Colne Valley Railway News

Our 2017 season started with the Colne Valley at War event. The weather was lovely, warm and dry and visitors came out in force to see re-enactors on site transporting the station area back to the 1940s. Steam engine WD190 worked well on her first operational day We also welcomed Nadine and her team who have taken over Sidings Buffet.

We started the 2015 season with a private hire of the Pullman train at the end of March. This was to celebrate a retirement.  Everything worked well and the weather was good, We've had a change of layout in the bar coach and this was the first time of use - it proved to be a popular change. Easter was good.  We have a new caterer this year and are already getting positive feedback.

Last week saw the 27th Victorian Fantasy event aimed at KS2 children.  Around 1,000 people a day attended this highly popular event where they met Queen Victoria on the Royal Train, enjoyed a traditional Punch & Judy show took part in the Music Hall and enjoyed a lesson in the classroom - this seems to be the favourite part of the day for many children (they like the strict teachers) Music was provided by a Gavioli fairground organ which many danced to. On Sunday 14th we held a Victorian Sunday, where some of the children who had visited with a school in the week came back to show their family.  Again we had Queen Victoria and her entourage and has two engines in steam - WD190 and Little Barford.

Built by Hunslet in 1952,  0-6-0ST WD190 returned to service at the weekend after an absence of 5 years.  In that time she has been overhauled by our own Steam Restoration Volunteers (fondly known as The Eccentrics!) The motion has been stripped, bearings remade, and the boiler was removed.  Some of the specialist work needed to be undertaken by a contractor off-site but most of the work was completed at Caste Hedingham.  The next project is another of our own engines - Jupiter.   A big Thank You to all the volunteers involved in working on WD190 - a great job well done.

WD190 today had the boiler put back in place, next step is getting the tank back on and steam testing.  Good to see it going back together. When I asked what was needed to get her back steaming it was made to sound very easy - good job I know otherwise! Once the lorry had finished with WD190, the boiler was lifted from RSH 0-6-0ST Jupiter.  This 1950 built loco will be the next project when WD190 is finished.

A warming fire was lit in the boiler of WD190 ready for pressure testing. Looked quite strange - I was waiting for the whistle to go saying the kettle had boiled!!

This morning the boiler for Andrew Barclay 2199 'Victory' came back after having essential work carried out by Mervyn Mayes at Dereham, Norfolk. Hopefully this loco, now in private ownership, will be back in steam later this year. further details can be found on http://www.victory2199.webs.com/ The lorry then took away the boiler for WD190 which is also going to Mayes for work.