Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces 66
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 25th 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 Carriage
Maryport & 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 150th 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 6th.
Manpower, Womanpower Appeal!!
May we once again appeal most earnestly for manpower during this special year, viz. the 150th 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 Colliery
Slotted 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 , 19th April 1975. All members are invited to attend and comment.
Littleton Colliery Visit – Engine in Steam
Saturday 17th 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, 10th and 11th May 1975. Catshill Junction, Lindon Road, Anchor Bridge, Brownhills.
Dave Ives, President.
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