Snow transforms the Railway in March
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The award winning magazine of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway No 78 Spring 2018 £3.50 Snow transforms the Railway in March Ivatt 2MT 41313 W24 Calbourne Telegraph poles From the Archives enters revenue back on the project helped highlights earning service tracks following by making use Horringford on 4 April her overhaul of cherry picker station
ISLAND RAIL NEWS
An interesting start to 2018 for the Railway
The Isle of Wight Railway Company Ltd An unusual event took place on the Isle of Wight in March, we had a
No 78 Spring 2018 No 78 Sp
ring 20
18 £3.50
ISSN 1465-623X
Board
of the Isl
e of Wigh
t Steam
Railway considerable fall of snow completely transforming the landscape. This
phenomenon doesn't happen that often here on the Island, especially on the days
e
magazin
Chairman Stephen Oates
ms
winning
ransfor
ard
The aw
Managing Editor/Designer Snow til when we are operating trains. So we offer no excuse in featuring many snowy
Directors Derek Bishop
wa y
the Ra ch scenes throughout this magazine.
Mike Lambert Steve Castle
Peter Conway
in Mar One old favourite and one newbie can now be seen hauling trains now that
News Editor Stuart Duddy
Stuart Duddy Nick Felton Calbourne is back in action and Ivatt 41313 has entered revenue earning service.
Simon Futcher More photographs of Calbourne will be featured in future IRNs once she gets back
Features Editor Peter Keeling in her stride.
Iain Whitlam Jim Loe
Steve Smart
As an add-on to the article reporting on some remedial work at Ashey station,
IRN Photographer Malcolm Smith we show two on-location photographs taken at Ashey during the filming of a
John Faulkner John Suggett children's television programme back in 1992. A link is provided to YouTube to be
Peter Taylor able to watch the programme.
Published quarterly by Secretary Iain Whitlam
Iain Whitlam's liveries update on page 19 gives us something to look forward
The Isle of Wight Railway Company Limited General Manager Peter Vail chives
poles Fr
om the Ar
s to as he tells us of colour changes to some of our favourite locomotives. This can
The Railway Station, Havenstreet, Ryde e Telegraph ed highlight rd
Finance Manager Linda Walker
T 41313
W24 Calb e
ourn help
project g use Horring
fo
be quite a tricky subject as people have their own personal preferences as far as
Isle of Wight PO33 4DS Ivatt 2M venue
th in
back on llowing by mak picker statio
n
Telephone 01983 882204
Commercial Manager and
Heritage Railway Association
enters re rvice
ea rn ing se
tracks fo ul
her over
ha
of cherry liveries are concerned.
www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk
Representative Jim Loe on 4 Apri
l
Ian Pratt's article on page 27 tells us what can be seen by the track as we
Operating Manager Clive Miller journey along the line in springtime. This will hopefully be a series of seasonal
Patrons
Christopher Green
Engineering Manager Kenny Laird
Front cover photograph:
offerings adding a new dimension to travelling on our trains.
Rail Infrastructure Foreman Pete Corby
Hugh Boynton 198 Royal Engineer steaming through the snow on 18 March. This issue highlights Horringford station in our 'From the Archives' spot. We
Estates Foreman Mark Gray
Locomotive Foreman Andrew Summers
Roger Millward are lucky to have such a wealth of material by which to remember these stations
A registered charity and company limited by guarantee
Carriage & Wagon Foreman Dave Smart
Back cover photograph: which are no longer there.
The contents of this magazine are not necessarily the expressed Ivatt 2MT Class 41313 passing a bank of primroses on 8 April. Now that the snow is a faded memory we can look forward to the warm, sunny
views of The Isle of Wight Railway Company Limited. Retail & Catering Manager Nick Boycott Ian Pratt
Health & Safety Officer Jim Roberts MBE days that are so much more a feature of the Isle of Wight.
Membership Secretary Allen Atley Mike Lambert Managing Editor
Museum & Archives Manager Steve Holden
Volunteer Co-ordinator Lead Geoff Purdue
Island Rail News is sponsored, designed and printed on the
Isle of Wight by Crossprint Ltd. Telephone 01983 524885
Senior Train Story Guides
Museum Mentor
Roger Fruen and Malcolm McCree
Gary Wragg Contents
General Manager’s Report 4
Appeal News and 200 Club Winners 5 crossprint.co.uk
Our Grateful Thanks 5
Special Events Report 6
Ashey Station fascia lift 7
i n fo @
News from the Boardroom 8
01983
Museum Matters 8
c ro s s
Telegraph Poles Progress 10
print.
Traffic Office Latest Report 12
52488
Rail Infrastructure Report 15
co . u k
Locomotive Workshop Files 16
IRN Gallery 18 PRINT
info@crossprint.co.uk
01983 524885
5
A Update on Liveries 19 DESIGN
Carriage & Wagon Workshop Files 20 PACKAGING
Winter Wonderland Mysteries 23 PERSONALISATION
Museum Artefacts 23 DISPLAY
Once Upon a Time 24 PUBLISHING
Trackside Flora and Fauna 27 WEB
From the Archives – Horringford 28
Tribute – Ken Boulton 32
Postbag 33
John Faulkner
Membership Matters 35
2 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 3
news The good reputation of our
Railway continues to grow...
IWSR Chairman
appointed to HRA role
ISLE OF WIGHT Steam Railway Chairman Steve Oates has
been appointed CEO of the Heritage Railway Association
... reports General Manager, Peter Vail (HRA).
This is a new role and is the HRA's first full-time
paid executive position. Until now, the HRA has been
Following weeks of operators and Island movement. Last year it was apologies for taking our project largely completed entirely volunteer-run but, as the heritage railway
careful planning, by accommodation providers, indicated that to increase Chairman; I responded in 2017 and which we were industry’s national trade and membership organisation,
Sunday 18 March our site we are able to get an early the value of the HRA it by congratulating them hoping to reveal with the its membership and board felt that the time was right
was prepared and our feel for what to expect. would, for the first time, on making a good choice. publication of an IRN Special to establish a full-time post to head-up and lead the
team ready to receive our The message I am picking seek to employ a key person Of course, this will bring to be dispatched in mid- organisation. Virtually all UK heritage railways and steam
Above: The cottage seen in about 1930.
first visitors of the 2018 up this year is that the to manage the organisation about a major change to March. I also referred to a centres are members of the Association, including the
Left: In very recent times.
season. Unfortunately, we early off-peak months are as Chief Executive Officer. our board and, at the time confidentiality issue and, IWSR. The heritage railway movement employs nearly
awoke to a fair covering of looking promising, whereas I certainly supported this of preparing this report, I do regretfully, this remains 4,000 full-time personnel, engages some 18,500 volunteers Pound Lane Crossing Cottage
fresh snow and some very advance bookings for the move as a way to add not know who will succeed in force and our hands are and is estimated to be worth over £250million in economic
impact. One of our members, Arthur Reeder, has emailed IRN recently to advise that the
difficult road conditions. peak summer period are further professionalism to Steve as Chairman. What still tied. However, our
Steve is our Railway’s longest-serving director, having little crossing keeper's cottage at Pound Lane, Shalfleet along the route of the
Despite this a sufficient a little weaker. Actually, our industry. I do know is that person Railway's 2017 Annual
given 33 years’ unbroken service since first being elected erstwhile Freshwater, Yarmouth & Newport Railway has been demolished. To quote
number of volunteers and this is becoming a trend What I did not know will have a good supportive Report circulated recently
to the board in 1985. During his early years as a director Arthur, "It’s a shame that this little gem has gone, but times do move on".
staff arrived at Havenstreet with holidaymakers to the until a few days before the team. to our members does make
to get our service up and Island booking late, often conference was that our Actually, the HRA a few brief references to the Steve was able to put his professional skills as a chartered
running, albeit with some for short breaks. We now own Chairman, Steve Oates, conference was again project, the restoration of surveyor to good use for the Railway. He became the
Appeal News
delays and cancellations unfortunately must accept had not only applied for the extremely valuable in terms an Oldbury railway carriage Company’s sixth Chairman in January 2008, taking over
& 200 Club
as detailed in Clive Miller’s few families take a summer role but was successful in of both the seminars and built new for the Isle of from John Suggett, who remains an active director and still
operating report on page two-week break in the UK. being awarded the position. the networking, offering Wight Railway Company holds the record for our longest-serving Chairman at 17
12. A great team effort Another early-season Through the pages of Island the opportunity to compare in 1864 – IWR Composite years.
ensured that those visitors opportunity to meet with Rail News I pass my sincere notes with the general 10. The restoration was To avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest,
who braved the elements to others and compare notes congratulations to Steve managers and senior undertaken as a part of a Steve will be stepping down as the Railway’s Chairman
reach Havenstreet were not
disappointed.
is the March Heritage
Railway Association (HRA)
who, as a condition of his
appointment, must step
representatives of other
preserved and heritage
television series produced
for Channel 4. The IRN
after the AGM in mid-May. As determined by the Articles of
Association his successor will be appointed by the board,
WOOTTON APPEAL
The winter quarter is always the quietest for fund-raising. Nonetheless, as at the end of
After this initial hiccup at two-day conference, usually down as Chairman but railways. These networking Special will detail this probably at its first meeting after the AGM. Steve will
March the total raised stood at £25,000. Although there is not much of substance to report
the start of the season we held in the West Midlands. will remain as a Director sessions can involve intense exciting project from start remain on the board as a director and trustee.
yet, the Wootton team is working hard on the preliminaries such as surveys and estimates.
should have had the Ashey The HRA is our umbrella serving our board. At the conversations that often go to finish, but we cannot Born and educated in Ryde, Steve joined the Isle of
Please keep the contributions coming. If you wish to donate online you can do so through
Scurry to look forward to trade organisation and conference in Birmingham on into the early hours of release this level of detail or Wight Steam Railway in 1975 as a 13-year-old. Having
the Railway’s website at http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/make-a-donation.aspx
a week later on Sunday 25 can be a vital source of I received from a number the next morning! photographs until the final quickly progressed as a locomotive cleaner, he was soon
Thank you for your support so far!
March. On a sunny spring information relevant to of HRA directors their In my previous IRN programme in the series of firing steam locomotives shuttling back and forth between
Havenstreet and Wootton, the extent of our operation
day this can turn Ashey
station into an interesting
the preserved railway report I referred to a five has been transmitted.
At the time of preparing this at that time. Steve has chaired the Island Steam Show SECR CARRIAGES APPEAL
and busy countryside report we understand that organising committee since 1997 and his dulcet ‘radio We are delighted to report that the total raised has now passed the £150,000 milestone. Great
halt. Unfortunately, ten the first programme will air voice’ tones can be heard during the four-day event as he progress is being made with the restoration of SECR Brake Third 4149, and this will be followed
days before the event we on Channel 4 in late-May – provides the commentary to various arena activities. Steve by Composite 6375. Donations towards this appeal are still very welcome as we will need at
received the news that do not miss it, it will make has also recently returned to footplate duties and hopes to least £200,000. If you wish to contribute, the web address is
owing to excessive rain the for good viewing! regain his fireman’s ticket in the near future. http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/make-a-donation.aspx
decision had been taken I end this report by Steve was instrumental in establishing Isle of Wight
to not risk the horses and welcoming to our Railway Radio in 1990, but new business opportunities took him 200 Club DRAW
riders, meaning that the Kenny Laird as our new away from the Island in 1993, initially to West Dorset before The winners of the March 2018 draw were as follows:
2018 event was cancelled. Engineering Manager. he settled in west Sussex with his two daughters in 1996. 1st Prize: £350 Martin Edwards, Nottingham (No 104)
With this somewhat Kenny’s appointment is We would like to offer Steve our warmest congratulations 2nd Prize: £150 Roy Johnstone, Wootton, Isle of Wight (No 242)
stuttering start to our formally announced in on securing this new position and offer our best wishes for 3rd Prize: £75 Michael Parker, London (No 157)
season we could have this edition of IRN. Having the challenges that the role will doubtless bring.
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks are offered to all 200 Club members for your
become somewhat advertised the vacancy
ongoing support.
disillusioned, but none of we were delighted to
that was necessary! The receive many very strong
good reputation of our applications and we
Railway continues to grow
and we now know that
followed a robust selection
and interview procedure. Our Grateful Thanks
throughout the season the I have every confidence WE WOULD LIKE to thank the following members who have made donations in the
occasional setback will that Kenny’s vast railway past few months: Mr G Bixley, Mr R Brooker, Mr P R Brooks, Mr S Castle, Mr A Clyde,
be overcome with many knowledge and experience Mr & Mrs C Fox, Mr & Mrs C Howard, Mr S Leal, Mr R J Maycock, Mr N Olley,
successes. Of course, we will be invaluable to us. Mr A J W Phippard, Mr C I Purkis, S G & P A Reed and M J R Thornton.
Donations have been received from the Bluebell Railway, the Colonel Stephens
never quite know what the Having reduced his hours
Society, the World Ship Society and the Isle of Wight Morris Minor Owners Club.
forthcoming season will of work Bob Huxtable will Finally we would like to thank all our members who have made a donation when
bring but through regular work alongside Kenny renewing their subscriptions.
contact with Visit Isle of as Deputy Engineering
Linda Walker Finance Manager
Wight, the cross-Solent 198 Royal Engineer departing Havenstreet on 18 March. John Faulkner Manager. Steve Oates seen on the footplate of Calbourne. Steve Castle
4 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 5
news Special Events report
By Events Officer Liz Tagart
We have just come out
of the period in the year
and there are the unusual
jobs, such as ensuring that
During what everyone
thinks of as the quiet time
Our 2018 events
season has started but
Ashey station receives a fascia lift
Stuart Duddy sets the scene
BEING OUR SLEEPY wayside
station, Ashey doesn’t often
when some people think Santa’s suit is taken to the of the year I can assure unfortunately not in a good make the news pages of IRN,
that nothing much happens dry cleaners (and doing you that the Events team way. The Ashey Scurry was although the installation
at the Railway, especially so without bumping into has already made plenty cancelled owing to poor two years ago of a replica,
in the Events Department. any children on the way). of preparations for 2018. ground conditions. With SR-style concrete name-
The truth, however, is very While still on the subject, Exhibitor paperwork has Easter Fun being our next board, skilfully fabricated by
different. For us, the year Christmas presents have been sent out and much of event we had hoped for a long-standing member Chris
starts with the taking down already been purchased it has now been returned. good start on Good Friday, Whiting, certainly warranted
and careful storage of our for the 2018 Santa Specials Our 1940s Experience but the day was largely a a mention (IRN 70, Spring
Christmas decorations and and colleagues are already committee has had several wash out, with torrential rain 2016, p6). Even then, the
lights. Although a quicker taking delight in reminding meetings and we have a throughout the day deterring fascia boards around the
process than putting it me how many weeks it is new entertainment line-up many visitors. However, I simple waiting shelter were
up in the autumn, it still until it’s time to get the for 2018. Our set builders am glad to report that things starting to look shabby and
takes a fair amount of time decorations out again. will be uncovering their improved on the Saturday, in need of attention. Two
new addition to the 1940s Sunday and Monday. years later, and with no sign
street scene and this will be Entertainment was provided of any action, a small group The waiting shelter at Ashey, before and after the fascia boards were replaced on Sunday 18 February 2018. Stuart Duddy
something not to be missed. by Greg Chapman and Haven decided to take the initiative.
The Island Steam Show Falconry and we also held The shelter was built when British Railways re-aligned the single line at Ashey, can be seen in the opening minutes of the first episode, available
committee has also met our regular Easter bonnet through Ashey away from the original Up Loop and across to the bed of the online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyPhI_4jwZg.
on several occasions. competition, with judging former Down Loop, constructing a new, three-carriage-length platform on It is not known when the shelter fascia boards were last renewed but,
All entertainment has taking place each day at the site of its predecessor. This had become necessary when the notorious being softwood, their replacement was heading up the priority list on
been booked with our 13.15. It’s an old-fashioned clay subsoil started causing movement of the former Up platform. Seeing health and safety grounds.
arena events this year idea but the children very little patronage, only basic passenger facilities were required at the The project was led by steam fireman and diesel driver Chris Parish.
consisting of two of our do put in a lot of effort station. The new 180ft platform and shelter served their purpose from the In his day job Chris is a woodworking craftsman employed at Clare
favourite acts from previous although, unfortunately, official opening date of 18 June 1961 until the final Ryde – Cowes services Lallow Boatyard in Cowes. His first task was to take the dimensions of
years, ‘The Sheep Show’ one entrant on the Sunday operated less than five years later, on 20 February 1966. the existing boards before acquiring and preparing the timber for their
and ‘Joseph Peace Fire was disqualified. It wasn’t Ashey station re-opened as a request stop on 2 May 1993, almost two replacement. He chose mahogany for its longevity. The timber was
Stunt Spectacular’. Of acceptable for the train years after the Havenstreet – Smallbrook extension had been opened. painted prior to being taken to site on Sunday 18 February, together with
course, there’ll be other guard to think that he could However, the station was witness to plenty of activity in October 1992 a generator, the necessary tools and some paint to touch-up the ends
W24 Calbourne's third day back entertainment too, but if I enter the competition by during the filming of children’s drama The Return of the Psammead which exposed after being sawn and for giving another coat overall.
in service following her overhaul reveal everything now there simply placing a pot of utilised the services of Stroudley 'Terrier' W11. The little shelter was The job, including the removal and re-attachment of the guttering on
seen on Easter Day at Havenstreet. won’t be anything to look daffodils onto his guard's transformed beyond all recognition by the television production company. the rear fascia, took around three hours and in addition to Chris, thanks
John Faulkner
forward to. hat! The photographs below left and right, which show the filming, were taken are due to Len Pullinger and Steve Smart for their assistance with the
by the late Brian Deegan. Footage, including some taken on the train and project.
This page and opposite: Filming The Return of the Psammead. Brian Deegan
6 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 7
News from the Boardroom
Compiled by Iain Whitlam, Company Secretary
DURING THE PERIOD luckily was caught by his Department report on page some shares as part of a 5-year capital expenditure
under review, the board mother before coming to 12 of this IRN. legacy. If anyone else wants plan, we are seeking ways
has devoted considerable grief – highlights a chain We have agreed a to include us in their legacy to use this to prompt the
time to safety matters. An of procedural lapses. This summary of the new Child in future, we can now cope need for pre-planning,
Incident Review Committee reinforces the need to and Vulnerable Persons with receiving securities working up projects to a
has been reconvened to ensure rigorous checks Protection Policy. Copies of too! ‘ready-to-go’ stage for
look at recent operating on equipment being fit this will be made available Peter Vail, Linda Walker ensuing annual capital
incidents and determine for use. We were at the to all staff and volunteers. and her finance team budget submissions.
what learning points and receiving end of a different With the General Data had their work cut out in We congratulate our
remedial action might help type of incident at the Protection Regulation January and February, chairman, Steve Oates,
minimise the likelihood of beginning of the year: on superseding the Data preparing the annual who has taken a job as
recurrence. Ahead of its a light note (pun intended) Protection Act, we have accounts for audit. To CEO of the Heritage
findings, we have already a pickup truck pulled into been considering what their credit, despite all the Railway Association – its
smartened up ways for Wootton station car park changes are needed to how various accounting practice first employee. Steve has
the Duty Manager – or the with a fire fault, which then we store and use personal updates to cope with, the therefore indicated he will
Person in Charge of Work gutted the vehicle. The data. This includes auditors were able to issue stand down as Chairman in
on non-operating days – to vehicle was removed the conducting an audit of an unqualified audit letter. the near future, although
log near misses. This was following morning. Further where we hold data. Having created a rolling remaining a director.
prompted by someone details can be found in We have adopted a policy Finally, we have
reporting an incident, Clive Miller’s Operating to hold stocks, shares, completed the purchase of
albeit non-reportable, to bonds and other securities, some additional land from
the Office of Rail & Road prompted by being offered our neighbour Mark Griffin:
and the Rail Accident 2.4 acres beyond what
Investigation Branch. You we know as Griffin’s Field
just don’t know who is and almost one acre of
watching you nowadays, woodland between Griffin's
not least with all the digital Field and the overflow car Narnia comes to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on 18 March! The pheasant moved shortly after the photograph was taken. John Faulkner
media around! To reinforce park at Havenstreet. This
A Warm Welcome
the need to up our game purchase will allow scope
in various ways, a recent to extend the Train Story
RAIB report on a scary shunting neck at a future
close shave which occurred date, offering greater
on another heritage opportunity to use land in
railway – where a young
child entered a carriage
Griffin's Field for future
sidings and facilities, whilst awaits you at the White Hart
when visiting the Railway
toilet from which the floor maintaining a buffer zone
had been removed but with our neighbours.
Museum Matters * Families Welcome
An update from Steve Holden, Museum & Archives Manager * Selection of Real Ales
WHILE THE RAILWAY was closed during the
winter the Museum Team continued cataloguing
* Only 5 minutes walk
the collection and other work relating to our
application to the Arts Council to become an
The R
Go ailway ’s
ld Med
On the acquisitions front we have obtained a number
of archive documents: perhaps the most interesting are
from the Steam Railway
Winne al Food served
Accredited Museum. This should be submitted by two ‘Notices to Treat’ issued by the Isle of Wight (Newport
the time you read this report. Junction) Railway to a landowner at Arreton in 1871.
We have also been updating the Museum
Gallery. For this summer we have small
r Apparently, these were the equivalent to compulsory
purchase orders. The documents were kindly presented by
Monday to Saturday
exhibitions about ferries, Island Line the Historic Ryde Society, to which we offer our thanks.
12pm to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9pm
and William Stroudley who, at the Paris
Exposition of 1878, won a gold medal for
his ‘Terrier’ locomotive Brighton, now W11
Once again, the high auction sale prices commanded
by Isle of Wight railway items has been illustrated. An Isle
of Wight Railway watch made by W L Hoskin (the maker
(Last orders 15 minutes prior to end of service)
Sunday 12pm to 8pm (last orders 7.30pm) White Hart Inn
(Newport) in the IWSR collection. We will of Ventnor clock now in our museum collection) sold at a (High Season Only) Main Road ~ Havenstreet
also be producing a booklet (right) about recent auction for £2,600 – a sum more than double what
William Stroudley which will be on sale in we were willing to offer. By comparison, other watches in
the Railway shop with the proceeds going the same auction sold for less than one third of that of the 01983 883485 email whitehartiow@gmail.com www.whitehartiow.co.uk
to the museum funds for conservation. IWR watch.
8 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 9
news
news
The Telegraph Pole Project Wedding congratulations
WE ARE DELIGHTED to
record the recent marriage
matron of honour and
two granddaughters,
taken a keen interest in
our rail infrastructure and
An update from Stuart Duddy tensioning process went without a hitch (other than the
of two long-serving Keneisha Pointer and been an active volunteer, it
author clouting his thumb with a hammer while attaching a
members of the Isle of Ellie Macnamara, as was logical that he should
WITH OUR COLLEAGUES in the Engineering length of capping to the pole)!
Wight Steam Railway family. bridesmaids. Dave’s take over as Permanent
Department having hired a cherry picker for At Wootton, we completed the preparatory work to
Finance Manager Linda brother-in-law, Peter Way Manager when Ray
a 16-day period in mid-January, to undertake connect the overhead wires between the final pole and the
Macnamara and volunteer Insley, was his best man. Winter retired as Chief Civil
various rail infrastructure and estates work, insulators now secured to the signal cabin, just below the
and former staff member Linda’s grandsons also Engineer in early-2005.
we were also able to seize upon the availability gable end, returning to Havenstreet as darkness fell.
Dave Walker were married played an active role in the Dave fulfilled the role until
of the plant for a couple of days and further Heavy rain was expected for Sunday 21 January and,
on Friday 16 February proceedings, with Oscar early-2014 when he decided
progress our overhead line project between regrettably, the forecasters weren’t wrong. Nevertheless,
at Ryde Castle in the Macnamara as page boy to pursue an alternative
Havenstreet and Wootton. The main focus for we continued our work, re-securing wires to insulators
company of many friends and Josh, Jamie and Billy career path. However,
the weekend of 20 and 21 January was the where necessary and then completing the final span to
and colleagues from the Macnamara all ushers. Dave has remained a
attachment of stays to those poles at the end of the insulators attached to the signal cabin at Wootton. We Dave and Linda.
Railway. The wedding Linda was employed as regular volunteer within the
runs. made good use of the little coal-fired stove in the ‘Shark’
ceremony was followed by Finance Manager in the permanent way team since for a cruise around New Wellington, Tauranga
We started with the poles either side of brake van and a portable gas ring meant that warming hot
a reception and, later, by an spring of 2009, taking over then. Zealand. Highlights of the and Bay of Islands. Their
Len Pullinger (left) and Guildford Farm crossing on the Saturday. drinks were available. In fact, it was quite tough to motivate
evening event. the role from from Di Akers, A couple of days after the cruise were New Zealand’s journey back to the UK was
Steve Smart digging a hole Having attached the wire to the Up side pole, just below ourselves to leave the comfort of the cosy van and return to
for the final stay anchor, Given away by her two who continues to provide wedding, Linda and Dave remote Fjordlands where broken with a two-night
the lower cross-arm, we endeavoured to secure the other work after each break.
immediately behind the sons, Neil and Kevin, valuable support for Linda. jetted off down to Sydney, the ship entered Milford, stop-over in Dubai.
platform ramp at Wootton. end to the anchor which had been installed several weeks During the following week Roger Fruen drilled a hole
Linda was attended by Dave was, for many years, Australia where they stayed Doubtful and Dusty Sounds, We wish the couple a
Stuart Duddy earlier. However, this particular anchor proved somewhat into the end wall of the signal cabin at Wootton through
her daughter-in-law our shop sales manager. for a few days before joining and port stops at Dunedin, long and happy marriage.
troublesome and try as we might, we were unable to which the pair of wires was passed, representing an
Nikki Macnamara as However, having always Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Akaroa (for Christchurch),
tension the wire. Short of digging out the anchor by hand important milestone in the project. Three weeks later, on a
and replacing it – a thought which didn’t fill any bright Sunday 11 February, we resolved the problem of the
New Engineering Manager
of us with much enthusiasm, especially in view troublesome stay anchor for the pole on the Up side of the Towards the end of 2017
of the weather and the nature of the water- line adjacent to Guildford Farm crossing using a tensioning our Engineering Manager,
appointment announced
logged clay subsoil – our attention turned to device. We also hand-dug holes and installed two more Bob Huxtable, formally
the pole on the Down side of the crossing. In stay anchors, one opposite the Down end of the platform requested a variation in his
comparison, this proved to be straightforward, at Havenstreet and, in the afternoon, the other behind the hours of work to reduce
it taking only around 20 minutes to attach the platform ramp at Wootton. A few weeks later, on 17 March, from a 5-day week to 3 by Peter Vail, General Manager
stay wire to the pole, secure it to the anchor and we installed the final anchor and stay wire, this being for days. Bob has been in
complete the tensioning process. the pole adjacent to Bridge 12. the post of Engineering Restructure Committee is that we are delighted to for the entire
The engineers’ train trundled on towards The final part of the Havenstreet - Wootton installation Manager for just over seven which agreed that we would announce the appointment array of railway
Bridge 12, stopping where necessary to reattach process will be to pull a cable through an existing duct years and has overseen a seek to recruit a new full of Kenny Laird, who lives in projects and railway
overhead wires to insulators where high winds which runs beneath the cess from Havenstreet signal box number of major changes time Engineering Manager, Cowes. engineering,
had dislodged them. Steve Smart adopted a to the end of the platform and complete the connections at that have positively with Bob stepping into In Kenny we have an ranging from
new binding method in an attempt to secure the each end. After testing, the line wire will be handed over to progressed our Railway. a new 3-days-per-week Engineering Manager who week-in, week-out
wires more tightly to the insulators. the infrastructure team for commissioning. To accommodate Bob’s Kenny Laird. John Faulkner
position of Engineering has spent his entire career renewal projects to
At Woodhouse crossing, work to secure the request the opportunity Manager’s Assistant. in railway projects and genuinely major complex assignment which was as
Len Pullinger (left) and
Steve Smart using the stays at the two poles took little more than 30 minutes and was taken to review the The new vacancy was engineering across the railway programmes. Programme Director for the
tensioning device at the we then continued to MP 6½. Here, the wire goes beneath engineering management advertised widely both in world, covering national Kenny’s experience covers extension of Dubai’s Red
troublesome pole adjacent
Guildford Farm crossing the surface for approximately 120 yards because a pair of structure as, for some the local and national press. rail, London Underground all railway engineering Line metro.
Stuart Duddy 33kV lines pass overhead. Once again, the attachment and time, the need to increase The quality of applicants and a number of tram disciplines of buildings, We look forward to
our resource to reflect our was particularly good and and metro systems. Over civil, mechanical, electrical, working with Kenny and
growing business has been it was necessary to follow the last 24 years he has telecoms, train control I know you will join me in
acknowledged. a carefully considered operated at a senior level systems and permanent welcoming Kenny to the Isle
Appointed by the board, and robust recruitment in the international rail way. In April of 2017, Kenny of Wight Steam Railway.
we have a Management process, the result of which industry with responsibility concluded his last full-time
The Railway needs your unwanted books!
We have opened our second-hand bookstall again and we appeal for any books
which you can donate for resale. Last year we raised an astonishing £7,240!
We require books on any subject as well as fiction. It would be much appreciated
if you could deliver them to the office at Havenstreet during normal office hours.
Thank you! Sorry, but please do not include magazines or videos.
The engineers' train pauses at Bridge 12 while a stay wire is attached to the top of the pole
Steve Smart (left) and Chris Brown securing the wires to
the newly installed insulators attached to the signal cabin at
Since we started the bookstall in 2010 we have raised £37,607
adjacent to the bridge. The arboreal dormouse bridge can also be seen clearly. Stuart Duddy Wootton. Stuart Duddy
10 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 11
news
Another key outcome from the meeting was agreement three four-wheeled carriages on one-train days.
that, across the Company, we should encourage the On Friday 16 March, just two days before the start of the
reporting of near misses and irregularities which, under 2018 operating season, the farm crossing at Havenstreet
slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in was closed temporarily to pedestrians and vehicles,
a serious incident. This will allow such incidents to be pending the completion of over-running works to install
investigated and any trends identified. However, crucial to new gates and a new concrete gate post on the Up side.
the success of this initiative is that we adopt a ‘no blame’ It is hoped that the work will be completed so that events
culture. It shouldn’t be about pointing fingers – it’s about planned for the field behind the station won’t be impacted.
learning from mistakes to make the Railway safer for Sunday 18 March saw the curtain rise on the 2018
everyone. It’s also worth mentioning that such reporting is season but the day dawned with a fair covering of snow.
not confined to days when passenger trains are operating I was unable to safely move the car off my sloping drive
– it applies equally to engineers’ train and motor trolley because of the deep snow and the un-gritted local roads.
working on non-operating days. There was only one way to reach Havenstreet and that
Another topic of discussion was the berthing of the bogie was to walk. Mind you, a four mile walk in the fresh deep
passenger stock in Train Story Road 1 (the lean-to road) snow does tend to give one a good appetite!
during the operating season, and whether we can increase Most staff managed to reach Havenstreet,
the time our precious Edwardian carriages are stored despite hazardous driving conditions
undercover. However, this will probably be conditional upon especially around Ventnor and the south-
the installation of a servicing platform, a project that is west of the Island. Accumulation of snow
already on the 5-year capital expense budget plan. in point switches at Havenstreet led to
New season update days were held on 7 and 10 March, the decision to run BR Class 03 D2054
attended by a total of 74 members of staff – both paid firstly to Smallbrook Junction and then to
From the Traffic Office
and unpaid – and included both operating personnel and Wootton to ensure that points were cleared
locomotive crew. Topics covered the recent revision to before passenger trains were operated. In
the ORB, the new digital radios and the importance of consequence, the first train of the season,
incident reporting. Locomotive Foreman Andrew Summers the 10.05 Down train to Wootton, was
also delivered an informative presentation regarding the cancelled. Subsequent services before
differences between our two Ivatt tank locomotives. the lunchtime interval ran with delays of
Clearing tree branches A safety film has been made for the benefit of new between 30-40 minutes. Connections at
overhanging the line with
the aid of a cherry-picker
An operations update from entrants to the Operating Department. At approximately Smallbrook were irrelevant because Island
The officer assured me that the blaze had been fully eight minutes long it covers the main points of station Line services were suspended. The 13.03
Roger Millward Clive Miller, Operating Manager extinguished and that there was no chance of it reigniting safety and train dispatch. Up service from Havenstreet to Smallbrook
– largely because they had dumped 400 gallons of water on As mentioned in this column in IRN 77, the new digital was cancelled, meaning that afternoon
IT WAS A cold 8 January and I had just made a cup of tea it. There was very little damage to our infrastructure other radios were ordered and received, and the UHF digital departures ran to time. However, in view of
when Liz Tagart called to tell me that there was a report than some scorching to the car park surface where the repeater station mast was erected at Upton Cross on 13 the prevailing conditions and the forecast,
of a vehicle on fire in the car park at Wootton station. vehicle had come to rest and burst into flames. Happily, no March. The switch to digital radio usage is imminent. We and mindful of our duty of care to staff and
Instantly, I sprang into action, and because Health & Safety one was hurt. must ensure that we reap the benefits of this investment, volunteers, it was felt prudent to terminate
officer Jim Roberts happened to be in the office at the time Engineers’ trains ran almost daily for two weeks in mid- principal users being drivers and shunters during shunting services a little earlier than scheduled,
we headed out towards my car. On arrival at Wootton we January, conveying a cherry-picker which had been hired operations and train guards and signalmen/duty managers and so the 15.57 Up service to Smallbrook
were greeted by the sight of a burned out vehicle and a primarily to clear more tree boughs which overhang the on operating days. The old analogue radios will be and the corresponding 16.19 Down service
large fire appliance. I spoke with the fire officer and asked line. Almost all of this work occurred along the Smallbrook cascaded for further use by the other departments. back to Havenstreet were also cancelled. I
him what he thought had happened, hoping it wasn’t a case section, although the train did spend a couple of days in the The Station Maintenance Elderly Gentlemen team should like to place on record my thanks to
of vandalism. However, it seemed that the driver of the Wootton section in connection with the trackside telephone (the ‘SMEG’s) were kept busy during the closed season, all those staff, whether rostered or not, who
Ford Ranger had noticed smoke coming from beneath the line reinstatement project. continuing their fine work repainting the paling fences turned up on the day. We didn’t break any
dashboard as he was driving along Station Road. Thinking The annual review of the Railway’s Operating Rule Book around Havenstreet. As mentioned in a previous edition, opening day records in terms of the number
quickly, he pulled off the road and into our car park, and (ORB) was undertaken in mid-January. The proposals went each panel is numbered discretely meaning that several of passengers carried (160) but at least we Above and below: 198 Royal
mindful of its cargo he quickly unhitched the trailer. This through the Railway’s Change Management process and Engineer braving the snow
panels can be removed and renovated simultaneously defied the weather and ran a train service. V on 18 March. John Faulkner
proved to be a wise decision because just 30 seconds later the implementation date coincided with the start of the in our heated workshop before being returned to their
the truck went up in flames. 2018 operating season. respective bays. Temporary fencing prevents visitors from
A useful and positive meeting between the Operating straying onto the line. Although steady progress was made
The sad remains of the burnt- and Engineering Departments occurred in early-February, the dwindling number of volunteers willing to undertake
out Ford Ranger at Wootton attended by the departmental managers, their linked
station car park. Clive Miller this sort of work makes for slower progress than we would
directors, the Health & Safety Officer, a duty manager and like. I therefore repeat my usual appeal for volunteers to
one of my footplate inspectors. Chaired by the General join our merry band of SMEGs – and being elderly is not a
Manager, a broad range of topics was discussed, one such pre-requisite.
being the use of paid staff to undertake diesel driving It was disappointing to be advised just 10 days prior to
and shunting when, with a little more planning, volunteer the start of the new season that use of our highest capacity
staff could be sought to undertake the duties. This helps carriage, LBSCR Third 2416, was to be restricted owing to
in respect of maintaining volunteer competencies and its wheelsets having almost reached the minimum wear
also leaves paid staff to focus more on their core roles. threshold. That the wheels needed attention was known
A new shunt planning process involving both Operating last summer when newly re-tyred wheelsets intended for
and Engineering Departments should yield improvements 2416 were instead placed under LBSCR Brake Third 4168
in this respect. Along similar lines, we are improving (IRN 76, p22). It is not clear why eight months elapsed
communication between duty managers and other before sending the wheelsets removed from 4168 to the
departments by creating a generic duty manager email South Devon Railway to be machined, but commercial and
address and online diary, and an expanded daily log will operation considerations were seemingly not uppermost. It
improve communication between duty managers and the is hoped that the wheelsets will be returned during May. In
Operating Manager. the meantime, we’ll be strengthening the bogie train with
12 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 13
news Rail infrastructure update
Operations round-up from Rail Infrastructure Foreman Pete Corby
The arrival at Havenstreet of the final train on New Year’s Day gave a
two-and-a-half month window in which to undertake the winter works
into place to be secured down. The straight road, leading to the Down
Loop, could be left largely intact, other than two new closure rails. In
programme. contrast, with the new point lead being longer, the
After the progress made curved road leading to the Up Loop required the
last year, a cherry picker replacement of both rails and almost all the chairs
was hired for the first repositioned and fixed down. Happily, the pointwork
couple of weeks in January. was sufficiently complete through both loops for the
This year’s version was a running of Calbourne’s first test train on 13 March.
size up on the equipment With the Permanent Way side of the job almost
hired in 2017 and once completed, attention moved to the S&T installation,
loaded aboard SR 20T Well so as to get everything completed for the start
B 61056 gave a much larger of public services on 18 March. The first day of
reach. Most activity was operations was slightly hampered by the arrival of
confined to the section of some more unseasonal snow requiring the clearing
track through Rowlands of switch openings etc., but once the snow melted,
Wood where both sides and after a small teething problem with a signal
of the line were cleared wire tension, the new installation is working safely
of overhanging branches, and efficiently.
largely from neighbouring Keeping warm by burning the brash. John Faulkner For the first time in
198 Royal Engineer pulling out of Havenstreet bound for Smallbrook Junction on 18 March. Roger Millward trees. This created a huge recorded history the
quantity of material, which fishplate maintenance
From the
Traffic Office
C The weather woes did not improve after the snow Although the infrastructure stood up well to the weather, was sorted before the couldn’t be carried out in
disappeared. Rain arrived and rain it did, to the extent that the same could not be said for one of our carriages. lighter brash was disposed its traditional slot over the
the next casualty on the events programme fell at the first Regrettably, NLR 4-wheeled Composite 6336 developed a of by a series of bonfires. March working weekend, a
fence, with the Ashey Scurry succumbing to a waterlogged leaking roof and had to be withdrawn. As the operating day With the stretch through spell of cold weather and
course. was drawing to a close we were running some 20 minutes Rowlands Wood completed, snow at the end
We had one day of sunshine but the arrival of the Easter late, but I had a plan. The guard on the bogie set confirmed the remaining hire period of the preceding
weekend coincided with the return of heavy rain. Indeed, by radio that he only had four passengers on board and that was spent at either Ashey week covering
on Good Friday we wouldn’t have been surprised to have all were going to Wootton. I quickly checked the café, shop station or Deacons Lane the track by the
seen Noah's Ark sailing down the hill from Wootton! Rainy and Train Story, all of which were devoid of customers. In or Ashey Road bridges. weekend. It also
days can often be quite busy but the prolonged torrential an effort to recover a few minutes I took the decision to run Branches overhanging the made transport
downpours clearly deterred many would-be visitors, with the last Down service through to Wootton non-stop. By the track proved to be the main difficult for a lot
barely 300 people braving the atrocious weather. Being time the service arrived back at Havenstreet at 17.05 we activity here too, although of gang members,
almost at saturation point the ground was seemingly were just 15 minutes adrift … and it was still raining! at Deacons a couple of although
unable to absorb further rainwater, resulting in minor Fortunately, the weather improved for the remainder of trees adjacent to the lane fortunately
flooding at several locations along the line but nothing to the weekend, which saw 703 passenger journeys recorded were carefully dismantled conditions on the
stop our two-train service. At Smallbrook Junction, the on Easter Eve, 710 on Easter Day and 599 on Easter to reduce the risk of them roads had eased
water level in Monktonmead Brook was reported to be just Monday. damaging the bridge or the Rail cutting. John Faulkner by the Sunday.
two inches from the crown of the arch which carries the I am looking forward to what will hopefully be another approach embankment. Nevertheless, numbers
brook beneath the Island Line track. With no sign of the busy season with plenty of people about and, who knows, With the plant returned were insufficient to allow
weather improving, I stood down one of the Havenstreet the sun may even make an appearance! to the hirer, preparations a concerted effort at the
booking clerks and closed Smallbrook booking office. began for the renewal of fishplates, but did enable
There had been only six ticket transactions at the latter Traffic figures the Havenstreet Up Loop the final closure rail to be
and so the Guard Assist issued tickets for the remainder The monthly traffic figures for Quarter 1 are shown below. (No 6) points. As much measured, cut and installed
of the day. as was necessary of the on No 6 points. Naturally,
S&T equipment was the fishplate work has only
temporarily recovered and been postponed, but will
Monthly traffic figures for Quarter 1 new materials moved into now have to be done in a
place before February’s more piecemeal manner
Q1 / 2018 Q1 / 2017 working weekend. The before the arrival of
Number of Passenger Average number Number of Passenger Average number Passenger large gang in attendance on summer.
operating journeys of passenger operating journeys of passenger journeys the Saturday removed the The Friday Gang
days journeys per days journeys per
percentage existing switches, crossing continues its sterling efforts
operating day operating day variance and selected timbers, in keeping control of the
January 1 751 751 1 632 632 + 18.8% before rebuilding work lineside vegetation. With
February 0 0 n/a 0 0 n/a n/a commenced with the new the arrival of spring some
crossing on Sunday. cutting sessions have taken
March 6 2,541 424 4 1,688 422
+ 50.5%
Over the following days place at Ashey Grounds,
Total 7 3,292 470 5 2,320 464
+ 41.9% the timbers at the switch the days before that being
end were re-spaced and devoted to material disposal
Whilst the passenger journey figures for March may appear strong, it should be remembered that the movement of Easter and of the Easter school holidays distorts comparisons at repositioned before the from the tree lopping work
this time of the year. The Easter weekend in 2017 fell cleanly in April, whereas in 2018 the start of the holiday weekend fell in March resulting in more operating days. new switches were moved Renewing the Havenstreet Up Loop (No 6) points. John Faulkner in January.
14 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 15
Workshop Files
Locomotives
The completion of a number of long-term projects is beginning to bear
fruit, with the return of 41313 and the completion of work on W24. We
start the 2018 operating season with five steam locomotives available
news
Compiled by Andrew Summers, Locomotive Foreman, and Peter Taylor
W8 Freshwater passed her ‘in steam’ inspection on 6 March and is
available for service this year. While in steam the opportunity was taken to
test the manufactured injector parts, all of which worked perfectly.
Ivatt 2MT Class 41313
At the end of last year 41313 was winterised and put
into dry storage in Train Story awaiting the start of a
new working life on the IW Steam Railway. The first
day in revenue earning service was 4 April.
for service and as such, we are the envy of many heritage railways
which struggle from day to day to provide suitable motive power. A1/x Class W11
Well done to our team of volunteer and paid staff who have put in Following completion of annual exams, W11 also successfully passed her
the hours and hard work to get us to this position. steam test on 6 March and is available for service for the coming season. A replacement
little end
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES E1 Class W2 Yarmouth bush for
41298 during
With Train Story closed to the public for a two-and-a-half months the manufacture.
O2 Class W24 Calbourne opportunity was taken to undertake preventative maintenance and Andrew Summers
Early-January saw W24 with both driving wheelsets in place being conservation work by a small working
shunted into the workshop to enable work to continue in the dry. By group who braved the winter elements,
mid-January work had commenced on slide bar and piston crosshead undertaking this outside in the Down
adjustment; unfortunately a crack was discovered in the right-hand Sidings.
side crosshead cover; luckily a spare was available in our limited The main areas tackled concentrated
Ivatt 2MT Class 46447
Work underway on E1 class W2 Yarmouth. John faulkner The Ivatt tender locomotive remains on loan to the
selection of O2 parts. on the cylinder block and wheelsets;
East Somerset Railway where it is in regular use.
The replacement required overhauling before fitting. This involved this involved jacking up the locomotive
white-metalling and machining to suit. New side slipper blocks to enable the springs to be removed
Hunslet ‘Austerity’ Juno
required manufacturing and shims fitting. The final task involved and the axleboxes and horns examined.
Juno remains on display at Shildon under the agreement with the National DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES
Railway Museum.
checking and adjusting the valve timing following the overhaul of the On 5 February the pistons were finally
eccentrics and valve gear. removed from the bores after many BR Class 03 D2059 'Edward'
A test steaming on 6 March identified a problem with the regulator hours struggling to break the rust’s
Cylinder and piston in the E1, as Ivatt 2MT Class 41298 During January, D2059 was deployed daily for two weeks on engineers’
found. Andrew Summers 41298 is currently in the works for valve and piston work and for boiler
stuffing box that was dealt with the following day, once the boiler had hold on the crossheads. trains without incident. Exam work and routine maintenance was
examinations to be completed. completed by mid-February, ensuring availability for the start of the
cooled sufficiently. A full steam test was completed in the presence of During the course of investigations the original source of some of the
The new rings have been fitted to their respective pistons and valves, operating season.
our independent boiler inspector on 12 March, followed by running-in components has been identified; the main frames being stamped ‘Monk
a precursor to re-assembling the valve gear and coupling rods. A
trials with empty coaching stock the following day. Calbourne’s first Bridge’ and the wheelsets were manufactured at Canal Street Iron Works,
day back in service was Good Friday, 30 March. Derby.
replacement little end bush has been manufactured for the right-hand side BR Class 05 D2554 ‘Nuclear Fred’
that should cure a pronounced knock that was developing on the motion ‘Nuclear Fred’ is on static display in Train Story.
In time for the re-opening of Train Story at the start of the operating
work.
season, the E1 was returned to take up her role as an exhibit.
During boiler examinations a failed superheater element has been Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DM 235
found and replaced; a build-up of scale on the top feed watershed tray
Hawthorn, Leslie 0-4-0ST W37 Invincible had also been detected
Exams and routine maintenance work was completed by early-March,
Progress has been made on assessing the condition of the boiler, as has meaning that the locomotive remains available for shunting within
and dealt with. The annual Havenstreet station limits.
continued stripping of parts for further inspection and replacement; this
strip and inspection of the
includes removal of internal copper pipes and boiler studs.
safety valves identified
some hairline cracks on
WORKSHOP NEWS
Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T W38 Ajax one valve. Fortunately we Finally, as well as the maintenance of our locomotives, a range of other
Ajax remains on static display in Train Story.
had a spare in store; now jobs has progressed. Uneven surfaces in the machine shop involved
fully overhauled and fitted
Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 192 Waggoner with a new spring it has
digging out and re-concreting, wooden cabinets have been made to
improve the limited storage capacity and both our Manitou machines
Work on the ten-year boiler overhaul has not yet started but there is light
been installed alongside the Peter Hull descaling the top feed manifold have undergone maintenance to make them as reliable as possible for
at the end of the proverbial tunnel. With the return to service of W24 and
The cracked right-hand crosshead cover from W24 Calbourne. second serviceable valve. from 41298. John Faulkner the coming season.
good progress on Ivatt 2MT Class 41298, work can start in earnest in the
The replacement component was stamped ‘205’, aka W21 Sandown.
Andrew Summers near future.
Meanwhile, minor work has continued with the cleaning and inspection
A1/x Class W8 Freshwater of removed components, the painting of externally stored parts and
Work continues to progress on replacing the front steam heat descaling the inside of the bunker for inspection.
pipework that has been absent for some time.
Following a number of false leads, a Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 198 Royal Engineer
pattern for the body of an Ashford-type Following completion of service on 1 January, Royal Engineer’s boiler
injector as fitted to our 'Terriers' was was washed out and the locomotive was stored for a couple of months
sourced from the Mid Hants Railway and is within Train Story, space being available because the E1 had temporarily
presently at a foundry to enable new ones vacated the premises. During a subsequent exam, a broken spring on the
to be cast. The internal workings are more leading axle was replaced and the fireman’s side boiler clack / steam valve
problematic as no information has come assembly for the injector was refurbished; new parts consisting of clack
to light and therefore a process of ‘reverse seat and valve, steam valve spindle and packing throughout.
engineering’ has been used to come up Boiler testing commenced with a steaming on 5 March to set the safety
with the design of suitable new cones. The valves followed by a full steam test the next day for the independent boiler
first of these has been manufactured from inspector.
solid bar and because of the complex shape 198 commenced the 2018 operating season on a cold and snowy 18
The new bronze injector
has involved some elaborate setting up and cone for W8 Freshwater March; because of their design Austerities are the least vulnerable of our Andy Dudson, Alex Hull and Neil Rees refitting the right piston and rod in Snow coats the running plate of 198 Royal Engineer early on 18 March,
machining in our own machine shop. John Faulkner locomotives to frost damage. 41298 on 22 March. John Faulkner the first day of the operating season. Andrew Summers
16 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 17
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