October 2007
July 2007
August 2006
April 2006
August 2005
January 2005
We feel 2007 is going to be a good year for the railway, with opportunities arising for more acquisitions, a steady if slow growth in volunteer numbers and the fact that the rest of the Narrow Gauge World is noticing our achievements since 2003.
Track laying is now complete to the deviation point across the rough ground to the canal lock. The specification for the embankment construction required has been submitted and we await for the civil works to be finalised before any more track laying can commence.
Saved from almost certain destruction, various items of the early cast iron track plate system from Woolwich Royal Arsenal Railway have arrived at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, for future restoration and installation. This is a really important achievement for our railway in archaeological terms. Dating from the 1870's, this type of `permanent way', cast plates with countersunk grooves in the top face in which the wheel flanges would locate, are detailed in "Engineering 1875". Mainly used within the works, foundries, blacksmiths and turneries, the face between the rails had a cast 'chequer plate finish' to prevent the slip of feet. The collection comprises straight sections, a bend, one left hand points section and an interesting turntable of about 32 ins. diameter, which is supported on bearings of cast balls of 2 1/2 ins. diameter.
Led by Grahame Browne, work is nearly complete on our first "new" wagon. Construction of this is based on one of the long wheelbase wagon frames from ROF Bishopton. Designed along the lines of similar units that were in use at both RAR Woolwich and the Chatham Royal Dockyard, known as 'knifeboard carriages' with single longitudinal seats on each side. These units will be used to transport the "Track Gang" to the railhead on what is now becoming a long journey, not that anybody can see us from within the site, we are still "The Hidden Railway".
On the acquisitions front, the recently acquired Masey Fergusson excavator is proving to be a really useful piece of equipment, maintenance and restoration work is ongoing and we find that much of the manual labour of the past years will be eliminated. The second acquisition from a major tunnelling engineering company has been three side discharge-tipping skips of 1.1 cu.mtr. capacity, these in use with the excavator will streamline the transport of ballast. Preliminary negotiations are underway to obtain motive power and transmission for the Clayton 3 1/2 ton Pony Locomotive obtained in 2004 from the National Coal Mines safety-training centre in Selby, Yorkshire, although it is not likely to be operational for some twelve months.
The time is right to ask all interested railway enthusiasts out there, ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VOLUNTEER? We normally work Wednesdays & Saturdays. Please come and visit the Mills Industrial Railway and see what we have achieved to date.
RJP @ WARGM Railway
