Here is the News....
News from the line, updated as frequently as possible
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For recent pictures of work on current railway projects, please visit Dougal Watson's fotopic site. This can be accessed here.(external link)
-29 January 2008-
Happy New Year!
2007 saw one of the railway's most successful years ever, with a great attendance at all of our major events. Several much needed developments started during 2007, namely the restoration of part of Brechin Station's 1848 wing into a Station Master's flat, and restoration of the bottom floor took a great leap forward with funding being secured for new windows and doors. Funding was allocated for the extension of our platform at Brechin, which will allow us to run longer trains and offer more seats to our passengers at busy events. Much of this funding was secured by volunteer Tommy Henderson, who along with everyone else who helped the railway during 2007, deserves a big thank you!
Another great milestone for the railway during 2007 was the purchase of steam locomotive No. 2107 'Harlaxton' from our good friends at the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group (ARPG). This will help secure the future of our operations as a steam railway, and will compliment the privately owned steam locomotives also resident at the railway. The purchase will also allow the ARPG to invest in their site.
The continued operation and aims of the railway depends entirely on our volunteers, so thank you to everyone who has helped us during 2007, and welcome to anyone who wants to help us carry on our important work during 2008.
Lets hope 2008 is another bumper year for OUR railway!
Busy Christmas for the track
gang…
The main track project being undertaken in early 2008 is the renewal of the “Number 2 Point” at Bridge of Dun. This point allows trains to be directed into either Platform 2 or Platform 3. The work comprises the replacement of the metalwork with a better suited point which will improve the alignment to the running line. This was salvaged from Dewar’s Whisky in Perth over 10 years ago - where the Ruston 48 'Dewar Highlander' once ran. The rails are being fixed to new timbers ranging from 15 feet to 8 feet long. Although the components of the point were stored together, but in a semi dismantled state, it still takes a lot of crane lifts to get all the items in the correct place on the ground.
The setting up of the geometry is critical for the point to operate properly. As there were no drawings of the actual dimensions of the point in an “as built” form to compare to the layout we were going to fit it into, it was first assembled on the newly levelled track bed using the already fixed timbers. Once the alignment was set then the gradual replacement of alternate timbers took place, to keep the shape.
Each timber needs to be drilled and screwed to the chairs which hold the rails.
Further photos can be found at: http://caledonianrailwayunoffical.fotopic.net
Other projects undertaken since the December update include the continuation of the extension of the storage sidings at Bridge of Dun. It is planned to progress these as time permits.
The start of more storage sidings at Bridge of Dun. These are to be used for long term storage in order to keep unsightly rolling stock out of public view.
Thanks to Dougal Watson for the update.
An update from the steam shed…
The sale of 2107 'Harlaxton' to the railway has been agreed with our friends at the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group. This is the first steam locomotive to be owned by the Caledonian Railway, and should secure steam services for years to come, complimenting the private owner engines based at the railway.
Looking to the future, a dedicated account has been set up in order to raise funds for the 10 yearly boiler overhaul, due in 6 years time. These repairs will almost certainly include the replacement of the firebox, a very expensive job. If you would like to help with these costs, and thus help maintain steam on our railway, you can contribute by contacting us at caleyrail@aol.com.
The locomotive is currently being jacked up for repairs, details of which will be added in due course.
Thanks to Steve Pegg for the update.