Chasewater Railway Museum
August Bank Holiday Monday 26 August 2019
Pirates & Princesses
Don’t forget to pop into the Museum while you are here!!
On Saturday August 10th 2019, local historian Gerald Reece ( now living in Devon ), celebrated his 80th birthday with a walk around Brownhills.
Along with his family and close friends, Gerald set off on the walk he called, Brownhills a walk into history, at 10.00 from the Brownhills West Station of Chasewater Railway.
After braving the atrocious weather conditions, the party returned to Chasewater, and a social get together and natter was held in the Railway Museum.
During his visit Gerald kindly donated to the museum, 2 old maps of Chasewater from the early 1800’s.
Despite the weather a good day was had by all, and Chasewater Railway Museum was pleased to help Gerald celebrate his Octogenarianism.
Photographs by David Evans & Oakparkrunner.
Posted in Chasewater Railway Museum, Events
Tagged Brownhills, Gerald Reece, Local History, Maps, Museum Collection, Staffordshire
We are also, of course, open on Saturday 15th
These posts are taken from old publications, newssheets and magazines produced by the Railway Preservation Society (West Midlands Division). Chasewater Light Railway Society and Chasewater Light Railway and Museum.
Another couple of bits and pieces from the Railway Forum – Winter 1965. The first is a display of name and number plates, loaned by one of the members, and laid out in the Royal Saloon – which left Hednesford in 1970 for the British Railways carriage works at Derby for restoration and then on to the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley.
Midlands RPS Open Day display
An interesting display of locomotive nameplates and numbers was arranged in the Royal Saloon for inspection by visitors at the Midlands R.P.S. Open Day.
New locomotives preserved in Midlands
Members of the Midlands area, R.P.S. expect to take delivery of another locomotive later this year which has been acquired through the generosity of one of their members, Dr. P.G. Plummer, who has offered to purchase it for them.
The locomotive is a Hudswell-Clarke 0-6-0ST built for the Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company in 1895 (Works No. 431). It was transferred to its present location, Desborough Warren Quarry, Northamptonshire, in March 1951 and was due for withdrawal in July. It is believed to be the oldest Hudswell-Clarke locomotive still in working order and once carried the number 15. Now it has no number or name, although known as “Sheepbridge No.25”.
Painted in apple green it should be a valuable addition to stock already acquired, and will be of considerable use at the Chasewater branch line which has been leased by this group.
Two other locomotives have also been donated by the Whitecross Co. of Warrington. They are Peckett 0-4-0STs of 1900 and 1904 vintage. They were withdrawn from service by the Company in 1961, being replaced by two Fowler diesel locomotives. They carried names up to withdrawal, the older being “Baden Powell” and the younger “Lancet” the nameplates of the latter being transferred to the Diesel No.1, and those of the former being acquired by local enthusiasts. Only “Lancet” will be able to run again. It is hoped to exhibit “Baden Powell” statically.
The second is about new locomotives coming to Chasewater. Sadly the Hudswell Clarke, although we still have the loco, has never steamed here. The two Pecketts fared even worse. The ‘Lance’ (not Lancet) 1038/1906 was scrapped in March 1972, and another Peckett – 1823/1931 was also scrapped at the same time. The Loco ‘Baden Powell’ was in too bad a condition to be moved. The other loco was an 0-4-0F a fireless Andrew Barclay locomotive 1562/1917 – scrapped in March 1973.
The articles were writtten in 1965, the photos taken in 1969.
Inaugural Meeting
About 20 people met at the Station Hotel, Stafford, on Saturday 21st November 1959 for the inaugural meeting. The General Secretary opened the meeting and sketched out the reasons leading to the formation of the RPS and future plans. He explained that this was the first District to be inaugurated and though the general outline had been planned out, the detailed application of this would be the concern of the WMD committee.
Mr. D. A. Ives, who has been acting as Secretary, gave a report on progress to date. He reported that membership was over 25 and that they had received a good response from individuals contacted. The first step was to secure a small depot in a convenient locality, where relics could be stored and members work on their restoration. The ideal site would contain a certain amount of covered accommodation as well as rail space for carriages and wagons. He believed the support was there in the West Midlands, it was only a question of publicity and personal contact.
The committee to serve for the current year was then elected.
Future plans were discussed and the decision taken to launch a publicity campaign leading up to a public meeting in the New Year. The site of the public meeting was fixed as being Birmingham, but emphasis was laid on arranging future meetings in different towns to give better contact with the public and members.
Three reporters attended the meeting, leading to reports in the ‘Stafford Newsletter’ and the ‘Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel’.
The public meeting was fixed for Saturday, March 5th in the Small Theatre at the Birmingham & Midland Institute, Paradise Street, Birmingham at 2.30pm. Everyone welcome.
Events News: Made In Staffordshire Gala – May 26th/27th/28th
Made in Staffordshire Gala
Our Chasewater Railway Made in Staffordshire gala May 26th/27th/28th. 10am-5pm each day.
Details of our locos appearing during the gala.over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend “Made in Staffordshire”
Steam loco guest is Kerr Stuart & Co. 0-4-0 “Willy” the Well-tank visiting us in its centennial year having been built in Staffordshire in 1918 and Diesel guest is last but one built Bagnall 0-4-0DH built Stafford 1961, number 3207 “Leys”. Thanks to the respective owners for allowing them to visit us.
Home fleet locos representing Staffordshire are Bagnall “Dunlop No.6” and Bagnall “Kent No.2” plus Diesel E E Baguley “Bass no.5” with Bagnall “Myfanwy” availble to view nearing the completion of her restoration.
Museum, Heritage Centre, Tea Room, Model Railway, Gift shops, Bric-A-Brac and more.
Rover Ticket prices for this event are £8.95 Adult, £7.95 Concession, £4.50 Child 3-15yrs and Non-working members with valid card, 0-2yrs free. A fantastic value family ticket is £24.95 for 2 adults and up to 2 children. No passes or vouchers valid during the gala and for everyone’s safety strictly no track/shed/signal box access without permission.
For weather & travel updates why not tune into our friends at Cannock Chase Radio FM on 89.6 & 94 FM.
More info: http://www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk/
Posted in Events, Locomotives
Tagged Aldridge, “Willy” the Well-tank, Bagnall No 3207 “Leys”, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Diesel Locomotives, Hednesford, Lichfield, Made In Staffordshire Gala, Old Railway Lines, Staffordshire, Steam Locomotives, Steam Trains, Walsall, Walsall Wood