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Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces 75

Posted on November 27, 2020 by John D | Leave a comment

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces 75 – Feb 1977

The Railway Preservation Society Newsletter

Chasewater News 18 – Part 2

On 26^th January Barry Bull, Adrian Pearson and myself (Ian Patterson?) journeyed up to the North Yorkshire area of the NCB to inspect some redundant steam locos for possible purchase. On the way up we visited Rom River Engineering of Lichfield and noticed the unique Kerr Stuart diesel alongside the ex-Cadbury’s North British diesel hydraulic.

Further north we passed the Butterley Headquarters of the Midland railway Project Group. I understand from Derek Cartwright that our Royal Saloon, at present on loan to the Group, is at present undergoing considerable restoration at Derby Carriage Works.

The first colliery we visited was Ackton Hall at Featherstone. This revealed a surprise in the form of Bagnall Austerity No. 2746 of 1944, which had arrived the previous week from nearby Prince of Wales Colliery. This loco is of great interest to me because it used to work over the Shropshire and Montgomery Line. The other engine at the colliery was the purpose of our visit, being No.S119 ‘Beatrice’, a 16” inside cylindered six coupled loco built by Hunslet, No.2705 of 1945. This engine was in excellent condition, the fitters confirmed this, wishing it wasn’t for sale. This engine is of the same class as ‘Robert Nelson No.4’ and others which worked at Littleton Colliery. We also enjoyed a trip down the line to the BR exchange sidings on a diesel with the chief fitter, who told us several interesting facts about the history of the colliery and its locos.

The next colliery visited was Parkhill Colliery which revealed S102 ‘Cathryn’ a six coupled Hudswell Clarke side tank No.1884 of 1955 of the PLA Class. This too appeared in excellent condition but inspection of the boiler report confirmed to the worst our suspicions about its firebox which needed well over £1,000 worth of repairs.

‘Monckton No.1’

Passing under the footbridge into a very quiet looking Embsay station – possibly the last train of the day? Note the bunting on the station and the stone flags through the gap by the ticket office and cabman’s shelter.

(c) Tom Ireland

North Gawber Colliery revealed a rather battered Austerity Hunslet 3212 of 1945, which was unlikely to be saved. The same colliery also revealed another Austerity ‘Monckton No.1’ HC 3788 of 1953 which is spare engine at the colliery. Out of the three on offer, we have bid only for ‘Beatrice’, an engine of ideal size for use at Chasewater.

The recent ARPS meeting at York was also of interest, several RPS members travelling up on BR, who managed to put an engine with no form of heating at all on the front of the train!

The National Railway Museum is well worth a visit, but the display of small relics is very poor and if the officers there care to visit Winchcombe Museum they will see what can be done with railway bric-a-brac.

800px-6201_PRINCESS_ELIZABETH_Castleton_East_Junction

David Ingham from Bury, Lancashire, England

One of the two preserved Princess Royals, 6201 Princess Elizabeth at Castleton East Junction signal box.

The meeting itself was of interest as the Annual RPS Award was given to the Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society, a sister group of the RPS, for their efforts in restoring ‘Lizzie’ to main line condition despite enormous odds.

Well done the ARPS in choosing such a worthy group of so few members as opposed to one of the larger, richer groups, and Well Done the ‘Lizzie’ Society, in achieving such a remarkable feat.

It is pleasing to note that the Police have recovered many of the stolen objects from the museum vehicle, though the fact that the culprits were aged nine and ten is not so pleasing.

Recent acquisitions have included:

1. A diamond weight restriction sign of Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation origin (once owned by MSLR)

2. An Oxford Canal Navigation sign.

3. Sharpness New Locks and Gloucester Canal Company weight restriction sign

4. Two different sets of six official LNWR postcards from the early 1900s. One set depicts castles and the other, Welsh Inland Resorts.

We now have 58 different LNWR official postcards, but over 1,000 different ones are known to exist.

Important

Pic from Barry Bull’s Collection

The RPS is organising a Transport Festival at Chasewater Park over the weekend of July 23^rd and 24^th. This will feature vintage cars, buses, steam rollers and traction engines as well as the RPS. We need your help for this venture, the first of its kind to be held by us. This event may prove vital to our finances this year.

Late News

On the second of February an open meeting regarding the financial aspects of the RPS was held. This meeting was very poorly attended despite the fact that many members were aware of its existence. Despite this setback it was decided to launch an appeal to buy the loopline. The people present were seen to represent an accurate cross-section of active RPS members and a majority of the executive committee were present to authorise the steps taken. In brief these were:

1. To set up a fund to purchase the loopline, as a proposed rent of £1,400 per year is beyond the Society’s reach.

2. This appeal is to go under the slogan of “BRIDGE THAT GAP, BUY A YARD OF TRACK”.

3. Money shall be raised by donations, those exceeding £10 or in multiples thereof being certified as representing the purchase of one yard of track.

4. There will be no ceiling on the appeal as in future years the NCB may press for purchase of the northern end of the line.

5. All monies raised will be placed in a Building Society to maximise its purchasing power.

6. This appeal will be fully advertised in ‘Railway Magazine’ and ‘Railway Modeller’ as these are the two magazines with the highest circulation in their field.

7. Handbills will be produced and sent to all interested persons and visitors to Chasewater this year.

8. All RPS members are urged to start the ball rolling.

BRIDGE THAT GAP, BUY A YARD OF TRACK

The future of the Chasewater Light Railway depends on YOU.

Steam Loco Drivers

Albert Haywood, Chairman of the RPS, has asked me to inform all members of the need for fully trained drivers for the season’s trains. To this end, training will be given at Chasewater before the start of the running season. All persons wishing to be considered should apply in person or in writing to Albert. When a list of all members wishing to take part is gained then a scheme of training and passing out will be drawn up.

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Tagged ‘Bridge That Gap – Buy a Yard of Track’ Appeal, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock Chase, Chasewater Railway Museum, Lichfield, Monckton No.1, Princess Elizabeth, Railway Preservation Society, Staffordshire, Steam, Transport Festival

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces No.74

Posted on November 23, 2020 by John D | Leave a comment

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces 74 – Feb 1977

The Railway Preservation Society Newsletter

Chasewater News 18 – Part 1

From the Editorial

Recent activity at Chasewater has mainly centered on general maintenance, including some considerable tidying up of the entrance to the compound. Footings for a lever frame have been dug at the present end of the platform and we now await some good weather to mix the necessary concrete. The flat wagon on which the petrol crane sits has been re-timbered and strengthened and the crane itself has had some much needed maintenance. On the locomotive side, work has been centred on the Neilson ‘Alfred Paget’ which has been re-assembled after its boiler test. The coupling rods are at present dismantled to enable the crosshead slippers to be replaced with a spare pair which have been re-metalled. It is hoped this will cure some of the knocks emanating from the front end of this engine.

Neilson in 1978

Extracts from the report of the visit of Major Olver of the Railway Inspectorate to Chasewater on 22-7-1976.

1. Major Olver stated that he was quite satisfied with the present mode of passenger operation at Chasewater. He asked that a facing point lock be fitted at the end of the main running line.

2. When the tipping within the park has stopped, a concrete raft with the rails set into it should be installed at the road crossing.

3. There is a major problem of trespass in the region of the causeway which is used as a public right of way. This problem must be looked into in detail before the Society even thinks of running trains along this section of line.

4. The arrangements for repair and restoration of locos are perfectly satisfactory.

5. In reference to the need for a Light Railway Order, Major Olver explained that the section of line owned by British Railways was a statutory railway and therefore a Light Railway Order was needed to transfer its ownership. He went on to say that common sense indicated that any Light Railway Order obtained should be made to apply to the whole of the Railway. The Railway Inspectorate and Railway Administration side of the department will be happy to advise on the question of the Light Railway Order at the appropriate time. Major Olver suggested that the most satisfactory solution may lie in the precedent set by the West Somerset Railway, which would be for Walsall Metropolitan Council to obtain the LRO and to incorporate it into the leasing arrangements.

6. Training for drivers – the present arrangements were far from ideal as the Society relies on its own resources to train drivers. Major Olver stated that drivers should be passed out by an independently qualified supervisor from either British Railways or the National Coal Board. Major Olver explained that in the case of an accident there should be no room to question the basic abilities of the loco driver to drive the locomotive efficiently. At the present time this was not proven. Editor’s Note – This was the only point on which we were criticised and steps to rectify this are underway.

News on the purchase of the line

The executive committee heard that the Council couldn’t purchase the land and track until the 15^th July. There appear to be two present options:

1. The Council buy the loopline and we repay £1,400 rent for ten years.

2. We buy and pay a nominal rent to the Council.

Much discussion is at present taking place amongst members on this question and further suggestions are welcomed by contacting the Hon.Sec.

The Stroudley E1 Restoration Fund

05060 No.9 Cannock Wood 0-6-0T LBSC Rly 1877 C & R Colin Colbourne Ron Bourton

E1 at Cannock Wood

This body is the result of the meeting held at Chasewater on 22^nd January. Only nine people turned up to this meeting, perhaps indicating the level of interest for this project within the Society.

The first aim of the Society is to raise enough money to purchase the E1 from the Society, a figure in excess of £3,000. There are now four Societies at least, interested in buying the E1 if the RPS has to sell it.

£155.50 has so far been raised and local press coverage has been good but due to the lack of local interest the appeal must go national. Offers of help, monetary or otherwise, should be sent to Mr. Albert Haywood.

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Tagged Alfred Paget, Brownhills, Burntwood, Chasewater Railway Museum, Lichfield, Light Railway Order, Neilson, Railway Inspectorate, Railway Preservation Society, Staffordshire

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces No. 71, April 1976

Posted on October 27, 2020 by John D | Leave a comment

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces 71

From the ‘Chasewater Express’ April 1976

I have no idea where the picture of the LP came from – it’s not on my preview or anywhere else on this post??

Editorial

Steve’s Bit

Considerable activity has been occurring on site in recent weeks. This is no doubt due largely to the long stretches of dry and sometimes mild weather. I hardly need say however, that those present were more or less the usual crowd. Still, spring is near, and the prospect of a few more members turning out occurs as a dream to those of us tied to the site every weekend. There are many fingers to be pulled out and bumps in the track to be smoothed, as well as a crossing and a siding to be laid, engines and carriages to be cleaned, painted, steamed and pulled in order to grab any stray waif, family of four or local loony for a ride, on which we depend so very much for our cash intake. The Society has ‘just about’ ticked along financially – we must this year raise enough cash for active members to realise their ambitions, i.e. re-panel and refit what is known as the ‘Football Special’

The LNWR compo brake; and more importantly, the TPO, which is in a shocking state for a vehicle of its importance.

Travelling Post Office at Hednesford.

Engines too need cash, which they tend to consume in greater quantities than coal during the period of their restoration – not to mention Keith Sargeant.

Steve Organ – Editor, Station Master and Order of the most meritorious school of tipyng errrorz.

(Listen for loud popping noises as people pull their fingers out in what for many will be their only physical response to this apple peel!)

Not to mention K.S. who complained that he wasn’t mentioned enough in the last mag!

Chasewater Site Notes

Some lunatic has stuck pieces of wood in the platform, painted them pink, and left them – saying nothing to anyone regarding them. (This is a sight worth seeing! Ed.)

Invicta arriving 1975

Mike Wood has been seen in his role as scrubber extraordinaire (Special duties – preparing his engine Invicta for painting prior to its introduction to Chasewater service, at… well let’s say ‘as soon after April 11^th as possible. Said scrubber Mike, ‘this is going to look the most impressive engine at Chasewater. It is going to be rather lavishly lined over Easter, you know’. (Not to mention this last bit to Keith Sargeant, the Neilson freak!)

The LNWR full brake has been completely painted and laid out as a museum. Nearly 1,500 square feet of wall space is now devoted in this vehicle to the exhibition of relics, as well as exhibits in cases therein ( not to mention the nameplates of Alfred Paget, which are to be fixed by K.S. to the Neilson at some point in the future, we are given to hope). (Vaguely).

Concrete sleepers? Bloody ‘ell mate, what do you think we are, main line to Euston? I mean – what? Donated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries? Lying in the grass at Lichfield for years? Enough for seven lengths did you say? Bloody ‘ell mate, how many? 22 letters to get them? Three cheers for DEREK JUNIOR!

The Midland is being spruced up externally and painted properly internally in order to preserve it until we have time and money to do it properly. If any member would like to dismantle and rebuild two of the doors on this vehicle, would he please come to the site and report to Andrew Louch or Steve Organ? Ta.

The Great Western water tower, complete with tower, tank and cap were cut up on site and removed during the week ending 20^th February. We know not the perpetrators of this terrible deed – the police have no idea. What to do? Someone buggered off with two tons of steel and no-one saw them. We have our suspicions but no proof.

Credits:

Pink posts – Steve Organ

Invicta scrubbing – Mike Wood

LNWR brake – Albert Haywood, Derek Junior, Nigel Canning, Steve Foster, Barry Bull, Richard Louch, Andrew Louch (who painted the doors a different green to the rest of the vehicle – is this man colour blind?), Adrian (I don’t know his surname but he’s nearly always here).

The Midland – As the LNWR brake, plus Steve O. Not to mention K.S., who is preparing Invicta, in league with Derek Luker and Brian Hames. Advertisements

Occasionally, some of your visitors may see an advertisement here,

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Tagged Brownhills, Burntwood, Chasewater Express, Chasewater Railway Museum, Invicta, Lichfield, LNWR 50′ brake, MR 4-wheel Passenger Brake, Railway Preservation Society, Staffordshire

Chasewater Railway Museum – October 2020 Newsletter

Posted on October 1, 2020 by John D | Leave a comment

Chasewater Railway Museum

October 2020 Newsletter

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Tagged Brownhills, Burntwood, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Industrial Railways, Museum Collection, Norton Canes, October 2020 Newsletter, Old Railway Lines, Steam Locomotives

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces No.66 April 1975

Posted on September 13, 2020 by John D | Leave a comment

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces No.66 April 1975

RPS Newsletters No. 12 & 13, Jan – April 1975.

Again two for the price of one! – But sadly no number 11!

From No.12

Neilson 0-4-0ST

This locomotive has had a stationary steam test and the reports prove very favourable. Derek Luker informs me that the next step will be valve gear and motion. We should see this loco in steam with ‘Asbestos’ this season.

Maryport & Carlisle Carriage

Work steadily progressing but more help is needed as the carriage must be ready for August this year for the Stockton & Darlington Anniversary.

Track Laying

Work has now commenced lifting track. The track bed will be re-aligned and the rail relaid, sleepers will be replaced where necessary. This job must be completed before commencing the season’s running.

North Eastern Railway Van

A hasty repair job was done to the roof of this vehicle. The canvas roof loading flap was ripped to shreds during the weekend gale of Saturday 25^th January.

Mr. J.C.James of Liverpool recently acquired a station bookstall from the Birkenhead Railway. This has been delivered to Chasewater and should prove a useful item. Our grateful thanks to Mr. James.

Notes from Barry Bull, Hon. Sec.

The two meetings already held were quite well attended with 25/30 people on each occasion. There were to be two further meetings at Aston University , one in March about ‘Main Line Steam’ and the other in May about ’Spanish Steam in 1963’. This to include both main line and industrial steam, and some real antique British built locos.

Sales Stand

With another season ahead we have been busy obtaining items for the sales stand. In the past we have had to rely very much on the generosity of members in donating second-hand mags, etc. for resale. In recent weeks our thanks must go to Nigel Canning, Rob Duffill and Laurence Hodgkinson for giving many suitable items for resale. If any other members have any photos, relics, magazines, etc. which they would like to donate or perhaps sell at reasonable prices, would they please contact the Hon.Sec. It is worth recalling that sales for the last 12 month period to July 1974 together with social activities raised £274 – remember ‘Sales Support Steam’.

From No.13

We are now attempting to get ourselves geared up for the season’s running, the actual news will follow in items listed below. All members will sympathise (after a period of considerable and very cruel laughter!!) with Barry Bull, our Hon. Sec. who unfortunately broke his ankle playing football during February. Barry, although partially immobile, has managed to get over to Chasewater and cleared the decks for action in the sales portion of the LNWR brake (It takes more than a broken ankle to keep Barry away from his vacuum cleaner!!). He is of course doing an immense amount of work on the correspondence side for the Society. We all wish Barry a speedy recovery. I know he is itching (!) to throw those crutches away. Just a final word on this matter, may we advise Barry, in future, it is far safer at Chasewater RPS site than playing football on Sunday afternoons!!

Asbestos

I understand from the loco dept that this engine will be in trim for the forthcoming season, let us hope that it will be a busy one! PS Two tubes were hastily fitted on Easter Monday morning!

Neilson

I am also assured that this locomotive will also be assisting with the season’s traffic later this year, a few last minute snags have yet to be sorted out.

Trackwork

In spite of the inclement weather, our usual stalwarts have been very busy lifting track, the bed is being levelled by Colin Vincent with his bulldozer and should be relaid during April. This effort is very praiseworthy, our sincere thanks to all participating in this hard graft.

Birkenhead Rly Bookstall

It is hoped to assemble this bookstall as a ticket office and sales stand this season. We are of course short of volunteers for this operation, more about manpower appeal in a later item.

Maryport & Carlisle CarriageMaryport & Carlisle Carriage with No.21 – D. Bathurst Collection

Work is going ahead slowly with this vehicle, due in the main to the weather, and the call for manpower on other jobs. The carriage has to be ready for the 150^th Anniversary at Darlington, by the end of July at the latest. Volunteers for painting please!

DMU Trailer Coach

A thorough cleaning of the interior is taking place, in readiness again for the 1975 running season, this should be completed by Sunday April 6^th.

Manpower, Womanpower Appeal!!

May we once again appeal most earnestly for manpower during this special year, viz. the 150^th Anniversary of Passenger Railway Travel (Stockton, Darlington 1825). We have plenty of restoration jobs, and in particular, a list must be drawn up for the train operating crews. Vacancies for firemen, Guards, Stewards on trains, sales stand and ticket issuing and collector staff. Members should report to the General Manager and Chairman Derek Luker or any senior member deputising in his absence. Please come and help if only for a couple of times this season, we desperately require extra help this season!

NCB Slotted Signal, Cannock Wood CollierySlotted signal at our old Brownhills West Station, 1978 – D. Bathurst Collection

This signal has been kindly donated by the NCB, it will eventually join our collection of NSR and LNWR signals at Chasewater. The NSR signals came from Pinnox Crossing, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent and were also donated by the NCB several years ago.

Discussion at Chasewater

Loco spares, carriage spares, etc., this will be held on Saturday afternoon 3.00pm , 19^th April 1975. All members are invited to attend and comment.

Littleton Colliery Visit – Engine in Steam

Saturday 17^th May 9.30am. Brake van trip down the line. Members wishing to attend contact Albert Haywood.Littleton No.5 Manning W ardle 0-6-0ST

Canal Boat Rally

Birmingham Navigation Canal Society, 10^th and 11^th May 1975. Catshill Junction, Lindon Road, Anchor Bridge, Brownhills.

Dave Ives, President.

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Posted in Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces

Tagged Asbestos, Barry Bull, Brownhills, Burntwood, Chasewater Railway Museum, Lichfield, Littleton No.5, Maryport & Carlisle, NE Box Van, Neilson, No.21, Railway Preservation Society, Slotted Signal, Staffordshire

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits and Pieces 65 RPS Newsletters No. 9 and 10, July – Oct 1974.

Posted on September 7, 2020 by John D | Leave a comment

Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces 65

RPS Newsletters No. 9 & 10, July – Oct 1974.

Again two for the price of one!

From No.9

As we are all aware, the summer operating season at Chasewater is drawing to a close. Passenger receipts are down on last year; this is due to not operating the diesel service on the second and fourth Sundays, due in the main to weather conditions and lack of operating staff. We must all bear in mind that money made in the summer enables the Society and the Company to pay its way in the winter.

Our President Charles Ives was struck down with a coronary attack some five weeks ago. I am pleased to report to members that Charles is making a good recovery back to normal health. I am sure that all members will wish Charles a speedy recovery back to full health, and that we all hope to see him back to his cheerful and witty self in the chair at the AGM in September.

Maryport & Carlisle Carriage

Andrew Louch, ably assisted by Roger Pomlett, is pressing on steadily with the painting and restoration of this vehicle, time presses on!! We still assume that this vehicle is going to the Stockton & Darlington Anniversary.

MS & LR Carriage

John Elsley is now painting the exterior in gloss paint in preparation for the S & D Anniversary. This carriage is now a pleasure to behold!

Neilson 0-4-0STJune 1978 – Pic from D. Bathurst’s Collection

Excellent progress has been made on this loco, it is now back on all four wheels, the tank has been repaired and painted. The coupling rods have yet to be fitted. It is understood from sources that we may see the Neilson steamed before the winter sets in. A really great show on behalf of our Chairman Derek Luker and committee members Keith Sergeant and Brian Hames, as I have said before, real teamwork! A vote of thanks to all members who have helped on this project!!

Renovation of Small Relics

A start has been made in both tidying up the compound, and the painting of station seats and nameboards, etc., this is indeed a vast improvement. Thanks are due to Colin Marklew, Barry and others. Keep up the good work!!

The date for the proposed dinner to celebrate the fifteenth Birthday of the Society was given as Thursday, 17^th October at 8.00pm at Eaton Lodge Hotel, Rugeley.

From No.10

This edition of the Newsletter is a special one, it is, as most members are aware, the Society’s Fifteenth Anniversary. The RPS was inaugurated at a meeting in October 1959 at the Station Hotel, Stafford (now sunk without trace). Six people were present, including myself. I had the honour of being elected the first secretary, a job which I continued holding through the formative years, standing down in 1968. The actual founder of the RPS movement was also present at the meeting, D. Noel Draycott. Noel was a man of endless enthusiasm, writing letters to the railway press, to the daily press and holding meetings up and down the country. Noel took over the job of General Secretary of the RPS. The West Midland District, as it was then known, had the honour of being the first group formed, closely followed by the London District RPS and Scottish District RPS. These groups are now known as Quainton Railway Trust and Scottish District RPS respectively. Noel Draycott acted as General Secretary over all the groups and edited the RPS Newsletter, getting news from the groups. Each group was autonomous and as most members realise, grew apart, particularly after Noel’s death at the early age of 38. Noel did however sow the seeds of a National group before his death, a body now known as the Association of Railway Preservation Societies eventually evolved.

We are proud of still carrying the RPS name, the original name of the old National Society.Stafford Station (the third one) and the Station Hotel – from staffspastrack

Then followed the usual progress reports on the Neilson, M & C carriage and the MS & LR carriage – all making steady progress and needing more volunteers!

Site Work

A very good start has been made in tidying up the site with lamp posts erected, signs and train indicators painted. The public as well as the members themselves have been impressed; we must maintain this standard and even improve on it.

RPS Model Railway Exhibition

This was held at the Forum Theatre, Cannock on 14^th and 15^th September. This was a huge success, and we must congratulate Andrew Louch, the organiser, for a splendid effort. Our grateful thanks to all those members who participated, fetching and carrying, working all hours and even staying the night. A special vote of thanks to Margaret Duffill and the other ladies who so ably assisted our refreshment manager Rob Duffill.

1975 Vintage – Pic from D. Bathurst’s Collection.

Peckett 0-4-0ST

This locomotive arrived on Friday 4^th October from Wallsend. I understand it was late arriving due to tractor gearbox trouble! It was finally unloaded by the light of Tilley lamps at the crossing and finally hauled to the compound limits by our Worthington diesels. The locomotive has been bought by our Hon. Secretary Barry Bull, very many thanks Berry, for a very useful addition to the stud.
Worthington diesels 1969 – Pic from D. Bathurst’s Collection

There was to be more news about this loco and about the Fifteenth Anniversary Dinner in the next Newsletter. I think that this was about the first time that the following Newsletter was referred to. When I first started my Bits & Pieces from Newsletters and magazines, I knew that there were about two or three missing from 50 years worth. Sod’s Law dictates that No.11 – the next one – was one of them!