During early May Keith Day uncovered the coach from its winter wraps to find no further deterioration has occurred.  He then fitted small plastic sheets to deflect the rain from the missing windows.  Work was also carried out to make doors and windows fit on the other side.  All seems to be intact now, but on close inspection every coach panel was suffering from weather rippling due to the use of plywood, and I’m afraid that even a coat of paint couldn’t make this vehicle look any better.

Midland four-wheel Passenger Brake – This vehicle remains sheeted up awaiting attention, but strides have been made for attaining roof timbers from Butterley.

Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln six-wheel coach – This coach has remained sheeted up for some time.  John Elsley unfortunately hasn’t been down to see us recently.  ‘Are you well John?’ Please contact us.

16 ton Great Western Toad – Repainting the visible end of this vehicle has helped the appearance of this trusty tool van.

CCCC (CRC) Brake Van – The flooring has been prepared and painted, but the theft of valuable plywood sheeting from underneath the vehicle has put Keith Poynter back several months.  Members please note not to leave items around the yard.  Lock them up either in the C&W shed or conceal them in the coaches, otherwise they will get used for other projects, burnt or stolen.

Wickham Trailer E56171 – Due to the loco changing ends this season, a rather shabby cab end has been exposed on this vehicle especially when the train enters the station n the return journey.  For the day of the transport rally a hurried black, red and maroon coat of paint was applied, producing a better result.  A cab front window had been fitted a few weeks earlier, so all isn’t too bad.

Wickham Power Car E50416 – Again great steps have been made towards the restoration of this vehicle.  In April, after a major shunt of the station yard, the power car ventured down through the platform under its own power and the reversed onto No.2 road where work on the interior, brakes and exhausts is being carried out.  When stuck for details and internal components fro the brake air receiver bypass valve, Andy Clegg and Chris Hatton visited BR Tyseley and were given everything they needed.  Our thanks to all those concerned!

Derby Centre Car W59444 – During March and April much work was carried out to get this coach into reasonable condition externally, all be it in engineering grey.  Through three weekends of rain and sun the seating upholstery was vacuumed, the floors mopped and windows cleaned, however a management decision was made to put the Gloucester back into service.  Since then work has resumed with Dave Whittle pink undercoating and rubbing down for top coats.

Gloucester Trailer E56301 – This vehicle has remained in service with the Wickham Trailer to form the passenger train.  Initially this was necessary as the Railway Inspectorate had not given permission for the loco to propel the train from the northern end.  Permission was, however, eventually received and on Monday May 4th the loco changed ends.  Since then the Gloucester seems to have remained in service instead of 59444 as originally intended.

Maunsell Southern Brake Van 62861 – This vehicle has received attention from two of our new members, Helena Day and Kate Rogersin, in the form of painting the side visible from the park.  After preparing one side and the two ends, members may be surprised that a 5 litre tin of undercoat was used just to cover them.  Work on this vehicle had to be suspended in May due to a pair of blue tits nesting between the panelled sides.

Great Eastern six-wheel passenger brake – The doors have had their frames undercoated and painted, with slide windows fitted when possible.  A recent trip to the East Anglian Railway was to determine the outside panel design, but variations from 1876-1895 contrasted quite considerably.  It appears that a number of such vehicles were constructed at the Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Works under contract from either Holden or Wordsell.  If anyone has details or photographs of this or any vintage GER coaches please contact Dave Borthwick.

Midland Box Van – During another wet weekend this vehicle was tidies up and has now become our spare sparks van where our electrical equipment can be stored.  As many of us will appreciate, cable, switch gear, starter motors, etc. must have a secure home.  Repairs made good the detached sliding door by the addition of a new top runner and bottom door support bracket.

Cadbury Van – this vehicle has been tidied up internally by ‘righting’ the two fallen diesel engines which had been stored in there.  This will give clearance for Chris Hatton to inspect each engine in turn with a view to restoring No.21 to working order.

16 ton Mineral Wagon – This has been prepared and painted in grey top coat by Arthur and Tony.  Numbers and markings will be researched and applied shortly.  This vehicle, which is currently standing on No.1 road siding gives the railway a touch of its origins, and also shields the rusting parts of S100 from the public gaze!   Dave Borthwick.

The Peak Rail Jolly Boys Outing

During May, early one Saturday morning, the twin steer Bedford ‘Fair Spares’ coach drew to a halt in Brownhills West station yard, and so began a very enjoyable day at and around the Peak Railway.

A few of us remarked on the £3 return ticket price on the railway for a trip to Matlock (Riverside) in the middle of nowhere and back.  At the CLR you can travel all day on our train to nowhere and back for half the price.

 There was one pathetic occurrence that happened with all the natural beauty of the Peak District hills, dales and river walks, with the delight of art and craft museums everywhere, the depraved few, namely the PW Gang, Catering and C&W Depts all homed in with no prior arrangement, on the nearest boozer – where silliness began!

Thanks to Sue and Les, and the driver who kept us laughing with his ‘Murphy’ tapes.   Dave Borthwick

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149 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on June 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Chasewater Railway, including the Sidings Tea Room, will be closed this coming weekend, the 10th and 11th of June 2023, due to the Staffordshire Iron Man Competition.

149 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces

 

From Chasewater News Autumn 1992 – Part 2

Permanent Way News

Track Update – Keith Day

Work on the track is progressing well.  On most Sundays there is a regular crew working at the end of the line.  Timbers recovered from Hams Hall have already been used in extending the track.  In mid-July we calculated that we were only nine 60ft panels away from the causeway, and since then several of these have been laid.  Work has been made easier by the professional way in which we use the JCB and in Ian Buswell’s skill in driving it.A view of newly laid track on the extension curving towards the causeway bank.  A comparison between this photo and the one in the previous post reveals the fantastic improvement made during the first half of this year.

If anyone reading this article would like to join the permanent way gang, if only for an occasional Sunday, we would be pleased for you to come and join us.  Just ask for Les Emery or Arthur Edwards at Chasewater, or phone the station or just come along on any Sunday.

Willow Vale Bridge

Work on the metalwork has been completed with the addition of ”Chasewater Steam Railway” painted in large letters on the road side of the bridge.  Tony Wheeler and Arthur Edwards have cut back the trees and undergrowth compassionately before the nesting season, and now the railway has come alive to the many people who pass that way daily – another case of free advertising!

Brownhills West Station News

All weather working with power tools can now be accomplished safely following the installation of RCCBs (Residual Current Circuit Breakers) on all the power circuits at Brownhills West.

Adrian has almost finished the lighting on the station platform following his success with the shunters’ cabin, public loos and bric-a-brac stall.

We can be seen from the other side of the park now!In preparation for the spring and summer season a tidy up was needed around the station site.  A number of things have consistently offended the eye, such as the abandoned signal post once sited on the platform, but recently cut down on instruction from the Railway Inspectorate.  It was too heavy to lift very far, and too big to hide, so the ideal thing to do was to raise the damn thing.  A hole was dug; bull-head rail was pestered out from around the site and drilled to form two bracing pieces which were fixed to the base of the post.  The next week with the help of Keith Day, Ken, Larry, Dave whittle, Andy, and Paul Whittaker, and with no help from the rain we arrived to find our hole full of water.  With a rope on each side of the signal top (maypole-like) we heaved and stood the signal erect.  Newton’s gravitational theory nearly took effect on two occasions, but with frantic assembly of the other two bracing pieces of bull-head rail, and Paul Whittaker arc welding them into position, all became steady and perpendicular.  The signal mechanism can now be operated from just above ground level.

Turf was planted around the base and is now growing profusely.  Total cost of the project was just the welding rods supplied free by Paul Whittaker, but the main thing that was achieved was the free advertisement of the signal arm being visible from the other side of the park.

Donation boxes are a feature at most railways and bring in a modest income to fund various projects.  The chimney from our Peckett 917 was rusting away on its saddle tank, but painted and planted on the station it offers a home to our passengers’ nuisance change.

Can members think of ideas to utilise any other railway components?  Perhaps our modellers could show off their engines in a glass case where a donation could power the driving wheels to show off the workings.  We must amuse the mums and dads and kids as well as the rivet counters!  Pennies into Pounds!!

Dave Borthwick 

Meeting with Walsall Council – David Bathurst

A number of CLR members will have been aware of correspondence from Walsall Council instructing the railway to stop work on track preparation and re-laying and certain remedial works to repair the breach in the causeway.  It was suggested by the Council that the railway required planning permission for its works, and that the railway might be acting against the various nature conservation designations (SSSI & SINC) within Chasewater Park.

The Council’s ‘instructions’ caused some concern to the working members.

However, a meeting was quickly arranged between the Council and representatives of the railway, at the Council House, Walsall, on 14th May 1992.  Steve Organ, Les Emery and John Selway represented the railway, with the meeting both convened and chaired by David Bathurst – who was faced with the dilemma of having a foot in both camps!!

The meeting proved to be immensely satisfactory from the railway’s point of view with the Council conceding early on that the railway is in fact in possession of all the necessary planning permissions to carry out its immediate future programme.  It seems that the Walsall Council did not have on its files a copy of a very important planning consent granted in the 1970s by its predecessor planning authority, Staffs County Council, which fortunately was able to be located within the railway’s records.

Perhaps more important was the clear impression gained from the Council’s Officers that they wish to assist, and not obstruct, the railway in its proposals, while at the same time offer advice as to how best proceed in the best interests of preserving the environment.  Indeed, a meeting took place on site a couple of weeks later, when Steve Organ and others enjoyed a high-speed programme of plant recognition.  It should not be construed that the railway can do what it likes because certain future projects may well require planning consent, but at least proper lines of communication now exist between the railway and the Council.

In conclusion, the need for a good working relationship between the railway and the Council cannot be over-emphasised.  What could have been a confrontation resulted in exactly the opposite, thanks to a professional presentation by the railway’s representatives and good will on the part of the Council’s Officers.  At least on this front, the future looks good indeed. – David Bathurst

Vacancy Filled

Of the three posts recently advertised, the best job has already gone!  The successful applicant for the position of Company Treasurer checks the takings following Transport Scene.  Such youthful enthusiasm!!  Whatever happened?!

Is that really Chris Chivers??

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148 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on May 28, 2023 by | Leave a comment

The Museum will be open on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th May 2023

148 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces

From Chasewater News Autumn 1992 – Part 1

Editorial – Nigel Canning

Work on the railway is still progressing well and the number of volunteers has increased to the extent that even on our busiest day, Transport Scene, there were still people working on the new extension, and on carriage restoration.  As if to reflect the amount of work going on, even this issue of the magazine contains a few extra pages.  If all goes well, the Railway Inspector will be asked to pass off the line for passenger running to the causeway early next year.  If YOU would like to help on the track or in any other department on the railway, please come along – you will be most welcome.

Locomotive News

No.4 Asbestos – This loco is almost ready to return to traffic on a regular basis.  A couple of steam tests have been carried out, and a number of minor leaks corrected.  A small amount of finishing off is now required, such as fitting of the new saddle tank balance pipe and the extension of the buzzer wiring to the front buffer beam.

No.5 Sentinel – This has remained the only steam loco in service and has run well.  The problem of rust from the superheater blocking valves has been kept under control by regular inspections and cleaning.  The loco will need to be taken out of service before Christmas for its 5 yearly major boiler examination.

No.2 Lion 

This loco has passed its hydraulic test, and boiler fittings and pipework are now being fitted.  The boiler has been lagged, the cladding sheets fitted and the tank lowered into position.  Work is now being carried out to align the tank mounting brackets.

S100 – Work is continuing on the hornguides, and new fitted bolts have been made to secure them to the frames following machining.  The boiler has been unloaded from the flat wagon and is now in the loco shed yard where the shell has been cleaned and painted.The boiler from S100 is lowered into its new position in the loco shed yard.

Fowler – This loco is still running well and is in regular use.  Work has now begun on machining the various parts required to fit the loco for working the vacuum brakes on our passenger stock.

DL7 – Work is in progress on cleaning the cylinder heads and re-seating their valves ready for the engine rebuild.

No.21 Diesel – Work has concentrated on the two spare engines for this loco, the best of which may shortly be refitted to the frames

Smith Rodley Crane – This vehicle has remained out of use.

Bass Community Award – Keith Day

In the early part of this year, a poster appeared on the notice board at work saying ‘Bass Community Awards’ open to employees who are involved with a charitable organisation.  Now being a volunteer on the permanent way gang at Chasewater, and an employee of Bass, Mitchells & Butlers, both conditions were met, so I applied for an application form and sent it to the address stated on the poster.

A week later the application form appeared on my bench at work, and, after a lot of thought, I filled it in and with it wrote a potted history of the CLR.

In it I told briefly of the construction of the railway in 1860, and of how Chasewater Light Railway has been at Chasewater for 25 years, and of our plans to relay the track across the causeway and around the far side of the lake.  To do this we need money to buy materials to replace badly rotted sleepers, and rail which has staggered joints or had been criminally taken away for scrap.  I also wrote of what had already been achieved – the re-laying of the track to extend the running line, the repairs to Willow Vale bridge handrails to allow passenger trains to run over it, and finally, the passing of the extension by the Railway Inspectorate for passenger carrying trains.  The application was posted and almost forgotten about, until, on 24th April, a letter came through the door. I opened it up and read:

‘Bass Community Awards’

‘Further to your recent application for consideration under the above scheme, I am pleased to advise you that your organisation, Chasewater Light Railway & Museum Co. has been successful and has been awarded £300.  Could you please contact me on the above telephone number in order that we can discuss details of the cheque presentation.’

I telephoned the said number and arranged a date for the presentation at 7.00pm on Wednesday 27th May.  After a lot of thought and discussion, it was decided to use the £300 award to pay for the transport of redundant track materials from Hams Hall Power Station on 26th May.

Chris Chivers, Andy Clegg, Chris Hatton, Adrian Hall and myself, with ‘DJ’ Geoff running a shuttle service in his van were the crew who went to Hams Hall to load the trackwork, while Steve Organ, Arthur Edwards and others stayed at Chasewater to receive and unload the lorries.  Unfortunately, things did not run to plan, and what was supposed to be the first load at 9.00am departure from Hams Hall was in fact 6.30pm.  The second load arrived late afternoon on the 27th – the day of the presentation.

As it happened, this worked in our favour as Janice Clarke, PR Officer for Bass, and her photographer were able to take a picture  of the last load, unloaded with Yours Truly presenting the cheque to Chris Chivers, while Steve, Arthur and Chris Hatton posed in the background.  (Working for Bass is just like working at Chasewater – if you want anything done, you have to do it yourself!).  The picture and story were released to the press and appeared in the ‘Express and Star’ on 15th June.What we recovered from Hams Hall were: 4 sets of points, a rail drilling machine, 1 buffer stop complete, a number of point timbers, 2 point levers, some sleepers, rail, chairs and numerous other materials.

A small buffet was given at Brownhills West on the occasion, and I would like to thank Bass personally for their award of £300, and also everyone who took time to turn up on the 27th.

The Bass awards are an annual event, so if anyone has a suggestion for next year, please let me know.

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147 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on May 21, 2023 by | 1 comment

147 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces – From Chasewater News Spring 1992 – Part 3

Mission Impossible – Rob Duffill

This is my first report after being elected to the post of Commercial Manager in December, and I now have the honour of trying to maximise our income at Chasewater, both on and off site.  This is the job in a nutshell, and make no mistake, without an increase in income we cannot achieve our goals in other areas, however desirable, well planned or good value for money.  The task is difficult, but the successful outcome very rewarding and I am afraid it will mean asking members to help out on occasions and do jobs they do not fully enjoy.  Please remember if you spend a couple of hours for example, collecting entry fees at the gate, how much more you can enjoy the rest of the time because we can afford another project that really does interest you.I joined the group in 1968 and was elected to the Committee of the then Society in 1971.  Following a split up of ideas and members, I did not re-stand in 1974.  I have, over 23 years, seen the ups and downs and plodding alongs at Chasewater and like to think that all this gives me an insight into what is needed as we are definitely on the up, and have been for several years.

As we get bigger and better we will need to change practices to cope with demand and the present working members at Chasewater seem to me quite capable of really making great strides forward.  As I look around me I see the track extension (you now need good eyesight!) and the general improvement to stock and site.  The shop and buffet raise large and regular income and will need your occasional support as the regulars need a change from time to time.

What plans do we have?  In the short term we can only expand what we did last year.  We will be a success if we raise more income at each event and we all have a critical role:  It’s down to the members.  We will succeed if we pull together and remember that we need the public to pay for our enjoyment of our hobby.

I hope to highlight certain aspects of the commercial side in future magazines, for example, plans for a mobile sales stand.

If anyone has any suggestions for raising money or showing the flag (publicity) please contact me, as we must, as cheaply as possible, raise the awareness of the public that we exist, are different and that they ought to visit, and, having visited, come again because they liked it so much.  Mission Impossible perhaps – but we’ll see at the next AGM in 12 months time.

Stop Press

Pic – Nigel Canning

One of our members, Mike Wood, has bought an ex-Great Western Railway ‘Fruit D’ van from British Rail, and at the end of March it was delivered to Chasewater.  The Van, which is vacuum braked and steam heated, was run on April 11th as part of a demonstration goods train fro the Industrial Railway Society.

16 Ton Mineral Wagon – Arthur Edwards

Steve Forrest and I bought this item of rolling stock from the CLR Co. on the understanding that it will remain on CLR metals.Arthur and Steve pause briefly whilst shovelling coal dust and slack out of the wagon prior to chipping rust from the bodywork. – Nigel Canning

The underframes have already been doused with old engine oil to help with their preservation, and the bodywork is in exceptionally good condition considering its age, built in 1957 I think.  At present it is in British Coal green, but we aim to re-paint it into the classic colours of grey and black with white sloping stripe down one corner.

 The idea behind obtaining this and the 21 tonner was to help in the rebuilding of the causeway, but the 16 tonner has been put on our line backwards, that is, the end opening door  is at the wrong end.

Over the next few Saturdays we, that is, possibly Tony and I and maybe Dave and young Chris, aim to release the jammed side doors and the one end door followed possibly by the re-paint in the coming months.

Maybe one day there will be the Maunsell brake van, our 16 tonner, followed by the wooden bodied coal truck, possibly the Midland crane, and the Great Western Toad hauled by a loco not seen in steam for many a year, ‘Colin McAndrew’.  Our own freight train!

Moving Pictures

The slide and film show held at Chasewater during January was well attended and a great success.  The subject was ‘Chasewater in the Early 1970s’ and featured a variety of films and colour slides by Andrew Louch and Rob Duffill.

All of our departments were left drooling by some of the photos which stand as a great tribute to the pioneer members at Chasewater.  For a variety of reasons the early promise of success came to nothing, and much of the progress made was lost during the 1980s.  While certain aspects of Chasewater have still to reach the level attained in the early days, it is pleasing to see that real progress is once again being made, and on a far more professional level than ever before.

The opening shots of the first film saw diesels 20 and 21 shunting some delightful wooden wagons at what is now Brownhills West Station.  Although some of those wagons have now gone, it is great to know that No.21 is undergoing restoration in the shed and will one day burst into life once more.  No.20, which is nominally in working order, is on loan to the Bass Museum, Burton-on-Trent, although it may one day return to Chasewater.

Another item of nostalgia was a wonderful film of our trains at the far end of the line across the causeway and round near the old workshops.  This provoked much discussion, and we have now approached British Coal who own these now disused buildings with a view to acquiring them for our own use.  First signs are encouraging and we may have some good news to report soon.

The late lamented ‘Norton Branch’ also featured in the cine film show.  This ‘Norton Branch’ ran from our current line, before the causeway (from Brownhills West) in between the bungalows and the Swag pool round to Norton East Road, and ultimately into Conduit No.3 Pit (Jerome’s).  The loss of this section of the line was a sad blow, but it is interesting to note that we do still lease the track bed.  Who knows?  Perhaps we may one day rebuild that line.

The Carriage & Wagon department also had a lot to think about.  Film of a beautifully restored Maryport, and the MSL caused quite a stir.  The now derelict ‘slum’ and Midland crane also brought gasps from a few people.  There was also a message for those who cared to read it.  Two coaches, the LNWR TPO and the SECR ‘birdcage brake’ also appeared on the film.. Both of these fine carriages left Chasewater many years ago because it was felt that they would stand a better chance of restoration elsewhere.  They are, in fact, both still derelict.  So all those who want to dispose of our old coaches, take note!

Another fine vehicle was the E1, sold to Cranmore in the 1970s.  This loco has had something like £40,000 spent on it and has yet to enter service on the east Somerset line.  (It has steamed since that, but if it had stayed at Chasewater there was no £40,000 to spend on it!).

Other engines seen working included ‘Invicta’ and the venerable Neilson ‘Alfred Paget’.  Once again our loco department is making progress, and these engines may one day receive the attention they require. – P.Aldridge

 (Invicta has long since left, and poor Alfred is still waiting!) (Alfred Paget being worked on, May 2023)

Video – Wimblebury and Peckett 2000 Double Headed leaving Brownhills West.

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146 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on May 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

146 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces – From Chasewater News Spring 1992 – Part 2

Permanent Way News

The majority of the work carried out in this department is still the extending of the line towards the causeway.  Around half a dozen people are now regularly involved in the work and a dozen or so 60 foot lengths of track have been added to the existing extension.Work has been greatly speeded up by the use of the JCB which by clearing the track bed, moving rails and sleepers and depositing ballast exactly where it is needed has left the track gang free to lay track rather than spend hours, or even weeks, just shovelling.  Accordingly, the lads would like to thank Ian Buswell for his superb driving of this ’52 manpower’ machine.

The JCB has also filled the breach in the causeway, and was driven across to the other side in triumph on 8th March where work then began on widening the trackbed opposite the existing brick platform so that a run round loop can eventually be installed.

Walsall Council have now agreed to provide and dump ‘road scrapings’ to widen the causeway in the very near future.  It is hoped that enough of this material will be available to provide sufficient width for a footpath next to the railway.

Whilst progress on the track so far has been relatively rapid, our supply of track materials is likely to run out before the causeway is reached.  If anyone knows where we could obtain rail chairs, keys, fishplates and bolts, or even rail cheaply could they please contact the PW department at Chasewater?

Carriage & Wagon News

Maryport & Carlisle six-wheel coach – This vehicle remains sheeted up, protected against the weather,

Manchester, Sheffield & Lincoln six-wheel coach – This vehicle has also remained sheeted up.

Great Eastern six wheel passenger brake – This coach has with one almighty pull rotated its wheels shedding rust from its brake blocks accumulated since its last move in 1977.  The new position has made access easy, and working on cutting and fitting the missing panels, undercoating and top glossing has already been completed leaving only a small section around the door areas.  The temporary two-tone blue will remain, sealing the wooden body for some time.  The Great Eastern coach, once left forlornly down in the undergrowth to rot, now boasts to be the most used vehicle on our railway.  It provides a hearth and meeting place at Brownhills West for early arrivals on Saturday and Sunday, warm overnight accommodation, a place to make a hot drink, and about three times a day, a debating room.

CCCC Brake Van – Referred to in magazines as a ’CRC’ Brake Van but it was in fact from Cannock Chase Colliery Co., not Cannock & Rugeley Colliery.  Keith has now sealed the roof, replaced the wooden blanks with Perspex windows, re-timbered some of the verandah planking and fitted lids to the inside cabin lockers.

Midland four-wheel passenger brake – This vehicle has remained sheeted up over the winter, but inspection has revealed that even though the tarpaulin was in good condition and fitted snugly, it didn’t stop all the rain from entering the coach.  Thus began the Carriage & Wagon Shed (planning permission exempt).

Over the Christmas period an experiment was carried out to make a canopy support strong enough to carry the weight of a tarpaulin and snow, and rigid enough to remain intact against our famous Chase winds.  A free standing structure made of scaffolding and point rodding looked good on paper, but in reality the constant adjustment of the uprights to keep everything square was a problem.  The damn thing was just walking slowly into the woods!  The use of two bracing cables across the roof of the Great Eastern coach and secured down to the rail did the trick.  After another two weekends work the structure was complete and awaiting tarpaulins.

A shunt round now is needed to get maximum protection from the weather for perhaps the Midland, or, with John Elsley’s consent the MS & L or Hudswell 431.

Maunsell Southern Brake van No.62861 – This van has received attention to its roof, as the flaking top skin of bitumen had exposed the Hessian backing in places allowing leakage.  These have been re-sealed, and during the last rain storm the patches seemed to be weather tight.

Cadbury Van – This has now become a useful workshop with temporary mains power and lighting, and is used frequently by our brightest and best young member, Chris Hatton.  (If only we had another ten like Chris our future would be certain).

Great Western Brake Vans – These vehicles are in service nearly every week on the permanent way train, the tool van kept tidy by Arthur, and the mess van kept warm by Arthur and Steve stoking up the pot-bellied stove.

16 Ton Mineral Wagon – With the help of Arthur, Steve, Jonathan Clegg and others, the coal has now been removed from the wagon and spread in the four-foot for use in our pot-bellied stoves.  One of the side doors has been freed off and the wheels and under-frames painted with oil.Derby Centre Car W59444 – The bodywork of this coach is being prepared for painting prior to its entering service coupled to the Wickham trailer at the start of the season.

Wickham Trailer E56171 – It is hoped that, with the agreement of the Railway Inspector, we will be propelling our trains from the opposite end this year, in which case the Guard (or second driver) will travel in this coach.  In view of this, a certain amount of refurbishment will be necessary in the driving compartment but otherwise the vehicle is in reasonable condition.

Gloucester Trailer E56301 – It is intended that this coach should remain out of service for a while until repair have been carried out.

Wickham Power car E50416 – The greatest step forward by the C & W dept recently has been the work carried out by new members Ken, Andy and Larry on this vehicle.  They have assisted Dave Whittle with the bodywork, but more importantly on the technical side of replacing batteries, rewiring, test running the engines, vacuum and air equipment, as well as interior restoration.  Working mid-week and Saturdays and Sundays, they forecast ‘the set’ will be available for service trains in the near future.  With Chris, Ken, Larry and Andy’s help this has certainly boosted the C & W dept’s hands-on membership team. 

Dave Borthwick.Pictures by Dave Borthwick, Nigel Canning and Tony Wheeler.

Holly Bank No.3 leaving Chasewater Heaths for Church Street, first day of steaming in 2023 – May 7th

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145 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Posted on May 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

145 – Chasewater RailwayMuseum Bits & Pieces – From Chasewater News Spring 1992 – Part 1

Editorial Nigel Canning

A lot of progress has been made over the winter months at Chasewater to the extent that it is now very difficult to keep the news sections of the magazine updated before it is printed.  This is because there now seem to be a lot more people than ever before working regularly on our railway, and the effect of this is beginning to show.  The track extension is proceeding at a very impressive pace, and we are on the verge of having three steam locos available for running trains, and a choice of passenger and goods rolling stock in gradually improving condition.

Anyone wishing to help in any department on the railway will be most welcome at Chasewater this summer – if in doubt, please ask for details at the booking office.

Locomotive News

No.4 Asbestos – This loco finally passed its hydraulic test in March, and is now being re-assembled ready for steam testing.  A repaint is also being carried out so that the loco will re-enter service in green livery later in the year.

No.5 Sentinel – This loco has passed its annual visual boiler examination and was back in service on 11th April to work a special train for the Industrial Railway Society.  Trouble was again experienced with rust from the inside of the superheater coil being drawn up through the regulator box and blocking the steam supply to the Weir pump, steam brake and blower.  It is hoped that this will not become a regular occurrence otherwise our train service may suffer badly.

No.2 Lion – Progress on this loco has continued slowly, but following the recent delivery of the last of the long awaited new washout plugs the hydraulic test can now be carried out.  All of the copper pipe needed to replace that stolen a number of years ago has now been acquired and will shortly be bent and fitted.

S100 – The first of six pairs of axlebox hornguides have now been re-ground to a highly accurate mirror-like finish.  Work on the other five pairs is continuing.

Fowler – This loco has remained in service as our only working diesel, carrying out all shunting and works train duties.

DL7 – This loco has remained out of service with its engine partially stripped awaiting refurbishment of the cylinder heads.

No.21 Diesel – This loco has now been moved into the shed where work has continued on its restoration.  One major problem appears to be the radiator matrix which has rotted through and will require replacement.

Smith Rodley Crane – This was recently used to remove the saddle tank from Asbestos but has otherwise remained idle.

The E1 – B.J.Bull

E1  0-6-0T 110 leaves Mendip Vale for Cranmore  4/6/95. – John Chalcroft

When the former LBSCR loco was sold to three members of the East Somerset Railway and left Chasewater in 1978 for pastures new at Cranmore, it was agreed that we should receive regular updates on its restoration.

Following extensive (and expensive) repairs to just about every component part, the loco first steamed at Cranmore in July 1990.  This was a steam test minus tanks and a resultant fusible plug leak saw the fire dropped in order to affect repairs and try again another day.  Subsequent steam tests have found out other irritating problems – leaking pipework, regulator blowing past and so on.

The latest position gleaned from a phone conversation with the East Somerset Railway’s Barry Buckfield on 31st December, 1991 is that both tanks have been fitted, as has lagging and cladding, however a troublesome fusible plug has to be replaced, and valve setting is still to be carried out.  Sometime during 1992 the E1 will move under its own power for the first time in twenty nine years.

At one time it had been intended to restore the loco as British Railways 32110 in black livery which, of course, it never carried as it was sold by the Southern Railway to the Cannock and Rugeley Colliery Company in 1926.  The loco, it has now been decided, will be restored to traffic in Stroudley’s improved  engine green, although it will not carry the name ‘Burgundy’ associated with it during most of its LBSCR days.E1 Brian Rands1996

Once remaining work has been completed and running-in trials have taken place, the hundred and fifteen year-old will join that rare group of working centenarians in railway preservation.

Sisters, Sisters – P.Aldridge

While much of our collection at Chasewater is unique, some locomotives and carriages are similar to others preserved elsewhere.  Readers may be interested to know what is happening to these vehicles, and so here is a brief résumé –S100’s sister is at the Yorkshire Dales (sorry, Embsay Steam) Railway, and has sat derelict for many years, but during 1991 work started.  The loco, ‘140’, has been stripped down to its individual components, and with a large work force and plenty of money, progress is quite rapid.  New tanks, bunker and cab have now been built and the horn guides are being ground to something like the proper shape.  It is quite likely that ‘140’ will run again in 1994.H C 140 Embsay Charles Adams

Also at the YDR is ‘Annie’, a Peckett identical to our No.917.  This loco was in a very similar condition to ours, with a rotten tank and problems with the smokebox tubeplate.  Once again, this engine is likely to run in the next two years but it is difficult to see what use such a small engine would be at Embsay.  Perhaps we could borrow it!‘Annie’ Peckett 0-4-0ST – Pic, Simon Gott

Our long-suffering Gloucester DMU trailer is rapidly becoming an endangered species, as the West Somerset Railway have given up with its sister and sent it for scrap.  When DMUs were first preserved in the late sixties many enthusiasts complained, arguing that such vehicles were too commonplace to warrant preservation.  Now enthusiasts are complaining that the lines are disposing of these coaches.  (Being cynical, I expect they are the self-same people!)  It certainly proves that, as the old saying goes, nostalgia ain’t what it used to be!

Gloucester DMU and Cravens DMU in early morning sun at Bishops Lydeard, West Somerset Railway, on 21 April 1987 – Photo by Stephen Edge

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Chasewater Railway Museum May 2023 Newsletter

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Posted on May 3, 2023 by in Bits and Pieces

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144 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces – From Chasewater News December 1991 – Part 3

Posted on April 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

The Museum will be open on Sunday and Monday for the next two weekends –

April 30th and May 1st, and May 7th and 8th 2023

144 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces – From Chasewater News December 1991 – Part 3

General News from the Line

Bric a Brac Stall – The stall is still running and making money for the railway.  Suitable items are always needed to maintain the stock, so if you can help please bring your donations to Brownhills West Station.

Station Buffet – The new buffet is still a great success, to the extent that Walsall Council would now like us to apply for planning permission for it.  The CLR Company will no doubt point out that this is a temporary building which we intend to dismantle as soon as we have made a fortune out of feeding the construction workers on the new M6 Toll motorway which will be built around it at some time in the future!Advertising – This year the railway has benefited from a bit of extra advertising.  The photos show the electronic scoreboard at Walsall FC’s Bescot Stadium.  One of our members, Dave Bathurst, has access to the control panel of this machine and regularly manages to advertise our events on the day before they happen.  Ours could well be the only preserved railway in the country to benefit in this way!!

Steve Organ has also been busy publicising the railway by being interviewed on local radio just before the October Transport Rally.  With this sort of coverage, our events can only become better attended, with the resultant upturn in CLR finances.

The New Platform – Arthur Edwards

The delivery of the new platform has been on the books at Chasewater since January, but through illness and the like had to be put off until September 28th, which was a Saturday.

So there I was going towards Frank Harvey’s house at 5.30 in the morning to be at the SVR at around 7.15am.  Frank picked me up at 5.40am and off we went towards Guymer’s to pick up a trailer and two drivers, Bullet and Ken.

After a cup of coffee we set off.  Bullet and Ken took the two trailers which had been loaded the previous day back to the CLR, whilst Frank and I waited for the SVR crane driver to appear.  We also had Frank’s son Francis and daughter Ruth with us, and while we waited, Flying Scotsman rolled in.  Frank and Francis got on the footplate to have a gander while Scotsman watered up and saw City of Truro which was also there.

The SVR crane driver was a policeman on night shift, so it was only fair that he had some sleep before he came.  It took some 2½ hours to load up, and in the meantime down came the rain.  By the time we were loaded we were both soaked to the skin.

We finally arrived back on CLR territory at 6.55pm to the welcome sight of the mobile crane waiting for us.

I though it wise to include a credit list of those who helped us, so here goes:  Paul Whittaker, his son Kane, and brother-in-law Barry, who was the instigator in us getting a Hy-Ab.  Credit must also go to our own lorry driver, Frank Harvey, who borrowed the original Hy-Ab from a workmate.

Thanks must go to Guymer’s Transport, especially their manager, Mr.S.Ashton, for whose help we are most indebted.

Finally to everyone who helped, even in the pouring rain and to Dave Borthwick for a lift home.

After following the ‘New Platform Saga’ for a number of magazines, and searching for pictures of it, sadly I found that it was never erected at Chasewater.  I am not sure what happened to it but one theory is that it ended up at Titley Junction.

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