Permanent Way News
The second and final batch of track has now arrived from Four Ashes and is being put to good use by the Permanent Way Gang. The works train has had to spend every Sunday ‘out of section’ at the end of the causeway just to make enough room for passenger trains, as with the amount of rolling stock now on site there is insufficient siding space at Brownhills West. The track gang have put this situation to good use, and at the present rate of progress track will be in front of the platform at Norton Lakeside well before the end of this year.
In order to quantify the progress already made, and to assist with the planning of the future extension of the line, David Bathurst has produced the chart below showing distances between various points on the railway.
All distances were measured by pushing a pedometer along the head of the rail, and sleeper ends were marked with yellow paint at 100 metre intervals. The ‘Zero Point’ was chosen as the gate post at the end of the loco shed yard, as after the motorway is built it is likely to be the closest surviving landmark to Brownhills West station. When the time comes, new measurements can be made into the replacement station from the same spot.
The chart shows that we are currently running passenger trains over a distance of about a mile to the present running line limit almost half-way across the causeway. When we ultimately reach Anglesey Wharf the total distance (estimated over the final section) will be around 2¾ miles, assuming that nothing is lost or added by the repositioning of Brownhills West Station (nice dream, but that’s all!).
Locomotive News
No.4 Asbestos – This engine has run exceptionally well considering the dubious start to the season. Since then a total of twenty-two boiler tubes have been renewed and seem to have cured the problem of leakage at the firebox end. Another 124 new tubes have now been acquired and are stacked in the shed ready to complete the re-tubing at the end of the running season. Slight weepage of a few stays and part of the foundation ring will also have to be corrected.
The latest batch of Russian coal, although somewhat smoky, is giving excellent results without the problem of clinkering inherent in the last lot. This is just as well, as with trains running every Sunday in this summer’s hot weather the last thing anyone wants to do is rake the fire through after every other trip.
Asbestos with a three-coach test train stands on the causeway ready to return to Brownhills West
No.5 Sentinel – Progress on this loco remains slow, although the boiler is now ready for its hydraulic test. All of the boiler fittings have been refurbished and will be hydrauliced along with the boiler. The injector has been moved to the fireman’s side of the cab and that and the Weir pump are being re-piped in such a way that they can be drained easily in winter to prevent frost damage.
S100 – Work has continued with the manufacture of new mountings for the brake hangers to replace the original items which were somewhat bodged and worn out.
Fowler diesel hydraulic No.422015 – Replacement injectors have been acquired and fitted to the engine of this loco with the result that its performance has been transformed. A few other minor problems have occurred, but it has remained in regular use for shunting and works trains.
Ruston diesel electric DL7 – One of the starting air valves of this loco has had to be renewed due to a damaged seat in the original. A fuel leak from one of the injector pipes has also been rectified. The loco is serviceable but has remained out of use mainly due to passenger trains being steam hauled throughout July and August.
Fowler diesel mechanical No.410013 – Following arrival from Redditch this loco has had its engine de-seized, the injectors have received attention and the engine has been run. Faults have been found with the injection pump and governor and these have now been removed for attention. Following completion of the air system overhaul the loco should be able to enter traffic.The new Fowler stands in the platform shortly after its arrival from Redditch
L&Y No1 (Motorail No.1947) – All of the axleboxes and springs have now been stripped and rebuilt and a new bearing is being made to replace one which was stolen recently. Once the sandboxes and inside of the body castings have been stripped and primed the loco will be ready for craning from its present position in front of the museum coach so that final erection can begin.
No.21 diesel – This loco is making steady progress, the engine is now complete but still awaiting cylinder head gaskets. It is hoped that it may be running for the Diesel Gala which is a new event to be held for the first time in September.
Lion – Following its removal to Foxfield last Autumn this loco entered service at Easter, running initially double-headed with ‘Harwarden’ The vacuum brake hoses were apparently awkward to couple as ours at Chasewater are the opposite side to ‘normal’ to suit our DMU stock.
Smith Rodley crane – This again remained out of use awaiting a potential purchaser. So far a couple of enquiries have been received but no offers have been forthcoming.
From the Board Room
The Board has been actively involved in a number of new initiatives, while various on-going matters have been subjected to scrutiny and, where necessary, review. The following will be of general interest to the membership.
1. Personal circumstances have brought about the resignation from the Board of Les Emery. However, Les has indicated a willingness to continue with his other roles on the railway.
2. The Board has agreed to the co-option of Company Secretary Andy Clegg to the Board.
3. The trading name of the company has been changed to the “Chasewater Railway”. Previous official and unofficial trading (‘Chasewater Steam Railway’, ‘Chasewater Light Railway’, etc.) are no longer considered suitable and are felt to give a misleading impression of the nature of our current and future operations.
4. In an attempt to encourage family travel during this period of continual financial restraint, the price of the Family Rover has been reduced, until further notice, from £5.80 to £4.95.
5. During the course of the nest few months, the Board is to produce a new business plan for the purpose of clearly defining objectives and priorities, and how they might be best achieved within the resources (including financial and manpower) expected to become available. Associated with this proposal is the revival of the concept of departmental heads, holding pre-determined budgets, to give focus to the completion of the many and varied tasks necessary for the railway to both exist and develop.
6. The Board has responded to a plea from Rallies Organiser Dave Whittle by delegating various aspects and responsibilities to specified individuals. Thanks largely to the efforts of Dave, the Chasewater Rallies are rapidly gaining in reputation, with Paul Richards taking up much of the strain as Administrative Officer.
7. On other fronts:
· Negotiations are proceeding with HM Railway Inspectorate in relation to the extension into, and construction of, Norton Lakeside Station.
· The railway was represented at a meeting of Chasewater user groups hosted by Lichfield DC, and arranged on a largely social basis for the various groups to meet the Members and relevant Officers of the District Council.
· Lichfield District Council has generously offered grant aid to the railway in the sum of £1,000 by way of a contribution towards forthcoming expenditure. This generous act by the District Council signals a solid measure of support for the railway by its new ‘landlord’.
· Accommodation at Brownhills West has become a problem in consequence of stock acquisition, (4 DMU coaches plus one tanker wagon). However, this should be relieved by the imminent removal of one (at least) of the Wickhams, and the Board is still anxious to dispose of the crane (preferably to a good home on another railway) as a matter of priority.
· The transfer of records from Adrian Hall should enable Paul Richards to take up his responsibilities as Membership Officer with early effect.
· The Board has agreed strategy towards bidding for the trackwork at Bromford Sidings, and has noted that the remaining trackwork at Four Ashes is due to transfer to Chasewater in August.
David Bathurst – Chairman.
This story started back in October, 1993 when a Mr. James Bates of Synthetic Chemicals paid us a visit with the news that his company was doing away with its railway network, which connected with the BR Wolverhampton to Stafford line at four Ashes. Jim told us that a number of items, some chairs and a point lever had been disconnected and were surplus.
The following weekend Paul Whittaker, Dave Borthwick, Tony Wheeler and Keith Day drove over to Synthetic Chemicals to collect the items which were brought back and stored at Chasewater. Jim said that the company would have to consider all the pros and cons on how to deal with the demise of the rest of its railway network.
In the spring of this year we learned that Synthetic Chemicals had generously donated the rest of their track to the CLR, and on May 7th a gang of our P.Way staff went back to Four Ashes to make a start on the dismantling. All of the fishplates were unbolted, some of the pointwork was split up and all of the keys were removed and brought back to Chasewater.
The second week was spent doing more or less the same again, at the end of which Chris Chivers informed me that the track was all ready for lifting in 60ft panels.
The next week, after mid-week phone calls, we managed to get a crew for the lift at SC. Meanwhile back at Chasewater Ian Buswell was hard at work with the JCB levelling the site ready for the pointwork and 30ft track panels which will be used eventually for our new sidings and shed.Nothing to do with the post – just looks nice! Beattie Well Tank in Brownhils West
Over at Synthetic Chemicals three of Cotton’s artic lorries were waiting for their loads. At around 10.30am the first lorry was ready, and Steve asked me to return to Chasewater with it to oversee the unloading. Curly brought his lorry up, and Harold set up his crane to lift the top panel, Curly then moved his lorry further forward, and Harold dropped the panel in more or less the right place. This process was repeated until the lorry was unloaded and the next one arrived.
At around 1.00pm on the Saturday the rain started, and did it come down?! By about 4.30pm I was absolutely soaked. Funnily I had brought my wet suit but it was in Steve’s car and I didn’t have time to put it on anyway. I thought it was about time to be heading back to the station where my Better Half was waiting to get away.
Ian told me on the following day he finally got away at about 8.3pm.
The new track panels stretch from the end of our current running line right across the causeway and through the platform of the new station, and there are still another two or three loads to come.
Thanks must go to Cotton’s Transport and Safe Load Indicators who provided the lorries and cranes.
Since the arrival of the panels work has started on fishplating them all together and jacking and packing to achieve the correct level and alignment. This method of tracklaying is obviously much quicker than our traditional way and it is likely that we will have a train in front of the new platform very shortly.
The Causeway Station NameWorks train into Norton Lakeside
At the meeting on 25th March, the Board gave due consideration to the names proposed by members for the causeway station, previously referred to by the unflattering (but geographically correct) name of ‘Norton Bog’.
Members will recall that the Board had agreed to a form of competition, so that those who submitted the name eventually adopted by the Board will receive family tickets for the day of the first official public service into the new station.
The following names were suggested by members and other interested parties:
Chasewater Lakeside, Chasewater North Shore, Lakeside, North Shore Halt, Norton Biddulphs, Norton Bog, Norton Causeway, Norton Cranebrook, Norton East, Norton Lakeside, Norton Marsh, Norton Marshes, Norton Parkside.
Nominations for ‘Norton Lakeside’ were submitted by Mr.J.P.Merriman, and Mr.Chris Hatton, both of whom will be official guests on the due date. The three Board members who submitted the name are disqualified from the competition!!
By way of thanking the other members who took the trouble to submit suggestions, the Board has also agreed to offer a small token of appreciation.
David Bathurst – Chairman Passenger train leaving Norton Lakeside
With so many initiatives being worked-up on the railway at the present time, the Board is finding itself with an ever-increasing agenda. Indeed, the Board Meeting held on 20th December failed to complete its business and had to be adjourned.
To enable members to be aware of the work being done on behalf of the Company, it is hoped to publish from time to time a brief resumé of matters currently under consideration by the Board.
This short note is not intended to cover all details of the Board’s business, but I trust it will be of interest to members.
1. Following damage to the park which occurred during the movement of rolling stock, which resulted in considerable correspondence from the Council, it has been agreed that all such movements must in future be cleared with the general manager, and the crossing of grassed areas under the Council’s jurisdiction will not be permitted.
2. A framework for crew training is to be considered in conjunction with the Roster Clerk, so as to maximise the potential of prospective crew members. This will include both steam and diesel traction.
3. The rostering of trainee firemen under the supervision of a passed fireman will be discontinued. Trainee firemen will in the future act under the direct supervision of the driver.
4. Only drivers and passed firemen acting under the supervision of the driver shall be permitted to drive steam locomotives while hauling passenger trains.
5. In view of steam locomotive footplate constraints, only rostered crew and other authorised persons (including official guests) shall be permitted to ride on the footplate.
6. The Board has agreed to the disposal of the crane, in view of its limited use by the CLR and the liabilities associated with it. The availability of the crane, by way of sale, is to be advertised in the railway press.
7. Paul Richards is to assume responsibility as Membership Officer as successor to Adrian Hall. The date for transfer of membership details has yet to be agreed, being dependent on the setting up of suitable computer software.
8. A shed fund has been opened, with a small sum banked to set the ball rolling.
9. In view of the shortage of siding accommodation, any future proposals to introduce further items of rolling stock to the railway will have to be cleared by a sub-committee constituted by the Board.
10. It is considered essential for the CLR to enter into proper agreements with private owners of rolling stock, and perhaps other plant and equipment, which is residing at Chasewater. The introduction of such agreements is intended to provide a clearer relationship between the parties, and to protect the interests of both the CLR and the private owners concerned.
11. Work on the causeway restoration scheme is proceeding rapidly, and should be completed during the spring/early summer. However, it will be necessary to obtain the approval of HMRI before long. Thanks to a donor who wishes to be anonymous, a footbridge has arrived on site on the causeway.The recently installed footbridge at the far end of the causeway. This bridge was located, donated and installed all in the space of a few days. It will provide pedestrian access alongside the existing railway bridge.
12. Consultations are proceeding with Lichfield District Council to secure the land which will be needed in the future to extend the line to Anglesey Wharf, but this may be delayed owing to the uncertainties associated with the line of the Burntwood Western By-pass.
13. Consultations are also proceeding with the Birmingham Northern Relief Road promoters regarding the relocation of Brownhills West Station. Track layouts have been prepared by Regional Railways as a basis for discussion.
14. The disposal to Llangollen of the Wickhams, following asbestos removal, has been confirmed by the Board, subject to suitable arrangements having been made with regard to replacement passenger stock.
169 – Bits and Pieces
This issue of Chasewater News records our recent visit with ‘Asbestos’ and a brake van to Bromford Tube Works. The majority of the magazine has been taken up by photos taken by members in an attempt to record the layout of the railway system in the works which has now sadly closed.
A great deal has been happening at Chasewater since the last issue. Our coaching stock problem has been solved, although it may have created another one – lack of siding space; and track is being laid to the new station, which now has a name.
Locomotive News
No.4 Asbestos – This loco got through its visual examination and steam test without problem, although the Inspector did comment on the condition of some of the boiler tubes, and that if any of them failed the entire set would have to be replaced. As if to emphasise the point, a number of tubes started to leak at Bromford following some energetic running, and have given trouble ever since.
Following renewal of the worst two tubes, the loco ran on Easter Sunday, but failed with further tubes leaking on the Monday. After that, a further dozen tubes were renewed enabling the loco to run on Bank Holiday Sunday, only to fail again on the Monday.
Enough new tubes have been ordered to renew the entire set, some of which must be in excess of fifteen years old. Whilst awaiting delivery of the full set, a further twelve have been renewed to enable trains to run at Spring Bank Holiday.
Apart from the tube problem the loco has continued to run well, and due to its being returned from Bromford facing the other way round, looks better hauling trains chimney first in its freshly painted green livery.
No.5 Sentinel – Very little progress has been made on this loco due mainly to the amount of work needed to try and keep Asbestos running. The boiler has, however, now been re-assembled, and the fittings are being refurbished off-site.
S100 – Work has continued on another of the four big leaf springs, the buckle of which was heated to expand it prior to assembly in Asbestos’s firebox. Various bits and pieces of brake rigging have also been fitted to the frames.
Fowler diesel – This loco has remained in service, used for shunting and works trains.
Ruston DL7 – In a surprise operation just prior to Easter this loco was fitted with an exhauster, valves and pipework to enable it to work vacuum braked passenger trains. Since then it has completed several days of passenger train operation including ’extra’ non-advertised days as well as standing in for Asbestos. Being unaccustomed to such intensive running, one of the axle boxes began to overheat, requiring stripping and cleaning. The drive belt for the low voltage dynamo also caused a problem by disintegrating half way down the line. This was, however, repaired fairly quickly without the train having to be rescued by another loco. The general public appear unaware of the difference between the diesel and Asbestos, although to be fair, they are both painted the same shade of green and produce roughly similar quantities of smoke when running!
L&Y petrol loco – This loco seems to have been abandoned for the time being with various bits scattered around the station yard and loco shed. Hopefully the re-assembly will commence shortly!
No.21 diesel – The engine for this loco is awaiting new cylinder head gaskets, and when fitted an attempt will be made to finally get it running again.
New Fowler – This four-coupled diesel mechanical loco appeared on site recently having been acquired from a preservation society in Redditch. Following an attempt to tow-start the loco, it was found that the fuel injection pump needed repair, and this has since been removed. Various other components have also been removed for attention so it could be some time before the loco is runnable.
Smith Rodley crane – this vehicle has remained out of use and has been pushed out of the way up No.3 road until a buyer can be found for it.
Carriage & Wagon News
New coaching stock – At long last replacements for the 2-car Wickham DMU and the recently departed Gloucester trailer have been found and began to arrive at Chasewater at the end of May. A total of four additional vehicles have been purchased from BR, a centre car and three power cars.
The first of these vehicles, a Pressed Steel Co. motor brake second, W51372, arrived in time to run at Whitsun. The recent history of this vehicle is quite interesting as it is one of several used by the contractors of the Channel Tunnel and has been through to France. A maintenance record book found in the drivers’ cab refers to various faults as being at “the French end” of the train.
Ultimately it is intended to retain two of the four for use as a working DMU in BR green livery, whilst the other two will be used as loco-hauled stock. Hopefully full details of the new stock will be included in the next magazine.
Wickhams E56171 & E50416 – The trailer car remained in service on passenger trains until just before Whitsun, when a vacuum leak in the brake system caused serious problems. In view of the impending arrival of the replacements it was withdrawn from use. The power car has also remained out of use.
Payment for the Wickhams has now been received from Llangollen, although a date has not yet been set for their removal from Chasewater. This is likely to cause a space problem, as with the new arrivals there will be a total of seven DMU cars on site for a while.
Derby centre car W59444 – This coach has remained in service although it has been noticed that the surface of one of its tyres has started to flake away. Advice is being sought as to whether it can be repaired.
20 ton Great Western Toad – This vehicle was ‘done up’ to run at Bromford Tube with Asbestos. If nothing else it has benefited from having the rust worn off its brake blocks, as it covered most of the distance at Bromford with its brake screwed hard on!
CRC 4-plank wagon – Progress on the wagon has continued and it now appears to be back in one piece. Tony Wheeler has started on the paintwork with the intention of finishing it in the livery of the ‘Conduit Colliery Company’.
Great Eastern six-wheel passenger brake – With the coming of better weather Dave Borthwick has started again on painting this vehicle.
Other vintage stock – No work appears to have been carried out on any other vehicles although this situation will hopefully improve during the course of the summer.
Shed Fund – This fund is now well underway so that by the time the route of the motorway is finally settled there may be enough money to make a start on this project. Meanwhile donations will be gratefully received by the Treasurer, Chris Chivers.
I’m sorry but I can’t remember who took the photographs.
Poppies on Bredon Hill
Poppies on Bredon Hill near Lalu Farm.
Posted in Newsletters
Tagged Brownhills, Burntwood, Chasewater Railway Museum, Models, Norton Canes, Pit Check, Staffordshire, Steam Trains, Wagon plate
Update on No.21 – Arthur Edwards
A long while ago I applied copious layers of red oxide to the outside of this loco in an attempt to preserve it, but once in the shed, Chris and Beth helped me to sand it down, fill it, sand it down again, apply gallons of primer and sand it down again! When Dave ‘Doc’ Baker arrived on the scene, Steve Organ approached me to ask if it would be ok for Dave to do the top coat as he was at one time employed as a signwriter. We all agreed, and now the result looks quite smart. Following the recent fitting of the Dorman engine into the frames, Chris has had a problem with lack of compression preventing it from starting. New cylinder liners are now being sought to match the new pistons we already have in stock as a solution to this problem.
News of the E1 – Barry Bull
The E1 has returned to steam at Cranmore where it featured in their three day Gala event on October 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Despite original plans to restore the loco in BR black livery as No.32110 (livery and number which of course it never carried) the loco has actually been turned out in Southern Railway olive green livery. Crews report that the loco is still a bit tight but runs well and will ‘run on a fag end’, which I presume means that she is economical. Perhaps a visit to Cranmore is called for, bearing in mind that another well-known ex-Cannock coalfield loco, Manning Wardle ‘Littleton No.5’ can be found a few miles away at Bitton.
Commercial News – Bob Duffill
For the first time in many years, the CLR took a stand at an outside event, the Warley Model Railway Exhibition on October 9th and 10th at the NEC. This clashed with our end of season rally and opening of the extension, and also my birthday on the Sunday. After 25 years of waiting to see proper passenger trains on the causeway, I missed it in order to raise funds.
Items for the stand had been collected from Chasewater the previous weekend and put in awkward places around the house for me to trip over. On the Friday afternoon John and I went to the NEC to set up the stand will a well-loaded Riley off down the M6.
Our first impression was that the hall was huge and well laid out, in fact we were able to drive the car up to the stand inside the hall to unload. There then followed attempts to disguise the various household furniture into a reasonable-looking display for our goods, some relics and Tony’s models. Compared with some stands, ours looked very homely. Whilst in the hall we had a severe electrical storm, heavy rain and a strong wind that blew over causing the large doors to be closed and the organisers to pray for better weather, and us for the event planned for Chasewater on Sunday.
On Saturday the hall was packed with bodies, and what had seemed like large aisles the night before were full. The day went on with steady sales of paperwork and odds and ends, and a steady stream of enquiries and much leaflet giving-out, the idea being to be there as much for publicity as to raise money. The new leaflet on Chasewater seemed to go down well.
Sunday dawned and John and I were there again but the day was not so busy. We were able to supply the Tal-y-Llyn Railway with some early GWR Tywyn paperwork for their archives which they appreciated with a donation. All in all attending the exhibition was a good exercise, raising some money and flew the flag.
Went the day well – Paul Whittaker
Excitement and fascination are the only words to describe the looks I saw on the children’s’ faces as they queued up to see Santa. Although some might say that the rosy red glow in their cheeks could only be attributed to the biting north wind that blows in across the lake.
I personally would like to think that a mixture of both contributed to the atmosphere that was created by the hard work and unceasing enthusiasm of the staff at Chasewater, without which this event would not be possible. Included was a vivid interpretation of Santa by our own Steve Organ, supporting cast being supplied by Geoff and relief Santa by Andy; not forgetting the mammoth task of decorating and preparing Mr. Claus’s Grotto, courtesy of Margaret and John. With all this plus a train ride provided by Les Emery, promptly followed by sherry and mince pies for the parents.
It only remains for me to say that the CLR is obviously going from strength to strength with its presentation of this seasonal event. Congratulations to everyone concerned.
Posted in Bits and Pieces
Tagged 1993, Brownhills, Burntwood, Chasewater Railway Museum, E1, Hednesford, No 21 diesel, Norton Canes
Chasewater Railway Museum 