Colne Valley Railway News

This week Paul, Evan and Sally attended a Days Out With Thomas seminar at Drayton Manor - home to Thomasland.  This was a look back at 2013 and a preview of what it to come.  Apart from the business talk there were also six awards and we were lucky enough to get one for the "most innovative and effective marketing" this was because of signs around the site prompting visitors to Tweet and use Facebook whilst on site, thus spreading the word they were having such a great time.  Our thanks go to Natalie for this simple but highly effective idea.

The closed season is when work-parties can get on with jobs not able to be done easily during the running season.  The Permanent Way gangs have been replacing sleepers - this usually entails the removal of track and all the bits that hold it together.  The Signalling group have resumed their work on making Hedingham signal box look smarter, the hedge between the signal box and the model railway shed is also being removed, the plan is to open this area up and make access easier. There is also lot's of behind the scenes work, bookings for Pullman dining, Driver Experience and school visits are coming in, and events are being planned. Peppa Pig and Thomas the Tank Engine will be visiting again this year, other events include a Diesel Gala and Vehicle Rally in April, Emergency Services and Model Engineering days in May, Colne valley at War and Bus & Commercial vehicle Rally in July.   Other events may be added - keep an eye on the website.

Well another year has gone and my problems accessing Blogger seem to be cured (fingers crossed) The beginning of December saw a school visit - they were all dressed as evacuees. We also had Hedingham Sidecars annual end-of-year rally.  About 25 units attended and this year the weather was kinder so no-one lost their tent in the middle of the night! The year finished with some very busy Santa Specials and lots of happy customers. Again the weather was kinder with some days feeling quite spring-like.